Introduction
This
page shows us the value of comparing Scripture with Scripture in the
Bible.
Comparing
Scripture against Scripture is a really important method of obtaining
the fullest picture of what happened or what is being taught. On this
page we will consider various ways of comparing Scripture and then provide
a resource for doing that i nthe Old Testament.
Comparing
Scripture to Enlarge the Picture.
Sometimes
when we read one verse or one paragraph, we can get a rather limited
view of what took place. This can be overcome by using cross-references
to see other passages where the same events are being referred to.
For
a major study using this method in the Old Testament. we have provided
a study later on using David’s life.
In
the New Testament this form of study is particularly useful in the following
cases:
a)
In the Gospels: 
In
the Gospels it is useful to put together the pieces recorded by each
of the writers. The first three Gospels are fairly similar (referred
to as the Synoptic Gospels) as they view the life of Christ from a common
standpoint.
For
example. compare Mt
4:1,2 / Mk
1:12,13 / Lk
4:1,2
They
EACH inform us that Jesus was taken into the desert by the Holy Spirit,
where he stayed for 40 days and was tempted by Satan.
Mark
adds further that angels looked after him there. Luke emphasises
that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. Matthew seems to emphasise
that the reason Jesus was led there by the Spirit was to go through
the confrontation with Satan.
The
first three Gospel writers appear to use much common material, presumably
drawn from common sources, whereas John, who wrote later and with a
stronger and different purpose (see Jn
20:31), didn't bother to include some of their details, and indeed
for most of his Gospel provided his own experiences for his account.
b)
In the Epistles & Acts :
Comparing
the Epistles with the Acts of the Apostles is a further useful exercise
as it helps put Paul's writings in an historical and geographical context.
For
example, check Acts
16:1-3 with 2
Tim 1:15
Why
not do a study in Acts and see what it tells us about Timothy and then
compare it with what you can find in the two epistles written to him.
Comparing
Scripture to Enlarge Understanding of Doctrine.
a)
To show when the NT supersedes the OT teaching
For
example:
Lev
7:1,2 instructs the bringing of animals as a sacrifice to God for
the guilt of sin.
Eph
2: 15 / Heb
9:28, 10:10
/ Rom
8:1 show that the New Testament believer is freed from the ceremonial
law because Christ has been the one and only sacrifice that can make
us completely right with God, and the believer is released from guilt
and condemnation.
Rom
12: 1 and Heb
13: 15 give the New Testament believer other things to offer to
God instead of animals i.e. themselves- and the praise from their lips.
b)
To show when the NT ratified the OT teaching
For
example :
Exo
20:12 instructs us to honour our parents.
Eph
6: 1 ratifies this and shows that we can do this as God's representatives
in our families (see the Amplified Bible) to bring extra blessing to
them.
c)
To show when the NT enlarges the OT teaching
For
example :
Exo
20:13 instructs us not to commit murder .
Mt
5:21-22 show that Jesus took the outward act and said that for his
followers the inward feelings were just as bad and should be avoided.
.........................................................................................................................................................................
Example
of comparing Scripture:
The
following is an illustration of a structure for comparing Scripture
with Scripture to obtain the fullest picture. The information that is
provided below is to enable you to look up the parallel passages and
compare them. In that sense this study is purely a resource to help
you:
EXAMPLE:
THE REIGN OF KING DAVID
1.
David made king over all Israel 2 Sam 5:1-5/ 1 Chron
11:1-3
2.
David takes Jerusalem 2 Sam 5:6-10/ 1 Chron 11:4-9
3.
David had mighty men 2 Sam 23:8-39/ 1 Chron
11:10-49
4.
David had many warriors from the tribes 1 Chron 12:1-40
only -
5.
David brought the ark into Jerusalem 2
Sam 6:1-23/ 1 Chron 13:1-14, 15:1-29,
16:1-43
6.
King Hiram offers help 2 Sam 5:11 ,12/
1 Chron 14:1,2
7.
David had wives and concubines 2 Sam 5:13-16/ 1 Chron 14:8-17
8.
David fights against the Philistines 2 Sam 5: 17 -25
/ 1 Chron 14:8-17
9.
David wanted to build a Temple but was stopped by God
2 Sam 7:1-29/ I Chron
17:1-27
10.
David defeated many surrounding enemies 2 Sam 8:1-18/1
Chron 18:1-17
11.
David looked after Mephibosheth 2 Sam
9:1-13 only
12.
The foolishness of Hanun towards David's envoys 2 Sam 10:1-19/
1 Chron 19:1-19
13.
David and Bathsheba 2 Sam 11:1- 12:25
14.
Joab & David take Rabbah from the Ammonites 2 Sam 12:26 -31
/ 1 Chron 20: 1-3.
15.
Problems with Ammon (family problems for David) 2 Sam 13:1-22
16.
Problems with Absolom and his revolt 2 Sam 13:23 - 19:43
17.
Sheba 's revolt 2 Sam 20:1-22
18.
David's chief leaders 2 Sam 20:23-26 / 1 Chron 18:
14-17
19.
David's atonement for Saul's sin against Gibeonites
2 Sam 21:1-14
20.
David nearly killed by Philistine giant
2 Sam 21:15-17
21.
More fighting against the Philistines 2 Sam
21: 18-22 / 1 Chron 20:4-8
22.
David wrote Psalms 2 Sam 22:2-15 = Psa
18:2-50 / 1 Chron 16:8-22 = Psa
105:1-5
23.
David numbered Israel 2 Sam 24:1-25/ 1
Chron 21:1-27
Note:
a)
This is the end of 2 Samuel
b)
1 Kings 1 & 2 is about David in old age and the political intrigue
establishing Solomon as king before David's
death
c)
1 Chron 22-29 shows David establishing Solomon
Overall
Summary:
A.
Main part of David's reign 2 Sam 5- 10 / 1 Chron 11- 20
B.
David & Bathsheba & results 2 Sam 11 -20
C.
Misc. parts of David's reign 2 Sam 21- 24 / 1 Chron
21
D.
Scheming for Solomon's reign 1 Kings 1 & 2
E.
Establishing Solomon & the Temple 1 Chron 22 -29
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