Day 117 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 27 Apr 2022 reflections
Day 117, 27 Apr 2022
1) 2 Samuel 17:15-29
Psalms 3
Psalms 63
2 Samuel 18
2 Samuel 19:1-30
2 SAMUEL 17
Hushai Warns David to Escape
15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests,
"Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do one thing,
but I advised them to do another thing.
16 (2Sa 15:28) Now quickly send someone to report to David,
'Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness,
but instead cross over. Otherwise, the king and all of the people
who are with him will be swallowed up.' "
17 (Jos 15:7; 18:16) Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En Rogel.
A servant girl would go report to them, and they would go report
to King David, because they could not be seen entering the city.
18 (2Sa 3:16; 16:5) But a young man saw them and reported this to Absalom.
So the two of them went quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim.
He had a well in his courtyard, and they went down into it.
19 The wife took a covering and spread it over the opening of the well.
Then she scattered grain over it so that nothing could be discerned.
20 (Ex 1:19) The servants of Absalom came to the woman at the house
and said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?"
She said, "They crossed over the brook of water." When they searched,
they could not find them. So they returned to Jerusalem.
21 (2Sa 17:15-16) After they left, they came up from the well, went,
and reported to King David. They said to David, "Arise and quickly cross over
the water because thus has Ahithophel advised against you"
22 So David and all of the people who were with him arose and crossed
over the Jordan. By daybreak, there was not one left who had not crossed
over the Jordan.
23 (2Sa 15:12; 2Ki 20:1) When Ahithophel realized that his advice
was not followed, he saddled his donkey and returned to his house
in his own city. He gave instruction to his household, then he hanged
himself and died; he was interred in the tomb of his father.
Absalom's Death
24 (Ge 32:2; 2Sa 2:8) David came to Mahanaim as Absalom crossed the Jordan,
he and every Israelite with him.
25 (2Sa 19:13; 20:9-12) Now Absalom had placed Amasa over the army
in the place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man named Jether
the Ishmaelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash
and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab.
26 Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27 (2Sa 9:4; 10:1-2) When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash
from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Makir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar,
and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim
28 brought bedding, metal bowls, ceramic vessels, wheat, barley, flour,
roasted grain, beans, lentils,
29 (2Sa 16:2; 16:14) honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the livestock
for David and the people who were with him to eat and use.
For they said, "The people are hungry, exhausted,
and thirsting in the wilderness."
[15] Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus
did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus
have I counselled.
[16] Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this
night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king
be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
[17] Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen
to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and
told king David.
[18] Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of
them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in
his court; whither they went down.
[19] And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and
spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
[20] And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said,
Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone
over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them,
they returned to Jerusalem.
[21] And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of
the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass
quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
[22] Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they
passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that
was not gone over Jordan.
[23] And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled
his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his
household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the
sepulchre of his father.
[24] Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all
the men of Israel with him.
[25] And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa
was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail
the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
[26] So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
[27] And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the
son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of
Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
[28] Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley,
and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
[29] And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and
for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is
hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
PSALMS 3
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
1 Lord, how my foes have multiplied!
Many rise up against me!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Many are saying about my life,
"There is no help for him in God." Selah
[Musical term for a pause or change in the music.]
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
my glory and the One who raises up my head.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) I cried to the Lord with my voice,
and He answered me from His holy hill. Selah
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I will not be afraid of multitudes of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Arise, O Lord;
save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek;
You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is on Your people. Selah
Psalms 3
[1] LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up
against me.
[2] Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.
Selah.
[3] But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of
mine head.
[4] I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy
hill. Selah.
[5] I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
[6] I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set
themselves against me round about.
[7] Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies
upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
[8] Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people.
Selah.
PSALMS 63
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God;
early will I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my flesh faints for You,
in a dry and thirsty land
with no water.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I have seen You in the sanctuary,
to see Your power and Your glory.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips will praise You.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Thus will I bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) My soul will be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) When I remember You on my bed,
and meditate on You in the night watches,
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) because You have been my help,
therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) My soul clings hard to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) But those who seek my soul to destroy it
will go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) They will fall by the sword;
they will be a portion for jackals.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) But the king will rejoice in God;
everyone who swears by Him will glory,
because the mouth of liars will be stopped.
Psalms 63
[1] O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for
thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water
is;
[2] To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
[3] Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise
thee.
[4] Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy
name.
[5] My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth
shall praise thee with joyful lips:
[6] When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night
watches.
[7] Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings
will I rejoice.
[8] My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
[9] But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower
parts of the earth.
[10] They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
[11] But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall
glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
2 Samuel 18
1 David mustered the people who were with him, and he set over them
commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
2 (Jdg 7:16; 2Sa 15:19-22) Then David dispatched the people, one-third
under the command of Joab, one-third under the command of Abishai
the son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab, and one-third under the command
of Ittai the Gittite. Then David said to the people, "I myself will go out
with you."
3 (2Sa 21:17) But the people said, "You should not go, for if we retreat,
they will not be concerned about us. Even if half of us die,
they will not be concerned about us. But now you are worth ten thousand of us.
Therefore, it would be better to assist us from the city."
4 (2Sa 18:24) The king said to them, "I will do what seems best to you."
So the king stood beside the gate while all of the people went out
by hundreds and thousands.
5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Deal gently
with the young man Absalom." All of the people heard the king instruct
the commanders concerning Absalom.
6 (Jos 17:18; 17:15) So the people went out toward Israel in the field,
but the fighting occurred in the forest of Ephraim.
7 The people of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David.
That day the defeat was extensive, twenty thousand men.
8 The fighting spread across the land, and the people consumed
by the forest were more numerous than those consumed by the sword that day.
9 (2Sa 14:26) Absalom was encountered by some of the servants of David.
Now Absalom was riding on his mule. When the mule went under the branches
of a very large tree, his head was caught in the tree. He was left in midair
while the mule that was under him kept going.
10 One man saw him and reported it to Joab, saying,
"I saw Absalom hanging in a tree."
11 Joab said to the man who was reporting to him, "What? You saw him?
Why did you not strike him on the spot, sending him to the ground?
I would have given you ten shekels [About 4 ounces, or 115 grams.]
of silver and a belt."
12 The man said to Joab, "Not even if I had felt the weight
of a thousand shekels [About 25 pounds, or 12 kilograms.] of silver in
my hand would I have laid a hand on the king's son. In our hearing
the king commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai saying:
Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!
13 (2Sa 14:19-20) Otherwise, I would have worked falsehood
against my own life. For nothing is hidden from the king,
and you yourself would have set yourself against me."
14 Then Joab said, "I will not waste any more time with you."
He took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom
while he was still alive in the midst of the tree.
15 Then ten young men, armor bearers for Joab, gathered around
and struck down Absalom, killing him.
16 (2Sa 2:28; 20:22) When Joab blew the horn, the people returned
from pursuing Israel, for Joab held back the people.
17 (Jos 7:26; 8:29) Then they took Absalom, disposed of him in a large pit
in the forest, and piled over him a very large heap of stones.
Then all Israel fled, everyone to his home.
18 (1Sa 15:12; Ge 14:17; 2Sa 14:27) Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken
and set up for himself a memorial stone in the Valley of the King,
for he said, "I have no son by whom my name may be remembered."
So he named the memorial stone after himself; and to this day,
it is called the monument of Absalom.
David Mourns
19 (2Sa 15:36; 18:31) Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said,
"Allow me to run and bring the news to the king that the Lord
has delivered him from the hand of his enemies."
20 But Joab said to him, "You will not be a man who bears news today;
you may bear news another day. Today you will not bear news
because the king's son is dead."
21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, report to the king what you have seen."
The Cushite bowed to Joab, then ran off.
22 Ahimaaz again said to Joab, "Whatever may happen,
let me run also, after the Cushite."
Then Joab said, "Why is it that you want to run, my son?
There is no messenger's reward for you to obtain."
23 "Whatever happens, I want to run."
So he said to him, "Run." So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain
and passed the Cushite.
24 (2Sa 19:8) Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman
went up to the roof of the gate, to the city wall. He lifted his eyes and
saw a man running by himself.
25 The watchman called and told the king.
The king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth."
And he came ever closer.
26 Then the watchman saw another man running.
The watchman called to the gatekeeper and said,
"Look there is another man running alone."
The king said, "He also is bringing news."
27 (2Ki 9:20; 1Ki 1:42) The watchman said,
"I think that the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz."
The king said, "He is a good man and comes with good news."
28 (Ge 14:20; 2Sa 14:4) Then Ahimaaz called to the king and said,
"All is well." He bowed down to the ground before the king and said,
"Blessed be the Lord your God who has handed over the men who raised
their hand against my lord the king."
29 (2Sa 18:22) The king said, "Is it well for the young man Absalom?"
Ahimaaz said, "I saw a great commotion when Joab sent the servant of the king,
your servant, but I do not know what it was."
30 The king said, "Step aside and stand here." So he stepped aside
and stood in position.
31 (2Sa 18:19) Then the Cushite came and said, "Good news for my lord
the king, for today the Lord has delivered you from those who rose up
against you."
32 (Jdg 5:31; 1Sa 25:26) The king said to the Cushite,
"Is it well for the young man Absalom?"
The Cushite said, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all
who would rise up against you to do harm become as the young man is."
33 (2Sa 19:4) The king was deeply moved and went up to the upper chamber
of the gate and wept. As he went he said, "O my son Absalom, my son,
my son Absalom! If only I could have given my death in your stead,
Absalom, my son, my son!"
2 Samuel 18
[1] And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of
thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
[2] And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab,
and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's
brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king
said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
[3] But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away,
they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us:
but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that
thou succour us out of the city.
[4] And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the
king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by
thousands.
[5] And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently
for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard
when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
[6] So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was
in the wood of Ephraim;
[7] Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and
there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
[8] For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and
the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
[9] And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and
the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught
hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and
the mule that was under him went away.
[10] And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw
Absalom hanged in an oak.
[11] And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him,
and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given
thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
[12] And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels
of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the
king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai,
saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
[13] Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for
there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set
thyself against me.
[14] Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts
in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet
alive in the midst of the oak.
[15] And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote
Absalom, and slew him.
[16] And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after
Israel: for Joab held back the people.
[17] And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and
laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to
his tent.
[18] Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a
pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my
name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is
called unto this day, Absalom's place.
[19] Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king
tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
[20] And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou
shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings,
because the king's son is dead.
[21] Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And
Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
[22] Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever,
let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt
thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
[23] But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then
Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
[24] And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the
roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and
behold a man running alone.
[25] And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be
alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
[26] And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto
the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said,
He also bringeth tidings.
[27] And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like
the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good
man, and cometh with good tidings.
[28] And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell
down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the
LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand
against my lord the king.
[29] And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered,
When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult,
but I knew not what it was.
[30] And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned
aside, and stood still.
[31] And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for
the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
[32] And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi
answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to
do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
[33] And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate,
and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son
Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
2 Samuel 19
1 (2Sa 18:5; 18:14) It was reported to Joab that the king was weeping
and mourning over Absalom.
2 The victory that day was turned into mourning for all of the people,
for the people heard that day, "The king is grieving for his son."
3 So the people entered the city by stealth that day, as a people
who have been disgraced steal away when they flee from battle.
4 (2Sa 15:30; 18:33) The king covered his face and called with
a loud voice, "My son Absalom, my son, my son!"
5 Then Joab came to the king in his house and said,
"Today you have shamed the faces of all of your servants
who saved your life today, as well as the lives of your sons and daughters,
the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines,
6 by loving those who hated you and hating those who love you.
You have shown today that commanders and servants are nothing to you.
I know that if Absalom were alive instead today and all of us were dead,
then this would be right in your eyes.
7 (Pr 14:28; Ge 34:3) Now go out and speak reassuringly to your servants,
for I swear by the Lord that if you do not go out, no man will stay with you
this night, and this will be worse for you than any calamity that has come
against you from your youth until now."
8 (2Sa 18:24; 18:4) So the king arose and took his seat in the gate,
and the people were all told, "The king is sitting in the gate."
So all the people came before the king, but the children of Israel
had fled, each to his tent.
David Returns to Jerusalem
9 (2Sa 15:14; 8:1-14) Now all of the people began to quarrel throughout
all of the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king delivered us from the hand
of our enemies, and he saved us from the hand of the Philistines,
but now he has fled from the land on account of Absalom.
10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle.
Now why are you idle to bring back the king?"
11 (2Sa 15:29) Then David sent word to Zadok and Abiathar the priests,
saying, "Speak to the elders of Israel, saying, 'Why are you last to bring
the king back to his house when the word of all Israel has come to the king,
to his house?
12 (2Sa 5:1) You are my brother. You are my bone and my flesh.
Why are you last to bring back the king?'
13 (2Sa 17:25; Ru 1:17) Say to Amasa, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh?
May God do to me, and more so, if you are not commander of the army
before me from now on in the place of Joab.' "
14 (Jdg 20:1) He swayed the heart of every man of Judah as though they were
one man, and they sent a message to the king:
"Return, you and all of your servants."
15 (Jos 5:9; 1Sa 11:14-15) So the king returned and came as far as the Jordan,
and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and bring the king
across the Jordan.
16 (1Ki 2:8; 2Sa 16:5-13) Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite who was
from Bahurim, hastened to go down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17 (2Sa 9:2; 16:1-4) With him were a thousand men from Benjamin. And Ziba,
the servant of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants,
rushed down to the Jordan before the king.
18 They crossed the ford to bring the household of the king across
and to do what was pleasing in his eyes.
Shimei the son of Gera fell before the king as he was crossing the Jordan,
19 (1Sa 22:15) and he said to the king, "Do not regard me as guilty, my lord,
or remember how your servant went astray the day when my lord the king
went out from Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart.
20 (2Sa 16:5) For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, I have
come this day, first from all of the house of Joseph, to go down to meet
my lord the king."
21 (Ex 22:28; 1Sa 26:9) Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered,
"Shall not Shimei be put to death for this,
because he cursed the anointed of the Lord?"
22 (1Sa 11:13; 2Sa 16:10) David said, "What do you sons of Zeruiah
have against me that you should become an adversary to me today?
Should any man in Israel be put to death today?
For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?"
23 (1Ki 2:8-9; 2:37) The king said to Shimei, "You will not die."
The king gave him his oath.
24 Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul went down to meet the king.
He had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed
his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came back in peace.
25 (2Sa 16:17) When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king
said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?"
26 He said, "My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said,
'I will saddle the mule for myself in order to ride on
it and go with the king,' because your servant is lame.
27 (2Sa 14:17; 14:20) But he has slandered your servant to my lord the king.
Still my lord the king is as the angel of God, so do what seems best to you.
28 (2Sa 9:13; 9:10) For all my father's house were but dead men
before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat
at your table. What right do I have to cry out any more to the king?"
29 The king said to him, "Why do you still speak of your affairs?
I say that you and Ziba shall divide the field."
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let him even take everything,
since my lord the king has come safely to his house."
2 Samuel 19
[1] And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
[2] And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people:
for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
[3] And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people
being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
[4] But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O
my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
[5] And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed
this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life,
and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives,
and the lives of thy concubines;
[6] In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast
declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for
this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this
day, then it had pleased thee well.
[7] Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants:
for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with
thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that
befell thee from thy youth until now.
[8] Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the
people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people
came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
[9] And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel,
saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered
us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land
for Absalom.
[10] And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore
why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
[11] And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak
unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back
to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to
his house.
[12] Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye
the last to bring back the king?
[13] And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do
so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me
continually in the room of Joab.
[14] And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of
one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy
servants.
[15] So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to
go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
[16] And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted
and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
[17] And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the
servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants
with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
[18] And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household,
and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before
the king, as he was come over Jordan;
[19] And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me,
neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that
my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his
heart.
[20] For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am
come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my
lord the king.
[21] But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be
put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?
[22] And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye
should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death
this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
[23] Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king
sware unto him.
[24] And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had
neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes,
from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
[25] And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king,
that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me,
Mephibosheth?
[26] And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy
servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to
the king; because thy servant is lame.
[27] And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord
the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
[28] For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king:
yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table.
What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
[29] And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters?
I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
[30] And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch
as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
2) Our Daily Bread for 27 April 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/04/27/sing-again-2
entitled Sign Again
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Israel's Song of Joy
14 (Isa 12:6; 54:1) Sing, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 (Isa 51:22; Zep 3:5) The Lord has taken away your judgments,
He has cast out your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you will see evil no more.
16 (Heb 12:12; Isa 35:3-4) On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands be slack.
17 (Jer 32:41; Zep 3:15) The Lord your God is in your midst,
a Mighty One, who will save.
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will renew you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
18 (Ps 42:2-4; La 1:4) I will gather those who grieve
for the appointed festival,
which is a reproach and burden on you.
19 (Isa 60:14; Eze 34:16) At that time I will deal
with all who oppress you;
I will save the lame
and gather the outcast;
I will give them praise and fame
in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 (Jer 29:14; Joel 3:1) At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,
says the Lord.
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all
the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy:
the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee:
thou shalt not see evil any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not:
and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee
with singing.
18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly,
who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee:
and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out;
and I will get them praise and fame in every land
where they have been put to shame.
20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you:
for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth,
when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
Australia's regent honeyeater bird is in trouble-it's losing its song.
Though once an abundant species, just three hundred birds now remain;
and with so few others to learn from, the males are forgetting
their unique song and failing to attract mates.
Thankfully, conservationists plan to rescue the honeyeaters by singing to
them. Or, more precisely, play them recordings of other honeyeaters singing
so they can relearn their heart song. As the males pick up the tune
and attract females again, it's hoped the species will flourish once more.
The prophet Zephaniah addressed a people in trouble. With so much corruption
among them, he announced that God's judgment was coming (Zephaniah 3:1-8).
When this later came to pass through capture and exile, the people too lost
their song (Psalm 137:4). But Zephaniah foresaw a time beyond judgment
when God would come to this decimated people, forgive their sins, and sing
to them: "He will take great delight in you, in his love he will no longer
rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
As a result, the heart song of the people would be restored (v. 14).
Whether through our own disobedience or the trials of life, we too can lose
our heart song of joy. But a Voice is singing over us songs of forgiveness
and love. Let's listen to His melody and sing along.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
When do you find it hardest to retain your joy in God? What song, poem,
or prayer can you give to God in response to His rejoicing over You?
Loving God, it's amazing to imagine that
You would sing songs of joy over me. I praise You and sing my own
song of praise to You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 4 - Send for Help !
James 1:5
5 (Pr 2:3-6; Jn 15:7) If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally
and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
5 If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
A new employee in an electronics plant had the responsibility
for overseeing one machine. The machine worked fine when the young man
came on duty, but soon it began to run a bit rough. The employee
tinkered with the machine, trying to "fix" it, until finally if stopped
working altogether
In fear and trembling the worker sent for the foreman, and stammered,
"I - I, well, sir, I did my best to fix it."
"Son", the foreman thundered, "you need to know only one thing. Around
here, doing you best means sending for me!"
Wisdom, James 1:5 says, has its source in God alone. And if we are
to attain wisdom, we need to learn doing our best means sending for God.
Often we spend time tinkering with our lives or the the lives of others.
We don't think to as God for his wisdom in the decisions we must take;
instead, we use our human reasoning and take our best guess.
But the path to wisdom does not lie in guesswork. The scriptures
give us clear indication of God's direction for his people, and through Bible
study, application, prayer, and meditation,
we can understand what God wants to reveal to us.
"If any of you lacks wisdom," James says, "he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
The first step to attaining wisdom is recognising that we are not wise.
The second step is to ask. And God, who is faithful to his Word
and His people, will respond.
Application
a) Under what circumstances have I tinkered with my life,
making it worse rather then fixing it?
b) What practical steps can I take to ask God for wisdom?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Haggai 2:7-9
7 (1Ki 8:11; Isa 60:7) And I will shake all the nations,
and they will come with the wealth of all nations,
and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of Hosts.
8 (Isa 60:17) The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine,
says the Lord of Hosts.
9 (Isa 9:6-7) The glory of this latter house will be greater
than the former, says the Lord of Hosts. And in this place
I will give peace, says the Lord of Hosts.
7 and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come: and I will fill this house with glory,
saith the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,
saith the LORD of hosts.
9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater
than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place
will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
James 1:12-18
Trial and Temptation
12 (Jas 2:5; 1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8) Blessed is the man who endures temptation,
for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God,"
for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone.
14 But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
15 (Job 15:35; Ps 7:14) Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin;
and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.
16 (Jas 1:19; 2:5) Do not err, my beloved brothers.
17 (Mal 3:6; Nu 23:19; Jn 3:27) Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
18 (1Pe 1:23; Jn 1:13; Rev 14:4) Of His own will He brought us forth with
the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:
for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/a-bridge-to-reconciliation/
A Bridge to Reconciliation
Uyghurs who have been able to flee China and escape efforts to round up and
"re-educate" them have ended up in North American cities including
Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, Seattle, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.
Having faced the largest arbitrary detention of religious and ethnic
minorities since World War II, they are understandably cautious
about discussing religion.
Who will reach out to the world's migrant Uyghurs? For people of Han Chinese
descent, that could be difficult. There''s a long history of animosity between
Uyghur and Han people, making it hard for some Han missionaries
to reach out in love.
"I feared how my Uyghur friends would treat me," said one Han missionary.
"Jesus began preparing me for that moment ever since He called me to love
Uyghurs and show them how there are Han people who are different and willing
to be their friends because of the redeeming power of the Gospel and sacrifice
of Christ. By God's grace, I didn’'t cancel our meeting but prayed '
for strength to know how to handle the situation.”
She visited her Uyghur friend Sabriye, hugged her, and begged her forgiveness.
"Please forgive my people," she said. "I am sorry for what has happened.”
Sabriye was touched by seeing a Han follower of Jesus cross
the desert of division between their people groups. Through
humble confession, this friendship has deepened,
testifying to the power of forgiveness.
Christians in North America who aren't burdened by these past
associations have an opportunity to stand in the gap and take
up the call to love our Uyghur neighbors (Micah 6:8).
8 (Isa 57:15; Hos 6:6) He has told you, O man, what is good-
and what does the Lord require of you,
but to do justice and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD
require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God?
Pray that more believers will reach out to Uyghurs
with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
18 (Ro 5:10-11; 1Jn 2:2) All this is from God, who has reconciled us
to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us
the ministry of reconciliation,
19 (Isa 43:25; Mt 1:23) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling
the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them,
and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself
by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19] to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Pray for Uyghurs like Sabriye to follow Christ.
Pray for an end to the genocide unfolding in the Uyghur homeland.
Pray for every re-education camp to be closed
and for an end to the purposeful cultural annihilation.
Pray for the Han Chinese churches across North America
to serve as agents of reconciliation, healing, and redemption.
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 27 of the Month
a) Pray that God's Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to
hold to wrong opinions of Christ and His Salvation.
(
2 Cor 10:4-5
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
5 casting down imaginations and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5casting down imaginations, and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
)
b) Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who
are lost to seek Him and to seek The Truth.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for protecting you from your enemies.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, it's amazing to imagine that
You would sing songs of joy over me. I praise You and sing my own
song of praise to You."
Pray to the Lord and seek Him for wisdom.
Pray to the Lord and pthank Him for all wealth is His.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him when you fell temtation.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray that Muslims' hearts will be hungry for God
during the fast of Ramadan.
Pray that more believers will reach out to Uyghurs
with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
Pray for Uyghurs like Sabriye to follow Christ.
Pray for an end to the genocide unfolding in the Uyghur homeland.
Pray for every re-education camp to be closed
and for an end to the purposeful cultural annihilation.
Pray for the Han Chinese churches across North America
to serve as agents of reconciliation, healing, and redemption.
Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Pray that God's Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to
hold to wrong opinions of Christ and His Salvation.
Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who
are lost to seek Him and to seek The Truth.
Pray for new believers in Vietnam experiencing persecution
through loss of homes, land and livelihoods.
1) 2 Samuel 17:15-29
Psalms 3
Psalms 63
2 Samuel 18
2 Samuel 19:1-30
2 SAMUEL 17
Hushai Warns David to Escape
15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests,
"Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do one thing,
but I advised them to do another thing.
16 (2Sa 15:28) Now quickly send someone to report to David,
'Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness,
but instead cross over. Otherwise, the king and all of the people
who are with him will be swallowed up.' "
17 (Jos 15:7; 18:16) Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En Rogel.
A servant girl would go report to them, and they would go report
to King David, because they could not be seen entering the city.
18 (2Sa 3:16; 16:5) But a young man saw them and reported this to Absalom.
So the two of them went quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim.
He had a well in his courtyard, and they went down into it.
19 The wife took a covering and spread it over the opening of the well.
Then she scattered grain over it so that nothing could be discerned.
20 (Ex 1:19) The servants of Absalom came to the woman at the house
and said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?"
She said, "They crossed over the brook of water." When they searched,
they could not find them. So they returned to Jerusalem.
21 (2Sa 17:15-16) After they left, they came up from the well, went,
and reported to King David. They said to David, "Arise and quickly cross over
the water because thus has Ahithophel advised against you"
22 So David and all of the people who were with him arose and crossed
over the Jordan. By daybreak, there was not one left who had not crossed
over the Jordan.
23 (2Sa 15:12; 2Ki 20:1) When Ahithophel realized that his advice
was not followed, he saddled his donkey and returned to his house
in his own city. He gave instruction to his household, then he hanged
himself and died; he was interred in the tomb of his father.
Absalom's Death
24 (Ge 32:2; 2Sa 2:8) David came to Mahanaim as Absalom crossed the Jordan,
he and every Israelite with him.
25 (2Sa 19:13; 20:9-12) Now Absalom had placed Amasa over the army
in the place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man named Jether
the Ishmaelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash
and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab.
26 Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27 (2Sa 9:4; 10:1-2) When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash
from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Makir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar,
and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim
28 brought bedding, metal bowls, ceramic vessels, wheat, barley, flour,
roasted grain, beans, lentils,
29 (2Sa 16:2; 16:14) honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the livestock
for David and the people who were with him to eat and use.
For they said, "The people are hungry, exhausted,
and thirsting in the wilderness."
[15] Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus
did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus
have I counselled.
[16] Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this
night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king
be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
[17] Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen
to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and
told king David.
[18] Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of
them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in
his court; whither they went down.
[19] And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and
spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
[20] And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said,
Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone
over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them,
they returned to Jerusalem.
[21] And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of
the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass
quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
[22] Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they
passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that
was not gone over Jordan.
[23] And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled
his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his
household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the
sepulchre of his father.
[24] Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all
the men of Israel with him.
[25] And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa
was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail
the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
[26] So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
[27] And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the
son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of
Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
[28] Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley,
and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
[29] And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and
for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is
hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
PSALMS 3
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
1 Lord, how my foes have multiplied!
Many rise up against me!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Many are saying about my life,
"There is no help for him in God." Selah
[Musical term for a pause or change in the music.]
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
my glory and the One who raises up my head.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) I cried to the Lord with my voice,
and He answered me from His holy hill. Selah
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) I will not be afraid of multitudes of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Arise, O Lord;
save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek;
You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is on Your people. Selah
Psalms 3
[1] LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up
against me.
[2] Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.
Selah.
[3] But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of
mine head.
[4] I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy
hill. Selah.
[5] I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
[6] I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set
themselves against me round about.
[7] Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies
upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
[8] Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people.
Selah.
PSALMS 63
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God;
early will I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my flesh faints for You,
in a dry and thirsty land
with no water.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) I have seen You in the sanctuary,
to see Your power and Your glory.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips will praise You.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Thus will I bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) My soul will be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) When I remember You on my bed,
and meditate on You in the night watches,
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) because You have been my help,
therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) My soul clings hard to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) But those who seek my soul to destroy it
will go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) They will fall by the sword;
they will be a portion for jackals.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) But the king will rejoice in God;
everyone who swears by Him will glory,
because the mouth of liars will be stopped.
Psalms 63
[1] O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for
thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water
is;
[2] To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
[3] Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise
thee.
[4] Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy
name.
[5] My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth
shall praise thee with joyful lips:
[6] When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night
watches.
[7] Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings
will I rejoice.
[8] My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
[9] But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower
parts of the earth.
[10] They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
[11] But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall
glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
2 Samuel 18
1 David mustered the people who were with him, and he set over them
commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
2 (Jdg 7:16; 2Sa 15:19-22) Then David dispatched the people, one-third
under the command of Joab, one-third under the command of Abishai
the son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab, and one-third under the command
of Ittai the Gittite. Then David said to the people, "I myself will go out
with you."
3 (2Sa 21:17) But the people said, "You should not go, for if we retreat,
they will not be concerned about us. Even if half of us die,
they will not be concerned about us. But now you are worth ten thousand of us.
Therefore, it would be better to assist us from the city."
4 (2Sa 18:24) The king said to them, "I will do what seems best to you."
So the king stood beside the gate while all of the people went out
by hundreds and thousands.
5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Deal gently
with the young man Absalom." All of the people heard the king instruct
the commanders concerning Absalom.
6 (Jos 17:18; 17:15) So the people went out toward Israel in the field,
but the fighting occurred in the forest of Ephraim.
7 The people of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David.
That day the defeat was extensive, twenty thousand men.
8 The fighting spread across the land, and the people consumed
by the forest were more numerous than those consumed by the sword that day.
9 (2Sa 14:26) Absalom was encountered by some of the servants of David.
Now Absalom was riding on his mule. When the mule went under the branches
of a very large tree, his head was caught in the tree. He was left in midair
while the mule that was under him kept going.
10 One man saw him and reported it to Joab, saying,
"I saw Absalom hanging in a tree."
11 Joab said to the man who was reporting to him, "What? You saw him?
Why did you not strike him on the spot, sending him to the ground?
I would have given you ten shekels [About 4 ounces, or 115 grams.]
of silver and a belt."
12 The man said to Joab, "Not even if I had felt the weight
of a thousand shekels [About 25 pounds, or 12 kilograms.] of silver in
my hand would I have laid a hand on the king's son. In our hearing
the king commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai saying:
Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!
13 (2Sa 14:19-20) Otherwise, I would have worked falsehood
against my own life. For nothing is hidden from the king,
and you yourself would have set yourself against me."
14 Then Joab said, "I will not waste any more time with you."
He took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom
while he was still alive in the midst of the tree.
15 Then ten young men, armor bearers for Joab, gathered around
and struck down Absalom, killing him.
16 (2Sa 2:28; 20:22) When Joab blew the horn, the people returned
from pursuing Israel, for Joab held back the people.
17 (Jos 7:26; 8:29) Then they took Absalom, disposed of him in a large pit
in the forest, and piled over him a very large heap of stones.
Then all Israel fled, everyone to his home.
18 (1Sa 15:12; Ge 14:17; 2Sa 14:27) Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken
and set up for himself a memorial stone in the Valley of the King,
for he said, "I have no son by whom my name may be remembered."
So he named the memorial stone after himself; and to this day,
it is called the monument of Absalom.
David Mourns
19 (2Sa 15:36; 18:31) Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said,
"Allow me to run and bring the news to the king that the Lord
has delivered him from the hand of his enemies."
20 But Joab said to him, "You will not be a man who bears news today;
you may bear news another day. Today you will not bear news
because the king's son is dead."
21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, report to the king what you have seen."
The Cushite bowed to Joab, then ran off.
22 Ahimaaz again said to Joab, "Whatever may happen,
let me run also, after the Cushite."
Then Joab said, "Why is it that you want to run, my son?
There is no messenger's reward for you to obtain."
23 "Whatever happens, I want to run."
So he said to him, "Run." So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain
and passed the Cushite.
24 (2Sa 19:8) Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman
went up to the roof of the gate, to the city wall. He lifted his eyes and
saw a man running by himself.
25 The watchman called and told the king.
The king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth."
And he came ever closer.
26 Then the watchman saw another man running.
The watchman called to the gatekeeper and said,
"Look there is another man running alone."
The king said, "He also is bringing news."
27 (2Ki 9:20; 1Ki 1:42) The watchman said,
"I think that the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz."
The king said, "He is a good man and comes with good news."
28 (Ge 14:20; 2Sa 14:4) Then Ahimaaz called to the king and said,
"All is well." He bowed down to the ground before the king and said,
"Blessed be the Lord your God who has handed over the men who raised
their hand against my lord the king."
29 (2Sa 18:22) The king said, "Is it well for the young man Absalom?"
Ahimaaz said, "I saw a great commotion when Joab sent the servant of the king,
your servant, but I do not know what it was."
30 The king said, "Step aside and stand here." So he stepped aside
and stood in position.
31 (2Sa 18:19) Then the Cushite came and said, "Good news for my lord
the king, for today the Lord has delivered you from those who rose up
against you."
32 (Jdg 5:31; 1Sa 25:26) The king said to the Cushite,
"Is it well for the young man Absalom?"
The Cushite said, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all
who would rise up against you to do harm become as the young man is."
33 (2Sa 19:4) The king was deeply moved and went up to the upper chamber
of the gate and wept. As he went he said, "O my son Absalom, my son,
my son Absalom! If only I could have given my death in your stead,
Absalom, my son, my son!"
2 Samuel 18
[1] And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of
thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
[2] And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab,
and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's
brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king
said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
[3] But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away,
they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us:
but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that
thou succour us out of the city.
[4] And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the
king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by
thousands.
[5] And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently
for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard
when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
[6] So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was
in the wood of Ephraim;
[7] Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and
there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
[8] For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and
the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
[9] And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and
the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught
hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and
the mule that was under him went away.
[10] And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw
Absalom hanged in an oak.
[11] And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him,
and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given
thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
[12] And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels
of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the
king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai,
saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
[13] Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for
there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set
thyself against me.
[14] Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts
in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet
alive in the midst of the oak.
[15] And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote
Absalom, and slew him.
[16] And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after
Israel: for Joab held back the people.
[17] And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and
laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to
his tent.
[18] Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a
pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my
name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is
called unto this day, Absalom's place.
[19] Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king
tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
[20] And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou
shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings,
because the king's son is dead.
[21] Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And
Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
[22] Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever,
let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt
thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
[23] But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then
Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
[24] And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the
roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and
behold a man running alone.
[25] And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be
alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
[26] And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto
the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said,
He also bringeth tidings.
[27] And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like
the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good
man, and cometh with good tidings.
[28] And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell
down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the
LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand
against my lord the king.
[29] And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered,
When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult,
but I knew not what it was.
[30] And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned
aside, and stood still.
[31] And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for
the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
[32] And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi
answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to
do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
[33] And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate,
and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son
Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
2 Samuel 19
1 (2Sa 18:5; 18:14) It was reported to Joab that the king was weeping
and mourning over Absalom.
2 The victory that day was turned into mourning for all of the people,
for the people heard that day, "The king is grieving for his son."
3 So the people entered the city by stealth that day, as a people
who have been disgraced steal away when they flee from battle.
4 (2Sa 15:30; 18:33) The king covered his face and called with
a loud voice, "My son Absalom, my son, my son!"
5 Then Joab came to the king in his house and said,
"Today you have shamed the faces of all of your servants
who saved your life today, as well as the lives of your sons and daughters,
the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines,
6 by loving those who hated you and hating those who love you.
You have shown today that commanders and servants are nothing to you.
I know that if Absalom were alive instead today and all of us were dead,
then this would be right in your eyes.
7 (Pr 14:28; Ge 34:3) Now go out and speak reassuringly to your servants,
for I swear by the Lord that if you do not go out, no man will stay with you
this night, and this will be worse for you than any calamity that has come
against you from your youth until now."
8 (2Sa 18:24; 18:4) So the king arose and took his seat in the gate,
and the people were all told, "The king is sitting in the gate."
So all the people came before the king, but the children of Israel
had fled, each to his tent.
David Returns to Jerusalem
9 (2Sa 15:14; 8:1-14) Now all of the people began to quarrel throughout
all of the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king delivered us from the hand
of our enemies, and he saved us from the hand of the Philistines,
but now he has fled from the land on account of Absalom.
10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle.
Now why are you idle to bring back the king?"
11 (2Sa 15:29) Then David sent word to Zadok and Abiathar the priests,
saying, "Speak to the elders of Israel, saying, 'Why are you last to bring
the king back to his house when the word of all Israel has come to the king,
to his house?
12 (2Sa 5:1) You are my brother. You are my bone and my flesh.
Why are you last to bring back the king?'
13 (2Sa 17:25; Ru 1:17) Say to Amasa, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh?
May God do to me, and more so, if you are not commander of the army
before me from now on in the place of Joab.' "
14 (Jdg 20:1) He swayed the heart of every man of Judah as though they were
one man, and they sent a message to the king:
"Return, you and all of your servants."
15 (Jos 5:9; 1Sa 11:14-15) So the king returned and came as far as the Jordan,
and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and bring the king
across the Jordan.
16 (1Ki 2:8; 2Sa 16:5-13) Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite who was
from Bahurim, hastened to go down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17 (2Sa 9:2; 16:1-4) With him were a thousand men from Benjamin. And Ziba,
the servant of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants,
rushed down to the Jordan before the king.
18 They crossed the ford to bring the household of the king across
and to do what was pleasing in his eyes.
Shimei the son of Gera fell before the king as he was crossing the Jordan,
19 (1Sa 22:15) and he said to the king, "Do not regard me as guilty, my lord,
or remember how your servant went astray the day when my lord the king
went out from Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart.
20 (2Sa 16:5) For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, I have
come this day, first from all of the house of Joseph, to go down to meet
my lord the king."
21 (Ex 22:28; 1Sa 26:9) Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered,
"Shall not Shimei be put to death for this,
because he cursed the anointed of the Lord?"
22 (1Sa 11:13; 2Sa 16:10) David said, "What do you sons of Zeruiah
have against me that you should become an adversary to me today?
Should any man in Israel be put to death today?
For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?"
23 (1Ki 2:8-9; 2:37) The king said to Shimei, "You will not die."
The king gave him his oath.
24 Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul went down to meet the king.
He had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed
his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came back in peace.
25 (2Sa 16:17) When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king
said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?"
26 He said, "My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said,
'I will saddle the mule for myself in order to ride on
it and go with the king,' because your servant is lame.
27 (2Sa 14:17; 14:20) But he has slandered your servant to my lord the king.
Still my lord the king is as the angel of God, so do what seems best to you.
28 (2Sa 9:13; 9:10) For all my father's house were but dead men
before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat
at your table. What right do I have to cry out any more to the king?"
29 The king said to him, "Why do you still speak of your affairs?
I say that you and Ziba shall divide the field."
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let him even take everything,
since my lord the king has come safely to his house."
2 Samuel 19
[1] And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
[2] And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people:
for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
[3] And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people
being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
[4] But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O
my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
[5] And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed
this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life,
and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives,
and the lives of thy concubines;
[6] In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast
declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for
this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this
day, then it had pleased thee well.
[7] Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants:
for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with
thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that
befell thee from thy youth until now.
[8] Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the
people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people
came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
[9] And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel,
saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered
us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land
for Absalom.
[10] And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore
why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
[11] And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak
unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back
to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to
his house.
[12] Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye
the last to bring back the king?
[13] And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do
so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me
continually in the room of Joab.
[14] And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of
one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy
servants.
[15] So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to
go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
[16] And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted
and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
[17] And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the
servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants
with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
[18] And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household,
and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before
the king, as he was come over Jordan;
[19] And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me,
neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that
my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his
heart.
[20] For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am
come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my
lord the king.
[21] But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be
put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?
[22] And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye
should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death
this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
[23] Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king
sware unto him.
[24] And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had
neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes,
from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
[25] And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king,
that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me,
Mephibosheth?
[26] And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy
servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to
the king; because thy servant is lame.
[27] And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord
the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
[28] For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king:
yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table.
What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
[29] And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters?
I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
[30] And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch
as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
2) Our Daily Bread for 27 April 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/04/27/sing-again-2
entitled Sign Again
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Israel's Song of Joy
14 (Isa 12:6; 54:1) Sing, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 (Isa 51:22; Zep 3:5) The Lord has taken away your judgments,
He has cast out your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you will see evil no more.
16 (Heb 12:12; Isa 35:3-4) On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands be slack.
17 (Jer 32:41; Zep 3:15) The Lord your God is in your midst,
a Mighty One, who will save.
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will renew you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
18 (Ps 42:2-4; La 1:4) I will gather those who grieve
for the appointed festival,
which is a reproach and burden on you.
19 (Isa 60:14; Eze 34:16) At that time I will deal
with all who oppress you;
I will save the lame
and gather the outcast;
I will give them praise and fame
in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 (Jer 29:14; Joel 3:1) At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,
says the Lord.
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all
the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy:
the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee:
thou shalt not see evil any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not:
and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee
with singing.
18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly,
who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee:
and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out;
and I will get them praise and fame in every land
where they have been put to shame.
20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you:
for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth,
when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
Australia's regent honeyeater bird is in trouble-it's losing its song.
Though once an abundant species, just three hundred birds now remain;
and with so few others to learn from, the males are forgetting
their unique song and failing to attract mates.
Thankfully, conservationists plan to rescue the honeyeaters by singing to
them. Or, more precisely, play them recordings of other honeyeaters singing
so they can relearn their heart song. As the males pick up the tune
and attract females again, it's hoped the species will flourish once more.
The prophet Zephaniah addressed a people in trouble. With so much corruption
among them, he announced that God's judgment was coming (Zephaniah 3:1-8).
When this later came to pass through capture and exile, the people too lost
their song (Psalm 137:4). But Zephaniah foresaw a time beyond judgment
when God would come to this decimated people, forgive their sins, and sing
to them: "He will take great delight in you, in his love he will no longer
rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
As a result, the heart song of the people would be restored (v. 14).
Whether through our own disobedience or the trials of life, we too can lose
our heart song of joy. But a Voice is singing over us songs of forgiveness
and love. Let's listen to His melody and sing along.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
When do you find it hardest to retain your joy in God? What song, poem,
or prayer can you give to God in response to His rejoicing over You?
Loving God, it's amazing to imagine that
You would sing songs of joy over me. I praise You and sing my own
song of praise to You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 4 - Send for Help !
James 1:5
5 (Pr 2:3-6; Jn 15:7) If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally
and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
5 If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
A new employee in an electronics plant had the responsibility
for overseeing one machine. The machine worked fine when the young man
came on duty, but soon it began to run a bit rough. The employee
tinkered with the machine, trying to "fix" it, until finally if stopped
working altogether
In fear and trembling the worker sent for the foreman, and stammered,
"I - I, well, sir, I did my best to fix it."
"Son", the foreman thundered, "you need to know only one thing. Around
here, doing you best means sending for me!"
Wisdom, James 1:5 says, has its source in God alone. And if we are
to attain wisdom, we need to learn doing our best means sending for God.
Often we spend time tinkering with our lives or the the lives of others.
We don't think to as God for his wisdom in the decisions we must take;
instead, we use our human reasoning and take our best guess.
But the path to wisdom does not lie in guesswork. The scriptures
give us clear indication of God's direction for his people, and through Bible
study, application, prayer, and meditation,
we can understand what God wants to reveal to us.
"If any of you lacks wisdom," James says, "he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
The first step to attaining wisdom is recognising that we are not wise.
The second step is to ask. And God, who is faithful to his Word
and His people, will respond.
Application
a) Under what circumstances have I tinkered with my life,
making it worse rather then fixing it?
b) What practical steps can I take to ask God for wisdom?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Haggai 2:7-9
7 (1Ki 8:11; Isa 60:7) And I will shake all the nations,
and they will come with the wealth of all nations,
and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of Hosts.
8 (Isa 60:17) The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine,
says the Lord of Hosts.
9 (Isa 9:6-7) The glory of this latter house will be greater
than the former, says the Lord of Hosts. And in this place
I will give peace, says the Lord of Hosts.
7 and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come: and I will fill this house with glory,
saith the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,
saith the LORD of hosts.
9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater
than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place
will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
James 1:12-18
Trial and Temptation
12 (Jas 2:5; 1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8) Blessed is the man who endures temptation,
for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God,"
for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone.
14 But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
15 (Job 15:35; Ps 7:14) Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin;
and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.
16 (Jas 1:19; 2:5) Do not err, my beloved brothers.
17 (Mal 3:6; Nu 23:19; Jn 3:27) Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
18 (1Pe 1:23; Jn 1:13; Rev 14:4) Of His own will He brought us forth with
the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:
for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/a-bridge-to-reconciliation/
A Bridge to Reconciliation
Uyghurs who have been able to flee China and escape efforts to round up and
"re-educate" them have ended up in North American cities including
Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, Seattle, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.
Having faced the largest arbitrary detention of religious and ethnic
minorities since World War II, they are understandably cautious
about discussing religion.
Who will reach out to the world's migrant Uyghurs? For people of Han Chinese
descent, that could be difficult. There''s a long history of animosity between
Uyghur and Han people, making it hard for some Han missionaries
to reach out in love.
"I feared how my Uyghur friends would treat me," said one Han missionary.
"Jesus began preparing me for that moment ever since He called me to love
Uyghurs and show them how there are Han people who are different and willing
to be their friends because of the redeeming power of the Gospel and sacrifice
of Christ. By God's grace, I didn’'t cancel our meeting but prayed '
for strength to know how to handle the situation.”
She visited her Uyghur friend Sabriye, hugged her, and begged her forgiveness.
"Please forgive my people," she said. "I am sorry for what has happened.”
Sabriye was touched by seeing a Han follower of Jesus cross
the desert of division between their people groups. Through
humble confession, this friendship has deepened,
testifying to the power of forgiveness.
Christians in North America who aren't burdened by these past
associations have an opportunity to stand in the gap and take
up the call to love our Uyghur neighbors (Micah 6:8).
8 (Isa 57:15; Hos 6:6) He has told you, O man, what is good-
and what does the Lord require of you,
but to do justice and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD
require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God?
Pray that more believers will reach out to Uyghurs
with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
18 (Ro 5:10-11; 1Jn 2:2) All this is from God, who has reconciled us
to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us
the ministry of reconciliation,
19 (Isa 43:25; Mt 1:23) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling
the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them,
and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself
by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19] to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Pray for Uyghurs like Sabriye to follow Christ.
Pray for an end to the genocide unfolding in the Uyghur homeland.
Pray for every re-education camp to be closed
and for an end to the purposeful cultural annihilation.
Pray for the Han Chinese churches across North America
to serve as agents of reconciliation, healing, and redemption.
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 27 of the Month
a) Pray that God's Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to
hold to wrong opinions of Christ and His Salvation.
(
2 Cor 10:4-5
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
5 casting down imaginations and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5casting down imaginations, and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
)
b) Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who
are lost to seek Him and to seek The Truth.
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for protecting you from your enemies.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, it's amazing to imagine that
You would sing songs of joy over me. I praise You and sing my own
song of praise to You."
Pray to the Lord and seek Him for wisdom.
Pray to the Lord and pthank Him for all wealth is His.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him when you fell temtation.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray that Muslims' hearts will be hungry for God
during the fast of Ramadan.
Pray that more believers will reach out to Uyghurs
with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
Pray for Uyghurs like Sabriye to follow Christ.
Pray for an end to the genocide unfolding in the Uyghur homeland.
Pray for every re-education camp to be closed
and for an end to the purposeful cultural annihilation.
Pray for the Han Chinese churches across North America
to serve as agents of reconciliation, healing, and redemption.
Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Pray that God's Spirit will melt the pride that causes many to
hold to wrong opinions of Christ and His Salvation.
Pray that the Lord will awaken a desire in the hearts of those who
are lost to seek Him and to seek The Truth.
Pray for new believers in Vietnam experiencing persecution
through loss of homes, land and livelihoods.
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