2 SAMUEL 20

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Sheba’s Revolt  20:1 Now a worthless fellow happened to be there whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet and said,

“We have no portion in David,

Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse;

Every man to his tents, O Israel!”

2 So all the men of Israel withdrew from following David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah remained steadfast to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.
    3 Then David came to his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and placed them under guard and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows.
    4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Call out the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself.” 5 So Amasa went to call out the men of Judah, but he delayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him. 6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom; take your lord’s servants and pursue him, so that he does not find for himself fortified cities and escape from our sight.” 7 So Joab’s men went out after him, along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was dressed in his military attire, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened at his waist; and as he went forward, it fell out. 9 Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
Amasa Murdered10 But Amasa was not on guard against the sword which was in Joab’s hand so he struck him in the belly with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 11 Now there stood by him one of Joab’s young men, and said, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.” 12 But Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa from the highway into the field and threw a garment over him when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.
Revolt Put Down13 As soon as he was removed from the highway, all the men passed on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.
    14 Now he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, even Beth-maacah, and all the Berites; and they were gathered together and also went after him. 15 They came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah, and they cast up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood by the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall. 16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Hear, hear! Please tell Joab, ‘Come here that I may speak with you.’” 17 So he approached her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” And he answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 Then she spoke, saying, “Formerly they used to say, ‘They will surely ask advice at Abel,’ and thus they ended the dispute. 19 I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?” 20 Joab replied, “Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 Such is not the case. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against King David. Only hand him over, and I will depart from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem.
    23 Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 and Adoram was over the forced labor, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25 and Sheva was scribe, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was also a priest to David.

PSALM 119

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Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God.Aleph.119:1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless,

Who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,

Who seek Him with all their heart.

3 They also do no unrighteousness;

They walk in His ways.

4 You have ordained Your precepts,

That we should keep them diligently.

5 Oh that my ways may be established

To keep Your statutes!

6 Then I shall not be ashamed

When I look upon all Your commandments.

7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,

When I learn Your righteous judgments.

8 I shall keep Your statutes;

Do not forsake me utterly!

Beth.9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

10 With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

12 Blessed are You, O LORD;

Teach me Your statutes.

13 With my lips I have told of

All the ordinances of Your mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on Your precepts

And regard Your ways.

16 I shall delight in Your statutes;

I shall not forget Your word.

Gimel.17 Deal bountifully with Your servant,

That I may live and keep Your word.

18 Open my eyes, that I may behold

Wonderful things from Your law.

19 I am a stranger in the earth;

Do not hide Your commandments from me.

20 My soul is crushed with longing

After Your ordinances at all times.

21 You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed,

Who wander from Your commandments.

22 Take away reproach and contempt from me,

For I observe Your testimonies.

23 Even though princes sit and talk against me,

Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

24 Your testimonies also are my delight;

They are my counselors.

Daleth.25 My soul cleaves to the dust;

Revive me according to Your word.

26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;

Teach me Your statutes.

27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts,

So I will meditate on Your wonders.

28 My soul weeps because of grief;

Strengthen me according to Your word.

29 Remove the false way from me,

And graciously grant me Your law.

30 I have chosen the faithful way;

I have placed Your ordinances before me.

31 I cling to Your testimonies;

O LORD, do not put me to shame!

32 I shall run the way of Your commandments,

For You will enlarge my heart.

He.33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall observe it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law

And keep it with all my heart.

35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.

36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies

And not to dishonest gain.

37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,

And revive me in Your ways.

38 Establish Your word to Your servant,

As that which produces reverence for You.

39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,

For Your ordinances are good.

40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;

Revive me through Your righteousness.

Vav.41 May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O LORD,

Your salvation according to Your word;

42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me,

For I trust in Your word.

43 And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

For I wait for Your ordinances.

44 So I will keep Your law continually,

Forever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts.

46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings

And shall not be ashamed.

47 I shall delight in Your commandments,

Which I love.

48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,

Which I love;

And I will meditate on Your statutes.

Zayin.49 Remember the word to Your servant,

In which You have made me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction,

That Your word has revived me.

51 The arrogant utterly deride me,

Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

52 I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O LORD,

And comfort myself.

53 Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,

Who forsake Your law.

54 Your statutes are my songs

In the house of my pilgrimage.

55 O LORD, I remember Your name in the night,

And keep Your law.

56 This has become mine,

That I observe Your precepts.

Heth.57 The LORD is my portion;

I have promised to keep Your words.

58 I sought Your favor with all my heart;

Be gracious to me according to Your word.

59 I considered my ways

And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

60 I hastened and did not delay

To keep Your commandments.

61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me,

But I have not forgotten Your law.

62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You

Because of Your righteous ordinances.

63 I am a companion of all those who fear You,

And of those who keep Your precepts.

64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD;

Teach me Your statutes.

Teth.65 You have dealt well with Your servant,

O LORD, according to Your word.

66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge,

For I believe in Your commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.

68 You are good and do good;

Teach me Your statutes.

69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me;

With all my heart I will observe Your precepts.

70 Their heart is covered with fat,

But I delight in Your law.

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,

That I may learn Your statutes.

72 The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh.73 Your hands made me and fashioned me;

Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

74 May those who fear You see me and be glad,

Because I wait for Your word.

75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous,

And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

76 O may Your lovingkindness comfort me,

According to Your word to Your servant.

77 May Your compassion come to me that I may live,

For Your law is my delight.

78 May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie;

But I shall meditate on Your precepts.

79 May those who fear You turn to me,

Even those who know Your testimonies.

80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,

So that I will not be ashamed.

Kaph.81 My soul languishes for Your salvation;

I wait for Your word.

82 My eyes fail with longing for Your word,

While I say, “When will You comfort me?”

83 Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

I do not forget Your statutes.

84 How many are the days of Your servant?

When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?

85 The arrogant have dug pits for me,

Men who are not in accord with Your law.

86 All Your commandments are faithful;

They have persecuted me with a lie; help me!

87 They almost destroyed me on earth,

But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts.

88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,

So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

Lamedh.89 Forever, O LORD,

Your word is settled in heaven.

90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations;

You established the earth, and it stands.

91 They stand this day according to Your ordinances,

For all things are Your servants.

92 If Your law had not been my delight,

Then I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget Your precepts,

For by them You have revived me.

94 I am Yours, save me;

For I have sought Your precepts.

95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me;

I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection;

Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem.97 O how I love Your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,

For they are ever mine.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,

For Your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged,

Because I have observed Your precepts.

101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,

That I may keep Your word.

102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,

For You Yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are Your words to my taste!

Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 From Your precepts I get understanding;

Therefore I hate every false way.

Nun.105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.

106 I have sworn and I will confirm it,

That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

107 I am exceedingly afflicted;

Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,

And teach me Your ordinances.

109 My life is continually in my hand,

Yet I do not forget Your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,

Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever,

For they are the joy of my heart.

112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes

Forever, even to the end.

Samekh.113 I hate those who are double-minded,

But I love Your law.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield;

I wait for Your word.

115 Depart from me, evildoers,

That I may observe the commandments of my God.

116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;

And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

117 Uphold me that I may be safe,

That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.

118 You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes,

For their deceitfulness is useless.

119 You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross;

Therefore I love Your testimonies.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of You,

And I am afraid of Your judgments.

Ayin.121 I have done justice and righteousness;

Do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Be surety for Your servant for good;

Do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation

And for Your righteous word.

124 Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness

And teach me Your statutes.

125 I am Your servant; give me understanding,

That I may know Your testimonies.

126 It is time for the LORD to act,

For they have broken Your law.

127 Therefore I love Your commandments

Above gold, yes, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything,

I hate every false way.

Pe.129 Your testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore my soul observes them.

130 The unfolding of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple.

131 I opened my mouth wide and panted,

For I longed for Your commandments.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

After Your manner with those who love Your name.

133 Establish my footsteps in Your word,

And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from the oppression of man,

That I may keep Your precepts.

135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

And teach me Your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of water,

Because they do not keep Your law.

Tsadhe.137 Righteous are You, O LORD,

And upright are Your judgments.

138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness

And exceeding faithfulness.

139 My zeal has consumed me,

Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

140 Your word is very pure,

Therefore Your servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised,

Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

And Your law is truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,

Yet Your commandments are my delight.

144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;

Give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph.145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD!

I will observe Your statutes.

146 I cried to You; save me

And I shall keep Your testimonies.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I wait for Your words.

148 My eyes anticipate the night watches,

That I may meditate on Your word.

149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;

Revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances.

150 Those who follow after wickedness draw near;

They are far from Your law.

151 You are near, O LORD,

And all Your commandments are truth.

152 Of old I have known from Your testimonies

That You have founded them forever.

Resh.153 Look upon my affliction and rescue me,

For I do not forget Your law.

154 Plead my cause and redeem me;

Revive me according to Your word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked,

For they do not seek Your statutes.

156 Great are Your mercies, O LORD;

Revive me according to Your ordinances.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.

158 I behold the treacherous and loathe them,

Because they do not keep Your word.

159 Consider how I love Your precepts;

Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.

160 The sum of Your word is truth,

And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

Shin.161 Princes persecute me without cause,

But my heart stands in awe of Your words.

162 I rejoice at Your word,

As one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and despise falsehood,

But I love Your law.

164 Seven times a day I praise You,

Because of Your righteous ordinances.

165 Those who love Your law have great peace,

And nothing causes them to stumble.

166 I hope for Your salvation, O LORD,

And do Your commandments.

167 My soul keeps Your testimonies,

And I love them exceedingly.

168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,

For all my ways are before You.

Tav.169 Let my cry come before You, O LORD;

Give me understanding according to Your word.

170 Let my supplication come before You;

Deliver me according to Your word.

171 Let my lips utter praise,

For You teach me Your statutes.

172 Let my tongue sing of Your word,

For all Your commandments are righteousness.

173 Let Your hand be ready to help me,

For I have chosen Your precepts.

174 I long for Your salvation, O LORD,

And Your law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live that it may praise You,

And let Your ordinances help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,

For I do not forget Your commandments.

PSALM 120

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Prayer for Deliverance from the Treacherous.A Song of Ascents.
120:1 In my trouble I cried to the LORD,

And He answered me.

2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips,

From a deceitful tongue.

3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you,

You deceitful tongue?

4 Sharp arrows of the warrior,

With the burning coals of the broom tree.

5 Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech,

For I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long has my soul had its dwelling

With those who hate peace.

7 I am for peace, but when I speak,

They are for war.

PROVERBS 16

« Proverbs 15 | Proverbs 16 | Proverbs 17 »

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man,

But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,

But the LORD weighs the motives.

3 Commit your works to the LORD

And your plans will be established.

4 The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,

Even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;

Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,

And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness

Than great income with injustice.

9 The mind of man plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps.

10 A divine decision is in the lips of the king;

His mouth should not err in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales belong to the LORD;

All the weights of the bag are His concern.

12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,

For a throne is established on righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And he who speaks right is loved.

14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death,

But a wise man will appease it.

15 In the light of a king’s face is life,

And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who watches his way preserves his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly

Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He who gives attention to the word will find good,

And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise in heart will be called understanding,

And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,

But the discipline of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth

And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way which seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

26 A worker’s appetite works for him,

For his hunger urges him on.

27 A worthless man digs up evil,

While his words are like scorching fire.

28 A perverse man spreads strife,

And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

29 A man of violence entices his neighbor

And leads him in a way that is not good.

30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;

He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 A gray head is a crown of glory;

It is found in the way of righteousness.

32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every decision is from the LORD.