Read the Bible in a Year
Each day, we'll post passages so that you can read the Bible in one year. This is part of The Colossians 13:16 Project, sponsored by Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Street, Weirton, West Virginia. You're invited to worship with us Sundays, at 11:00 a.m. or Saturdays, at 6:30 p.m. You may also want to consider joining one our adult Bible Studies: Thursdays at 12:00 noon and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. We also have a full range of programs for children. If you want more information about the church, check out the other blogs. And please feel free to leave any comments.
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Today our passages are 2 Samuel
17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; and Proverbs 16:12-13. The readings
are the Contemporary English
Version.
2 Samuel 17:1-29 (Contemporary English Version)
2 Samuel 17
1Ahithophel said
to Absalom:
Let me choose twelve thousand men and attack David tonight, 2while he is tired and discouraged. He will
panic, and everyone with him will run away. I won't kill anyone except David,
3since he's the one you want to get rid
of. Then I'll bring the whole nation back to you like a bride coming home to her
husband.
This way there won't be a civil war.
Hushai Fools Absalom
4Absalom
and all the leaders of the tribes of Israel agreed that Ahithophel had a good
plan. 5Then Absalom said, "Bring in
Hushai the Archite. Let's hear what he has to say."
6Hushai came in, and Absalom
told him what Ahithophel had planned. Then Absalom said, "Should we do what he
says? And if we shouldn't, can you come up with anything better?"
7Hushai said:
This time Ahithophel's advice isn't so good. 8You know that your father and his followers are real
warriors. Right now they are as fierce as a mother bear whose cubs have just
been killed. Besides, your father has a lot of experience in fighting wars, and
he won't be spending the night with the others. 9He has probably already found a hiding place in a cave or
somewhere else.
As soon as anyone hears that some of your soldiers have been killed,
everyone will think your whole army has been destroyed. 10Then even those who are as brave as a lion will lose
their courage. All Israel knows what a great warrior your father is and what
brave soldiers he has.
11My advice is to gather all the
fighting men of Israel from the town of Dan in the north down to the town of
Beersheba in the south. You will have more soldiers than there are grains of
sand on the seashore. Absalom, you should lead them yourself, 12and we will all go to fight David wherever
he is. We will fall on him just as dew falls and covers the ground. He and all
his soldiers will die! 13If they go
into a walled town, we will put ropes around that town and drag it into the
river. We won't leave even one small piece of a stone.
14Absalom and the others liked
Hushai's plan better than Ahithophel's plan. This was because the LORD had
decided to keep Ahithophel's plan from working and to cause trouble for Absalom.
Jonathan and Ahimaaz Tell David the News
15Right away, Hushai went to Zadok and Abiathar. He told
them what advice Ahithophel had given to Absalom and to the leaders of Israel.
He also told them about the advice he had given. 16Then he said, "Hurry! Send someone to warn David not to
spend the night on this side of the river. He must get across the river, so he
and the others won't be wiped out!"
17Jonathan and Ahimaaz
had been waiting at Rogel Spring
because they did not want to be seen in Jerusalem. A servant girl went to the
spring and gave them the message for David. 18But a young man saw them and went to tell Absalom. So
Jonathan and Ahimaaz left and hurried to the house of a man who lived in
Bahurim. Then they climbed down into a well in the courtyard. 19The man's wife put the cover on the well
and poured grain on top of it, so the well could not be seen.
20Absalom's soldiers came to the woman
and demanded, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?"
The woman answered, "They went across the stream."
The soldiers went off to look for the two men. But when they did not find
the men, they went back to Jerusalem.
21After the soldiers had gone,
Jonathan and Ahimaaz climbed out of the well. They went to David and said,
"Hurry! Get ready to cross the river!" Then they told him about Ahithophel's
plan.
22David and the others got ready
and started crossing the Jordan River. By sunrise all of them were on the other
side.
Ahithophel Kills Himself
23When Ahithophel saw that Absalom and the leaders of
Israel were not going to follow his advice, he saddled his donkey and rode back
to his home in Gilo. He told his family and servants what to do. Then he hanged
himself, and they buried him in his family's burial place.
Absalom Puts Amasa in Charge of the Army
24David went to the town of Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed
the Jordan River with the army of Israel. 25Absalom put Amasa in Joab's place as commander of the
army. Amasa's father was Ithra
from the family of Ishmael,
and his mother was Abigal,
the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah. 26The Israelites under Absalom's command set
up camp in the region of Gilead.
Friends Bring Supplies to David
27After David came to the town of Mahanaim, Shobi the son
of Nahash came from Rabbah in Ammon,
Machir the son of Ammiel came from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite came
from Rogelim. 28-29Here is a list of
what they brought: sleeping mats, blankets, bowls, pottery jars, wheat, barley,
flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, yogurt, sheep, and cheese.
They brought the food for David and the others because they knew that
everyone would be hungry, tired, and thirsty from being out in the desert.
John 19:23-42 (Contemporary English Version)
23After the soldiers had nailed
Jesus to the cross, they divided up his clothes into four parts, one for each of
them. But his outer garment was made from a single piece of cloth, and it did
not have any seams. 24The soldiers
said to each other, "Let's not rip it apart. We will gamble to see who gets it."
This happened so that the Scriptures would come true, which say,
"They divided up my clothes
and gambled
for my garments."
The soldiers then did what they had decided.
25Jesus' mother stood beside
his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was
standing there too.
26When Jesus saw his mother and his
favorite disciple with her, he said to his mother, "This man is now your son."
27Then he said to the disciple, "She
is now your mother." From then on, that disciple took her into his own home.
The Death of Jesus
(Matthew 27.45-56; Mark 15.33-41; Luke 23.44-49)
28Jesus knew that he had now finished his work. And in
order to make the Scriptures come true, he said, "I am thirsty!" 29A jar of cheap wine was there. Someone
then soaked a sponge with the wine and held it up to Jesus' mouth on the stem of
a hyssop plant. 30After Jesus drank
the wine, he said, "Everything is done!" He bowed his head and died.
A Spear Is Stuck in Jesus' Side
31The next day would be both a Sabbath and the Passover. It
was a special day for the Jewish people,
and they did not want the bodies to stay on the crosses during that day. So they
asked Pilate to break the men's legs
and take their bodies down. 32The
soldiers first broke the legs of the other two men who were nailed there. 33But when they came to Jesus, they saw
that he was already dead, and they did not break his legs. 34One of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and
blood and water came out. 35We know
this is true, because it was told by someone who saw it happen. Now you can have
faith too. 36All this happened so that
the Scriptures would come true, which say, "No bone of his body will be broken"
37and, "They will see the one in whose
side they stuck a spear."
Jesus Is Buried
(Matthew 27.57-61; Mark 15.42-47; Luke 23.50-56)
38Joseph from Arimathea was one of Jesus' disciples. He had
kept it secret though, because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. But now he
asked Pilate to let him have Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission, and Joseph
took it down from the cross.
39Nicodemus also came with
about seventy-five pounds of spices made from myrrh and aloes. This was the same
Nicodemus who had visited Jesus one night.
40The two men wrapped the body in a
linen cloth, together with the spices, which was how the Jewish people buried
their dead. 41In the place where Jesus
had been nailed to a cross, there was a garden with a tomb that had never been
used. 42The tomb was nearby, and since
it was the time to prepare for the Sabbath, they were in a hurry to put Jesus'
body there.
Psalm 119:129-152 (Contemporary English Version)
129Your teachings are wonderful,
and I respect them all.
130Understanding your word
brings light
to the minds
of ordinary people.
131I honestly want to know
everything you teach.
132Think about me and be kind,
just as you are to everyone
who loves your name.
133Keep your promise
and don't let me stumble
or let sin control my life.
134Protect me from abuse,
so I can obey your laws.
135Smile on me, your servant,
and teach me your laws.
136When anyone disobeys you,
my eyes overflow with tears.
137Our LORD, you always do
right,
and your decisions are fair.
138All of your teachings are
true
and trustworthy.
139It upsets me greatly
when my enemies neglect
your teachings.
140Your word to me, your
servant,
is like pure gold;
I treasure what you say.
141Everyone calls me a nobody,
but I remember your laws.
142You will always do right,
and your teachings are true.
143I am in deep distress,
but I love your teachings.
144Your rules are always fair.
Help me to understand them
and live.
145I pray to you, LORD!
Please answer me.
I promise to obey your laws.
146I beg you to save me,
so I can follow your rules.
147Even before sunrise,
I pray for your help,
and I put my hope
in what you have said.
148I lie awake at night,
thinking of your promises.
149Show that you love me, LORD,
and answer my prayer.
Please do the right thing
and save my life.
150People who disobey your Law
have made evil plans
and want to hurt me,
151but you are with me,
and all of your commands
can be trusted.
152From studying your laws,
I found out long ago
that you made them
to last forever.
Proverbs 16:12-13 (Contemporary English Version)
12Justice makes rulers powerful.
They should hate evil
13and like honesty and truth.
Verse of the Day
“With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of
God's trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in
Christ before they died will be raised to life. Next, all of us who are still
alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in
the sky. From that time on we will all be with the Lord forever.” - 1
Thessalonians 4:16-17
Thought
for the Day
Minister, author and a progenitor of the theory of “positive
thinking” Norman
Vincent Peale wrote, “Our problem is to become acquainted with our own
selves, letting our personalities loose upon the world for the sheer adventure
of their full development and in the positive hope that they may in their own
way lift the level of humanity.”
Today our passages are 2 Samuel
15:23–16:23; John 18:25–19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; and Proverbs 16:10-11. The
readings are the Contemporary English
Version.
2 Samuel 15:23-16:23 (Contemporary English Version)
David Sends the Sacred Chest Back to Jerusalem
23The people of Jerusalem were crying and moaning as David
and everyone with him passed by. He led them across Kidron Valley
and along the road toward the desert. 24Zadok and Abiathar the priests were there along with
several men from the tribe of Levi who were carrying the sacred chest. They set
the chest down, and left it there until David and his followers had gone out of
the city.
25Then David said:
Zadok, take the sacred chest back to Jerusalem. If the LORD is pleased
with me, he will bring me back and let me see it and his tent again. 26But if he says he isn't pleased with me,
then let him do what he knows is best.
27Zadok, you are a good judge of
things,
so return to the city and don't cause any trouble. Take your son Ahimaaz with
you. Abiathar and his son Jonathan will also go back. 28I'll wait at the river crossing in the desert until I
hear from you. 29Zadok and Abiathar
took the sacred chest back into Jerusalem and stayed there. 30David went on up the slope of the Mount of Olives. He was
barefoot and crying, and he covered his head to show his sorrow. Everyone with
him was crying, and they covered their heads too.
31Someone told David,
"Ahithophel is helping Absalom plot against you!"
David said, "Please, LORD, keep Ahithophel's plans from working!"
David Sends Hushai Back as a Spy
32When David reached the top of the Mount of Olives, he met
Hushai the Archite
at a place of worship. Hushai's robe was torn, and dust was on his head.
33David told him: If you come with me,
you might slow us down.
34Go back into the city and tell
Absalom, "Your Majesty, I am your servant. I will serve you now, just as I
served your father in the past." Hushai, if you do that, you can help me ruin
Ahithophel's plans. 35Zadok and
Abiathar the priests will be there with you, and you can tell them everything
you hear in the palace. 36Then have
them send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what you've heard.
37David's advisor Hushai slipped
back into Jerusalem, just about the same time that Absalom was coming in.
2 Samuel 16
Ziba Gives Food to David
1David had started down the other side of the Mount of
Olives, when he was met by Ziba, the chief servant of Mephibosheth.
Ziba had two donkeys that were carrying two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred
handfuls of raisins, a hundred figs,
and some wine. 2"What's all this?"
David asked.
Ziba said, "The donkeys are for your family to ride. The bread and fruit
are for the people to eat, and the wine is for them to drink in the desert when
they are tired out."
3"And where is Mephibosheth?"
David asked.
Ziba answered, "He stayed in Jerusalem, because he thinks the people of
Israel want him to rule the kingdom of his grandfather Saul."
4David then told him,
"Everything that used to belong to Mephibosheth is now yours."
Ziba said, "Your Majesty, I am your humble servant, and I hope you will be
pleased with me."
Shimei Curses David
5David was
near the town of Bahurim when a man came out and started cursing him. The man
was Shimei the son of Gera, and he was one of Saul's distant relatives. 6He threw stones at David, at his soldiers,
and at everyone else, including the bodyguards who walked on each side of David.
7Shimei was yelling at David,
"Get out of here, you murderer! You good-for-nothing, 8the LORD is paying you back for killing so many in Saul's
family. You stole his kingdom, but now the LORD has given it to your son
Absalom. You're a murderer, and that's why you're in such big trouble!"
9Abishai said, "Your Majesty,
this man is as useless as a dead dog! He shouldn't be allowed to curse you. Let
me go over and chop off his head."
10David replied, "What will I
ever do with you and your brother Joab? If Shimei is cursing me because the LORD
has told him to, then who are you to tell him to stop?"
11Then David said to Abishai and
all his soldiers:
My own son is trying to kill me! Why shouldn't this man from the tribe of
Benjamin want me dead even more? Let him curse all he wants. Maybe the LORD did
tell him to curse me. 12But if the LORD
hears these curses and sees the trouble I'm in, maybe he will have pity on me
instead.
13David and the others went on
down the road. Shimei went along the hillside by the road, cursing and throwing
rocks and dirt at them. 14When David
and those with him came to the Jordan River, they were tired out. But after they
rested, they
felt much better.
Hushai Meets Absalom
15By this
time, Absalom, Ahithophel, and the others had reached Jerusalem. 16David's friend Hushai came to Absalom and
said, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17But Absalom asked Hushai, "Is
this how you show loyalty to your friend David? Why didn't you go with him?"
18Hushai answered, "The LORD and
the people of Israel have chosen you to be king. I can't leave. I have to stay
and serve the one they've chosen. 19Besides, it seems right for me to serve you, just as I
served your father."
Ahithophel's Advice
20Absalom
turned to Ahithophel and said, "Give us your advice! What should we do?"
21Ahithophel answered, "Some of
your father's wives
were left here to take care of the palace. You should have sex with them. Then
everyone will find out that you have publicly disgraced your father. This will
make you and your followers even more powerful." 22Absalom had a tent set up on the flat roof of the palace,
and everyone watched as he went into the tent with his father's wives.
23Ahithophel gave such good
advice in those days that both Absalom and David thought it came straight from
God.
John 18:25-19:22 (Contemporary English Version)
Peter Again Denies that He Knows Jesus
(Matthew 26.71-75; Mark 14.69-72; Luke 22.58-62)
25While Simon Peter was standing there warming himself,
someone asked him, "Aren't you one of Jesus' followers?"
Again Peter denied it and said, "No, I am not!"
26One of the high priest's
servants was there. He was a relative of the servant whose ear Peter had cut
off, and he asked, "Didn't I see you in the garden with that man?"
27Once more Peter denied it,
and right then a rooster crowed.
Jesus Is Tried by Pilate
(Matthew 27.1,2,11-14; Mark 15.1-5; Luke 23.1-5)
28It was early in the morning when Jesus was taken from
Caiaphas to the building where the Roman governor stayed. But the crowd waited
outside. Any of them who had gone inside would have become unclean and would not
be allowed to eat the Passover meal.
29Pilate came out and asked, "What
charges are you bringing against this man?"
30They answered, "He is a
criminal! That's why we brought him to you."
31Pilate told them, "Take him
and judge him by your own laws."
The crowd replied, "We are not allowed to put anyone to death." 32And so what Jesus said about his death
would soon come true. 33Pilate then
went back inside. He called Jesus over and asked, "Are you the king of the
Jews?"
34Jesus answered, "Are you
asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me?"
35"You know I'm not a Jew!"
Pilate said. "Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have
you done?"
36Jesus answered, "My kingdom
doesn't belong to this world. If it did, my followers would have fought to keep
me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. No, my kingdom doesn't belong
to this world."
37"So you are a king," Pilate
replied.
"You are saying that I am a king," Jesus told him. "I was born into this
world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth knows my
voice."
38Pilate asked Jesus, "What is
truth?"
Pilate went back out and said, "I don't find this man guilty of anything!
Jesus Is Sentenced to Death
(Matthew 27.15-31; Mark 15.6-20; Luke 23.13-25)
39And since I usually set a prisoner free for you at
Passover, would you like for me to set free the king of the Jews?"
40They shouted, "No, not him!
We want Barabbas." Now Barabbas was a terrorist.
John 19
1Pilate gave orders
for Jesus to be beaten with a whip. 2The soldiers made a crown out of thorn branches and put it
on Jesus. Then they put a purple robe on him. 3They came up to him and said, "Hey, you king of the Jews!"
They also hit him with their fists.
4Once again Pilate went out.
This time he said, "I will have Jesus brought out to you again. Then you can see
for yourselves that I have not found him guilty."
5Jesus came out, wearing the
crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, "Here is the man!"
6When the chief priests and the temple
police saw him, they yelled, "Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!"
Pilate told them, "You take him and nail him to a cross! I don't find him
guilty of anything."
7The crowd replied, "He claimed
to be the Son of God! Our Jewish Law says that he must be put to death."
8When Pilate heard this, he was
terrified. 9He went back inside and
asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer.
10"Why won't you answer my
question?" Pilate asked. "Don't you know that I have the power to let you go
free or to nail you to a cross?"
11Jesus replied, "If God had
not given you the power, you couldn't do anything at all to me. But the one who
handed me over to you did something even worse."
12Then Pilate wanted to set
Jesus free. But the crowd again yelled, "If you set this man free, you are no
friend of the Emperor! Anyone who claims to be a king is an enemy of the
Emperor."
13When Pilate heard this, he
brought Jesus out. Then he sat down on the judge's bench at the place known as
"The Stone Pavement." In Aramaic this pavement is called "Gabbatha." 14It was about noon on the day before
Passover, and Pilate said to the crowd, "Look at your king!"
15"Kill him! Kill him!" they
yelled. "Nail him to a cross!"
"So you want me to nail your king to a cross?" Pilate asked.
The chief priests replied, "The Emperor is our king!" 16Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be nailed to a cross.
Jesus was taken away,
Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross
(Matthew 27.32-44; Mark 15.21-32; Luke 23.26-43)
17and he carried his cross to a place known as "The Skull."
In Aramaic this place is called "Golgotha." 18There Jesus was nailed to the cross, and on each side of
him a man was also nailed to a cross. 19Pilate ordered the charge against Jesus to be written on
a board and put above the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
20The words were written in Hebrew,
Latin, and Greek.
The place where Jesus was taken wasn't far from the city, and many of the
Jewish people read the charge against him. 21So the chief priests went to Pilate and said, "Why did
you write that he is King of the Jews? You should have written, `He claimed to
be King of the Jews.' "
22But Pilate told them, "What
is written will not be changed!"
Psalm 119:113-128 (Contemporary English Version)
113I hate anyone
whose loyalty is divided,
but I love your Law.
114You are my place of safety
and my shield.
Your word is my only hope.
115All of you worthless people,
get away from me!
I am determined to obey
the commands of my God.
116Be true to your word, LORD.
Keep me alive and strong;
don't let me be ashamed
because of my hope.
117Keep me safe and secure,
so that I will always
respect your laws.
118You reject all deceitful
liars
because they refuse
your teachings.
119As far as you are concerned,
all evil people are
garbage, and so I follow your rules.
120I tremble all over
when I think of you
and the way you judge.
121I did what was fair and
right!
Don't hand me over to those
who want to mistreat me.
122Take good care of me,
your servant,
and don't let me be harmed
by those conceited people.
123My eyes are weary from
waiting
to see you keep your promise
to come and save me.
124Show your love for me,
your servant,
and teach me your laws.
125I serve you,
so let me understand
your teachings.
126Do something, LORD!
They have broken your Law.
127Your laws mean more to me
than the finest gold.
128I follow all of your
commands,
but I hate anyone
who leads me astray.
Proverbs 16:10-11 (Contemporary English Version)
10Rulers speak with authority
and are never wrong.
11The LORD doesn't like it
when we cheat in business.
Verse of the Day
“I praise your promises! I trust you and am not afraid. No one can harm me.”
- Psalm
56:4
Thought for the Day
American literary critic and poet George Edward
Woodberry wrote, “Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is
the true
failure.”
Today our passages are 2 Samuel 14:1–15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; and Proverbs 16:8-9. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
2 Samuel 14-15:22 (Contemporary English Version)
2 Samuel 14
1Joab knew that David couldn't stop thinking about Absalom, 2-3and he sent someone to bring in the wise woman who lived in Tekoa. Joab told her, "Put on funeral clothes and don't use any makeup. Go to the king and pretend you have spent a long time mourning the death of a loved one." Then he told her what to say. 4The woman from Tekoa went to David. She bowed very low and said, "Your Majesty, please help me!"
5David asked, "What's the matter?"
She replied:
My husband is dead, and I'm a widow. 6I had two sons, but they got into a fight out in a field where there was no one to pull them apart, and one of them killed the other. 7Now all of my relatives have come to me and said, "Hand over your son! We're going to put him to death for killing his brother." But what they really want is to get rid of him, so they can take over our land.
Please don't let them put out my only flame of hope! There won't be anyone left on this earth to carry on my husband's name.
8"Go on home," David told her. "I'll take care of this matter for you."
9The woman said, "I hope your decision doesn't cause any problems for you. But if it does, you can blame me." 10He said, "If anyone gives you any trouble, bring them to me, and it won't happen again!"
11"Please," she replied, "swear by the LORD your God that no one will be allowed to kill my son!"
He said, "I swear by the living LORD that no one will touch even a hair on his head!"
12Then she asked, "Your Majesty, may I say something?"
"Yes," he answered.
13The woman said:
Haven't you been hurting God's people? Your own son had to leave the country. And when you judged in my favor, it was the same as admitting that you should have let him come back. 14We each must die and disappear like water poured out on the ground. But God doesn't take our lives. Instead, he figures out ways of bringing us back when we run away. 15Your Majesty, I came here to tell you about my problem, because I was afraid of what someone might do to me. I decided to come to you, because I thought you could help. 16In fact, I knew that you would listen and save my son and me from those who want to take the land that God gave us. 17I can rest easy now that you have given your decision. You know the difference between right and wrong just like an angel of God, and I pray that the LORD your God will be with you.
18Then David said to the woman, "Now I'm going to ask you a question, and don't try to hide the truth!"
The woman replied, "Please go ahead, Your Majesty."
19David asked, "Did Joab put you up to this?"
The woman answered, "Your Majesty, I swear by your life that no one can hide the truth from you. Yes, Joab did tell me what to say, 20but only to show you the other side of this problem. You must be as wise as the angel of God to know everything that goes on in this country."
21David turned to Joab and said, "It seems that I have already given my decision. Go and bring Absalom back."
22Joab bowed very low and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for giving your permission. It shows that you approve of me."
23Joab went to Geshur to get Absalom. But when they came back to Jerusalem, 24David told Joab, "I don't want to see my son Absalom. Tell him to stay away from me." So Absalom went to his own house without seeing his father.
Absalom Was Handsome
25No one in all Israel was as handsome and well-built as Absalom. 26He got his hair cut once a year, and when the hair was weighed, it came to about five pounds. 27Absalom had three sons. He also had a daughter named Tamar, who grew up to be very beautiful.
Absalom Finally Sees David
28Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without seeing his father. 29He wanted Joab to talk to David for him. So one day he sent a message asking Joab to come over, but Joab refused. Absalom sent another message, but Joab still refused. 30Finally, Absalom told his servants, "Joab's barley field is right next to mine. Go set it on fire!" And they did. 31Joab went to Absalom's house and demanded, "Why did your servants set my field on fire?"
32Absalom answered, "You didn't pay any attention when I sent for you. I want you to ask my father why he told me to come back from Geshur. I was better off there. I want to see my father now! If I'm guilty, let him kill me."
33Joab went to David and told him what Absalom had said. David sent for Absalom, and Absalom came. He bowed very low, and David leaned over and kissed him.
2 Samuel 15
Absalom Rebels against David
1Some time later, Absalom got himself a chariot with horses to pull it, and he had fifty men run in front. 2He would get up early each morning and wait by the side of the road that led to the city gate. Anyone who had a complaint to bring to King David would have to go that way, and Absalom would ask each of them, "Where are you from?" If they said, "I'm from a tribe in the north," 3Absalom would say, "You deserve to win your case. It's too bad the king doesn't have anyone to hear complaints like yours. 4I wish someone would make me the judge around here! I would be fair to everyone." 5Whenever anyone would come to Absalom and start bowing down, he would reach out and hug and kiss them. 6That's how he treated everyone from Israel who brought a complaint to the king. Soon everyone in Israel liked Absalom better than they liked David.
7Four years later, Absalom said to David, "Please, let me go to Hebron. I have to keep a promise that I made to the LORD, 8when I was living with the Arameans in Geshur. I promised that if the LORD would bring me back to live in Jerusalem, I would worship him in Hebron." 9David gave his permission, and Absalom went to Hebron. 10-12He took two hundred men from Jerusalem with him, but they had no idea what he was going to do. Absalom offered sacrifices in Hebron and sent someone to Gilo to tell David's advisor Ahithophel to come.
More and more people were joining Absalom and supporting his plot. Meanwhile, Absalom had secretly sent some messengers to the northern tribes of Israel. The messengers told everyone, "When you hear the sound of the trumpets, you must shout, `Absalom now rules as king in Hebron!' "
David Has To Leave Jerusalem
13A messenger came and told David, "Everyone in Israel is on Absalom's side!" 14David's officials were in Jerusalem with him, and he told them, "Let's get out of here! We'll have to leave soon, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry! If he moves fast, he could catch us while we're still here. Then he will kill us and everyone else in the city."
15The officials said, "Your Majesty, we'll do whatever you say."
16-17David left behind ten of his wives to take care of the palace, but the rest of his family and his officials and soldiers went with him. They stopped at the last house at the edge of the city. 18Then David stood there and watched while his regular troops and his bodyguards marched past. The last group was the six hundred soldiers who had followed him from Gath. Their commander was Ittai. 19David spoke to Ittai and said, "You're a foreigner from the town of Gath. You don't have to leave with us. Go back and join the new king! 20You haven't been with me very long, so why should you have to follow me, when I don't even know where I'm going? Take your soldiers and go back. I pray that the Lord will be kind and faithful to you." 21Ittai answered, "Your Majesty, just as surely as you and the LORD live, I will go where you go, no matter if it costs me my life."
22"Then come on!" David said.
So Ittai and all his men and their families walked on past David.
John 18:1-24 (Contemporary English Version)
John 18
Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested
(Matthew 26.47-56; Mark 14.43-50; Luke 22.47-53)
1When Jesus had finished praying, he and his disciples crossed the Kidron Valley and went into a garden. 2Jesus had often met there with his disciples, and Judas knew where the place was. 3-5Judas had promised to betray Jesus. So he went to the garden with some Roman soldiers and temple police, who had been sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees. They carried torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus already knew everything that was going to happen, but he asked, "Who are you looking for?" They answered, "We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth!"
Jesus told them, "I am Jesus!" 6At once they all backed away and fell to the ground. 7Jesus again asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth," they answered.
8This time Jesus replied, "I have already told you that I am Jesus. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go. 9Then everything will happen, just as I said, `I did not lose anyone you gave me.' "
10Simon Peter had brought along a sword. He now pulled it out and struck at the servant of the high priest. The servant's name was Malchus, and Peter cut off his right ear. 11Jesus told Peter, "Put your sword away. I must drink from the cup that the Father has given me."
Jesus Is Brought to Annas
(Matthew 26.57,58; Mark 14.53,54; Luke 22.54)
12The Roman officer and his men, together with the temple police, arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13They took him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14This was the same Caiaphas who had told the Jewish leaders, "It is better if one person dies for the people."
Peter Says He Doesn't Know Jesus
(Matthew 26.69,70; Mark 14.66-68; Luke 22.55-57)
15Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That disciple knew the high priest, and he followed Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest's house. 16Peter stayed outside near the gate. But the other disciple came back out and spoke to the girl at the gate. She let Peter go in, 17but asked him, "Aren't you one of that man's followers?" "No, I am not!" Peter answered.
18It was cold, and the servants and temple police had made a charcoal fire. They were warming themselves around it, when Peter went over and stood near the fire to warm himself.
Jesus Is Questioned by the High Priest
(Matthew 26.59-66; Mark 14.55-64; Luke 22.66-71)
19The high priest questioned Jesus about his followers and his teaching. 20But Jesus told him, "I have spoken freely in front of everyone. And I have always taught in our meeting places and in the temple, where all of our people come together. I have not said anything in secret. 21Why are you questioning me? Why don't you ask the people who heard me? They know what I have said." 22As soon as Jesus said this, one of the temple police hit him and said, "That's no way to talk to the high priest!"
23Jesus answered, "If I have done something wrong, say so. But if not, why did you hit me?" 24Jesus was still tied up, and Annas sent him to Caiaphas the high priest.
Psalm 119:97-112 (Contemporary English Version)
97I deeply love your Law!
I think about it all day.
98Your laws never leave my mind,
and they make me much wiser
than my enemies.
99Thinking about your teachings
gives me better understanding
than my teachers,
100and obeying your laws
makes me wiser
than those
who have lived a long time.
101I obey your word
instead of following a way
that leads to trouble.
102You have been my teacher,
and I won't reject
your instructions.
103Your teachings are sweeter
than honey.
104They give me understanding
and make me hate all lies.
105Your word is a lamp
that gives light
wherever I walk.
106Your laws are fair,
and I have given my word
to respect them all.
107I am in terrible pain!
Save me, LORD,
as you said you would.
108Accept my offerings of praise
and teach me your laws.
109I never forget your teachings,
although my life is always
in danger.
110Some merciless people
are trying to trap me,
but I never turn my back
on your teachings.
111They will always be
my most prized possession
and my source of joy.
112I have made up my mind
to obey your laws forever,
no matter what.
Proverbs 16:8-9 (Contemporary English Version)
8It's better to be honest
and poor
than to be dishonest
and rich.
9We make our own plans,
but the LORD decides
where we will go.
Verse of the Day
“The LORD is always kind to those who worship him, and he keeps his promises to their descendants who faithfully obey him.” - Psalm 103:17-18
Thought for the Day
35th President of the United States John F. Kennedy wrote, “Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free.”
