Bible Readings for June 7, 2011

Today our passages are 1 Kings 2:1–3:3; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; and Proverbs 16:25. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

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1 Kings 2-3:3 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

1 Kings 2

David's Instructions to Solomon

1Not long before David died, he told Solomon:

2My son, I will soon die, as everyone must. But I want you to be strong and brave. 3Do what the LORD your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a success, no matter what you do or where you go. 4You and your descendants must always faithfully obey the LORD. If you do, he will keep the solemn promise he made to me that someone from our family will always be king of Israel.

5Solomon, don't forget what Joab did to me by killing Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of Israel's army. He killed them as if they were his enemies in a war, but he did it when there was no war. [a] He is guilty, and now it's up to you to punish him 6in the way you think best. Whatever you do, don't let him die peacefully in his old age. 7The sons of Barzillai from Gilead helped me when I was running from your brother Absalom. [b] Be kind to them and let them eat at your table. 8Be sure to do something about Shimei son of Gera from Bahurim in the territory of Benjamin. He cursed and insulted me the day I went to Mahanaim. But later, when he came to meet me at the Jordan River, I promised that I wouldn't kill him. [c] 9Now you must punish him. He's an old man, but you're wise enough to know that you must have him killed.

David Dies

10-11David was king of Israel forty years. He ruled seven years from Hebron and thirty-three years from Jerusalem. Then he died and was buried in Jerusalem. [d] 12His son Solomon became king and took control of David's kingdom.

Adonijah Is Killed

13One day, Adonijah went to see Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and she asked, "Is this a friendly visit?"

"Yes. 14I just want to talk with you."

"All right," she told him, "go ahead."

15"You know that I was king for a little while," Adonijah replied. "And everyone in Israel accepted me as their ruler. But the LORD wanted my brother to be king, so now things have changed. 16Would you do me a favor?"

"What do you want?" Bathsheba asked.

17"Please ask Solomon to let me marry Abishag. He won't say no to you."

18"All right," she said. "I'll ask him."

19When Bathsheba went to see Solomon, he stood up to meet her, then bowed low. He sat back down and had another throne brought in, so his mother could sit at his right side. [e] 20Bathsheba sat down and then asked, "Would you do me a small favor?" Solomon replied, "Mother, just tell me what you want, and I will do it."

21"Allow your brother Adonijah to marry Abishag," she answered.

22Solomon said:

What? Let my older brother marry Abishag? You may as well ask me to let him rule the kingdom! And why don't you ask such favors for Abiathar and Joab? [f] 23I swear in the name of the LORD that Adonijah will die because he asked for this! If he doesn't, I pray that God will severely punish me. 24The LORD made me king in my father's place and promised that the kings of Israel would come from my family. Yes, I swear by the living LORD that Adonijah will die today.

25"Benaiah," Solomon shouted, "go kill Adonijah." So Adonijah died.

Abiathar Is Sent Back Home

26Solomon sent for Abiathar the priest and said:

Abiathar, go back home to Anathoth! You ought to be killed too, but I won't do it now. When my father David was king, you were in charge of the sacred chest, and you went through a lot of hard times with my father. 27But I won't let you be a priest of the LORD anymore.

And so the promise that the LORD had made at Shiloh about the family of Eli came true. [g]

Joab Is Killed

28Joab had not helped Absalom try to become king, but he had helped Adonijah. So when Joab learned that Adonijah had been killed, he ran to the sacred tent and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar for protection. [h] 29When Solomon heard about this, he sent someone to ask Joab, "Why did you run to the altar?" Joab sent back his answer, "I was afraid of you, and I ran to the LORD for protection." [i] Then Solomon shouted, "Benaiah, go kill Joab!"

30Benaiah went to the sacred tent and yelled, "Joab, the king orders you to come out!"

"No!" Joab answered. "Kill me right here."

Benaiah went back and told Solomon what Joab had said.

31-32Solomon replied:

Do what Joab said. Kill him and bury him! Then my family and I won't be responsible for what he did to Abner the commander of Israel's army and to Amasa the commander of Judah's army. He killed those innocent men without my father knowing about it. Both of them were better men than Joab. Now the LORD will make him pay for those murders. 33Joab's family will always suffer because of what he did, but the LORD will always bless David's family and his kingdom with peace.

34Benaiah went back and killed Joab. His body was taken away and buried near his home in the desert.

35Solomon put Benaiah in Joab's place as army commander, and he put Zadok in Abiathar's place as priest.

Shimei Is Killed

36Solomon sent for Shimei and said, "Build a house here in Jerusalem and live in it. But whatever you do, don't leave the city! 37If you ever cross Kidron Valley and leave Jerusalem, you will be killed. And it will be your own fault."

38"That's fair, Your Majesty," Shimei answered. "I'll do that." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem from then on.

39About three years later, two of Shimei's servants ran off to King Achish in Gath. When Shimei found out where they were, 40he saddled his donkey and went after them. He found them and brought them back to Jerusalem.

41Someone told Solomon that Shimei had gone to Gath and was back. 42Solomon sent for him and said:

Shimei, you promised in the name of the LORD that you would never leave Jerusalem. I warned you that you would die if you did. You agreed that this was fair, didn't you? 43You have disobeyed me and have broken the promise you made to the LORD.

44I know you remember all the cruel things you did to my father David. Now the LORD is going to punish you for what you did. 45But the LORD will bless me and make my father's kingdom strong forever.

46"Benaiah," Solomon shouted, "kill Shimei." So Shimei died.

Solomon was now in complete control of his kingdom.

1 Kings 3

The LORD Makes Solomon Wise
(2 Chronicles 1.1-13)

1Solomon signed a treaty with the king of Egypt and married his daughter. She lived in the older part of Jerusalem [j] until the palace, the LORD's temple, and the wall around Jerusalem were completed. 2At that time, there was no temple for worshiping the LORD, and everyone offered sacrifices at the local shrines. [k] 3Solomon loved the LORD and followed his father David's instructions, but Solomon also offered sacrifices and burned incense at the shrines.

Footnotes:
1 Kings 2:5 war: See 2 Samuel 3.22-27 and 20.7-10.
1 Kings 2:7 Absalom: See 2 Samuel 17.27-29.
1 Kings 2:8 him: See 2 Samuel 16.5-14 and 19.16-23.
1 Kings 2:10 Jerusalem: Hebrew "the city of David."
1 Kings 2:19 at his right side: The place of honor.
1 Kings 2:22 And why. . . Joab: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
1 Kings 2:27 the promise. . . came true: See 1 Samuel 2.27-34.
1 Kings 2:28 the corners. . . for protection: See the note at 1.50.
1 Kings 2:29 he sent someone. . . for protection: One ancient translation; these words are not in the Hebrew text.
1 Kings 3:1 the older. . . Jerusalem: Hebrew "the city of David."
1 Kings 3:2 local shrines: The Hebrew text has "high places," which were local places to worship God or foreign gods.


Acts 5:1-42 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Acts 5

Peter Condemns Ananias and Sapphira

1Ananias and his wife Sapphira also sold a piece of property. 2But they agreed to cheat and keep some of the money for themselves.

So when Ananias took the rest of the money to the apostles, 3Peter said, "Why has Satan made you keep back some of the money from the sale of the property? Why have you lied to the Holy Spirit? 4The property was yours before you sold it, and even after you sold it, the money was still yours. What made you do such a thing? You didn't lie to people. You lied to God!"

5As soon as Ananias heard this, he dropped dead, and everyone who heard about it was frightened. 6Some young men came in and wrapped up his body. Then they took it out and buried it.

7Three hours later Sapphira came in, but she did not know what had happened to her husband. 8Peter asked her, "Tell me, did you sell the property for this amount?"

"Yes," she answered, "that's the amount."

9Then Peter said, "Why did the two of you agree to test the Lord's Spirit? The men who buried Ananias are by the door, and they will carry you out!" 10At once she fell at Peter's feet and died.

When the young men came back in, they found Sapphira lying there dead. So they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11The church members were afraid, and so was everyone else who heard what had happened.

Peter's Unusual Power

12The apostles worked many miracles and wonders among the people. All of the Lord's followers often met in the part of the temple known as Solomon's Porch. [a] 13No one outside their group dared join them, even though everyone liked them very much. 14Many men and women started having faith in the Lord. 15Then sick people were brought out to the road and placed on cots and mats. It was hoped that Peter would walk by, and his shadow would fall on them and heal them. 16A lot of people living in the towns near Jerusalem brought those who were sick or troubled by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

Trouble for the Apostles

17The high priest and all the other Sadducees who were with him became jealous. 18They arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail. 19But that night an angel from the Lord opened the doors of the jail and led the apostles out. The angel said, 20"Go to the temple and tell the people everything about this new life." 21So they went into the temple before sunrise and started teaching.

The high priest and his men called together their council, which included all of Israel's leaders. Then they ordered the apostles to be brought to them from the jail. 22The temple police who were sent to the jail did not find the apostles. They returned and said, 23"We found the jail locked tight and the guards standing at the doors. But when we opened the doors and went in, we didn't find anyone there." 24The captain of the temple police and the chief priests listened to their report, but they did not know what to think about it.

25Just then someone came in and said, "Right now those men you put in jail are in the temple, teaching the people!" 26The captain went with some of the temple police and brought the apostles back. But they did not use force. They were afraid that the people might start throwing stones at them.

27When the apostles were brought before the council, the high priest said to them, 28"We told you plainly not to teach in the name of Jesus. But look what you have done! You have been teaching all over Jerusalem, and you are trying to blame us for his death."

29Peter and the apostles replied:

We don't obey people. We obey God. 30You killed Jesus by nailing him to a cross. But the God our ancestors worshiped raised him to life 31and made him our Leader and Savior. Then God gave him a place at his right side, [b] so that the people of Israel would turn back to him and be forgiven. 32We are here to tell you about all this, and so is the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to everyone who obeys God. 33When the council members heard this, they became so angry that they wanted to kill the apostles. 34But one of the members was the Pharisee Gamaliel, a highly respected teacher. He ordered the apostles to be taken out of the room for a little while. 35Then he said to the council:

People of Israel, be careful what you do with these men. 36Not long ago Theudas claimed to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed. All his followers were scattered, and that was the end of that.

37Later, when the people of our nation were being counted, Judas from Galilee showed up. A lot of people followed him, but he was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

38So I advise you to stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If what they are planning is something of their own doing, it will fail. 39But if God is behind it, you cannot stop it anyway, unless you want to fight against God.

The council members agreed with what he said, 40and they called the apostles back in. They had them beaten with a whip and warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.

41The apostles left the council and were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer for the sake of Jesus. 42Every day they spent time in the temple and in one home after another. They never stopped teaching and telling the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Footnotes:
Acts 5:12 Solomon's Porch: See the note at 3.11.
Acts 5:31 right side: See the note at 2.33.


Psalm 125:1-5 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Psalm 125
(A song for worship.)

The LORD's People Are Safe

1Everyone who trusts the LORD
is like Mount Zion
that cannot be shaken
and will stand forever.

2Just as Jerusalem is protected
by mountains on every side,
the LORD protects his people
by holding them in his arms
now and forever.

3He won't let the wicked
rule his people
or lead them to do wrong.

4Let's ask the LORD to be kind
to everyone
who is good
and completely obeys him.

5When the LORD punishes
the wicked,
he will punish everyone else
who lives a crooked life.

Pray for peace in Israel!


Proverbs 16:25 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

25Sometimes what seems right
is really a road to death.

Bible Readings for June 6

Today our passages are 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; and Proverbs 16:24. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

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1 Kings 1:1-53 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

1 Kings 1

David in His Old Age

1King David was now an old man, and he always felt cold, even under a lot of blankets. 2His officials said, "Your Majesty, we will look for a young woman to take care of you. She can lie down beside you and keep you warm." 3-4They looked everywhere in Israel until they found a very beautiful young woman named Abishag, who lived in the town of Shunem. [a] They brought her to David, and she took care of him. But David did not have sex with her.

Adonijah Tries To Become King

5-6Adonijah was the son of David and Haggith. He was Absalom's younger brother [b] and was very handsome. One day, Adonijah started bragging, "I'm going to make myself king!" So he got some chariots and horses, and he hired fifty men as bodyguards. David did not want to hurt his feelings, so he never asked Adonijah why he was doing these things. 7Adonijah met with Joab the son of Zeruiah and Abiathar the priest and asked them if they would help him become king. Both of them agreed to help. 8But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, [c] and David's bodyguards all refused. 9Adonijah invited his brothers and David's officials from Judah to go with him to Crawling Rock [d] near Rogel Spring, where he sacrificed some sheep, cattle, and fat calves. [e] 10But he did not invite Nathan, Benaiah, David's bodyguards, or his own brother Solomon. 11When Nathan heard what had happened, he asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother:

Have you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has made himself king? But David doesn't know a thing about it. 12You and your son Solomon will be killed, unless you do what I tell you. 13Go say to David, "You promised me that Solomon would be the next king. So why is Adonijah now king?"

14While you are still talking to David, I'll come in and tell him that everything you said is true.

15Meanwhile, David was in his bedroom where Abishag was taking care of him because he was so old. Bathsheba went in 16and bowed down.

"What can I do for you?" David asked.

17Bathsheba answered:

Your Majesty, you promised me in the name of the LORD your God that my son Solomon would be the next king. 18But Adonijah has already been made king, and you didn't know anything about it. 19He sacrificed a lot of cattle, calves, and sheep. And he invited Abiathar the priest, Joab your army commander, and all your sons to be there, except Solomon, your loyal servant.

20Your Majesty, everyone in Israel is waiting for you to announce who will be the next king. 21If you don't, they will say that Solomon and I have rebelled. They will treat us like criminals and kill us as soon as you die.

22Just then, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23Someone told David that he was there, and Nathan came in. He bowed with his face to the ground 24and said:

Your Majesty, did you say that Adonijah would be king? 25Earlier today, he sacrificed a lot of cattle, calves, and sheep. He invited the army commanders, Abiathar, and all your sons to be there. Right now they are eating and drinking and shouting, "Long live King Adonijah!" 26But he didn't invite me or Zadok the priest or Benaiah or Solomon. 27Did you say they could do this without telling the rest of us who would be the next king?

Solomon Becomes King

28David said, "Tell Bathsheba to come here." She came and stood in front of him. 29-30Then he said, "The living LORD God of Israel has kept me safe. And so today, I will keep the promise I made to you in his name: Solomon will be the next king!"

31Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and said, "Your Majesty, I pray that you will live a long time!"

32Then David said, "Tell Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah to come here."

When they arrived, 33he told them:

Take along some of my officials and have Solomon ride my own mule to Gihon Spring. 34When you get there, Zadok and Nathan will make Solomon the new king of Israel. Then after the ceremony [f] is over, have someone blow a trumpet and tell everyone to shout, "Long live King Solomon!" 35Bring him back here, and he will take my place as king. He is the one I have chosen to rule Israel and Judah. 36Benaiah answered, "We will do it, Your Majesty. I pray that the LORD your God will let it happen. 37The LORD has always watched over you, and I pray that he will now watch over Solomon. May the LORD help Solomon to be an even greater king than you."

38Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah left and took along the two groups of David's special bodyguards. [g] Solomon rode on David's mule as they led him to Gihon Spring. 39Zadok the priest brought some olive oil from the sacred tent and poured it on Solomon's head to show that he was now king. A trumpet was blown and everyone shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" 40Then they played flutes and celebrated as they followed Solomon back to Jerusalem. They made so much noise that the ground shook. 41Adonijah and his guests had almost finished eating when they heard the noise. Joab also heard the trumpet and asked, "What's all that noise about in the city?"

42Just then, Jonathan son of Abiathar came running up. "Come in," Adonijah said. "An important man like you must have some good news."

43Jonathan answered:

No, I don't! David has just announced that Solomon will be king. 44-45Solomon rode David's own mule to Gihon Spring, and Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and David's special bodyguards [h] went with him. When they got there, Zadok and Nathan made Solomon king. Then everyone celebrated all the way back to Jerusalem. That's the noise you hear in the city. 46Solomon is now king. 47And listen to this! David's officials told him, "We pray that your God will help Solomon to be an even greater king!"

David was in his bed at the time, but he bowed 48and prayed, "I praise you, LORD God of Israel. You have made my son Solomon king and have let me live to see it."

49Adonijah's guests shook with fear when they heard this news, and they left as fast as they could. 50Adonijah himself was afraid of what Solomon might do to him, so he ran to the sacred tent and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar for protection. [i] 51Someone told Solomon, "Adonijah is afraid of you and is holding onto the corners of the altar. He wants you to promise that you won't kill him."

52Solomon answered, "If Adonijah doesn't cause any trouble, I won't hurt him. But if he does, I'll have him killed." 53Then he sent someone to the altar to get Adonijah.

After Adonijah came and bowed down, Solomon said, "Adonijah, go home."

Footnotes:
1 Kings 1:3 Shunem: A town in northern Israel, just north of Jezreel Valley.
1 Kings 1:5 brother: Since Absalom was dead, Adonijah was now David's oldest living son and would be next in line to be king.
1 Kings 1:8 Shimei, Rei: Or "Shimei his advisor."
1 Kings 1:9 Crawling Rock: Or "Zoheleth Rock."
1 Kings 1:9 sacrificed. . . calves: This was part of a ceremony where Adonijah was made the new king.
1 Kings 1:34 the ceremony: Part of this ceremony was pouring olive oil on Solomon's head to show that he was now king.
1 Kings 1:38 the two. . . bodyguards: The Hebrew text has "the Cherethites and the Pelethites," who were foreign soldiers hired by David to be part of his bodyguard.
1 Kings 1:44 David's special bodyguards: See the note at 1.38.
1 Kings 1:50 the corners. . . for protection: The four corners of some ancient altars looked like animal horns. Since the entire altar was sacred, anyone holding on to its corners was supposed to be safe from being killed.


Acts 4:1-37 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Acts 4

Peter and John Are Brought in Front of the Council

1The apostles were still talking to the people, when some priests, the captain of the temple guard, and some Sadducees arrived. 2These men were angry because the apostles were teaching the people that the dead would be raised from death, just as Jesus had been raised from death. 3It was already late in the afternoon, and they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail for the night. 4But a lot of people who had heard the message believed it. So by now there were about five thousand followers of the Lord.

5The next morning the leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses met in Jerusalem. 6The high priest Annas was there, as well as Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other members of the high priest's family. 7They brought in Peter and John and made them stand in the middle while they questioned them. They asked, "By what power and in whose name have you done this?"

8Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the nation's leaders and the elders:

9You are questioning us today about a kind deed in which a crippled man was healed. 10But there is something we must tell you and everyone else in Israel. This man is standing here completely well because of the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You put Jesus to death on a cross, but God raised him to life. 11He is the stone that you builders thought was worthless, and now he is the most important stone of all. 12Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.

13The officials were amazed to see how brave Peter and John were, and they knew that these two apostles were only ordinary men and not well educated. The officials were certain that these men had been with Jesus. 14But they could not deny what had happened. The man who had been healed was standing there with the apostles.

15The officials commanded them to leave the council room. Then the officials said to each other, 16"What can we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about this miracle, and we cannot say it didn't happen. 17But to keep this thing from spreading, we will warn them never again to speak to anyone about the name of Jesus." 18So they called the two apostles back in and told them that they must never, for any reason, teach anything about the name of Jesus.

19Peter and John answered, "Do you think God wants us to obey you or to obey him? 20We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard."

21-22The officials could not find any reason to punish Peter and John. So they threatened them and let them go. The man who was healed by this miracle was more than forty years old, and everyone was praising God for what had happened.

Peter and Others Pray for Courage

23As soon as Peter and John had been set free, they went back and told the others everything that the chief priests and the leaders had said to them. 24When the rest of the Lord's followers heard this, they prayed together and said:

Master, you created heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. 25And by the Holy Spirit you spoke to our ancestor David. He was your servant, and you told him to say:

"Why are all the Gentiles
so furious?

Why do people
make foolish plans?

26The kings of earth
prepare for war,
and the rulers
join together
against the Lord
and his Messiah."

27Here in Jerusalem, Herod [a] and Pontius Pilate got together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. Then they turned against your holy Servant [b] Jesus, your chosen Messiah. 28They did what you in your power and wisdom had already decided would happen. 29Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus.

31After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message.

Sharing Possessions

32The group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other. 33In a powerful way the apostles told everyone that the Lord Jesus was now alive. God greatly blessed his followers, [c] 34and no one went in need of anything. Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money 35to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone who needed it. 36-37Joseph was one of the followers who had sold a piece of property and brought the money to the apostles. He was a Levite from Cyprus, and the apostles called him Barnabas, which means "one who encourages others."

Footnotes:
Acts 4:27 Herod: Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great.
Acts 4:27 Servant: See the note at 3.13.
Acts 4:33 God greatly blessed his followers: Or "Everyone highly respected his followers."


Psalm 124:1-8 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Psalm 124
(A song by David for worship.)

Thanking the LORD for Victory

1The LORD was on our side!

Let everyone in Israel say:
2"The LORD was on our side!

Otherwise, the enemy attack
3would have killed us all,
because it was furious.

4We would have been swept away
in a violent flood
5of high and roaring waves."

6Let's praise the LORD!

He protected us from enemies
who were like wild animals,
7and we escaped like birds
from a hunter's torn net.

8The LORD made heaven and earth,
and he is the one
who sends us help.


Proverbs 16:24 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

24Kind words are like honey--
they cheer you up
and make you feel strong.

Bible Readings for June 5

Today our passages are 2 Samuel 23:24–24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; and Proverbs 16:21-23. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

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2 Samuel 23:24-24:25 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

24-39Some of the Thirty Warriors were:

Asahel the brother of Joab
Elhanan the son of Dodo from Bethlehem
Shammah from Harod
Elika from Harod
Helez the Paltite
Ira the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Abiezer from Anathoth
Mebunnai [a] the Hushathite Zalmon the Ahohite
Maharai from Netophah
Heleb the son of Baanah from Netophah
Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the tribe of Benjamin
Benaiah from Pirathon
Hiddai from the streams on Mount Gaash
Abialbon from Beth-Arabah
Azmaveth from Bahurim [b]
Eliahba from Shaalbon
Jashen [c] Jonathan the son of Shammah the Hararite [d]
Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai from Maacah
Eliam the son of Ahithophel from Gilo
Hezro from Carmel
Paarai the Arbite
Igal the son of Nathan from Zobah
Bani the Gadite
Zelek from Ammon
Naharai from Beeroth, who carried the weapons of Joab the son of Zeruiah
Ira the Ithrite
Gareb the Ithrite
Uriah the Hittite
There were thirty-seven in all.

2 Samuel 24

David Counts the People
(1 Chronicles 21.1-6)

1The LORD was angry at Israel again, and he made David think it would be a good idea to count the people in Israel and Judah. 2So David told Joab and the army officers, [e] "Go to every tribe in Israel, from the town of Dan in the north all the way south to Beersheba, and count everyone who can serve in the army. I want to know how many there are." 3Joab answered, "I hope the LORD your God will give you a hundred times more soldiers than you already have. I hope you will live to see that day! But why do you want to do a thing like this?"

4But when David refused to change his mind, Joab and the army officers went out and started counting the people. 5They crossed the Jordan River and began with [f] Aroer and the town in the middle of the river valley. From there they went toward Gad and on as far as Jazer. 6They went to Gilead and to Kadesh in Syria. [g] Then they went to Dan, Ijon, [h] and on toward Sidon. 7They came to the fortress of Tyre, then went through every town of the Hivites and the Canaanites. Finally, they went to Beersheba in the Southern Desert of Judah. 8After they had gone through the whole land, they went back to Jerusalem. It had taken them nine months and twenty days. 9Joab came and told David, "In Israel there are eight hundred thousand who can serve in the army, and in Judah there are five hundred thousand."

The LORD Punishes David
(1 Chronicles 21.7-17)

10After David had everyone counted, he felt guilty and told the LORD, "What I did was stupid and terribly wrong. LORD, please forgive me."

11Before David even got up the next morning, the LORD had told David's prophet Gad 12-13to take a message to David. Gad went to David and told him:

You must choose one of three ways for the LORD to punish you: Will there be seven [i] years when the land won't grow enough food for your people? Or will your enemies chase you and make you run from them for three months? Or will there be three days of horrible disease in your land? Think about it and decide, because I have to give your answer to God, who sent me. 14David was really frightened and said, "It's a terrible choice to make! But the LORD is kind, and I'd rather have him punish us than for anyone else to do it."

15-16So that morning, the LORD sent an angel to spread a horrible disease everywhere in Israel, from Dan to Beersheba. And before it was over, seventy thousand people had died.

When the angel was about to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD felt sorry for all the suffering he had caused and told the angel, "That's enough! Don't touch them." This happened at the threshing place that belonged to Araunah the Jebusite.

17David saw the angel killing everyone and told the LORD, "These people are like sheep with me as their shepherd. [j] I have sinned terribly, but they have done nothing wrong. Please, punish me and my family instead of them!"

David Buys Araunah's Threshing Place
(1 Chronicles 21.18--22.1)

18-19That same day the prophet Gad came and told David, "Go to the threshing place that belongs to Araunah and build an altar there for the LORD."

So David went.

20Araunah looked and saw David and his soldiers coming up toward him. He went over to David, bowed down low, 21and said, "Your Majesty! Why have you come to see me?"

David answered, "I've come to buy your threshing place. I have to build the LORD an altar here, so this disease will stop killing the people."

22Araunah said, "Take whatever you want and offer your sacrifice. Here are some oxen for the sacrifice. You can use the threshing-boards [k] and the wooden yokes for the fire. 23Take them--they're yours! I hope the LORD your God will be pleased with you." 24But David answered, "No! I have to pay you what they're worth. I can't offer the LORD my God a sacrifice that I got for nothing." So David bought the threshing place and the oxen for fifty pieces of silver. 25Then he built an altar for the LORD. He sacrificed animals and burned them on the altar.

The LORD answered the prayers of the people, and no one else died from the terrible disease.

Footnotes:
2 Samuel 23:24 Mebunnai: Or "Sibbecai" (see 1 Chronicles 11.26-47).
2 Samuel 23:24 Bahurim: Or "Barhum."
2 Samuel 23:24 Jashen: Hebrew "sons of Jashen."
2 Samuel 23:24 Jonathan. . . Hararite: Some manuscripts of one ancient translation (see 1 Chronicles 26-47). In the Hebrew text Jonathan and Shammah are separate members of the list.
2 Samuel 24:2 Joab. . . officers: Some manuscripts of one ancient translation (see 24.4); 1 Chronicles 21.2; Hebrew "Joab, the officer of the army."
2 Samuel 24:5 began with: Some manuscripts of one ancient translation; Hebrew "set up camp in."
2 Samuel 24:6 Kadesh in Syria: Or "the lower slopes of Mount Hermon."
2 Samuel 24:6 Dan, Ijon: Or "Danjaan," an unknown place.
2 Samuel 24:12 seven: Hebrew; some manuscripts of one ancient translation "three" (see 1 Chronicles 21.12).
2 Samuel 24:17 as their shepherd: The Dead Sea Scrolls, and some manuscripts of two ancient translations (see 1 Chronicles 21.17); these words are not in the Standard Hebrew Text of this verse.
2 Samuel 24:22 threshing-boards: Heavy boards with bits of rock or metal on the bottom. They were dragged across the grain to separate the husks from the kernels.


Acts 3:1-26 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Acts 3

Peter and John Heal a Lame Man

1The time of prayer [a] was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple. 2A man who had been born lame was being carried to the temple door. Each day he was placed beside this door, known as the Beautiful Gate. He sat there and begged from the people who were going in.

3The man saw Peter and John entering the temple, and he asked them for money. 4But they looked straight at him and said, "Look up at us!"

5The man stared at them and thought he was going to get something. 6But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking." 7Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up.

At once the man's feet and ankles became strong, 8and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God. 9Everyone saw him walking around and praising God. 10They knew that he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to the man.

Peter Speaks in the Temple

11While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon's Porch. [b] 12Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? 13The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant [c] Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. 14You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, 15and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. 16You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.

17My friends, I am sure that you and your leaders didn't know what you were doing. 18But God had his prophets tell that his Messiah would suffer, and now he has kept that promise. 19So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven. 20Then that time will come when the Lord will give you fresh strength. He will send you Jesus, his chosen Messiah. 21But Jesus must stay in heaven until God makes all things new, just as his holy prophets promised long ago.

22Moses said, "The Lord your God will choose one of your own people to be a prophet, just as he chose me. Listen to everything he tells you. 23No one who disobeys that prophet will be one of God's people any longer."

24Samuel and all the other prophets who came later also spoke about what is now happening. 25You are really the ones God told his prophets to speak to. And you were given the promise that God made to your ancestors. He said to Abraham, "All nations on earth will be blessed because of someone from your family." 26God sent his chosen Son [d] to you first, because God wanted to bless you and make each one of you turn away from your sins.

Footnotes:
Acts 3:1 h6.11), and on special occasions they prayed in the temple.
Acts 3:11 Solomon's Porch: A public place with tall columns along the east side of the temple.
Acts 3:13 Servant: Or "Son."
Acts 3:26 Son: Or "Servant."


Psalm 123:1-4 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Psalm 123
(A song for worship.)

A Prayer for Mercy

1Our LORD and our God,
I turn my eyes to you,
on your throne in heaven.

2Servants look to their master,
but we will look to you,
until you have mercy on us.

3Please have mercy, LORD!

We have been insulted
more than we can stand,
4and we can't take more abuse
from those proud,
conceited people.


Proverbs 16:21-23 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

21Good judgment proves
that you are wise,
and if you speak kindly,
you can teach others.

22Good sense is a fountain
that gives life,
but fools are punished
by their foolishness.

23You can persuade others
if you are wise
and speak sensibly.

Bible Readings for June 4

Today our passages are 2 Samuel 22:21–23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; and Proverbs 16:19-20. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

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2 Samuel 22:21-23:23 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

21You are good to me, LORD,
because I do right,
and you reward me
because I am innocent.

22I do what you want
and never turn to do evil.

23I keep your laws in mind
and never turn away
from your teachings.

24I obey you completely
and guard against sin.

25You have been good to me
because I do right;
you have rewarded me
for being innocent
by your standards.

26You are always loyal
to your loyal people,
and you are faithful
to the faithful.

27With all who are sincere
you are sincere,
but you treat the unfaithful
as their deeds deserve.

28You rescue the humble,
but you look for ways
to put down the proud.

29Our LORD and God,
you are my lamp.

You turn darkness to light.

30You help me defeat armies
and capture cities.

31Your way is perfect, LORD,
and your word is correct.

You are a shield for those
who run to you for help.

32You alone are God!

Only you are a mighty rock. [a]

33You are my strong fortress,
and you set me free.

34You make my feet run as fast
as those of a deer,
and you help me stand
on the mountains.

35You teach my hands to fight
and my arms to use
a bow of bronze.

36You alone are my shield,
and by coming to help me,
you have made me famous.

37You clear the way for me,
and now I won't stumble.

38I kept chasing my enemies
until I caught them
and destroyed them.

39I destroyed them!
I stuck my sword
through my enemies,
and they were crushed
under my feet.

40You helped me win victories
and forced my attackers
to fall victim to me.

41You made my enemies run,
and I killed them.

42They cried out for help,
but no one saved them;
they called out to you,
but there was no answer.

43I ground them to dust,
and I squashed them
like mud in the streets.

44You rescued me
from my stubborn people
and made me the leader
of foreign nations,
who are now my slaves.

45They obey and come crawling.

46They have lost all courage
and from their fortresses
they come trembling.

47You are the living LORD!

I will praise you!

You are a mighty rock. [b]

I will honor you
for keeping me safe.

48You took revenge for me,
and you put nations
in my power.

49You protected me
from violent enemies,
and you made me much greater
than all of them.

50I will praise you, LORD,
and I will honor you
among the nations.

51You give glorious victories
to your chosen king.

Your faithful love for David
and for his descendants
will never end.

2 Samuel 23

David's Last Words

1These are the last words of David the son of Jesse.

The God of Jacob chose David
and made him a great king.

The Mighty God of Israel
loved him. [c]

When God told him to speak,
David said:
2The Spirit of the LORD
has told me what to say.

3Our Mighty Rock, [d]
the God of Jacob, told me,
"A ruler who obeys God
and does right
4is like the sunrise
on a cloudless day,
or like rain that sparkles
on the grass." [e]

5I have ruled this way,
and God will never break
his promise to me.

God's promise is complete
and unchanging;
he will always help me
and give me what I hope for.

6But evil people are pulled up
like thornbushes.

They are not dug up by hand,
7but with a sharp spear
and are burned on the spot.

The Three Warriors
(1 Chronicles 11.10-19)

8These are the names of David's warriors:

Ishbosheth [f] the son of Hachmon [g] was the leader of the Three Warriors. [h] In one battle, he killed eight hundred men with his spear. [i] 9The next one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite. One time when the Philistines were at war with Israel, he and David dared the Philistines to fight them. Every one of the Israelite soldiers turned and ran, 10except Eleazar. He killed Philistines until his hand was cramped, and he couldn't let go of his sword. When Eleazar finished, all the Israelite troops had to do was come back and take the enemies' weapons and armor. The LORD gave Israel a great victory that day.

11Next was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. One time the Philistines brought their army together to destroy a crop of peas growing in a field near Lehi. The rest of Israel's soldiers ran away from the Philistines, 12but Shammah stood in the middle of the field and killed the Philistines. The crops were saved, and the LORD gave Israel a great victory.

13One year at harvest time, the Three Warriors [j] went to meet David at Adullam Cave. [k] The Philistine army had set up camp in Rephaim Valley 14and had taken over Bethlehem. David was in his fortress, 15and he was very thirsty. He said, "I wish I had a drink from the well by the gate at Bethlehem." 16The Three Warriors [l] sneaked into the Philistine camp and got some water from the well near Bethlehem's gate. But after they brought the water back to David, he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as a sacrifice 17and said to the LORD, "I can't drink this water! It's like the blood of these men who risked their lives to get it for me." The Three Warriors did these brave deeds.

The Thirty Warriors
(1 Chronicles 11.20-47)

18Joab's brother Abishai was the leader of the Thirty Warriors, [m] and in one battle he killed three hundred men with his spear. He was as famous as the Three Warriors 19and certainly just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. He was the commander of the Thirty Warriors, but he still did not become one of the Three Warriors. 20Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a brave man from Kabzeel who did some amazing things. He killed two of Moab's best fighters, [n] and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. 21Another time, he killed an Egyptian, as big as a giant. [o] The Egyptian was armed with a spear, but Benaiah only had a club. Benaiah grabbed the spear from the Egyptian and killed him with it. 22-23Benaiah did these things. He never became one of the Three Warriors, but he was just as famous as they were and certainly just as famous as the rest of the Thirty Warriors. David made him the leader of his bodyguard.

Footnotes:
2 Samuel 22:32 mighty rock: See the note at 22.2.
2 Samuel 22:47 mighty rock: See the note at 22.2.
2 Samuel 23:1 The Mighty. . . him: Or "He wrote Israel's favorite songs."
2 Samuel 23:3 Mighty Rock: See the note at 22.2.
2 Samuel 23:4 sparkles. . . grass: Or "makes the grass grow."
2 Samuel 23:8 Ishbosheth: Hebrew "Josheb Bashebeth," which seems to be another spelling of Ishbosheth. See the note at 2.8, although this is a different Ishbosheth.
2 Samuel 23:8 the son of Hachmon: Or "the Tahchemonite" (see 1 Chronicles 11.11).
2 Samuel 23:8 the Three Warriors: The most honored group of warriors. They may have been part of the Thirty Warriors. "Three" and "thirty" are spelled almost the same in Hebrew, so there is some confusion in the manuscripts as to which group is being talked about in some places in the following lists.
2 Samuel 23:8 with. . . spear: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text (see 1 Chronicles 11.11).
2 Samuel 23:13 the Three Warriors: Or "three warriors." Hebrew "three of the thirty most important."
2 Samuel 23:13 Adullam Cave: This may have happened during the time that David was an outlaw (see 1 Samuel 22.1-6).
2 Samuel 23:16 the Three Warriors: Or "three warriors."
2 Samuel 23:18 the Thirty Warriors: The second most honored group of warriors. They may have also been officers in the army (see the note at 23.8).
2 Samuel 23:20 Moab's best fighters: Or "big lions in Moab;" one ancient translation "sons of Ariel from Moab."
2 Samuel 23:21 Egyptian. . . giant: First Chronicles 11.23; in this verse the Hebrew text has "good-looking Egyptian."


Acts 2:1-47 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Acts 2

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

1On the day of Pentecost [a] all the Lord's followers were together in one place. 2Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. 3Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. 4The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. 5Many religious Jews from every country in the world were living in Jerusalem. 6And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages. 7They were excited and amazed, and said:

Don't all these who are speaking come from Galilee? 8Then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages? 9Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome, 11Crete, and Arabia. Some of us were born Jews, and others of us have chosen to be Jews. Yet we all hear them using our own languages to tell the wonderful things God has done.

12Everyone was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, "What does all this mean?"

13Others made fun of the Lord's followers and said, "They are drunk."

Peter Speaks to the Crowd

14Peter stood with the eleven apostles and spoke in a loud and clear voice to the crowd:

Friends and everyone else living in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I have to say! 15You are wrong to think that these people are drunk. After all, it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16But this is what God had the prophet Joel say,

17"When the last days come,
I will give my Spirit
to everyone.

Your sons and daughters
will prophesy.

Your young men
will see visions,
and your old men
will have dreams.

18In those days I will give
my Spirit to my servants,
both men and women,
and they will prophesy.

19I will work miracles
in the sky above
and wonders
on the earth below.

There will be blood and fire
and clouds of smoke.

20The sun will turn dark,
and the moon
will be as red as blood
before the great
and wonderful day
of the Lord appears.

21Then the Lord
will save everyone
who asks for his help."

22Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. 23God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. 24But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power. 25What David said are really the words of Jesus,

"I always see the Lord
near me,
and I will not be afraid
with him at my right side.

26Because of this,
my heart will be glad,
my words will be joyful,
and I will live in hope.

27The Lord won't leave me
in the grave.
I am his holy one,
and he won't let
my body decay.

28He has shown me
the path to life,
and he makes me glad
by being near me."

29My friends, it is right for me to speak to you about our ancestor David. He died and was buried, and his tomb is still here. 30But David was a prophet, and he knew that God had made a promise he would not break. He had told David that someone from his own family would someday be king.

31David knew this would happen, and so he told us that Christ would be raised to life. He said that God would not leave him in the grave or let his body decay. 32All of us can tell you that God has raised Jesus to life!

33Jesus was taken up to sit at the right side [b] of God, and he was given the Holy Spirit, just as the Father had promised. Jesus is also the one who has given the Spirit to us, and that is what you are now seeing and hearing. 34David didn't go up to heaven. So he wasn't talking about himself when he said, "The Lord told my Lord to sit at his right side, 35until he made my Lord's enemies into a footstool for him." 36Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross.

37When the people heard this, they were very upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Friends, what shall we do?"

38Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit. 39This promise is for you and your children. It is for everyone our Lord God will choose, no matter where they live."

40Peter told them many other things as well. Then he said, "I beg you to save yourselves from what will happen to all these evil people." 41On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized. 42They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread [c] and prayed together.

Life among the Lord's Followers

43Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. 44All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. 45They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it. 46Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread [d] together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, 47while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.

Footnotes:
Acts 2:1 Pentecost: A Jewish festival that came fifty days after Passover and celebrated the wheat harvest. Jews later celebrated Pentecost as the time when they were given the Law of Moses.
Acts 2:33 right side: The place of honor and power.
Acts 2:42 broke bread: They ate together and celebrated the Lord's Supper.
Acts 2:46 The time of prayer: Many of the Jewish people prayed in their homes at regular times each day (see Daniel


Psalm 122:1-9 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Psalm 122
(A song by David for worship.)

A Song of Praise

1It made me glad
to hear them say,
"Let's go to the house
of the LORD!"

2Jerusalem, we are standing
inside your gates.

3Jerusalem, what a strong
and beautiful city you are!

4Every tribe of the LORD
obeys him
and comes to you
to praise his name.

5David's royal throne is here
where justice rules.

6Jerusalem, we pray
that you will have peace,
and that all will go well
for those who love you.

7May there be peace
inside your city walls
and in your palaces.

8Because of my friends
and my relatives,
I will pray for peace.

9And because of the house
of the LORD our God,
I will work for your good.


Proverbs 16:19-20 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

19You are better off
to be humble and poor
than to get rich
from what you take by force.

20If you know what you're doing, [a]
you will prosper.
God blesses everyone
who trusts him.

Bible Readings for June 3, 2011

Today our passages are 2 Samuel 20:14–22:20; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; and Proverbs 16:18. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

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2 Samuel 20:14-22:20 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Sheba Hides Out in the Town of Abel

14Sheba had gone through all of the tribes of Israel when he came to the town of Abel Beth-Maacah. All of his best soldiers [a] met him there and followed him into the town. 15Joab and his troops came and surrounded Abel, so that no one could go in or come out. They made a dirt ramp up to the town wall and then started to use a battering ram to knock the wall down.

A Wise Woman Saves the Town

16A wise woman shouted from the top of the wall, [b] "Listen to me! Listen to me! I have to talk to Joab! Tell him to come here!" 17When he came, the woman said, "Are you Joab?" "Yes, I am," he answered.

She said, "Please, listen to what I have to say."

"All right," he said. "I'll listen."

18She said, "Long ago people used to say, `If you want good advice, go to the town of Abel to get it.' The answers they got here were all that was needed to settle any problem. 19We are Israelites, and we want peace! You can trust us. Why are you trying to destroy a town that's like a mother in Israel? Why do you want to wipe out the LORD's people?"

20Joab answered, "No, no! I'm not trying to wipe you out or destroy your town! 21That's not it at all. There's a man in your town from the hill country of Ephraim. His name is Sheba, and he is the leader of a rebellion against King David. Turn him over to me, and we will leave your town alone."

The woman told Joab, "We will throw his head over the wall."

22She went to the people of the town and talked them into doing it. They cut off Sheba's head and threw it to Joab.

Joab blew a signal on his trumpet, and the soldiers returned to their homes. Joab went back to David in Jerusalem.

Another List of David's Officials
(20.23 Another List of David's Officials: See also the list in 8.16,17.)

23Joab was the commander of Israel's entire army.

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of David's bodyguard. [c] 24Adoram [d] was in charge of the slave-labor force. Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud kept government records.

25Sheva was the secretary.

Zadok and Abiathar were the priests.

26Ira from Jair was David's priest.

2 Samuel 21

The Gibeonites Hang Saul's Descendants

1While David was king, there were three years in a row when the nation of Israel could not grow enough food. So David asked the LORD for help, and the LORD answered, "Saul and his family are guilty of murder, because he had the Gibeonites killed."

2The Gibeonites were not Israelites; they were descendants of the Amorites. The people of Israel had promised not to kill them, [e] but Saul had tried to kill them because he wanted Israel and Judah to control all the land. David had the Gibeonites come, and he talked with them. 3He said, "What can I do to make up for what Saul did, so that you'll ask the LORD to be kind to his people again?" [f] 4The Gibeonites answered, "Silver and gold from Saul and his family are not enough. On the other hand, we don't have the right to put any Israelite to death."

David said, "I'll do whatever you ask." [g] 5They replied, "Saul tried to kill all our people so that none of us would be left in the land of Israel. 6Give us seven of his descendants. We will hang [h] these men near the place where the LORD is worshiped in Gibeah, the hometown of Saul, the LORD's chosen king." "I'll give them to you," David said.

7David had made a promise to Jonathan with the LORD as his witness, so he spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul. 8But Saul and Rizpah the daughter of Aiah had two sons named Armoni and Mephibosheth. Saul's daughter Merab [i] had five sons whose father was Adriel the son of Barzillai from Meholah. [j] David took Rizpah's two sons and Merab's five sons and 9turned them over to the Gibeonites, who hanged [k] all seven of them on the mountain near the place where the LORD was worshiped. This happened right at the beginning of the barley harvest. [l]

Rizpah Takes Care of the Bodies

10Rizpah spread out some sackcloth [m] on a nearby rock. She wouldn't let the birds land on the bodies during the day, and she kept the wild animals away at night. She stayed there from the beginning of the harvest until it started to rain. [n]

The Burial of Saul and His Descendants

11-12Earlier the Philistines had killed Saul and Jonathan on Mount Gilboa and had hung their bodies in the town square at Beth-Shan. The people of Jabesh in Gilead had secretly taken the bodies away, but David found out what Saul's wife [o] Rizpah had done, and he went to the leaders of Jabesh to get the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan. 13-14David had their bones taken to the land of Benjamin and buried in a side room in Saul's family burial place. Then he gave orders for the bones of the men who had been hanged [p] to be buried there. It was done, and God answered prayers to bless the land.

The Descendants of the Rephaim
(1 Chronicles 20.4-8)

15One time David got very tired when he and his soldiers were fighting the Philistines. 16One of the Philistine warriors was Ishbibenob, who was a descendant of the Rephaim, [q] and he tried to kill David. Ishbibenob was armed with a new sword, [r] and his bronze spearhead [s] alone weighed seven and a half pounds. 17But Abishai [t] came to the rescue and killed the Philistine. David's soldiers told him, "We can't let you risk your life in battle anymore! You give light to our nation, and we want that flame to keep burning."

18There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob, where Sibbecai from Hushah killed a descendant of the Rephaim named Saph.

19There was still another battle with the Philistines at Gob. A soldier named Elhanan killed Goliath [u] from Gath, whose spear shaft was like a weaver's beam. [v] Elhanan's father was Jari [w] from Bethlehem. 20There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. 21But when he made fun of Israel, David's nephew Jonathan killed him. Jonathan was the son of David's brother Shimei.

22David and his soldiers killed these four men who were descendants of the Rephaim from Gath.

2 Samuel 22

David Sings to the LORD
(Psalm 18.1-50)

1David sang a song to the LORD after the LORD had rescued him from his enemies, especially Saul. These are the words to David's song:

2Our LORD and our God,
you are my mighty rock, [x]
my fortress, my protector.

3You are the rock
where I am safe.

You are my shield,
my powerful weapon, [y]
and my place of shelter.

You rescue me and keep me
from being hurt.

4I praise you, our LORD!

I prayed to you,
and you rescued me
from my enemies.

5Death, like ocean waves,
surrounded me,
and I was almost swallowed
by its flooding waters.

6Ropes from the world
of the dead
had coiled around me,
and death had set a trap
in my path.

7I was in terrible trouble
when I called out to you,
but from your temple
you heard me
and answered my prayer.

8Earth shook and shivered!
The columns supporting the sky [z]
rocked back and forth.

You were angry
9and breathed out smoke.

Scorching heat and fiery flames
spewed from your mouth.

10You opened the heavens
like curtains,
and you came down
with storm clouds
under your feet.

11You rode on the backs
of flying creatures. [aa]

You appeared [ab] with the wind as wings.

12Darkness was your tent!
Thunderclouds filled the sky,
hiding you from sight.

13Fiery coals lit up the sky
in front of you.

14LORD Most High, your voice
thundered from the heavens.

15You scattered your enemies
with arrows of lightning.

16You roared at the sea,
and its deepest channels
could be seen.

You snorted,
and the earth shook
to its foundations.

17You reached down from heaven,
and you lifted me
from deep in the ocean.

18You rescued me from enemies
who were hateful
and too powerful for me.

19On the day disaster struck,
they came and attacked,
but you defended me.

20When I was fenced in,
you freed and rescued me
because you love me.

Footnotes:
2 Samuel 20:14 best soldiers: One ancient translation; the difficult Hebrew text may mean either "Berites" or "Bichrites," Sheba's relatives.
2 Samuel 20:16 the top of the wall: Or "the town."
2 Samuel 20:23 David's bodyguard: See the note at 8.18.
2 Samuel 20:24 Adoram: One ancient translation "Adoniram" (see 1 Kings 4.1-6; 5.14).
2 Samuel 21:2 promised. . . them: See Joshua 9.3-27.
2 Samuel 21:3 ask. . . again: Saul's guilt had become a curse on Israel that had resulted in famine. For the effects of this curse to be removed, the Gibeonites would have to ask the LORD to be kind to Israel.
2 Samuel 21:4 I'll. . . ask: Or "What are you asking me to do for you?"
2 Samuel 21:6 hang: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
2 Samuel 21:8 Merab: Some Hebrew manuscripts and some manuscripts of one ancient translation. Most other manuscripts have "Michal," Saul's daughter who was one of David's wives, but she never had any children (see 2 Samuel 6.23). According to 1 Samuel 18.19, Merab was Saul's daughter, and she married Adriel from Meholah.
2 Samuel 21:8 Meholah: Also known as Abel-Meholah.
2 Samuel 21:9 hanged: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
2 Samuel 21:9 This. . . harvest: This would have been late in April.
2 Samuel 21:10 sackcloth: See the note at 3.31.
2 Samuel 21:10 started to rain: This may have been the beginning of the rainy season in September or October. It usually didn't rain from May to September. Or, it may have been a sign that now there would be enough rain again.
2 Samuel 21:11 wife: See the note at 3.7.
2 Samuel 21:13 hanged: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
2 Samuel 21:16 Rephaim: This may refer to a group of people that lived in Palestine before the Israelites and who were famous for their large size.
2 Samuel 21:16 new sword: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
2 Samuel 21:16 spearhead: Or "helmet."
2 Samuel 21:17 Abishai: David's nephew, the brother of Joab.
2 Samuel 21:19 Goliath: According to 1 Chronicles 20.5, Elhanan killed the brother of Goliath.
2 Samuel 21:19 weaver's beam: A large wooden rod used by a weaver when making cloth.
2 Samuel 21:19 Jari: Or "Jaare."
2 Samuel 22:2 mighty rock: The Hebrew text has "rock," which is sometimes used in poetry to compare the LORD to a mountain where his people can run for protection from their enemies.
2 Samuel 22:3 powerful weapon: The Hebrew has "the horn," which refers to the horn of a bull, one of the most powerful animals in ancient Palestine.
2 Samuel 22:8 columns. . . sky: The sky was sometimes described as a dome that was held up by a foundation or pillars.
2 Samuel 22:11 flying creatures: These were supernatural beings (see the note at 6.2).
2 Samuel 22:11 appeared: Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts "swooped down" (see Psalm 18.10).


Acts 1:1-26 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Acts 1

1Theophilus, I first wrote to you [a] about all that Jesus did and taught from the very first 2until he was taken up to heaven. But before he was taken up, he gave orders to the apostles he had chosen with the help of the Holy Spirit. 3For forty days after Jesus had suffered and died, he proved in many ways that he had been raised from death. He appeared to his apostles and spoke to them about God's kingdom. 4While he was still with them, he said:

Don't leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do. 5John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Is Taken to Heaven

6While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, "Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?" [b] 7Jesus said to them, "You don't need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world." 9After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, 10but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky.

Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. 11They said, "Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way that you have seen him go."

Someone To Take the Place of Judas

12-13The Mount of Olives was about half a mile from Jerusalem. The apostles who had gone there were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon, known as the Eager One, [c] and Judas the son of James. After the apostles returned to the city, they went upstairs to the room where they had been staying.

14The apostles often met together and prayed with a single purpose in mind. [d] The women and Mary the mother of Jesus would meet with them, and so would his brothers. 15One day there were about one hundred twenty of the Lord's followers meeting together, and Peter stood up to speak to them. 16-17He said: My friends, long ago by the power of the Holy Spirit, David said something about Judas, and what he said has now happened. Judas was one of us and had worked with us, but he brought the mob to arrest Jesus. 18Then Judas bought some land with the money he was given for doing that evil thing. He fell headfirst into the field. His body burst open, and all his insides came out. 19When the people of Jerusalem found out about this, they called the place Akeldama, which in the local language means "Field of Blood."

20In the book of Psalms it says,

"Leave his house empty,
and don't let anyone
live there."

It also says,

"Let someone else
have his job."

21-22So we need someone else to help us tell others that Jesus has been raised from death. He must also be one of the men who was with us from the very beginning. He must have been with us from the time the Lord Jesus was baptized by John until the day he was taken to heaven.

23Two men were suggested: One of them was Joseph Barsabbas, known as Justus, and the other was Matthias. 24Then they all prayed, "Lord, you know what everyone is like! Show us the one you have chosen 25to be an apostle and to serve in place of Judas, who got what he deserved." 26They drew names, and Matthias was chosen to join the group of the eleven apostles.

Footnotes:
Acts 1:1 I first wrote to you: The Gospel of Luke.
Acts 1:6 are you now going to give Israel its own king again: Or "Are you now going to rule Israel as its king?"
Acts 1:12 Eager One: The Greek text has "Zealot," a name later given to the members of the Jewish group that resisted and fought against the Romans.
Acts 1:14 met together and prayed with a single purpose in mind: Or "met together in a special place for prayer."


Psalm 121:1-8 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Psalm 121
(A song for worship.)

The LORD Will Protect His People

1I look to the hills!

Where will I find help?

2It will come from the LORD,
who created the heavens
and the earth.

3The LORD is your protector,
and he won't go to sleep
or let you stumble.

4The protector of Israel
doesn't doze
or ever get drowsy.

5The LORD is your protector,
there at your right side
to shade you from the sun.

6You won't be harmed
by the sun during the day
or by the moon [a] at night.

7The LORD will protect you
and keep you safe
from all dangers.
8The LORD will protect you
now and always
wherever you go.

Footnotes:
Psalm 121:6 harmed. . . sun. . . moon: In ancient times people saw the harmful effects of the rays of the sun, and they thought that certain illnesses (especially mental disorders) were also caused by the rays of the moon.


Proverbs 16:18 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

18Too much pride
will destroy you.

Bible Readings for June 2, 2011

Today our passages are 2 Samuel 19:11–20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; and Proverbs 16:16-17. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

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2 Samuel 19:11-20:13 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

11When David found out what they were saying, he sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. It said:

Say to the leaders of Judah, "Why are you the last tribe to think about bringing King David back home? 12He is your brother, your own relative! Why haven't you done anything to bring him back?"

13And tell Amasa, "You're my nephew, and with God as a witness, I swear I'll make you commander of my army instead of Joab."

14Soon the tribe of Judah again became followers of David, and they sent him this message: "Come back, and bring your soldiers with you."

David Starts Back for Jerusalem

15David started back and had gone as far as the Jordan River when he met the people of Judah. They had gathered at Gilgal and had come to help him cross the river.

16Shimei a] the son of Gera was there with them. He had hurried from Bahurim to meet David. Shimei was from the tribe of Benjamin, and 17a thousand others from Benjamin had come with him. Ziba, the chief servant of Saul's family, also came to the Jordan River. He and his fifteen sons and twenty servants waded across b] to meet David. 18Then they brought David's family and servants back across the river, and they did everything he wanted them to do. Shimei crossed the Jordan River and bowed down in front of David.

Shimei Meets with David

19He said, "Your Majesty, I beg you not to punish me! Please, forget what I did when you were leaving Jerusalem. Don't even think about it. 20I know I was wrong. That's why I wanted to be the first one from the northern tribes to meet you."

21But Abishai shouted, "You should be killed for cursing the LORD's chosen king!"

22David said, "Abishai, what will I ever do with you and your brother Joab? Is it your job to tell me who has done wrong? I've been made king of all Israel today, and no one will be put to death!" 23Then David promised Shimei that he would not be killed.

Mephibosheth Meets with David

24Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul, also came to meet David. He had missed David so much that he had not taken a bath or trimmed his beard or washed his clothes the whole time David was gone.

25After they had gone back to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth came to see David, who asked him, "Why didn't you go with me?"

26He answered, "Your Majesty, you know I can't walk. I told my servant to saddle a donkey for me c] so I could go with you. But my servant left without me, and 27then he lied about me. You're as wise as an angel of God, so do what you think is right. 28After all, you could have killed my whole family and me. But instead, you let me eat at your own table. Your Majesty, what more could I ask?" 29David answered, "You've said enough! I've decided to divide the property d] between you and Ziba." 30Mephibosheth replied, "He can have it all! I'm just glad you've come home safely."

Barzillai Returns Home

31Barzillai came from Rogelim in Gilead to meet David at the Jordan River and go across with him. 32Barzillai was eighty years old. He was very rich and had sent food to David in Mahanaim.

33David said to him, "Cross the river and go to Jerusalem with me. I will take care of you."

34Barzillai answered:

Your Majesty, why should I go to Jerusalem? I don't have much longer to live. 35I'm already eighty years old, and my body is almost numb. I can't taste my food or hear the sound of singing, and I would be nothing but a burden. 36I'll cross the river with you, but I'll only go a little way on the other side. You don't have to be so kind to me. 37Just let me return to my hometown, where I can someday be buried near my father and mother. My servant Chimham e] can go with you, and you can treat him as your own. 38David said, "I'll take Chimham with me, and whatever you ask me to do for him, I'll do. And if there's anything else you want, I'll also do that."

39David's soldiers went on across the river, while he stayed behind to tell Barzillai good-by and to wish him well. Barzillai returned home, but 40Chimham crossed the river with David.

All of Judah's army and half of Israel's army were there to help David cross the river.

Israel and Judah Argue

41The soldiers from Israel came to him and said, "Why did our relatives from Judah sneak you and your family and your soldiers across the Jordan?"

42The people of Judah answered, "Why are you so angry? We are the king's relatives. He didn't give us any food, and we didn't take anything for ourselves!"

43Those from Israel said, "King David belongs to us ten times more than he belongs to you. f] Why didn't you think we were good enough to help you? After all, we were the first ones to think of bringing him back!" The people of Judah spoke more harshly than the people of Israel.

2 Samuel 20

Sheba Rebels against David

1A troublemaker from the tribe of Benjamin was there. His name was Sheba the son of Bichri, and he blew a trumpet to get everyone's attention. Then he said, "People of Israel, David the son of Jesse doesn't belong to us! Let's go home."

2So they stopped following David and went off with Sheba. But the people of Judah stayed close to David all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

David's Ten Wives

3David had left ten of his wives in Jerusalem to take care of his palace. But when he came back, he had them taken to another house, and he placed soldiers there to guard them. He gave them whatever they needed, but he never slept with any of them again. g] They had to live there for the rest of their lives as if they were widows.

The Army Goes after Sheba

4David said to Amasa, "Three days from now I want you and all of Judah's army to be here!"

5Amasa started bringing the army together, but it was taking him more than three days. 6So David said to Abishai, "Sheba will hurt us more than Absalom ever did. Take my best soldiers and go after him. We don't want him to take over any walled cities and get away from us." h]

Joab Kills Amasa

7Abishai left Jerusalem to try and capture Sheba. He took along Joab and his soldiers, as well as David's bodyguard i] and best troops. 8They had gone as far as the big rock at Gibeon when Amasa caught up with them. Joab had a dagger strapped around his waist over his military uniform, but it fell out as he started toward Amasa. 9Joab said, "Amasa, my cousin, how are you?" Then Joab took hold of Amasa's beard with his right hand, so that he could greet him with a kiss. 10Amasa did not see the dagger in Joab's other hand. Joab stuck it in Amasa's stomach, and his insides spilled out on the ground. Joab only struck him once, but Amasa was dying.

Joab and his brother Abishai went off to chase Sheba. 11One of Joab's soldiers stood by Amasa and shouted, "If any of you like Joab, and if you are for David, then follow Joab!"

12Amasa was still rolling in his own blood in the middle of the road. The soldier who had shouted noticed that everyone who passed by would stop, so he dragged Amasa off the road and covered him with a blanket. 13After this, no one else stopped. They all walked straight past him on their way to help Joab capture Sheba.

Footnotes:
2 Samuel 19:16 Shimei: See 16.5-13.
2 Samuel 19:17 waded across: Or "rushed."
2 Samuel 19:26 I told. . . me: Two ancient translations; Hebrew, "I said, `I will saddle a donkey for myself.' "
2 Samuel 19:29 the property: The property that had belonged to Saul (see 9.7; 16.4).
2 Samuel 19:37 My servant Chimham: Or "My son Chimham."
2 Samuel 19:43 King David. . . you: In this verse "Israel" stands for the ten northern tribes and does not include the tribe of Judah in the south.
2 Samuel 20:3 he. . . again: Because of what Absalom had done (see 16.21,22).
2 Samuel 20:6 get. . . us: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
2 Samuel 20:7 bodyguard: See the note at 8.18.


John 21:1-25 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

John 21

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

1Jesus later appeared to his disciples along the shore of Lake Tiberias. 2Simon Peter, Thomas the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and the brothers James and John, [a] were there, together with two other disciples. 3Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing!" The others said, "We will go with you." They went out in their boat. But they didn't catch a thing that night.

4Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize who he was. 5Jesus shouted, "Friends, have you caught anything?"

"No!" they answered.

6So he told them, "Let your net down on the right side of your boat, and you will catch some fish."

They did, and the net was so full of fish that they could not drag it up into the boat.

7Jesus' favorite disciple told Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Simon heard that it was the Lord, he put on the clothes that he had taken off while he was working. Then he jumped into the water. 8The boat was only about a hundred yards from shore. So the other disciples stayed in the boat and dragged in the net full of fish.

9When the disciples got out of the boat, they saw some bread and a charcoal fire with fish on it. 10Jesus told his disciples, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." 11Simon Peter got back into the boat and dragged the net to shore. In it were one hundred fifty-three large fish, but still the net did not rip.

12Jesus said, "Come and eat!" But none of the disciples dared ask who he was. They knew he was the Lord. 13Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave some of it to his disciples. He did the same with the fish. 14This was the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from death.

Jesus and Peter

15When Jesus and his disciples had finished eating, he asked, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than the others do?" [b] Simon Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know I do!"
"Then feed my lambs," Jesus said.

16Jesus asked a second time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you!"

"Then take care of my sheep," Jesus told him.

17Jesus asked a third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you."

Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep. 18I tell you for certain that when you were a young man, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will hold out your hands. Then others will wrap your belt around you and lead you where you don't want to go."

19Jesus said this to tell how Peter would die and bring honor to God. Then he said to Peter, "Follow me!"

Jesus and His Favorite Disciple

20Peter turned and saw Jesus' favorite disciple following them. He was the same one who had sat next to Jesus at the meal and had asked, "Lord, who is going to betray you?" 21When Peter saw that disciple, he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about him?"

22Jesus answered, "What is it to you, if I want him to live until I return? You must follow me." 23So the rumor spread among the other disciples that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die. He simply said, "What is it to you, if I want him to live until I return?"

24This disciple is the one who told all of this. He wrote it, and we know he is telling the truth.

25Jesus did many other things. If they were all written in books, I don't suppose there would be room enough in the whole world for all the books.

Footnotes:
John 21:2 the brothers James and John: Greek " the two sons of Zebedee."
John 21:15 more than the others do: Or " more than you love these things?"


Psalm 120:1-7 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Psalm 120
(A song for worship.)

A Prayer for the LORD's Help

1When I am in trouble, I pray,
2"Come and save me, LORD,
from deceitful liars!"

3What punishment is fitting
for you deceitful liars?

4Your reward should be
sharp and flaming arrows!

5But I must live as a foreigner
among the people of Meshech
and in the tents of Kedar. [a]

6I have spent too much time
living among people
who hate peace.

7I am in favor of peace,
but when I speak of it,
all they want is war.

Footnotes:
Psalm 120:5 Meshech. . . Kedar: Meshech was a country near the Black Sea, and Kedar was a tribe of the Syrian desert.


Proverbs 16:16-17 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

16It's much better to be wise
and sensible
than to be rich.

17God's people avoid evil ways,
and they protect themselves
by watching where they go.

Bible Readings for June 1, 2011

Today our passages are 2 Samuel 18:1–19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; and Proverbs 16:14-15. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version.

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2 Samuel 18-19:10

2 Samuel 18

David Gets Ready for Battle

1David divided his soldiers into groups of a hundred and groups of a thousand. Then he chose officers to be in command of each group. 2He sent out one-third of his army under the command of Joab, another third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, and the rest under the command of Ittai from Gath. He told the soldiers, "I'm going into battle with you."

3But the soldiers said, "No, don't go into battle with us! It won't matter to our enemies if they make us all run away, or even if they kill half of us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better for you to stay in town and send help if we need it."

4-6David said, "All right, if you think I should."

Then in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, he said, "Joab! Abishai! Ittai! For my sake, be sure that Absalom comes back unharmed."

David stood beside the town gate as his army marched past in groups of a hundred and in groups of a thousand.

The war with Israel took place in Ephraim Forest.

Joab Kills Absalom

7-8Battles were being fought all over the forest, and David's soldiers were winning. Twenty thousand soldiers were killed [a] that day, and more of them died from the dangers of the forest than from the fighting itself. 9Absalom was riding his mule under a huge tree when his head [b] caught in the branches. The mule ran off and left Absalom hanging in midair. Some of David's soldiers happened by, 10and one of them went and told Joab, "I saw Absalom hanging in a tree!" 11Joab said, "You saw Absalom? Why didn't you kill him? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a special belt."

12The man answered, "Even if you paid me a thousand pieces of silver here and now, I still wouldn't touch the king's son. We all heard King David tell you and Abishai and Ittai not to harm Absalom. 13He always finds out what's going on. I would have been risking my life to kill Absalom, because you would have let me take the blame."

14Joab said, "I'm not going to waste any more time on you!"

Absalom was still alive, so Joab took three spears and stuck them through Absalom's chest. 15Ten of Joab's bodyguards came over and finished him off. 16Then Joab blew a trumpet to signal his troops to stop chasing Israel's soldiers. 17They threw Absalom's body into a deep pit in the forest and put a big pile of rocks over it.

Meanwhile, the people of Israel had all run back to their own homes.

18When Absalom was alive, he had set up a stone monument for himself in King's Valley. He explained, "I don't have any sons [c] to keep my name alive." He called it Absalom's Monument, and that is the name it still has today. [d]

Ahimaaz Wants To Tell David

19Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, "Joab, let me run and tell King David that the LORD has rescued him from his enemies."

20Joab answered, "You're not the one to tell the king that his son is dead. You can take him a message some other time, but not today."

21Someone from Ethiopia [e] was standing there, and Joab told him, "Go and tell the king what you have seen." The man knelt down in front of Joab and then got up and started running. 22Ahimaaz spoke to Joab again, "No matter what happens, I still want to run. And besides, the Ethiopian has already left."

Joab said, "Why should you run? You won't get a reward for the news you have!"

23"I'll run no matter what!" Ahimaaz insisted.

"All right then, run!" Joab said.

Ahimaaz took the road through the Jordan Valley and outran the Ethiopian.

24Meanwhile, David was sitting between the inner and outer gates [f] in the city wall. One of his soldiers was watching from the roof of the gate-tower. He saw a man running toward the town 25and shouted down to tell David. David answered, "If he's alone, he must have some news."

The runner was getting closer, 26when the soldier saw someone else running. He shouted down to the gate, "Look! There's another runner!"

David said, "He must have some news too."

27The soldier on the roof shouted, "The first one runs just like Ahimaaz the son of Zadok."

This time David said, "He's a good man. He must have some good news."

28Ahimaaz called out, "We won! We won!" Then he bowed low to David and said, "Your Majesty, praise the LORD your God! He has given you victory over your enemies."

29"Is my son Absalom all right?" David asked.

Ahimaaz said, "When Joab sent your personal servant and me, I saw a noisy crowd. But I don't know what it was all about."

30David told him, "Stand over there and wait."

Ahimaaz went over and stood there. 31The Ethiopian came and said, "Your Majesty, today I have good news! The LORD has rescued you from all your enemies!"

32"Is my son Absalom all right?" David asked.

The Ethiopian replied, "I wish that all Your Majesty's enemies and everyone who tries to harm you would end up like him!"

David Cries for Absalom

33David started trembling. Then he went up to the room above the city gate to cry. As he went, he kept saying, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I could have died instead of you! Absalom, my son, my son!" [g]

2 Samuel 19

1Someone told Joab, "The king is crying because Absalom is dead."

2David's army found out he was crying because his son had died, and their day of victory suddenly turned into a day of sadness. 3The troops were sneaking into Mahanaim, just as if they had run away from a battle and were ashamed.

4David held his hands over his face and kept on crying loudly, "My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!"

5Joab went to the house where David was staying and told him:

You've made your soldiers ashamed! Not only did they save your life, they saved your sons and daughters and wives as well. 6You're more loyal to your enemies than to your friends. What you've done today has shown your officers and soldiers that they don't mean a thing to you. You would be happy if Absalom was still alive, even if the rest of us were dead.

7Now get up! Go out there and thank them for what they did. If you don't, I swear by the LORD that you won't even have one man left on your side tomorrow morning. You may have had a lot of troubles in the past, but this will be the worst thing that has ever happened to you!

8David got up and went to the town gate and sat down. When the people heard that he was sitting there, they came to see him.

After Israel's soldiers had all returned home,

Israel and Judah Want David Back

9-10everyone in Israel started arguing. They were saying to each other, "King David rescued us from the Philistines and from our other enemies. But then we chose Absalom to be our new leader, and David had to leave the country to get away. Absalom died in battle, so why hasn't something been done to bring David back?"

Footnotes:
2 Samuel 18:7 Twenty. . . killed: This may refer to the total number or to the number of Absalom's soldiers who were killed.
2 Samuel 18:9 head: Or "hair."
2 Samuel 18:18 I don't have any sons: According to 14.27, Absalom had three sons. But they could have died young or been put to death for Absalom's murder of Amnon.
2 Samuel 18:18 today: That is, at the time of writing. This monument is not the same as the structure now known as "Absalom's Tomb," which was built at least 600 years later.
2 Samuel 18:21 Ethiopia: The Hebrew text has "Cush," which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present countries of Ethiopia and Sudan.
2 Samuel 18:24 between. . . gates: The city gate was often like a tower in the city wall, with one gate on the outside of the wall and another gate on the inside of the wall.
2 Samuel 18:33 son: In Hebrew, this verse is 19.1.


John 20:1-31

John 20

Jesus Is Alive
(Matthew 28.1-10; Mark 16.1-8; Luke 24.1-12)
1On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus' favorite disciple and said, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don't know where they have put him."

3Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4They ran side by side, until the other disciple ran faster than Peter and got there first. 5He bent over and saw the strips of linen cloth lying inside the tomb, but he did not go in.

6When Simon Peter got there, he went into the tomb and saw the strips of cloth. 7He also saw the piece of cloth that had been used to cover Jesus' face. It was rolled up and in a place by itself. 8The disciple who got there first then went into the tomb, and when he saw it, he believed. 9At that time Peter and the other disciple did not know that the Scriptures said Jesus would rise to life. 10So the two of them went back to the other disciples.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
(Mark 16.9-11)

11Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down 12and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus' body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. 13The angels asked Mary, "Why are you crying?"

She answered, "They have taken away my Lord's body! I don't know where they have put him."

14As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. 15Jesus asked her, "Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?"

She thought he was the gardener and said, "Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him."

16Then Jesus said to her, "Mary!"

She turned and said to him, "Rabboni." The Aramaic word "Rabboni" means "Teacher."

17Jesus told her, "Don't hold on to me! I have not yet gone to the Father. But tell my disciples that I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God." 18Mary Magdalene then went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord. She also told them what he had said to her.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples
(Matthew 28.16-20; Mark 16.14-18; Luke 24.36-49)

19The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and on the evening of that same Sunday they locked themselves in a room. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group. He greeted them 20and showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they became very happy.

21After Jesus had greeted them again, he said, "I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me." 22Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone's sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don't forgive their sins, they will not be forgiven."

Jesus and Thomas

24Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn't with the others when Jesus appeared to them. 25So they told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But Thomas said, "First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won't believe unless I do this!"

26A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples 27and said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!"

28Thomas replied, "You are my Lord and my God!"

29Jesus said, "Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!"

Why John Wrote His Book

30Jesus worked many other miracles [a] for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. 31But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in [b] him, you will have true life.

Footnotes:
John 20:30 miracles: See the note at 2.11.
John 20:31 put your faith in. . . have faith in: Some manuscripts have " keep on having faith in. . . keep on having faith in."


Psalm 119:153-176

153I have not forgotten your Law!

Look at the trouble I am in,
and rescue me.

154Be my defender and protector!

Keep your promise
and save my life.

155Evil people won't obey you,
and so they have no hope
of being saved.

156You are merciful, LORD!

Please do the right thing
and save my life.

157I have a lot of brutal enemies,
but still I never turn
from your laws.

158All of those unfaithful people
who refuse to obey you
are disgusting to me.

159Remember how I love your laws,
and show your love for me
by keeping me safe.

160All you say can be trusted;
your teachings are true
and will last forever.

161Rulers are cruel to me
for no reason.

But with all my heart
I respect your words,
162because they bring happiness
like treasures taken in war.

163I can't stand liars,
but I love your Law.

164I praise you seven times a day
because your laws are fair.

165You give peace of mind
to all who love your Law.

Nothing can make them fall.

166You are my only hope
for being saved, LORD,
and I do all you command.

167I love and obey your laws
with all my heart.

168You know everything I do.

You know I respect every law
you have given.

169Please, LORD, hear my prayer
and give me the understanding
that comes from your word.

170Listen to my concerns
and keep me safe,
just as you have promised.

171If you will teach me your laws,
I will praise you 172and sing
about your promise,
because all of your teachings
are what they ought to be.

173Be ready to protect me
because I have chosen
to obey your laws.

174I am waiting for you
to save me, LORD.

Your Law makes me happy.

175Keep me alive,
so I can praise you,
and let me find help
in your teachings.

176I am your servant,
but I have wandered away
like a lost sheep.

Please come after me,
because I have not forgotten
your teachings.


Proverbs 16:14-15

14An angry ruler
can put you to death.
So be wise!
Don't make one angry.

15When a ruler is happy
and pleased with you,
it's like refreshing rain,
and you will live.