28 May 2011

Today's Readings -- 28 May 2011

Finally it is Saturday. This has been a long and discouraging week in many ways. I am tired and fear that it shows. Sorry.

This morning's read is chapters 23, 24, 25 in 1st Chronicles. I know that much of this is dry organizational stuff. Sympathies. But they were, all of them, real people with all that entails. Their long-distant descendants could look into this record and know that, just as with their ancestors named here, they too had a special part to play in God's world. So do you. So do I.

1
So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
2
And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
3
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
4
Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:
5
Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
6
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7
Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei.
8
The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.
9
The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan.
10
And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.
11
And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to their father's house.
12
The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
13
The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.
14
Now concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.
15
The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.
16
Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.
17
And the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
18
Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.
19
Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
20
Of the sons of Uzziel; Micah the first and Jesiah the second.
21
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.
22
And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.
23
The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
24
These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.
25
For David said, The LORD God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:
26
And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.
27
For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:
28
Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
29
Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
30
And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even:
31
And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:
32
And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.


1
Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2
But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
3
And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.
4
And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.
5
Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
6
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
7
Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8
The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9
The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10
The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11
The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12
The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13
The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14
The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15
The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,
16
The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
17
The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
18
The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
19
These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
20
And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.
21
Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.
22
Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.
23
And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
24
Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.
25
The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.
26
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.
27
The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
28
Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.
29
Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.
30
The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.
31
These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.


1
Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
2
Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
3
Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
4
Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
5
All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6
All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
7
So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
8
And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
9
Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:
10
The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
11
The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
12
The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
13
The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
14
The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
15
The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
16
The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
17
The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
18
The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
19
The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
20
The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
21
The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
22
The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
23
The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
24
The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
25
The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
26
The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
27
The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
28
The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
29
The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
30
The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
31
The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.





This evening's reading is verses 1-17 in John 11. Lazarus. Pay some attention to verse 4. Lazarus - and his family - went through a difficult time, as hard as it gets. They came out of it OK, but it must have been awful at the time. The Lord allowed it, to bring glory to Jesus. Perhaps He is bringing some of us through hard times for the same reason. Yes, we all would like Him to bring us AROUND or OVER the rough places. Sometimes He does. But sometimes He brings us THROUGH them.

1
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2
(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3
Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7
Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8
His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

27 May 2011

Today's Readings -- 27 May 2011

Following the pattern of very very late and short shrift. Sorry and all that.


This morning, chapters 20-22 of 1st Chronicles.

1
And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.
2
And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city.
3
And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
4
And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
5
And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam.
6
And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot and he also was the son of the giant.
7
But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him.
8
These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.


1
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2
And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
3
And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
4
Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
5
And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
6
But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king's word was abominable to Joab.
7
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.
8
And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
9
And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying,
10
Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
11
So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
12
Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
13
And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.
14
So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
15
And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16
And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17
And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
18
Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
19
And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the LORD.
20
And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.
21
And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.
22
Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
23
And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.
24
And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
25
So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
26
And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
27
And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof.
28
At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.
29
For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon.
30
But David could not go before it to enquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.


1
Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.
2
And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
3
And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
4
Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
5
And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6
Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.
7
And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:
8
But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
9
Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
10
He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
11
Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
12
Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
13
Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
14
Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
15
Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
16
Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
17
David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18
Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.
19
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.



This evening, verses 22-42 from John chapter 10

22
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24
Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30
I and my Father are one.
31
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36
Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38
But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39
Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40
And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41
And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42
And many believed on him there.

26 May 2011

Today's Readings -- 26 May 2011

VERY late and short shrift today, sorry. Much going on and little of it good. Likely to be the case most of the week.

The Old Testament reading for the days is chapters 17, 18, 19 of 1st Chronicles. David.

1
Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.
2
Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.
3
And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
4
Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:
5
For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.
6
Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?
7
Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:
8
And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.
9
Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
10
And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.
11
And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12
He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.
13
I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:
14
But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.
15
According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
16
And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
17
And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
18
What can David speak more to thee for the honor of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.
19
O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.
20
O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
21
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
22
For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.
23
Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.
24
Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
25
For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
26
And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
27
Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.


1
Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
2
And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
3
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
4
And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
5
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6
Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
7
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8
Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
9
Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
10
He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
11
Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
12
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
13
And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
14
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
15
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
16
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
17
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.


1
Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.
2
And David said, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
3
But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?
4
Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.
5
Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
6
And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.
7
So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.
8
And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
9
And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.
10
Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
11
And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.
12
And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
13
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.
14
So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.
15
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
16
And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
17
And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.
18
But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.
19
And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.




The New Testament reading is verses 1-21 in chapter 10 of the Gospel of John.
1
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19
There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20
And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21
Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

25 May 2011

Today's Readings -- 25 May 2011

Middle of the week now. At least for most people.

This morning's reading is chapters 14, 15, 16 of 1st Chronicles.

1
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
2
And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.
3
And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
4
Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5
And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6
And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7
And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
8
And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.
9
And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
10
And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.
11
So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.
12
And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
13
And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
14
Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
15
And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
16
David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
17
And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.


1
And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.
2
Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
3
And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.
4
And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:
5
Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:
6
Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:
7
Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief and his brethren an hundred and thirty:
8
Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:
9
Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:
10
Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.
11
And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,
12
And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
13
For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
14
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
15
And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
16
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
17
So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
18
And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
19
So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
20
And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
21
And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
22
And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful.
23
And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.
24
And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
25
So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy.
26
And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.
27
And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.
28
Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
29
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.


1
So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.
2
And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
3
And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.
4
And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
5
Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
6
Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
7
Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
8
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11
Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12
Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
13
O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14
He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15
Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
16
Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
17
And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18
Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
19
When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
20
And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21
He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
23
Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation.
24
Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.
25
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
26
For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
27
Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
28
Give unto the LORD, ye kindred of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
29
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30
Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
31
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
33
Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
34
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35
And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
36
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
37
So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:
38
And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
39
And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40
To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;
41
And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;
42
And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.
43
And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.




This evening, verses 24-41 of John chapter 9.

24
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
25
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26
Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
27
He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
28
Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
29
We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
30
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
31
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32
Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33
If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
34
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
35
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
36
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
37
And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
38
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
39
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.