23 April 2015

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 23 April 2015

more than a month  into Spring.  Temp showing was 31 degrees when I woke.  I do miss living in the South.  Be colder tonight and about the same tomorrow night.  Did I mention that I hate cold weather?

Oh, well.

Just very foggy this morning.  Not just outside, my brain is in low gear at best.

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The Old Testament reading today is chapters 7, 8, and 9 of 2nd Samuel.  David is king.  Still engaged in wars, and will be for the foreseeable future, which seems to be a defining characteristic of that area: read the newspaper if you doubt that.  But he's trying to shore up things at home as well.  More than that, he's quite properly giving attention to the worship of the Lord.  He knew, I suspect, how much of their problems had come about due to their apostasy.  He knew quite well that the Lord had put him on the throne, and how He had blessed David and the land.  Perhaps our nation might reflect on that, but I see little sign of that.


1
And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
2
That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
3
And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
4
And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
5
Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
6
Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
7
In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
8
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
9
And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10
Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
11
And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
12
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13
He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17
According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
18
Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19
And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
20
And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
21
For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
22
Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23
And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
24
For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
25
And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
26
And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.
27
For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
28
And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
29
Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.


1
And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
2
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
3
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
4
And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
5
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6
Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
7
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8
And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
9
When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
10
Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
11
Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
12
Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13
And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
14
And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
15
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
16
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
17
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
18
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.


1
And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
2
And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
3
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
4
And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
5
Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
6
Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
7
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
8
And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
9
Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
10
Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11
Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.
12
And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
13
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.





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The New Testament reading is verses 1-28 in Luke 19.  Things are about to get tense.

1
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
11
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25
(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
28
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

22 April 2015

Today's REadings and Stuff == Wednesday, 22 April 2015

I do not feel well, have slept half the day and would like to return to the horizontal very very soon.

And then, there is the weather.  We spent 22 years living in the South, the last 7 in the Deep South.  Grew accustomed to the weather there.  Now we are back in the North, and the weather in Not So Good.  Predictions are that tonight's low will be 32.  Tomorrow night's prediction in 30.  And Friday night 31.  Keep in mind that we are now a month into Spring.  Meanwhile, at our former home in Alabama, tonight's low is set for 58, tomorrow, 53, and Friday 63.  Much better, and much missed.  Oh, our former home in western Arkansas is seeing 54, 52, and 62; our former home in east Tennessee is seeing 45, 40, and 54.  Cool, but well above freezing.  I hate cold.  But, it is what it is.

Got word from Beloved Younger Daughter today.  She graduates college in May.  And right afterward, she and her husband are moving to California.  She's turned down the graduate assistantship in New England (one of the Ivies in fact) and taking a job in California.  The whole package, wage, housing allowance, various other perks, and bonus pool, puts her in whispering range of $100,000 / year.  Hard to turn down.  But hard to accept that after we see her graduate, we may not see her again for many years, if ever.  That's hard.  Very.  Can't blame her, but it's hard.

Dear Wife did her bi-weekly Humira injection yesterday.  To see the doc in the first week of May, and we shall see what it looks like then.

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The  Old Testament reading here is chapters 4, 5, and 6 in 2nd Samuel.  David is now The Man.


1
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2
And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin.
3
And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)
4
And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
5
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
6
And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
7
For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
8
And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9
And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
10
When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
11
How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
12
And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.


1
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2
Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.
4
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
7
Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
8
And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
9
So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10
And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.
11
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
12
And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
13
And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
14
And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
15
Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16
And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
17
But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.
18
The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
20
And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.
21
And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
22
And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24
And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25
And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.


1
Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2
And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubim.
3
And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
4
And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6
And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8
And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
9
And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
10
So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
11
And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
12
And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
13
And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14
And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15
So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
17
And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
18
And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
19
And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
20
Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
21
And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
22
And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor.
23
Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.





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The New Testament reading is verses 18-43 in Luke chapter 18.

18
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21
And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25
For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26
And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27
And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
28
Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
29
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
30
Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
31
Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33
And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34
And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
35
And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36
And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37
And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38
And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
39
And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
40
And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41
Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42
And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
43
And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

21 April 2015

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Tuesday, 21 April 2015


We are now a month into the Spring season.  So I look at the weather forecast for the next several days.  Low tomorrow night:  34 degrees.  Lows for Thursday and Friday nights:  32 degrees!  Freezing, in other words!  In SPRING!!  We don't see a low out of the 30's until next Monday, at which point the low is a "toasty" 40 degrees.
I hate this.

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The Old Testament passage for the day has us turning another page.  Yes, we are beginning 2nd Samuel, which is a change.  But we are now also in a new era.  Samuel is dead.  So is Saul, and most of his sons, starting with the heir apparent, Jonathan.  That line of the 1st king of Israel has now pretty much ended, and David is increasingly acknowledged as king, except for Saul's remaining son, and that won't last long, though there will be death and much bitterness first.  War is like that.
You will also note a problem that will come to be a big problem later.  David has several wives.  And his wives had sons.  Think there just might be some competition for the crown later on?  One of the unfortunate practices in that area then (and sometimes today) is for the one who secures the high state to kill off all potential claimants.  Common.  Making them eunuchs was occasionally done, but generally it was king or death.  Made things tough around the table.

1
Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2
It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
3
And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4
And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
5
And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
6
And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
7
And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8
And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
9
He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
10
So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
11
Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
12
And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
13
And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
14
And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
15
And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
16
And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD's anointed.
17
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18
(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19
The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20
Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21
Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24
Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27
How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!


1
And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
2
So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
3
And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
4
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
5
And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.
6
And now the LORD show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
7
Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
8
But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
9
And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10
Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
12
And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13
And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
14
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
15
Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16
And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17
And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
18
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
19
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
20
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
21
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
22
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
23
Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
24
Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
25
And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.
26
Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
27
And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
28
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
29
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
30
And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.
31
But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
32
And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.


1
Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2
And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3
And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4
And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5
And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6
And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7
And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8
Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do show kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
9
So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10
To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.
11
And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12
And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13
And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
14
And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15
And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16
And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17
And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18
Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
19
And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20
So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
21
And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
22
And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
23
When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24
Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
25
Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26
And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28
And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29
Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30
So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31
And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
32
And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33
And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34
Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35
And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36
And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37
For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38
And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.




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The New Testament reading is verses 1-17 of Luke 18.  It is difficult to emphasize just how radical that Jesus' teachings like this were.  It certainly ran counter to what all the "right people", the "in-crowd" believed and would defend.  And did.

1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
9
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
15
And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.