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.

I Chronicles 14

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.

I Chronicles 15

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.

I Chronicles 16

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.

John 9:24-41

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.

Today's Readings -- 24 May 2011

a bit of a late rush today, sorry.

The Old Testament reading is chapters 11, 12, 13 of 1st Chronicles.

I Chronicles 11

1	Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2	And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.
3	Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.
4	And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
5	And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.
6	And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
7	And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.
8	And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9	So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.
10	These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
11	And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
12	And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.
13	He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
14	And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.
15	Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
16	And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.
17	And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
18	And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD.
19	And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
20	And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three.
21	Of the three, he was more honorable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
22	Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
23	And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
24	These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.
25	Behold, he was honorable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
26	Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
27	Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28	Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,
29	Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30	Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31	Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32	Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
33	Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34	The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
35	Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
36	Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37	Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
38	Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,
39	Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
40	Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
41	Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
42	Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
43	Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44	Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
45	Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46	Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
47	Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.

I Chronicles 12

1	Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war.
2	They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.
3	The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite.
4	And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,
5	Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,
6	Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,
7	And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
8	And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;
9	Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,
10	Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,
11	Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
12	Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,
13	Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.
14	These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.
15	These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.
16	And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.
17	And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
18	Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
19	And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.
20	As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.
21	And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the host.
22	For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.
23	And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
24	The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.
25	Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
26	Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
27	And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
28	And Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.
29	And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.
30	And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous throughout the house of their fathers.
31	And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
32	And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
33	Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.
34	And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
35	And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
36	And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.
37	And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand.
38	All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
39	And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
40	Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

I Chronicles 13

1	And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.
2	And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:
3	And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul.
4	And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
5	So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.
6	And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubim, whose name is called on it.
7	And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.
8	And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
9	And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
10	And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.
11	And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.
12	And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
13	So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
14	And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.

This evening, verses 1-23 from John 9.

ohn 9:1-23

1	And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2	And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3	Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4	I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5	As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6	When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
7	And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8	The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
9	Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
10	Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
11	He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
12	Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
13	They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
14	And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15	Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
16	Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
17	They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
18	But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
19	And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
20	His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
21	But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
22	These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23	Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

Today's Readings -- 23 May 2011

A good Monday to you. The weekend, a good one, is visible only in the rearview mirror. It was nice. It is over. Now we Get Back To It. Fortunately, for me at least, we are looking ahead to a 3-day weekend, one of the very few we get, and something to be valued. In the meantime, duty calls. I led a Bible study yesterday that had as its text the portions of the Epistle to the Colossians that deals with doing EVERYTHING as unto the Lord. Not just enough to "get by", but as unto Him. I don't see that real often, and admit my own guilt as well. But that's the calling and the command. We should honor Him in the great things and the small, the sacred and the secular. Christian life is not a set of clothes we don only on Sunday morning, and keep in the closet the rest of the day. It is about what we are. Redeemed. Changed. Transformed. It should show, shouldn't it?

The Old Testament passage here is chapters 8, 9, 10 from 1st Chronicles.

I Chronicles 8

1	Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,
2	Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3	And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,
4	And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,
5	And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
6	And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath:
7	And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.
8	And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.
9	And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,
10	And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers.
11	And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal.
12	The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:
13	Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:
14	And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
15	And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,
16	And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;
17	And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,
18	Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;
19	And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
20	And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,
21	And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
22	And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,
23	And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
24	And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
25	And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;
26	And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
27	And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.
28	These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.
29	And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah:
30	And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31	And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.
32	And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.
33	And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34	And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.
35	And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36	And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
37	And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:
38	And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39	And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40	And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

I Chronicles 9

1	So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.
2	Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
3	And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;
4	Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.
5	And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.
6	And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.
7	And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah,
8	And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;
9	And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.
10	And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,
11	And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
12	And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
13	And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
14	And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;
15	And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
16	And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.
17	And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;
18	Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi.
19	And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.
20	And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.
21	And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
22	All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.
23	So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards.
24	In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south.
25	And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them.
26	For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.
27	And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.
28	And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.
29	Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.
30	And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.
31	And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans.
32	And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath.
33	And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.
34	These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.
35	And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:
36	And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab.
37	And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.
38	And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren.
39	And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
40	And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micah.
41	And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz.
42	And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;
43	And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
44	And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel.

I Chronicles 10

1	Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
2	And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
3	And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers.
4	Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
5	And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
6	So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.
7	And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
8	And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9	And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.
10	And they put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
11	And when all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
12	They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
13	So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
14	And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

The New Testament reading for the evening is verses 37-59 from the 8th chapter in the Gospel of John.

John 8:37-59

37	I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38	I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39	They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40	But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41	Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42	Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43	Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44	Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45	And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46	Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47	He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
48	Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
49	Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50	And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51	Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
52	Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
53	Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
54	Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
55	Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56	Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57	Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58	Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59	Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.