Today's Readings and Stuff -- Thursday, 17 May 2018

Late in the day today.  I'd planned to have this out by about 09:00 or thereabouts, but Life intruded as it so often does.  Nothing earth-shaking or terribly important, just  a constant stream of distractions that interrupt the train of thought.
Wife had a less-than-great night, woke up hacking around 12:30, which woke me up. I lay there staring at ceiling until around 03:00, finally got to sleep around then.  Until around 04:30 when a small cat protested her fast, and was evicted for her troubles.  Finally fell back asleep until around 06:30 at which point Wife was wide awake, so I must perforce get up as well.  And then one thing after another all day.
What concerns me is that right now, I'm not feeling all that great myself.  Much of my life these days is being a full time caregiver to Wife.  When I get the sniffles or whatever, I am generally able to struggle through.  But at my age, that ability probably won't be a given forever.  What then?  That is a concern, for both of us.  
I wasn't even able to really make any progress on the three library books that are on the top of the headboard

• Poorer Richard's America by Tom Blair.  Not too bad.
• EveryDay Deserves A Chance by Max Lucado.  Max is usually a good read, and this is no exception.  I don't always agree with him, but he's generally not too terribly far off the mark either.  Worth reading, but carefully, as with anything else.
• Slouching Towards Gomorrah by Robert H. Bork.  This is the same Robert Bork who was slandered and lied about by the Lie-beral cabal some years ago.  A good man, all in all.  Having had contact with more lawyers and legalists than most have suffered, I tend to keep my pockets sewed shut when around them, but I find his insights, here and elsewhere, to be worth serious consideration.  Christian decency prevents me from completely characterizing those who hurled lies and vituperation upon him during the hearings over his judicial nomination some years back.  But I doubt seriously that any of them are in Heaven today, and that is all that I wish to say. 

Perhaps


==================================
=====================================

2nd Samuel 3

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;Chileab: or, Daniel

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 Ish–bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

8  Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish–bosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew 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 Beer–sheba.

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 Ish–bosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

15  And Ish–bosheth 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.pleased them: Heb. was good in their eyes

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.

2nd Samuel 4

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 Ish–bosheth, 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 Ish–bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish–bosheth 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 Ish–bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

=========================================
=========================================

Psalm 99

1  The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

2  The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.

3  Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.

4  The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

5  Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

6  Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.

7  He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

8  Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

9  Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.

==============================================
Today, chapter 10 in the Acts.  We overlook these days how radical -- and threatening as well -- the new organism, the Church, was in that world.  This required real courage.  Would we do as well?  Do we now?

Acts 10

1  There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2  A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3  He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4  And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5  And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6  He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

7  And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8  And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9  On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10  And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11  And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12  Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15  And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16  This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17  Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18  And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19  While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20  Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21  Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22  And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23  Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24  And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25  And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26  But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27  And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28  And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29  Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30  And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31  And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32  Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33  Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37  That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39  And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40  Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41  Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42  And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.