Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 19 May 2018

Happy Saturday.
Wife is doing a bit better, she woke hungry and ate, was hungry at noon and ate.  Trivial?  Not really: for two weeks or more she'd not had any kind of appetite, something very unlike her.  For her to be eager to eat represents real progress.  In fact, yesterday afternoon (late) she actually came outside.  We set up our little grill and grilled some hot dogs and sat out there for a little while.  Some of those little things that most people wouldn't notice or take for granted.  But we recognize them as blessings, for they are.

I had been planning to attend a joint church gathering last evening in the nearby town. But when the time to get ready to go rolled around, I simply wasn't up to it.  Wife would probably be OK, but I simply wasn't up to it.  Happens, though pretty rarely.
I hope to be up to attendance at worship services in the morning, but we shall see.  In like manner, I had  planned to attend the wrap-up / grand finale of that mult-church call to worship and revival in the afternoon of tomorrow.  We shall see.

Some odd thoughts today.  And a wonderful, though somewhat somber "song of the day".  Abide With Me.  This was written while the author, a pastor, was about to die of tuberculosis.  I love it, many of us do.  Pay attention, close attention, to the words.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.



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Today, chapters 7 and 8 in 2nd Samuel.
First, forgive me if the wrong label is used.  I prefer "2nd Samuel" to "II Samuel".  Personal preference and habit, nothing more, but I've heard some people make A Big Thing of it.  Not sure why.  So, if somehow, some offense has been given, sincere apologies.

Now, Saul is gone.  David is king now.  A very different person.  Perfect, no, not by any means.  (Just count all the wives he had).  But certainly more aware of his dependence on the Lord, and the Lord's hand on him.  It changed the course of things in Israel, and changed the world that we live in, even now.  Not such a bad record!

2 Samuel 7

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.

2 Samuel 8

1  And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg–ammah 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 succour 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.

Today's Readings and Stuff -- Friday, 18 May 2018

Quiet.  Wife is somewhat better, but just told me "my lungs hurt", which is not the most comforting thing to be saying given the few ups and many downs we've been through for the last few weeks months years.  Not feeling that good myself.  I have planned to attend a city-wide gathering later today, but that is very much up in the air at this moment.
The next-door niece and husband still trying to figure out what to do next.  He lost his job about a week ago, they fired him and his manager as well.  That has left niece as the only one with a job.  She has only been working two days a week, particularly since shortly before the baby, now 11 months old, was born.  Having been fired, drawing unemployment is not going to happen.  So they're trying to figure out what happens next.   A very tough time for them.
We've been through some tough stuff ourselves.  Very tough.
But I had to run an errand for Wife just before lunch.  Found myself driving past some empty closed down businesses, a row of abandoned train trestles that carried rail traffic to/from now closed and abandoned factories, abandoned houses, all the rest.  I know, as well as any human does, how quickly one's life can seemingly fall apart, how the things upon which we relied, suddenly aren't there.
And I know how bitter a person can become, how angry/sad/ despairing.  I didn't follow the path into alcohol or drugs, but know quite a few who went that route.  Buried a few, in fact.
We tend to remember, and to fixate, upon those disasters.  We rehearse them in our minds, we too often fall into the trap of making those losses the centerpiece of our attention.
I know.
But I also know, also as well as any human does, of the other side of that.  How unexpected blessings can suddenly appear.  How chance encounters prove to have been the Lord at work behind the scenes.  How the good things that we didn't deserve can obliterate the bad ones, and how quickly it can happen.
I also know that we, and that means I, tend to spend far more time and attention on the bad things, than we do on the good.  The good ones we come to regard as being just our due, and the bad ones not.  That's wrong, and I am very guilty.

Our attitude, day by day and hour by hour, matters.

• Give thanks in all things.
• Pray without ceasing

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2nd Samuel 5

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.masons: Heb. hewers of the stone of the wall

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; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

15  Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

16  And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.

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 enquired 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 Baal–perazim, 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 Baal–perazim.

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.

23And when David enquired 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 Gezer.

2nd Samuel 6

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 cherubims.

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 Uzza 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, Uzza 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 Uzza; 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 Uzza: and he called the name of the place Perez–uzzah 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 Obed–edom the Gittite.

11  And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed–edom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obed–edom, and all his household.

12  And it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed–edom, 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 Obed–edom 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 honour.

23  Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

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Today, Psalm 100.  Good one to memorize.

Psalm 100

A Psalm of praise.

 

1  Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2  Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3  Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5  For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

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Acts 11

1  And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

2  And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

3  Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

4  But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

5  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

6  Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

7  And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

8  But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

9  But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

10  And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11  And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

12  And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

13  And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14  Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15  And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16  Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17  Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

18  When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

19  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

20  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21  And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

22  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

24  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

25  Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

26  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27  And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29  Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

30  Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

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


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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.

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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.

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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.