Let's read the Bible together in the next year. Today our passages are 2 Samuel 1:1–2:11; John 12:20-50; Psalm 118:19-29; and Proverbs 15:27-28. The readings are the Contemporary English Version.
2 Samuel 1-2:11 (Contemporary English Version)
2 Samuel 1
David Finds Out about Saul's Death
1Saul was dead. Meanwhile, David had defeated the Amalekites and returned to Ziklag. 2Three days later, a soldier came from Saul's army. His clothes were torn, and dirt was on his head. a<="" value="[a]" >[] He went to David and knelt down in front of him. 3David asked, "Where did you come from?"
The man answered, "From Israel's army. I barely escaped with my life."
4"Who won the battle?" David asked.
The man said, "Our army turned and ran, but many were wounded and died. Even King Saul and his son Jonathan are dead."
5David asked, "How do you know Saul and Jonathan are dead?"
6The young man replied:
I was on Mount Gilboa and saw King Saul leaning on his spear. The enemy's war chariots and cavalry were closing in on him. 7When he turned around and saw me, he called me over. I went and asked what he wanted.
8Saul asked me, "Who are you?"
"An Amalekite," I answered.
9Then he said, "Kill me! I'm dying, and I'm in terrible pain." [b<="">] 10So I killed him. I knew he was too badly wounded to live much longer. Then I took his crown and his arm-band, and I brought them to you, Your Majesty. Here they are.
11Right away, David and his soldiers tore their clothes in sorrow. 12They cried all day long and would not eat anything. Everyone was sad because Saul, his son Jonathan, and many of the LORD's people had been killed in the battle.
13David asked the young man, "Where is your home?"
The man replied, "My father is an Amalekite, but we live in Israel."
14-16David said to him, "Why weren't you afraid to kill the LORD's chosen king? And you even told what you did. It's your own fault that you're going to die!"
Then David told one of his soldiers, "Come here and kill this man!"
The man answered, "From Israel's army. I barely escaped with my life."
4"Who won the battle?" David asked.
The man said, "Our army turned and ran, but many were wounded and died. Even King Saul and his son Jonathan are dead."
5David asked, "How do you know Saul and Jonathan are dead?"
6The young man replied:
I was on Mount Gilboa and saw King Saul leaning on his spear. The enemy's war chariots and cavalry were closing in on him. 7When he turned around and saw me, he called me over. I went and asked what he wanted.
8Saul asked me, "Who are you?"
"An Amalekite," I answered.
9Then he said, "Kill me! I'm dying, and I'm in terrible pain." [b<="">] 10So I killed him. I knew he was too badly wounded to live much longer. Then I took his crown and his arm-band, and I brought them to you, Your Majesty. Here they are.
11Right away, David and his soldiers tore their clothes in sorrow. 12They cried all day long and would not eat anything. Everyone was sad because Saul, his son Jonathan, and many of the LORD's people had been killed in the battle.
13David asked the young man, "Where is your home?"
The man replied, "My father is an Amalekite, but we live in Israel."
14-16David said to him, "Why weren't you afraid to kill the LORD's chosen king? And you even told what you did. It's your own fault that you're going to die!"
Then David told one of his soldiers, "Come here and kill this man!"
David Sings in Memory of Saul
17David sang a song in memory of Saul and Jonathan, 18and he ordered his men to teach the song to everyone in Judah. He called it "The Song of the Bow," and it can be found in The Book of Jashar. [c<="">] This is the song: 19Israel, your famous hero lies dead on the hills,
and your mighty warriors
have fallen!
20Don't tell it in Gath
or spread the news
on the streets of Ashkelon.
The godless Philistine women
will be happy
and jump for joy.
21Don't let dew or rain fall
on the hills of Gilboa.
Don't let its fields
grow offerings for God.
There the warriors' shields
were smeared with mud,
and Saul's own shield
was left unpolished. [d<="">] 22The arrows of Jonathan struck,
and warriors died.
The sword of Saul cut
the enemy apart.
23It was easy to love Saul
and Jonathan.
Together in life,
together in death,
they were faster than eagles
and stronger than lions.
24Women of Israel, cry for Saul.
He brought you fine red cloth
and jewelry made of gold.
25Our warriors have fallen
in the heat of battle,
and Jonathan lies dead
on the hills of Gilboa.
26Jonathan, I miss you most!
I loved you
like a brother.
You were truly loyal to me,
more faithful than a wife
to her husband. [e<="">] 27Our warriors have fallen,
and their weapons [f<="">] are destroyed.
and your mighty warriors
have fallen!
20Don't tell it in Gath
or spread the news
on the streets of Ashkelon.
The godless Philistine women
will be happy
and jump for joy.
21Don't let dew or rain fall
on the hills of Gilboa.
Don't let its fields
grow offerings for God.
There the warriors' shields
were smeared with mud,
and Saul's own shield
was left unpolished. [d<="">] 22The arrows of Jonathan struck,
and warriors died.
The sword of Saul cut
the enemy apart.
23It was easy to love Saul
and Jonathan.
Together in life,
together in death,
they were faster than eagles
and stronger than lions.
24Women of Israel, cry for Saul.
He brought you fine red cloth
and jewelry made of gold.
25Our warriors have fallen
in the heat of battle,
and Jonathan lies dead
on the hills of Gilboa.
26Jonathan, I miss you most!
I loved you
like a brother.
You were truly loyal to me,
more faithful than a wife
to her husband. [e<="">] 27Our warriors have fallen,
and their weapons [f<="">] are destroyed.
2 Samuel 2
David Becomes King of Judah
1Later, David asked the LORD, "Should I go back to one of the towns of Judah?" The LORD answered, "Yes."
David asked, "Which town should I go to?"
"Go to Hebron," the LORD replied.
2David went to Hebron with his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail. Ahinoam was from Jezreel, and Abigail was the widow of Nabal from Carmel. 3David also had his men and their families come and live in the villages near Hebron.
4The people of Judah met with David at Hebron and poured olive oil on his head to show that he was their new king. Then they told David, "The people from Jabesh in Gilead buried Saul."
5David sent messengers to tell them:
The LORD bless you! You were kind enough to bury Saul your ruler, 6and I pray that the LORD will be kind and faithful to you. I will be your friend because of what you have done. 7Saul is dead, but the tribe of Judah has made me their king. So be strong and have courage.
David asked, "Which town should I go to?"
"Go to Hebron," the LORD replied.
2David went to Hebron with his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail. Ahinoam was from Jezreel, and Abigail was the widow of Nabal from Carmel. 3David also had his men and their families come and live in the villages near Hebron.
4The people of Judah met with David at Hebron and poured olive oil on his head to show that he was their new king. Then they told David, "The people from Jabesh in Gilead buried Saul."
5David sent messengers to tell them:
The LORD bless you! You were kind enough to bury Saul your ruler, 6and I pray that the LORD will be kind and faithful to you. I will be your friend because of what you have done. 7Saul is dead, but the tribe of Judah has made me their king. So be strong and have courage.
Ishbosheth Becomes King of Israel
8Abner the son of Ner [g<="">] had been the general of Saul's army. He took Saul's son Ishbosheth [h<="">] across the Jordan River to Mahanaim 9and made him king of Israel, [i<="">] including the areas of Gilead, Asher, [j<="">] Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin. 10Ishbosheth was forty years old at the time, and he ruled for two years. But the tribe of Judah made David their king, 11and he ruled from Hebron for seven and a half years.
Footnotes:- 2 Samuel 1:2 His clothes. . . his head: People tore their clothes and put dirt on their heads to show they were sad because someone had died.
- 2 Samuel 1:9 in terrible pain: Or "very weak."
- 2 Samuel 1:18 The Book of Jashar: This book may have been a collection of ancient war songs.
- 2 Samuel 1:21 unpolished: Some shields were made of leather and were polished with olive oil.
- 2 Samuel 1:26 You. . . husband: Or "You loved me more than a wife could possibly love her husband."
- 2 Samuel 1:27 weapons: This may refer to Saul and Jonathan.
- 2 Samuel 2:8 son of Ner: Abner was Saul's cousin (see 1 Samuel 14.50).
- 2 Samuel 2:8 Ishbosheth: One ancient translation has "Ishbaal" (see also 1 Chronicles 8.33). In Hebrew "baal" means "lord" and was used as the name of a Canaanite god. The people of Israel often changed "baal" to "bosheth" (which means "shame") in personal names. Ishbosheth was probably called Ishvi or Ishyo in 1 Samuel 14.49.
- 2 Samuel 2:9 Israel: Sometimes "Israel" means the northern tribes and does not include the tribes of Judah and Simeon. That is how it is used in this verse.
- 2 Samuel 2:9 Asher: The Hebrew text has "Ashur," which is the Hebrew name for the Assyrians. It may be another spelling for Asher (one of the tribes of Israel) or it may refer to Geshur (a small area between Gilead and Jezreel, east of Lake Galilee).
Footnotes:
- 2 Samuel 1:2 His clothes. . . his head: People tore their clothes and put dirt on their heads to show they were sad because someone had died.
- 2 Samuel 1:9 in terrible pain: Or "very weak."
- 2 Samuel 1:18 The Book of Jashar: This book may have been a collection of ancient war songs.
- 2 Samuel 1:21 unpolished: Some shields were made of leather and were polished with olive oil.
- 2 Samuel 1:26 You. . . husband: Or "You loved me more than a wife could possibly love her husband."
- 2 Samuel 1:27 weapons: This may refer to Saul and Jonathan.
- 2 Samuel 2:8 son of Ner: Abner was Saul's cousin (see 1 Samuel 14.50).
- 2 Samuel 2:8 Ishbosheth: One ancient translation has "Ishbaal" (see also 1 Chronicles 8.33). In Hebrew "baal" means "lord" and was used as the name of a Canaanite god. The people of Israel often changed "baal" to "bosheth" (which means "shame") in personal names. Ishbosheth was probably called Ishvi or Ishyo in 1 Samuel 14.49.
- 2 Samuel 2:9 Israel: Sometimes "Israel" means the northern tribes and does not include the tribes of Judah and Simeon. That is how it is used in this verse.
- 2 Samuel 2:9 Asher: The Hebrew text has "Ashur," which is the Hebrew name for the Assyrians. It may be another spelling for Asher (one of the tribes of Israel) or it may refer to Geshur (a small area between Gilead and Jezreel, east of Lake Galilee).
John 12:20-50 (Contemporary English Version)
Some Greeks Want To Meet Jesus
The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up
23Jesus said: The time has come for the Son of Man to be given his glory. [b<="">] 24I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat. 25If you love your life, you will lose it. If you give it up in this world, you will be given eternal life. 26If you serve me, you must go with me. My servants will be with me wherever I am. If you serve me, my Father will honor you. 27Now I am deeply troubled, and I don't know what to say. But I must not ask my Father to keep me from this time of suffering. In fact, I came into the world to suffer. 28So Father, bring glory to yourself.
A voice from heaven then said, "I have already brought glory to myself, and I will do it again!" 29When the crowd heard the voice, some of them thought it was thunder. Others thought an angel had spoken to Jesus.
30Then Jesus told the crowd, "That voice spoke to help you, not me. 31This world's people are now being judged, and the ruler of this world [c<="">] is already being thrown out! 32If I am lifted up above the earth, I will make everyone want to come to me." 33Jesus was talking about the way he would be put to death. 34The crowd said to Jesus, "The Scriptures teach that the Messiah will live forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"
35Jesus answered, "The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won't be caught walking blindly in the dark. 36Have faith in the light while it is with you, and you will be children of the light."
After Jesus had said these things, he left and went into hiding.
A voice from heaven then said, "I have already brought glory to myself, and I will do it again!" 29When the crowd heard the voice, some of them thought it was thunder. Others thought an angel had spoken to Jesus.
30Then Jesus told the crowd, "That voice spoke to help you, not me. 31This world's people are now being judged, and the ruler of this world [c<="">] is already being thrown out! 32If I am lifted up above the earth, I will make everyone want to come to me." 33Jesus was talking about the way he would be put to death. 34The crowd said to Jesus, "The Scriptures teach that the Messiah will live forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"
35Jesus answered, "The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won't be caught walking blindly in the dark. 36Have faith in the light while it is with you, and you will be children of the light."
After Jesus had said these things, he left and went into hiding.
The People Refuse To Have Faith in Jesus
37He had worked a lot of miracles [d<="">] among the people, but they were still not willing to have faith in him. 38This happened so that what the prophet Isaiah had said would come true, "Lord, who has believed our message?
And who has seen
your mighty strength?"
39The people could not have faith in Jesus, because Isaiah had also said,
40"The Lord has blinded
the eyes of the people,
and he has made
the people stubborn.
He did this so that they
could not see
or understand,
and so that they
would not turn to the Lord
and be healed."
41Isaiah said this, because he saw the glory of Jesus and spoke about him. [e<="">] 42Even then, many of the leaders put their faith in Jesus, but they did not tell anyone about it. The Pharisees had already given orders for the people not to have anything to do with anyone who had faith in Jesus. 43And besides, the leaders liked praise from others more than they liked praise from God.
And who has seen
your mighty strength?"
39The people could not have faith in Jesus, because Isaiah had also said,
40"The Lord has blinded
the eyes of the people,
and he has made
the people stubborn.
He did this so that they
could not see
or understand,
and so that they
would not turn to the Lord
and be healed."
41Isaiah said this, because he saw the glory of Jesus and spoke about him. [e<="">] 42Even then, many of the leaders put their faith in Jesus, but they did not tell anyone about it. The Pharisees had already given orders for the people not to have anything to do with anyone who had faith in Jesus. 43And besides, the leaders liked praise from others more than they liked praise from God.
Jesus Came To Save the World
44In a loud voice Jesus said: Everyone who has faith in me also has faith in the one who sent me. 45And everyone who has seen me has seen the one who sent me. 46I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark.
47I am not the one who will judge those who refuse to obey my teachings. I came to save the people of this world, not to be their judge. 48But everyone who rejects me and my teachings will be judged on the last day [f<="">] by what I have said. 49I don't speak on my own. I say only what the Father who sent me has told me to say. 50I know that his commands will bring eternal life. That is why I tell you exactly what the Father has told me.
Footnotes:- John 12:20 Greeks: Perhaps Gentiles who worshiped with the Jews. See the note at 7.35.
- John 12:23 be given his glory: See the note at 7.39.
- John 12:31 world: In the Gospel of John " world" sometimes refers to the people who live in this world and to the evil forces that control their lives.
- John 12:37 miracles: See the note at 2.11.
- John 12:41 he saw the glory of Jesus and spoke about him: Or " he saw the glory of God and spoke about Jesus."
- John 12:48 the last day: See the note at 6.39.
47I am not the one who will judge those who refuse to obey my teachings. I came to save the people of this world, not to be their judge. 48But everyone who rejects me and my teachings will be judged on the last day [f<="">] by what I have said. 49I don't speak on my own. I say only what the Father who sent me has told me to say. 50I know that his commands will bring eternal life. That is why I tell you exactly what the Father has told me.
Footnotes:
- John 12:20 Greeks: Perhaps Gentiles who worshiped with the Jews. See the note at 7.35.
- John 12:23 be given his glory: See the note at 7.39.
- John 12:31 world: In the Gospel of John " world" sometimes refers to the people who live in this world and to the evil forces that control their lives.
- John 12:37 miracles: See the note at 2.11.
- John 12:41 he saw the glory of Jesus and spoke about him: Or " he saw the glory of God and spoke about Jesus."
- John 12:48 the last day: See the note at 6.39.
Psalm 118:19-29 (Contemporary English Version)
19Open the gates of justice!
I will enter and tell the LORD
how thankful I am.
20Here is the gate of the LORD!
Everyone who does right
may enter this gate.
21I praise the LORD
for answering my prayers
and saving me.
22The stone that the builders
tossed aside
has now become
the most important stone.
23The LORD has done this,
and it is amazing to us.
24This day belongs to the LORD!
Let's celebrate
and be glad today.
25We'll ask the LORD to save us!
We'll sincerely ask the LORD
to let us win.
26God bless the one who comes
in the name of the LORD!
We praise you from here
in the house of the LORD.
27The LORD is our God,
and he has given us light!
Start the celebration!
March with palm branches
all the way to the altar. a<="" value="[a]" >[] 28The LORD is my God!
I will praise him and tell him
how thankful I am.
29Tell the LORD
how thankful you are,
because he is kind
and always merciful.
Footnotes:- Psalm 118:27 Start. . . altar: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
I will enter and tell the LORD
how thankful I am.
20Here is the gate of the LORD!
Everyone who does right
may enter this gate.
21I praise the LORD
for answering my prayers
and saving me.
22The stone that the builders
tossed aside
has now become
the most important stone.
23The LORD has done this,
and it is amazing to us.
24This day belongs to the LORD!
Let's celebrate
and be glad today.
25We'll ask the LORD to save us!
We'll sincerely ask the LORD
to let us win.
26God bless the one who comes
in the name of the LORD!
We praise you from here
in the house of the LORD.
27The LORD is our God,
and he has given us light!
Start the celebration!
March with palm branches
all the way to the altar. a<="" value="[a]" >[] 28The LORD is my God!
I will praise him and tell him
how thankful I am.
29Tell the LORD
how thankful you are,
because he is kind
and always merciful.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 118:27 Start. . . altar: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Proverbs 15:27-28 (Contemporary English Version)
27Being greedy causes trouble
for your family,
but you protect yourself
by refusing bribes.
28Good people think
before they answer,
but the wicked speak evil
without ever thinking.
for your family,
but you protect yourself
by refusing bribes.
28Good people think
before they answer,
but the wicked speak evil
without ever thinking.
Thought for the Day
“My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.” (Galatians 5:13 - Contemporary English Version) Although God has set us free, he wants us to use our freedom to love one another. You see, whether we're free or not, we've still been called to serve and not be served.
Quote for the Day
Swiss sculptor best known for his kinetic art sculptural machines (known officially as Métamatics) that extended the Dada tradition into the later part of the 20th century, Jean Tinguely wrote, "To me art is a form of manifest revolt, total and complete."
A Joke for Today
There's a man named Ralph that goes into a bar, looking very depressed. A friend approaches him and asks, "Why the long face, Ralph?"
"Oh, I'm just bored. I know every person in the entire world now, and there's just nothing left to challenge me."
His friend says, "No, you can't know everyone. Do you know Paul McCartney?"
He says, "Sure, Paul's an old friend of mine. Here, I'll show you." He goes over to a phone, dials a number. His friend overhears a British accent, "Hey Ralph, how ya doing?"
He talks for a while, but when Ralph hangs up, his friend is not really sure that it was Paul McCartney on the other end of the line, so he asks him if he knows the president.
Ralph says, "Sure, we go way back." This time he lets him listen in as he calls a private number. It sounds like the president on the other end of the line, and they go into a big discussion of the current economic scene, and Ralph offers a few suggestions. Drawing the conversation to a close, Ralph wishes him well and hangs up.
His friend is a little dumbfounded at this point. "Well, there must be someone that you don't know." He goes over a few more people in his mind, and thinks, 'He can't possibly know the Pope. After all, he's a Protestant.'
But Ralph claims to know him, so to convince himself otherwise, his friend decides to fly both himself and Ralph to the Vatican to get positive proof of Ralph's conviction.
So they arrive at the Vatican, and Ralph suggests that his friend wait out in St. Peter's Square until Ralph has cleared things with the Pope. He's standing in the courtyard, when who walks out onto the balcony of the private residence, arm in arm with the Pope, but Ralph.
Ralph looks down, sees that his friend has apparently passed out, and runs down to see what can be done for him. "What happened to you? Couldn't you accept the fact that I really do know the Pope?"
"No, I'd begun to accept that possibility. But what really took my breath away was some stranger standing next to me who said, 'Who's that guy standing there with Ralph?'"
A Prayer Request
As Christians, we can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Below is the need that we're laying before God today.
That we resist those forces that seek to divide us.
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