Isaiah 45-48 God Knows

Isaiah 45-48 God Knows

­Psalm 78:40-72 Forgetful Sheep

Ps 78:40 “(38 But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again.)

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert! 41 They turned again and tempted God, and provoked the Holy one of Israel. 42 They didn’t remember his hand, nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary; 43 how he set his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the field of Zoan, 44 he turned their rivers into blood...51 and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham. 52 But he led forth his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 He brought them to the border of his sanctuary, to this mountain, which his right hand had taken. 55 He also drove out the nations before them, allotted them for an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. 56 Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, and didn’t keep his testimonies; 57 but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers. They were turned aside like a deceitful bow. 58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their engraved images. 59 When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel; 60 So that he forsook the tent of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; 61 and delivered his strength into captivity, his glory into the adversary’s hand. 62 He also gave his people over to the sword, and was angry with his inheritance. 63 Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song. 64 Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows couldn’t weep. 65 Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine. 66 He struck his adversaries backward. He put them to a perpetual reproach. 67 Moreover he rejected the tent of Joseph, and didn’t choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved. 69 He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established forever. 70 He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance. 72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands."

Observations: 78:1-39 See post on 1Samuel 16 for vv 1-39, in which God saved but wound up having to discipline His rebellious people (just like the second half of the psalm).

78:40-72 God delivered, saved, and redeemed His people from Egypt to bring them into the land of promised blessing. However, they, His people, His inheritance, turned from Him to their sin and provoked Him to anger. Then He kicked them out of their inheritance, the promised land, into captivity. They were still His people, but rather than enjoying His delights, they experience His discipline. 1Corinthians 10 says this can happen to NT saints. After the nation was disciplined by death and loss of dominion, they repented. Then God graciously subdued their enemies, and brought them back into blessing. Because they turned back from obeying Him, (verse 9-11) He rejected the mighty tribe of Ephraim (here put for the nation), who had received Jacob's chief inheritance blessing and chose Judah instead to rule. God made a covenant with David (2Sam 7) to lead and shepherd His people.

Application: Those who rebel against God's rule in their lives will regret the loss they reap. Those who submit to God's shepherding care of them will rejoice in His guidance and blessing. Which camp are you in?

Prayer: My Good Shepherd, thanks for saving and guiding me; may You be delilghted by the way I respond to Your care of me. Amen.

Proverbs 20:1-4 Four Follies to Forego

Pr 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. 3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling. 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing."

Observations: Four unwise behaviors to avoid:

20:1 Being under influences that move you off the wise path;

20:2 Angering your authorities;

20:3 Disputing and quarreling (sometimes it's honorable to allow fools their delusions); and

20:4 Avoiding the difficult and uncomfortable.

Application: Develop the habits that give you the results you want.

Prayer: All-Wise God, thanks for giving guidance on the wiser way to live. May I do so. Amen.

Isaiah 45-48 In these chapters, God stresses that He is the only One who knows the future, because He has purposed it. He tells Cyrus of His purpose in giving him the kingship. This prophecy would be a powerful motivation for Cyrus to send the Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. God also impresses upon Judah that He is the one sending them back, according to His plan. It's not the work of some dumb idol they might pray to, therefore they must only trust “The God of Israel.”

Isaiah 45 Cyrus, Meet God

45:1 Thus says Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut: 2 "I will go before you, and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of brass in pieces, and cut apart the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.

5 I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me; 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no one else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness. I make peace, and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things. 8 Distil, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it. 9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker—a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, ‘What are you making?’ or your work, ‘He has no hands?’ 10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What have you become the father of?’ or to a mother, ‘To what have you given birth?’"

11 Thus says Yahweh, the Holy one of Israel, and his Maker: "You ask me about the things that are to come, concerning my sons, and you command me concerning the work of my hands! 12 I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and I have commanded all their hosts. 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways. He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward," says Yahweh of Hosts. 14 Thus says Yahweh: "The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours. They will go after you. They shall come over in chains; and they will bow down to you. They will make supplication to you: ‘Surely God is in you; and there is none else. There is no other god. 15 Most certainly you are a God who hidden yourself, God of Israel, the Savior.’" 16 They will be disappointed, yes, confounded, all of them. Those who are makers of idols will go into confusion together. 17 Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting. 18 For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no other. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn’t say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, Yahweh, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right.

20 "Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can’t save. 21 Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; There is no one besides me. 22 "Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. 24 They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’" Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed. 25 In Yahweh shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Observations: 45:1-4 God raised up Cyrus, king of the Persians and gave him victory over the nations, to accomplish His purpose of returning Israel to the the promised land. Cyrus is called Yahweh's “shepherd” in the last chapter, and here, His “anointed” (same word for Messiah). God can use pagan kings to accomplish His plans, who obey better than Israel.

2Chronicles 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 23 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up! (cf Ezra 1).

45:5-11 Since God has known Cyrus' name (well over a hundred years before he was born), but Cyrus doesn't know Him, Yahweh gives a self-introduction, the Creator who brings righteousness and salvation to the earth, who is both knowable, but beyond the scrutiny of His creatures.

45:12-25 God spends a lot of verses saying there is no one like Him, so Israel won't be tempted to trust in false gods, like they did when in the promised land. He particularly emphasizes His knowledge of the future, to demonstrate His sovereign control, so people will look to Him and be saved. See comments on Isaiah 46:9-12. His salvation of them is everlasting.

Application: Since God knows the future, and makes it happen, it is wise to trust and obey what He's revealed.

Prayer: God, thanks for creating me with the capacity to seek and find You; to know You and serve You. You save and sanctify for a purpose; may I daily discern and do Your will. Amen.

Isaiah 46 God Knows and Purposes the Future

46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are on the animals, and on the livestock: the things that you carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary. 2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves have gone into captivity. 3 "Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne from their birth, that have been carried from the womb; 4 and even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry, and will deliver. 5 "To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6 Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down—yes, they worship. 7 They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands, from its place it shall not move: yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. 8 "Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, you transgressors.

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, my counsel/plan shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; 11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it. 12 Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Observations: 46:1-8 Bel and Nebo are the powerless Babylonian gods who couldn't prevent the delivery of “their” people to Cyrus, God's servant. In contrast God still carries His people, Israel.

46:9-12 Repeatedly in this section of Isaiah, God asserts that He knows what will happen in the future, “declaring the end from the beginning”. God is outside of time, and knows all that happens at once. He reveals it linearly to His prophets and people. The prophets can see some things from God's perspective, as they happen in the future. God also has purposed some things to occur, and brings them to pass. In His sovereignty, He has set the rules of His universe (including giving man/woman free will), and has determined that certain things will occur according to His timetable (such as the interval from the decree of Cyrus to the entrance of the Messiah to Jerusalem Daniel 9:25). Other times, He waits to be gracious based upon His people turning to Him, or patiently forbears judgment based upon our repentance or exercises it based upon our unwillingness to obey. To miss the distinction between God's determined and permissive will or desire, is to misinterpret Scripture.

Application: Since God does all things for His pleasure, we should too.

Prayer: God, may I not be stubborn-hearted, but sensitive to You, Your pleasure, and Your timing in my life. Amen.

Isaiah 47 Trusting in Self or God

47:1 "Come down, and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, daughter of the Chaldeans: for you shall no more be called tender and delicate. 2 Take the millstones, and grind meal; remove your veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, your shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and will spare no man." 4 Our Redeemer, Yahweh of Hosts is his name, the Holy one of Israel. 5 "Sit in silence, and go into darkness, daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms. 6 I was angry with my people, I profaned my inheritance, and gave them into your hand: you showed them no mercy; on the aged you have very heavily laid your yoke.

7 You said, ‘I shall be a mistress forever’; so that you did not lay these things to your heart, nor did you remember the latter end of it. 8 "Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children’: 9 but these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure shall they come on you, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments. 10 For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said, No one sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you, and you have said in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me. 11 Therefore evil will come on you; you won’t know when it dawns: and mischief will fall on you; you will not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come on you suddenly, which you don’t know. 

12 "Stand now with your enchantments, and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth; if so be you shall be able to profit, if so be you may prevail. 13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from the things that shall come on you. 14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. 15 Thus shall the things be to you in which you have labored: those who have trafficked with you from your youth shall wander everyone to his quarter; there shall be none to save you.

Observations: 47:1-6 God will humble the Babylonians, into whose hand He delivered disobedient Israel/Judah, because of their ill-treatment of them. Since they showed Israel no mercy, the God of Israel will not show them any either. Justice.

47:7-15 Since Babylon showed “god-like” self-sufficiency and pride, God will bring them down in desolation and destruction. All that they trusted in, their wisdom and wickedness, and wizards, will be unable to save them.

Application: Those who trust in themselves will be put to shame.

Prayer: Lord, You are my Redeemer, my confidence, my hope, and my trust. I look only to You for providing all that I need, and all that is good in my life. Amen.

Isaiah 48 Who's Your Lord?

48:1 "Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Yahweh, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth/faithfulness, nor in righteousness 2 (for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; Yahweh of Hosts is his name): 3 I have declared the former things from of old; yes, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they happened. 4 Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow brass; 5 therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, and my engraved image, and my molten image, has commanded them.’ 6 You have heard it; see all this; and you, will you not declare it? "I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known.

Observations: 48:1-2 God calls Israel into account for calling themselves His people but not in truth nor righteousness (cf. Ex 20:7 Taking the name of the Lord in vain). Being His people and swearing by His name should have resulted in them obeying Him and manifesting righteousness.

48:3-6 God again reiterates that He's telling them that He is the one who will rescue them (and restore them), so that when it happens, they can't attribute it to their dumb idols.

Application: If you call yourself by God's name, or call upon His name, make sure your life reflects His will.

Prayer: Lord, I do not take your name lightly, but acknowledge You as the One in control of my life, whose will I pledge and desire to do. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God reveals Himself as the Creator of everything, who has a plan for His people. He is incomparable, knowing and purposing the future, raising up and putting down kings and nations. He redeems and restores His people with an everlasting salvation, calling Himself not only the God of Israel, but their Savior.

Us in a nutshell: Our obstinate self-sufficiency makes us miss out on God's provision, and marks us out for discipline. We tend to lose sight of the fact that God blesses us for His glory's sake, not our self-indulgence. We also forget that God knows, and has revealed the future, and that pleasing Him is the best way to enjoy it.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Isaiah complete text

Isaiah 45

45:1 Thus says Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armour; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut: 2 "I will go before you, and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of brass in pieces, and cut apart the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.

5 I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me; 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no one else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness. I make peace, and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things. 8 Distil, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it. 9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker—a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, ‘What are you making?’ or your work, ‘He has no hands?’ 10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What have you become the father of?’ or to a mother, ‘To what have you given birth?’"

11 Thus says Yahweh, the Holy one of Israel, and his Maker: "You ask me about the things that are to come, concerning my sons, and you command me concerning the work of my hands! 12 I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and I have commanded all their army. 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways. He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward," says Yahweh of Armies. 14 Thus says Yahweh: "The labour of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours. They will go after you. They shall come over in chains; and they will bow down to you. They will make supplication to you: ‘Surely God is in you; and there is none else. There is no other god. 15 Most certainly you are a God who hidden yourself, God of Israel, the Saviour.’" 16 They will be disappointed, yes, confounded, all of them. Those who are makers of idols will go into confusion together. 17 Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting. 18 For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no other. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn’t say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, Yahweh, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right.

20 "Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can’t save. 21 Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Saviour; There is no one besides me. 22 "Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. 24 They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’" Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed. 25 In Yahweh shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Isaiah 46

46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are on the animals, and on the livestock: the things that you carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary. 2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves have gone into captivity. 3 "Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne from their birth, that have been carried from the womb; 4 and even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry, and will deliver.

5 "To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6 Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down—yes, they worship. 7 They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands, from its place it shall not move: yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. 8 "Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, you transgressors. 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; 11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it. 12 Listen to me, you stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Isaiah 47

47:1 "Come down, and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, daughter of the Chaldeans: for you shall no more be called tender and delicate. 2 Take the millstones, and grind meal; remove your veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, your shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and will spare no man." 4 Our Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies is his name, the Holy one of Israel. 5 "Sit in silence, and go into darkness, daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms. 6 I was angry with my people, I profaned my inheritance, and gave them into your hand: you showed them no mercy; on the aged you have very heavily laid your yoke.

7 You said, ‘I shall be a mistress forever’; so that you did not lay these things to your heart, nor did you remember the latter end of it. 8 "Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children’: 9 but these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure shall they come on you, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments. 10 For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said, No one sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you, and you have said in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me. 11 Therefore evil will come on you; you won’t know when it dawns: and mischief will fall on you; you will not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come on you suddenly, which you don’t know. 12 "Stand now with your enchantments, and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have laboured from your youth; if so be you shall be able to profit, if so be you may prevail. 13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from the things that shall come on you. 14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. 15 Thus shall the things be to you in which you have laboured: those who have trafficked with you from your youth shall wander everyone to his quarter; there shall be none to save you.

Isaiah 48

48:1 "Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Yahweh, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness 2 (for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; Yahweh of Hosts is his name): 3 I have declared the former things from of old; yes, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they happened. 4 Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow brass; 5 therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, and my engraved image, and my molten image, has commanded them.’ 6 You have heard it; see all this; and you, will you not declare it? "I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known.

2 Samuel 1-3 Life Isn't Easy for a Reason

Psalm 45:8-17 Bride of a King

Ps 45:8 (6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever. 7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.) 8 All your garments smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad. 9 Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.

10 Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father’s house. 11 So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord. 12 The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor. 13 The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold. 14 She shall be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to you. 15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led. They shall enter into the king’s palace. 16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers. You shall make them princes in all the earth. 17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks forever and ever."

Observations: 45:1-7 See this post for vv 1-7, in which the psalmist uses the imagery of a royal wedding (perhaps Solomon to Pharaoh's daughter, although he wasn't the warrior type) to contemplate responsibilities of God's people and the coming of the Messiah. The author of Hebrews uses verse 6-7 in Heb 1:8-9 to demonstrate the superiority of the Son, the Messiah over angels since He received a kingdom because of His righteousness.

45:8-17 This second half of the psalm shifts from the king to his bride, and gives her advice. John had this in mind when he wrote Revelation 19 about the marriage supper of the Lamb, but the application to Israel is obscure. Israel was the bride of Yahweh in a number of places (Hosea 1; Jeremiah 31:32) although she was largely unfaithful. The psalm has an application in OT times to encourage Israel to forget her past and look forward to the blessings He has to offer.

If Israel is responsive to Her King gladness and rejoicing and eternal blessings will follow.

Application: Fully embracing God and our relationship with Him is the only way to enjoy what He has to offer, which is far better than anything we could get ourselves.

Prayer: God, thanks for desiring a relationship with me; may I respond totally and completely to You, and bring delight to both of us. Amen.

Proverbs 12:17-23 Wise and Foolish Words

Pr 12:17 “He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies. 18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals. 19 Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace. 21 No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight. 23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.“

Observations: 12:17-23 Those who speak and deal truthfully delight God, and He blesses them to encourage such behavior. Those who lie and deal falsely will suffer His wrath, because they are an abomination to Him. Our words, as well as our deeds, can wound or heal others. The wise person, who has the right objectives for their comments, and the right timing, builds up others so they can be blessed and experience God's peace. Sometimes it is wiser to say nothing even if it's true, if the timing isn't right. The one who just blurts out foolish words from a foolish heart, doesn't build up, but wounds. The wrong objective is to just say what one is feeling, without thinking of the other-centered implications. Those who speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) will have both a legacy and protection from God. Those who don't, will wish they had.

Application: Since words and works are reflective of our hearts, we need to be sure that righteousness (being rightly related to God and others) is the objective our heart embraces.

Prayer: Lord, may my words today be pleasing in your sight and the ears of my hearers; may they accomplish Your objectives and result in peace and blessing. Amen.

2 Samuel 1-3 God's will is rarely easy, since His objective is not to have something done, but to have His people deepen their dependence upon Him. He gets more glory (as do we) when His people trust Him in perilous times rather than just praising Him in peaceful times. Thus He allows or engineers difficulties to cause us to seek Him. The sooner we learn this truth, the easier the life of faith becomes. God's objective was not just to have David be King, or Israel be delivered, but to have His people live in loyal obedience to Him. These next chapters describe David's rise to the Kingship, which could have easily happened by eliminating Saul and all of his sons many chapters ago. However, God has lessons for us to learn, just like He did for David and company.

2 Samuel 1 Bitter-free Song of the Bow

1:1 After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and stayed two days in Ziklag; 2 On the third day, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: when he came to David, he fell to the earth, and showed respect. 3 David said to him, "Where do you come from?" He said to him, "I have escaped out of the camp of Israel." 4 David said to him, "How did it go? Please tell me." He answered, "The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also." 5 David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?" 6 The young man who told him said, "As I happened by chance on Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning on his spear; and behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him. 7 When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8 He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 He said to me, ‘Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.’ 10 So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord."

11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men who were with him. 12 They mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. 13 David said to the young man who told him, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite." 14 David said to him, "How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy Yahweh’s anointed?" 15 David called one of the young men, and said, "Go near, and fall on him." He struck him, so that he died. 16 David said to him, "Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have slain Yahweh’s anointed.’"

17 David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son 18 (and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar): 19 "Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Don’t tell it in Gath. Don’t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 21 You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul was not anointed with oil. 22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. In their death, they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions. 24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet delicately, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing. 25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"

Observations: 1:1-10 The Amalakite probably came upon Saul's crown and brought it to David, lying about the events, hoping to be rewarded for killing David's enemy.

1:11-15 David mourns the multiple loss and executes the liar on the basis of his own testimony.

1:16-24 David composes a lament for Saul and Jonathan, called “Song of the Bow” (a symbol of might). It's amazing that David is able to speak well of Saul, eulogizing him as the glory of Israel, loved and delightful, and the one who delivered and blessed the daughters of Israel. Unfortunately Saul's shield (protection) was not anointed, and it failed him. There is no hint of bitterness toward Saul, nor rejoicing that his persecutor had perished. This speaks volumes about David's ability to draw on the grace of God to deal with the difficulties Saul had caused him. Satan uses bitterness to ensnare believers who fail to forgive those who wrong them and acknowledge God's sovereign goodness in permitting the difficulties.

1:26-27 David gives greater praise for his relationship with Jonathan. The Scriptures are not hesitant to talk about sex as it occurs in various contexts. There is a word for sexual love (to know), which is not used here. The word for love in this passage is that of an emotional bond that is used of friendship, or of our love for God (Dt 6:5), or God's love for His people (Dt 23:5). It is specifically differentiated from sexual love in (Gen 29:20,32) There has not been and is not a breath about a sexual relationship between David and Jonathan, which would have been a clear violation of the Scriptures on which both men staked their lives (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Dt 23:17; Job 36:8-14). The essence of love is not self-centered eroticism, but giving/sacrificing of oneself in serving the needs and looking out for the interests of others. That's the kind of love God demonstrates toward His people, a covenantal loyal love, hesed. That's the kind of love Jonathan demonstrated towards David, in sacrificing his own right to the throne in favor of God's choice, and risking his life to encourage David in the Lord.

Application: If you can't fully forgive those evil peoples (especially those of your own family) who have sinfully wronged you, you need to roll up your sleeves and root bitterness out of your heart. Roam around Truthbase.net for more help.

Prayer: Father, I recognize that all You allow into my life is for my benefit; help me demonstrate Christlike forgiveness to those who've sought to hurt me, knowing that You have forgiven me. Amen.

2 Samuel 2 Two Kings and a Truce

2:1 It happened after this, that David inquired of Yahweh, saying, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?" Yahweh said to him, "Go up." David said, "Where shall I go up?" He said, "To Hebron." 2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 3 David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron. 4 The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, saying, "The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul." 5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, "Blessed are you by Yahweh, that you have shown this hesed/loyal love to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him. 6 Now may Yahweh show hesed/loyal love and faithfulness to you. I also will reward you for this goodness, because you have done this thing. 7 Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them."

8 Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 and he made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 11 The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 12 Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 Abner said to Joab, "Please let the young men arise and play before us!" Joab said, "Let them arise!" 15 Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin, and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 They each caught his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: therefore that place was called Field of Swords, which is in Gibeon. 17 The battle was very severe that day: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle. 19 Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he didn’t turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" He answered, "It is I." 21 Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armor." But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 22 Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to Joab your brother?" 23 However he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner with the back end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place. It happened, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. 24 But Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

25 The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Don’t you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you ask the people to return from following their brothers?" 27 Joab said, "As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone away, and not each followed his brother." 28 So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 29 Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. 30 Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel. 31 But the servants of David had struck of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred sixty men died. 32 They took up Asahel, and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.

Observations: 2:1-7 David asks God if and where he should go. We frequently ask only the latter, and wonder why there's no answer. In Hebron, the men of Judah anoint David as their king. David blesses the men of Jabesh Gilead for the loyalty they showed to Saul, who had delivered them in his first victory. Their loyalty to Saul, David's enemy might be interpreted as hostility toward David, but he assures them that they did the right thing, and he is not their enemy. He mentions that the men of Judah have acknowledged him as king (hint, hint), but his diplomacy falls on deaf ears, as the rest of the chapter reveals.

2:6-11 Abner, the captain of Saul's defeated army (who should have stayed with Saul to the bitter end, but fled) appoints a puppet king, Ishbosheth. Saul's last son (1Ch 8:33). Ishbosheth means “man of shame” an upgrade or downgrade from his original moniker, Eshbaal “man of Baal”. God has specifically said that Saul's kingdom would not continue (1Sam 13:14) but Abner didn't get the memo.

2:12-24 A meeting between Abner and Joab, David's loyal chief of staff and army turns into a battle in which David's men mightily defeat Saul's men. Joab's brother was a casualty for his refusal to stop chasing Abner, who struck him with the blunt end of his spear, and unintentionally killed him in self-defense.

2:25-32 Abner and Joab call off the conflict so Israelites aren't killing each other.

Application: Just when we think it's smooth sailing, God raises an other storm to cause us to depend more deeply upon Him. It's not just about the product, but the process to get the product. Remember Jonathan won points for doing the right thing, but didn't experience the fruit of his loyalty (but the kingdom story still isn't over).

Prayer: Father, don't let me be so focused on short term objectives, that I lose sight of the bigger objective of why you have me breathing on this planet. Thanks. Amen.

2 Samuel 3 Wait For God's Justice

3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 To David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

6 It happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?" 8 Then was Abner very angry for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman! 9 God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him; 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba." 11 He could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him. 12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "Whose is the land?" and saying, "Make your covenant/alliance with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel around to you." 13 He said, "Good; I will make a covenant/treaty with you; but one thing I require of you. That is, you shall not see my face, unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face." 14 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, "Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I pledged to be married to me for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines." 15 Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go! Return!" and he returned. 17 Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, "In times past, you sought for David to be king over you. 18 Now then do it; for Yahweh has 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 Abner also spoke 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 to the whole house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast. 21 Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires." David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

22 Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, 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 army who was with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, "What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do." 26 When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn’t know it. 27 When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, "I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 Let it fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has an issue, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread." 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 31 David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. King David followed the bier. 32 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 The king lamented for Abner, and said, "Should Abner die as a fool dies? 34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell." All the people wept again over him. 35 All the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, "God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun goes down." 36 All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; as whatever the king did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner. 38 The king said to his servants, "Don’t you know that there a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39 I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness."

Observations: 3:1-3 In fulfillment of God's promises, David, the one blessed by God, gets stronger while the house of Saul, cursed by God, gets weaker. This theme is seen in the blessing of the fertility of David's wives, some of whom we hear about for the first time. God cites them positively, and since He makes no negative comment about them, neither will I.

3:4-21 Abner gets grief and religion. Ishbosheth gives Abner grief for taking one of Saul's concubines (who could bear an heir for the throne), and alienates the man who made him king. So Abner switches allegiance to David.

3:9-10,18 Abner acknowledges that Yahweh had promised the kingdom to David! An amazing admission for a guy who supported Saul against David and set up Ishbosheth as king against David.

3:11-21 Abner and David make a covenant, with the stipulation that David gets Michal, his first wife and Saul's daughter back. This gives the ten tribes, who are loyal to Saul's house, a reason to be loyal to David, since he is Saul's son-in-law.

3:22-38 Joab returns from a victory and hears of David's interaction with Abner (his military rival, and slayer of Joab's brother) and expresses concern that Abner will attack David. Joab sends a message to Abner and meets him at the gate of Hebron (a city of refuge) and kills him to avenge Asahel (although it looked like self-defense). David goes ballistic, asserting his blamelessness, and cursing the house of Joab and his father. David laments Abner like he was Jonathan, and experiences no political fall-out from the ten tribes. David exhibits great loyalty to God, but looks like he values his enemies over his loyal friends (and nephews). Joab, the mighty man of valor and action, apparently didn't learn from David the benefits of waiting for God to fight his battles and execute justice. By taking matters into his own hands, he got them dirty.

3:39 Zeruiah was David’s sister, and the mother of Joab, Abishai,and Asahel his loyal nephews (1Ch 2:16) and leaders of David’s men.

Application: Waiting upon God to right wrongs is usually the best course of action unless there is a clear command of God to do otherwise.

Prayer: God, grant me patience to trust in Your goodness and timing, and not usurp Your role in my life by acting independently of Your will. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God can arrange circumstances and move hearts to bring about His perfect will. His will is not just for us to get what we think we want or need, but to have us demonstrate dependent trust in His goodness and justice, expressed in obedience to His revelation. He blesses and prospers those who are loyal to Him, and eventually curses and destroy those who follow their own agenda. He doesn't make things easy for us, because He has better plans for our lives than we do.

Us in a nutshell: We tend to get bitter and angry when we are wronged and can't have our own way. Sometimes we succumb to the temptation to take matters into our own hands rather than seeking God's will and awaiting its fulfillment. This usurping of God's authority in our lives results in cursing rather than blessing.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Faithfulness with our Time. The outline is also at the end of the TOYL Booklet.

Saga of the Sorry Sluggard.

Rooting out Bitterness

2 Samuel 1-3 complete text

2 Samuel 1

1:1 It happened after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag; 2 it happened on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and showed respect. 3 David said to him, "Where do you come from?" He said to him, "I have escaped out of the camp of Israel." 4 David said to him, "How did it go? Please tell me." He answered, "The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also." 5 David said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?" 6 The young man who told him said, "As I happened by chance on Mount Gilboa, behold, Saul was leaning on his spear; and behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him. 7 When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8 He said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 He said to me, ‘Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my life is yet whole in me.’ 10 So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord."

11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and tore them; and likewise all the men who were with him. 12 They mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. 13 David said to the young man who told him, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite." 14 David said to him, "How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy Yahweh’s anointed?" 15 David called one of the young men, and said, "Go near, and fall on him." He struck him, so that he died. 16 David said to him, "Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have slain Yahweh’s anointed.’"

17 David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son 18 (and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar): 19 "Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Don’t tell it in Gath. Don’t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 21 You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul was not anointed with oil. 22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow didn’t turn back. Saul’s sword didn’t return empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. In their death, they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions. 24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet delicately, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing. 25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"

2 Samuel 2

2:1 It happened after this, that David inquired of Yahweh, saying, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?" Yahweh said to him, "Go up." David said, "Where shall I go up?" He said, "To Hebron." 2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 3 David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron. 4 The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, saying, "The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul." 5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, "Blessed are you by Yahweh, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him. 6 Now may Yahweh show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing. 7 Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them."

8 Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 and he made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 11 The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 12 Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 Abner said to Joab, "Please let the young men arise and play before us!" Joab said, "Let them arise!" 15 Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin, and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 They each caught his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: therefore that place was called Helkath Hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 17 The battle was very severe that day: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle. 19 Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he didn’t turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" He answered, "It is I." 21 Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armour." But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 22 Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to Joab your brother?" 23 However he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner with the back end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place. It happened, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. 24 But Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

25 The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Don’t you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you ask the people to return from following their brothers?" 27 Joab said, "As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone away, and not each followed his brother." 28 So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 29 Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. 30 Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel. 31 But the servants of David had struck of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred sixty men died. 32 They took up Asahel, and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.

2 Samuel 3

3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 To David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. 6 It happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul.

7 Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?" 8 Then was Abner very angry for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman! 9 God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him; 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba." 11 He could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him. 12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, "Whose is the land?" and saying, "Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel around to you." 13 He said, "Good; I will make a treaty with you; but one thing I require of you. That is, you shall not see my face, unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face." 14 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, "Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I pledged to be married to me for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines." 15 Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go! Return!" and he returned. 17 Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, "In times past, you sought for David to be king over you. 18 Now then do it; for Yahweh has 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 Abner also spoke 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 to the whole house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast. 21 Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires." David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

22 Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, 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 army who was with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, "What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do." 26 When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn’t know it. 27 When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, "I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 Let it fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has an issue, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread." 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 31 David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. King David followed the bier. 32 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 The king lamented for Abner, and said, "Should Abner die as a fool dies? 34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell." All the people wept again over him. 35 All the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, "God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun goes down." 36 All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; as whatever the king did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner. 38 The king said to his servants, "Don’t you know that there a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39 I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness."