Daily Truthbase: fear of God

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1 Chronicles 17-22 Preparations for the Temple

Psalm 59:1-10 Protection from Hit-men

(A poem by David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him)

Ps 59:1 “Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men. 3 For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh. 4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me! 5 You, Yahweh God of Armies, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish the nations. Show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah. 6 They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city. 7 Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, "For," they say, "who hears us?" 8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations. 9 Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower. 10 My God will go before me with his hesed/loyal love. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph...”

Observations: 59:1-4 David, stalked by Saul's hit-men, calls to God for deliverance, asserting his innocence and blamelessness.

59:5 As the anointed king of Israel David calls upon the God and Supreme military commander to punish and show no mercy to the traitors.

59:8-10 David express confident trust in God's protection, deliverance, and triumph because of His hesed. The second half of the Psalm will show that trust is warranted and the basis of praise.

Application: The blameless can have great confidence in God's protection and help, because He is faithful and loyal to those who are faithful and loyal to Him.

Prayer: God, You are my Strength, Fortress, and Deliverer; may You go before me in both peaceful and perilous times. Amen.

Proverbs 15:25-32 The Righteous Receive Reproof

Pr 15:25 “Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact. 26 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing. 27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

29 Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones. 31 The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise. 32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.“

Observations: 15:25-32 This section is a good complement to Psalm 32. God resists the proud and helps the humble (Js 4:6). Those who listen to reproof and embrace correction, get wise and an intimate relationship with God. The righteous get their prayers answered, borders protected, health and joy. Those who hate correction, hate themselves, and God hates/detests them (and so does everyone who has the misfortune to be around them). So why would anyone want to be like that?

Application: Seek and welcome reproof and correction; if you're on the right path, it is nothing; if you're on the wrong path, it's lifesaving.

Prayer: Lord, may I be receptive to all You want to communicate to me through others and Your word, so that I experience the blessings of the wise and righteous. Thanks for caring for me. Amen.

1 Chronicles 17-22 These chapters describe David's desire to build God a house and end with the $230 Billion budget for its construction. They show how David's faithfulness to God resulted in God blessing him, and how David blessed God in return. The mighty men kill giants, and the Death Angel kills the disobedient. Typical days in the life of David.

1 Chronicles 17 Confidence in God's Blessing

17:1 When David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, "Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is under curtains." 2 Nathan said to David, "Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you." 3 It happened the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 "Go and tell David my servant, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "You shall not build me a house to dwell in... 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, 10 and from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house. 11 It shall happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who shall be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. I will not take my hesed/loyal covenantal love away from him, as I took it from him that was before you; 14 but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne shall be established forever."’" 15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

16 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 This was a small thing in your eyes, God; but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the estate of a man of high degree, Yahweh God. 18 What can David say yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? For you know your servant. 19 Yahweh, for your servant’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make known all these great things. 20 Yahweh, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 What one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeem out of Egypt? 22 For your people Israel you made your own people forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God. 23 Now, Yahweh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken. 24 Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David your servant is established before you.’ 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 26 Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant. 27 Now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever."

Observations: 17:1-15 In this reporting of the Davidic Covenant (2Sam 7) David wants to build God a house; God says no, that David's son would build it; but adds that He will build David a house, as in a dynasty. [Chronicles refers to the Davidic Covenant seven times:

17:11-14; 22:8-13; 28:6-7; 2Ch 6:8-9, 16; 7:17-18;13:5; 21:7.]

17:2-4 Even though God was with David, not everything in David's heart was God's will. We need to daily inquire about God's will (this means you too, Nathan).

17:16-27 David responds with thanks and praise and trust/faith in God's promise to bless, just as Abraham did in Genesis 15:6. It's always good to base our prayers on God's promises, anticipating the fulfillment of them, by faith. (Remember, Biblical faith has to be based upon what God has promised in the Bible.)

Application: God is pleased to bless those who seek to please Him. We can't out-bless Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for the awesome blessings You've promised those who seek to please You; may I see their fulfillment in my life. Amen.

1 Chronicles 18 Dedicating Spoil for the Temple

18:1 After this it happened, that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 He struck Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 3 David struck Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates. 5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

11 King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 13 He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 14 David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness to all his people.

Observations: 18:1-14 In confirmation of the Davidic Covenant promise in 17:8 above, Yahweh gives David victory wherever he goes. David dedicates the spoil from those victories to Yahweh, which Solomon will use for building the Temple.

1 Chronicles 19 Problems Result in Peace

19:1 Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place. 2 David said, "I will show hesed/covenantal loyalty to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed hesed/covenantal loyalty to me." So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said...Haven’t his servants come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land?" 4 So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 6 When the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, they sent one thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men. 10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12 He said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God. May Yahweh do that which seems good to him." 14 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him. 15 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16 When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians who were beyond the River 17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan...fought with him. 18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians the men of seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen 19...they made peace with David, and served him: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

Observations: 19:1 Ammon's unjust treatment of David's kindly intentioned messengers results in subjugation of the Syrians as well as the Ammonites, through the wisdom and courage of Joab (who trusted in God for victory).

Application: God allows difficulties into our lives to both refine and bless us.

Prayer: God, help me discern Your purposes for, and the correct response to, the things in my life that I don't like. Amen.

1 Chronicles 20 Giant Killers

20:1 It happened, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, that Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it. 2 David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set on David’s head: and he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much. 3 He brought forth the people who were therein, and cut/reduced them with/to saws, and with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

4 It happened after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: then Sibbecai killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued. 5 There was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. 7 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother killed him. 8 These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

Observations: 20:1-8 No mention is made of David's sin with Bathsheba. The chronicler is more interested in highlighting David's successes from trusting God, which were far more than the adulteries that ended in murder. Killing giants mano a mano usually requires putting one's life in God's hand.

1 Chronicles 21 Death Angel for Disobedience

21:1 Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. 2 David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know the sum of them." 3 Joab said, "May Yahweh make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?" 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. 5 Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew sword: and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew sword. 6 But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.

7 God was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel. 8 David said to God, "I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly." 9 Yahweh spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, 10 "Go and speak to David, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "I offer you three things. Choose one of them, that I may do it to you."’" 11 So Gad came to David, and said to him, "Thus says Yahweh, ‘Take your choice: 12 either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or else three days the sword of Yahweh, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the borders of Israel. Now therefore consider what answer I shall return to him who sent me.’" 13 David said to Gad, "I am in distress. Let me fall, I pray, into the hand of Yahweh; for his mercies are very great. Let me not fall into the hand of man." 14 So Yahweh sent a pestilence on Israel; and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. 15 God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was about to destroy, Yahweh saw, and he relented of the disaster, and said to the destroying angel, "It is enough; now stay your hand." The angel of Yahweh was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 16 David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and the sky, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. 17 David said to God, "Isn’t it I who commanded the people to be numbered? It is even I who have sinned and done very wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O Yahweh my God, be against me, and against my father’s house; but not against your people, that they should be plagued."

18 Then the angel of Yahweh commanded Gad to tell David that David should go up, and raise an altar to Yahweh in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite... 22 Then David said to Ornan, "Give me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build thereon an altar to Yahweh. You shall sell it to me for the full price, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people." 23 Ornan said to David, "Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes. Behold, I give the oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meal offering. I give it all." 24 King David said to Ornan, "No; but I will most certainly buy it for the full price. For I will not take that which is yours for Yahweh, nor offer a burnt offering without cost." 25 So David gave to Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place. 26 David built an altar to Yahweh there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on Yahweh; and he answered him from the sky by fire on the altar of burnt offering. 27 Yahweh commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into its sheath. 28 At that time, when David saw that Yahweh had answered him in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. 29 For the tabernacle of Yahweh, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon. 30 But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of God; for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.

Observations: 21:1-6 Satan or an adversary (same word) incites David to number the people, an apparent act of self-reliance, trusting in the number of people, rather than the protection of God. However, 1Kings 15:5, lists the ”matter of Uriah (Bathsheba)” as the only time David turned aside from God's commands. 2Samuel 24 indicates that God was using the census as a means of disciplining Israel for their sin: ”1 Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah."

21:7-17 While David didn't turn aside to other gods, his willingness to number the people did indicate a lack of dependence upon Yahweh (independence is essence of sin), and he confesses it, yet God brings David's choice of punishment. As the death angel approaches Jerusalem God relents. David sees the angel and begs God for the punishment to be upon him and his house (like Judah did in Genesis 44).

21:18-30 David offers a sacrifice as the angel commanded, and demonstrates that sacrifices are supposed to cost us.

Application: Independence from God is the essence of sin, and we will suffer costly consequences.

Prayer: God, spare me from the folly of trusting in anyone or anything other than You, as revealed in Your word, for my protection or prosperity. Amen.

1 Chronicles 22 Preparations for the Temple

22:1 Then David said, "This is the house of Yahweh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel." 2 David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut worked stones to build the house of God. 3 David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight; 4 and cedar trees without number: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David. 5 David said, "Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it." So David prepared abundantly before his death.

6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel. 7 David said to Solomon his son, "As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God. 8 But the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.’ 11 Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken concerning you. 12 May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. 13 Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong, and courageous. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed. 14 Now, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the house of Yahweh one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone; and you may add to them. 15 There are also workmen with you in abundance, cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skilful in every kind of work: 16 of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may Yahweh be with you."

17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 18 "Isn’t Yahweh your God with you? Hasn’t he given you rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Yahweh, and before his people. 19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Yahweh your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Yahweh."

Observations: 22:1 Although David wasn't allowed to build the temple, he did everything he could to ensure its success:

22:2 He gathers foreigners as laborers.

22:3-5 He prepares all the materials. At current prices, the gold and silver alone would be valued at over $236 Billion US dollars.

22:6-16 He prepares Solomon with a pep talk, starting with God's promise (Davidic Covenant), and charging Solomon to keep the law, so that God will be with him and prosper him.

22:17-19 He prepares the leaders with a pep talk charging them to set their heart and soul on seeking God.

Application: If our heart and soul are set on seeking God, there's not much left of us to go astray.

Prayer: Gracious God, You are worthy of my total devotion; I will prepare my heart and mind, and
soul to seek You exclusively. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God blesses those who seek to please him wholeheartedly, and disciplines those who don't (yawn!). He enables the faithful to slay giants, and turns problems into profit. He communicates His will to those who inquire so they can do it.

Us in a nutshell: Not all the desires of God's people are His will, so we need to dependently seek it every day. When God blesses us, we should bless Him in return. When disciplined, we should repent, sooner rather than later. We need to set our heart and soul in the direction of God and keep them there.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

1 Chronicles 17-22 complete text

1 Chronicles 17

17:1 It happened, when David lived in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, "Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is under curtains." 2 Nathan said to David, "Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you." 3 It happened the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 "Go and tell David my servant, ‘Thus says Yahweh, "You shall not build me a house to dwell in; 5 for I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tent to another. 6 In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’"’ 7 "Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh of Armies," I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, 10 and from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Yahweh will build you a house. 11 It shall happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who shall be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. I will not take my loving kindness away from him, as I took it from him that was before you; 14 but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne shall be established forever."’" 15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

16 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 This was a small thing in your eyes, God; but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the estate of a man of high degree, Yahweh God. 18 What can David say yet more to you concerning the honour which is done to your servant? For you know your servant. 19 Yahweh, for your servant’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make known all these great things. 20 Yahweh, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 21 What one nation in the earth is like your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, to make you a name by great and awesome things, in driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeem out of Egypt? 22 For your people Israel you made your own people forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God. 23 Now, Yahweh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken. 24 Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David your servant is established before you.’ 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 26 Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant. 27 Now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever."

1 Chronicles 18

18:1 After this it happened, that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 He struck Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 3 David struck Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates. 4 David took from him one thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots. 5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the bronze sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; (for Hadadezer had wars with Tou;) and he had with him all kinds of vessels of gold and silver and brass. 11 King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand. 13 He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 14 David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness to all his people. 15 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe; 17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.

1 Chronicles 19

19:1 It happened after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place. 2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, "Do you think that David honours your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Haven’t his servants come to you to search, to overthrow, and to spy out the land?" 4 So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 Then there went certain persons, and told David how the men were served. He sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return."

6 When the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent one thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Arammaacah, and out of Zobah. 7 So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. The children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men. 9 The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city: and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field. 10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12 He said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you are to help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God. May Yahweh do that which seems good to him." 14 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians to the battle; and they fled before him. 15 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16 When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians who were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came on them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians the men of seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the army. 19 When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David, and served him: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

1 Chronicles 20

20:1 It happened, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, that Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it. 2 David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set on David’s head: and he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much. 3 He brought forth the people who were therein, and cut them with saws, and with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

4 It happened after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued. 5 There was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. 7 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother killed him. 8 These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

1 Chronicles 21

21:1 Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. 2 David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know the sum of them." 3 Joab said, "May Yahweh make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?" 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. 5 Joab gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew sword: and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew sword. 6 But he didn’t count Levi and Benjamin among them; for the king’s word was abominable to Joab.

18 Then the angel of Yahweh commanded Gad to tell David that David should go up, and raise an altar to Yahweh in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19 David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spoke in the name of Yahweh. 20 Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. 21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshing floor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. 22 Then David said to Ornan, "Give me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build thereon an altar to Yahweh. You shall sell it to me for the full price, that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people." 23 Ornan said to David, "Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes. Behold, I give the oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meal offering. I give it all." 24 King David said to Ornan, "No; but I will most certainly buy it for the full price. For I will not take that which is yours for Yahweh, nor offer a burnt offering without cost." 25 So David gave to Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place. 26 David built an altar to Yahweh there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on Yahweh; and he answered him from the sky by fire on the altar of burnt offering. 27 Yahweh commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into its sheath. 28 At that time, when David saw that Yahweh had answered him in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. 29 For the tabernacle of Yahweh, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon. 30 But David couldn’t go before it to inquire of God; for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of Yahweh.

1 Chronicles 22

1 Samuel 4-7 Adventures of the Ark

1 Samuel 4-7 Adventures of the Ark

Psalm 41:1-5 Blessing and Health

Ps 41:1 “Blessed is he who considers the poor. Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil. 2 Yahweh will preserve him, and keep him alive. He shall be blessed on the earth, and He will not surrender him to the will of his enemies. 3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, and restore him from his bed of illness. 4 I said, "Yahweh, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against You." 5 My enemies speak evil against me: "When will he die, and his name perish?"

Observations: 41:1 The poor are those who are weak, brought low and in distress. “Consider” has meanings ranging from “giving attention to” to “cause to prosper.” The blessed believer is not focused on themselves, but in serving others. They will accumulate self-centered enemies, but God won't let them triumph over him (rest of the Psalm).

41:4 Sickness can be the result of sin, so when in doubt, confess.

Application: Blessing is a consequence, caused by the right actions.

Prayer: God who delivers, preserves and heals, have mercy, forgive and fortify me. Thanks. Amen.

Proverbs 11:18 Reap What You Sow

Pr 11:18 “Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.“

Observations: 11:18 One of the things believers are frequently deceived about is whether or not they will reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7-9). If you plant radishes, you'll reap bitter radishes. If you plant strawberries, you'll reap sweet strawberries. If you don't like what you're reaping (your current state of affairs), sow something different. A wicked (hypocritical) person, reaps what might look good, but turns out to give a stomach ache. The person who sows righteousness in their behavior and relationships, will reap reward and blessing, both now and in the future.

Application: If you don't like what you're reaping, sow something different.

Prayer: Lord, I realize my actions have both temporal and eternal consequences; guide me in sowing the thoughts, attitudes, and actions that will reap Your reward. Thanks. Amen.

1Samuel 4-7 The Ark of the Covenant takes a jaunt to Philistine territory, wrecking havoc on the pagan gods and peoples. Israel was supposed to do that job, but their disobedience disqualified then from serving God and experiencing His glory. Samuel gives them a promise of blessing if they truly and wholeheartedly repent.

1 Samuel 4 Ichabob: Glory Gone

4:1 The word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. 2 Israel was struck before the Philistines; and they killed of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3 When the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has Yahweh struck us today before the Philistines? Let us get the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of Shiloh to us, that it may come among us, and save us out of the hand of our enemies." 4 So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of Armies, who sits above the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 6 When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, "What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" They understood that the ark of Yahweh had come into the camp. 7 The Philistines were afraid, for they said, "God has come into the camp." They said, "Woe to us! For there has not been such a thing before. 8 Woe to us! Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. 9 Be strong, and behave like men, O you Philistines, that you not be servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Strengthen yourselves like men, and fight!" 10 The Philistines fought, and Israel was struck, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

11 The ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. 17 He who brought the news answered, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." 18 When he made mention of the ark of God, Eli fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck broke, and he died; for he was an old man, and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

19 His daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered. When she heard the news that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and gave birth; for her pains came on her. 20 About the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, "Don’t be afraid; for you have given birth to a son." But she didn’t answer, neither did she regard it. 21 She named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel"; because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, "The glory has departed from Israel; for the ark of God is taken."

Observations: 4:1-3 In presumption, Israel goes out to fight the Philistines without seeking God's will, and they lose.

4:4-10 Clueless about their sin, they get the ark, which represented the glory of God, and use it as a charm. Unfortunately, the Ark of the Covenant, contains the covenant they were violating, spelling out cursing and defeat for disobedience. So they lose again, and lose the ark. The Philistines seem to have a greater fear of God than the Israelites.

4:11-18 News of the capture of the ark and the death of his sons (as promised in chapter 2 for his failure to discipline them) causes Eli to fall of his lazy-boy recliner and die.

4:19-21 Eli's daughter-in-law gives birth at the news and dies, naming the child Ichabod, meaning “no glory,” lamenting the departure of the presence and glory of God from Israel.

The Hebrew word for glory is “kabod” which is also the root for “liver,” the heaviest and therefore most important organ in the body (of course it helps to have a heart too). To glorify someone was to make them be seen as important. See How to Glorify God in TOYL on Truthbase.net

Application: Trying to use God on our terms, as a good luck charm, is a sure path to defeat and destruction.

Prayer: Lord may I obediently fear You, and may Your glory always shine on and through my life. Amen.

1 Samuel 5 God Handily Glorifies Himself

5:1 Now the Philistines had taken the ark of God, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 The Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. 3 When they of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh. They took Dagon, and set him in his place again. 4 When they arose early on the next day morning, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact. 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon’s house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day.

9 It was so, that after they had carried it about, the hand of Yahweh was against the city with a very great confusion: and he struck the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them. 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. It happened, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to kill us and our people." 11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people." For there was a deadly confusion throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. 12 The men who didn’t die were struck with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

Observations: 5:1-5 Yes God does have a sense of humor. Since He can't be seen as supreme (glorified) by blessing the obedient Israelites, He takes matters into His own hands and strikes the protection (god) then the person and property of the Philistines. First He has Dagon fall down and worship Him; then He kills (decapitates) and renders Dagon powerless (hand-less).

5:6-12 Now Yahweh turns His mighty hand against the people, making life miserable for them wherever the ark goes. Tumors is a nice translation of burning hemorrhoids. The Philistines cry out to heaven for “deliverance” away from God. Ha-ha :)

Application: God doesn't need us to glorify Him, but we need to glorify Him to fulfill our purpose for being on the planet. It you haven't figured out how the daily activities of your life directly relate to your purpose for living, check out the TOYL link on Truthbase (worksheets are there, too).

Prayer: Lord of glory, You are the God of gods; may Your hand be upon my life for blessing rather than cursing all my days. Amen.

1 Samuel 6 Philistines Glorify God

6:1 The ark of Yahweh was in the country of the Philistines seven months. 2 The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of Yahweh? Show us with which we shall send it to its place." 3 They said, "If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, don’t send it empty; but by all means return him a trespass offering: then you shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you." 4 Then they said, "What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him?" They said, "Five golden tumors, and five golden mice, for the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. 5 Therefore you shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and you shall give glory to the God of Israel: perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land. 6 Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had worked wonderfully among them, didn’t they let the people go, and they departed? 7 "Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart, and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them; 8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its side; and send it away, that it may go. 9 Behold; if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it was a chance that happened to us."

13 They of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it. 14 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they split the wood of the cart, and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 15 The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh, and the coffer that was with it, in which the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day to Yahweh. 16 When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. 19 He struck of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh, he struck of the people fifty thousand seventy men; and the people mourned, because Yahweh had struck the people with a great slaughter. 20 The men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? To whom shall he go up from us?" 21 They sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark of Yahweh; come down, and bring it up to yourselves."

Observations: 6:1-12 The Philistines wind up giving glory to Yahweh (6:5), returning the cart with a sin offering. They stacked the deck against the ark going back by keeping the calves at home, but God caused the cows to leave their nursing calves and go toward Israel.

6:6 The Philistines were better versed in Israelite history than God's people, recognizing what God had done in the Exodus (also last chapter), and who hardened whose heart.

6:13-21 The Israelites offer joyful sacrifices at the return of the ark, but don't fully obey God by looking into the ark (a violation of both His holiness/separateness and expressed command-Numbers 4:20), and suffer the consequences big time. They have the same response to the ark as did the Philistines. Rather than exalting in the presence of God in their midst, they reject it, for it reveals and judges their sin.

Application: Religious rejoicing does not remove from us the responsibility to fear and obey.

Prayer: Radient God, may my life be a fitting place for Your glory to dwell; may others see You through my relationship with You. Amen.

1 Samuel 7 God Glorified by Israel

7:1 The men of Kiriath Jearim came, and fetched up the ark of Yahweh, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of Yahweh. 2 The ark stayed in Kiriath Jearim, twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after Yahweh.

3 Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you do return to Yahweh with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to Yahweh, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." 4 Then the children of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served Yahweh only. 5 Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you to Yahweh." 6 They gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Yahweh, and fasted on that day, and said there, "We have sinned against Yahweh." Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.

7 When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 The children of Israel said to Samuel, "Don’t cease to cry to Yahweh our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines." 9 Samuel took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh: and Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel. 11 The men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and struck them, until they came under Beth Kar. 12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Yahweh helped us until now."

13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Israel. The hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel recovered its border out of the hand of the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 He went from year to year in circuit to Bethel and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. 17 His return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar to Yahweh.

Observations: 7:3-6 Trace the path to repentance:

they return with all their heart (and confess their sin v6)
they remove and put away foreign gods/influences
they direct their hearts to Yahweh
they serve Yahweh exclusively
Yahweh delivers them.
Yahweh restores and recovers what was lost (v14)

7:7-14 When rightly related to God, He fights their battles and gives them peace from their enemies. Ebenezer means "stone of help," a memorial to God's deliverance.

7:15 Samuel becomes the last judge (and is considered the first prophet).

Application: When suffering the effects of sin, return to God like the Israelites did and call for His help.

Prayer: God, You are so righteous to judge, yet so gracious to accept the truly repentant; may I always be serving You, so You will fight my battles and give me peace. Thanks. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God can be seen as great and glorious without any human intervention. He can bless the righteous and afflict the unrighteous, according to their behavior. He is gracious in accepting the truly repentant, and can deliver them with only a prayer on their part. His primary objective is to reveal His glory and character so people will respond to Him in appropriate worship.

Us in a nutshell: When we fail to exclusively serve God, His glory departs from our lives and pain increases. When we fully and wholeheartedly repent and serve Him, He graciously returns and can repair the damage our disobedience has caused. Being rightly related to Him, and constantly calling out to Him in prayerful dependence is a good way to get delivered from trouble. Responding to Him in wholehearted, exclusive service (giving Him what He wants) is a good way to worship.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

See Fervent Love for how to cover a multitude of sins
See How to Glorify God in TOYL (also has worksheets)

1Samuel complete text

1 Samuel 4

4:1 The word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. 2 The Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was struck before the Philistines; and they killed of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3 When the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has Yahweh struck us today before the Philistines? Let us get the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of Shiloh to us, that it may come among us, and save us out of the hand of our enemies." 4 So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of Armies, who sits above the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 6 When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, "What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" They understood that the ark of Yahweh had come into the camp. 7 The Philistines were afraid, for they said, "God has come into the camp." They said, "Woe to us! For there has not been such a thing before. 8 Woe to us! Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. 9 Be strong, and behave like men, O you Philistines, that you not be servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Strengthen yourselves like men, and fight!"

10 The Philistines fought, and Israel was struck, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. 11 The ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.

12 There ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with earth on his head. 13 When he came, behold, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching; for his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out. 14 When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, "What does the noise of this tumult mean?" The man hurried, and came and told Eli. 15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that he could not see. 16 The man said to Eli, "I am he who came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army." He said, "How did the matter go, my son?" 17 He who brought the news answered, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." 18 It happened, when he made mention of the ark of God, that Eli fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck broke, and he died; for he was an old man, and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

1 Samuel 5

6 But the hand of Yahweh was heavy on them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and struck them with tumours, even Ashdod and its borders. 7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us; for his hand is severe on us, and on Dagon our god." 8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them, and said, "What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" They answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried over to Gath." They carried the ark of the God of Israel there. 9 It was so, that after they had carried it about, the hand of Yahweh was against the city with a very great confusion: and he struck the men of the city, both small and great; and tumours broke out on them. 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. It happened, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to kill us and our people." 11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people." For there was a deadly confusion throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. 12 The men who didn’t die were struck with the tumours; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

1 Samuel 6

6:1 The ark of Yahweh was in the country of the Philistines seven months. 2 The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of Yahweh? Show us with which we shall send it to its place." 3 They said, "If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, don’t send it empty; but by all means return him a trespass offering: then you shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you." 4 Then they said, "What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him?" They said, "Five golden tumours, and five golden mice, for the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. 5 Therefore you shall make images of your tumours, and images of your mice that mar the land; and you shall give glory to the God of Israel: perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land. 6 Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had worked wonderfully among them, didn’t they let the people go, and they departed? 7 "Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart, and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them; 8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its side; and send it away, that it may go. 9 Behold; if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it was a chance that happened to us."

10 The men did so, and took two milk cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home; 11 and they put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their tumours. 12 The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn’t turn aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh. 13 They of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it. 14 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they split the wood of the cart, and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 15 The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh, and the coffer that was with it, in which the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day to Yahweh. 16 When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. 17 These are the golden tumours which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering to Yahweh: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one; 18 and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages, even to the great stone, whereon they set down the ark of Yahweh. That stone remains to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh.

19 He struck of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh, he struck of the people fifty thousand seventy men; and the people mourned, because Yahweh had struck the people with a great slaughter. 20 The men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? To whom shall he go up from us?" 21 They sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark of Yahweh; come down, and bring it up to yourselves."

1 Samuel 7

7:1 The men of Kiriath Jearim came, and fetched up the ark of Yahweh, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of Yahweh. 2 It happened, from the day that the ark stayed in Kiriath Jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after Yahweh.

Judges 1-3 Vicious Sin Cycle

Psalm 35:11-28 Rescued from Unrighteous Enemies

Ps 35:11 “Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don’t know about. 12 They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom. 14 I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother. 15 But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t know it. They tore at me, and didn’t cease.

17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions. 18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people. 19 Don’t let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes. 20 For they don’t speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land. 21 Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!" 22 You have seen it, Yahweh. Don’t keep silent. Lord, don’t be far from me. 23 Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me! 24 Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness. Don’t let them gloat over me. 25 Don’t let them say in their heart, "Aha! That’s the way we want it!" Don’t let them say, "We have swallowed him up!"

26 Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me.

27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause. Yes, let them say continually, "Yahweh be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!" 28 My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long."

Observations: 35:1-10 See post on Leviticus 24 for vv 1-10, The psalm opens with David asking God to come to his aid and fight his battles.

35:11-28 David describes the unrighteous ways of his adversaries and appeals to the righteousness of God to fight them and vindicate him. He asks God to see and act, and put his enemies to shame. Then those who favor his righteous cause will rejoice and praise the God who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. David will also praise God for His righteousness, all day long.

Application: Be righteous, ask God to deal righteously on your behalf, and get ready to praise Him for His help.

Prayer: God, thanks that I can trust Your righteousness to rescue me from the unrighteous. Thanks too, that You have pleasure in the prosperity of Your servants. Amen.

Proverbs 10:12-14 Words that Help

Pr 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.14 Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.”

Observations: 10:12 Love wants what's best for others and doesn't magnify nor incite their wrongdoings, but intentionally (Piel stem) seeks to minimize them in an effort to protect the other person. It's not about sweeping everything under the carpet, but lovingly dealing with difficulties. See Fervent Love on Truthbase for how to cover a multitude of sins.

10:13-14 Components of wisdom: discernment, understanding and knowledge are all really useful in speaking the truth in love.

Application: Do your words wisely help and heal or cause pain and destruction?

Prayer: Lord, guide my speech with wisdom and love, so that others are benefited by it, and can experience Your blessings. Amen.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I embrace Your wisdom and eschew sin. Amen.

Judges 1-3 The books spans about 300 years, from the death of Joshua to Israel's first king. God did not have Joshua appoint a successor, but instead raised up individuals (judges) to provide leadership and deliverance in times of need. From fully obeying God and conquering their enemies, Israel disobeys and gets repeatedly defeated; but when they repent and call out to God, He raises up a deliverer. Judges 2:10-19 (see below) details the cycle of sin.

The last verse of the book summarizes the sad state of affairs of a people who used to do what was right in God's eyes. Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

Judges 1 Incomplete Obedience Leads to Compromise

1:1 It happened after the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked of Yahweh, saying, "Who should go up for us first against the Canaanites, to fight against them?" 2 Yahweh said, "Judah shall go up. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand." 3 Judah said to Simeon his brother, "Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot." So Simeon went with him. 4 Judah went up; and Yahweh delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they struck in Bezek ten thousand men. 5 They found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek; and they fought against him, 6 But Adoni-Bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. 7 Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, scavenged under my table: as I have done, so God has requited me." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there. 8 The children of Judah fought against Jerusalem, and took it, and struck it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.

19 Yahweh was with Judah; and drove out the inhabitants of the hill country; but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. 20 They gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had spoken: and he drove out there the three sons of Anak.

21 The children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day. 22 The house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel; and Yahweh was with them...27 Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants...but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. 28 It happened, when Israel had grown strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, and did not utterly drive them out. 29 Ephraim didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them. 30 Zebulun didn’t drive out the inhabitants...but the Canaanites lived among them, and became subject to forced labor. 31 Asher didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob; 32 but the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out. 33 Naphtali didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth Anath; but he lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and of Beth Anath became subject to forced labour. 34 The Amorites forced the children of Dan into the hill country; for they would not allow them to come down to the valley; 35 but the Amorites would dwell in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became subject to forced labor. 36 The border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

Observations: 1:1-8 Things start well enough with Israel inquiring of the Lord and carrying out His will. God had redeemed and given them the land (like Justification/forgiveness), but their responsibility was to draw on His strength to eradicate sin (like Sanctification/holiness); only then could they enjoy peace and rest (like Glorification). Judah, the lead tribe (Gen 49) joins with Simeon, who dwelt next to and within them, to destroy Bezek and humiliate their king as he had done to others. The chapter has flashbacks to events in Joshua that deal with conquest of the same territory.

1:19 Hinge passage. God was with them and they won; then they don't succeed in driving out the Canaanites as God instructed. When they encountered chariots of iron, they balked. (cf Josh 17:16).

1:21-36 This section records the general failure of Israel to fully obey God and drive out the pagans. As a result, Israel lived among the pagans and eventually became like them, incurring God's wrath.

Application: If we don't fully obey God in drawing on His strength to eradicate sin and its sources, we will succumb to it, and experience discipline. (Common theme in the book and our lives.)

Prayer: God who is with me, help me obey and win the fight against influences that would draw me away from You and Your blessings. Amen.

Judges 2 Vicious Cycle of Sin

2:1 The angel of Yahweh came up from Gilgal to Bochim. He said, "I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you to the land which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you: 2 and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not listened to my voice: why have you done this? 3 Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you." 4 It happened, when the angel of Yahweh spoke these words to all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept. 5 They called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there to Yahweh.

7 The people served Yahweh all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of Yahweh that he had worked for Israel. 10 Also all that generation were gathered to their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, who didn’t know Yahweh, nor yet the work which he had worked for Israel. 11 The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them: and they provoked Yahweh to anger. 13 They forsook Yahweh, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. 14 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers who despoiled them; and he sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went out, the hand of Yahweh was against them for evil, as Yahweh had spoken, and as Yahweh had sworn to them: and they were very distressed.

16 Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who despoiled them. 17 Yet they didn’t listen to their judges; for they played the prostitute after other gods, and bowed themselves down to them: they turned aside quickly out of the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of Yahweh. They didn’t do so. 18 When Yahweh raised them up judges, then Yahweh was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it grieved Yahweh because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them. 19 But it happened, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them; they didn’t cease from their doings, nor from their stubborn way. 20 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel; and he said, "Because this nation have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not listened to my voice; 21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations that Joshua left when he died; 22 that by them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of Yahweh to walk therein, as their fathers kept it, or not." 23 So Yahweh left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

Observations: 2:2-4 Since they didn't listen to God and obey them, He will no longer help them.

2:7-15 The older generation succeeded in following God but failed to prepare the next generation to do so, in spite of God's commands to teach their kids (Dt 6), and all the ritualistic reminders.

2:16-21 These verses describe the vicious cycle of sin that plagued Israel for 300 years (and many believers today).

2:22-23 God left pagans in the land as a test of Israel's obedience. They flunked.

Application: If we're actively involved in reproducing the Biblical lifestyle in others, we'll benefit them, and keep ourselves on the right path.

Prayer: Lord who is for me and with me, but against me when I sin, don't let me lose sight of the consequences of forgetting rather than following You. May I fear You all my days. Amen.

Judges 3 Intermarriage Into Enslaved Idolatry

3:1 Now these are the nations which Yahweh left, to prove Israel by them, even as many as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2 to teach them war...4 They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to the commandments of Yahweh, which he commanded their fathers by Moses. 5 The children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites: 6 and they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods. 7 The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.

8 Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served him eight years. 9 When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10 The Spirit of Yahweh came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand 11 The land had rest forty years. Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

12 The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: and Yahweh strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. 14 The children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. 15 But when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. 16 Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he wore it under his clothing on his right thigh. 17 He offered the tribute to Eglon king of Moab: now Eglon was a very fat man. 18 When he had made an end of offering the tribute, he sent away the people who bore the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, "I have a secret errand to you, king." The king said, "Keep silence!" All who stood by him went out from him. 20 Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, "I have a message from God to you." He arose out of his seat. 21 Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his body: 22 and the handle also went in after the blade; and the fat closed on the blade, for he didn’t draw the sword out of his body; and it came out behind. 26 Ehud escaped 27...he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he before them. 28 He said to them, "Follow me; for Yahweh has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand." They followed him, and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and didn’t allow any man to pass over. 29 They struck of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, every lusty man, and every man of valor; and there escaped not a man. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. The land had rest eighty years.

31 After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck of the Philistines six hundred men with an oxgoad: and he also saved Israel.

Observations: 3:2 War against stronger opponents strengthens reliance upon God.

3:6-7 Intermarriage leads to idolatry. Sin is more contagious than holiness. Recall the sensual base of pagan worship to understand its attraction. (See end of post on Lev 1-7).

3:8 Since they didn't serve Him, God “sold” His people to a Mesopotamian king whose name means “Double wicked blackness,” and Israel served him eight years. A high price to pay for compromise.

3:9-11 When Israel repented and cried out to God, He raised up the first judge, Othneil, Caleb's son in law who had killed the giant librarians (three posts ago). The Spirit of God came upon him, enabling him to defeat the enemy, and give Israel forty years of peace, one generation.

3:12 Guess what? After getting comfortable, the next generation did evil and got eighteen years of serving fat Eglon, whom Ehud the lefty craftily killed. All Israel responds to the trumpet call and they wipe out ten thousand Moabites, yielding eighty years of peace, two generations.

3:31 Shamgar only appears here and is referenced in 5:6.

Application: It's much better to call out to God in thanksgiving for His blessing, than to cry for Him to deliver us from slavery for our stupidity.

Prayer: God thanks that You do eventually relent from Your discipline when I repent from my independence and disobedience. Better yet, may I never forget what You've done for me, so that I only serve You all my days. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God tests His people, the ones He's redeemed, guided, preserved, protected and prospered. If they keep loyal to Him, He continues to bless them. If not, He aids their opponents in making their life miserable until they repent. He takes His time in answering their cries so they will learn to remember and do what He's said.

Us in a nutshell: We are not very good students of what God has done for us, frequently failing to remember His blessings. We tend to compromise our holiness and obedience by gravitating toward those taking the low road to sensual gratification rather than spiritual growth. If we don't serve God, we will serve sin, a mean master. When we are disciplined and in pain, we can call out to God, who eventually responds after we've reaped sufficient consequences (which can go on for decades).

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Get off the Golden Calf Roller Coaster

Magic Lamp of Self Esteem

Judges complete text

Judges 1

1:1 It happened after the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked of Yahweh, saying, "Who should go up for us first against the Canaanites, to fight against them?" 2 Yahweh said, "Judah shall go up. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand." 3 Judah said to Simeon his brother, "Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot." So Simeon went with him. 4 Judah went up; and Yahweh delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they struck of them in Bezek ten thousand men. 5 They found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek; and they fought against him, and they struck the Canaanites and the Perizzites. 6 But Adoni-Bezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. 7 Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, scavenged under my table: as I have done, so God has requited me." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there. 8 The children of Judah fought against Jerusalem, and took it, and struck it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.

9 Afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, and in the South, and in the lowland. 10 Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba); and they struck Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai. 11 From there he went against the inhabitants of Debir. (Now the name of Debir before was Kiriath Sepher.) 12 Caleb said, "He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife." 13 Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. 14 It happened, when she came, that she got him to ask her father for a field: and she alighted from off her donkey; and Caleb said to her, "What would you like?" 15 She said to him, "Give me a blessing; for that you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water." Then Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. 16 The children of the Kenite, Moses’ brother-in-law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the south of Arad; and they went and lived with the people. 17 Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they struck the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah. 18 Also Judah took Gaza with its border, and Ashkelon with its border, and Ekron with its border. 19 Yahweh was with Judah; and drove out the inhabitants of the hill country; for he could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. 20 They gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had spoken: and he drove out there the three sons of Anak.

21 The children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day. 22 The house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel; and Yahweh was with them. 23 The house of Joseph sent to spy out Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) 24 The watchers saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said to him, "Please show us the entrance into the city, and we will deal kindly with you." 25 He showed them the entrance into the city; and they struck the city with the edge of the sword; but they let the man go and all his family. 26 The man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called its name Luz, which is its name to this day. 27 Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shean and its towns, nor Taanach and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and its towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and its towns; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. 28 It happened, when Israel had grown strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labour, and did not utterly drive them out. 29 Ephraim didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them. 30 Zebulun didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites lived among them, and became subject to forced labour. 31 Asher didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob; 32 but the Asherites lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land; for they did not drive them out. 33 Naphtali didn’t drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth Anath; but he lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and of Beth Anath became subject to forced labour. 34 The Amorites forced the children of Dan into the hill country; for they would not allow them to come down to the valley; 35 but the Amorites would dwell in Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became subject to forced labour. 36 The border of the Amorites was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

Judges 2

6 Now when Joshua had sent the people away, the children of Israel went every man to his inheritance to possess the land. 7 The people served Yahweh all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of Yahweh that he had worked for Israel. 8 Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Yahweh, died, being one hundred ten years old. 9 They buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath Heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash. 10 Also all that generation were gathered to their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, who didn’t know Yahweh, nor yet the work which he had worked for Israel. 11 The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them: and they provoked Yahweh to anger. 13 They forsook Yahweh, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. 14 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers who despoiled them; and he sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went out, the hand of Yahweh was against them for evil, as Yahweh had spoken, and as Yahweh had sworn to them: and they were very distressed. 16 Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who despoiled them. 17 Yet they didn’t listen to their judges; for they played the prostitute after other gods, and bowed themselves down to them: they turned aside quickly out of the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of Yahweh. They didn’t do so. 18 When Yahweh raised them up judges, then Yahweh was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it grieved Yahweh because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them. 19 But it happened, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them; they didn’t cease from their doings, nor from their stubborn way. 20 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel; and he said, "Because this nation have transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not listened to my voice; 21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations that Joshua left when he died; 22 that by them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of Yahweh to walk therein, as their fathers kept it, or not." 23 So Yahweh left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

Judges 3

3:1 Now these are the nations which Yahweh left, to prove Israel by them, even as many as had not known all the wars of Canaan; 2 only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing of it: 3 the five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon to the entrance of Hamath. 4 They were left to test Israel by them, to know whether they would listen to the commandments of Yahweh, which he commanded their fathers by Moses. 5 The children of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites: 6 and they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods. 7 The children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.

8 Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years. 9 When the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a saviour to the children of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 10 The Spirit of Yahweh came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Cushan Rishathaim. 11 The land had rest forty years. Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

12 The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: and Yahweh strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh. 13 He gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and struck Israel, and they possessed the city of palm trees. 14 The children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years. 15 But when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised them up a saviour, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab. 16 Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he wore it under his clothing on his right thigh. 17 He offered the tribute to Eglon king of Moab: now Eglon was a very fat man. 18 When he had made an end of offering the tribute, he sent away the people who bore the tribute. 19 But he himself turned back from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, "I have a secret errand to you, king." The king said, "Keep silence!" All who stood by him went out from him. 20 Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, "I have a message from God to you." He arose out of his seat. 21 Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his body: 22 and the handle also went in after the blade; and the fat closed on the blade, for he didn’t draw the sword out of his body; and it came out behind. 23 Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room on him, and locked them. 24 Now when he was gone out, his servants came; and they saw, and behold, the doors of the upper room were locked; and they said, "Surely he is covering his feet in the upper room." 25 They waited until they were ashamed; and behold, he didn’t open the doors of the upper room: therefore they took the key, and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth. 26 Ehud escaped while they waited, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped to Seirah. 27 It happened, when he had come, that he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he before them. 28 He said to them, "Follow me; for Yahweh has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand." They followed him, and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and didn’t allow any man to pass over. 29 They struck of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, every lusty man, and every man of valour; and there escaped not a man. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. The land had rest eighty years.

31 After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck of the Philistines six hundred men with an oxgoad: and he also saved Israel.

1 Chronicles 17-22 Preparations for the Temple

1 Samuel 4-7 Adventures of the Ark

Judges 1-3 Vicious Sin Cycle

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