Today's Readings -- 30 April 2011

Saturday. Some time with Dear Wife after another all-night work session.

II Samuel 23

1	Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2	The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3	The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
4	And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
5	Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
6	But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
7	But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
8	These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
9	And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
10	He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
11	And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentils: and the people fled from the Philistines.
12	But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
13	And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
14	And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15	And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
16	And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
17	And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
18	And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
19	Was he not most honorable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
20	And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
21	And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
22	These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
23	He was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
24	Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25	Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26	Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27	Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28	Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29	Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30	Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
31	Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32	Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33	Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
34	Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35	Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
36	Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
37	Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
38	Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
39	Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

II Samuel 24

1	And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
2	For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
3	And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
4	Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
5	And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
6	Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
7	And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
8	So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9	And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
10	And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
11	For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12	Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
13	So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
14	And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
15	So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
16	And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
17	And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
18	And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
19	And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
20	And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21	And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22	And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
23	All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
24	And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25	And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

Luke 22:31-53

31	And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32	But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
33	And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34	And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
35	And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36	Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37	For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38	And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
39	And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40	And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41	And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42	Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43	And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44	And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45	And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46	And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
47	And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
48	But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49	When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50	And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51	And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
52	Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
53	When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

The Storms of Life

It looks as if my promise of more regular posting took a bit of a hit.
Well, so did this whole part of the country.
For those who are blissfully unaware, Wednesday night a series of horrific storms came through the South, an area that includes eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Virginia. Last I heard, the estimate was that there were some 127 separate tornadoes, some of them F-5 on the scale and with funnels a full mile wide. There has been considerable loss of life, over 300 and counting, many many injuries, some serious and debiliating, and horrible loss of property. That property including several fire stations, restaurants, heavy damage to at least one hospital, and many homes. Not to mention prize personal possessions, like the only picture of a long-passed loved one. This will be one to be remembered.
We were, actually, lucky. Our home is intact, the damage starts just a few miles from here. But the entire area is affected.
If you want a look at the damage, check this.

Today's Readings -- 25 April 2011

Back At It. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. It truly is my favorite holiday.

This morning's reading is chapters 13 and 14 of 2nd Samuel. David now has problems in his own household, and they will get a whole lot worse very soon. These are awful enough by themselves. Disobedience is like a cancer, and it is metastasizing here.

II Samuel 13

1	And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2	And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.
3	But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
4	And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
5	And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
6	So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
7	Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
8	So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
9	And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
10	And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
11	And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
12	And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
13	And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
14	Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15	Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
16	And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
17	Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
18	And she had a garment of divers colors upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
19	And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
20	And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
21	But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
22	And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
23	And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.
24	And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.
25	And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.
26	Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
27	But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
28	Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
29	And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
30	And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.
31	Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
32	And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
33	Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
34	But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
35	And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
36	And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
37	But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38	So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39	And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

II Samuel 14

1	Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom.
2	And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
3	And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
4	And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
5	And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
6	And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.
7	And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
8	And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.
9	And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.
10	And the king said, Whoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
11	Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
12	Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
13	And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.
14	For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
15	Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.
16	For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
17	Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
18	Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
19	And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:
20	To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
21	And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
22	And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
23	So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24	And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.
25	But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
26	And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
27	And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
28	So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.
29	Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
30	Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
31	Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
32	And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
33	So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.

This evening, verses 1-26 of Luke chapter 20. Jesus is teaching in that fateful week between the Triumphal Entry and the Crucifixion. He knows that, they did not. I'm sure His disciples in years to come would look back on this intense period wishing they had known.

Luke 20:1-26

1	And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
2	And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
3	And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
4	The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
5	And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
6	But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
7	And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
8	And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
9	Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
10	And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
11	And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
12	And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
13	Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
14	But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
15	So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
16	He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
17	And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
18	Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
19	And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
20	And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
21	And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
22	Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
23	But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
24	Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
25	And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
26	And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Today's Readings -- 24 April 2011 EASTER

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Today has been Easter Sunday, the many-times repeated celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ. It has been a wonderful day, not fast drawing to a close.

As is our weekend. We have not had a three day weekend for a long time, this is the longest period Dear Wife and I have had since the beginning of the year. Many times, too often, it has consisted of a few hours on a Sunday afternoon-evening. This is not a great way to live, and we continue to ask the Lord to provide the way to a better job situation. And soon, please Lord.

We had a number of visitors at our worship service this morning, something every church hope for and generally sees a the Christmas and Easter times. That's OK.

The day's Old Testament reading has been chapters 10, 11, and 12 from 2nd Samuel. Yesterday I commented that this was the high point. Now the slide begins. Here we see David in an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his soldiers. Out of this comes a lot of trouble Such behavior may have been more or less standard with the rulers of the day in that area (and, perhaps, today in other places as well), but the Lord had a higher standard for His people. David violated that, and the innocent suffered as a result of that. Beginning -- though certainly not ending -- with Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, innocent of wrongdoing in this.

II Samuel 10

1	And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2	Then said David, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3	And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
4	Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5	When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
6	And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
7	And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
8	And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
9	When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
10	And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11	And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
12	Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
13	And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14	And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15	And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16	And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
17	And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
18	And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
19	And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

II Samuel 11

1	And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2	And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3	And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4	And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5	And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
6	And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7	And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
8	And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
9	But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10	And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
11	And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
12	And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13	And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
14	And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15	And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16	And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
17	And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
18	Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
19	And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
20	And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
21	Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
22	So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23	And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
24	And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
25	Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
26	And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
27	And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

II Samuel 12

1	And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2	The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3	But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4	And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5	And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6	And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7	And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8	And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
9	Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
10	Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11	Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12	For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13	And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14	Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
15	And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
16	David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
17	And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18	And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
19	But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20	Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
21	Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
22	And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
23	But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
24	And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
25	And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
26	And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27	And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
28	Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.
29	And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
30	And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
31	And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.

The New Testament reading for the day has been verses 28-48 of Luke 19. Palm Sunday, Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, and the cleansing of the Temple.

Luke 19:29-48

29	And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30	Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31	And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32	And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33	And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34	And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35	And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36	And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37	And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38	Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39	And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40	And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41	And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42	Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43	For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44	And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
45	And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46	Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
47	And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
48	And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.