Those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10

1 Chronicles 11-12

1 Chronicles 11

David Becomes King over All Israel

¹ Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron, saying, “We are your own flesh and blood. ² In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led Israel’s military. The Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be ruler over my people Israel.’ ”

³ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron, and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem

⁴ David and all Israel marched to Jerusalem (also called Jebus), and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land were there.

⁵ The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not get in here.”

Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).

⁶ David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first and was made chief.

⁷ David lived in the stronghold, therefore they called it the City of David. ⁸ He built up everything around the city, from the terrace to the surrounding walls, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. ⁹ David grew greater and greater, for the Lord of Hosts was with him.

David’s Mightiest Warriors

¹⁰ Now these are the chiefs of the David’s mighty men, who strengthened him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.

¹¹ This is the list of mighty men whom David had:

Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the leader of the 30, who raised his spear against 300 and killed them at one time.

¹² After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. ¹³ He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together for battle, where there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. ¹⁴ They stood in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The Lord gave them a great victory.

¹⁵ Three of the 30 leading men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, and the army of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim. ¹⁶ David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem at that time. ¹⁷ With longing, David said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”

¹⁸ The three broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate. They took it and brought it to David, but David would not drink any of it, but poured it out to the Lord ¹⁹ and said, “My God forbid me that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?” For they risked their lives to bring it. Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

²⁰ Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the three, for he raised his spear against 300 and killed them and had a name among the three. ²¹ He was more honorable than the other three, and was made their captain, however he was not included in the three.

²² Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. ²³ He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, 7½ feet tall. In the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam, and he went down to him with a staff, plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. ²⁴ Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men. ²⁵ He was more honorable than the 30, but he was not one of the three, and David set him over his guard.

²⁶ The mighty men of the armies also include:

Asahel the brother of Joab,
Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
²⁷ Shammoth the Harorite,
Helez the Pelonite,
²⁸ Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
Abiezer the Anathothite,
²⁹ Sibbecai the Hushathite,
Ilai the Ahohite,
³⁰ Maharai the Netophathite,
Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
³¹ Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the Benjaminites,
Benaiah the Pirathonite,
³² Hurai of the brooks of Gaash,
Abiel the Arbathite,
³³ Azmaveth the Baharumite,
Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
³⁴ the sons of Hashem the Gizonite,
Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite,
³⁵ Ahiam the son of Sac
ar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
³⁶ Hepher the Mecherathite,
Ahijah the Pelonite,
³⁷ Hezro the Carmelite,
Naarai the son of Ezbai,
³⁸ Joel the brother of Nathan,
Mibhar the son of Hagri,
³⁹ Zelek the Ammonite,
Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
⁴⁰ Ira the Ithrite,
Gareb the Ithrite,
⁴¹ Uriah the Hittite,
Zabad the son of Ahlai,
⁴² Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and the 30 with him,
⁴³ Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
⁴⁴ Uzzia the Ashterathite,
Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
⁴⁵ Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
⁴⁶ Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
⁴⁷ Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

1 Chronicles 12

The Mighty Men Join David at Ziklag

¹ Now these are the ones who came to David to Ziklag while he was a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish. They were among the mighty men, his helpers in war. ² They were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow. They were of Saul’s relatives of the tribe of Benjamin.

³ The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite.
There was Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, Beracah,
Jehu the Anathothite,
⁴ Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the 30 and a leader of the 30,
Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite,
⁵ Eluzai, Jerimoth; Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite,
⁶ Elkanah, Isshiah Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites,
⁷ and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

⁸ Some Gadites joined David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains:

⁹ Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, ¹⁰ Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, ¹¹ Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, ¹² Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, ¹³ Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbannai the eleventh.

¹⁴ These of the Gadites were captains of the army: he who was least was over 100 troops, and the greatest over 1,000. ¹⁵ These are the ones who went over the Jordan in the first month when it had overflowed all its banks, and they put to flight all who lived in the valleys, both toward the east and toward the west.

¹⁶ Some from the Benjamites and from Judah came to the stronghold to David. ¹⁷ David went out to meet them and answered them, “If you have come to me in peace, to help me, my heart will be united with you, but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers see this and rebuke it.”

¹⁸ Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the 30, and he said, “We are yours, David, and on your side, son of Jesse. Peace. Peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers, for your God helps you.” Then David received them and made them captains of the band.

¹⁹ Some of Manasseh also joined David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, “He will desert to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.”

²⁰ As he went to Ziklag, some from Manasseh joined him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh. ²¹ They helped David against the band of rovers, for they were all mighty men of valor and were captains in the army. ²² For day by day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God.

David’s Army Grows at Hebron

²³ These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord:

²⁴ The descendants of Judah who bore shield and spear were 6,800 armed for war.

²⁵ Of the Simeonites, mighty men of valor for the war: 7,100.

²⁶ Of the Levites: 4,600. ²⁷ Jehoiada was the leader of the household of Aaron, and with him were 3,700, ²⁸ and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and his family, 22 captains.

²⁹ Of the Benjaminites, Saul’s relatives: 3,000, for until then most of them had kept their allegiance to Saul’s house.

³⁰ Of the Ephraimites: 22,800 mighty men of valor, famous men in their families.

³¹ Of the half-tribe of Manasseh: 18,000 who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.

³² Of the Issacharites, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs; and all their brothers were at their command.

³³ Of Zebulun, 50,000 who were fit for war and could keep battle formation, trained in all kinds of weaponry, who could command and did not have a divided heart toward David.

³⁴ Of Naphtali: 1,000 captains, and with them with shield and spear 37,000.

³⁵ Of the Danites who could keep battle formation: 28,600.

³⁶ Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could keep battle formation: 40,000.

³⁷ On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all kinds of instruments of war for the battle: 120,000.

³⁸ All these were men of war who, arrayed for battle, came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make David king over all Israel, and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. ³⁹ They were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had supplied provisions for them. ⁴⁰ Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: supplies of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel.

Acts 28

Paul at Malta

¹ Once we were brought safely through, then we learned that the island was called Malta. ² The natives showed us uncommon kindness, for they lit a fire and received all of us because of the rain and because of the cold.

³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. ⁴ When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet the goddess justice has not allowed to live.” ⁵ However he shook off the creature into the fire and was not harmed. ⁶ However, they expected him to become swollen or suddenly fall down dead, but after they had watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

⁷ Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days. ⁸ The father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. ⁹ Then when this was done, the rest on the island who also had diseases came and were cured. ¹⁰ They also honored us in many ways, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.

Paul Preaches at Rome

¹¹ After three months, we set sail on a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was “The Twin Brothers.” ¹² Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. ¹³ From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli ¹⁴ where we found brothers and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.

¹⁵ From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged. ¹⁶ When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

¹⁷ After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, I was still delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, wanted to set me free, because there was no cause for a death sentence for me. ¹⁹ But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my own people. ²⁰ For this reason therefore, I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.”

²¹ They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you. ²² We want to hear from you what you think, for we know, concerning this sect, everywhere it is spoken against.”

²³ When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. ²⁴ Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ²⁵ When they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, ²⁶ saying,

‘Go to this people and say,
in hearing, you will hear,
but will in no way understand.
In seeing, you will see,
but will in no way perceive.

²⁷ For this people’s heart has grown callous.
Their ears are dull of hearing.
Their eyes, they have closed.
Lest they should see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and would turn back,
then I would heal them.’ ^a

²⁸ “Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”

²⁹ When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

³⁰ Paul stayed two entire years in his own rented house and received everyone who came to him, ³¹ preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

^{a Isaiah 6:9-10}

Psalm 9:1-16

I Will Give Thanks to the Lord

For the Chief Musician. Set to “The Death of the Son.” A Psalm by David.

¹ I will give thanks to you, O Lord with my whole heart.
I will tell of all your marvelous works.
² I will be glad and rejoice in you.
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

³ When my enemies turn back,
they stumble and perish in your presence.
⁴ For you have maintained my just cause.
You sit on the throne judging righteously.
⁵ You have rebuked the nations.
You have destroyed the wicked.
You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
⁶ The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin.
The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.

⁷ But the Lord reigns forever.
He has prepared his throne for judgment.
⁸ He will judge the world in righteousness.
He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.
⁹ The Lord will also be a high tower for the oppressed;
a high tower in times of trouble.
¹⁰ Those who know your name will put their trust in you,
for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

¹¹ Sing praises to Lord, who dwells in Zion,
and declare among the people what he has done.
¹² For he who avenges blood remembers them.
He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

¹³ Have mercy on me, O Lord.
See my affliction by those who hate me,
and lift me up from the gates of death,
¹⁴ that I may declare all of your praises.
I will rejoice in your salvation in the gates of the daughter of Zion.

¹⁵ The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made.
In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.
¹⁶ The Lord has made himself known.
He has executed judgment.
The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands.

A meditation.

Selah.

Proverbs 19:1-3

¹ Better is the poor who walks in integrity
than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
² Zeal without knowledge is not good.
Hasty feet miss the way.
³ The foolishness of man subverts his way,
then rages in his heart against the Lord.

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