I in them, and you in me, that they may become one, perfectly united, so that the world may know that you sent me and have loved them, just as you have loved me. John 17:23
2 Samuel 13
Amnon and Tamar
1Â After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2Â Amnon was so troubled that he became sick because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. 3Â But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, Davidâs brother, and Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4Â He said to Absalom, âWhy, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Wonât you tell me?â
Amnon said to him, âI love Tamar, my brother Absalomâs sister.â
5 Jonadab said to him, âLay down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, âPlease let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.â â
6Â So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, âPlease let my sister Tamar come and make for me, a few cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.â
7 Then David sent home for Tamar, saying, âGo now to your brother Amnonâs house and prepare food for him.â 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnonâs house, and he was lying down. She took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked the cakes. 9Â She took the pan and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, âHave everyone leave me.â Then everyone went out from him. 10Â Amnon said to Tamar, âBring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand.â Tamar took the cakes which she had made and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother. 11Â When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, âCome, lie with me, my sister!â
12Â She answered him, âNo, my brother, do not force me! For no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Donât you do this disgraceful thing. 13Â As for me, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.â
14 However he would not listen to her, but being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her. 15Â Then Amnon hated her with exceedingly great hatred, for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. Amnon said to her, âGet up and be gone!â
16Â She said to him, âNo, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me!â
But he would not listen to her. 17 Then he called his servant who ministered to him and said, âNow take this woman away from me and bolt the door after her.â
18Â She was wearing a garment of various colors, for the kingâs daughters who were virgins dressed in such robes. Then his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her. 19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her garment of various colors that she was wearing, and she laid her hand on her head and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
20Â Absalom her brother said to her, âHas Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother. Donât take this thing to heart.â
So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalomâs house. 21Â But when king David heard of all these things, he was very angry. 22Â Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
Absolom’s Revenge on Amnon
23Â After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the kingâs sons. 24Â Absalom came to the king and said, âSee now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.â
25 The king said to Absalom, âNo, my son, letâs not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.â He pressed him. However, he would not go, but blessed him.
26Â Then Absalom said, âIf not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.â
The king said to him, âWhy should he go with you?â
27Â But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the kingâs sons go with him. 28Â Absalom commanded his servants, saying, âMark now, when Amnonâs heart is merry with wine, and when I tell you, âStrike Amnon,â then kill him. Donât be afraid. Havenât I commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant!â
29Â The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the kingâs sons arose, and every man got up on his mule and fled. 30Â While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, âAbsalom has slain all the kingâs sons, and there is not one of them left!â
31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 32Â Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, Davidâs brother, answered, âDonât let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the kingâs sons, for only Amnon is dead. By the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33Â Now therefore donât let my lord the king take the thing to heart, to think that all the kingâs sons are dead, for only Amnon is dead.â
Absalom Flees to Geshur
34 But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted his eyes and looked, and many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him. 35Â Jonadab said to the king, âThe kingâs sons are coming! It is as your servant said.â 36Â As soon as he had finished speaking, the kingâs sons came and raised their voice and wept. The king also and all his servants wept bitterly.
37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 King David desisted from going forth against Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon’s death.
John 17
Prayer for the Son
1Â Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, âFather, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you. 2Â As you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3Â This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4Â I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. 5Â Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
Prayer for the Disciples
6Â I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. 7Â Now they know that all things you have given to me are from you, 8Â for the words which you have given me, I have given to them, and they received them, and knew with certainty that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.
9Â I pray for them. I do not pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10Â All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11Â I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given to me, that they may be one, as we are. 12Â While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. I have kept those whom you have given me. None of them is lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
13Â But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. 14Â I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15Â I pray, not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 16Â They are not of the world just as I am not of the world.
17Â Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. 18Â As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19Â For their sake I sanctify myself, that they themselves may also be sanctified in truth.
Prayer for all Believers
20Â Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, 21Â that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.
22Â The glory which you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, just as we are one; 23Â I in them, and you in me, that they may become one, perfectly united, so that the world may know that you sent me and have loved them, just as you have loved me. 24Â Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I knew you, and they knew that you sent me. 26Â I made known to them your name, and will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.â
Psalm 119:81-96
KAF
81Â My soul faints for your salvation.
I hope in your word.
82Â My eyes fail for your word.
I say, âWhen will you comfort me?â
83Â For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke.
I do not forget your statutes.
84Â How many are the days of your servant?
When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85Â The proud have dug pits for me,
contrary to your law.
86Â All of your commandments are faithful.
They persecute me wrongfully.
Help me!
87Â They had almost wiped me from the earth,
but I did not forsake your precepts.
88Â Preserve my life according to your loving kindness,
so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
LAMED
89Â O Lord, your word is settled in heaven forever.
90Â Your faithfulness is to all generations.
You have established the earth, and it remains.
91Â Your laws remain to this day,
for all things serve you.
92Â Unless your law had been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93Â I will never forget your precepts,
for with them, you have revived me.
94Â I am yours.
Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95Â The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me.
I will consider your statutes.
96Â I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commands are boundless.
Proverbs 16:6-7
6Â By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7Â When a manâs ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.