Jesus is our friend and yes he loves as the Bible tells me so… “No longer do I call you servants, because the servant does not know what his master does.”

And what does a friend do but give us good advice that we can count on, trust in that it will make our lives better.

Jesus: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love than this no one has, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do the things I command you. No longer do I call you servants, because the servant does not know what his master does. But I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and have appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. These things I command you, that you may love one another.

Wow, I always took for granted, without really thinking about it, that the ‘Golden Rule’—to love one another as we love ourselves—was one of the Ten Commandments, which were first written and listed in the Bible in Exodus Chapter 20. But it wasn’t—No other gods, No idols, Don’t use the name of the Lord in vain, Keep the Sabbath holy, Honor your father and mother, Don’t kill, Don’t commit adultery, Don’t steal, Don’t commit false witness against your neighbor, and Don’t covet anything of your neighbor’s—no ‘love one another as we love ourselves!’

Which makes sense as the law only did not work out the way that God intended the law only to work out. So He sent His only Son Jesus Christ into the world and Jesus is our human example of how to make life work out according to God’s Ten Commandments.

As God sent Jesus into the world so too did he take him out of the world as a Savior for us and our human sins, then, now and forever.

Forever, because as revealed in these chapters of the Gospel of John, Jesus promised us that he will go to the Father and ask Him to give us another Advocate—The Spirit of Truth—The Holy Spirit to dwell with us forever.    

Jesus: “If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to dwell with you forever, The Spirit of Truth to whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you shall know him, because he will dwell with you, and be in you.

Jesus also informed us that, like He, the Holy Spirit will be a teacher of all things and a reminded of what He has said to us through the disciples.

Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you while yet dwelling with you. But the Advocate, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, or be afraid.

Jesus cautioned us not to be dismayed with the world of worldly ways or their likely hatred of us for God and Jesus will be bearing witness through The Holy Spirit: But when the Advocate has come, whom I will send you from the Father, The Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness concerning me. And you also bear witness, because from the beginning you are with me.”

And as though he is explaining things in as simple ways as possible, not different than a parent explaining to a child that they must go to sleep if Santa Claus will come Christmas morning, Jesus reassures us that he must go to make the world a better place per the plans of His Father. We must take action to demonstrate Jesus’ presence in this world.

Jesus: “But I speak the truth to you; it is expedient for you that I depart. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he has come he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in me; of justice, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; and of judgment, because the prince of this world has already been judged.”

Jesus: “Many things yet I have to say to you, but you cannot bear then now. But when he, The Spirit of Truth, has come, he will teach you all the truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he will hear he will speak, and the things that are to come he will declare to you. All things that the Father has are mine. That is why I have said that he will receive of what is mine, and will declare it to you. A little while and you shall see me no longer; and again a little while and you shall see me, because I go to the Father.”

The Holy Spirit can guide us through eternity and for sure through the duration of any individual life here on earth.

But the disciples were sad that Jesus was leaving them, no different than how we feel when a close friend or cherished relative passes on. Or even when we are on the decline and aging towards our own death, Jesus and The Holy Spirit will be our great comfort when needed, always when needed.

Jesus: “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions. Were it not so, I should have told you, because I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again, and I will take you to myself; that where I am, there you also may be. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

How comforting, how meaningful, with so much hope and joy. When I first read this early one abstinent morning it completely changed me—my thoughts, my feelings, and my perspective of life and of the day, this day that I have awakened to so blessed by God to be here to live another day with those I love and the life I love! I am so grateful for God, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit. To truly know Their Love, Their Will for the rest of my life, and Their Power to carry out that will. Truly blessed. TROML Baby!

Day 100: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Commandment of Jesus, Our Friend: Love One Another!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint John Chapter 14-16.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

Saint John, the disciple and Apostle whom Jesus loved, was the brother of James and the son of the fisherman Zebedee and Salome.

First a disciple of John the Baptist, he was called to follow Christ.

The purpose of his Gospel he states as follows: “these are written that you may believe the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing you may have life in his name.”

John Chapter 14:  A word of comfort; Christ is the way, the truth, and the life; He and the Father are one; Promise to send The Holy Spirit; His love for His disciples; The Holy Spirit will teach us all things.

Jesus: “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions. Were it not so, I should have told you, because I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again, and I will take you to myself; that where I am, there you also may be. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Thomas to Jesus: “Lord, we do not know where thou art going, and how can we know the way?

Jesus: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me. If you had known me, you would also have known my Father. And henceforth you do know him, and you have seen him.”

Philip to Jesus: “Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for me.”

Jesus: “Have I been so long a time with you, and you have not known me? Philip, he who sees me sees also the Father. How canst thou say, ‘Show us the Father’? Dost thou not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you I speak not on my own authority. But the Father dwelling in me, it is he who does the works. Do you believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? Otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he shall also do, and greater than these shall he do, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

Jesus: “If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to dwell with you forever, The Spirit of Truth to whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you shall know him, because he will dwell with you, and be in you.

Jesus: “I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world no longer sees me. But you see me, for I live and you shall live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. But he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Lord, how is it that thou art about to manifest thyself to us, and not to the world?”

Jesus: “If anyone love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you have heard is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.”

Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you while yet dwelling with you. But the Advocate, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, or be afraid. You have heard me say to you, ‘I go away and I am coming to you.’ If you loves me, you would indeed rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it has come to pass you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the prince of world is coming, and in me he has nothing. But he comes that the world may know that I love the Father, and that I do as the Father has commanded me. Arise, let us go from here.

John Chapter 15:  Union with Christ; Love for one another; The world’s hatred.

Jesus: “I AM the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in me that bears fruit he will take away; and every branch that bears fruit he will cleanse, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remain on the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he shall be cast outside as the branch and wither; and they shall gather them up and cast them into the fire, and they shall burn. If you abide in me, and if my words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it shall be done to you. In this is my Father glorifies, that you may bear very much fruit, and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, as I also have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

Jesus: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love than this no one has, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do the things I command you. No longer do I call you servants, because the servant does not know what his master does. But I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and have appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. These things I command you, that you may love one another.

Jesus: “Of the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I have spoken to you: No servant is greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also: if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for my name’s sake, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them works such as no one else has done, they would have no sin. But now they have seen, and have hated both me and my Father; but that the word written in their Law may be fulfilled, ‘They have hated me without cause.’ But when the Advocate has come, whom I will send you from the Father, The Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness concerning me. And you also bear witness, because from the beginning you are with me.”

John Chapter 16:  Persecution predicted; The role of Advocate; Christ speaks of a little while; They wonder at His words; His explanation; Christ will now speak plainly.

Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you that you may not be scandalized. They will expel you from the synagogues, Yes, the hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering worship to God, And these things they will do because they they have not known the Father nor me. But these things I have spoken to you, that when the time for them has come you may remember that I told you. These things, however, I did not tell you from the beginning, because I was with you.”

Jesus: “And now I am going to him who sent me, and no one of you asks me, ‘Where art thou going?’ But because I have spoken to you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. But I speak the truth to you; it is expedient for you that I depart. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he has come he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in me; of justice, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; and of judgment, because the prince of this world has already been judged.”

Jesus: “Many things yet I have to say to you, but you cannot bear then now. But when he, The Spirit of Truth, has come, he will teach you all the truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he will hear he will speak, and the things that are to come he will declare to you. All things that the Father has are mine. That is why I have said that he will receive of what is mine, and will declare it to you. A little while and you shall see me no longer; and again a little while and you shall see me, because I go to the Father.”

Some of the disciples: “What is this he says to us, ‘A little while and you shall not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me’; and, ‘I go to the Father’? What is this ‘little while’ pf which he speaks? We do not know what he is saying.”

Jesus: “You inquire about this among yourselves because I said, ‘A little while and you shall not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me.’ Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned to joy. A woman about to give birth has sorrow, because her hour has come. But when she has brought forth the child, she no longer remembers the anguish for her joy that a man is born into the world. And you therefore have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you. And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you. Hitherto you have not asked anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

Jesus: “These things I have spoken to you in parables. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in parables, but will speak to you plainly of the Father. In that day you shall ask in my name; And I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you, for the Father himself loves you because you have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again I leave the world and go to the Father.”

His disciples: “Behold, now thou speakest plainly, and utterest no parable. Now we know that thou knowest all things, and dost not need that anyone should question thee. For this reason we believe that thou camest forth from God.”

Jesus: “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each one to his own house, and to leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have affliction. But take courage, I have overcome the world.”

 

During a hiatus of the King Saul, future king David scenario there was a changing of the guard with the death of Samuel.

A sort of odd married couple was introduced—Nabal, a churlish, and very bad and ill-natured fellow and his wife Abigail who was prudent and a very comely woman.

David had a squabble with Nabal about how he took care of some of Nabal’s belongings in the desert and Nabal was not receptive to his urging for him to treat his servants a little better.

Nabal disregards the future king of Israel and his prudent wife secretly makes amends to David by bearing and bringing him some gifts.

Abigail to David: Let not my lord the king, I pray, regard this naughty man Nabal: for according to his name, he is a fool, and folly is with him.

David to Abigail: Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who sent thee this day to meet me, and blessed be thy speech… Go in peace to thy house, behold I have heard thy voice, and have honored thy face.

Later that night… Abigail came to (her husband) Nabal: and behold he had a feast in his house, like the feast of a king, and Nabal’s heart was merry: for he was very drunk: and she told him nothing less or more until morning. But early in the morning when Nabal had digested his wine, his wife told him these words, and his heart died within him, and he became a stone. And after ten days had passed, the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.

And then there was some wife swapping…

Then David sent and treated with Abigail, that he might take her to himself for a wife… and five damsels went with her, her waiting maids… and Abigail became David’s wife.

Moreover David took also Achinoam of Jezrahel: and they were both of them his wives.

But Saul gave Michol his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti, the son of Lais, who was of Gallium.

The cat and mouse between David and King Saul continues with David once again, by the Lord’s grace, able to be in a position to kill King Saul but out of respect for the Lord and His anointed leader not taking advantage of the situation.

David: Kill him not: for who shall put forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and shall be guiltless… the Lord be merciful unto me, that I extend not my hand upon the Lord’s anointed.

So David took the spear, and the cup of water which was at Saul’s head, and they went away: and no man saw it, or knew it, or awaked, but they were all asleep, for a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

And Saul said: I have sinned, return my son David, for I will no more do thee harm, because my life hath been precious in thy eyes this day: for it appeared that I have done foolishly, and have been ignorant in many things… Blessed art thou, my son David: and truly doing thou shalt do, and prevailing thou shalt prevail.

Perhaps the Lord is saying to David that I am the one providing you access and I am doing it because I want you to be the next King of Israel.

David decided to flee from Saul and Israel and found exile with the Philistines and pillaged and did harm to his home country of Israel.

And David said in his heart: I shall one day or another fall into the hands of Saul: is it not better for me to flee, and to be saved in the land of the Philistines… and six hundred men.

And it was told Saul that David was fled to Geth, and he sought no more after him.

And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines, was four months.

And David pillaged Gessuri, and Gerzi, and the Amalecities… and left neither man or woman alive.

And Achis believed David, saying: He hath done much harm to his people Israel: therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

But why was David only with the Philistines for four months?

Now the fight is not Saul against David but Saul against David and the Philistines.

And Saul saw the army of the Philistines, and was afraid, and his heart was very much dismayed. And he consulted the Lord, and he answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by priests, nor by prophets.

And Saul had put away all the magicians and soothsayers out of the land yet he went to a witch: Divine to me by thy divining spirit, and bring me up him whom I shall tell thee… Bring me up Samuel.

And Samuel said to Saul: Why hast thou disturbed my rest, that I should be brought up? Why askest thou me, seeing the Lord has departed from thee, and is gone over to thy rival… and to morrow thou and thy sons shall be with me: and the Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.

Not the type of news you want to hear… lose the war, lose your and your sons lives too.

Yet David, who once killed Goliath, the Philistine and ten thousand more, seemed to be trying to serve two masters: Saul in Israel and Achis with the Philistines. Isn’t there a Bible passage that says one cannot serve two masters—for either you will hate the one, and love the other; or else you will hold to the one, and despise the other—you cannot serve God and man, or God and two men (Matthew 6:24).

Princes of Philistine to Achis: Let this man return, and abide in his place, which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest he be an adversary to us, when we shall begin to fight: for how can he otherwise appease his master, but with our heads.

Achis to David: As the Lord liveth, thou art upright and good in my sight… I have not found any evil in thee… but thou pleases not the lords… Return therefore, and go in peace, and offend not the eyes of the princes of the Philistines.

David to Achis: But what have I done?

Achis to David: I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of the God… but… up before day… go on your way.

So David and his men headed back to Siceleg, the place that Achis had given to him only to find it devastated and the wives and children gone too.

Now when David and his men were come to Siceleg… the Amalecities had made an invasion… and had smitten Siceleg, and burnt it with fire… they had not killed any person, but had carried them with them, and went on their way.

David and the people that were with him, lifted up their voices, and wept till they had no more tears… but David took courage in the Lord his God.., And the Lord said to him: Pursue after them: for thou shall surely overtake them and recover the prey.

And they found an Egyptian in the field… and when they had eaten them his spirit returned… I am a young man of Egypt, the servant of Amalecite… And David swore to him that he would not kill him if he brought them to his company.

And when he brought him, behold they were lying spread upon all the ground, eating and drinking, and as it were keeping a festival day… And David slew them all… and he rescued his two wives… and whatsoever they had taken David recovered all… And David came to Siceleg…

And the Philistines fought against Israel and the men of Israel fell from before the Philistines… and the Philistines fell upon Saul, and upon his sons, and they slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchisua the sons of Saul… And the weight of the battle was turned upon Saul… and he was grievously wounded by the archers… then Saul took his own sword, and fell upon it.

An anticlimactic end to say the least as when David, who was loyal to Saul, was with Saul he was slaying giants like Goliath and Israel was a prosperous and safer place. Seems like jealousy and madness came to Saul and as the result of one man, the country was overtaken by the Philistines.

The First Book of Kings is about the rule of Samuel. The Second Book of Kings is about the rule of David, the grandfather of Jesus…

Day101: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Philistines Defeat Israel, Kill Saul; David is Living.

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The First Book of Kings Chapters 25-31 (END)

Bible Notes:

This and the following Book are also called the Books of Samuel, because they tell of Samuel and the two kings, Saul and David, whom he anointed. After the history of Heli and Samuel, the last of the Judges, this book records the beginning of the Jewish monarchy and the rule of the first king, Saul.

1 Kings Chapter 25: The death of Samuel; Nabal and Abigail; David sends to Nabal for food; Nabal refuses food to David; Abigail learns of Nabal’s refusal; Abigail sets out to see David; Abigail asks David’s forgiveness; David thanks Abigail; Nabal dies; Abigail and Achinoam marry David; Saul gives Michol to Phalti.

And Samuel died, and all Israel was gathered together, and they mourned for him, and buried him in his house at Ramatha.

Nabad… her husband was churlish, and very bad and ill natured…

Abigail, Nabal’s wife was prudent and a very comely woman….

David to Nabal via ten young men: Whatsoever thy hand shall find give to thy servants, and to thy son David….

Nabal: Who is David? And what is the son of Isai? Servants are multiplied now a days who flee from their masters… and give to men whom I know not whence they are?

Nabal’s servants to Abigail: Behold David sent messengers out of the wilderness to Nabal…

David: Truly in vain I kept all that belonged to this man (Nabal) in the wilderness… and he hath returned me evil for good. May God do so and so, and add more to the foes of David…

Abigail to David: Let not my lord the king, I pray, regard this naughty man Nabal: for according to his name, he is a fool, and folly is with him.

David to Abigail: Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who sent thee this day to meet me, and blessed be thy speech… Go in peace to thy house, behold I have heard thy voice, and have honored thy face.

And Abigail came to Nabal: and behold he had a feast in his house, like the feast of a king, and Nabal’s heart was merry: for he was very drunk: and she told him nothing less or more until morning. But early in the morning when Nabal had digested his wine, his wife told him these words, and his heart died within him, and he became a stone. And after ten days had passed, the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.

Then David sent and treated with Abigail, that he might take her to himself for a wife… and five damsels went with her, her waiting maids… and Abigail became David’s wife.

Moreover David took also Achinoam of Jezrahel: and they were both of them his wives.

But Saul gave Michol his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti, the son of Lais, who was of Gallium.

1 Kings Chapter 26: Saul again seeks David; Saul again falls into David’s hands; David again spares Saul; David again declares his innocence; Saul confesses his sin.

And Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having with him three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

And David arose secretly, and came to the place where Saul was…

David: Kill him not: for who shall put forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and shall be guiltless… the Lord be merciful unto me, that I extend not my hand upon the Lord’s anointed.

So David took the spear, and the cup of water which was at Saul’s head, and they went away: and no man saw it, or knew it, or awaked, but they were all asleep, for a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

And Saul said: I have sinned, return my son David, for I will no more do thee harm, because my life hath been precious in thy eyes this day: for it appeared that I have done foolishly, and have been ignorant in many things… Blessed art thou, my son David: and truly doing thou shalt do, and prevailing thou shalt prevail.

1 Kings Chapter 27: David dwells at Geth; Achis gives Siceleg to David; David pillages the various cities.

And David said in his heart: I shall one day or another fall into the hands of Saul: is it not better for me to flee, and to be saved in the land of the Philistines… and six hundred men.

And it was told Saul that David was fled to Geth, and he sought no more after him.

And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines, was four months.

And David pillaged Gessuri, and Gerzi, and the Amalecities… and left neither man or woman alive.

And Achis believed David, saying: He hath done much harm to his people Israel: therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

1 Kings Chapter 28: Achis appoints David his bodyguard; The Philistines assemble to war on Saul; Saul consults a witch; Samuel appears; Samuel’s prophecy frightens Saul; Saul is refreshed with food.

Achis to David: I will appoint thee to guard my life forever.

And Saul saw the army of the Philistines, and was afraid, and his heart was very much dismayed. And he consulted the Lord, and he answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by priests, nor by prophets.

And Saul had put away all the magicians and soothsayers out of the land.

Saul to a witch: Divine to me by thy divining spirit, and bring me up him whom I shall tell thee… Bring me up Samuel.

And Samuel said to Saul: Why hast thou disturbed my rest, that I should be brought up? Why askest thou me, seeing the Lord has departed from thee, and is gone over to thy rival… and to morrow thou and thy sons shall be with me: and the Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.

1 Kings Chapter 29: The Philistines mistrust David; David is dismissed by the Philistines.

David and his men were in the rear with Achis.

Princes of Philistine to Achis: Let this man return, and abide in his place, which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest he be an adversary to us, when we shall begin to fight: for how can he otherwise appease his master, but with our heads.

Achis to David: As the Lord liveth, thou art upright and good in my sight… I have not found any evil in thee… but thou pleases not the lords… Return therefore, and go in peace, and offend not the eyes of the princes of the Philistines.

David to Achis: But what have I done…

Achis to David: I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of the God… but… up before day… go on your way.

1 Kings Chapter 30: The Amalecities despoil Siceleg; David pursues the Amalecities; An Egyptian slave offers to help David; David recovers the Amalecite booty; David’s law for dividing booty; David sends presents to his friends.

Now when David and his men were come to Siceleg… the Amalecities had made an invasion… and had smitten Siceleg, and burnt it with fire… they had not killed any person, but had carried them with them, and went on their way.

David and the people that were with him, lifted up their voices, and wept till they had no more tears… but David took courage in the Lord his God.., And the Lord said to him: Pursue after them: for thou shall surely overtake them and recover the prey.

And they found an Egyptian in the field… and when they had eaten them his spirit returned… I am a young man of Egypt, the servant of Amalecite… And David swore to him that he would not kill him if he brought them to his company.

And when he brought him, behold they were lying spread upon all the ground, eating and drinking, and as it were keeping a festival day… And David slew them all… and he rescued his two wives… and whatsoever they had taken David recovered all/// And David came to Siceleg…

1 Kings Chapter 31: Philistines slay the sons of Saul; Death of Saul and his armorbearers; The Philistines dishonor Saul’s body; Funeral of Saul and his sons.

And the Philistines fought against Israel and the men of Israel fell from before the Philistines… and the Philistines fell upon Saul, and upon his sons, and they slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchisua the sons of Saul… And the weight of the battle was turned upon Saul… and he was grievously wounded by the archers… then Saul took his own sword, and fell upon it.

 

 

 

 

These pages of the red stuff (mostly all Jesus’ spoken words in red) in John’s Gospel can easily be a written book on each and every word, phrase, sentence, or certainly each and every lengthy undivided paragraph. The full text of Jesus words are to be found in the notes below and excerpted here with my personal insights and reactions.

Glorification and praise is consentual and reciprocal in a unified and free self and a unified and free world. It is a peaceful experience amidst a being of peace and a world of peace. Jesus and His Father were a prime example—“Glorify thy Son, that thy son may glorify thee.” If you want to receive praise, give praise continually starting with our overwhelming gratitude to God for this day of life!

Jesus continued as His eyes rose to heaven: “Glorify thy Son, that thy son may glorify thee, even as thou hast given him power over all flesh, in order that to all thou hast given him he may give everlasting life.” Jesus is the truth and the way to have power over all flesh, over all worldly desires, especially overcoming addictions and the ultimate power over flesh, over the death of our flesh, our body—everlasting life!

 

Jesus continues His prayer to God with confidence that God will bring Him home to heaven and everything will be alright, that he will not die a human life and die forever but be resurrected to be with God side-by-side again:

“Now this everlasting life, that they may know thee, the only true God, and him whom thou hast sent, Jesus Christ. I have glorified thee on earth; I have accomplished the work that thou hast given me to do. And now do thou, Father, glorify me with thyself, with the glory that I had with thee before the world existed.”

What have we manifested with our lives that glorifies God and His Son Jesus Christ?

Jesus prayed to God Our Father for his disciples of biblical times and his disciples of modern times:  “Holy Father, keep in thy name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one even as we are… I do not pray that thou take them out of the world, but that thou keep them from evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth. Even as thou hast sent me into the world, so I also have sent them into the world. And for them I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

That we all may seek truth and unity in our time in order to selflessly and humbly glorify God, Jesus, and ourselves. Yes, humbly and in truth we are glorified too!

Jesus: “Yet not for these only do I pray, but for those also who through their word are to believe in me, that all may be one, even as thou, Father, in me and I in thee; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory that thou hast given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them and thou in me; that they may be perfected in unity, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and that thou hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.”

But for those also who through their word are to believe in me… that they may be perfected in unity…

I pray that I will be perfected through TROML and my Splendid Spiritual Self and live a life of peace, joy, unity and freedom here and forever more!

The red lettering turns to mostly sorrowful black in Chapter 18 as Jesus is arrested in the garden and eventually brought to Pilate. Peter, His disciple has denied knowing him three times and the cock crowed. Before the beatings begin, Jesus’ final answer to Pilate inquisition is this:

“Thou sayest it; I am a king. This is why I was born, and why I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”

Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice…

Day 102: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice…

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint John Chapter 17-18.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

Saint John, the disciple and Apostle whom Jesus loved, was the brother of James and the son of the fisherman Zebedee and Salome.

First a disciple of John the Baptist, he was called to follow Christ.

The purpose of his Gospel he states as follows: “these are written that you may believe the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing you may have life in his name.”

John Chapter 17:  Christ’s prayer; Prayer for His Apostles; Prayer for their unity; Prayer for the whole Church; Conclusion of Christ’s prayer.

Jesus, rising his eyes to heaven: “Father, the hour has come! Glorify thy Son, that thy son may glorify thee, even as thou hast given him power over all flesh, in order that to all thou hast given him he may give everlasting life. Now this everlasting life, that they may know thee, the only true God,., and him whom thou hast sent, Jesus Christ. I have glorified thee on earth; I have accomplished the work that thou hast given me to do. And now do thou, Father, glorify me with thyself, with the glory that I had with thee before the world existed.”

Jesus: “I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou hast given me out of the world. They were thine, and thou hast given them to me, and they have kept my word, Now they have learnt that whatever thou hast given me is from thee; because the words that thou hast given me I have given to them. And they have received them, and have known of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”

Jesus: “I pray for them; not for the world do I pray, but for those whom thou hast given me, because they are thine, and all things that are mine are thine, and thine is mine; and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep in thy name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one even as we are. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name. Those whom thou has given me I guarded: and not one of them perished except the son of perdition, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, in order that they may have my joy made full in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray that thou take them out of the world, but that thou keep them from evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth. Even as thou hast sent me into the world, so I also have sent them into the world. And for them I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”

Jesus: “Yet not for these only do I pray, but for those also who through their word are to believe in me, that all may be one, even as thou, Father, in me and I in thee; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory that thou hast given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them and thou in me; that they may be perfected in unity, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and that thou hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.”

Jesus: “Father, I will that where I am, they also whom thou hast given me may be with me; in order that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me, because thou hast loved me before the creation of the world. Just Father, the world has not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have made known to them thy name, and will make it known, in order that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

John Chapter 18:  Jesus enters the garden; The soldiers come to Jesus; Peter draws his sword; Jesus arrested; Peter’s denial; The high priest questions Jesus; A soldier strikes Jesus; Peter again denies Christ; Jesus before Pilate; Pilate and the Jews; Pilate and Jesus; The Jews prefer Barabbas.

After saying these things, Jesus went forth with his disciples… now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place since Jesus had often met there together with his disciples.

Jesus therefore knowing all that was to come upon him, went forth and said to them:

Jesus: “Whom do you seek?

Soldiers: “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus: “I am he.”

Jesus: “Whom do you seek?”

Soldiers: “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus: “I have told you that I am he. If, therefore, you seek me, let these go their way.”

That the word might be fulfilled, “Of those whom thou hast given me, I have not lost one.”

Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the high priest (Malchus) and cut off his right ear.

Jesus to Peter: “Put up thy sword into the scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

The cohort (Judas, attendants/servants from the chief priests and Pharisees) therefore and the tribune and the attendants of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him. And they brought him to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiphas, who was the high priest for that year. Now it was Caiphas who had given the counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man shall die for the people.

But Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple… The maid who was portress, said therefore to Peter, “Art thou also one of this man’s disciples?”

Peter said, “I am not.”

High Priest (Annas) therefore questioned Jesus…

Jesus answered: “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why dost thou question me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; behold, these know what I have said.”

One of the attendants… struck Jesus a blow, saying, “Is that the way thou dost answer the high priest?”

Jesus answered: “If I have spoken ill, bear witness to the evil; but if well, why dost thou strike me?”  

And Annas sent him bound to Caiphas, the high priest.

They therefore said to Peter: “art thou also one of his disciples?”

Peter denied it and said, “I am not.”

One of the servants of the high priest… said, “Did I not see thee in the garden with him?”

Again, therefore, Peter denied it; and at that moment a cock crowed.

They therefore led Jesus from Caiphas to the praetorium. Now it was early morning, and they themselves did not enter the praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

Pilate therefore went outside to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

They said to him in answer: “If he were not a criminal we should not have handed him over to thee.”

Pilate: “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.”

The Jews: “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”

This was a fulfilment of what Jesus had said, indicating the manner of his death.

Pilate to Jesus in the praetorium: “Art thou the king of the Jews?”

Jesus: “Dost thou say this of thyself, or have others told thee of me?”

Pilate: “Am I a Jew? Thy own people and the chief priests have delivered thee to me. What hast thou done?”

Jesus: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my followers would have fought that I might not be delivered to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate: “Thou art a king?”

Jesus: “Thou sayest it; I am a king. This is why I was born, and why I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”

Pilate: “What is the truth?”

Pilate to the Jews: “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you wish, therefore, that I release to you the king of the Jews?”

Jews: “Not this man, but Barabbas!”

 

 

This Second Book of Kings tells of King David’s reign. By many successful wars he consolidated his kingdom and made Jerusalem his capital. His serious sins endangered the kingdom; but after he had repented, he conquered his enemies.

David is finally made the King of Israel. Through all the ‘cat and mouse’ war games with Saul, David never killed the king while he had the chance to do so out of respect to the Lord who had appointed Saul.

Now the Philistines had done killed Saul yet not in an honorable way so David killed the killer. The Philistines also killed his dear friend Jonathan, Saul’s son.

David grieved and gave a eulogy for both Saul and Jonathan:

David: “Consider, O Israel, for them that are dead, wounded on thy high places… the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. Saul and Jonathan, lovely, and comely in their life, even in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions… I grieve for thee, my brother Jonathan; exceedingly beautiful, and amiable to me above the love of women. As the mother loveth her only son, so did I love thee.”

 

David always consulted the Lord at turning points in his life:

David to the Lord: Shall I go up into one of the cities of Juda?

And the Lord said to him: “Go up.”

And David said: “Whither shall I go up?”

And the Lord answered him: “Into Hebron.”

And the men of Juda came, and anointed David there (in Hebron), to be king over the house of Juda.

And it was told David that the men of Jabes Galaad had buried Saul.

But Abner… general of Saul’s army, took Isboseth the son of Saul… and made him king over all Israel.

So David, an Israelite himself warred with other tribes in Israel:

And Abner and the servants of Isboseth the son of Saul… And Joab… and the servants of David went out, and met them by the pool of Gabaon…and Abner said to Joab: Let the young men rise, and play before us… twelve in number… And every one catching his fellow by the head, thrust his sword into the side of his adversary, and they fell down together… And there was a very fierce battle that day; and Abner was put to flight, with the men of Israel, by the servants of David.

And there were the three sons of Sarvia there, Joab, and Abisai, and Asael was a most swift runner… and Asael pursued after Abner… And Abner struck him with his spear with a back stroke in the groin, and thrust him through, and he died upon the spot.

Abner cried out to Joab: Shall thy sword rage unto utter destruction? Knowest thou not that it is dangerous to drive people to despair?

Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and all the army stood still, and did not pursue after Israel any farther, nor fight any more.

But the servants of David had killed of Benjamin, and one of the men that were with Abner, three hundred and sixty, who all died.

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: David prospering and growing always stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul decaying daily.

And six sons were born to David in Hebron—Amnon, Cheleah, Absalom, Adonias, Saphathia, and Jethraam.

A fight over a women split the non-David Israel. Abner no longer supported Isboseth, the king, and allied with David. But Abner was killed for revenge by some of David’s servants. David was quick to distance himself from the killing to the people of Israel. After two assassins killed King Isboseth, David killed them and then became King of Israel himself:

Isboseth to Abner: Why didst thou go in to my father’s concubine?

Abner: as the Lord hath sworn to David, so I do to him…

And Isboseth could not answer him a word, because he feared him.

Abner to David: Make a league with me, and my hand shall be with thee: and I will bring all Israel to thee.

The Joab going out from David, stabbed Abner there in the groin, and he died, in revenge of the blood of Asael his brother.

David: I, and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord for ever of the blood of Abner… but as men fall before the children of iniquity, so didst thou fall.

And all the people, and all Israel understood that day that it was not the king’s doing that Abner… was slain.

Rechad and Baana his brother stabbed Isboseth in the groin and fled away… they struck him and killed him: and taking away his head they went off by the way of the wilderness, walking all night.

But David answered the assassins: …when wicked men have slain an innocent man in his own house, upon his bed, shall I not require his blood at your hand, and take you away from the earth?

And David commanded his servants and slew them…

Isboseth the son of Saul was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years and only the house of Juda followed David.

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron, saying that the Lord said to thee… “Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shall be prince over Israel”

The ancients also of Israel… made a league… before the Lord; and they anointed David to be king over Israel.

And the number of days that David abode, reigning in Hebron over the house of Juda, was seven years and six months. David was thirty years old when he began to reign all of Israel, and he reigned forty years.

And David dwelt in the castle, and called it, The city of David… and he went on prospering and growing up, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom over his people Israel.

And David took more concubines and wives of Jerusalem.., and there were born to David other sons also and daughters—Samua, Sobab, Nathan, Solomon, Jebagar, Elisua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elisama, Elioda, and Eliphaleth—eleven total here plus six sons in Hebron for a grand total of 17 children!

And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into my hand?

Lord said to David: Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into my hand?

Lord Answered David: Go not up against them, but fetch a compass behind them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees, then shalt thou join battle: for then will the Lord go out before thy face to strike the army of the Philistines.

David anointed to be King over Israel was now the father of 17 children!

Day 103: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; David Anointed to be King over Israel.

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Second Book of Kings Chapters 1-5

Bible Notes:

This Book tells of King David’s reign. By many successful wars he consolidated his kingdom and made Jerusalem his capital. His serious sins endangered the kingdom; but after he had repented, he conquered his enemies.

2 Kings Chapter 1: David mourns for Saul and Jonathan; David kills the Amalecite who slew Saul; David’s lamentation for Saul and Jonathan.

Now it came to pass, after Saul was dead, that David returned from the slaughter of the Amalecites, and abode two days in Siceleg.

A man who came out of Saul’s camp… I am an Amalecite… So standing over him, I killed him: for I knew that he could not live after the fall: and I took the diadem that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither to thee, my Lord.

And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel, because they were fallen by the sword.

David: Why didst thou not fear to put out thy hand to kill the Lord’s anointed?

David, after his servant killed the son a stranger of Amalec: Thy blood be upon thy own head: for thy own mouth hath spoken against thee, saying: I have slain the Lord’s anointed.

David: “Consider, O Israel, for them that are dead, wounded on thy high places… the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. Saul and Jonathan, lovely, and comely in their life, even in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions… I grieve for thee, my brother Jonathan; exceedingly beautiful, and amiable to me above the love of women. As the mother loveth her only son, so did I love thee.”

2 Kings Chapter 2: David anointed king of Juda; David blesses Jabes Galaad; Abner makes Isboseth king of Israel; Joab defeats Abner; Abner kills Asael; Abner and Joab make peace; Burial of Asael.

David consulted the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into one of the cities of Juda?

And the Lord said to him: “Go up.”

And David said: “Whither shall I go up?”

And the Lord answered him: “Into Hebron.”

And the men of Juda came, and anointed David there (in Hebron), to be king over the house of Juda.

And it was told David that the men of Jabes Galaad had buried Saul.

But Abner… general of Saul’s army, took Isboseth the son of Saul… and made him king over all Israel.

Isboseth the son of Saul was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years and only the house of Juda followed David.

And the number of days that David abode, reigning in Hebron over the house of Juda, was seven years and six months.

And Abner and the servants of Isboseth the son of Saul… And Joab… and the servants of David went out, and met them by the pool of Gabaon…and Abner said to Joab: Let the young men rise, and play before us… twelve in number… And every one catching his fellow by the head, thrust his sword into the side of his adversary, and they fell down together… And there was a very fierce battle that day; and Abner was put to flight, with the men of Israel, by the servants of David.

And there were the three sons of Sarvia there, Joab, and Abisai, and Asael was a most swift runner… and Asael pursued after Abner… And Abner struck him with his spear with a back stroke in the groin, and thrust him through, and he died upon the spot.

Abner cried out to Joab: Shall thy sword rage unto utter destruction? Knowest thou not that it is dangerous to drive people to despair?

Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and all the army stood still, and did not pursue after Israel any farther, nor fight any more.

But the servants of David had killed of Benjamin, and one of the men that were with Abner, three hundred and sixty, who all died.

2 Kings Chapter 3: David grows stronger; Sons born to David in Hebron; Isboseth and Abner quarrel; Abner offers to join David; David asks Isboseth to return Michol; Abner joins David; Joab warns David about Abner; Joab kills Abner; David curses Joab’s family; David mourns for Abner.

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: David prospering and growing always stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul decaying daily.

And six sons were born to David in Hebron—Amnon, Cheleah, Absalom, Adonias, Saphathia, and Jethraam.

Isboseth to Abner: Why didst thou go in to my father’s concubine?

Abner: as the Lord hath sworn to David, so I do to him…

And Isboseth could not answer him a word, because he feared him.

Abner to David: Make a league with me, and my hand shall be with thee: and I will bring all Israel to thee.

The Joab going out from David, stabbed Abner there in the groin, and he died, in revenge of the blood of Asael his brother.

David: I, and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord for ever of the blood of Abner… but as men fall before the children of iniquity, so didst thou fall.

And all the people, and all Israel understood that day that it was not the king’s doing that Abner… was slain.

2 Kings Chapter 4: Assassination of Isboseth; The head of Isboseth brought to David; The assassins are executed.

Rechad and Baana his brother stabbed Isboseth in the groin and fled away… they struck him and killed him: and taking away his head they went off by the way of the wilderness, walking all night.

But David answered the assassins: …when wicked men have slain an innocent man in his own house, upon his bed, shall I not require his blood at your hand, and take you away from the earth?

And David commanded his servants and slew them…

2 Kings Chapter 5: David becomes king of all Israel; David reigns forty years; David captures Jerusalem; A house is built for David; Sons born to David in Jerusalem; David defeats the Philistines; David again defeats the Philistines.

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron, saying that the Lord said to thee… “Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shall be prince over Israel”

The ancients also of Israel… made a league… before the Lord; and they anointed David to be king over Israel.

David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

And David dwelt in the castle, and called it, The city of David… and he went on prospering and growing up, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom over his people Israel.

And David took more concubines and wives of Jerusalem.., and there were born to David other sons also and daughters—Samua, Sobab, Nathan, Solomon, Jebagar, Elisua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elisama, Elioda, and Eliphaleth—eleven total here plus six sons in Hebron for a grand total of 17 children!

And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into my hand?

Lord said to David: Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into my hand?

Lord Answered David: Go not up against them, but fetch a compass behind them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees, then shalt thou join battle: for then will the Lord go out before thy face to strike the army of the Philistines.

The telling of the trial of Jesus by Pontius Pilate, the abandonment of Jesus by the Jews, and His crucifixion on the cross is always a difficult one for me to read. How could a man that did so much good in the world be put to death? How did it happen back then? Could it happen today?

Out of denial, rationalization, and justification; with a clear mind of truth, it certainly did and certainly can. We see in recent history, people who have been falsely accused, convicted, imprisoned and then set free based on new DNA evidence that substantiates their claims of innocence.

Out of denial, rationalization, and justification; with a clear mind of truth, anyone of us, myself included has the potential to sin and is a sinner of omission at a minimum. We fall short of bring like Jesus in our lifetime even though on a good day, in a good moment, we can be just like Jesus, as the Scriptures say, hopefully, exactly when we need to do so, so that God’s Will for our lives might be fulfilled.

So I read it with acceptance of myself, the world and the reality of life. We are not perfect although we must try to be in a reasonable sort of way. Our hopes in Jesus die along with him momentarily in Scripture. My wish for myself and you is that sin is only a momentary experience in our lives and that it isn’t a habit that self-imprisons ourselves from our destiny here and our eternal life in heaven with God The Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and The Holy Spirit—all of which have come to resurrect me and save me at various times in my life.

I close in great sadness, dismay and guilt; and reprint the crucifixion of Christ as told in the Gospel of John in Chapter 19:

And the soldiers, plaiting a crown of thorns, put it upon his head, and arrayed him in a purple cloak. And they kept coming to him and saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him.

Pilate to the Jews outside: “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” Jesus therefore came forth, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. “Behold, the man!”

Chief priests and attendants saw Jesus and cried out: “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Pilate: “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”

Jews: “We have a Law, and according to that Law he must die, because he has made himself Son of God.”

Now when Pilate heard this statement, he feared the more. And he again went back into the praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are thou from?”

Jesus gave him no answer.

Pilate therefore said to him, “Dost thou not speak to me? Does thou not know that I have power to crucify thee, and that I have power to release thee?”

Jesus answered, “Thou wouldst have no power at all over me were it not given thee from above. Therefore, be who betrayed me to thee has the greater sin.”

And from then on Pilate was looking for a way to release him.

Jews: “If thou release this man, thou art no friend of Caesar; for everyone who makes himself king sets himself against Caesar.”

 Pilate therefore, when he heard these words, brought Jesus outside, and sat down on the judgment seat, at a place called Lithostrotos, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

Pilate to the Jews: “Behold, your king!”

Jews: “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!”

Pilate: “Shall I crucify your king?”

The chief priests answered: “We have no king but Caesar.”

 

Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified, And so they took Jesus and led him away.

And bearing the cross for himself, he went forth to the place called the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side and Jesus in the center.

And Pilate also wrote an inscription and had it put on the cross. And there was written, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

The chief priest of the Jews said therefore to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but ‘He said, I am the King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments and made of them four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven in one piece from the top. They therefore said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots for it, to see whose it shall be.” That the Scripture might be fulfilled which says, “They divided my garments among them; and for my vesture they cast lots.” These things therefore the soldiers did.

Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother,

“Woman, behold, thy son.”

Then he said to the disciple,

“Behold, thy mother.”

And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst.”

Therefore, when Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is consummated!”

And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

The Jews therefore, since it was the Preparation Day, in order that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath (for the Sabbath was a solemn day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they night be taken away… But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs; but one of the soldiers opened his side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he who saw it has borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knows that he tells the truth, that you also may believe. For these things came to pass that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of him shall you break.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look upon him whom they have pierced.”

Now after these things Joseph of Arimathea, because he was a disciple of Jesus (although for fear of the Jews a secret one), besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave him permission. He came, therefore, and took away the body of Jesus. And there also came Nicodemus (who at first had come to Jesus by night), bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, in weight about one hundred pounds. They therefore took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, after the Jewish manner of preparing for burial. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. There, accordingly, because of the Preparation Day of the Jews, for the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus.

Day 104: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; It is Consummated: Jesus is Crucified and Laid in a Tomb.

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint John Chapter 19.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

Saint John, the disciple and Apostle whom Jesus loved, was the brother of James and the son of the fisherman Zebedee and Salome.

First a disciple of John the Baptist, he was called to follow Christ.

The purpose of his Gospel he states as follows: “these are written that you may believe the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing you may have life in his name.”

John Chapter 19:  The scourging and crowning; The Jews demand His death; Pilate again speaks to Jesus; Pilate’s cowardice; Pilate condemns Christ; The Crucifixion; The Inscription; Dividing His garments; At the foot of the Cross; The death of Jesus; Piercing His side; The burial.

And the soldiers, plaiting a crown of thorns, put it upon his head, and arrayed him in a purple cloak. And they kept coming to him and saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him.

Pilate to the Jews outside: “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” Jesus therefore came forth, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. “Behold, the man!”

Chief priests and attendants saw Jesus and cried out: “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Pilate: “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”

Jews: “We have a Law, and according to that Law he must die, because he has made himself Son of God.”

Now when Pilate heard this statement, he feared the more. And he again went back into the praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are thou from?”

Jesus gave him no answer.

Pilate therefore said to him, “Dost thou not speak to me? Does thou not know that I have power to crucify thee, and that I have power to release thee?”

Jesus answered, “Thou wouldst have no power at all over me were it not given thee from above. Therefore, be who betrayed me to thee has the greater sin.”

And from then on Pilate was looking for a way to release him.

Jews: “If thou release this man, thou art no friend of Caesar; for everyone who makes himself king sets himself against Caesar.”

 Pilate therefore, when he heard these words, brought Jesus outside, and sat down on the judgment seat, at a place called Lithostrotos, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

Pilate to the Jews: “Behold, your king!”

Jews: “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!”

Pilate: “Shall I crucify your king?”

The chief priests answered: “We have no king but Caesar.”

Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified, And so they took Jesus and led him away.

And bearing the cross for himself, he went forth to the place called the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgitha, where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side and Jesus in the center.

And Pilate also wrote an inscription and had it put on the cross. And there was written, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

The chief priest of the Jews said therefore to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but ‘He said, I am the King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments and made of them four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven in one piece from the top. They therefore said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots for it, to see whose it shall be.” That the Scripture might be fulfilled which says, “They divided my garments among them; and for my vesture they cast lots.” These things therefore the soldiers did.

Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother,

“Woman, behold, thy son.”

Then he said to the disciple,

“Behold, thy mother.”

And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

After this Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst.”

Therefore, when Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is consummated!”

And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

The Jews therefore, since it was the Preparation Day, in order that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath (for the Sabbath was a solemn day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they night be taken away… But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs; but one of the soldiers opened his side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he who saw it has borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knows that he tells the truth, that you also may believe. For these things came to pass that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of him shall you break.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look upon him whom they have pierced.”

Now after these things Joseph of Arimathea, because he was a disciple of Jesus (although for fear of the Jews a secret one), besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave him permission. He came, therefore, and took away the body of Jesus. And there also came Nicodemus (who at first had come to Jesus by night), bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, in weight about one hundred pounds. They therefore took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, after the Jewish manner of preparing for burial. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. There, accordingly, because of the Preparation Day of the Jews, for the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus.

Old-Testament war, violence, and killing was necessary for God to build the House of David and usher in His Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World…

But is war, violence, and killing necessary in the modern times of the New Testament and covenant of love?

What of a Third Testament of The Holy Spirit whereby all human beings are Splendid Spiritual Beings living a human life versus human beings trying to live a spiritual life? Is there conviction and authority from God to proceed as such in the world today?

I think so… evidence God’s Word through the prophet Nathan to King David of Israel and David’s responsive prayer:

The word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: Go, and say to my servant David:

I took thee out of the pastures from following the sheep to be ruler over my people Israel, and I have been with thee wheresoever thou hast walked, and have slain all thy enemies from before thy face: and I have made thee a great man, like unto the name of the great ones that are on earth… and I will plant thee… (you) shall be disturbed no more…neither shall the children of iniquity… I will give you rest from thy enemies… (and) the Lord will make thee a house… and when thy days shall be fulfilled and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers… I will establish his kingdom…  (You David) shall build a house to my name, and I will establish the throne of your kingdom for ever. If (you) commit any iniquity, I will correct you with the rod of men, but my mercy I will not take away from you, as I took it away from Saul, who I removed from my face… And thy house shall be faithful, and thy kingdom for ever before thy face, and thy throne shall be firm for ever.”

According to all these words and according to all this vision, so did Nathan the prophet speak to David.

David went in and sat before the Lord and (offered this prayer and thanksgiving):

Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me this far? For thou knowest thy servant O Lord God… Therefore thou art magnified, O Lord God, because there is none like to thee… and what nation is there upon the earth, as thy people Israel, whom (you) God went to redeem for a people to himself… For thou has confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be an everlasting people: and thou, O Lord God, art become their God… The Lord of hosts is God over Israel. And the house of thy servant David shall be establish before (you) the Lord… that it may endure for ever before thee… and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant (David) be blessed forever.

The Lord preserved David in all his enterprises, whithersoever he went… and King David dedicated them (vessels of gold, silver, and brass of all nations which he had subdued) to the Lord… and the Lord preserved David in all enterprises he went about. And David reigned over all Israel and David did judgment and justice to all his people.

David was victorious in all his battles with the Lord’s favor and blessing.

David showed great kindness to the living son of Jonathan—Misphiboseth:

And David said: Is there any one, think you, left of the house of Saul, that I may show kindness to him for Jonathan’s sake?

There is a son of Jonathan left, who is lame of feet—Misphiboseth…

David to Misphiboseth: Fear not, for I will surely show thee mercy for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and I will restore the lands of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table always… Misphiboseth dwelt in Jerusalem: because he ate always of the king’s table: and he was lame of both feet.

David’s kindness was misinterpreted through fear by the princes of the children of Ammon. The Syrians were hired to fight David and lost big-time and learned a lesson to never help the children of Ammon anymore. This all started by a misinterpretation of David’s kindness:

I will show kindness to Hanon the son of Nass, as his father showed kindness to me.

The princes of the children of Ammon: and hath not David rather sent his servants to thee to search, and spy into the city, and overthrow it?

Hanon took the servants of David, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut away half of their garments even to the buttocks, and sent them away.

And the children of Ammon seeing that they had done injury to David, sent and hired the Syrians… then the Syrians seeing that they had fallen before Israel, gathered themselves together… And when this was told David, he gathered all of Israel together, and passed over the Jordan… and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen… and they made peace with Israel: and served them, and all the Syrians were afraid to help the children of Ammon any more.

And it came to pass at the return of the year, at the time when kings go forth to war… evidently there was an annual season for war back in biblical times versus our somewhat cyclic modern day approach to war…

David saw from the roof of his house a woman washing herself, over against him: and the woman was very beautiful… that she was Bethsabee… the wife of Urias the Hethite… and David sent messengers, and took her, and she came in to him, and he slept with her… and she returned to her house having conceived.

David to Joan: Set ye Urias in the front of the battle, where the fight is strongest: and leave ye him, that he may be wounded and die… and Urias the Hethite was killed… and Bethsabee mourned for him. And the mourning being over. David sent and brought her into his house, and she became his wife, and she bore him a son…

And this thing which David had done, was displeasing to the Lord.

Go figure that, sort of broke a few of the Ten Commandments, didn’t David?

So lo and behold we have our first parable from God:

There are two men in one city, the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many sheep and oxen. But the poor man had nothing at all but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up, and which had grown up in his house together with his children, eating of his bread, and drinking of his cup, and sleeping in his bosom: and it was unto him as a daughter.

And when a certain stranger was come to the rich man, he spared to take of his own sheep and oxen, to make a feast for that stranger, who was come to him, but took the poor man’s ewe, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this is a child of death. He shall restore the ewe fourfold, because he did this thing, and had no pity.

And Nathan said to David: Thou art the man.

Thus said the Lord God of Israel (to David):

Why therefore hast thou despised the word of the Lord, to do evil in my sight?

Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thy house, and I will take thy wives before thy eyes and give them to thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in sight of the sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing in the sight of all Israel, and in the sight of the sun.

I don’t think God ever did this to David but it sure makes you think! First that sin usually originates in secrecy and then becomes public. Perhaps there should be a commandment that says “one should not do anything in private that one would be embarrassed about if it became public, or in other words make sure that one’s motives are as pure as one’s behavior.”

David to Nathan the prophet: I have sinned against the Lord.

Nathan the prophet to David: The Lord also hath taken away thy sin: thou shalt not die. Nevertheless, because thou hast given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, for this thing, the child, that is born to thee, shall surely die.

And David besought the Lord for the child: and David kept a fast, and going in by himself lay upon the ground.

And it came to pass on the seventh day that the child died. David went into the house of the Lord: and worshiped, and then he came into his own house. And David comforted Bethsabee his wife, and went in unto her, and slept with her: and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon, and the Lord loved him… and called his name, Amiable to the Lord, because the Lord loved him

War and David; sin & God’s first parable… and now Solomon too!

Day 105: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; War and David; Sin & God’s First Parable.

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Second Book of Kings Chapters 6-12

Bible Notes:

This Book tells of King David’s reign. By many successful wars he consolidated his kingdom and made Jerusalem his capital. His serious sins endangered the kingdom; but after he had repented, he conquered his enemies.

2 Kings Chapter 6: David takes the ark from Cariathiarim; Oza smitten for touching the ark; The ark taken to the home of Obededom; The ark is brought to Jerusalem; Michol despises David; The ark is put in the tabernacle; Michol is childless.

And David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand… to fetch the ark of God… and took it out of the house of Abinadab… David and all of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of wood, on harps and lutes and timbrels and cornets and cymbals.

Oza put forth this hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it: because the oxen kicked and made it lean aside. And the indignation of the Lord was enkindled against Oza, and he struck him for his rashness; and he died there before the ark of God.

And David was afraid of the Lord that day, saying; How shall the ark of the Lord come to me? And he would not have the ark of the Lord brought in to himself into the city of David… and the ark of the Lord abode in the house of Obededom the Gethite for three months.

David went, and brought away the ark of God out of the house of Obededom into the city of David with joy… and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle… And David and all the house of Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord with joyful shouting, and with the sound of trumpet.

Michol the daughter of Saul, looking out through a window, saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

And David returned to bless his own house…

Michol to David: How glorious was the king of Israel to day, uncovering himself before the handmaids of his servants, and was naked, as if one of the buffoons should be naked…

David to Michol: Before the Lord, who chose me rather than thy father… I will both play and make myself meaner than I have done; and I will be little in my own eyes: and with the handmaids of whom thou speakest, I shall appear more glorious.

Therefore Michol the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

2 Kings Chapter 7: Nathan, the prophet, instructs David; David not to build a house for the ark; David’s prayer and thanksgiving.

And Nathan the prophet said to the king: Go, do all that is in thy heart because the Lord is with thee.

The word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: Go, and say to my servant David:

I took thee out of the pastures from following the sheep to be ruler over my people Israel, and I have been with thee wheresoever thou hast walked, and have slain all thy enemies from before thy face: and I have made thee a great man, like unto the name of the great ones that are on earth… and I will plant thee… (you) shall be disturbed no more…neither shall the children of iniquity… I will give you rest from thy enemies… (and) the Lord will make thee a house… and when thy days shall be fulfilled and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers… I will establish his kingdom…  (You David) shall build a house to my name, and I will establish the throne of your kingdom for ever. If (you) commit any iniquity, I will correct you with the rod of men, but my mercy I will not take away from you, as I took it away from Saul, who I removed from my face… And thy house shall be faithful, and thy kingdom for ever before thy face, and thy throne shall be firm for ever.”

According to all these words and according to all this vision, so did Nathan the prophet speak to David.

David went in and sat before the Lord and (offered this prayer and thanksgiving):

Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me this far? For thou knowest thy servant O Lord God… Therefore thou art magnified, O Lord God, because there is none like to thee… and what nation is there upon the earth, as thy people Israel, whom (you) God went to redeem for a people to himself… For thou has confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be an everlasting people: and thou, O Lord God, art become their God… The Lord of hosts is God over Israel. And the house of thy servant David shall be establish before (you) the Lord… that it may endure for ever before thee… and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant (David) be blessed forever.

2 Kings Chapter 8: Victories of David; David dedicates the booty to the Lord; David’s chief officers.

David took the bridle of tribute out of the hand of the Philistines… Moab was made to serve David under tribute… and David slew of the Syrians… and Syria served David under tribute… after taking Syria in the valley of the saltpits, killing eighteen thousand… all Edom was made to serve David…

The Lord preserved David in all his enterprises, whithersoever he went… and King David dedicated them (vessels of gold, silver, and brass of all nations which he had subdued) to the Lord… and the Lord preserved David in all enterprises he went about. And David reigned over all Israel and David did judgment and justice to all his people.

2 Kings Chapter 9: David’s kindness to Miphiboseth; Siba is appointed Miphiboseth’s farmer.

And David said: Is there any one, think you, left of the house of Saul, that I may show kindness to him for Jonathan’s sake?

There is a son of Jonathan left, who is lame of feet—Misphiboseth…

David to Misphiboseth: Fear not, for I will surely show thee mercy for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and I will restore the lands of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table always… Misphiboseth dwelt in Jerusalem: because he ate always of the king’s table: and he was lame of both feet.

2 Kings Chapter 10: Hanon abuses David’s ambassadors; Defeat of the Ammonites; David defeats the Syrians.

I will show kindness to Hanon the son of Nass, as his father showed kindness to me.

The princes of the children of Ammon: and hath not David rather sent his servants to thee to search, and spy into the city, and overthrow it?

Hanon took the servants of David, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut away half of their garments even to the buttocks, and sent them away.

And the children of Ammon seeing that they had done injury to David, sent and hired the Syrians… then the Syrians seeing that they had fallen before Israel, gathered themselves together… And when this was told David, he gathered all of Israel together, and passed over the Jordan… and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen… and they made peace with Israel: and served them, and all the Syrians were afraid to help the children of Ammon any more.

2 Kings Chapter 11: Joab besieges Rabba; David commits adultery with Bethsabee; Urias refuses to rest in his own house; David secures the death of Urias; David learns of the death of Urias; David encourages Joab; David marries Bethsabee.

And it came to pass at the return of the year, at the time when kings go forth to war…

David saw from the roof of his house a woman washing herself, over against him: and the woman was very beautiful… that she was Bethsabee… the wife of Urias the Hethite… and David sent messengers, and took her, and she came in to him, and he slept with her… and she returned to her house having conceived.

David to Joan: Set ye Urias in the front of the battle, where the fight is strongest: and leave ye him, that he may be wounded and die… and Urias the Hethite was killed… and Bethsabee mourned for him. And the mourning being over. David sent and brought her into his house, and she became his wife, and she bore him a son…

And this thing which David had done, was displeasing to the Lord.

2 Kings Chapter 12: Nathan’s parable of the ewe lamb; Nathan accuses David; David admits his crime; The child dies; Birth of Solomon; David recaptures Rabbath.

A parable from God:

There are two men in one city, the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many sheep and oxen. But the poor man had nothing at all but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up, and which had grown up in his house together with his children, eating of his bread, and drinking of his cup, and sleeping in his bosom: and it was unto him as a daughter.

And when a certain stranger was come to the rich man, he spared to take of his own sheep and oxen, to make a feast for that stranger, who was come to him, but took the poor man’s ewe, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this is a child of death. He shall restore the ewe fourfold, because he did this thing, and had no pity.

And Nathan said to David: Thou art the man.

Thus said the Lord God of Israel (to David):

Why therefore hast thou despised the word of the Lord, to do evil in my sight?

Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thy house, and I will take thy wives before thy eyes and give them to thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in sight of the sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing in the sight of all Israel, and in the sight of the sun.

David to Nathan the prophet: I have sinned against the Lord.

Nathan the prophet to David: The Lord also hath taken away thy sin: thou shalt not die. Nevertheless, because thou hast given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, for this thing, the child, that is born to thee, shall surely die.

And David besought the Lord for the child: and David kept a fast, and going in by himself lay upon the ground.

And it came to pass on the seventh day that the child died. David went into the house of the Lord: and worshiped, and then he came into his own house. And David comforted Bethsabee his wife, and went in unto her, and slept with her: and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon, and the Lord loved him… and called his name, Amiable to the Lord, because the Lord loved him

 

 

The gospel is simple, the resurrection so powerful, what is there to add other than my personal experience celebrating Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving every day, TROML-style!

Why not look for something brand new, or new to me in each day (Christmas)? Why not look to restore, resurrect something every day (Easter)? This could be a small part of your being that has gone dormant, something no one else would see or know except you or something easily seen, felt, or recognized by others. And certainly as ‘attitude of gratitude,’ goes a long way and then a bit further (Thanksgiving).

The gospel is referring to the resurrection of our being, our soul for all of eternity. This can start now with a small step of surrender to Christ and even a slight change in attitude and perspective.

Here is the resurrection of our Lord in the Gospel of John without further comment:

Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and she saw the stone taken away from the tomb. She ran therefore and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them:

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

The other disciple (Peter and John come to the tomb) ran on before, faster than Peter, and came first to the tomb. And stooping down he saw the linen clothes lying there, yet he did not enter. Simeon Peter therefore came following him, and he went into the tomb, and saw the linen clothes lying there, and the handkerchief which had been about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but folded in a place by itself…

And he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

The disciples therefore went away again to their home.

But Mary was standing outside weeping at the tomb. So, as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb, and saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.

The two angels to Mary: “Woman, why art thou weeping?”

Mary: “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

When she had said this she turned round and behold Jesus standing there, and she did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to Mary: “Woman, why art thou weeping? Whom dost thou seek?”

She, thinking he was the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if thou hast removed him, tell me where thou hast laid him and I will take him away.”

Jesus said to her. “Mary!”

Turning, she said to him, “Rabbi!” (that is to say Master).

Jesus said to Mary: “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene came, and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.”

 

When it was late that same day… though the doors where the disciples gathered had been closed for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, “Peace be with you!”

And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced at the sight of the Lord. He therefore said to them again, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

When he had said this, he breathed upon them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

And after eight days, his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being closed, and stood in their midst, and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Bring here thy finger, and see my hands, and bring here thy hand, and put it in my side, and be not unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.

Many other signs also Jesus worked in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

After these things, Jesus manifested himself again at the sea of Tiberias. There were together Simon Peter and Thomas… Nathanael… and two others of his disciples.

Simon Peter: “I am going fishing.”

They said to him: “We also are going with thee.”

But when day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Young men, have you any fish?”

They answered him, “No.”

Jesus: “Cast the net to the right of the boat and you will find them.”

They cast therefore, and now they were unable to draw it up for the great number of fishes.

The disciple whom Jesus loved said therefore to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

Simon Peter, therefore hearing that it was the Lord… threw himself into the sea…

Jesus: “Bring here some of the fishes that you caught just now.”

Simon Peter, large fishes, one hundred and fifty-three in number…

And Jesus came and took the bread, and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he had risen from the dead.

Jesus to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, dost thou love me more than these do?”

Simon Peter: “Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.”

Jesus: “Feed my lambs. Simon, son of John, dost thou love me?”

Simon Peter: “Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.”

Jesus: “Feed my lambs. Simon, son of John, dost thou love me?” (A third time.)

Peter was grieved because Jesus said to him for the third time, “Dost thou love me?”

 

Peter: “Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.”

Jesus: “Feed my sheep.”

Jesus: “Amen, amen, I say to thee, when thou wast young thou didst gird thyself and walk where thou wouldst. But when thou art old thou will stretch forth thy hands, and another will gird thee, and lead thee where thou wouldst not.”

Now this he said to signify by what manner of death he should glorify God. And having spoken thus, he said to him. “Follow me.”

The disciple who Jesus loved, the one who, at supper… said “Lord, who is it that will betray thee?”

Peter to Jesus: “Lord, and what of this man?”

Jesus” “If I wish him to remain until I come, what is it to thee? Do thou follow me?”

This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple was not to die. But Jesus had not said to him, “He is not to die”; but rather, “If I wish his to remain until I come, what is it to thee?”

This is the disciple who bears witness concerning these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his witness is true.

There are, however, many other things that Jesus did; but if every one of these should be written, not even the world itself, I think, Could hold the books that would have to be written. Amen.

The tomb is empty, Christ has risen, Alleluia!!!

Day 106: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Tomb is Empty, Christ has Risen, Alleluia!!!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint John Chapters 20-21 (END).

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

Saint John, the disciple and Apostle whom Jesus loved, was the brother of James and the son of the fisherman Zebedee and Salome.

First a disciple of John the Baptist, he was called to follow Christ.

The purpose of his Gospel he states as follows: “these are written that you may believe the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing you may have life in his name.”

John Chapter 20:  Mary Magdalene sees the stone taken away; Peter and John come to the tomb; The two angels; Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene; Christ appears to the disciples; Thomas does not believe; Christ appears again; The evangelist’s epilogue.

Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and she saw the stone taken away from the tomb. She ran therefore and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them:

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

The other disciple (Peter and John come to the tomb) ran on before, faster than Peter, and came first to the tomb. And stooping down he saw the linen clothes lying there, yet he did not enter. Simeon Peter therefore came following him, and he went into the tomb, and saw the linen clothes lying there, and the handkerchief which had been about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but folded in a place by itself…

And he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

The disciples therefore went away again to their home.

But Mary was standing outside weeping at the tomb. So, as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb, and saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.

The two angels to Mary: “Woman, why art thou weeping?”

Mary: “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

When she had said this she turned round and behold Jesus standing there, and she did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to Mary: “Woman, why art thou weeping? Whom dost thou seek?”

She, thinking he was the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if thou hast removed him, tell me where thou hast laid him and I will take him away.”

Jesus said to her. “Mary!”

Turning, she said to him, “Rabbi!” (that is to say Master).

Jesus said to Mary: “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene came, and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.”

When it was late that same day… though the doors where the disciples gathered had been closed for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, “Peace be with you!”

And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced at the sight of the Lord. He therefore said to them again, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

When he had said this, he breathed upon them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

And after eight days, his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being closed, and stood in their midst, and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Bring here thy finger, and see my hands, and bring here thy hand, and put it in my side, and be not unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.

Many other signs also Jesus worked in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

John Chapter 21:  The manifestation in Galilee; The meal on the shore; The primacy of Peter; The manner of Peter’s death; Peter asks about John; Second epilogue.

After these things, Jesus manifested himself again at the sea of Tiberias. There were together Simon Peter and Thomas… Nathanael… and two others of his disciples.

Simon Peter: “I am going fishing.”

They said to him: “We also are going with thee.”

But when day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Young men, have you any fish?”

They answered him, “No.”

Jesus: “Cast the net to the right of the boat and you will find them.”

They cast therefore, and now they were unable to draw it up for the great number of fishes.

The disciple whom Jesus loved said therefore to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

Simon Peter, therefore hearing that it was the Lord… threw himself into the sea…

Jesus: “Bring here some of the fishes that you caught just now.”

Simon Peter, large fishes, one hundred and fifty-three in number…

And Jesus came and took the bread, and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he had risen from the dead.

Jesus to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, dost thou love me more than these do?”

Simon Peter: “Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.”

Jesus: “Feed my lambs. Simon, son of John, dost thou love me?”

Simon Peter: “Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.”

Jesus: “Feed my lambs. Simon, son of John, dost thou love me?” (A third time.)

Peter was grieved because Jesus said to him for the third time, “Dost thou love me?”

Peter: “Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee.”

Jesus: “Feed my sheep.”

Jesus: “Amen, amen, I say to thee, when thou wast young thou didst gird thyself and walk where thou wouldst. But when thou art old thou will stretch forth thy hands, and another will gird thee, and lead thee where thou wouldst not.”

Now this he said to signify by what manner of death he should glorify God. And having spoken thus, he said to him. “Follow me.”

The disciple who Jesus loved, the one who, at supper… said “Lord, who is it that will betray thee?”

Peter to Jesus: “Lord, and what of this man?”

Jesus” “If I wish him to remain until I come, what is it to thee? Do thou follow me?”

This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple was not to die. But Jesus had not said to him, “He is not to die”; but rather, “If I wish his to remain until I come, what is it to thee?”

This is the disciple who bears witness concerning these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his witness is true.

There are, however, many other things that Jesus did; but if every one of these should be written, not even the world itself, I think, Could hold the books that would have to be written. Amen.

 

And it came to pass after this, that Amnon the son of David loved the sister of  Absalom the son of David, who was very beautiful, and her name was Thamar… so that he fell sick for the love of her…

A friend named Jonadab said to Amnon: Lie down upon thy bed, and feign thyself sick: and when thy father shall come to visit thee, say to him: Let my sister Thamar, I pray thee, to give me to eat, and to make me a mess, that I may eat it at her hand.

Amnon to Thamar: Bring the mess into the chamber… come lie with me, my sister…

Thamar to Ammon: Do not so, my brother, do not force me: for no such thing must be done in Israel. Do not thou this folly. For I shall not be able to bear my shame, and thou shall be as one of the fools in Israel: but rather speak to the king, and he will not deny me to thee.

But Amnon would not hearken to her prayers, but being stronger overpowered her and lay with her.

No more explicit or worse sin in the Bible, only to be exceeded by the following:

Then Amnon hated her with an exceeding great hatred: so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her before.

Amnon to Thamar: Arise, and get thee gone.

Thamar to Amnon: This evil which now thou dost against me, in driving me away, is greater than that which thou didst before.

A brother defends his sister’s honor (same though different mother from Amnon)

Absalom to Thamar: Hath thy brother Amnon lain with thee? But now, sister, hold thy peace, he is thy brother: and afflict not thy heart for this thing.

And when King David heard of these things he was exceedingly grieved: and he would not afflict the spirit of his son Amnon, for he loved him, because he was his firstborn.

Absalom hated Amnon because he had ravished his sister.

Absalom to his servants: Strike Amnon, and kill him; fear not for it is I that command you: take courage, and be valiant men. And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded them.

Absalom fled, and went to… Gessur… and King David ceased to pursue after Absalom, because he was comforted concerning the death of Amnon.

Lust, then revenge, what is next in this part of the Story of David?

A fellow named Joab, uses a wise woman to show David his heart in that we all want to reconcile with our children no matter the deed, theirs or ours.

King David to Joab: Behold, I am appeased and have granted thy request: Go there fore and fetch back the boy Absalom… let him return into his house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his house, and saw not the king’s face.

King David tried to keep his son Absalom at a distance but that did not work over time:

Absalom to Joab: I beseech thee therefore that I may see the face of the king: and if he be mindful of my iniquity, let him kill me.

So Joab going in to the king, told his all: and Absalom was called for, and he went in to the king: and prostrated himself on the ground before him: and the king kissed Absalom.

And Absalom, once close to his father the king conspires to overthrow him and lures away David’s counselor who is evidently God to the people of Israel. Absalom and Achitopel move away to be able to organize and return to Jerusalem with a hero, godly and kingly welcome:

Absalom, moreover when any man came to him to salute him, he put forth his hand and took him, and kissed him. And this he did to all Israel that came for judgment, to be heard by the king, and he enticed the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom to King David: For thy servant made a vow… saying: If the Lord shall bring me again into Jerusalem, I will offer sacrifice to the Lord.

King David to Absalom: Go in peace.

And Absalom arose, and went to Hebron

And Absalom sent spies into all the tribes of Israel, saying: As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, say ye: Absalom reigneth in Hebron. Now there went with Absalom two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called, going with simplicity of heart, and knowing nothing of the design.

Absalom also sent for Achitopel… David’s counselor.

And while he was offering sacrifices, there was a strong conspiracy, and the people running together increased with Absalom.

And there came a messenger to David, saying: All Israel with their whole heart followeth Absalom. And David said to his servants, that were with him in Jerusalem: Arise and let us flee: for we shall not escape else from the face of Absalom.

I am amazed that the king would abdicate in this situation without a fight but later we shall see there might have been a pent up hatred of David by people who remembered the reign of his father Saul.

David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet…

And when David was come to the top of the mountain, where he was about to adore the Lord, behold Chusai… came to meet him… I am thy servant, O king: as I have been thy father’s servant, so I will be thy servant: thou shalt defeat the counsel of Achitopel…

King David to Chusai: you shall send by them (Sadoc and Abiathar, the priests and their two sons) to me everything that you shall hear.

Then Chusai the friend of David went into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

Here is where this biblical story gets a little hard to believe but then again is there any sin that is not a surprise in the world we live in today?

Semei cursed King David: Come out, come out, thou man of blood, and thou man of Belial. The Lord hath repay thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood.

King David: Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David… Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction, and the Lord may render me good for the cursing of this day.

But Absalom and all his people came into Jerusalem, and Achitopel was with him.

Chusai to Achitopel: God save thee, O king, God save thee, O king… for I will be his, whom the Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him I abide. Besides this, whom shall I serve? Is it not the king’s son? As I have served thy father, so will I serve thee also.

Achitopel to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house, that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee.

So they spread a tent for Absalom on top of the house, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.

Now the counsel of Achitopel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God…

Amazing a seemingly traitor; a powerless curser who is left along to live and to curse in hopes of the Lord will be favorable to the powerful curse; and a public rape to the nth degree presumably under the auspices of Achitopel’s god?

Sodom and Gomorrah here we come—a biblical rape, Absalom deposes his father King David, and now all of Israel watches a mass public rape?

Day 107: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Biblical rape, a Son Deposes a Father, and All of Israel Watches…

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Second Book of Kings Chapters 13-16

Bible Notes:

This Book tells of King David’s reign. By many successful wars he consolidated his kingdom and made Jerusalem his capital. His serious sins endangered the kingdom; but after he had repented, he conquered his enemies.

2 Kings Chapter 13: Amnon loves Thamar; Ammon ravishes Thamar; Amnon angrily sends Thamar away; Thamar sorrows in Absalom’s house; David grieves for the sin of Amnon; Amnon accompanies Absalom to Baalhasor; Absalom causes Amnon to be slain; David hears rumor of many murders; David learns the truth; Absalom flees to Gessur.

And it came to pass after this, that Amnon the son of David loved the sister of Absalom the son of David, who was very beautiful, and her name was Thamar… so that he fell sick for the love of her…

A friend named Jonadab said to Amnon: Lie down upon thy bed, and feign thyself sick: and when thy father shall come to visit thee, say to him: Let my sister Thamar, I pray thee, to give me to eat, and to make me a mess, that I may eat it at her hand.

Amnon to Thamar: Bring the mess into the chamber… come lie with me, my sister…

Thamar to Ammon: Do not so, my brother, do not force me: for no such thing must be done in Israel. Do not thou this folly. For I shall not be able to bear my shame, and thou shall be as one of the fools in Israel: but rather speak to the king, and he will not deny me to thee.

But Amnon would not hearken to her prayers, but being stronger overpowered her and lay with her.

Then Amnon hated her with an exceeding great hatred: so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her before.

Amnon to Thamar: Arise, and get thee gone.

Thamar to Amnon: This evil which now thou dost against me, in driving me away, is greater than that which thou didst before.

Absalom to Thamar: Hath thy brother Amnon lain with thee? But now, sister, hold thy peace, he is thy brother: and afflict not thy heart for this thing.

And when King David heard of these things he was exceedingly grieved: and he would not afflict the spirit of his son Amnon, for he loved him, because he was his firstborn.

Absalom hated Amnon because he had ravished his sister.

Absalom to his servants: Strike Amnon, and kill him; fear not for it is I that command you: take courage, and be valiant men. And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded them.

Absalom fled, and went to… Gessur… and King David ceased to pursue after Absalom, because he was comforted concerning the death of Amnon.

2 Kings Chapter 14: The plan of Joab to restore Absalom; The woman of Thecua pleads for her son; The woman of Thecua pleads for Absalom; David discovers the intrigue of Joab; David allows Absalom to return; Children born to Absalom; Reconciliation of David and Absalom.

And Joab the son of Sarvia, understanding that the king’s heart was turned to Absalom… fetched from thence a wise woman… feign thyself to be a mourner… and thou shalt go to the king… and Joab put words in her mouth…

David: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth

Wise woman to King David: Why hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God, and why hath the king spoken this word, to sin, and not bring home again his own exile? We all die, and like waters that return no more, we fall down into the earth: neither will God have a soul perish, but recalleth, meaning that he that is cast off should not altogether perish. O King… for thy servant Joab, he commanded me, and he put all these words into the mouth of thy handmaid… but thou, my lord, O king, art wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to understand all things upon earth.

King David to Joab: Behold, I am appeased and have granted thy request: Go there fore and fetch back the boy Absalom… let him return into his house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his house, and saw not the king’s face.

Absalom to Joab: I beseech thee therefore that I may see the face of the king: and if he be mindful of my iniquity, let him kill me.

So Joab going in to the king, told his all: and Absalom was called for, and he went in to the king: and prostrated himself on the ground before him: and the king kissed Absalom.

2 Kings Chapter 15: Absalom wins the affection of Israel; Absalom goes to Hebron; Absalom’s conspiracy; David flees from Jerusalem; Ethai’s loyalty to David; David returns the ark to Jerusalem; David ascends mount Olivet; David learns of Achitopel’s conspiracy; Chusai sent to spy on Absalom.

Absalom, moreover when any man came to him to salute him, he put forth his hand and took him, and kissed him. And this he did to all Israel that came for judgment, to be heard by the king, and he enticed the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom to King David: For thy servant made a vow… saying: If the Lord shall bring me again into Jerusalem, I will offer sacrifice to the Lord.

King David to Absalom: Go in peace.

And Absalom arose, and went to Hebron

And Absalom sent spies into all the tribes of Israel, saying: As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, say ye: Absalom reigneth in Hebron. Now there went with Absalom two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called, going with simplicity of heart, and knowing nothing of the design.

Absalom also sent for Achitopel… David’s counselor.

And while he was offering sacrifices, there was a strong conspiracy, and the people running together increased with Absalom.

And there came a messenger to David, saying: All Israel with their whole heart followeth Absalom. And David said to his servants, that were with him in Jerusalem: Arise and let us flee: for we shall not escape else from the face of Absalom.

King David to Servant Ethai: return thou, and take back thy brethren with thee, and the Lord will show thee mercy, and truth, because thou hast shown grace and fidelity.

Ethai to King David: as the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth: in what place soever thou shall be, my lord, O king, either in death, or in life, there will be thy servant be.

King David to Ethai: Come, and pass over. And Ethai… passed, and all the men that were with him, and the rest of the people.

All the people marched that way that looketh to the dessert. And Sadoc the priest also came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God.

King David to Sadoc: Carry back the ark of God into Jerusalem: if I shall find grace in the sight of the Lord, he will bring me again, and he will show me it, and his tabernacle.

David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet…

Infatuate, O Lord, I beseech thee, the counsel of Achitopel…

And when David was come to the top of the mountain, where he was about to adore the Lord, behold Chusai… came to meet him… I am thy servant , O king: as I have been thy father’s servant, so I will be thy servant: thou shalt defeat the counsel of Achitopel…

King David to Chusai: you shall send by them (Sadoc and Abiathar, the priests and their two sons) to me everything that you shall hear.

Then Chusai the friend of David went into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

2 Kings Chapter 16: Miphiboseth’s possessions given to Siba; Semei curses David; David refuses to have Semei killed; Chusai promises to support Absalom; Absalom defiles his father’s wives.

And the wine to drink if any man be faint in the desert

Semei cursed King David: Come out, come out, thou man of blood, and thou man of Belial. The Lord hath repay thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood.

King David: Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David… Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction, and the Lord may render me good for the cursing of this day.

But Absalom and all his people came into Jerusalem, and Achitopel was with him.

Chusai to Achitopel: God save thee, O king, God save thee, O king… for I will be his, whom the Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him I abide. Besides this, whom shall I serve? Is it not the king’s son? As I have served thy father, so will I serve thee also.

Achitopel to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house, that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee.

So they spread a tent for Absalom on top of the house, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.

Now the counsel of Achitopel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God…

 

 

 

WOW, through the four gospels in the New Testament and onward to the Acts of the Apostles…

Saint Luke, the author of the third Gospel, wrote also this history of the primitive Church. Opening with the story of the Ascension and Pentecost, this book records the important events of the early Church: the mass conversions after Pentecost; the persecution by Herod; the conversion of Saint Paul; his three missionary journeys; his arrest and final trip to Rome

Am I a witness of his resurrection? Are you?

I am excited to learn more about the disciples now turned apostles!

How can their example impact my heart through Christ and the rest of my life here and beyond too!

Saint Luke wrote and told us more about the times after the gospels… In the former book, O Theophilus, I spoke of it all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day he was taken up, after he had given commandments through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them also he showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, during forty days appearing to them and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while eating with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “of which you have heard,” said Jesus, “by my mouth: for John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.”

Disciples: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?”

Jesus: “It is not for you to know the times or dates which the Father has fixed by his own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the very ends of the earth.”

And when he had said this, he was lifted up before their eyes, and a cloud took him out of sight.

Two men in white garments: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall come in the same way as you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered the city, they mounted to the upper room where  were staying Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James (the son of Alpheus), and Simon (the Zealot), and Jude (the brother of James, which one?)—numbered Eleven in total.

All these with one mind continued steadfastly in prayer with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

In those days Peter stood up in the middle of the brethren (now the number of persons met together was about a hundred and twenty) and he said:

“Brethren, the Scripture must be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit declared before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide of those who arrested Jesus; inasmuch as he had been numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. And indeed bought a field with the price of his iniquity and, being hanged, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out… became known to all the residents of Jerusalem… the Field of Blood… for it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let their habitation become desolate and let there be none to dwell in it.’

And, ‘His ministry let another take.’

Peter: “Therefore, of these men who have been in our company all the time that the Lord Jesus moved among us, from John’s baptism until the day that he was taken up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

And they put forth two: Joseph and Matthias. And they prayed and said:

“Thou, Lord, who knoweth the hearts of all, show which of these two thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away to go to his own place.”

And they drew lots between them, and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

WOW, all this from 120 believers! Christ’s ascension but with the promise of The Holy Spirit. One hundred twenty believers with The Holy Spirit and the example of love left behind by Jesus and God’s Will and Power!

Matthias is the Twelfth Apostle!

Then The Holy Spirit came, and there was a spiritual awakening, and Peter stood up, rose to the occasion, and like Christ, used the occasion as the first biblical evangelical service to convert three-thousand souls:

And when the days of Pentecost were drawing to a close, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as of fire, which settled upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Holy Spirit prompted them to speak.

Now there were staying at Jerusalem devout Jews from every nation under heaven. And when this sound was heard, the multitude gathered and were bewildered in mind, because each heard them speaking in his own language. But they were all amazed and marveled, saying:

“Behold, are not all these that are speaking Galileans? And how have we heard each his own language in which he was born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phyrgia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cryene, and visitors from Rome. Jews also and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we have heard them speaking in their own language of the wonderful works of God.” (Counted total of 17 different peoples by location and languages spoken).

And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another:

“What does this mean?”

But others said in mockery:

“They are full of new wine.”

But Peter, standing up with the Eleven (why not twelve as Matthais had been added?), lifted up his voice and spoke out to them:

“Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. These men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says the Lord, that I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And moreover upon my servants and upon my handmaids in those days will I pour forth of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the day the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall come to pass, that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

“Men of Israel, hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved by God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did through him in the midst of you, as you yourselves know. Him, when delivered up by the settled purpose and fore-knowledge of God, you have crucified and slain by the hands of wicked men. But God has raised him up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, because it was not possible that he should be held fast by it.”

“For David’s says with reference to him, ‘I saw the Lord before me always, because he is at my right hand, lest I be moved. This is why my heart has made merry and my tongue has rejoiced; moreover my flesh also will rest in hope, because thou wilt not abandon my soul to hell, neither wilt thou let thy Holy One undergo decay. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt fill me with joy in thy presence.’”

“Brethren, Let me say to you freely of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this very day.”

“Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God ‘had sworn to him an oath that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne,’ he, foreseeing it, spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he abandoned to hell, nor did his flesh undergo decay. This Jesus God has raised up, and we are all witnesses of it. Therefore, exalted by the right hand of God, and receiving from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this Spirit which you see and hear. For David did not ascend into heaven, but he says himself, “The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool.’ Therefore, let all the house of Israel know most assuredly that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now on hearing this they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles:

“Brethren, what shall we do?”

 

 

 

 

Peter: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise and to your children and to all who are far off, even to all whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

And with very many other words Peter bore witness, and exhorted them, saying:

“Save yourselves from this perverse generation.”

Now they who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

And they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles and in the communion of the breaking of the bread and in the prayers.

And fear came upon every soul; many wonders also and signs were done by means of the apostles in Jerusalem, and great fear came upon all.  

And all who believed were together and held all things in common, and would sell their possessions and goods and distribute them among all according as anyone had need.

And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread in their houses, they took their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and being in favor with all the people.

And day by day the Lord added to their company such as were to be saved.

To this day there are over two billion believers in Christ… which is meaningless unless you are one of them!

The Acts of the Apostles are to witness to Christ and to save your soul!

Day 108: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Acts of the Apostles are to Witness to Christ and to Save Your Soul!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Acts of The Apostles Chapters 1-2.

Bible Notes:

Saint Luke, the author of the third Gospel, wrote also this history of the primitive Church. Opening with the story of the Ascension and Pentecost, this book records the important events of the early Church: the mass conversions after Pentecost; the persecution by Herod; the conversion of Saint Paul; his three missionary journeys; his arrest and final trip to Rome

Acts Chapter 1:  Appearances of the risen Christ; Promise of the Holy Spirit; The Ascension; Return to Jerusalem; The fate of Judas; Need for a successor; Manner of his selection; Matthias chosen.

In the former book, O Theophilus, I spoke of it all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day he was taken up, after he had given commandments through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them also he showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, during forty days appearing to them and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while eating with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “of which you have heard,” said Jesus, “by my mouth: for John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.”

Disciples: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?”

Jesus: “It is not for you to know the times or dates which the Father has fixed by his own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem and in all Hudea and Samaria and even to the very ends of the earth.”

And when he had said this, he was lifted up before their eyes, and a cloud took him out of sight.

Two men in white garments: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall come in the same way as you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered the city, they mounted to the upper room where  were staying Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James (the son of Alpheus), and Simon (the Zealot), and Jude (the brother of James, which one?)—numbered Eleven in total.

All these with one mind continued steadfastly in prayer with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

In those days Peter stood up in the middle of the brethren (now the number of persons met together was about a hundred and twenty) and he said:

“Brethren, the Scripture must be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit declared before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide of those who arrested Jesus; inasmuch as he had been numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. And indeed bought a field with the price of his iniquity and, being hanged, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out… became known to all the residents of Jerusalem… the Field of Blood… for it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let their habitation become desolate and let there be none to dwell in it.’

And, ‘His ministry let another take.’

Peter: “Therefore, of these men who have been in our company all the time that the Lord Jesus moved among us, from John’s baptism until the day that he was taken up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

And they put forth two: Joseph and Matthias. And they prayed and said:

“Thou, Lord, who knoweth the hearts of all, show which of these two thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away to go to his own place.”

And they drew lots between them, and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Wiki: “Theophilos”, as it appears therein, means friend of God or (be)loved by God or loving God in the Greek language.

Disciple—one of the 12 personal followers of Christ; one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ. Luke 10:1 (72 in my Bible!); any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime; any follower of Christ; (initial capital letter) a member of the Disciples of Christ; a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower: a disciple of Freud.

Apostle—any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world; (sometimes initial capital letter) any of the original 12 disciples called by Jesus to preach the gospel: Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot; the first or the best-known Christian missionary in any region or country; Eastern Church. One of the 70 disciples of Jesus (72 in my Bible); he title of the highest ecclesiastical official in certain Protestant sects; (among the Jews of the Christian epoch) a title borne by persons sent on foreign missions; one of the 12 administrative officials of the Mormon Church.

Acts Chapter 2:  Descent of the Holy Spirit; All nations understand; Peter’s discourse; Christ’s death and Resurrection; David’s prophecy of Resurrection; But David died and was buried; David’s prophecy concerned Christ; Three thousand converts after Peter’s sermon; Fervor of the early church.

And when the days of Pentecost were drawing to a close, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as of fire, which settled upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Holy Spirit prompted them to speak.

Now there were staying at Jerusalem devout Jews from every nation under heaven. And when this sound was heard, the multitude gathered and were bewildered in mind, because each heard them speaking in his own language. But they were all amazed and marveled, saying:

“Behold, are not all these that are speaking Galileans? And how have we heard each his own language in which he was born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phyrgia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cryene, and visitors from Rome. Jews also and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we have heard them speaking in their own language of the wonderful works of God.” (Counted total of 17 different peoples by location and languages spoken).

And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another:

“What does this mean?”

But others said in mockery:

“They are full of new wine.”

But peter, standing up with the Eleven (why not twelve as Matthais had been added?), lifted up his voice and spoke out to them:

“Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. These men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says the Lord, that I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And moreover upon my servants and upon my handmaids in those days will I pour forth of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the day the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall come to pass, that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

“Men of Israel, hear these words, Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved by God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did through him in the midst of you, as you yourselves know. Him, when delivered up by the settled purpose and fore-knowledge of God, you have crucified and slain by the hands of wicked men. But God has raised him up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, because it was not possible that he should be held fast by it.”

“For David’s says with reference to him, ‘I saw the Lord before me always, because he is at my right hand, lest I be moved. This is why my heart has made merry and my tongue has rejoiced; moreover my flesh also will rest in hope, because thou wilt not abandon my soul to hell, neither wilt thou let thy Holy One undergo decay. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt fill me with joy in thy presence.’”

“Brethren, Let me say to you freely of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this very day.”

“Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God ‘had sworn to him an oath that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne,’ he, foreseeing it, spoke of the resurrection of Christ. For neither was he abandoned to hell, nor did his flesh undergo decay. This Jesus God has raised up, and we are all witnesses of it. Therefore, exalted by the right hand of God, and receiving from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this Spirit which you see and hear. For David did not ascend into heaven, but he says himself, “The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool.’ Therefore, let all the house of Israel know most assuredly that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now on hearing this they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles:

“Brethren, what shall we do?”

Peter: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise and to your children and to all who are far off, even to all whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

And with very many other words Peter bore witness, and exhorted them, saying:

“Save yourselves from this perverse generation.”

Now they who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

And they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles and in the communion of the breaking of the bread and in the prayers.

And fear came upon every soul; many wonders also and signs were done by means of the apostles in Jerusalem, and great fear came upon all.  

And all who believed were together and held all things in common, and would sell their possessions and goods and distribute them among all according as anyone had need.

And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread in their houses, they took their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and being in favor with all the people.

And day by day the Lord added to their company such as were to be saved.

Wiki: “As of 2010, Christianity was by far the world’s largest religion, with an estimated 2.2 billion adherents, nearly a third (31 percent) of all 6.9 billion people on Earth.

 

Rebellious son, in the extreme extent, versus father for the kingship of Israel… Chusai was loyal to King David as vowed…

Achitophel to Absalom: I will choose me twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night. And coming upon him (for he is now weary, and weak handed) I will defeat him: and when all the people is put to flight that is with him, I will kill the king who will be left alone.

And his saying pleased Absalom, and all the ancients of Israel.

Absalom: Call Chusai the Arachite, and let us hear what he also saith.

Absalom to Chusai: Achitophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do it or not? What counsel dost thou give?

Chusai to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel hath given this time is not good… Thou knowest thy father, and the men that are with him, that they are very valiant, and bitter in their mind, as  bear raging in the wood when her whelps are taken away: and thy father is a warrior, and will not lodge with his people… perhaps he now lieth in pits…But this seemeth to me to be good counsel: let all Israel be gathered to thee… and thou shall be in the midst of them… and we shall come upon him in what place soever he shall be found: and we shall cover him, as the dew falleth upon the ground…

 

And Absalom, and all the men of Israel said: The counsel of Chusai the Arachite is better than the counsel of Achitophel: and by the will of the Lord the profitable counsel of Achitophel was defeated, that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom.

And Chusai said to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests… now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying: Tarry not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but without delay pass over: lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that is with him… And Jonathan and Achimaas stayed by the fountain Rogel: and there went a maid and told them: and they went forward to carry the message to King David…

But Achitophel seeing that his counsel was not followed… putting his house in order… hanged himself…

This was a Godsend for King David. Absalom’s original plan, courtesy of Achitophel would have likely decimated David, but God intervened with the selection of Chusai’s delayed tactics which gave David time to cross the Jordan regroup. Than it gets interesting and complicated: does David want to win and be king again or see his opposing son in battle win and live?

But David came to the camp, and Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him… Now Absalom appointed Amasa in Joab’s stead over the army… And Israel camped with Absalom in the land of Galaad.

And David reviewed his people… and sent forth a third of the people under the hand of Joab, a third under Abisai, and a third under Ethai… I also will go forth with you… for thou alone art accounted for ten thousand… it is better that thou (King David) shouldst be in the city to succor us… What seemeth good to you, that will I do.

King David commanded: Save me the boy Absalom.

And the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. And the people of Israel were defeated there by David’s army, and a great slaughter was made that day of twenty thousand men… and there were many more of the people whom the forest consumed, than whom the sword devoured that day.

And it happened that Absalom met the servants of David, riding on a mule: and as the mule went under a thick and large oak, his head stuck in the oak: and while he hung between the heaven and the earth, the mule on which he rode passed on.

And one saw this and told Joab…

Joab: Not as thou wilt, but I will set upon him in thy sight. So he took three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom: and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak, ten young men, armorbearers of Joab, ran up, and striking him slew him.

Odd sort of way for a king to die: to be entangled by his head in an oak tree and let helpless to die with no servants to protect him!

And Joab sounded the trumpet, and kept back the people from pursuing after Israel in their flight, being willing to spare the multitude.

Now Absalom had reared up for himself, in his lifetime, a pillar, which is in the king’s valley: for he said: I have no son, and this shall be the monument of my name. And he called the pillar by his own name, and it is called the hand of Absalom, to this day.

Chusai to King David: Let the enemies of my lord, the king, and all that rise against him unto evil, be as the young man is (dead).

King David weeping: My son Absalom, Absalom my son! Would to God that I might die for thee, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom.

Now this is not a good form of leadership. Enemies are enemies and bad is bad not good.

And the victory was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard that day: The king grieveth for his son.

Joab to King David: Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, that have saved thy life… Thou lovest them that hate thee, and thou hatest them that love thee… I not plainly that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, then it would have pleased thee…

And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Israel… But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in the battle: how long are you silent, and bring not back the king?

And the king returned and came as far as the Jordan, and all Juda came as far as Galgal to meet the king, and to bring him over the Jordan…

Forgiveness was requested and granted to Semei and Miphiboseth for cursing and not showing up in battle for the embattled king. Berzellai was allowed to go home in his old age while his servant Chamaam went with King David to Jerusalem.

But there seemed to be some dissention in the tribes of Israel:

Men of Israel to King David: Why have our brethren (of Juda) stolen thee away…

And all of the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me; why art thou angry for this matter?

This created a situation for another Absalom-like rebel to emerge and threaten David’s crown. Not so fast this time. Not only did David take care of Seba with the help of a wise old lady but Amasa was killed by Joab for not meeting a deadline regarding Seba. Sadly the ten concubines lived their lives out as though they were widows. What did they do wrong? Nothing, the sin being a male-dominated society back in biblical times. Thank God for the changes there!

Seba: We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Isai: return to thy dwellings, O Israel.

And all Israel departed from David, and followed Seba… but the men of Juda stuck to their king from the Jordan unto Jerusalem.

At Jerusalem, King Davis took the ten woman his concubines, which he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, allowing them provisions: and he went not in unto them, but they were shut up unto the day of their death living in widowhood.

King to Amasa: Assemble to me all the men of Juda, against the third day, and be thou here present.

But Amasa tarried beyond the set time which the king had appointed him.

Now will Seba… do us more harm than did Absalom?

But Amasa did not take notice of the sword, which Joab had, and he struck him in the side… and he died.

Now he had passed through all the tribes of Israel unto Abela…

Wise woman to Joab: A saying was used in the old proverb: They that inquire, let them inquire in Abela: and so they made an end. Behold his head shall be thrown to thee from the wall.

So she went to all the people and spoke to them wisely: and they cut off the head of Seba and cast it out to Joab.

And Joab sounded the trumpet, and they departed from the city, every one to their home: and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

King David is king again though Israel seems divided…

Day 109: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; King David is King Again though Israel seems Divided…

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Second Book of Kings Chapters 17-20.

Bible Notes:

This Book tells of King David’s reign. By many successful wars he consolidated his kingdom and made Jerusalem his capital. His serious sins endangered the kingdom; but after he had repented, he conquered his enemies.

2 Kings Chapter 17: Achitophel plans to pursue David; Chusai opposes Achitophel’s plan; Chusai informs David of the plan; Achitophel hangs himself; Absalom appoints Amasa his commander; Provisions for David’s army.

Achitophel to Absalom: I will choose me twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night. And coming upon him (for he is now weary, and weak handed) I will defeat him: and when all the people is put to flight that is with him, I will kill the king who will be left alone.

And his saying pleased Absalom, and all the ancients of Israel.

Absalom: Call Chusai the Arachite, and let us hear what he also saith.

Absalom to Chusai: Achitophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do it or not? What counsel dost thou give?

Chusai to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel hath given this time is not good… Thou knowest thy father, and the men that are with him, that they are very valiant, and bitter in their mind, as  bear raging in the wood when her whelps are taken away: and thy father is a warrior, and will not lodge with his people… perhaps he now lieth in pits…But this seemeth to me to be good counsel: let all Israel be gathered to thee… and thou shall be in the midst of them… and we shall come upon him in what place soever he shall be found: and we shall cover him, as the dew falleth upon the ground…

And Absalom, and all the men of Israel said: The counsel of Chusai the Arachite is better than the counsel of Achitophel: and by the will of the Lord the profitable counsel of Achitophel was defeated, that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom.

And Chusai said to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests… now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying: Tarry not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but without delay pass over: lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that is with him… And Jonathan and Achimaas stayed by the fountain Rogel: and there went a maid and told them: and they went forward to carry the message to King David…

But Achitophel seeing that his counsel was not followed… putting his house in order… hanged himself…

But David came to the camp, and Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him… Now Absalom appointed Amasa in Joab’s stead over the army… And Israel camped with Absalom in the land of Galaad.

2 Kings Chapter 18: David’s army prepares to fight; David commands mercy for Absalom; David defeats Absalom’s army; Absalom caught in a tree; Joab kills Absalom; Absalom’s pillar; David learns of the death of Absalom; David mourns for Absalom.

And David reviewed his people… and sent forth a third of the people under the hand of Joab, a third under Abisai, and a third under Ethai… I also will go forth with you… for thou alone art accounted for ten thousand… it is better that thou (King David) shouldst be in the city to succor us… What seemeth good to you, that will I do.

Succor—help; relief; aid; assistance; a person or thing that gives help, relief, aid, etc.; to help or relieve.

King David commanded: Save me the boy Absalom.

And the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. And the people of Israel were defeated there by David’s army, and a great slaughter was made that day of twenty thousand men… and there were many more of the people whom the forest consumed, than whom the sword devoured that day.

And it happened that Absalom met the servants of David, riding on a mule: and as the mule went under a thick and large oak, his head stuck in the oak: and while he hung between the heaven and the earth, the mule on which he rode passed on.

And one saw this and told Joab…

Joab: Not as thou wilt, but I will set upon him in thy sight. So he took three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom: and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak, ten young men, armorbearers of Joab, ran up, and striking him slew him.

And Joab sounded the trumpet, and kept back the people from pursuing after Israel in their flight, being willing to spare the multitude.

Now Absalom had reared up for himself, in his lifetime, a pillar, which is in the king’s valley: for he said: I have no son, and this shall be the monument of my name. And he called the pillar by his own name, and it is called the hand of Absalom, to this day.

Joab to Chusai: Go, and tell the king what thou hast seen…

Then Achimaas running by a nearer way passed Chusai…

Achimaas to King David: I know nothing else…

Chusai to King David: Let the enemies of my lord, the king, and all that rise against him unto evil, be as the young man is (dead).

King David weeping: My son Absalom, Absalom my son! Would to God that I might die for thee, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom.

2 Kings Chapter 19: The people mourn with David; Joab urges David to rejoice; The Israelites invite David to return; David returns; David forgives Semei; David pardons Miphiboseth; Chamaam joins David; Strife between Juda and Israel.

And the victory was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard that day: The king grieveth for his son.

Joab to King David: Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, that have saved thy life… Thou lovest them that hate thee, and thou hatest them that love thee… I not plainly that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, then it would have pleased thee…

And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Israel… But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in the battle: how long are you silent, and bring not back the king?

And the king returned and came as far as the Jordan, and all Juda came as far as Galgal to meet the king, and to bring him over the Jordan…

Semei to King David: Impute not to me, my lord, the iniquity, nor remember the injuries of thy servant on the day that thou, my lord, the king, wentest out of Jerusalem, nor lay it up in thy heart, O King. For I thy servant acknowledge my sin…

King David to Semei: Thou shalt not die. And he swore unto him.

Miphiboseth to King David: My lord, O king, my servant despised me: for I thy servant spoke to him to saddle me as ass, that I might get on and go with the king: for I thy servant am lame…

King David to Miphiboseth: Why speakest thou any more? What I have said is determined: thou and Siba divide the possessions.

 Miphiboseth answered King David: Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is returned peaceably into his house.

Berzellai was of a great age, that is to say, fourscore years old…

King David to Berzellai: Come with me that thou mayest rest secure with me in Jerusalem…

Berzellai to King David: Why should thy servant be a burden to my lord, the king? I beseech thee to let thy servant return, and die in my own city, and be buried by the sepulcher of my father, and of my mother… but there is my servant Chamaam, let him go with thee…

King David to Berzellai: Let Chamaam go over with me, and I will do for him whatsoever shall please thee, and all that thou shalt ask of me, thou shalt obtain.

Men of Israel to King David: Why have our brethren (of Juda) stolen thee away…

And all of the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me; why art thou angry for this matter?

2 Kings Chapter 20: Seba’s rebellion; Joab kills Amasa; Joab pursues Seba to Abela; A woman appeals to Joab; The woman agrees to have Seba killed; Chief officers of David.

Seba: We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Isai: return to thy dwellings, O Israel.

And all Israel departed from David, and followed Seba… but the men of Juda stuck to their king from the Jordan unto Jerusalem.

At Jerusalem, King Davis took the ten woman his concubines, which he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, allowing them provisions: and he went not in unto them, but they were shut up unto the day of their death living in widowhood.

King to Amasa: Assemble to me all the men of Juda, against the third day, and be thou here present.

But Amasa tarried beyond the set time which the king had appointed him.

Now will Seba… do us more harm than did Absalom…

But Amasa did not take notice of the sword, which Joab had, and he struck him in the side… and he died.

Now he had passed through all the tribes of Israel unto Abela…

Wise woman to Joab: A saying was used in the old proverb: They that inquire, let them inquire in Abela: and so they made an end. Behold his head shall be thrown to thee from the wall.

So she went to all the people and spoke to them wisely: and they cut off the head of Seba and cast it out to Joab.

And Joab sounded the trumpet, and they departed from the city, every one to their home: and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.