² And Jacob began to notice a change in Laban’s attitude toward him.

The Blazing Furnace

¹⁹ Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.

⁹ So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

¹⁰ The very next day a tormenting spirit^[a] from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, ¹¹ and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.

⁵ but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

⁷ Afterward Jonathan called David and told him what had happened. Then he brought David to Saul, and David served in the court as before.

²⁷ “Please listen to me,” Laban replied. “I have become wealthy, for^[a] the Lord has blessed me because of you.

⁵⁴ The most tenderhearted man among you will have no compassion for his own brother, his beloved wife, and his surviving children.

⁴ “If someone kills another person unintentionally, without previous hostility, the slayer may flee to any of these cities to live in safety.

¹⁰ But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”