M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
3 1 Long war between the houses of Saul and David. 2 The children of David in Hebron. 12 Abner turneth to David. 27 Joab killeth him.
1 There was then [a]long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker.
2 ¶ And unto David were children born in Hebron: and his eldest son was Amnon of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess,
3 And his second, was [b]Chileab of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite: and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur,
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital:
5 And the sixth, Ithream by Eglah David’s wife: these were born to David in [c]Hebron.
6 ¶ Now while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made all his power for the house of Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in to my father’s concubine?
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a [d]dog’s head, which against Judah do show mercy this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his neighbors, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me this day with a fault concerning this woman?
9 [e]So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him,
10 To remove the kingdom from the house of Saul, that the throne of David may be established over Israel, and over Judah, even from Dan to Beersheba.
11 And he durst no more answer to Abner: for he feared him.
12 ¶ Then Abner sent messengers to David [f]on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? who should also say, Make covenant with me, and behold, mine hand shall be with thee, to bring all Israel unto thee.
13 Who said, Well, I will make a covenant with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, that thou see not my face, except thou bring Michal Saul’s daughter when thou comest to see me.
14 ¶ Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I married for (A)an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband (B)Paltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her, and came weeping behind her, unto Bahurim: then said Abner unto him, Go, and return. So he returned.
17 ¶ And Abner had [g]communication with the Elders of Israel, saying, Ye fought for David in times past, that he might be your King.
18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hands of the Philistines, and out of the hands of all their enemies.
19 Also Abner spake [h]to Benjamin, and afterward Abner went to speak with David in Hebron, concerning all that Israel was content with, and the whole [i]house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, having twenty men with him, and David made a feast unto Abner, and to the men that were with him.
21 Then Abner said unto David, I will rise up, and go gather all Israel unto my lord the King, that they may make a covenant with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. Then David let Abner depart, who went [j]in peace.
22 ¶ And behold, the servants of David and Joab came [k]from the camp, and brought a great prey with them (but Abner was not with David in Hebron: for he had sent him away, and he departed in peace.)
23 When Joab, and all the host that was with him were come, men told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the King, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24 Then Joab came to the King, and said, [l]What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee, why hast thou sent him away, and he is departed?
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner: for he came to deceive thee, and to know thy outgoing and ingoing, and to know all that thou doest.
26 ¶ And when Joab was gone out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah unknowing to David.
27 And when Abner was come again to Hebron, (C)Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him [m]peaceably, and smote him under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of (D)Asahel his brother.
28 ¶ And when afterward it came to David’s ear, he said, I and my Kingdom are [n]guiltless before the Lord forever, concerning the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29 Let the blood fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house, that the house of Joab be never without some that have running issues, or leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that doeth fall on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30 (So Joab and [o]Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battle.)
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rent your clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourn [p]before Abner: and King David himself followed the bier.
32 And when they had buried Abner in Hebron, the King lift up his voice, and wept beside the sepulcher of Abner, and all the people wept.
33 And the King lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner [q]as a fool dieth?
34 Thine hands were not bound, nor thy feet tied in fetters of brass: but as a man falleth before wicked men, so didst thou fall. And all the people wept again for him.
35 Afterward all the people came to cause David eat [r]meat while it was yet day, but David swore, saying, So do God to me and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else till the sun be down.
36 And all the people knew it, and it [s]pleased them: as whatsoever the King did, pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day, how that it was not the King’s deed that Abner the son of Ner was slain.
38 And the King said unto his servants, Know ye not, that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak and newly anointed King: and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too [t]hard for me: the Lord reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
14 1 He commendeth the gifts of prophecying: 7 and by a similitude taken of musical instruments, 12 he teacheth the true use of interpreting the Scriptures: 17 he taketh away the abuse: 34 And forbiddeth women to speak in the Congregation.
1 Follow [a]after love, and covet spiritual gifts, and rather that ye may [b]prophesy.
2 [c]For he that speaketh a strange [d]tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth him: howbeit in the [e]spirit he speaketh secret things.
3 But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to [f]edifying, and to exhortation, and to comfort.
4 He that speaketh strange language, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the [g]Church.
5 I would that ye all spake strange languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh diverse tongues, except he expound it, that the Church may receive edification.
6 And now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking diverse tongues, what shall I profit you, except I speak to you, either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 [h]Moreover things without life which give a sound, whether it be a pipe or an harp, except they make a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 And also if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
9 So likewise you, by the tongue, except ye utter words that have [i]signification, how shall it be understood what is spoken? for ye shall speak in the air.
10 [j]There are so many kinds of voices (as it cometh to pass) in the world, and none of them is dumb.
11 Except I know then the power of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a Barbarian, and he that [k]speaketh, shall be a Barbarian unto me.
12 [l]Even so, forasmuch as ye covet spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel unto the edifying of the Church.
13 Wherefore, let him that speaketh a strange tongue, [m]pray that he may interpret.
14 [n]For [o]if I pray in a strange tongue, my [p]spirit prayeth: but mine understanding is [q]without fruit.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the [r]understanding also: I will sing with the spirit: but I will sing with the understanding also.
16 [s]Else, when thou blessest with the [t]spirit, how shall he that [u]occupieth the room of the unlearned, say [v]Amen, at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knowest not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 [w]I thank my God, I speak languages more than ye all.
19 Yet had I rather in the Church to speak [x]five words with mine understanding, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.
20 [y]Brethren, be not (A)children in understanding, but as concerning maliciousness be children, but in understanding be of a ripe age.
21 In the [z]Law it is written, (B)By men of other tongues, and by other languages will I speak unto this people: yet so shall they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 [aa]Wherefore strange tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 [ab]If therefore, when the whole Church is come together in one, and all speak strange tongues, there come in they that are [ac]unlearned, or they which believe not, will they not say, that ye are out of your wits?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is rebuked of all men, and is judged of all,
25 And so are the secrets of his heart made manifest, and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, and say plainly that God is in you indeed.
26 [ad]What is to be done then, brethren? when ye come together, according as every one of you hath a Psalm, or hath doctrine, or hath a tongue, or hath revelation, or hath interpretation, let all things be done unto edifying.
27 [ae]If any man speak a strange tongue, let it be by two, or at the most, by three, and that by course, and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the Church, which speaketh languages, and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 [af]Let the Prophets speak, two or three, and let the others judge.
30 And if anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may have comfort.
32 And the [ag]spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as we see in all the Churches of the Saints.
34 (C)[ah]Let your women keep silence in the Churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak: but they ought to be subject, as also (D)the Law saith.
35 And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church.
36 [ai]Came the word of God out from you? either came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a Prophet, or [aj]spiritual, let him acknowledge, that the things that I write unto you, are the commandments of the Lord.
38 [ak]And if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 [al]Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak languages.
40 Let all things be done honestly, and by order.
12 1 The parable of the captivity. 18 Another parable whereby the distress of hunger and thirst is signified.
1 The word of the Lord also came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see [a]not: they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
3 Therefore thou son of man, [b]prepare thy stuff to go into captivity, and go forth by day in their sight: and thou shalt pass from thy place to another place in their sight, if it be possible that they may consider it: for they are a rebellious house.
4 Then shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as the stuff of him that goeth into captivity: and thou shalt go forth at even in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity.
5 Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
6 In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders and carry it forth in the dark: thou shalt cover thy face that thou see not the earth: for I have set thee as a [c]sign unto the house of Israel.
7 And as I was commanded, so I brought forth my stuff by day, as the stuff of one that goeth into captivity: and by night I dug through the wall with mine hand, and brought it forth in the dark, and I bore it upon my shoulder in their sight.
8 And in the morning came the word of the Lord unto me, saying,
9 Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee, What [d]doest thou?
10 But say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, This [e]burden concerneth the chief in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them.
11 Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall go into bondage and captivity.
12 And the chiefest that is among them, shall bear upon his shoulder in the dark, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall, to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.
13 My net also will I spread upon [f]him, and he shall be taken in my net, and I will bring him to Babel to the land of the Chaldeans, yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.
14 And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his garrisons, and I will draw out the sword after them.
15 And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.
16 But I will leave a [g]little number of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence, that they may declare all these abominations among the heathen, where they come, and they shall know, that I am the Lord.
17 ¶ Moreover, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
18 Son of man, eat thy bread with trembling, and drink thy water with trouble, and with carefulness,
19 And say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord God of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and of the land of Israel, They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their water with desolation: for the land shall be desolate from her abundance, because of the cruelty of them that dwell therein.
20 And the cities that are inhabited, shall be left void, and the land shall be desolate, and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
21 ¶ And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
22 Son of man, what is that proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying, The days [h]are prolonged, and all visions [i]fail?
23 Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God, I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel: but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.
24 For no vision shall be anymore in vain, neither shall there be any flattering divination within the house of Israel.
25 For I am the Lord: I will speak, and that thing that I shall speak, shall come to pass: it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the thing, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.
26 Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
27 Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth, is for [j]many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.
28 Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, All my words shall no longer be delayed, but that thing which I have spoken, shall be done, saith the Lord God.
51 When David was rebuked by the Prophet Nathan for his great offenses, he did not only acknowledge the same to God, with protestation of his natural corruption and iniquity, but also left a memorial thereof to his posterity. 7 Therefore first he desireth God to forgive his sins, 10 And to renew in him his holy Spirit. 13 With promise that he will not be unmindful of those great graces. 18 Finally, fearing lest God would punish the whole Church for his fault, he requireth that he would rather increase his graces toward the same.
To him that excelleth. A Psalm of David, when the Prophet Nathan [a]came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, [b]according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities.
2 Wash me [c]thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from mine sin.
3 For I [d]know mine iniquities, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, against thee only have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight, that thou mayest be just when thou [e]speakest, and pure when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was born in iniquity, and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, thou [f]lovest truth in the inward affections: therefore hast thou taught me wisdom in the secret of mine heart.
7 Purge me with (A)hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear [g]joy and gladness, that the [h]bones, which thou hast broken, may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and put away all mine iniquities.
10 [i]Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thine holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and establish me with thy [j]free Spirit.
13 Then shall I teach thy [k]ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from [l]blood, O God, which art the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing joyfully of thy righteousness.
15 [m]Open thou my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest no sacrifice, though I would give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a [n]contrite spirit: a contrite and a broken heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Be favorable unto [o]Zion for thy good pleasure: build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou accept the sacrifices of [p]righteousness, even the burnt offering and oblation: then shall they offer calves upon thine altar.
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