M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Joab Scolds David
19 People told Joab, “Look, the king is ·sad [mourning] and crying ·because of [for] Absalom.” 2 David’s army had won the battle that day. But ·it became a very sad day for all the people [L the victory that day turned to mourning], because they heard that the king was ·very sad [grieving] for his son. 3 The ·people [men; soldiers] ·came into the city quietly [L stole/crept into the city] that day. They were like an army that had been ·defeated in battle and had run away [L shamed for fleeing in battle]. 4 The king covered his face and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”
5 Joab went into the king’s house and said, “Today you have ·shamed [humiliated] all your men. They ·saved [rescued; T delivered] your life and the lives of your sons, daughters, wives, and ·slave women [L concubines; C secondary wives; 3:7]. 6 You have shamed them because you love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you. Today you have made it clear that your commanders and men mean nothing to you. What if Absalom had lived and all of us were dead? I can see you would be ·pleased [content]. 7 Now go out and ·encourage [reassure; speak kindly to] your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, ·no man will be left with you by tonight [L not one man will stay with you tonight]! That will be worse than ·all the troubles [any disaster/evil] you have had from your youth until today.”
8 So the king went to the city gate [C a place where public meetings and court cases were held; 15:2]. When the news spread that the king was at the gate, ·everyone [all the soldiers] came to see him.
David Goes Back to Jerusalem
·All the Israelites who had followed Absalom [L Israel] had run away to their ·homes [L tents]. 9 People in all the tribes of Israel began to argue, saying, “The king ·saved [rescued; T delivered] us from the Philistines and our other enemies, but he ·left [fled] the country because of Absalom. 10 We ·appointed [anointed] Absalom to rule us, but now he has died in battle. ·We should make [L Why do you say nothing about making…?] David the king again.”
11 King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, that said, “Speak to the elders of Judah. Say, ‘Even in my house ·I have heard what all the Israelites are saying [the talk of Israel has reached the king]. So why are you the last tribe to bring the king back to his ·palace [L house; C even David’s own tribe was wavering in their support]? 12 You are my ·brothers [relatives; kin], my own ·family [L bone and flesh]. Why are you the last tribe to ·bring [welcome] back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘·You are part of my own family [L Are you not my bone and flesh?]. May God punish me terribly if I don’t make you commander of the army [L from now on; for life] in Joab’s place!’”
14 ·David [or Amasa; L He] ·touched [turned; swayed] the hearts of all the people of Judah ·at once [as one]. They sent a message to the king that said, “Return with all ·your men [L who serve you].” 15 Then the king returned as far as the Jordan River. The men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and to ·bring [escort] him across the Jordan.
16 Shimei son of Gera, a Benjaminite who lived in Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With Shimei came a thousand Benjaminites. Ziba, the servant from Saul’s family, also came, bringing his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. They all hurried to the Jordan River ·to meet [arriving before] the king. 18 The people went across the ·Jordan [L ford] to help ·bring [escort] the king’s family back to Judah and to do whatever the king wanted. As the king was crossing the river, Shimei son of Gera came to him and ·bowed facedown on the ground [prostrated himself] in front of the king. 19 He said to the king, “My master, don’t hold me guilty. ·Don’t remember [Forget] the wrong ·I [L your servant] did when you left Jerusalem! ·Don’t hold it against me [Put it out of your mind]. 20 I know I have sinned. That is why I am the first person from Joseph’s ·family [L house; C that is, the first Israelite] to come down and meet you today, my master and king!”
21 But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “·Shimei should die [L Should not Shimei die…?] because he cursed you, the Lord’s ·appointed king [anointed; 16:5–14]!”
22 David said, “·This does not concern [L What does this have to do with…?] you, sons of Zeruiah! Today you’re ·against me [my adversary]! No one will be put to death in Israel today. Today I know I am king over Israel!” 23 Then the king ·promised [vowed to] Shimei, “You won’t die [1 Kin. 2:8–9, 41–46].”
24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet King David. Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet, cut his beard, or washed his clothes from the time the king had left Jerusalem until he returned ·safely [in peace; C demonstrating his concern for David’s welfare]. 25 When Mephibosheth came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?”
26 He answered, “My master, my servant [C Ziba] tricked me! I am crippled, so ·I [L your servant] said to ·Ziba [L him], ‘Saddle a donkey. Then I will ride it so I can go with the king.’ 27 But he ·lied about [slandered] ·me [L your servant] to you [16:1–4]. You, my master and king, are like an angel from God. Do what ·you think is good [L is right in your eyes]. 28 ·You could have killed all my grandfather’s family [L My father’s household were doomed to death/as good as dead before my lord the king]. ·Instead [Yet], you put ·me [L your servant] with those people who eat at your own table. So I don’t have a right to ask anything more from the king!”
29 The king said to him, “Don’t say anything more. I have decided that you and Ziba will divide the land.”
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let Ziba take ·all the land [everything] now that my master the king has arrived safely home.”
31 Barzillai of Gilead came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan River with the king. 32 Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He had ·taken care of [provided food for] the king when David was staying at Mahanaim, because Barzillai was a very rich man [17:27–29]. 33 David said to Barzillai, “Cross the river with me. Come with me to Jerusalem, and I will ·take care of [provide for] you.”
34 But Barzillai answered the king, “·Do you know how old I am [L How long do I have to live]? Do you think I can go with you to Jerusalem? 35 I am eighty years old! Can your servant tell the difference between what is ·good [pleasant] and ·bad [unpleasant]? ·I am too old to [L Can I…?] taste what I eat or drink. ·I am too old to [L Can I …?] hear the voices of men and women singers. Why should you be ·bothered [burdened] with ·me [L your servant]? 36 ·I am not worthy of a reward from you, but I will cross [L Why should the king reward me for merely going across…?] the Jordan River with you. 37 ·Then [Please] let ·me [L your servant] go back so I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham, your servant. Let him go with you, my master and king. Do with him whatever ·you want [seems good to you/L in your eyes; 1 Kin. 2:7].”
38 The king answered, “Kimham will go with me. I will do for him anything ·you wish [that seems good to you/L in your eyes], and I will do anything for you that you wish.” 39 The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned home, and the king and all the people crossed the Jordan.
40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham went with him. All the ·troops [people] of Judah and half the ·troops [people] of Israel ·led [escorted; accompanied] David across [C the river Jordan].
41 Soon all the Israelites came to the king and said to him, “Why did our ·relatives [brothers], the people of Judah, steal you away? Why did they bring you and your family across the Jordan River ·with [along with all] your men?”
42 All the people of Judah answered the Israelites, “We did this because the king is our ·close relative [kin]. Why are you angry about it? ·We have not [L Have we…?] eaten food at the king’s expense or ·taken anything [received any favors/gifts] for ourselves!”
43 The Israelites answered the people of Judah, “We have ten ·tribes [L shares] in the ·kingdom [L king], so we have more ·right to [claim on] David than you do! ·But you ignored us! [L Why did you treat us with contempt?] ·We were [L Weren’t we…?] the first ones to talk about bringing our king back!”
But the people of Judah spoke even more ·unkindly [harshly; fiercely] than the people of Israel.
A Special Blessing in Paul’s Life
12 I must continue to ·brag [boast]. It will do no good, but I will talk now about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ [C a believer] who was ·taken up [caught up; snatched away] to the third heaven [C the presence of God] fourteen years ago [C Paul is indirectly referring to himself]. I do not know whether the man was in his body or out of his body, but God knows.
7 So that I would not become too proud ·of the wonderful things that were shown to me [or because of these extraordinary revelations; C this phrase may be part of the previous sentence], a ·painful physical problem [L thorn in the flesh] was given to me. This problem was a messenger from Satan, sent to ·beat [torment; harrass; trouble] me and keep me from being too proud. 8 I ·begged [pleaded with] the Lord three times ·to take this problem away from [L that it might leave] me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is ·enough for you [sufficient for you; all you need]. ·When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you [L For (my) power is perfected in weakness].” So I am very happy to ·brag [boast] about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can ·live [reside; or rest] in me. 10 For this reason I am ·happy [pleased; content] when I have weaknesses, insults, ·hard times [times of need], ·sufferings [persecutions], and ·all kinds of troubles [distress] ·for [for the sake of] Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.
Paul’s Love for the Christians
11 I have ·been talking like [L become] a fool, but you ·made me [compelled me to] do it. You are the ones who should ·say good things about [have commended] me. Even if I am ·worth nothing [L nothing], I am not at all inferior to those “·great [super-] apostles.”
12 ·When I was with you, I patiently did the things that prove I am an apostle [L The signs of an apostle were performed among you, with all patience/perseverance]—signs, wonders, and ·miracles [powerful deeds]. 13 In what way were you treated worse than the rest of the churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me for this ·wrong [injustice]!
14 [T Behold; L Look] I am now ready to visit you the third time [2:1, 3], and I will not be a burden to you. I want nothing from you, except you. [L For] Children should not have to save up to give to their parents. [L Rather,] Parents should save to give to their children. 15 So I ·am happy to [most gladly] ·give everything I have for you, even myself [L spend and be spent for your lives/souls]. If I love you more, will you love me less?
16 ·It is clear [Granting that; or Be that as it may] I was not a burden to you, but ·you think I was tricky and lied to catch you [L being so crafty, I took you by deceit!; C Paul is being sarcastic]. 17 Did I ·cheat [take advantage of] you by using any of the messengers I sent to you? [C The Greek question assumes a negative answer.] 18 I ·asked [urged; encouraged] Titus [2:13] to go to you, and I sent our brother with him [8:18, 22]. Titus did not cheat you, did he? ·No, you know that Titus and I did the same thing [L Did we not walk in the same footsteps…?] and with the same spirit.
19 ·Do you think we have been defending ourselves to you all this time [or All this time have you been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you]? We have been speaking in Christ and ·before [in the presence of] God, ·dear friends [beloved], and everything we do is to ·make you stronger [build you up]. 20 [L For] I am afraid that when I come, you will not be what I want you to be, and I will not be what you want me to be. I am afraid that among you there may be ·arguing [quarreling], jealousy, anger, selfish ·fighting [or ambition], ·evil talk [slander], gossip, ·pride [arrogance], and ·confusion [disorder]. 21 I am afraid that when I come to you again, my God will ·make me ashamed [or humble/humiliate me] before you. I may ·be saddened by [or mourn/grieve over] many of those who have sinned because they have not ·changed their hearts or turned [repented] from their ·impurity [uncleanness], sexual sins and the ·shameful things [debauchery; licentiousness] they have done.
Prophecy Against Tyre
26 It was the eleventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2); 586 bc], on the first day of the month. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], the city of Tyre has spoken against Jerusalem: ‘The ·city that traded with [L gate of] the nations is ·destroyed [broken]. ·Now we can be the trading center [L Its doors have swung open to me]. Since ·the city of Jerusalem [L it] is ruined, ·we can make money [L I will be filled].’ 3 So this is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I am against you, Tyre. I will bring many nations against you, like the sea ·beating its waves on your island shores [L brings up its waves]. 4 They will destroy the walls of Tyre and pull down her towers. I will also scrape away her ·ruins [rubble; soil] and make her a bare rock. 5 Tyre will be ·an island [L in the midst of the sea] where fishermen dry their nets. I have spoken, says the Lord God. ·The nations will steal treasures from Tyre [L She will become plunder for the nations]. 6 Also, her ·villages [settlements; L daughters] on the ·shore [mainland] across from the island will be ·destroyed by war [L slaughtered by the sword]. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
Nebuchadnezzar to Attack Tyre
7 “This is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I will bring a king from the north against Tyre. He is Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, ·the greatest king [L king of kings], with his horses, chariots, horsemen, and a great army. 8 He will destroy your ·villages [settlements; L daughters] on the ·shore across from the island [mainland]. He will set up ·devices to attack you [siege works]. He will build a ·road of earth to the top of the walls [siege ramp]. He will raise his shields against you. 9 He will ·bring logs to pound through [direct blows of battering rams against] your city walls, and he will break down your towers with his ·iron bars [or hammers; L swords]. 10 His horses will be so many that they will cover you with their dust. Your walls will shake at the noise of horsemen, wagons, and chariots. The king of Babylon will enter your city gates as men enter a city where the walls are broken through. 11 The hoofs of his horses will ·run over [trample] your streets. He will kill your ·army [or people] with the sword, and your strong pillars will fall down to the ground. 12 Also, his men will ·take away [plunder] your riches and will ·steal [loot] ·the things you sell [your merchandise]. They will break down your walls and destroy your ·nice [pleasant; luxurious] houses. They will throw your stones, ·wood [timber; trees], and ·trash [rubble; or soil] into the sea. 13 So I will stop your songs; the music of your ·harps [lyres] will not be heard anymore. 14 I will make you a bare rock, and you will be a place for ·drying [spreading] fishing nets. You will not be built again, because I, the Lord, have spoken, says the Lord God.
15 “This is what the Lord God says to Tyre: ·The people who live along the seacoast will [L Won’t the coastlands…?] ·shake with fear [tremble] ·when they hear about your defeat [or at the sound of your fall]. ·The injured will [L …when the wounded] groan as the ·killing [slaughter] takes place in you. 16 Then all the ·leaders [princes] of the ·seacoast [L sea] will get down from their thrones, take off their ·beautiful needlework [embroidered] clothes, and ·show how afraid they are [L clothe themselves with trembling]. They will sit on the ground and tremble ·all the time [continuously], ·shocked [appalled; aghast] when they see you. 17 They will begin singing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] about you and will say to you:
‘Famous city [C Tyre was a great maritime power], you have been destroyed!
You have lost your sea power!
You and your ·people [inhabitants]
had great power on the seas.
You made everyone around you
afraid of you.
18 Now the ·people who live by the coast [coastlands will] tremble,
·now that [L on the day] you have fallen.
The ·islands [or coastlands] of the sea
are ·afraid [terrified; dismayed] ·because you have been defeated [at your demise/passing].’
19 “This is what the Lord God says: I will make you ·an empty city [desolate; a ruin], like cities that ·have no people living in them [are uninhabited/deserted]. I will bring the ·deep ocean waters [L deep] over you, and the ·Mediterranean Sea [L great waters] will cover you. 20 At that time I will send you down to the ·place of the dead [pit] to ·join those who died long ago [the people of old/antiquity]. I will make you live with the dead ·below the earth [in the underworld] ·in places that are like old ruins [among ancient ruins]. You will not ·come back from there [or be inhabited] or have any place in the ·world [land] of the living again. 21 ·Other people will be afraid of what happened to you [or I will bring you to a terrible end], and it will be the end of you. People will look for you, but they will never find you again, says the Lord God.”
A Nation in Trouble Prays
A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation] of Asaph [C a Levitical musician, a descendant of Gershon, at the time of David; 1 Chr. 6:39; 15:17; 2 Chr. 5:12].
74 God, why have you rejected us ·for so long [forever]?
Why ·are you angry with us, [L does your anger smoke against] the sheep of your pasture [100:3]?
2 Remember the ·people [assembly; congregation] you ·bought [acquired] long ago.
You ·saved [redeemed] us, and we are ·your very own [L the tribe of your inheritance].
After all, you live on Mount Zion.
3 ·Make your way [Direct your steps] through ·these old [or the utter] ruins;
the enemy ·wrecked [destroyed] everything in the ·Temple [sanctuary; Holy Place; C perhaps a reference to the Babylonian destruction of the Temple; 2 Kin. 25:8–21; 2 Chr. 36:17–21; Lam. 2:6].
4 Those who were against you ·shouted [roared] in your meeting place
and ·raised their flags [L set their signs as signs] there.
5 ·They came with axes raised [or They hacked at the upper entrances]
as if to cut down a forest of trees.
6 They ·smashed [beat to pieces] the ·carved [engraved] panels
with their axes and ·hatchets [crowbars].
7 They ·burned your Temple to the ground [L set your sanctuary/Holy Place on fire];
they have made the ·place where you live [L residence of your name] ·unclean [profane].
8 They ·thought [L said in their hearts], “We will completely crush them!”
They burned ·every place where God was worshiped [L all the meeting places of God] in the land.
9 We do not see any signs.
There are no more prophets [C who can tell them what will happen],
and no one knows how long this will last.
10 God, how much longer will the enemy ·make fun of [scorn] you?
Will they ·insult [revile] ·you [L your name] forever?
11 Why do you ·hold back your power [L return your hand]?
·Bring your power out in the open [L Take your right hand out of your bosom] and ·destroy [annihilate] them!
12 God, you have been our king ·for a long time [of old; Ex. 15:18].
You bring ·salvation [victory] to the earth.
13 You split open the sea by your power
and broke the heads of the sea monster [C an ancient Near Eastern symbol of chaos].
14 You ·smashed [crushed in pieces] the heads of the monster Leviathan [C a sea monster and symbol of chaos; 104:26; Job 3:8; 41:1; Is. 27:1]
and gave it to the ·desert [wilderness] creatures as food.
15 You ·opened up [split] the springs and ·streams [wadis]
and made the flowing rivers run dry.
16 Both the day and the night are yours;
you made the sun and the moon [Gen. 1:14–18].
17 You set all the ·limits [borders] on the earth;
you ·created [formed] summer and winter [104:19–23; Gen. 8:22].
18 Lord, remember how the enemy ·insulted [scorned] you.
Remember how those foolish people ·made fun of you [L reviled your name].
19 Do not give us, your doves, to those wild animals.
Never forget your poor people.
20 ·Remember [Regard] the ·agreement [covenant] you made with us,
because violence fills every dark corner of this land.
21 Do not let your ·suffering [crushed] people be ·disgraced [humiliated].
Let the poor and ·helpless [needy] praise ·you [L your name].
22 God, arise and ·defend [contend for] yourself.
Remember the ·insults [scorn] that come from those foolish people all day long.
23 Don’t forget what your enemies said;
don’t forget their roar as they rise against you always.
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