M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Ahab’s Third Campaign against Aram
22 Three [a]years passed without war between Aram and Israel. 2 (A)In the third year (B)Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3 Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that (C)Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we [b]are still doing nothing to take it out of the hand of the king of Aram?” 4 And he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “(D)I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
5 Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire [c]first for the word of the Lord.” 6 Then (E)the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 7 But (F)Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the Lord here that we may inquire of him?” 8 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 9 Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, “[d]Bring quickly Micaiah son of Imlah.” 10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and (G)all the prophets were prophesying before them. 11 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made (H)horns of iron for himself and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘(I)With these you will gore the Arameans until they are consumed.’” 12 All the prophets were prophesying thus, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
Micaiah Predicts Defeat
13 Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king. Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “(J)As the Lord lives, what (K)the Lord says to me, that I shall speak.”
15 When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he [e]answered him, “(L)Go up and succeed, and the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” 17 So he said,
“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
(M)Like sheep which have no shepherd.
And the Lord said, ‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”
18 Then the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “(N)Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”
19 [f]Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the Lord. (O)I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and (P)all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. 20 The Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 The Lord said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and (Q)be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.’ 23 Now therefore, behold, (R)the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the Lord has proclaimed disaster against you.”
24 Then (S)Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “(T)How did the Spirit of the Lord pass from me to speak to you?” 25 Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you (U)enter an inner room to hide yourself.” 26 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son; 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “(V)Put this man in prison and feed him [g]sparingly with bread and water until I return safely.”’” 28 Micaiah said, “(W)If you indeed return safely the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “(X)Listen, all you people.”
Defeat and Death of Ahab
29 So (Y)the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up against Ramoth-gilead. 30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “(Z)I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. 31 Now (AA)the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, “Do not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel alone.” 32 So when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “Surely it is the king of Israel,” and they turned aside to fight against him, and Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.
34 Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel [h]in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn [i]around and take me out of the [j]fight; (AB)for I am severely wounded.” 35 The battle [k]raged that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot in front of the Arameans, and died at evening, and the blood from the wound ran into the bottom of the chariot. 36 (AC)Then a cry passed throughout the army close to sunset, saying, “Every man to his city and every man to his [l]country.”
37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria. 38 They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (now the harlots bathed themselves there), (AD)according to the word of the Lord which He spoke. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did and (AE)the ivory house which he built and all the cities which he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son became king in his place.
The New Rulers
41 (AF)Now Jehoshaphat the son of Asa became king over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 (AG)He walked in all the way of Asa his father; he did not turn aside from it, doing right in the sight of the Lord. (AH)However, the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places. 44 (AI)Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.
45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might which he showed and how he warred, are they not written (AJ)in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 46 The remnant of (AK)the sodomites who remained in the days of his father Asa, he [m]expelled from the land.
47 Now (AL)there was no king in Edom; a deputy was king. 48 Jehoshaphat made (AM)ships of Tarshish to go to (AN)Ophir for gold, but (AO)they did not go for the ships were broken at (AP)Ezion-geber. 49 Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat was not willing. 50 (AQ)And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David, and Jehoram his son became king in his place.
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab (AR)became king over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. 52 He did evil in the sight of the Lord and (AS)walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. 53 (AT)So he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger, according to all that his father had done.
The Day of the Lord
5 Now as to the (A)times and the epochs, brethren, you (B)have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that (C)the day of the Lord [a]will come (D)just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “(E)Peace and safety!” then [b](F)destruction [c]will come upon them suddenly like (G)labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in (H)darkness, that the day would overtake you [d](I)like a thief; 5 for you are all (J)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of (K)darkness; 6 so then let us not (L)sleep as [e](M)others do, but let us be alert and [f](N)sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get (O)drunk at night. 8 But since (P)we are of the day, let us (Q)be [g]sober, having put on the (R)breastplate of (S)faith and love, and as a (T)helmet, the (U)hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for (V)wrath, but for (W)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (X)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore [h]encourage one another and (Y)build up one another, just as you also are doing.
Christian Conduct
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you [i](Z)appreciate those (AA)who diligently labor among you, and (AB)have charge over you in the Lord and give you [j]instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. (AC)Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish (AD)the [k]unruly, encourage (AE)the fainthearted, help (AF)the weak, be (AG)patient with everyone. 15 See that (AH)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always (AI)seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 (AJ)Rejoice always; 17 (AK)pray without ceasing; 18 in everything (AL)give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 (AM)Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise (AN)prophetic [l]utterances. 21 But (AO)examine everything carefully; (AP)hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every [m]form of evil.
23 Now (AQ)may the God of peace (AR)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your (AS)spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, (AT)without blame at (AU)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 (AV)Faithful is He who (AW)calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
25 Brethren, (AX)pray for us[n].
26 (AY)Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord to (AZ)have this letter read to all the (BA)brethren.
28 (BB)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The King Acknowledges God
4 [a]Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every [b]language that live in all the earth: “May your [c](A)peace abound! 2 It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the (B)Most High God has done for me.
3 “How great are His (C)signs
And how mighty are His wonders!
His (D)kingdom is an everlasting kingdom
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
The Vision of a Great Tree
4 “[d]I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and (E)flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a (F)dream and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the (G)visions [e]in my mind kept alarming me. 6 So I gave orders to (H)bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the [f](I)magicians, the conjurers, the [g]Chaldeans and the diviners came in and I related the dream [h]to them, but they could not make its (J)interpretation known to me. 8 But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is (K)Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is [i](L)a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream [j]to him, saying, 9 ‘O Belteshazzar, (M)chief of the magicians, since I know that (N)a spirit of the holy gods is in you and (O)no mystery baffles you, (P)tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.
10 ‘Now these were the (Q)visions [k]in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a (R)tree in the midst of the [l]earth and its height was great.
11 ‘The tree grew large and became strong
And its height (S)reached to the sky,
And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
12 ‘Its foliage was (T)beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The (U)beasts of the field found (V)shade under it,
And the (W)birds of the sky dwelt in its branches,
And all [m]living creatures fed themselves from it.
13 ‘I was looking in the (X)visions [n]in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, (Y)an angelic watcher, a (Z)holy one, descended from heaven.
14 ‘He shouted out and spoke as follows:
(AA)Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit;
Let the (AB)beasts flee from under it
And the birds from its branches.
15 “Yet (AC)leave the stump [o]with its roots in the ground,
But with a band of iron and bronze around it
In the new grass of the field;
And let him be drenched with the dew of heaven,
And let [p]him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
16 “Let his [q]mind be changed from that of a man
And let a beast’s [r]mind be given to him,
And let (AD)seven [s]periods of time pass over him.
17 “This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers
And the decision is a command of the holy ones,
In order that the living may (AE)know
That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,
And (AF)bestows it on whom He wishes
And sets over it the (AG)lowliest of men.”
18 This is the dream which I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, inasmuch as none of the (AH)wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for a (AI)spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
Daniel Interprets the Vision
19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his (AJ)thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, ‘Belteshazzar, do not (AK)let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.’ Belteshazzar replied, ‘(AL)My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you and its interpretation to (AM)your adversaries! 20 The (AN)tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth 21 and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt and in whose branches the birds of the sky lodged— 22 it is (AO)you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your [t]majesty has become great and reached to the sky and your (AP)dominion to the end of the earth. 23 In that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, “(AQ)Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump [u]with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let [v]him share with the beasts of the field until (AR)seven [w]periods of time pass over him,” 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has (AS)come upon my lord the king: 25 that you be (AT)driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven [x]periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the (AU)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and (AV)bestows it on whomever He wishes. 26 And in that it was commanded to (AW)leave the stump [y]with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be [z]assured to you after you recognize that it is (AX)Heaven that rules. 27 Therefore, O king, may my (AY)advice be pleasing to you: [aa](AZ)break away now from your sins by doing righteousness and from your iniquities by (BA)showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a (BB)prolonging of your prosperity.’
The Vision Fulfilled
28 “All this (BC)happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. 29 (BD)Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king [ab]reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the (BE)great, which I myself have built as a royal [ac]residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice [ad]came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: [ae]sovereignty has been removed from you, 32 and (BF)you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and (BG)seven [af]periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the (BH)Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ 33 Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was (BI)driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 “But at the end of [ag]that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my [ah]reason returned to me, and I blessed the (BJ)Most High and praised and honored (BK)Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an (BL)everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 “(BM)All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But (BN)He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And (BO)no one can [ai]ward off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘(BP)What have You done?’
36 At that time my [aj](BQ)reason returned to me. And my majesty and (BR)splendor were [ak]restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my [al]sovereignty, and surpassing (BS)greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of (BT)heaven, for (BU)all His works are [am]true and His ways [an]just, and He is able to humble those who (BV)walk in pride.”
God Praised and Supplicated to Give Victory.
A Song, a Psalm of David.
108 (A)My heart is steadfast, O God;
I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my [a]soul.
2 Awake, harp and lyre;
I will awaken the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples,
And I will sing praises to You among the nations.
4 For Your (B)lovingkindness is great (C)above the heavens,
And Your truth reaches to the skies.
5 (D)Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
And Your glory above all the earth.
6 (E)That Your beloved may be delivered,
Save with Your right hand, and answer me!
7 God has spoken in His [b]holiness:
“I will exult, I will portion out Shechem
And measure out the valley of Succoth.
8 “Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim also is the [c]helmet of My head;
(F)Judah is My [d]scepter.
9 “Moab is My washbowl;
Over Edom I shall throw My shoe;
Over Philistia I will shout aloud.”
10 (G)Who will bring me into the besieged city?
Who [e]will lead me to Edom?
11 Have not You Yourself, O God, (H)rejected us?
And will You not go forth with our armies, O God?
12 Oh give us help against the adversary,
For (I)deliverance [f]by man is in vain.
13 [g]Through God we will do valiantly,
And (J)it is He who shall tread down our adversaries.
Vengeance Invoked upon Adversaries.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
109 O (K)God of my praise,
(L)Do not be silent!
2 For they have opened the [h]wicked and (M)deceitful mouth against me;
They have spoken [i]against me with a (N)lying tongue.
3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,
And fought against me (O)without cause.
4 In return (P)for my love they act as my accusers;
But (Q)I am in prayer.
5 Thus they have [j](R)repaid me evil for good
And (S)hatred for my love.
6 Appoint a wicked man over him,
And let an [k](T)accuser stand at his right hand.
7 When he is judged, let him (U)come forth guilty,
And let his (V)prayer become sin.
8 Let (W)his days be few;
Let (X)another take his office.
9 Let his (Y)children be fatherless
And his (Z)wife a widow.
10 Let his (AA)children wander about and beg;
And let them (AB)seek sustenance [l]far from their ruined homes.
11 Let (AC)the creditor [m]seize all that he has,
And let (AD)strangers plunder the product of his labor.
12 Let there be none to [n](AE)extend lovingkindness to him,
Nor (AF)any to be gracious to his fatherless children.
13 Let his (AG)posterity be [o]cut off;
In a following generation let their (AH)name be blotted out.
14 Let (AI)the iniquity of his fathers be remembered [p]before the Lord,
And do not let the sin of his mother be (AJ)blotted out.
15 Let (AK)them be before the Lord continually,
That He may (AL)cut off their memory from the earth;
16 Because he did not remember to show lovingkindness,
But persecuted the (AM)afflicted and needy man,
And the (AN)despondent in heart, to (AO)put them to death.
17 He also loved cursing, so (AP)it came to him;
And he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.
18 But he (AQ)clothed himself with cursing as with his garment,
And it (AR)entered into [q]his body like water
And like oil into his bones.
19 Let it be to him as (AS)a garment with which he covers himself,
And for a belt with which he constantly (AT)girds himself.
20 [r]Let this be the (AU)reward of my accusers from the Lord,
And of those who (AV)speak evil against my soul.
21 But You, O [s]God, the Lord, deal kindly with me (AW)for Your name’s sake;
Because (AX)Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me;
22 For (AY)I am afflicted and needy,
And [t]my heart is (AZ)wounded within me.
23 I am passing (BA)like a shadow when it lengthens;
I am shaken off (BB)like the locust.
24 My (BC)knees [u]are weak from (BD)fasting,
And my flesh has grown lean, without fatness.
25 I also have become a (BE)reproach to them;
When they see me, they (BF)wag their head.
26 (BG)Help me, O Lord my God;
Save me according to Your lovingkindness.
27 [v]And let them (BH)know that this is Your hand;
You, Lord, have done it.
28 (BI)Let them curse, but You bless;
When they arise, they shall be ashamed,
But Your (BJ)servant shall be glad.
29 [w]Let (BK)my accusers be clothed with dishonor,
And [x]let them (BL)cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.