M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
David’s Kingdom Expands
8 Now afterward David attacked the Philistines and subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah[a] from the hand of the Philistines. 2 He also defeated Moab. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them with a cord. Every two measures of them were put to death, and the third measure was kept alive. So the Moabites became vassals to David, bringing tribute.
3 David also defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah, as he went to restore his dominion along the River[b]. 4 David captured from him 1700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers, and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, while reserving 100 of them for chariots. 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to the aid of King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Aramean men. 6 Then David stationed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became vassals to David, bringing tribute. So Adonai gave victory to David wherever he went 7 David also took the golden shields of Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Betah and Berothai, towns of Hadadezer, King David took a vast amount of bronze.
9 Now when King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer—for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold and bronze. 11 These too King David consecrated to Adonai, along with the silver and gold that he had consecrated from all the nations that he had subdued: 12 from Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 Then David made a name for himself when he returned from striking 18,000 down from Edom in the Valley of Salt. 14 Then he stationed garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom he stationed garrisons, so that all the Edomites became vassals to David. So Adonai gave victory to David wherever he went.
15 David reigned over all Israel, and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people. 16 Joab son of Zeruiah was commander over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were kohanim; Seraiah was scribe; 18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief ministers.
Covenant Loyalty to Mephibosheth
9 Then David inquired, “Is there anyone still left from the house of Saul, so that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant from Saul’s house whose name was Ziba, so they summoned him to David. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?”
“Your servant,” he said.
3 The king asked him, “Is there still anyone from the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?”
“There is still a son of Jonathan,” Ziba said to the king, “with crippled legs.”
4 “Where is he?” the king said to him.
Ziba said to the king, “He’s there, in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.” 5 So King David sent word and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
6 Then Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face and prostrated himself. “Mephibosheth!” David said.
“Behold your servant!” he answered.
“Don’t be afraid,” 7 David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat bread at my table.”
8 Then he bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should turn to look at such a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his household I have given to your master’s son. 10 So you, you and your sons and your servants will till the land for him, and you will bring in the yield so that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son will always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” Thus Mephibosheth used to eat at the table just like one of the king’s sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All the members of Ziba’s household were servants to Mephibosheth. 13 But Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly, though he was crippled in both his legs.
Forgive the Repentant Sinner
2 So I made up my mind that I would not come to you again causing sorrow. 2 For if I cause you sorrow, then who is there cheering me on but the one I have made sorrowful? 3 And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I wouldn’t have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice—having confidence in you all that my joy is yours. 4 For out of much distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears—not to make you sorrowful, but to let you know the love that I have especially for you.
5 But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but to some extent—not to exaggerate—to all of you. 6 For such a person, this punishment by the majority is enough. 7 So instead you should forgive him and encourage him. Otherwise such a person might be swallowed up by excessive sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might know your character, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now anyone you forgive, I also forgive. For indeed, what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything), I did it for you in the presence of Messiah, 11 so that we might not be outwitted by satan—for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Revealing Messiah’s Fragrance
12 Now when I arrived in Troas for the Good News of Messiah, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus my brother. So I said farewell to them, and I set out for Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Messiah always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us reveals everywhere the aroma[a] of the knowledge of Himself. 15 For we are the aroma of Messiah to God, among those who are being saved and those who are perishing— 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. Who is competent for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God. Rather, in Messiah we speak in the sight of God with sincerity, as persons sent from God.
Harlot, Hear the Word of Adonai
16 The word of Adonai came to me saying: 2 “Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her abominations 3 and say, thus says Adonai to Jerusalem: ‘Your origin and your birth are from the land of the Canaanite; your father was an Amorite, your mother was a Hittite. 4 As for your birth, on the day you were born your umbilical cord was not cut nor were you washed in water for cleansing. You were never rubbed with salt nor were you swaddled at all. 5 No eye pitied you enough to do any of these things to you out of compassion. Instead you were cast out in the open field, for you were detested on the day you were born.
6 “When I passed by you, and saw you kicking in your blood. I said to you, ‘In your blood, live!’ Yes, I said to you, ‘In your blood, live!’ 7 I made you grow as myriads, like a branch of the field. You grew up, got tall and came to full adornment. Your breasts were formed, your hair sprouted. Yet you were naked and bare.
8 “Again I passed by and saw you, and behold, you were truly at the time of love. I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I swore to you and entered into a covenant with you,” says Adonai. “So you became Mine. 9 Then I washed you with water, rinsed off your blood from on you and anointed you with oil. 10 I clothed you with embroidery and put sandals of fine leather on you. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. 11 I adorned you with jewelry, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace on your neck. 12 I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears and a crown of glory on your head. 13 So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your raiment was of fine linen, silk and embroidery. You ate fine flour, honey and oil. You became exceedingly beautiful, and advanced to the kingdom. 14 Your fame spread among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect, through My splendor, which I bestowed on you.” It is a declaration of Adonai.
15 “But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a harlot. You poured out your enticements on everyone who passed by—they were his. 16 You took your garments, made high places decked out with various colors and fornicated on them—this should not happen, it should not be! 17 You also took your jewelry—My gold and My silver, which I gave you—made male images for yourself and committed harlotry with them. 18 You took your embroidered garments, covered them and placed My oil and My incense before them. 19 My bread that I gave you, fine flour, oil and honey that I fed you with, you set before them as a sweet aroma. That is what happened.” It is a declaration of Adonai.
20 “You took your sons and your daughters whom you bore for Me, and sacrificed them to be eaten by them. Were your obscene practices not enough? 21 You slaughtered My children, making them pass through fire for them. 22 In all your abominations and harlotry, you have not remembered the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, kicking about in your blood. 23 So it was after all your wickedness—oy, oy to you!” It is a declaration of Adonai.
24 “Then you built a mound for yourself. You made a high place for yourself in every square. 25 You built your lofty place at the head of every street. You made your beauty an abomination. You spread your legs for everyone passing by and multiplied your harlotry. 26 You committed immorality with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors. You multiplied your prostitution, to provoke Me.
27 “So behold, I stretched out My hand over you. I diminished your ration. I gave you over to those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your indecent conduct. 28 Then you also played the harlot with the Assyrians, never being satisfied; you played the harlot with them, and still you were not satisfied. 29 So you multiplied your harlotry toward the land of merchants—Chaldea—yet even with this, you were not satisfied.
30 “How weak is your heart”—it is a declaration of Adonai Elohim—“while you are doing all these things, the work of a shameless harlot, 31 when you build your mound at the head of every road and make your high place in every street. Yet you were not like a harlot, since you scoffed at receiving payment. 32 You adulterous wife, who receives strangers instead of her husband! 33 To all prostitutes gifts are given—but you gave your gifts to all your lovers! You bribed them to come to you from every side in your harlotry. 34 So you are the opposite of other women—no one runs after you for favors. You give payment and none is given to you. So you are the opposite!
35 “Therefore, harlot, hear the word of Adonai!” 36 Thus says Adonai Elohim: “Because your filth was poured out and your nakedness exposed through your harlotry with your lovers, because of all the idols of your abominations, and because of the blood of your children that you gave to them, 37 therefore behold, I will gather all your lovers—those you have pleased and all those you have loved, with all them that you have hated. I will gather them against you from every side. I will expose your nakedness to them, so they may all see your nakedness. 38 So I will judge you, as women who commit adultery and shed blood are judged. Then I will bring on you the blood of fury and jealousy. 39 I will give you into their hand. They will tear down your mound and break down your high places. They will strip you of your clothes and take your jewelry. They will leave you naked and bare. 40 They will also incite an assembly against you, stone you with stones and thrust you through with their swords. 41 They will set your houses on fire and execute judgment on you in the sight of many women. So I will cause you to stop your harlotry. You will never again pay for a lover. 42 So I will calm My fury against you and My jealousy will turn away from you. Then I will be quiet and angry no longer.
43 “Because you did not remember the days of your youth, but have enraged Me in all these things, behold, I will also bring your way on your head”—it is a declaration of Adonai. “Have you not committed this wickedness on top of all your abominations? 44 Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will say this proverb against you, saying, ‘As the mother, so her daughter.’ 45 You are your mother’s daughter, who despises her husband and her children. You are the sister of your sisters, who despised their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite. Your father was an Amorite. 46 Your elder sister who lives to your left is Samaria, she and her daughters. Your younger sister who lives to your right is Sodom, with her daughters. 47 You have not only walked in their ways and gone after their abominations, but in a very short time, you have acted more corruptly than them in all your ways.”
48 “As I live”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“your sister Sodom with her daughters have not done as you have done, you and your daughters. 49 Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, gluttony, and careless ease—so had she and her daughters—and she did not strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 So they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I removed them when I saw it. 51 Moreover, Samaria did not commit even half of your sins. You multiplied your abominations beyond theirs. So you made your sisters seem righteous by all your disgusting things you have done. 52 You also bear your own shame, since you have interceded for your sisters. Because of your sins that you committed, more treacherous than theirs, they appear more righteous than you. So you also, be ashamed! Bear your disgrace, since you have justified your sisters.
53 “I will return their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, and along with them, your own captivity. 54 So you will bear your own disgrace and be ashamed of all that you have done in becoming a consolation to them. 55 Your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, Samaria and her daughters, will return to their former state. You and your daughters will return to your former state.
56 “Was not your sister Sodom an object of scorn to you in the day of your pride, 57 before your own wickedness was exposed? Now you have become an object of scorn for the daughters of Aram and all that surround her, for the daughters of the Philistines, for all around who despise you. 58 You will bear your wickedness and your abominations.” It is a declaration of Adonai.
59 For thus says Adonai Elohim: “I will do to you just as you have done, since you despised the oath by breaking the covenant. 60 Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth. Moreover, I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. 61 Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and younger sisters. I will give them to you for daughters, yet not because of your covenant. 62 So I will establish My covenant with you, and you will know that I am Adonai. 63 So you will remember, be ashamed and never open your mouth again because of your disgrace, when I have forgiven you of all that you have done.” It is a declaration of Adonai.
God Really Judges
Psalm 58
1 For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David.
2 Do you really speak of justice, O “gods”?
Do you judge with fairness, sons of man?
3 No, in heart you devise injustice.
Your hands weigh out violence on earth.
4 The wicked are strangers from the womb.
Speaking lies, they go astray from birth.
5 Their venom is like a serpent’s venom,
like a deaf cobra shutting its ear—
6 not hearing the voice of charmers,
or a cunning spell binder.
7 O God, break their teeth in their mouths.
Tear out the fangs of young lions, Adonai.
8 Let them flow away like water that runs off.
When he bends his bow, let the arrows be cut off.
9 Like a slug melting away as it slithers,
like a woman’s miscarriage,
may they never see the sun.
10 Even before your pots can feel a thorn
—whether alive or ablaze—
He will sweep the wicked away.
11 The righteous one will rejoice
when he beholds vengeance,
when he washes his feet in the blood of the wicked.
12 Then men will say:
“There really is a reward for the righteous.
There really is a God who judges on earth!”
God Is My Strong Tower
Psalm 59
1 For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when Saul sent men to watch the house to kill him.
2 Deliver me from my enemies, my God!
Set me on high,
away from those who rise up against me.
3 Deliver me from workers of iniquity.
Rescue me from bloodthirsty men.
4 For behold, they lie in wait for me.
Defiant men stir up strife against me—
not for my transgression or sin, Adonai.
5 For no guilt of mine, they run and set things up.
Awake! Help me! Look!
6 For You are Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot, the God of Israel!
Rouse Yourself to punish all the nations.
Show no mercy to any iniquitous traitors. Selah
7 They return at evening, snarling like a dog,
prowling about the city.
8 See, they are spewing with their mouth
—swords in their lips—
“After all, who is listening?”
9 But You, Adonai, are laughing at them.
You scoff at all the nations.
10 O my strength, I watch for You—
for God is my strong tower.
11 My God in His lovingkindness will go before me.
God will let me look down on my foes.
12 Do not slay them, lest my people forget.
With Your power shake them
and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
13 The sin of their mouth is the words of their lips.
So let them be caught in their pride,
and for uttering a curse and a lie.
14 Consume them in wrath,
consume them till they are no more.
Let them know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah
15 They return at evening, snarling like a dog,
prowling about the city.
16 They wander around for food.
If they are not full, they stay up all night.
17 But I—I sing of Your strength!
Yes, in the morning I sing aloud of Your lovingkindness.
For You have been my fortress,
a refuge in the day of my trouble.
18 O my strength, to You I sing praises.
For God is my strong tower—
my God of lovingkindness.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.