Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Taste and See

Psalm 34

¹⁵ Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the kohanim, “This and that is what Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this and that is what I advised. ¹⁶ Now therefore send word quickly and tell David saying, ‘Don’t spend the night at the fords in the wilderness but by all means, cross over or else the king and all the people with him may be swallowed up.’” ¹⁷ Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, and a maidservant used to go and pass information along to them. Then they would go and inform King David for they could not be seen entering the city.

¹⁸ But a lad did see them and informed Absalom. So the two of them left quickly and arrived at the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard; so they went down into it. ¹⁹ Then the woman took the cover and spread it over the well’s mouth and scattered grain on top of it so that nothing was noticeable. ²⁰ When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” the woman said to them, “They crossed over the brook of water.” When they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

²¹ After they had departed, they came up from the well, then went and informed King David, telling David, “Get up and cross over the water immediately, for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.” ²² Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed over the Jordan. By morning light, not even one of them was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

²³ Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, arose, went to his home in his hometown set his house in order, and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

²⁴ David had reached Mahanaim by the time Absalom crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. ²⁵ Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. (Now Amasa was son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite^[a], who had gone to Abigal daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.) ²⁶ Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

²⁷ Now when David reached Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, Machir son of Ammiel of Lo-debar and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim ²⁸ brought beds, basins, clay pots, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, ²⁹ honey, curd, sheep and cheese from the herd for David and for the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people must be hungry, weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Bearing Burdens

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught doing something wrong, you who are directed by the Ruach, restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness—looking closely at yourself so you are not tempted also. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the Torah of Messiah. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is fooling himself. ⁴ Rather let each one examine his own work. Then he will have pride in himself alone and not in comparison to anyone else. ⁵ For each one will carry his own load.

⁶ Now let the one who is taught the word share all good things with his teacher. ⁷ Do not be deceived—God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also shall reap. ⁸ For the one who sows in the flesh will reap corruption from the flesh.^[a] But the one who sows in the Ruach will reap from the Ruach eternal life. ⁹ So let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good toward all^[b]—especially those who belong to the household of faith.