Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

(Written by David when he was running from his son Absalom.)

An Early Morning Prayer

The Lord Helps Samuel

¹⁹ As Samuel grew up, the Lord helped him and made everything Samuel said come true. ²⁰ From the town of Dan in the north to the town of Beersheba in the south, everyone in the country knew that Samuel was truly the Lord's prophet. ²¹ The Lord often appeared to Samuel at Shiloh and told him what to say. 4 ¹ Then Samuel would speak to the whole nation of Israel.

The Philistines Capture the Sacred Chest

One day the Israelites went out to fight the Philistines. They set up camp near Ebenezer, and the Philistines camped at Aphek. ² The Philistines made a fierce attack. They defeated the Israelites and killed about 4,000 of them.

²⁶ No sacrifices can be made for people who decide to sin after they find out about the truth. ^27 (A) They are God's enemies, and all they can look forward to is a terrible judgment and a furious fire. ^28 (B) If two or more witnesses accused someone of breaking the Law of Moses, that person could be put to death. ^29 (C) But it is much worse to dishonor God's Son and to disgrace the blood of the promise that made us holy. And it is just as bad to insult the Holy Spirit, who shows us mercy. ^30 (D) We know that God has said he will punish and take revenge. We also know that the Scriptures say the Lord will judge his people. ³¹ It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!