Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

For the choir director; a psalm by David.

David Anointed King of Israel^(A)

5 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. “We are your own flesh and blood,” they said. ² “Even in the past when Saul ruled us, you were the one who led Israel in battle. The Lord has said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, the leader of Israel.’ ”

³ All the leaders of Israel had come to Hebron. King David made an agreement with them at Hebron in front of the Lord. So they anointed David king of Israel. ⁴ David was 30 years old when he became king, and he ruled for 40 years. ⁵ In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he ruled for 33 years over all Israel and Judah.

David Captures Jerusalem^(B)

⁶ The king and his men went to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived in that region. The Jebusites told David, “You will never get in here. Even the blind and the lame could turn you away” (meaning that David could never get in there). ⁷ But David captured the fortress Zion (that is, the City of David). ⁸ That day David said, “Whoever wants to defeat the Jebusites must reach the lame and the blind who hate me by using the water shaft.” So there is a saying, “The blind and the lame will not get into the palace.” ^{[a] 9} David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built the city ⌞of Jerusalem⌟ around it from the Millo ^[b] to the palace. ¹⁰ David continued to grow more powerful because the Lord God ^[c] of Armies was with him.

More Reasons for Paul to Brag

¹⁶ Again I say that no one should think that I’m a fool. But if you do, then take me for a fool so that I can also brag a little. ¹⁷ What I say as I start bragging is foolishness. It’s not something I would say if I were speaking for the Lord. ¹⁸ Since it’s common for people to brag, I’ll do it too. ¹⁹ You’re wise, so you’ll gladly put up with fools. ²⁰ When someone makes you slaves, consumes your wealth, seizes your property, orders you around, or slaps your faces, you put up with it. ²¹ I’m ashamed to admit it, but Timothy and I don’t have the strength to do those things to you.

Whatever other people dare to brag about, I, like a fool, can also brag about. ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. ²³ Are they Christ’s servants? It’s insane to say it, but I’m a far better one. I’ve done much more work, been in prison many more times, been beaten more severely, and have faced death more often. ²⁴ Five times the Jewish leaders had me beaten with 39 lashes; ²⁵ three times Roman officials had me beaten with clubs. Once people tried to stone me to death; three times I was shipwrecked, and I drifted on the sea for a night and a day. ²⁶ Because I’ve traveled a lot, I’ve faced dangers from raging rivers, from robbers, from my own people, and from other people. I’ve faced dangers in the city, in the open country, on the sea, and from believers who turned out to be false friends. ²⁷ Because I’ve had to work so hard, I’ve often gone without sleep, been hungry and thirsty, and gone without food and without proper clothes during cold weather. ²⁸ Besides these external matters, I have the daily pressure of my anxiety about all the churches. ²⁹ When anyone is weak, I’m weak too. When anyone is caught in a trap, I’m also harmed.

³⁰ If I must brag, I will brag about the things that show how weak I am. ³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is praised forever, knows that I’m not lying. ³² The governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me. ³³ So I was let down in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped from him.