1 Samuel 30 - 31

David Strikes Down the Amalekites

Then it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag and had struck Ziklag and burned it with fire; 2 and they took captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great—they did not put anyone to death—and carried them off and went their way. 3 Then David and his men came to the city, and behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 So David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep. 5 Now David’s two wives had been taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people said to stone him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God. 7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Please bring the ephod near to me.” So Abiathar brought the ephod near to David. 8 And David asked of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?” And He said to him, “Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely deliver all.” 9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those left behind remained. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men, for two hundred who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor remained behind. 11 Then they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David and gave him bread, and he ate, and they provided him water to drink. 12 And they gave him a piece of fig cake and two clusters of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. 13 And David said to him, “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” And he said, “I am a young man of Egypt, a slave of an Amalekite; and my master forsook me when I fell sick three days ago. 14 We made a raid on the Negev of the Cherethites and on that which belongs to Judah and on the Negev of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.” 15 Then David said to him, “Will you bring me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not put me to death or surrender me into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this band.” 16 So he brought him down, and behold, they were spread over all the land, eating and drinking and celebrating because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. 17 Then David struck them down from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. 18 So David delivered all that the Amalekites had taken and delivered his two wives. 19 Indeed nothing of theirs was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that they had taken for themselves; David brought it all back. 20 And David took all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, “This is David’s spoil.”

David Apportions the Spoils

21 Then David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also remained at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, and David approached the people and greeted them. 22 Then all the evil and vile men among those who went with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have delivered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart.” 23 Then David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what Yahweh has given us, who has kept us and given into our hand the band that came against us. 24 And who will listen to you in this matter? For as is the portion of the one who goes down to the battle, so shall the portion be of the one who remains by the baggage; they shall be apportioned together.” 25 So it has been from that day forward, that he made it a statute and a judgment for Israel to this day. 26 Then David came to Ziklag and sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Behold, a gift for you from the spoil of the enemies of Yahweh: 27 to those who were in Bethel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the Negev, and to those who were in Jattir, 28 and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa, 29 and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, 30 and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Bor-ashan, and to those who were in Athach, 31 and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men went about.”

The Death of Saul and His Sons

Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons; and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 And the battle became heavy against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was badly wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and pierce me through and abuse me.” But his armor bearer was not willing, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. 5 Then his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, so he also fell on his sword and died with him. 6 Thus Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men on that day together. 7 Then the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, with those who were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead. So they forsook the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them. 8 Now it happened on the next day, that the Philistines came to strip the slain, and they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 Then they cut off his head and stripped off his weapons and sent them all around the land of the Philistines, to proclaim the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. 10 And they placed his weapons in the house of Ashtaroth and fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. 11 Then the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 so all the valiant men arose and walked all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13 And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

1 Chronicles 9:35 - 10:14

Generations of Saul

Now in Gibeon, Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived, and his wife’s name was Maacah,

and his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,

Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.

Mikloth became the father of Shimeam. And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their other relatives.

Ner became the father of Kish,

and Kish became the father of Saul,

and Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal,

and Merib-baal became the father of Micah.

The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz.

Ahaz became the father of Jarah,

and Jarah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri;

and Zimri became the father of Moza.

Moza became the father of Binea and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.

Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan.

These were the sons of Azel.

The Death of Saul and His Sons

Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 And the battle became heavy against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me.” But his armor bearer was not willing, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. 5 Then his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, so he also fell on his sword and died. 6 Thus Saul died with his three sons, and all those of his house died together. 7 Then all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead. So they forsook their cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them. 8 Now it happened on the next day, that the Philistines came to strip the slain, and they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 So they stripped him and took his head and his weapons and sent them all around the land of the Philistines, to proclaim the good news to their idols and to the people. 10 And they placed his weapons in the house of their gods and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.

Jabesh‑gilead Buries Saul

11 Then all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 so all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh, and they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days. 13 Thus Saul died for his unfaithfulness, which he committed against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, 14 and did not inquire of Yahweh. Therefore He put him to death and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

James 2:14 - 3:18

Faith and Works

14 What use is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

The Tongue Is a Fire

Do not, many of you, become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the entire body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wills. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a fountain pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can saltwater produce fresh.

Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not coming down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruits, without doubting, without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Proverbs 23

The Fear of Yahweh

When you sit down to dine with a ruler,

Understand well what is before you,

So you should put a knife to your throat

If you are a man of appetite.

Do not desire his delicacies,

For it is bread of falsehood.

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,

Because of your understanding, cease!

Do you make your eyes fly up to see it? But it is not there!

Because it certainly makes itself wings

Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

Do not eat the bread of a selfish man,

And do not desire his delicacies;

For as he calculates in his soul, so he is.

“Eat and drink!” he says to you,

But his heart is not with you.

You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten,

And you will corrupt your pleasant words.

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,

For he will despise the insight of your speech.

Do not move the ancient boundary

And do not come into the fields of the orphans,

For their Redeemer is strong;

He will plead their case against you.

Bring your heart to discipline

And your ears to words of knowledge.

Do not withhold discipline from the child,

Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

You shall strike him with the rod

And deliver his soul from Sheol.

My son, if your heart is wise,

My own heart also will be glad;

And my inmost being will exult

When your lips speak upright things.

Do not let your heart be jealous of sinners,

But be zealous in the fear of Yahweh always.

Surely there is a future,

And your hope will not be cut off.

You, my son, listen and be wise,

And direct your heart in the way.

Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine,

Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,

And drowsiness will clothe them with rags.

Listen to your father who begot you,

And do not despise your mother when she is old.

Buy truth, and do not sell it,

Get wisdom and discipline and understanding.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,

And he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.

Let your father and your mother be glad,

And let her rejoice who gave birth to you.

Give your heart to me, my son,

And let your eyes delight in my ways.

For a harlot is a deep pit

And a foreign woman is a narrow well.

Surely she lies in wait as a robber,

And adds to the treacherous among men.

Who has woe? Who has sorrow?

Who has contentions? Who has complaining?

Who has wounds without cause?

Who has redness of eyes?

Those who linger long over wine,

Those who go to search out mixed wine.

Do not look on the wine when it glistens red,

When it sparkles in the cup,

When it goes down smoothly;

At the end—like a serpent it bites,

And like a viper it stings.

Your eyes will see strange things

And your heart will speak perverse things.

And you will be like one who lies down in the heart of the sea,

Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast.

“They struck me, but I did not become ill;

They beat me, but I did not know it.

When shall I awake?

I will seek yet another.”