169. 17-June Daily Reading (Prophets and Writings).

2 Samuel 7, 8, Daniel 4, Psalms 138, Proverbs 3.

2 Samuel 7.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. ELOHIM's Covenant with David. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

It happened, when the king lived in his house, and YHWH had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of ELOHIM dwells within curtains.”
3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for YHWH is with you.”
4 It happened the same night, that the word of YHWH came to Nathan, saying,
5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says YHWH, “Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in?
6 For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.
7 In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’
8 Now therefore you shall tell my servant David this, ‘Thus says YHWH of Hosts, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Israel.
9 I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first,
11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover YHWH tells you that YHWH will make you a house.
12 When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;
15 but my loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”’”
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

18 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. David's Thanksgiving to ELOHIM. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

Then David the king went in, and sat before YHWH; and he said, “Who am I, ADONAI YHWH, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
19 This was yet a small thing in your eyes, ADONAI YHWH; but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come; and this after the way of men, ADONAI YHWH!
20 What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, ADONAI YHWH!
21 For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it.
22 Therefore you are great, YHWH ELOHIM! For there is none like you, neither is there any ELOHIM besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23 What one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom ELOHIM went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make himself a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeem to yourself out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
24 You established for yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, YHWH, became their ELOHIM!
25 Now, YHWH ELOHIM, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken.
26 Let your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘YHWH of Hosts is ELOHIM over Israel; and the house of your servant David shall be established before you.’
27 For you, YHWH of Hosts, the ELOHIM of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.
28 “Now, O ADONAI YHWH, you are ELOHIM, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
29 Now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, ADONAI YHWH, have spoken it. Let the house of your servant be blessed forever with your blessing.”

2 Samuel 8.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. David's Further Conquests. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.
3 David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.
4 David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.
5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. YHWH gave victory to David wherever he went.
7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,
10 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
11 King David also dedicated these to YHWH, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;
12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 David earned a reputation when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.
14 He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. YHWH gave victory to David wherever he went.

15 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. David's Administration. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness to all his people.
16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;
18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

Daniel 4.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High ELOHIM has worked toward me.
3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Kasdim, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.
8 But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and I told the dream before him, saying,
9 Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
10 Thus were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth; and its height was great.
11 The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached to the sky, and its sight to the end of all the earth.
12 The leaves of it were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all: the animals of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
13 I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from the sky.
14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the animals get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth:
16 let his heart be changed from man’s, and let an animal’s heart be given to him; and let seven times pass over him.
17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.
18 This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.

19 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Daniel Explains the Second Dream. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered, My master, the dream be to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.
20 The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and its sight to all the earth;
21 whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation:
22 it is you, O king, that are grown and become strong; for your greatness is grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.
23 Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him;
24 this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my master the king:
25 that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.
26 Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule.
27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.

28 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.
30 The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?
31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from the sky, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you:
32 and you shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field; you shall be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair was grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

34 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Nebuchadnezzar Praises ELOHIM. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or ask him, What are you doing?
36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my masters sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.

Psalms 138.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. A Psalm of David.. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

By David. I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.
3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, YHWH, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of YHWH; for great is YHWH’s glory.
6 For though YHWH is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.
8 YHWH will fulfill that which concerns me; your loving kindness, YHWH, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.

Proverbs 3.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Guidance for the Young. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

My son, don’t forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments:
2 for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.
3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of ELOHIM and man.
5 Trust in YHWH with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear YHWH, and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor YHWH with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase:
10 so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, don’t despise YHWH’s discipline, neither be weary of his reproof:
12 for whom YHWH loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
19 By wisdom YHWH founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.
23 Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
26 for YHWH will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.
27 Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.
29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you.
30 Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.
31 Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
32 For the perverse is an abomination to YHWH, but his friendship is with the upright.
33 YHWH’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
34 Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.

! ! End of The Daily Reading from the PROPHETS AND WRITINGS! Praise Yah! (HNV-yet version, in the public domain.)

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