170. 18-June Daily Reading (Prophets and Writings).

2 Samuel 9, 10, Daniel 5, Psalms 139, Proverbs 4.

2 Samuel 9.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. David's Kindness to Mephibosheth. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

David said, “Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 There was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “Your servant is he.”
3 The king said, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of ELOHIM to him?” Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet.”
4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, “Mephibosheth.” He answered, “Behold, your servant!”
7 David said to him, “Don’t be afraid of him; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You shall eat bread at my table continually.”
8 He bowed down, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?”
9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given to your master’s son.
10 You shall till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your servants; and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat: but Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread always at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my master the king commands his servant, so your shall servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table, like one of the king’s sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All that lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.
13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem; for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.

2 Samuel 10.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. The Ammonites and Syrians Defeated. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

It happened after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.
2 David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their master, “Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn’t David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?”
4 So Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”
6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men.
7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men.
8 The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
9 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
10 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11 He said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
12 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our ELOHIM; and YHWH do that which seems good to him.”
13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15 When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together.
16 Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head.
17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians seven hundred charioteers, and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shobach the captain of their army, so that he died there.
19 When all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

Daniel 5.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Belshazzar's Feast. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his masters, and drank wine before the thousand.
2 Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his masters, his wives and his concubines, might drink from them.
3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of ELOHIM which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his masters, his wives and his concubines, drank from them.
4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
5 In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the menorah on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
6 Then the king’s face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against another.
7 The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Kasdim, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whoever shall read this writing, and show me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
8 Then came in all the king’s wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation.
9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his face was changed in him, and his masters were perplexed.
10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his masters came into the banquet house: the queen spoke and said, O king, live forever; don’t let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed.
11 There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar your father, the king, I say, your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Kasdim, and soothsayers;
12 because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.

13 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. The Writing on the Wall Explained. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, Are you that Daniel, who are of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah?
14 I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
15 Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.
16 But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts; now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17 Then Daniel answered before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
18 You, king, the Most High ELOHIM gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:
19 and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down.
20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
21 and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky; until he knew that the Most High ELOHIM rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.
22 You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
23 but have lifted up yourself against ADONAI of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your masters, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, nor hear, nor know; and the ELOHIM in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, you have not glorified.
24 Then was the part of the hand sent from before him, and this writing was inscribed.
25 This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN!
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; ELOHIM has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end;
27 TEKEL; you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting.
28 PERES; your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Belshazzar's Fall. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

In that night Belshazzar the Kasdian King was slain.
31 Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Psalms 139.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. YHWH, you have searched me, and you know me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, YHWH, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.
6 This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.
7 Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me; the light around me will be night;”
12 even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.
13 For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
15 My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, ELOHIM! How vast is their sum!
18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.
19 If only you, ELOHIM, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.
21 YHWH, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.
23 Search me, ELOHIM, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

Proverbs 4.

1 \Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnestLOW”\. Security in Wisdom. .\Vce=Speaker=“LeslieEarnest”\.

Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
2 for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my Torah (teaching and instruction).
3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
6 Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”
10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
14 Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
16 For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
27 Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

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

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