Tuesday, 26 November

1.   After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its towns from the hand of the Philistines. 2.   Then he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought tribute. 3.   And David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his power by the River Euphrates. 4.   David took from him one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. And David also hamstrung all the chariot horses , except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots. 5.   When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty–two thousand of the Syrians. 6.   Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought tribute. So the LORD preserved David wherever he went. 7.   And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8.   Also from Tibhath and from Chun, cities of Hadadezer, David brought a large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the articles of bronze. 9.   Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10.   he sent Hadoram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou); and Hadoram brought with him all kinds of articles of gold, silver, and bronze. 11.   King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all these nations––from Edom, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12.   Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13.   He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went. 14.   So David reigned over all Israel, and administered judgment and justice to all his people. 15.   Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16.   Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Shavsha was the scribe; 17.   Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers at the king’s side.

1.   It happened after this that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place. 2.   Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came to Hanun in the land of the people of Ammon to comfort him. 3.   And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun, "Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Did his servants not come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?" 4.   Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away. 5.   Then some went and told David about the men; and he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return." 6.   When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the people of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, from Syrian Maachah, and from Zobah. 7.   So they hired for themselves thirty–two thousand chariots, with the king of Maachah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. Also the people of Ammon gathered together from their cities, and came to battle. 8.   Now when David heard of it , he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. 9.   Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array before the gate of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field. 10.   When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel’s best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. 11.   And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in battle array against the people of Ammon. 12.   Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13.   "Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight." 14.   So Joab and the people who were with him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. 15.   When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai his brother, and entered the city. So Joab went to Jerusalem. 16.   Now when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought the Syrians who were beyond the River, and Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army went before them. 17.   When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan and came upon them, and set up in battle array against them. So when David had set up in battle array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18.   Then the Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers of the Syrians, and killed Shophach the commander of the army. 19.   And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his servants. So the Syrians were not willing to help the people of Ammon anymore.

1.   "When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. 2.   As they called them, So they went from them; They sacrificed to the Baals, And burned incense to carved images. 3.   "I taught Ephraim to walk, Taking them by their arms; But they did not know that I healed them. 4.   I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them. 5.   "He shall not return to the land of Egypt; But the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent. 6.   And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume them , Because of their own counsels. 7.   My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him . 8.   "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred. 9.   I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror. 10.   "They shall walk after the LORD. He will roar like a lion. When He roars, Then His sons shall come trembling from the west; 11.   They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt, Like a dove from the land of Assyria. And I will let them dwell in their houses," Says the LORD. 12.   "Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, And the house of Israel with deceit; But Judah still walks with God, Even with the Holy One who is faithful.

1.   When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2.   And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3.   Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops , and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4.   Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" 5.   They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He ." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6.   Now when He said to them, "I am He ," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7.   Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8.   Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He . Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," 9.   that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." 10.   Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11.   So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" 12.   Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13.   And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father–in–law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14.   Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15.   And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16.   But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17.   Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, "You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." 18.   Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.