Day 167 of 365

2 Sam 23:1–39

1 Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:

2 "The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, 'One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,

4 shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after rain.'

5 Most certainly my house is not so with God, yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, for it is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he doesn't make it grow.

6 But all of the ungodly shall be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can't be taken with the hand,

7 But the man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear. They shall be utterly burned with fire in their place."

8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb Basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite, against eight hundred slain at one time.

9 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodai the son of an Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away.

10 He arose, and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword; and the Lord worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil.

11 After him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. The Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines.

12 But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and the Lord worked a great victory.

13 Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of the Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

14 David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

15 David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"

16 The three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to the Lord.

17 He said, "Be it far from me, Lord, that I should do this! Isn't it the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these things.

18 Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.

19 Wasn't he most honorable of the three? Therefore he was made their captain: however he did not attain to the three.

20 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

21 He killed an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.

22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.

23 He was more honorable than the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. David set him over his guard.

24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,

26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,

28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

29 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,

30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.

31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,

33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite,

34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,

36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,

37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers to Joab the son of Zeruiah,

38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

Acts 1:12–26

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, Jacob, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, Jacob the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of Jacob.

14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said,

16 "Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry.

18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.

19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called 'Hakel-Dema,' that is, 'The field of blood.'

20 For it is written in the scroll of Psalms, 'Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;' and, 'Let another take his office.'

21 "Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

23 They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 They prayed, and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen

25 to take part in this ministry and office of apostle from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place."

26 They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the Eleven apostles.

Ps 72:1–20

1 God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.

2 He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

3 The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.

4 He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.

5 They shall fear you while the sun endures; and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

6 He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.

7 In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.

8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.

9 Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.

12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.

13 He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy.

14 He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.

15 They shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba. Men shall pray for him continually. They shall bless him all day long.

16 There shall be abundance of grain throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field.

17 His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.

18 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

19 Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen.

20 This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.