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TheLionWithin.Us: 3 Questions to Unlock Deeper Insights in God’s Word

Spiritual Beings

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkMRK">
      <div class="chapter ch15" data-usfm="MRK.15.33+MRK.15.34+MRK.15.35+MRK.15.36+MRK.15.37+MRK.15.38+MRK.15.39+MRK.15.40+MRK.15.41">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="MRK.15.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="MRK.15.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, </span><span class="tl"><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?&#8221;</span></span></span><span class="content"> (which means </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?&#8221;</span></span><span class="content">).</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">15:34 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" usfm="PSA.22.1">Psalm 22:1</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="MRK.15.34"></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="MRK.15.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">When some of those standing near heard this, they said, &#8220;Listen, he&#8217;s calling Elijah.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="MRK.15.35"></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="MRK.15.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. &#8220;Now leave him alone. Let&#8217;s see if Elijah comes to take him down,&#8221; he said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="MRK.15.36"></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="MRK.15.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="MRK.15.37"></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="MRK.15.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="MRK.15.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">15:39 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">saw that he died with such a cry</span></span></span><span class="content"> he said, &#8220;Surely this man was the Son of God!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="MRK.15.39"></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="MRK.15.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">15:40 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="fqa">Joses, </span><span class="ft">a variant of </span><span class="fq">Joseph</span><span class="fqa">; </span><span class="ft">also in verse 47</span></span></span><span class="content"> and Salome. </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="MRK.15.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkGAL">
      <div class="chapter ch5" data-usfm="GAL.5.1+GAL.5.2+GAL.5.3+GAL.5.4+GAL.5.5+GAL.5.6+GAL.5.7+GAL.5.8+GAL.5.9+GAL.5.10+GAL.5.11+GAL.5.12">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="GAL.5.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="GAL.5.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="GAL.5.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="GAL.5.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="GAL.5.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="GAL.5.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="GAL.5.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="GAL.5.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="GAL.5.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="GAL.5.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GAL.5.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">&#8220;A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="GAL.5.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="GAL.5.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="GAL.5.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!</span></span></div>
      </div>
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The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch116" data-usfm="PSA.116">
         <div class="label">116</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 116</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.116.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">I love the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, for he heard my voice;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.116.1"><span class="content">he heard my cry for mercy.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.116.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.116.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Because he turned his ear to me,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.116.2"><span class="content">I will call on him as long as I live.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.116.2"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.116.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.116.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">The cords of death entangled me,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.116.3"><span class="content">the anguish of the grave came over me;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.116.3"><span class="content">I was overcome by distress and sorrow.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.116.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.116.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Then I called on the name of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">:</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.116.4"><span class="content">&#8220;</span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, save me!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.116.4"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.116.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.116.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is gracious and righteous;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.116.5"><span class="content">our God is full of compassion.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.116.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.116.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> protects the unwary;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.116.6"><span class="content">when I was brought low, he saved me.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.116.6"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.116.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.116.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Return to your rest, my soul,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.116.7"><span class="content">for the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has been good to you.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.116.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.116.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.116.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">For you, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, have delivered me from death,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.116.8"><span class="content">my eyes from tears,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.116.8"><span class="content">my feet from stumbling,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.116.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.116.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">that I may walk before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.116.9"><span class="content">in the land of the living.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.116.9"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.116.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.116.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">I trusted in the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> when I said,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.116.10"><span class="content">&#8220;I am greatly afflicted&#8221;;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.116.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.116.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">in my alarm I said,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.116.11"><span class="content">&#8220;Everyone is a liar.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.116.11"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.116.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.116.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">What shall I return to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.116.12"><span class="content">for all his goodness to me?</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.116.12"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.116.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.116.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">I will lift up the cup of salvation</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.116.13"><span class="content">and call on the name of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.116.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.116.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">I will fulfill my vows to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.116.14"><span class="content">in the presence of all his people.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.116.14"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.116.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.116.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Precious in the sight of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.116.15"><span class="content">is the death of his faithful servants.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.116.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.116.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Truly I am your servant, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.116.16"><span class="content">I serve you just as my mother did;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.116.16"><span class="content">you have freed me from my chains.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.116.16"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.116.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.116.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">I will sacrifice a thank offering to you</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.116.17"><span class="content">and call on the name of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PSA.116.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.116.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">I will fulfill my vows to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.116.18"><span class="content">in the presence of all his people,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PSA.116.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.116.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">in the courts of the house of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.116.19"><span class="content">in your midst, Jerusalem.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.116.19"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PSA.116.19"><span class="content">Praise the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">116:19 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Hallelu Yah</span></span></span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk2SA">
      <div class="chapter ch20" data-usfm="2SA.20">
         <div class="label">20</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Sheba Rebels Against David</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.20.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.20.1"><span class="content">&#8220;We have no share in David,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.20.1"><span class="content">no part in Jesse&#8217;s son!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.20.1"><span class="content">Every man to his tent, Israel!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.20.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2SA.20.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2SA.20.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2SA.20.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2SA.20.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.20.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Then the king said to Amasa, &#8220;Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2SA.20.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2SA.20.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2SA.20.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">David said to Abishai, &#8220;Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master&#8217;s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">20:6 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">and do us serious injury</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2SA.20.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">So Joab&#8217;s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2SA.20.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2SA.20.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2SA.20.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2SA.20.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Joab said to Amasa, &#8220;How are you, my brother?&#8221; Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2SA.20.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab&#8217;s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2SA.20.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2SA.20.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">One of Joab&#8217;s men stood beside Amasa and said, &#8220;Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2SA.20.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.20.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.20.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2SA.20.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">20:14 </span><span class="ft">See Septuagint and Vulgate; Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Berites.</span></span></span><span class="content"> who gathered together and followed him. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2SA.20.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2SA.20.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">a wise woman called from the city, &#8220;Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.20.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">He went toward her, and she asked, &#8220;Are you Joab?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.20.17"><span class="content">&#8220;I am,&#8221; he answered.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.20.17"><span class="content">She said, &#8220;Listen to what your servant has to say.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.20.17"><span class="content">&#8220;I&#8217;m listening,&#8221; he said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.20.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2SA.20.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">She continued, &#8220;Long ago they used to say, &#8216;Get your answer at Abel,&#8217; and that settled it. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2SA.20.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s inheritance?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2SA.20.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.20.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">&#8220;Far be it from me!&#8221; Joab replied, &#8220;Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.20.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I&#8217;ll withdraw from the city.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.20.21"><span class="content">The woman said to Joab, &#8220;His head will be thrown to you from the wall.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.20.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.20.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">David&#8217;s Officials</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.20.22"></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.20.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Joab was over Israel&#8217;s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2SA.20.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Adoniram</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">20:24 </span><span class="ft">Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also <span class="ref" usfm="1KI.4.6">1 Kings 4:6</span> and 5:14); Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Adoram</span></span></span><span class="content"> was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2SA.20.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2SA.20.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">and Ira the Jairite</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">20:26 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also 23:38) </span><span class="fqa">Ithrite</span></span></span><span class="content"> was David&#8217;s priest.</span></span></div>
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         <div class="label">21</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Gibeonites Avenged</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.21.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> said, &#8220;It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.21.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2SA.21.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2SA.21.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">David asked the Gibeonites, &#8220;What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s inheritance?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2SA.21.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.21.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">The Gibeonites answered him, &#8220;We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.21.4"><span class="content">&#8220;What do you want me to do for you?&#8221; David asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.21.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2SA.21.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">They answered the king, &#8220;As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2SA.21.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> at Gibeah of Saul&#8212;the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s chosen one.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2SA.21.6"><span class="content">So the king said, &#8220;I will give them to you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2SA.21.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2SA.21.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> between David and Jonathan son of Saul. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2SA.21.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah&#8217;s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul&#8217;s daughter Merab,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">21:8 </span><span class="ft">Two Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also <span class="ref" usfm="1SA.18.19">1 Samuel 18:19</span>); most Hebrew and Septuagint manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">Michal</span></span></span><span class="content"> whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2SA.21.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2SA.21.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2SA.21.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2SA.21.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">When David was told what Aiah&#8217;s daughter Rizpah, Saul&#8217;s concubine, had done, </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2SA.21.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.21.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.21.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2SA.21.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul&#8217;s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Wars Against the Philistines</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2SA.21.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2SA.21.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2SA.21.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">21:16 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 7 1/2 pounds or about 3.5 kilograms</span></span></span><span class="content"> and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.21.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David&#8217;s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David&#8217;s men swore to him, saying, &#8220;Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.21.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2SA.21.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2SA.21.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2SA.21.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">21:19 </span><span class="ft">See <span class="ref" usfm="1CH.20.5">1 Chron. 20:5</span>; Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Jaare-Oregim.</span></span></span><span class="content"> the Bethlehemite killed the brother of</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">21:19 </span><span class="ft">See <span class="ref" usfm="1CH.20.5">1 Chron. 20:5</span>; Hebrew does not have </span><span class="fq">the brother of</span><span class="ft">.</span></span></span><span class="content"> Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver&#8217;s rod.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2SA.21.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.21.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot&#8212;twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.21.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David&#8217;s brother, killed him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.21.21"></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.21.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.</span></span></div>
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