The First Book of the KINGS - Chapter One

The Books of The KINGS

Overview

(The Bible Project)

1 When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. 2 So his attendants said to him, ‘Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.’

3 Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her.

5 Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, ‘I will be king.’ So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. 6 (His father had never rebuked him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?’ He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)

7 Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David’s special guard did not join Adonijah.

9 Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, 10 but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon.

11 Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, ‘Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? 12 Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 13 Go in to King David and say to him, “My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: ‘Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne’? Why then has Adonijah become king?” 14 While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and add my word to what you have said.’

15 So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him. 16 Bathsheba bowed down, prostrating herself before the king.

‘What is it you want?’ the king asked.

17 She said to him, ‘My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: “Solomon your son shall become king after me, and he will sit on my throne.” 18 But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it. 19 He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king’s sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. 20 My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 21 Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals.’

22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. 23 And the king was told, ‘Nathan the prophet is here.’ So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground.

24 Nathan said, ‘Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? 25 Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king’s sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. At this very moment they are eating and drinking with him and saying, “Long live King Adonijah!” 26 But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite. 27 Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?’

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28 Then King David said, ‘Call in Bathsheba.’ So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.

29 The king then took an oath: ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, 30 I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.’

31 Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground, prostrating herself before the king, and said, ‘May my lord King David live for ever!’

32 King David said, ‘Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.’ When they came before the king, 33 he said to them: ‘Take your lord’s servants with you and put Solomon my son on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. 34 There shall Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, “Long live King Solomon!” 35 Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.’

36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, ‘Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, so declare it. 37 As the Lord was with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon to make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King David!’

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and put Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. 39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 40 And all the people went up after him, playing pipes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound.

41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they were finishing their feast. On hearing the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked, ‘What’s the meaning of all the noise in the city?’

42 Even as he was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, ‘Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news.’

43 ‘Not at all!’ Jonathan answered. ‘Our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44 The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they have put him on the king’s mule, 45 and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds with it. That’s the noise you hear. 46 Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. 47 Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, “May your God make Solomon’s name more famous than yours and his throne greater than yours!” And the king bowed in worship on his bed 48 and said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.”’

49 At this, all Adonijah’s guests rose in alarm and dispersed. 50 But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. 51 Then Solomon was told, ‘Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, “Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.”’

52 Solomon replied, ‘If he shows himself to be worthy, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.’ 53 Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, ‘Go to your home.’

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READINGS

The First Book of The KINGS

Chapter One

Read by David Suchet

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OVERVIEW 

The Books of The KINGS

Overview

(The Bible Project)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFW3wbi9pk

 

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STUDIES 

The Books of The KINGS

David Pawson

Part 1 

 

Part 2 

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FEBRUARY 2023 - READINGS

FEBRUARY 2023 -  READINGS

from the New International Version (UK)

The book of PROVERBS - Chapter Thirty One

1. The sayings of King Lemuel                                                                an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2 

Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!

3 

Do not spend your strength on women,
    your vigour on those who ruin kings.

4 

It is not for kings, Lemuel –
    it is not for kings to drink wine,
    not for rulers to crave beer,

5 

lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

6 

Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine for those who are in anguish!

7 

Let them drink and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.

8 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 

Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.

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10 

A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.

11 

Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.

12 

She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

13 

She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.

14 

She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.

15 

She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.

16 

She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 

She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 

She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 

In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 

She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.

21 

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 

She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 

She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.

26 

She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 

She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 

Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

29 

‘Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.’

30 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 

Honour her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

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READINGS

The Book of PROVERBS 

Chapter Thirty One

Read by David Suchet

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OVERVIEW 

The Book of PROVERBS 

Overview

(The Bible Project)

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STUDIES 

The book of proverbs 

David Pawson

Part 1 

Part 2 

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The book of PROVERBS - Chapter Thirty

1

The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh – an inspired utterance.

This man’s utterance to Ithiel:

‘I am weary, God,
    but I can prevail.

2 

Surely I am only a brute, not a man;
    I do not have human understanding.

3 

I have not learned wisdom,
    nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.

4 

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
    Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is the name of his son?
    Surely you know!

5 

‘Every word of God is flawless;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

6 

Do not add to his words,
    or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

7 

‘Two things I ask of you, Lord;
    do not refuse me before I die:

8 

keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.

9 

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonour the name of my God.

10 

‘Do not slander a servant to their master,
    or they will curse you, and you will pay for it.

11 

‘There are those who curse their fathers
    and do not bless their mothers;

12 

those who are pure in their own eyes
    and yet are not cleansed of their filth;

13 

those whose eyes are ever so haughty,
    whose glances are so disdainful;

14 

those whose teeth are swords
    and whose jaws are set with knives
to devour the poor from the earth
    and the needy from among the human race.

15 

‘The leech has two daughters.
    “Give! Give!” they cry.

‘There are three things that are never satisfied,
    four that never say, “Enough!”:

16 

the grave, the barren womb,
    land, which is never satisfied with water,
    and fire, which never says, “Enough!”

17 

‘The eye that mocks a father,
    that scorns an aged mother,
will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,
    will be eaten by the vultures.

18 

‘There are three things that are too amazing for me,
    four that I do not understand:

19 

the way of an eagle in the sky,
    the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
    and the way of a man with a young woman.

20 

‘This is the way of an adulterous woman:
    she eats and wipes her mouth
    and says, “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

21 

‘Under three things the earth trembles,
    under four it cannot bear up:

22 

a servant who becomes king,
    a godless fool who gets plenty to eat,

23 

a contemptible woman who gets married,
    and a servant who displaces her mistress.

24 

‘Four things on earth are small,
    yet they are extremely wise:

25 

ants are creatures of little strength,
    yet they store up their food in the summer;

26 

hyraxes are creatures of little power,
    yet they make their home in the crags;

27 

locusts have no king,
    yet they advance together in ranks;

28 

a lizard can be caught with the hand,
    yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

29 

‘There are three things that are stately in their stride,
    four that move with stately bearing:

30 

a lion, mighty among beasts,
    who retreats before nothing;

31 

a strutting cock, a he-goat,
    and a king secure against revolt.

32 

‘If you play the fool and exalt yourself,
    or if you plan evil,
    clap your hand over your mouth!

33 

For as churning cream produces butter,
    and as twisting the nose produces blood,
    so stirring up anger produces strife.’

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READINGS

The Book of PROVERBS 

Chapter Thirty

Read by David Suchet

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OVERVIEW 

The Book of PROVERBS 

Overview

(The Bible Project)

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STUDIES 

The book of proverbs 

David Pawson

Part 1 

Part 2 

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The book of PROVERBS - Chapter Twenty Nine

1

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
    will suddenly be destroyed – without remedy.

2 

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
    when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4 

By justice a king gives a country stability,
    but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

5 

Those who flatter their neighbours
    are spreading nets for their feet.

6 

Evildoers are snared by their own sin,
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

7 

The righteous care about justice for the poor,
    but the wicked have no such concern.

8 

Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.

9 

If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
    the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10 

The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
    and seek to kill the upright.

11 

Fools give full vent to their rage,
    but the wise bring calm in the end.

12 

If a ruler listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.

13 

The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
    the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

14 

If a king judges the poor with fairness,
    his throne will be established for ever.

15 

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

16 

When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
    but the righteous will see their downfall.

17 

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
    they will bring you the delights you desire.

18 

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

19 

Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
    though they understand, they will not respond.

20 

Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.

21 

A servant pampered from youth
    will turn out to be insolent.

22 

An angry person stirs up conflict,
    and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

23 

Pride brings a person low,
    but the lowly in spirit gain honour.

24 

The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are put under oath and dare not testify.

25 

Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

26 

Many seek an audience with a ruler,
    but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.

27 

The righteous detest the dishonest;
    the wicked detest the upright.

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READINGS

The Book of PROVERBS 

Chapter Twenty Nine

Read by David Suchet

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OVERVIEW 

The Book of PROVERBS 

Overview

(The Bible Project)

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STUDIES 

The book of proverbs 

David Pawson

Part 1

Part 2

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