Thankful Through the Struggle

Our Father

Embracing Wonder: A 5-Week Advent Devotional From Matthew West

Who Is Jesus?

A Very Married Christmas: Couples Advent Devotional

El-Roi the God Who Sees Me

[Deeply Rooted] Stand Strong

The Way of Kings

Keep It Simple

From Humbug to Hallelujah: A 5-Day Christmas Transformation

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bk2SA">
        <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="2SA.1.1+2SA.1.2+2SA.1.3+2SA.1.4+2SA.1.5+2SA.1.6+2SA.1.7+2SA.1.8+2SA.1.9+2SA.1.10+2SA.1.11+2SA.1.12+2SA.1.13+2SA.1.14+2SA.1.15+2SA.1.16+2SA.1.17+2SA.1.18+2SA.1.19+2SA.1.20+2SA.1.21+2SA.1.22+2SA.1.23+2SA.1.24+2SA.1.25+2SA.1.26+2SA.1.27">
            <div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.1.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">After the death of Saul, David returned from striking down the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2SA.1.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">On the third day a man arrived from Saul&#8217;s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2SA.1.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2SA.1.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">&#8220;Where have you come from?&#8221; David asked him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2SA.1.3"><span class="content">He answered, &#8220;I have escaped from the Israelite camp.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2SA.1.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.1.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">&#8220;What happened?&#8221; David asked. &#8220;Tell me.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.1.4"><span class="content">&#8220;The men fled from the battle,&#8221; he replied. &#8220;Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.1.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2SA.1.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Then David said to the young man who brought him the report, &#8220;How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2SA.1.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2SA.1.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">&#8220;I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,&#8221; the young man said, &#8220;and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and their drivers in hot pursuit. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2SA.1.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, &#8216;What can I do?&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2SA.1.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2SA.1.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;He asked me, &#8216;Who are you?&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2SA.1.8"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;An Amalekite,&#8217; I answered.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2SA.1.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2SA.1.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">&#8220;Then he said to me, &#8216;Stand here by me and kill me! I&#8217;m in the throes of death, but I&#8217;m still alive.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2SA.1.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2SA.1.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">&#8220;So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2SA.1.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2SA.1.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2SA.1.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2SA.1.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.1.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">David said to the young man who brought him the report, &#8220;Where are you from?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.1.13"><span class="content">&#8220;I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite,&#8221; he answered.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.1.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2SA.1.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">David asked him, &#8220;Why weren&#8217;t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s anointed?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2SA.1.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2SA.1.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Then David called one of his men and said, &#8220;Go, strike him down!&#8221; So he struck him down, and he died. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2SA.1.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">For David had said to him, &#8220;Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, &#8216;I killed the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s anointed.&#8217;&#8198;&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">David&#8217;s Lament for Saul and Jonathan</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2SA.1.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.1.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2SA.1.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2SA.1.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2SA.1.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">&#8220;A gazelle</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:19 </span><span class="fq">Gazelle </span><span class="ft">here symbolizes a human dignitary.</span></span></span><span class="content"> lies slain on your heights, Israel.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2SA.1.19"><span class="content">How the mighty have fallen!</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2SA.1.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.1.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">&#8220;Tell it not in Gath,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.1.20"><span class="content">proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.1.20"><span class="content">lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.1.20"><span class="content">lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.1.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.1.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">&#8220;Mountains of Gilboa,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.1.21"><span class="content">may you have neither dew nor rain,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.1.21"><span class="content">may no showers fall on your terraced fields.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:21 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">/ nor fields that yield grain for offerings</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.1.21"><span class="content">For there the shield of the mighty was despised,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.1.21"><span class="content">the shield of Saul&#8212;no longer rubbed with oil.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.1.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.1.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">&#8220;From the blood of the slain,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.1.22"><span class="content">from the flesh of the mighty,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.1.22"><span class="content">the bow of Jonathan did not turn back,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.1.22"><span class="content">the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.1.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.1.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Saul and Jonathan&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.1.23"><span class="content">in life they were loved and admired,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.1.23"><span class="content">and in death they were not parted.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.1.23"><span class="content">They were swifter than eagles,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.1.23"><span class="content">they were stronger than lions.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.1.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2SA.1.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">&#8220;Daughters of Israel,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2SA.1.24"><span class="content">weep for Saul,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2SA.1.24"><span class="content">who clothed you in scarlet and finery,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2SA.1.24"><span class="content">who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2SA.1.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2SA.1.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">&#8220;How the mighty have fallen in battle!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2SA.1.25"><span class="content">Jonathan lies slain on your heights.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2SA.1.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2SA.1.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2SA.1.26"><span class="content">you were very dear to me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2SA.1.26"><span class="content">Your love for me was wonderful,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2SA.1.26"><span class="content">more wonderful than that of women.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2SA.1.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="2SA.1.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">&#8220;How the mighty have fallen!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="2SA.1.27"><span class="content">The weapons of war have perished!&#8221;</span></span></div>
        </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bk2SA">
        <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="2SA.2.1+2SA.2.2+2SA.2.3+2SA.2.4+2SA.2.5+2SA.2.6+2SA.2.7+2SA.2.8+2SA.2.9+2SA.2.10+2SA.2.11+2SA.2.12+2SA.2.13+2SA.2.14+2SA.2.15+2SA.2.16+2SA.2.17+2SA.2.18+2SA.2.19+2SA.2.20+2SA.2.21+2SA.2.22+2SA.2.23+2SA.2.24+2SA.2.25+2SA.2.26+2SA.2.27+2SA.2.28+2SA.2.29+2SA.2.30+2SA.2.31+2SA.2.32">
            <div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.2.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">In the course of time, David inquired of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. &#8220;Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?&#8221; he asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.2.1"><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> said, &#8220;Go up.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.2.1"><span class="content">David asked, &#8220;Where shall I go?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.2.1"><span class="content">&#8220;To Hebron,&#8221; the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> answered.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="2SA.2.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="2SA.2.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="2SA.2.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.2.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="2SA.2.4"><span class="content">When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="2SA.2.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">he sent messengers to them to say to them, &#8220;The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="2SA.2.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">May the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2SA.2.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">War Between the Houses of David and Saul</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2SA.2.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="2SA.2.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul&#8217;s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2SA.2.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="2SA.2.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="2SA.2.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2SA.2.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">The length of time David was king in Hebron over Judah was seven years and six months.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="2SA.2.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="2SA.2.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.2.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Joab son of Zeruiah and David&#8217;s men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="2SA.2.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2SA.2.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Then Abner said to Joab, &#8220;Let&#8217;s have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2SA.2.14"><span class="content">&#8220;All right, let them do it,&#8221; Joab said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="2SA.2.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="2SA.2.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">So they stood up and were counted off&#8212;twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2SA.2.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent&#8217;s side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:16 </span><span class="fq">Helkath Hazzurim </span><span class="ft">means </span><span class="fqa">field of daggers </span><span class="ft">or </span><span class="fqa">field of hostilities.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="2SA.2.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.2.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the Israelites were defeated by David&#8217;s men.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="2SA.2.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="2SA.2.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="2SA.2.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.2.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Abner looked behind him and asked, &#8220;Is that you, Asahel?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.2.20"><span class="content">&#8220;It is,&#8221; he answered.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="2SA.2.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.2.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Then Abner said to him, &#8220;Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons.&#8221; But Asahel would not stop chasing him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="2SA.2.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.2.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Again Abner warned Asahel, &#8220;Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="2SA.2.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.2.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel&#8217;s stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="2SA.2.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="2SA.2.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2SA.2.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="2SA.2.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2SA.2.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">Abner called out to Joab, &#8220;Must the sword devour forever? Don&#8217;t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="2SA.2.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="2SA.2.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Joab answered, &#8220;As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued pursuing them until morning.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="2SA.2.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="2SA.2.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the troops came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="2SA.2.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="2SA.2.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the morning hours</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:29 </span><span class="ft">See Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.</span></span></span><span class="content"> and came to Mahanaim.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="2SA.2.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="2SA.2.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Then Joab stopped pursuing Abner and assembled the whole army. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David&#8217;s men were found missing. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="2SA.2.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">But David&#8217;s men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner. </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="2SA.2.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">They took Asahel and buried him in his father&#8217;s tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and arrived at Hebron by daybreak.</span></span></div>
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2 SamuelSample

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