"Simon Says" Part 5
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
June, 2023
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ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
June, 2023
"Simon Says" Part 5
You may watch this Newsletter in a video HERE. |
"Simon Says" Part 5
Introduction:
Last month, we ended our study with the deaths of Ananias and Saphira, which caused great fear to manifest on all fronts. It also resulted in the notoriety of the apostles, especially Peter and John, who were ministering through signs and wonders. Whatever happened in Jerusalem, Peter and John were in the middle of it.
Acts 5:12-16:
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
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In these five verses, the reader is drawn into the action surrounding the apostles and is brought into the atmosphere of excitement which was among the people. The chronicler of Acts began with the laying on of hands by the apostles. (Laying on of hands is spiritual impartation.) Evidently, signs and wonders were the result of it. Peter and John were ministering on Solomon's porch, at the Temple, when signs and wonders broke loose. So powerful was this display, that multitudes (without number) responded by conversion — both men and women. There is something marvelous about beholding cripples throwing down canes, while blind eyes blink clear and the bedridden take their beds and walk away normally.
Because the Apostles cared so much for the people, they were highly esteemed.
There were thousands of folks who needed healing, so I could imagine they were pushing and shoving while attempting to be touched and healed.
Wherever Peter and John went, they encountered hundreds of people who were sick and diseased. The Scriptures relate in Acts 5 :15-16 how just the shadow of Peter falling on the sick and needy brought healing. (The ministry of John G. Lake was similar to this.)
Word spread about those miracle healings, so the multitudes brought their sick and those tormented with unclean spirits to Jerusalem where the apostles resided. Imagine the relentless demand on those apostles who were trying to preach while a stream of sick folks sought their favor.
The scriptures said, "They were all healed."
I am sure this must have been a noisy bunch. One could hardly breathe for the press of the multitudes seeking healing. Combine that with the rejoicing of those who were already healed as they created an atmosphere of exuberance.
During this season, pressure builds on the apostles. Thousands of people needed discipling and there were those with health issues who were seeking personal attention. Combine this with the intolerance of the religious rulers who harassed them. Then, there was the maintenance of "all things common (Grecian widow's complaints)." Additionally, the apostles were mandated with the task of spreading the Word outside Jerusalem to Samaria and the utter most parts of the world.
Acts 1:8:
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth
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The rejoicing at Solomon's porch drew the attention of the High Priest in the Temple who, along with his fellows, rushed to the ground swell of hundreds of converts.
Peter and John were in the thick of what was happening all around them. Imagine
the crosswinds drawing their attention. Imagine the consternation aimed at them from the "Temple-ites,", as they dealt with the torn vail, the thousands of converts within their ranks and having to deal with multiple healings coming before the high priest as commanded by Law.
Imagine the angst of the various councils spawned by their concerns over the rapid spread of the gospel.
Peter and John, no doubt, were the hub to whom reports of evangelistic successes were reported. Around Jerusalem, there must have been problems dealing with so many converts. Just keeping up with the outbreaks of revival would have been enough, but we will soon see them summonsed to fields outside the city.
Acts 5:17-2:1:
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."
21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
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Notice: The High Priest and company were "filled with indignation," while the apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost.
Organized religion, with the power to govern, is an awesome sight. They had the authority to imprison the apostles (Peter and John were included), and they did.
Enter: One Angel. Prison bars mean nothing to the supernatural Most High Priest, Jesus.
The apostles were instructed to return to their mission of preaching and teaching.
This, they did, to the consternation of the Temple rulers.
It did not take long for the Sadducees, with wrath, to find the "interlopers."
Imagine the pressure this brought to the scene. Note the following verses.
Acts 5:25-32:
So, one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"
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Observe who stands to answer the High Priest.
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."
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Fortunately, the apostles were ushered into a waiting area, while Gamaliel, a Pharisee, who believed in resurrections from the dead, stood as an advocate for
the apostles. (He was the orthodox teacher who was the progeniture of Saul.)
His advice was, "Leave them alone; for if they are not from God, their cult would soon cease."
Acts 5:40-42:
And they (the Council) agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
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However, the apostle's public ministry was about to change. Early on, the apostles were teaching in homes and in the Temple daily. After their beating, opposition began to take shape. Increasingly, they were not welcome in the Temple.
This is the rejection of the gospel and those who taught it, manifested through opposition by the works of Saul of Tarsus (Gamaliel's student).
Scripture relates how Saul was sent out to imprison any person or family that professed Christ. With venomous treatment he persecuted Christians while thinking himself to be doing the will of God. (Inquisition always has this action and now we see it rising up in modern society.)
Acts 8:3:
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
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As pressure mounted, the apostles saw the need for help with the growing number of converts—enter, the deacons. Just as the early church asked, so modern ministries need to ask, "Is it right for us to bus tables and neglect preaching and teaching the Word?" What is demanded in the modern church is a plethora of programs and gatherings which have little to do with the gospel (Pressure is on when churches have to compete with each other by the number of events and social gatherings they offer.).
In Jerusalem, not only the Temple congregates were being saved but many priests were becoming believers as well. Rulers of the Temple just could not tolerate this phenomenon.
Acts 6:7:
Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
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Great results came from these early deacons' efforts; sadly, persecution turned up the volume and claimed the life of Stephen. Because of his powerful presentation with signs and wonders, coupled with an irresistible demeaner and his message that all Scripture pointed to the Son of God, this became the "last straw."
Acts 7:51-53:
You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it."
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Religious leaders stoned him to death. (The hardest rocks are those thrown by clergy.)
During this time, Philip, the deacon, was preaching in Samaria with great results.
Acts 8:1-2; 4-8:
…At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
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Joy characterized Samaria. In an area discriminated against by those in Jerusalem, the freedom of the gospel ended all that. They wholeheartedly accepted the gospel.
They epitomized Romans 15:13.
Romans 15:13:
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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When word got back to Jerusalem about revival in Samaria, the church responded by sending Peter and John. They could see Jesus' mandate was taking hold.
Acts 8:14-17:
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
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Notice: the litmus test was "As yet (the Holy Spirit) had fallen upon none of them." Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Thus fulfilling the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well.
John 4:21-24:
21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
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Up pops Simon the Sorcerer, who, like Ananias and Saphira, had no clue who he was dealing with. (I believe that both sets of incidents reveal how there are tares sown among the wheat.)
Acts 8:18-24:
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
24 Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."
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Peter and John returned to Jerusalem satisfied the Samaritans had the full gospel.
Acts 8:25:
25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
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Chapter 8 in Acts is a pivotal chapter about the furtherance of the gospel in nearby settings like Samaria, where revival broke out under Philip's ministry. Also, his ministry to the Ethiopian represented a more distant field (uttermost parts of the world). Both settings showed the leadership of the Spirit within the heart of an obedient servant.
Acts 8:26-27:
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 27 So he arose and went….
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Philip did not consider all the variables we moderns surmise (no passport, amount of money needed to carry, no revealed picture of the prospect, no provision for his absence, and no assurance what would be the next move after his assignment).
No Azotus, until after obedience.
Acts 8:39-40:
Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
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These studies are preludes to the Epistles of Peter and John and show how the events and problems faced in Acts found their way into those writings. Acts was written in 62AD. and I and II Peter in 64 AD. The Temple (and Jerusalem) was destroyed in 70AD.
Until Next Month,
Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.
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MISSIONS REPORT:
From Sid Luke Ministries; Alexandria, La. :
Greetings in JESUS our LORD, SAVIOR, & KING!
Blessings to you and your family in Jesus our lord. We trust that you are well in your health and being led by our heavenly father how to prepare for the perilous times that we, as well as the entire world, are facing. Like Awakening in the morning, many times we prefer to roll over and go back to sleep. But Jesus calls us all to arise and shine for our life has come to show the glory of the Lord and the land of the living. We have been called for this exact time in history. Arise! Shine!
3 years ago, churches in southern Chile started Gathering Together for all-night prayer vigils every 3 months and taking the Lord's supper together. This year, the Lily of Ovalle Church decided to sponsor this event in the Ovalle area in april, then every 3 months to do spiritual battle together against the destructive forces attempting to destroy their country.
- From October 2019 through March 2020, there was extreme rioting which destroyed much of the country's schools, hospitals, government buildings, grocery stores and businesses.
- Concerning the lockdowns, chili became one of the strictest countries in the world with vaccines and quarantine. Individuals have permission to leave their homes only twice a week.
- Then, March 2022, a new president and Congress took over which sent the economy into a downward spiral, including attempts to erase the Constitution and change all the laws.
- Chili, once very protective of their borders, has lost border control and now has been flooded with immigrants fleeing the similar disasters in their South American home countries.
- Delinquency is totally out of hand with the uncontrolled flooding of illegal immigrants.
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But people of faith in almighty God have risen up together to pray and seek the face of our heavenly father for His help. This is only the beginning. Chili is believing God for a miracle.
Gideon International Rally on Fire Radio
First All-Night Prayer Vigil
Local Gideon Leaders With Pastors
The area's first Gideon International rally since the quarantine lockdown was held at the Lily of Ovalle; We give thanks for the work they do as they distribute New Testaments to hospital patients weekly, police Cadets in the local training center, and soldiers and Chilean armed forces. The chapters president received his first Mini Bible around 1994, when Sid took a team of young men to the local high school to present the gospel using videos. Later he came to the Lily to pray to know this Jesus. Another leader also came to know Jesus after one of our open-air campaigns. He now works in the Government Office of Religious Affairs in Punitaqui. The Gideons are a great tool and a tremendous blessing.
You also have been a great tool to this work, as well as to many others. Thank you for your loving kindness, generous gifts and sincere prayers. You're a part of the continued work in Chile and Mexico. Thank you for your love towards us. Many blessings to you in Jesus our Lord.
In His vineyard together for His honor and glory,
Sid & Kathy Luke
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JIM'S JEWELS
From: Jim McCants
Jim's Jewels is a walk throughout Scripture with an eye toward the Promises of God. Jim McCants, at my request, took on the task of seeking out both obvious and hidden promises.
Below are his promises to Second Samuel.
God speaks to David
2 Samuel 2:1 1 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
Abner recounts God's Word to David.
2 Samuel 3:18 18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
God's Word to David
2 Samuel 5:2 2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
2 Samuel 5:12 12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
2 Samuel 5:19-20 19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.
2 Samuel 5:23-25 23 And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
God blesses David and NOT Michal!
2 Samuel 6:14-23 14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
God speaks by Nathan to David and promises a son shall build a house for God. 2 Samuel 7:12-17 12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
David rehearses God's promise to him and his seed. 2 Samuel 7:27-29 27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
God continues to preserve David. 2 Samuel 8:14-15 14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
2 Samuel 11:27 27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
2 Samuel 12:8-11 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
2 Samuel 12:12 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
2 Samuel 12:24-25 24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
David sends the ark back into Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 15:25-26 25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation :
26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
God hears David's prayer and answers!
2 Samuel 15:31 31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness .
Shimei cursing and casting stones at David.
2 Samuel 16:11-13 11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
Hushai's counsel is better than Ahithophel -see 2 Sam 15:31 above.
2 Samuel 17:14-16 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
God brings a famine.
2 Samuel 21:1-14 1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
2 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
3 Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
4 And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.
5 And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,
6 Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.
7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
9 And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
13 And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
David gives thanks to God for ALL that HE has done and IS!
(What a SONG!!!) 2 Samuel 22:1-51 1 And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
14 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
25 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
29 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
34 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
David's last words as he praises God. What Promises!! 2 Samuel 23:1-7 1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow .
6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
2 Samuel 24:10-25 10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12 Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
14 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
15 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
17 And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. (Nothing is to be brought before the Lord that does not cost! ) 25 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
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