Study Desk

The Gibeonites said to him, "It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel." And he said, "What do you say that I shall do for you?"

Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell upon them from the heavens. And she did not allow the birds of the air to come upon them by day, or the beasts of the field by night.

And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. And they did all that the king commanded. And after that God responded to the plea for the land.

"For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me;

He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God.

For all his rules were before me, and from his statutes I did not turn aside.

For you are my lamp, O Lord , and my God lightens my darkness.

For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

"For who is God, but the Lord ? And who is a rock, except our God?

He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip;

For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.

"For this I will praise you, O Lord , among the nations, and sing praises to your name.

"For does not my house stand so with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?

But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand;

And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew.

But David's heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord , "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord , please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly."

Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord , for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man."