Study Desk

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

For all His ordinances are before me; I have not disregarded His statutes.

For You, O LORD, are my lamp; the LORD enlightens my darkness.

For in you I can charge an army; with my God I can scale a wall.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the rock except our God?

He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me.

Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire?

But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand.

Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated,

David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!"

After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly."

David answered Gad, "I am deeply distressed. Please, let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men."

Araunah said to David, "My lord the king may take whatever seems good and offer it up. Here are the oxen for a burnt offering and the threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood.

"No," replied the king, "I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

So his servants said to him, "Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm."

Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.

The girl was unsurpassed in beauty, and she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.

And as for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.