The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday June 2, 2023 (NIV)

2 Samuel 19:11-20:13

11 King David sent word to the priests Zadok and Abiathar:(A) “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace? The talk of all Israel has reached the king at his house. 12 You are my brothers, my flesh and blood.[a](B) So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ 13 And tell Amasa,(C) ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood?[b] May God punish me and do so severely if you don’t become commander of my army from now on instead of Joab!’”

14 So he won over[c] all the men of Judah, and they unanimously sent word to the king: “Come back, you and all your servants.” 15 Then the king returned. When he arrived at the Jordan, Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and escort him across the Jordan.

16 Shimei son of Gera,(D) the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 There were a thousand men from Benjamin with him. Ziba, an attendant from the house of Saul,(E) with his fifteen sons and twenty servants also rushed down to the Jordan ahead of the king. 18 They forded the Jordan to bring the king’s household across and do whatever the king desired.[d]

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell facedown before the king 19 and said to him, “My lord, don’t hold me guilty, and don’t remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem.(F) May the king not take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. But look! Today I am the first one of the entire house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”

21 Abishai son of Zeruiah asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” (G)

22 David answered, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?(H) Have you become my adversary today? Should any man be killed in Israel today? Am I not aware that today I’m king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” Then the king gave him his oath.(I)

24 Mephibosheth,(J) Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you come with me?”

26 “My lord the king,” he replied, “my servant Ziba betrayed me. Actually your servant said, ‘I’ll saddle the donkey for myself[e] so that I may ride it and go with the king’—for your servant is lame.(K) 27 Ziba slandered your servant to my lord the king.(L) But my lord the king is like the angel of God,(M) so do whatever you think best.[f] 28 For my grandfather’s entire family deserves death from my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table.(N) So what further right do I have to keep on making appeals to the king?”

29 The king said to him, “Why keep on speaking about these matters of yours? I hereby declare: you and Ziba are to divide the land.”(O)

30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has come to his palace safely, let Ziba take it all!”

31 Barzillai the Gileadite(P) had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king to the Jordan River to see him off at the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very old man—eighty years old—and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the needs of the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.(Q)

33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I’ll provide for you[g] at my side in Jerusalem.”

34 Barzillai replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I’m now eighty years old.(R) Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?(S) 36 Since your servant is only going with the king a little way across the Jordan, why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham;(T) let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.”[h]

38 The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you, and whatever you desire from me I will do for you.” 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his home.

40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the troops of Judah and half of Israel’s escorted the king. 41 Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David’s men?”

42 All the men of Judah responded to the men of Israel, “Because the king is our relative. Why does this make you angry? Have we ever eaten anything of the king’s or been honored at all?” [i]

43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king,(U) so we have a greater claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Weren’t we the first to speak of restoring our king?” (V) But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than those of the men of Israel.

Sheba’s Revolt

20 Now a wicked man, a Benjaminite named Sheba son of Bichri, happened to be there. He blew the ram’s horn and shouted:

We have no portion in David,
no inheritance in Jesse’s son.
Each man to his tent,[j] Israel!

So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri, but the men of Judah from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem remained loyal to their king.(W)

When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and placed them under guard.(X) He provided for them, but he was not intimate with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.

The king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to me within three days and be here yourself.” Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the time allotted him. So David said to Abishai, “Sheba son of Bichri will do more harm to us than Absalom. Take your lord’s soldiers and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.”[k]

So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the warriors marched out under Abishai’s command;[l] they left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri. They were at the great stone in Gibeon when Amasa joined them. Joab was wearing his uniform and over it was a belt around his waist with a sword in its sheath. As he approached, the sword fell out. Joab asked Amasa, “Are you well, my brother?” Then with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.(Y) 10 Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it and spilled his intestines out on the ground. Joab did not stab him again, and Amasa died.(Z)

Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri. 11 One of Joab’s young men had stood over Amasa saying, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, follow Joab!” 12 Now Amasa had been writhing in his blood in the middle of the highway, and the man had seen that all the troops stopped. So he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him because he realized that all those who encountered Amasa were stopping.(AA) 13 When he was removed from the highway, all the men passed by and followed Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

Footnotes:

  1. 19:12 Lit my bone and my flesh
  2. 19:13 Lit my bone and my flesh?
  3. 19:14 Lit he turned the heart of
  4. 19:18 Lit do what is good in his eyes
  5. 19:26 LXX, Syr, Vg read said to him, ‘Saddle the donkey for me
  6. 19:27 Lit do what is good in your eyes
  7. 19:33 LXX reads for your old age; Ru 4:15
  8. 19:37 Lit what is good in your eyes, also in v. 38
  9. 19:42 LXX reads king’s or has he given us a gift or granted us a portion
  10. 20:1 Alt Hb tradition reads gods
  11. 20:6 Lit and snatch away our eyes
  12. 20:7 Lit out following him
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

John 21

Jesus’s Third Appearance to the Disciples

21 After this, Jesus revealed(A) himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias.[a](B) He revealed himself in this way:

Simon Peter,(C) Thomas(D) (called “Twin”[b]), Nathanael(E) from Cana of Galilee,(F) Zebedee’s(G) sons, and two others of his disciples were together.

“I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.(H)

When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus.(I) “Friends,”[c] Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

“No,” they answered.

“Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did,[d] and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” (J)

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards[e](K) away), the other disciples came in the boat,(L) dragging the net full of fish.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.(M)

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time(N) Jesus appeared[f](O) to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus’s Threefold Restoration of Peter

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John,[g] do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Feed my lambs,” he told him. 16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love(P) me?”(Q)

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Shepherd(R) my sheep,”(S) he told him.

17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love(T) me?”

Peter was grieved(U) that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything;(V) you know that I love you.”

“Feed(W) my sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “Truly I tell you,(X) when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death(Y) Peter would glorify God.(Z) After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”(AA)

Correcting a False Report

20 So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved(AB) following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?” (AC) 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”

22 “If I want him to remain until I come,”(AD) Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

23 So this rumor[h] spread to the brothers and sisters(AE) that this disciple would not die.(AF) Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Epilogue

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books[i] that would be written.(AG)

Footnotes:

  1. 21:1 Another name for the Sea of Galilee
  2. 21:2 Gk Didymus
  3. 21:5 Lit “Children”
  4. 21:6 Lit they cast
  5. 21:8 Lit about two hundred cubits
  6. 21:14 Lit was revealed (v. 1)
  7. 21:15–17 Other mss read “Simon, son of Jonah; Mt 16:17; Jn 1:42
  8. 21:23 Lit this word
  9. 21:25 Lit scroll
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Psalm 120

Psalm 120

A Cry for Truth and Peace

A song of ascents.

In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.(A)
Lord, rescue me from lying lips
and a deceitful tongue.”(B)

What will he give you,
and what will he do to you,
you deceitful tongue?(C)
A warrior’s sharp arrows
with burning charcoal![a](D)

What misery that I have stayed in Meshech,[b](E)
that I have lived among the tents of Kedar![c](F)
I have dwelt too long
with those who hate peace.(G)
I am for peace; but when I speak,
they are for war.(H)

Footnotes:

  1. 120:4 Lit with coals of the broom bush
  2. 120:5 = a people far to the north of Palestine
  3. 120:5 = a nomadic people of the desert to the southeast
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Proverbs 16:16-17

16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(A)

17 The highway of the upright(B) avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.(C)

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

6/1/2023 DAB Transcript

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10, John 20:1-31, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 16:14-15

Today is the first day of June, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is wonderful to be here with you today as we, as we march forward together into this brand-new month, the sixth month of the year, the 152nd day of the year. So, man, 151 steps we have taken together and we march with step 152 into this brand-new month. And may God shine His light upon us and be gracious to us. And lead us in the way that we should go and may we be paying attention and may we obey His leading, and may we continue to gather around the Global Campfire together and take the next step forward together as we navigate this brand-new month. We are obviously picking up where we left off yesterday, and that leads us first back into the book of Second Samuel, where we are reading of a military coup attempt by David’s son Absalom, who wants to be king in his father’s place. And that is going to require that his dad gets killed so that he can kind of take over, and the battle lines are being drawn up in all kinds of little things are going on. And, well, let’s pick up the story, today Second Samuel chapter 18 verse 1 through 19 verse 10.

Commentary:

Okay, so, as we begin this new month and as we pick up where we left off yesterday, this battle between David’s forces and Absalom’s forces has materialized and they fought in the forest of Ephraim and 20,000 people, 20,000 people died over this. And David was heartbroken because the one person he didn’t want to die, his son Absalom, died. So, David had to go through all of the emotions of losing a child, a child who wanted him dead. And then his army was demoralized because of the sadness of the king. And so, David had to kind of get himself together to encourage the troops while grieving the…the recent, like within hour’s loss of his son. So the kingdom is saved and…and David will be brought back to the throne. But he’s also lost a child, which changes everything.

And then, yesterday as we were ending the month in the Gospel of John, Jesus was hanging from a cross and had uttered the words, it is finished and had died and…and was left in a tomb. We greet this brand-new month with the aftermath of that and the aftermath of that is that Jesus isn’t in the tomb. And Mary Magdalene has going to the tomb and He’s not there. And so, she runs back to tell the disciples that somebody came and got Jesus body and they don’t know where it is. And so, Peter and John run to the tomb and sure enough, the body isn’t there. And so, they’re trying to figure out what’s going on and Mary, she lingers, she’s weeping, she’s upset about this, obviously. And as we reach the end of our reading in the Gospel of John today, she sees somebody that she thinks is the caretaker, the gardener. And she says, if you, like where is He basically, where did you put the body, because I’ll go get it. Like, wherever it is, where did you put Him. She doesn’t know that it’s Jesus that she’s talking to. So, it's…it’s really beautiful. She’s there all confused, she sees Jesus, in the Gospel of John, Jesus appears to her and the first thing that comes out of Jesus mouth, after His resurrection, that’s recorded in the Gospel of John, is her name, Mary. I can only imagine the flood of a emotion coming in that moment for May. And I think it’s beautiful that she thought He was a gardener. We started our journey in a garden, a long time ago back on January 1st as we began our journey through the Bible. And it was in the garden. So, for her to see Jesus, almost like a gardener is almost like a return, a restoration of what was lost. We will actually be concluding the Gospel of John tomorrow. And so, we have one more day left before we finish the Gospels. So, let’s drink deeply. That’s not to say that the territory that we are moving into isn’t important, it’s vitally important. But the narratives, the Gospels, that allow us to walk alongside Jesus, we are drawing to a close tomorrow. And so, let’s drink deeply and think back over all that we have learned and all that we have experienced in the Gospels as we continue our journey forward.

Prayer:

Jesus, we thank You. We thank You that we can come to the stories and get to know You. And we thank You for the story of Your resurrection. Today, our hope, our hope is in You for eternal life and it is Your resurrection from the dead, that gives us this hope. And so, we linger in the beauty, and the gentleness, the serenity of this moment with Mary, and we take these intimate, personal moments together with You, with grateful hearts. For Your unstoppable love for us. We love You, we adore You we worship You, we ask that You lead us forward in the way that we should go. And we pray this in Your victorious name. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com that is, that's…that’s our, that’s a little place in the world. The other little place in the world is the Daily Audio Bible app and that puts all of that in the palm of your hand and so certainly be familiar. Check it out. Check out the Prayer Wall, the Prayer Wall is in the Community Section, whether that be on the web or in the app. And that is a place that we’ve established for ourselves here as a community, a place that’s always on and never off, a place that we can go to when things have turned murky and have gotten rocky and it’s bumpy. It’s also the place to go to rejoice and tell the story of God’s goodness, and as we tell our stories and intermingle them in each other’s lives and pray for one another, we are knit together as the body of Christ. So, certainly, be familiar with the Community Section and the Prayer Wall.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible. If you find that being around the Global Campfire is…is life-giving then thank you, humbly and deeply for your partnership. As we move into summertime, thank you deeply, we couldn’t be here if we weren’t in this together. So, thank you. There is a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996 Springhill, Tennessee 37174.

And as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app and it makes it real easy, no matter where you are in the world. Or there are a number of numbers that you can call: in the Americas 877-942-4253, in the UK or Europe 44 2036 088078, and in Australia or that part of the world 61 38820 5459 is the number to call.

And that’s it for today, I’m Brian, I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here, tomorrow.

Prayer and Encouragements:

Hi, DAB Family. This is God’s Life Speaker, I’m on a beautiful morning walk. Oh, I can smell the honeysuckle, so beautiful. Thank You, Lord, for all of our senses, right, that we could not just see Him but just feel Him with the wind blowing and the honeysuckle smell. Yeah, it’s just beautiful, thank You, Jesus. I have struggled with calling in to the gentleman who lost his son at 24 to suicide. And then Jerry, from Duluth called in and he said exactly what I just could not say, that he feels that he’s gonna get the phone call every single day because of the mental health his son struggles with. And I am with you because I’ve called into this prayer line since, I don’t know, it began in 2017 for my son, Joshua, who’s now 23. Who also struggles with mental health. And I guess, the worst of it would be the parting of them from this earth where we just feel like, as long as they’re here there might be hope to reach them somehow, someone to speak to them. So, Lord, cover this family that has had to bury their 24-year-old son. Lord, that You would just give them peace that is surpassing any kind of human understanding, that doesn’t come from friends, Lord, it comes from You. That they may just embrace that. That You meet their every need. That You sit with them, Lord. We ask it, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Good morning, DAB, this is Romans 12:2. I would like to pray for Jamie in New Jersey. I want to say, Jamie, thank you so much for your testimony. Every time you call in and you pray, and you say this is Jamie in New Jersey, standing on the word of God, I always get a leap in my heart and just joy. So, I want to say thank you for being consistent and just dedicated to following the Lord. I want to pray for you now. Lord Father, I thank You, oh God, for bringing Jamie in New Jersey, Lord, unto DAB. He’s a blessing to myself and I’m sure to many others. I just lift him up to You, whatever challenges he has, oh God, Father, that You, oh God, would clear the way, that You would make a path. You said You would make crooked paths straight, that You would be a light to our feet and a lamp to our path, oh God. So, today, oh God, I just lift him up to You, Father. And I pray, Father, that that the things that he’s challenged with, that You would intervene, Lord, and You would give him clear direction, that the Holy Spirit would be his guide. Father, You said You would leave us a comforter and Father, I just pray today, oh God, in the name of Jesus, that that comforter, the Holy Spirit, would be Jamie’s guide today. It would direct and order his steps, oh God. That his needs would be met, Father. And I thank You that he’s a blessing to many. I just pray, oh God, for his health and strength, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Father, that He would be complete, not lacking anything. In the name of Jesus, I just thank You Father for Jamie and for the message and for every time he calls, the joy that I receive and the joy that he gives to others. In Jesus name. Amen.

Hello, Daily Audio Bible Family. This is Anne, Starting Over Sister, in Texas. And I just wanted to say again how wonderfully appreciative I am of Daily Audio Bible, Brian and his whole family and the entire community all over the world. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, what we have in this community. And I love hearing everyone who calls, praying with and for all of you. And I had a accident at the gym a week and a half ago. And fractured my left elbow in ten pieces. And I now have half of a faux elbow and I’m so thankful I live in a time when such things are available. And I’m recovering slowly and I have a long recovery, including physical therapy ahead. So, please say a prayer for me that God will help me during this time to have His perspective on everything, including my work, which is I need to work but it’s really been difficult. And just that God will help me to stay close to Him and have wisdom to make good decisions and do what’s right in His eyes, no matter what. I love you all family. God bless.

Hey DAB brothers and sisters, this is Phillip. I’ve been listening for about 2 and a half, I think, coming up on three years, here from Iowa. And I really appreciate all of you guys. I truly appreciate the Hardin’s putting this together. And I pray that you would continue to keep going and continue to preach the Gospel here, as you have been. I just wanted to ask prayer for my wife and my marriage. My wife has been getting deeper and deeper into kind of a fundamentalist/separatist branch of Christianity over the last number of years. We’ve been married almost 9 now. And it…it makes it pretty impossible to have any unity in our marriage. She’s very antagonistic. I’ve been going to a really good church here in town for almost a year. And that has been a huge help. And so, it’s just hard to share any of that with her. She’s…she’s been hurt and I’ve been part of that. I’ve hurt her in many ways and so I’ve been fighting that. Fighting a porn addiction on my part and been having some very good success with some help from some other great guys. Praise the Lord. Only through His power. But I would love to have her along on the journey. So, if you would pray for her to see who Christ really is and to follow Him and not what some men are teaching her online. I pray this in Jesus name.

Hey, Daily Audio Bible. This is the Pastor from Seattle. I would like your help, if you could join me please in prayer. There are three people who are seeking treatment for their post-traumatic stress and some other issues affecting them. And I just wanna make sure, the odds are against them and I want to make sure that they are able to get the treatment, the help and the blessings they need. And their names are Alexandria, Frank and Dennis. So, if you could join me, I’d appreciate it. Heavenly Father, You are so good. And You never wished for us to suffer from addiction. And for people who have gone into harms way in service professions and have seen such tragedy, it’s sad to see them suffering as a result of their service. So, I ask for Your blessing with my three friends and I ask that You please help them to get the treatment that’s right for them. Open up doors and leave no obstacles in front of them. Please help Dennis, and Frank and Alexandria, not only to find their way into the treatment that they need, and to have a path that You have lit in front of them, where You light Your, light the path in front of their feet. But also God, to maybe find their way back to You, into the comfort of Your arms. In Your Holy Heavenly, Wonderful name we pray. Amen.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday June 1, 2023 (NIV)

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10

Absalom’s Defeat

18 David reviewed his troops and appointed commanders of thousands and of hundreds over them. He then sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai of Gath. The king said to the troops, “I must also march out with you.”

“You must not go!” (A) the people pleaded. “If we have to flee, they will not pay any attention to us. Even if half of us die, they will not pay any attention to us because you are worth[a] ten thousand of us. Therefore, it is better if you support us from the city.”

“I will do whatever you think is best,” the king replied to them. So he stood beside the city gate while all the troops marched out by hundreds and thousands. The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” All the people heard the king’s orders to all the commanders about Absalom.

Then David’s forces marched into the field to engage Israel in battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim. Israel’s army was defeated by David’s soldiers, and the slaughter there was vast that day—twenty thousand dead. The battle spread over the entire area, and that day the forest claimed more people than the sword.

Absalom’s Death

Absalom was riding on his mule when he happened to meet David’s soldiers. When the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so he was suspended in midair.[b] 10 One of the men saw him and informed Joab. He said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”

11 “You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed.[c] “Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten silver pieces[d] and a belt!”

12 The man replied to Joab, “Even if I had the weight of a thousand pieces of silver[e] in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for me.’[f](B) 13 If I had jeopardized my own[g] life—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.”

14 Joab said, “I’m not going to waste time with you!” He then took three spears[h] in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s chest. While Absalom was still alive in the oak tree, 15 ten young men who were Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him. 16 Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab restrained them. 17 They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and raised up a huge mound of stones over him.(C) And all Israel fled, each to his tent.(D)

18 When he was alive, Absalom had taken a pillar and raised it up(E) for himself in the King’s Valley,(F) since he thought, “I have no son(G) to preserve the memory of my name.” So he named the pillar after himself. It is still called Absalom’s Monument today.

19 Ahimaaz son of Zadok(H) said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the Lord has vindicated him by freeing him from his enemies.”

20 Joab replied to him, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but today you aren’t taking good news, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Joab then said to a Cushite, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

22 However, Ahimaaz son of Zadok persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!”

Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to run since you won’t get a reward?” [i]

23 “No matter what, I want to run!”

“Then run!” Joab said to him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

24 David was sitting between the city gates(I) when the watchman went up to the roof of the city gate and over to the wall.(J) The watchman looked out and saw a man running alone. 25 He called out and told the king.

The king said, “If he’s alone, he bears good news.”

As the first runner came closer, 26 the watchman saw another man running. He called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!”

“This one is also bringing good news,” said the king.

27 The watchman said, “The way the first man runs looks to me like the way Ahimaaz son of Zadok runs.”(K)

“This is a good man; he comes with good news,”(L) the king commented.

28 Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well,” and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. He continued, “Blessed be the Lord your God! He delivered up the men who rebelled against my lord the king.”

29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?”

Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.”

30 The king said, “Move aside and stand here.” So he stood to one side.

31 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: The Lord has vindicated you today by freeing you from all who rise against you!”

32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?”

The Cushite replied, “I wish that the enemies of my lord the king, along with all who rise up against you with evil intent, would become like that young man.”(M)

33 The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber above the city gate and wept. As he walked, he cried, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” (N)

David’s Kingdom Restored

19 It was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping. He’s mourning over Absalom.” That day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the troops because on that day the troops heard, “The king is grieving over his son.” So they returned to the city quietly that day like troops come in when they are humiliated after fleeing in battle. But the king covered his face(O) and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”

Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed all your soldiers—those who saved your life as well as your sons, your wives, and your concubines— by loving your enemies and hating those who love you! Today you have made it clear that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. In fact, today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would be fine with you![j]

“Now get up! Go out and encourage[k] your soldiers, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight.(P) This will be worse for you than all the trouble that has come to you from your youth until now!”

So the king got up and sat in the city gate,(Q) and all the people were told, “Look, the king is sitting in the city gate.” Then they all came into the king’s presence.

Meanwhile, each Israelite had fled to his tent.(R) People throughout all the tribes of Israel were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king rescued us from the grasp of our enemies,(S) and he saved us from the grasp of the Philistines,(T) but now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.(U) 10 But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

Footnotes:

  1. 18:3 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg; other Hb mss read because there would now be about
  2. 18:9 Lit was between heaven and earth
  3. 18:11 Lit Joab said to the man who told him
  4. 18:11 About four ounces of silver
  5. 18:12 About 25 pounds of silver
  6. 18:12 Some Hb mss, LXX, Tg, Vg; other Hb mss read ‘Protect, whoever, the young man Absalom’; Hb obscure
  7. 18:13 Alt Hb tradition reads jeopardized his
  8. 18:14 Lit rods
  9. 18:22 Or you have no good news?
  10. 19:6 Lit be right in your eyes
  11. 19:7 Lit speak to the heart of
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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John 20

The Empty Tomb

20 On(A) the first day of the week(B) Mary Magdalene(C) came to the tomb(D) early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone(E) had been removed from the tomb. So she went running to Simon Peter(F) and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb,(G) and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths(H) lying there, but he did not go in. Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping(I) that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths(J) but was folded up in a separate place by itself. The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture(K) that he must rise(L) from the dead.(M) 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

11 But(N) Mary stood outside the tomb,(O) crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels(P) in white sitting where Jesus’s body(Q) had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,”(R) she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.(S) 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?”

Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic,[a] “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.”(T)

17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended(U) to the Father.(V) But go to my brothers(W) and tell them that I am ascending to my Father(X) and your Father, to my God(Y) and your God.”

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (Z) And she told them what[b] he had said to her.

The Disciples Commissioned

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week,(AA) the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”(AB)

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side.(AC) So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me,(AD) I also send you.”(AE) 22 After saying this, he breathed on them(AF) and said,[c] “Receive the Holy Spirit.(AG) 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”(AH)

Thomas Sees and Believes

24 But Thomas(AI) (called “Twin”[d]), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails,(AJ) and put my hand into his side,(AK) I will never believe.”(AL)

26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”(AM)

28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed.[e] Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”(AN)

The Purpose of This Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs(AO) in the presence of his disciples that are not written(AP) in this book.(AQ) 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah,(AR) the Son(AS) of God,[f](AT) and that by believing you may have life in his name.(AU)

Footnotes:

  1. 20:16 Or Hebrew
  2. 20:18 Lit these things
  3. 20:22 Lit he breathed and said to them
  4. 20:24 Gk Didymus
  5. 20:29 Or have you believed?
  6. 20:31 Or that the Messiah, the Son of God, is Jesus
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Psalm 119:153-176

ר Resh

153 Consider my affliction and rescue me,(A)
for I have not forgotten your instruction.(B)
154 Champion my cause and redeem me;(C)
give me life as you promised.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked
because they do not study your statutes.(D)
156 Your compassions are many, Lord;(E)
give me life according to your judgments.
157 My persecutors and foes are many.(F)
I have not turned from your decrees.(G)
158 I have seen the disloyal(H) and feel disgust(I)
because they do not keep your word.
159 Consider how I love your precepts;
Lord, give me life according to your faithful love.(J)
160 The entirety of your word is truth,
each of your righteous judgments endures forever.(K)

שׂ Sin

161 Princes have persecuted me without cause,
but my heart fears only your word.(L)
162 I rejoice over your promise(M)
like one who finds vast treasure.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,(N)
but I love your instruction.(O)
164 I praise you seven times a day
for your righteous judgments.(P)
165 Abundant peace belongs to those(Q)
who love your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.(R)
166 Lord, I hope for your salvation(S)
and carry out your commands.
167 I obey your decrees
and love them greatly.(T)
168 I obey your precepts and decrees,
for all my ways are before you.(U)

ת Taw

169 Let my cry reach you, Lord;(V)
give me understanding according to your word.(W)
170 Let my plea reach you;(X)
rescue me according to your promise.(Y)
171 My lips pour out praise,(Z)
for you teach me your statutes.(AA)
172 My tongue sings about your promise,(AB)
for all your commands are righteous.(AC)
173 May your hand be ready to help me,(AD)
for I have chosen your precepts.(AE)
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your instruction is my delight.(AF)
175 Let me live, and I will praise you;(AG)
may your judgments help me.
176 I wander like a lost sheep;(AH)
seek your servant,(AI)
for I do not forget your commands.(AJ)

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Proverbs 16:14-15

14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.(A)

15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

Cross references:

  1. 16:14 : Ec 10:4
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

05/31/2023 DAB Transcript

2 Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalms 119:129-152, Proverbs 16:12-13

Today is the 31st day of May welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian and it’s great to be here with you today as we bring to a close another one of our months together and we will finish strong and begin the next month. Tomorrow strong taking the next step or like we do every day. But here we are at the conclusion of five months together. Congratulations on that. So let’s step forward and take the next step together that will lead us back into the book of second Samuel, where we are continuing to work through and understand King David’s life, David is in a heap of distress at this point, his son Absalom is trying to take over the country overthrow his father take over the kingship and there is a battle brewing. So today second Samuel chapter 17.

Commentary:

Okay. So, in the life of King David today in second Samuel, we see that things are continuing to heat up. There is a battle brewing. The lines are being drawn and we see that David’s previous advisors are advising Absalom, David’s son who is trying to take over, and we see that Ahithophel’s advice, which was good advice according to the Scriptures, was not taken and Hushai who was loyal to David, his advice was taken. So, he was able to get word to David and eventually David was able to cross the Jordan River to safety for the time being. We’ll obviously continue…continue the drama as we continue the days forward.

And then as we end this month, the month of May in the gospel of John, the final gospel that we are just about done with we are faced with the crucifixion and the death of Jesus. And I’ve…we’ve already mentioned this. This is the last time we move through this story because we’re moving forward from John into the book of Acts and that begins the story of the church era. That begins everything that happens next. So, here we are, and Jesus is hanging suspended between heaven and earth nailed to a cross. Soldiers are throwing dice for his clothes. His mom is there and the disciple that Jesus loved, which we believe to be John. And Jesus takes care of his mom by assigning her to the disciple that he loved. And he took her into his home and took care of her. And, so, he took care of His mom. In the final moments of this agony, His agonized life that is literally pouring out of his body and dripping to the ground is also heroic to think of Mary the mother of Jesus, not willing to abandon her son. Even though that what …what she had to endure, what she had to see would’ve torn her heart into…I don’t know it’s like a million pieces. It would’ve been agony, which she…she didn’t leave Him and He didn’t leave her. And then today we reached those famous words, “it is finished” or it is accomplished. Jesus bowed His head and died. His heart stopped beating. He died. And of course the religious leaders who had organized all of this terribleness, Passover’s coming, and they…they gotta get to that celebration. Sabbath is coming. They gotta get these bodies off the cross before sundown because the Sabbath is coming in and its Passover and so they’re pretty concerned with all of this. So, the two thieves and legs are broken so that they would suffocate and die quicker. Jesus was already dead. So, just to be sure He was pierced. And we have Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus…Nic…Nicodemus, one of the members of the high Council approaching pilot getting the body of Jesus and laying it in an unused tomb. They were laying it in this unused tomb nearby where the crucifixion took place because of the…because of the Sabbath. Like, they were…it was a temporary thing. They were gonna put his body in this tomb, and then after the Sabbath is over they’d figure out …figure out what to do. It’s just that Jesus wasn't…He just needed it for a minute. Like He didn’t need it for that long. He wasn’t gonna to need a permanent final resting place. He was going to rise and that is the hope of the gospel. That is our hope. And as we begin the month of June tomorrow we are able to read of that hope and continue this story and read of the resurrection of Jesus. But now, as we end this month as we pass through this one last time we think back all the way to the first day of the year as we opened the gospel of Matthew and read the genealogy of Jesus, and about his birth, all the way until now we have been traveling each day through the Gospels walking alongside Jesus getting to know His personality and understand wat kind of a person He was and what He was trying to reveal to humanity. All of the miles that he walked through the dust with His friends imparting truth to them, teaching them how to have eyes to see and ears to hear. When we think about His kindness toward the children, His kindness toward the downtrodden and the misfits and the outcasts. And then we come back to this body hanging from across and we realize the injustice of it all. And then we realize the willingness to take the injustice upon Himself and remove sin from the world. This is why we have hope, and this is how we are supposed to live, in honor of this sacrifice. And, so, may we think today at some point, or maybe all day. May it linger with us today that we are standing here as we are today righteous before God, and it costs something and that cost was the sacrifice of Jesus. And may we have grateful and humble hearts.

Prayer:

Jesus, we thank You. And we’ve said this so many times. Thank You. And we’ve said so many times how thank You falls flat. It’s our lives lived in service and love in collaboration in the dance of life with You that is what You were after. And, so, we run to You. We trust You. We adore You. We worship You. And we ask that You lead us in the way that we should go, that we might have eyes to see and ears to hear, and that our lives may honor You in all that we do and think and say. We pray this in Your name. You make this all possible. Without You we can do nothing. And, so, we are grateful today that You have empowered us, forgiven us, and made us righteous. We pray this in Your name. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com that is home base, that’s the website, that is where you find out what is happening around here. I guess one of the main things that’s happening is, here we are bringing another one of our months to a close. So, we bid farewell to the month of May as we look forward to tomorrow and the beginning of the month of June.

So, let’s stay connected, whether that be through social media or whether that be at the Prayer Wall. Let’s stay connected through prayer, praying for one another, interceding for each other as we get ready to…to do the sixth month of the year and navigate our way to the halfway point.

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Be familiar with the community section, an aspect of our journey together. There are links to get connected on social media in the Community section and that is also where the Prayer Wall lives.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, if this mission to bring God’s spoken word read fresh every single day and offer it freely to anyone in the world who will find it and listen any time of day or night in any continent in any time zone and to build community around showing up for each other every day, showing up for ourselves to allow God to speak to us through His word and showing up for each other because we’re in this together, if that is life giving then thank you for your partnership. There is a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app, or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here next month, which is tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Coming soon…

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Wednesday May 31, 2023 (NIV)

2 Samuel 17

17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will set out in pursuit of David tonight. I will attack him while he is weary and discouraged,[a] throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will scatter. I will strike down only the king(A) and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you’re looking for, all[b] the people will be at peace.” This proposal seemed right to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite also. Let’s hear what he has to say as well.”

So Hushai came to Absalom, and Absalom told him, “Ahithophel offered this proposal. Should we carry out his proposal? If not, what do you say?”

Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good.” Hushai continued, “You know your father and his men. They are warriors and are desperate like a wild bear robbed of her cubs.(B) Your father is an experienced soldier who won’t spend the night with the people. He’s probably already hiding in one of the caves[c] or some other place. If some of our troops fall[d] first, someone is sure to hear and say, ‘There’s been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then, even a brave man with the heart of a lion(C) will lose heart[e] because all Israel knows that your father and the valiant men with him are warriors. 11 Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba—as numerous as the sand by the sea(D)—be gathered to you and that you personally go into battle. 12 Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. Not even one will be left—neither he nor any of the men with him. 13 If he retreats to some city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag its stones[f] into the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.” 14 Since the Lord had decreed(E) that Ahithophel’s good advice be undermined(F) in order to bring about Absalom’s ruin, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel’s advice.”

David Informed of Absalom’s Plans

15 Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “This is what[g] Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what[h] I advised. 16 Now send someone quickly and tell David, ‘Don’t spend the night at the wilderness ford,[i] but be sure to cross over the Jordan,[j](G) or the king and all the people with him will be devoured.’”

17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, because they dared not be seen entering the city. 18 However, a young man did see them and informed Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 Then his wife took the cover, placed it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain on it so nobody would know anything.

20 Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”

“They passed by toward the water,”[k] the woman replied to them. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After they had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed out of the well and went and informed King David. They told him, “Get up and immediately ford the river, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He set his house in order and hanged himself.(H) So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

24 David had arrived at Mahanaim by the time Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Now Absalom had appointed Amasa(I) over the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra[l] the Israelite;[m](J) Ithra had married Abigail daughter of Nahash.[n] Abigail was a sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 26 And Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. 27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash(K) from Rabbah(L) of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar,(M) and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim(N) 28 brought beds, basins,[o] and pottery items. They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,[p] 29 honey, curds, sheep, goats, and cheese[q] from the herd for David and the people with him to eat. They had reasoned, “The people must be hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Footnotes:

  1. 17:2 Lit and weak of hands
  2. 17:3 LXX reads to you as a bride returns to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, and all
  3. 17:9 Or pits, or ravines
  4. 17:9 Lit And it will be when a falling on them at
  5. 17:10 Lit melt
  6. 17:13 Lit drag it
  7. 17:15 Lit “Like this and like this
  8. 17:15 Lit and like this and like this
  9. 17:16 Some Hb mss; MT reads plains
  10. 17:16 the Jordan supplied for clarity
  11. 17:20 Or brook; Hb obscure
  12. 17:25 Or Jether
  13. 17:25 Some LXX mss read Ishmaelite
  14. 17:25 Some LXX mss read Jesse
  15. 17:28 LXX reads brought 10 embroidered beds with double coverings, 10 vessels
  16. 17:28 LXX, Syr; MT adds roasted grain
  17. 17:29 Hb obscure
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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John 19:23-42

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see who gets it.” This happened that the Scripture(A) might be fulfilled(B) that says: They divided my clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.[a](C) This is what the soldiers did.

Jesus’s Provision for His Mother

25 Standing(D) by the cross(E) of Jesus were his mother,(F) his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.(G) 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved(H) standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

The Finished Work of Jesus

28 After(I) this, when Jesus knew that everything was now finished(J) that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he said, “I’m thirsty.”(K) 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch(L) and held it up to his mouth.

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.”(M) Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.(N)

Jesus’s Side Pierced

31 Since it was the preparation day,(O) the Jews did not want the bodies(P) to remain on the cross(Q) on the Sabbath(R) (for that Sabbath was a special[b] day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away.(S) 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. 33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead.(T) 34 But one of the soldiers pierced(U) his side(V) with a spear, and at once blood and water(W) came out. 35 He who saw this has testified(X) so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.(Y) 36 For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled:(Z) Not one of his bones will be broken.[c](AA) 37 Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the one they pierced.[d](AB)

Jesus’s Burial

38 After(AC) this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’s body.(AD) Pilate gave him permission; so he came and took his body away. 39 Nicodemus(AE) (who had previously come to him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds[e] of myrrh and aloes. 40 They took Jesus’s body(AF) and wrapped it in linen cloths(AG) with the fragrant spices, according to the burial(AH) custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish day of preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

Footnotes:

  1. 19:24 Ps 22:18
  2. 19:31 Lit great
  3. 19:36 Ex 12:46; Nm 9:12; Ps 34:20
  4. 19:37 Zch 12:10
  5. 19:39 Lit a hundred litrai; a Roman litrai = 12 ounces
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Psalm 119:129-152

פ Pe

129 Your decrees are wondrous;(A)
therefore I obey them.(B)
130 The revelation of your words(C) brings light
and gives understanding to the inexperienced.(D)
131 I open my mouth and pant(E)
because I long for your commands.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,(F)
as is your practice toward those who love your name.
133 Make my steps steady through your promise;(G)
don’t let any sin dominate me.(H)
134 Redeem me from human oppression,(I)
and I will keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant,(J)
and teach me your statutes.(K)
136 My eyes pour out streams of tears(L)
because people do not follow your instruction.

צ Tsade

137 You are righteous, Lord,(M)
and your judgments are just.
138 The decrees you issue are righteous
and altogether trustworthy.(N)
139 My anger overwhelms me
because my foes forget your words.(O)
140 Your word is completely pure,(P)
and your servant loves it.(Q)
141 I am insignificant and despised,(R)
but I do not forget your precepts.(S)
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and your instruction is true.(T)
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but your commands are my delight.(U)
144 Your decrees are righteous forever.(V)
Give me understanding, and I will live.

ק Qoph

145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord.
I will obey your statutes.(W)
146 I call to you; save me,
and I will keep your decrees.(X)
147 I rise before dawn and cry out for help;(Y)
I put my hope in your word.
148 I am awake through each watch of the night
to meditate on your promise.(Z)
149 In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice.
Lord, give me life in keeping with your justice.(AA)
150 Those who pursue evil plans[a](AB) come near;
they are far from your instruction.
151 You are near, Lord,(AC)
and all your commands are true.(AD)
152 Long ago I learned from your decrees
that you have established them forever.(AE)

Footnotes:

  1. 119:150 Some Hb mss, LXX, Sym, Jer read who maliciously persecute me
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Proverbs 16:12-13

12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,(A)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(B)

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.

Cross references:

  1. 16:12 : Pr 31:3–5
  2. 16:12 : Ps 101; Pr 25:5
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

5/30/2023 DAB Transcript

2 Samuel 15:23-16:23, John 18:25-19:22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 16:10-11

Today is the 30th day of May, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is fantastic to be here with you today as we gather around the Global Campfire where everything is peaceful and serene, and we all have a place and we’ve gathered to take the next step forward together. And so, that’s exactly what we will do. Our next step leads us back into the book of Second Samuel. We are learning of the reign of King David. We have learned some of the darker passages of David’s reign and life, and some of the decisions that he’s made that have undermined his leadership and really undermined so much in his own family. So much so, that where we left off yesterday is that David’s son Absalom, has going to Hebron and is essentially gathering an army to overthrow his father, King David. David has heard the news and has…has decided to go back on the run. It’s something that he knows, he had to run for his life from King Saul and now it’s as if he has to run from his life from his own son. And so, David is leaving Jerusalem, with the anticipation that Absalom is coming to try to take over Jerusalem. And so, let’s pick up the story, Second Samuel chapter 15 verse 23 through 16 verse 23.

Commentary:

Okay, so, clearly in Second Samuel, the…the que by Absalom to overthrow his father, King David, is underway, and Absalom is in Jerusalem. And he has advisors and David has some people planted to try to give him information. While some of David’s advisors and people have gone over to Absalom and become loyal to him. Some of the advice to get the rest of the people on board with the fact that Absalom and David would not be reconciling and that there is a new king in town and his name is Absalom. The idea was to go to the concubines of David erect a tent, have sex with the concubines in front of everybody and that would let everybody know that there is no turning back. There will not be reconciliation between the king and his son. And so that’s what Absalom does. That’s kind of where we are. And we’ll continue the story tomorrow.

And then…then today in the Gospel of John, we have reached the point, the point that we have reached for the final time on our journey this year through the Scriptures, and that is the final retelling in the Gospel of John of Jesus arrest and trial and crucifixion. And that's…that’s where we leave things. Jesus has been nailed to a cross and we heard the venom coming from the people that were incited against Him, yelling that He be crucified away with Him. He is not our King, away with Him. We have no king but Caesar, crucify Him. That hatred and rage aimed at God, the creator of life. And we can watch Jesus go to the cross willingly and we can say, He just took all that, He didn’t retaliate against it at all. Yes, that is what He did. He took it upon Himself and took it to the cross. But lest we think that He didn’t retaliate, we would be mistaken. He retaliated by offering forgiveness to those who were killing Him and everyone else, including you, including me. And so, what looked like utter defeat, was victory and that mystery is something that we get to talk about when we get into the letters of the Apostle Paul, out in front of us yet. But we’re here, in this moment and Jesus has been nailed to the cross and we will not go through this story again. And so, let us allow it to be in our hearts today, something that we consider. And when we are pressed to retaliate today, may we remember what we’ve read, may we remember what Jesus did, and may we consider retaliating through forgiveness, a counterintuitive way of restoration that can be miraculous.

Prayer:

So, Jesus, we thank You, we thank You. What else can we say, we say we thank You for the cross, thank You for the work that You did, we thank You for the example that you set, we thank You for the rescue of our soul, we thank You for eternal life, we thank You for hope, we thank You for today, we thank You for the next breath. We can thank You, as long as we can think. But it all boils back down to just, thank You because it’s so much and so good and so overwhelming, and so beyond anything we can ever repay, that our lives hum with Your presence and that Your Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. It’s beyond comprehension, and so it really does boil down to thank You. May our lives give You honor, may we serve You well, may we make You proud today. We ask in Your name, by Your power, through Your authority, because without You, we can do nothing anyway. So, thank You, may we honor You today. We pray in Your name. Amen.

Announcements:

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And that’s it for today, I’m Brian, I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here, tomorrow.

Prayer and Encouragements:

Hey, DAB Family. This is your sister Ashlee from California. And it is Friday, May 26th 2023 and I, we just listened to Brian talk about Jesus’s last words. And in John 15 where it talks about abiding in the Lord. And Jesus calls us His friends and we, it talks about like, we shall be His friends by obeying Him. But I just wanna praise God and just say, what a friend we have in Jesus. He bares all of our sins, He wants to hear us, He wants us to turn our eyes upon Him. Because then the things of this world go strangely dim. But I also wanted to come on here because the prayer requests from today. Susan, the lady trusting in Jesus who is a brand new listener, who’s life is falling apart. Bridgett, Be Filled Bridgett, you guys, I am, I am coming off of a really hard night myself. Jackson, and I had to go to the hospital twice yesterday. And God is so good. But I just, I am praying for you all and I’m gonna pray, actually I’m gonna pray right now. I’m gonna say oh, dear Jesus, thank You so much for a new day. Thank You for sustaining us and I thank You for this community. I thank You that we are not alone and we can come together, that we’re never alone because You are our helper. And we know Lord, that Your promises are true and that we can stand upon them. And that You will help us to persevere, no matter what it looks like. It’s in Your name that we pray and we place our hope, Jesus. Amen. I love you, DAB Family. And I am praying with you and for you. Bye.

Hello, this is Kendall Weaver speaking from Los Angeles, California. I’ve been listening to Daily Audio Bible for about a year. This is my very first time speaking into the prayer and community prayer. And I just wanted to have a special prayer that I passed my life insurance exam tomorrow, which will be May 27th. And I also wanted to pray for, you know, just dealing with my autism that I have. I’ve heard of different people talking about mental illness and schizophrenia, stuff like that. Something that you definitely have to deal with on a daily basis. I just wanted to pray that I overcome my insecurities and that I become the man that God has called me to be. And that I also find a, you know, a Godly woman, one of these days, that she understands that I’m able to lead the family and lead her as well, as the Bible says to do. As it says, you know, love your wife as Christ loved the church. And all those things. So, just wanted to, you know, have my prayer request and hopefully it gets answered and hopefully things happen. Thank you.

Hey fam, it’s Spark from Texas. I’m a actually up here in New York, New York, as ya’ll would say. But we’re messing around, bear tracking and but anyway, how goes it? We’re listening to Daily right now and I just really wanted to put this out there. Like, I remember the first year I went through this and DAB. I listened to David and he was…he was somebody that just, I strove to be like. To have that energy, that passion, that…that good heart. And that’s, I loved it. I couldn’t get enough of it. And I’m sitting up here, my buddies are in there napping. And I got my headphones in out here and I got a day or two behind and I was like, nah, dudes I gotta step out and kind of do my thing, you know. And out here listening to the Bible, and I’m like, man, how much has my life changed in these years. No longer do I sit there and look at David as somebody that was terribly troubled but here I am. Here I am, doing well. And we don’t ever think we’re doing well but where we’re you at before you found God like David found God, and just fell in love with Him and said I can’t do anything without You. That’s how I feel, right now. But God. I love you.

Hello, DAB Family. This is Mark, the baby doctor from Dayton, Ohio. I wanted to call in and pray for few requests that really are weighing heavy on my heart. Susan from Canada, you said your son has had a very difficult cancer journey and a surgery has left him without some ribs and now a cough has causing him some extreme pain and I wanna pray for him, Lord Jesus. I wanna pray that this cough would be healed, in the name of Jesus right now. I give you Jeremiah 30:17 for I will restore health to you and your wounds, I will heal, declare the Lord. And I pray healing on those wounds and total restoration for him. Trusting in Jesus, oh my. I heard about your mom in Hospice and your sister with ovarian cancer. And now, what you are facing and yes, we are praying for both of those situations, for healing, for God’s presence. And for you, Trusting in Jesus, I give you Isaiah 46:4 I am he who will sustain you, I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Trust in the Lord that He will be there as we continue to lift you up. And finally, I didn’t catch the name, but I believe a mother called in with a 8-year-old who might be battling some mental illness. And in the name of Jesus, I…I pray for that little girl, that her mind would be restored. And I give you Psalm 30, oh Lord my God, I cried out to You for help and You healed me. So, just cry out to the Lord with her for help and He will heal. In Jesus name. Thank you, all.

DAB Family, last November, I asked you for prayers for my wife, who was hospitalized with an aggressive abdominal infection. After two emergency surgeries and 72 days in the hospital, she was sent home with both an ileostomy and colostomy to recover. My praise today is that earlier this week, my wife underwent a planned surgery, to take down the ileostomy. I praise God for answered prayers. During this same period, my granddaughter was brought into this world at just under 24 weeks and weighing only 15 oz as a result of an emergency c section to save my daughters-in-law life. Little Win has thrived as a super preemie, until about a month ago. As her body has grown, her lungs have not been able to keep up. After a month of decline, little Win had to be intubated to give her lungs a chance to keep up and to better manage her blood gas levels. We have a, we’ve had thousands of prayer warriors praying for Little Win and I ask my DAB Family, to join me in praying for little Win today. Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that the Holy Spirit would breathe life into Win’s delicate lungs so that they may thrive as the rest of her body has. Heavenly Father, be with both Win and her parents, through this very difficult time. Lord, it’s in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Tuesday May 30, 2023 (NIV)

2 Samuel 15:23-16

23 Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly while all the people were marching out of the city. As the king was crossing the Kidron Valley, all the people were marching past on the road that leads to the wilderness.

24 Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices[a] until the people had finished marching past.(A) 25 Then the king instructed Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city.(B) If I find favor with the Lord, he will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its[b] dwelling place.(C) 26 However, if he should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am—he can do with me whatever pleases him.”[c](D)

27 The king also said to the priest Zadok,(E) “Look,[d] return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. 28 Remember, I’ll wait at the fords[e] of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

30 David was climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives,(F) weeping as he ascended. His head was covered,(G) and he was walking barefoot.(H) All of the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they ascended.

31 Then someone reported to David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”

Lord,” David pleaded, “please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” (I)

32 When David came to the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite(J) was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go away with me, you’ll be a burden to me, 34 but if you return to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, Your Majesty! Previously, I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can counteract Ahithophel’s counsel for me. 35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Report everything you hear from the palace to the priests Zadok and Abiathar. 36 Take note: their two sons are there with them—Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. Send them to tell me everything you hear.” 37 So Hushai,(K) David’s personal adviser, entered Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

Ziba Helps David

16 When David had gone a little beyond the summit,[f] Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant,(L) was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a clay jar of wine. The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?”

Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to drink who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

“Where is your master’s grandson?” the king asked.

“Why, he’s staying in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied to the king, “for he said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore my grandfather’s kingdom to me.’”(M)

The king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” (N)

“I bow before you,” Ziba said. “May I find favor with you, my lord the king!”

Shimei Curses David

When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out.(O) His name was Shimei son of Gera,(P) and he was yelling curses as he approached. He threw stones at David and at all the royal[g] servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left. Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!(Q) The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed!”

Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog(R) curse my lord the king?(S) Let me go over and remove his head!”

10 The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?(T) He curses(U) me this way because the Lord[h] told him, ‘Curse David!’ (V) Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’” 11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood,[i] intends to take my life(W)—how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. 12 Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction[j] and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.” 13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust. 14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived[k] exhausted, so they rested there.

Absalom’s Advisers

15 Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him. 16 When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” (X)

17 “Is this your loyalty to your friend?” Absalom asked Hushai. “Why didn’t you go with your friend?”

18 “Not at all,” Hushai answered Absalom. “I am on the side of the one that the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him. 19 Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.”(Y)

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do?”

21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace.(Z) When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged.”[l] 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.(AA)

23 Now the advice Ahithophel gave in those days was like someone asking about a word from God(AB)—such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

Footnotes:

  1. 15:24 Or Abiathar went up
  2. 15:25 Or his
  3. 15:26 Lit me what is good in his eyes
  4. 15:27 LXX; MT reads “Are you a seer?
  5. 15:28 Alt Hb tradition reads plains
  6. 16:1 = Mount of Olives
  7. 16:6 Lit all King David’s
  8. 16:10 Alt Hb tradition reads If he curses, and if the Lord
  9. 16:11 Lit son who came from my belly
  10. 16:12 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg; one Hb tradition reads iniquity; alt Hb tradition reads eyes; another Hb tradition reads will look with his eye
  11. 16:14 LXX adds at the Jordan
  12. 16:21 Lit father, the hands of everyone with you will be strong
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

John 18:25-19:22

Peter Denies Jesus Twice More

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it and said, “I am not.”

26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Peter denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed.(A)

Jesus before Pilate

28 Then(B) they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters.(C) It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

29 So Pilate(D) came out to them and said, “What charge(E) do you bring against this man?”

30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal,[a] we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”

31 Pilate told them, “You take him and judge him according to your law.”

“It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared. 32 They said this so that Jesus’s words might be fulfilled indicating what kind of death he was going to die.(F)

33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” (G)

34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?”

35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36 “My kingdom(H) is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world,(I) my servants(J) would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is,[b] my kingdom is not from here.”(K)

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world(L) for this: to testify(M) to the truth.(N) Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

Jesus or Barabbas

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds(O) for charging him. 39 You(P) have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”

40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (Q) Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.[c](R)

Jesus Flogged and Mocked

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers also twisted together a crown(S) of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe. And they kept coming up to him(T) and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were slapping his face.

Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing him out to you to let you know I find no grounds(U) for charging him.” Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.(V) Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” (W)

Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death

When the chief priests and the temple servants[d] saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate responded, “Take him and crucify him yourselves, since I find no grounds for charging him.”

“We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law he ought to die,(X) because he made himself the Son of God.”(Y)

When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. He went back into the headquarters(Z) and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer.(AA) 10 So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?”

11 “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”(AB)

12 From that moment Pilate kept trying[e] to release him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”

13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s seat in a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Aramaic,[f] Gabbatha). 14 It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about noon.[g] Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”

15 They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”

“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.

16 Then he handed him over to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

Then they took Jesus away.[h] 17 Carrying(AC) the cross by himself,(AD) he went out to what is called Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate also had a sign made and put on the cross. It said: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city,(AE) and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The king of the Jews,’(AF) but that he said, ‘I am the king of the Jews.’”

22 Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

Footnotes:

  1. 18:30 Lit an evil doer
  2. 18:36 Or But now
  3. 18:40 Or robber; see Jn 10:1,8 for the same Gk word used here
  4. 19:6 Or temple police, or officers
  5. 19:12 Lit Pilate was trying
  6. 19:13 Or Hebrew, also in vv. 17,20
  7. 19:14 Lit about the sixth hour
  8. 19:16 Other mss add and led him out
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Psalm 119:113-128

ס Samek

113 I hate those who are double-minded,(A)
but I love your instruction.(B)
114 You are my shelter and my shield;(C)
I put my hope in your word.(D)
115 Depart from me,(E) you evil ones,
so that I may obey my God’s commands.(F)
116 Sustain me as you promised,(G) and I will live;
do not let me be ashamed of my hope.(H)
117 Sustain me so that I can be safe(I)
and always be concerned about your statutes.(J)
118 You reject all who stray from your statutes,(K)
for their deceit is a lie.
119 You remove all the wicked on earth
as if they were[a] dross from metal;(L)
therefore, I love your decrees.(M)
120 I tremble[b] in awe of you;(N)
I fear your judgments.

ע Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right;(O)
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being;(P)
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes grow weary(Q) looking for your salvation
and for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant based on your faithful love;(R)
teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant;(S) give me understanding(T)
so that I may know your decrees.
126 It is time for the Lord to act,(U)
for they have violated your instruction.
127 Since I love your commands(V)
more than gold, even the purest gold,
128 I carefully follow all your precepts(W)
and hate every false way.(X)

Footnotes:

  1. 119:119 Some Hb mss, DSS, LXX, Aq, Sym, Jer read All the wicked of the earth you count as
  2. 119:120 Lit My flesh shudders
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Proverbs 16:10-11

10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;[a](A)
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.(B)

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his concern.(C)

Footnotes:

  1. 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday May 29, 2023 (NIV)

2 Samuel 14:1-15:22

14 Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the heart of the king was attached to Absalom. So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there. He said to her, “Please act like a mourner and wear mourning clothes. Do not anoint yourself with lotion. Make it look as if you are a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time. Go to the king and tell him whatever I tell you to say.” Then Joab put the words in her mouth.

The woman from Tekoa spoke to the king. She fell down with her face to the ground. She bowed down and said, “Help me, O King.”

The king said to her, “What is wrong?”

She said, “It’s terrible. I am a widow. My husband is dead. Your servant had two sons. The two of them had a fight out in the field, and there was no one there to separate them. The one struck the other and killed him. Now the entire family has risen up against your servant. They are saying, ‘Turn over the one who struck down his brother, so we can put him to death because of the life of his brother whom he killed. In this way we will destroy the heir also.’ They will put out the fire of the one burning coal that is left for me. My husband will not have a name or anything left on the face of the earth.”

The king said to the woman, “Go to your house. I will issue orders on your behalf.”

The woman from Tekoa said to the king, “On me, my lord the king—let the guilt be on me and on the house of my father. The king and his throne will be guiltless.”

10 The king said, “Bring to me anyone who speaks against you about this, and he will not contact you again.”

11 She said, “Please, the king should remember the Lord your God and stop the avenger of blood from multiplying the killing, so that they do not destroy my son.”

David said, “As the Lord lives, not one hair of your son will fall to the ground.”

12 The woman said, “Please allow your servant to speak a word to my lord the king.”

He said, “Speak up.”

13 The woman said, “Why have you planned something like this against the people of God? By his own words the king convicts himself for not returning his own banished one. 14 We will certainly die. We are like water spilled onto the ground that cannot be gathered up again. But God does not take life. He devises means to restore to himself the one who has been banished. 15 Now I have come to say this to my lord the king, because the people have made me afraid. Your servant said, ‘I will speak to the king. Perhaps the king will fulfill the request of his servant, 16 for the king will listen and deliver his servant from the hand of the man who is trying to destroy both me and my son, to remove us from our inheritance from God.’ 17 Your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king give me rest, because he is like the angel of God—that is what my lord the king is like. He is able to distinguish good and evil.’ The Lord your God will be with you.”

18 The king answered the woman, “Please, do not withhold the answer to what I am about to ask you.”

The woman said, “My lord the king, please speak.”

19 The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?”

The woman answered, “As your soul lives, my lord the king, nothing veers off to the right or to the left from everything my lord the king has said, for your servant Joab is the one who gave me orders. He also put all these words into the mouth of your servant. 20 Your servant Joab did this in order to change the way things were going. My lord has wisdom, like the wisdom of the Angel of God. He knows everything that goes on in the land.”

21 The king said to Joab, “All right! I will do this. Go and bring back the young man Absalom.”

22 Joab fell down with his face to the ground. He bowed down and blessed the king and said, “Today your servant has become aware that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, because the king has carried out the request of his servant.”

23 So Joab got up and went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.

24 But the king said, “He must go to his own house. He is not to see me face-to-face.” So Absalom went to his own house, and he did not see the face of the king.

25 There was not a man in all Israel as handsome as Absalom and so greatly praised. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was not a blemish on him. 26 When he shaved the hair on his head (periodically he cut it off because it became too heavy for him), the hair weighed five pounds.[a]

27 Three sons and one daughter were born to Absalom. The daughter’s name was Tamar. She was an attractive woman.

28 Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years, but he did not see the king face-to-face. 29 Absalom sent to Joab in order to ask him to go to the king on his behalf, but Joab was not willing to come to him. Absalom sent again, a second time, but Joab was still not willing to come. 30 So Absalom said to his servants, “See that field of Joab next to mine, where he has barley. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. ⎣Joab’s servants came to him with their clothing torn and said to him, “The servants of Absalom have set your field on fire.”⎦[b]

31 Joab got up and went to Absalom’s house. He said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”

32 Absalom said to Joab, “I sent this message to you: Come here. I want to send you to speak to the king and to say for me, ‘Why did I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to still be there.’ Now I want to see the king face-to-face. If I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.” 33 So Joab went to the king and gave him the message.

Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came to the king. He bowed down to the king with his face to the ground, and the king kissed Absalom.

Absalom’s Rebellion

15 After this, Absalom acquired for himself a chariot, horses, and fifty men to run in front of him. Absalom would get up early and stand beside the road by the gatehouse. Absalom would call out to every man who had a legal issue to bring before the king for judgment, and he would say, “What city are you from?” The person would say, “Your servant is from such-and-such of the tribes of Israel.” Absalom would say to him, “Your claims are good and valid, but there is no one from the king to listen to you.” Then Absalom would say, “I wish someone would make me a judge in the land. Then everyone who has a legal issue or needs a judgment could come to me, and I would give him justice.”

Whenever someone approached to bow down to him, he would reach out, take hold of him, and kiss him. Absalom acted this way to everyone of Israel who came to the king for judgment. In this way Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

After four[c] years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron and fulfill my vow, which I have made to the Lord, because when I was at Geshur in Aram, your servant vowed, ‘If the Lord will really return me to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.’”

The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he set out and went to Hebron.

10 But Absalom sent agents throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’” 11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem who had been invited went along with Absalom. They went innocently, since they did not know what was going on.

12 While he was offering sacrifices, Absalom summoned David’s advisor, Ahithophel of Giloh, to come from Giloh, his hometown. The conspiracy gained strength as more and more people were going over to Absalom.

13 A messenger came to David and said, “The hearts of the men of Israel are following Absalom.”

14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Get ready. We must flee, or we will not escape from Absalom. Hurry up and go, so that he does not come quickly, overtake us, bring down disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

15 The officials of the king said to him, “Here we are. We, your servants, will do everything our lord the king decides.” 16 So the king set out with his entire household, but he left ten concubines[d] to watch over the house. 17 The king and all his people set out. They stopped at a house some distance away.

David’s Flight

18 All his troops were passing by in front of David. All the Kerethites, Pelethites, and Gittites—six hundred men from Gath who had come under his command—were passing by in front of the king. 19 The king said to Ittai from Gath, “Why are you going with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom, because you are a foreigner and an exile from your home. 20 You arrived just yesterday. Today should I cause you to wander with us, when I myself do not have a plan as to where I am going? Go back and take your fellow soldiers with you. May the Lord’s mercy and faithfulness be with you.”[e]

21 Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king will be, whether it leads to death or life, there your servant will be.”

22 David said to Ittai, “Go ahead then. March on.” So Ittai from Gath and all his men and all the dependents who were with them marched by.

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Samuel 14:26 Hebrew two hundred shekels by the royal standard
  2. 2 Samuel 14:30 The sentence in half-brackets in verse 30 is not included in the Hebrew text but is in the Greek. An omission from the Hebrew text may have occurred as the eye of the Hebrew copyist skipped from the first occurrence of on fire to the second one.
  3. 2 Samuel 15:7 The translation four years follows the ancient versions. The Hebrew text reads forty years, but it is not possible to fit that time span into the chronology of David’s reign.
  4. 2 Samuel 15:16 Or wives of secondary status
  5. 2 Samuel 15:20 The last part of the verse is difficult.
Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

John 18:1-24

The Arrest

18 After saying these things, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley,[a] where there was a garden. He and his disciples went into it.

Now Judas, who was betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas took the company of soldiers and some guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus told them.

Judas, the betrayer, was standing with them. When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they backed away and fell to the ground.

Then Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?”

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they said.

“I told you that I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the statement he had spoken: “I did not lose any of those you have given me.”

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup my Father has given me?”

12 Then the company of soldiers, their commander, and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, because he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews, “It is better that one man die for the people.”

Peter Denies Jesus

15 Simon Peter and another disciple kept following Jesus. That disciple was known to the high priest, so he went into the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 But Peter stood outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and talked to the girl watching the door and brought Peter in.

17 “You are not one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter.

“I am not!” he said.

18 The servants and guards were standing around a fire of coals that they had made because it was cold. While they warmed themselves, Peter was standing with them, warming himself too.

Jesus Before Annas

19 The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in a synagogue or at the temple, where all the Jews gather. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why are you questioning me? Ask those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.”

22 When he said this, one of the guards standing there hit Jesus in the face. “Is that how you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus answered, “testify about what was wrong. But if I was right, why did you hit me?”

24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Footnotes:

  1. John 18:1 The Greek word translated Valley refers to a seasonal stream.
Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Psalm 119:97-112

Mem: Sweeter Than Honey

97 How I love your laws!
I meditate on them all day long.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
because it is always with me.
99 I have more wisdom than all my teachers,
because your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
because I guard your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet off every evil path
in order to keep your words.
102 I have not turned from your judgments,
because you yourself have instructed me.
103 How sweet are your sayings to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 From your precepts I gain understanding.
Therefore, I hate every false road.

Nun: A Lamp for My Feet

105 Your words are a lamp for my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I have sworn and affirmed
that I will keep your righteous judgments.
107 I have suffered much.
Lord, give me life according to your words.
108 Lord, please accept the willing praise from my mouth,
and teach me your judgments.
109 I take my life in my hands constantly,
but I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not wandered from your precepts.
111 I have inherited your testimonies forever.
Yes, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I turn my heart to do your statutes,
forever, right to the end.

Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 16:8-9

Wisdom for a King and His Subjects

Better a little with righteousness
than a large income without justice.
A person’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord makes his steps secure.

Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.

05/29/2023 DAB Transcript

2 Samuel 12:1-31, John 16:1-33, Psalms 119:65-80, Proverbs 16:4-5

Today is the 29th day of May welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian and it is wonderful to be here with you today as we gather yet again around the Global Campfire and move forward together on our journey through the Scriptures this year. And our journey will lead us back into the book of second Samuel, where we have been camping out in moving our way through as we learn of the reign of king David. David has made mostly right moves, moves from a good heart and good character but he’s also made a really bad maneuver in taking another man’s wife, Bathsheba and having her husband killed to cover it up, which creates a lot of unrest in David’s family. And, so, David’s daughter has been raped by her brother Amnon and Amnon has subsequently been killed by his brother Absalom and Absalom has been sent away from Jerusalem back to his grandparents. And, so, let’s pick up the story. Second Samuel chapter 14 verse 1 through 15 verse 22 today.

Commentary:

Okay. So, the erosion in…in the Kings family, king David’s family is on full display. We watched David running for his life from King Saul. We watched him holding on to God for his next breath. We watched his integrity grow. We watched the people’s hearts turn toward him because they were seeing his character shine through as a leader, that he truly loved the people, that he truly loved God. And God blessed and a national identity was established under David’s rule, a palace for the king, a capital city and then David saw a beautiful woman that he wanted that belonged to someone else and the aftermath was pregnancy and loss of a baby, the murder of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, and then repercussions in his own family, the rape of his daughter Tamar by her brother Amnon. And then another brother Absalom taking out his revenge on Amnon by killing him for raping his sister. And then Absalom was exiled away from Jerusalem to Gesher to his grandparents and kept away from the king. And then finally…finally, Absalom comes back but he can’t see the king and he goes about the business of stealing the hearts of…of the Israelites away from the king. And, so, now what we have is Absalom has gone to Hebron and is declaring himself king and a revolt, coup is underway. David has gotten word about this. All of his instincts kick in. He knows what it’s like to be on the run and fighting to stay alive. So, he sees the writing on the wall. And, so, he has to leave the palace, gather some kind of bodyguard and…and get like some little semblance of government together and get out of there. Otherwise, Absalom will come with his troops and there will be civil war going on in the…the holy city of Jerusalem, the capital city. And, so, David is…is back on the run again. He was given rest. He was given blessing. He was made the King and now he’s back on the run again. And we can look at this and we have to appreciate the impact that has happened in the reign of king David because of the choices that he made. We watched a tremendous offense grow between Absalom and David over the course of years and it's…it’s led to war. If we want to step back and allow the Scriptures to read us and…and try to apply this to our lives, then we have to look at the offenses that we’ve allowed to fester over long periods of time. We have to look at the things that have become poison in our relationships because we already know where the road goes. Like the bonds that bound us in relationship become frayed and broken and can turn to the opposite of relationship which is…which is non-relationship, which is war with each other, animosity toward one another. We’re seeing this happen to King David and his kingdom, but it is the same for us. And everybody does make mistakes. There is no perfect one outside of our Savior and we have an example of that. But when we fall short, we are human beings, we fall short a lot more we even…than we even acknowledge. We give ourselves a lot of grace but we make a lot of mistakes and some of them are small and some of them are big but there is a repercussion for the choices that we make and some of those can be devastating. But even when things are absolutely blown apart and broken we still are making decisions each and every day to move through the day. And, so, we either reinforce the battle lines, we bring more ammunition to create more evil, or we find a way to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and repent, which doesn’t mean everything gets fixed all of a sudden, but humility and hope for grace and a heart of repentance, these can be miracles in relationships. So, let’s look at what’s happening to David and look into our own lives for…for parallels. And probably we don’t have the same kind of parallels. The kind of stuff that David’s gotten himself into are pretty big things, but the principles remain. We’ll continue this story as we continue to move forward through the Scriptures and we will see that the animosity that has risen between Absalom and his father David. Absalom’s total disdain and disrespect and near hatred for his father is going to cause a lot of pain. May we learn from this example.

Prayer:

Father, we invite You into that. And as we were just saying, most of us don’t have stories like king David, but we all have stories and they’re human stories and most of our stories involve interaction and relationship with other people in some sort of way and we have done well and we’ve done poorly in the choices that we’ve made about the relationships that we’ve had. And, so, we first humble ourselves before You and ask Your Holy Spirit to show us the way that we should go and how to be a part of Your story of redemption rather than just continuing to drop battle lines for bloodshed and more devastation in our hearts and in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Come Holy Spirit show us the way to go in the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

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And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Coming soon…

5/28/2023 DAB Transcript

2 Samuel 13:1-39, John 17:1-26, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 16:6-7

Today is the 28th day of May, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian, it is wonderful to be here with you as we do what we do and greet a brand-new, shiny, sparkly week and remind ourselves it’s out in front of us. We’re gonna write the story of our lives on this week and we’re gonna do that with our thoughts, words and deeds. We’re going to do that by what we do and what we leave undone. And one of the ways that we get direction in our lives is to come here, gather together and allow the Scriptures to speak into our lives. And so, let’s do that. It’s a brand new week, we’ll read from the New Living Translation this week. We’re picking up the story of King David and we’ve moved through a pretty dark, the most dark portion of David’s reign, when he, when he takes another man’s wife, her name is Bathsheba, and…and has, has Uriah, her husband, Uriah the Hittite, has him killed in battle on purpose. Basically uses the enemy to commit murder and takes her. And Nathan, the prophet, comes and tells him the story about a rich man who stole a poor man’s little lamb, the little lamb was like a pet, was like a daughter in the family. And the rich man stole the poor man’s lamb and served it up as a meal. Of course, David was furious when he heard the news until he found out he was that man. And so, now David’s got to go through the process. And Nathan told David that this is going to bring a lot of trouble in his family and that is what we will witness, that things aren’t the same in David’s family after this. This is something that wouldn’t have been able to be a complete cover-up, Uriah’s killed, the next thing you know Bathsheba is David’s wife. People are talking, the family is talking. It’s like respect has been lost. So, let’s pick up the story, Second Samuel chapter 13.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for Your word. We thank You for a brand-new week that we move into, its transitional week before the week is over, we will graduate. We will step forward into a brand-new month and before this week is out, we will conclude the Gospel of John, which means we will conclude the Gospels and move forward into new territory in the New Testament. So, we are looking forward to all that You have for us as we move through this week and we invite Your Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, the comforter, the advocate, to lead us on the paths that leads to peace, to lead us on the paths that are right for us, to lead us into all truth. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Prayer and Encouragements:

Hey, this is Daniel Johnson Junior from beautiful Cincinnati Ohio, longtime listener, sometimes commenter. And right now, I’m actually wanting to offer a prayer request for dear sister Carol Baker. Carol, I knew, I first met her back when she lived in Dayton Ohio and she is the person who recommended, back in 2009 that I start listening to the Daily Audio Bible again. Carol has been in the hospital for the last couple of days with just going through something that is very uncomfortable and there’s, just praying for the A+ medical team to be around her as I’m sending this out, it’s the 25th of May 2013. And so, God we just lift up our dear sister Carol to You and pray that everything goes well. Recovery turns out really well. I know that that sometimes these things happen, they’re so disruptive in our lives. And You know what you’re doing and You know what You want to have for Carol. We love her so much and I know that she loves You too. So thank you so much brothers and sisters. And thank You so much God for all the work that You’re doing. It’s in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Hi, amazing family, this is Preserved Hope. The Disciple that Jesus Loves in Ohio, you called in. You said your depression is better and praise God you have been able to spend time with your youngest children. I know it had been awhile. So, praise God for that. We are lifting you up. Heavenly Father, that she would be able to get a good job, Lord. She has a good one lined up but she’s nervous about the background check. Lord, would You just provide for her in every way. Please just pour out an abundant amount of blessings on her financially that she would be able to meet her needs. Abba’s Daughter Sadie, I’m praying for your sister, Sydney, who severely injured her tailbone. Heavenly Father, would You just bring healing to her. Would You please protect her in the future as Sadie said that she has had issues before with injuries. Lord, just be a blessing to this family. A woman called in, your son has just admitted himself into a mental institution, Lord. He’s dealing with so much. And she’s been able to minister to him by sharing the Bible with him for over a year. Would You please just penetrate his heart. Lord, would he come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Would You please deliver him from mental illness, that has been plaguing him. Martha from the west coast, you need work. And I loved how you called in with such peace about it. And I praise God that you know that the Lord is faithful, he has always been faithful to you. But Lord, would You help her to find work, so that she can continue to meet whatever financial obligations that she has. And thank You for her hearth. Heather from California, I am lifting up you and Jackson and Ashley, Lord. Would You please hold this family in the palm of Your hand. Would You please just bless them. Please bring healing to Jackson. Please lift up their spirits Lord, and encourage them. And Jackson, I wanted to tell you that I did not grow up watching SpongeBob Squarepants because it wasn’t a show when I was a little kid. But my kids watched it a little bit. It’s a cute show. Alright, love you.

Hello, this prayer is for Jamie in New Jersey. Jamie, I thank God for you and your prayers. And happy belated birthday. You are selfless; your heart is filled with loving and caring for others. And I just pray to God that at this moment you would know how much you are appreciated and cared and loved. Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank You for Jamie. We thank You that You have brought him thus this far. We pray thee Lord, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, acknowledging that he has cast his cares before You, Lord, and he should know that You care for him, Lord, and we as well. We pray thee Father, that You would comfort his heart. Comfort him Father, in know that he is loved and that one day Father, according to Your perfect will and perfect timing, all will be fulfilled in his life. As long as he hold on, carry on and be strong in You and faint not. In the name of Jesus, we thank You Father, that all things work together for the good of those who love You. And that You fill his heart with joy, peace, comfort, and the fruits of the spirit. Whatsoever’s lovely, whatsoever’s a good report, and not to be dismayed in any way but to know that all things work together for the good for those that love You. Be encouraged Jamie. I look forward to your prayers, and the joy of the Lord is your strength. In Jesus name I pray, with thanksgiving in my heart. Amen.

My name is Jill. I’m a new listener. I live on Drawman Island in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I’m calling today because I’ve been listening since January and most of the time, I’m a prayer warrior but through Audio Bible, I’ve become a prayer warrior who cries a lot. I listen and listen and cry at all the sadness. And so, my message to call right now is that the Lord brought into my life recently, I live alone, and He brought into my life a woman who prothlysized a bit, she prayed on the way up here. And when she came she said, gave me a message, several messages from God. But one of them was about pain and about hip and leg pain that I have. And I want to tell you all that I got up this morning, never thought about a bad knee that I have that I usually put a brace on pretty soon after I get up. I cleaned my house, I did everything I wanted to do. I started walking my dog and I quarter mile from my house and realized, I don’t have my brace on and my knee isn’t hurting. Praise God. God works and He’s listening and don’t be saddened by all the…all the calls you’re hearing or you’re not hearing people call back because people are afraid to call back. God loves us. I praise God and I thank You so much, Lord God, for all You do in our lives. Thank You, God. Bye.