The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday May 31, 2021 (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.