Saturday in Season after Pentecost

1Verse 1. As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, 2Verse 2. “I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man. 3Verse 3. And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn, 4Verse 4. and so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: ‘If your descendants take heed to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’ 5Verse 5. Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me— what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6Verse 6. So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 7Verse 7. But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. 8Verse 8. Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’ 9Verse 9. Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.” 10Verse 10. Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. 11Verse 11. The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years — seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

1Verse 1. “Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood. 2Verse 2. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. 3Verse 3. Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God. 4Verse 4. You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians. 5Verse 5. If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! 6Verse 6. Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips. 7Verse 7. Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? 8Verse 8. Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense? 9Verse 9. Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man? 10Verse 10. Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. 11Verse 11. Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you? 12Verse 12. Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. 13Verse 13. Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may. 14Verse 14. Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands? 15Verse 15. Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face. 16Verse 16. Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him. 17Verse 17. Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears. 18Verse 18. See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated. 19Verse 19. Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.