Then Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, “Bring him up to me on his bed so I can kill him.”

During David’s campaign against Edom, Joab, the commander of the army, while on a mission to bury the dead, killed every male in Edom.

Jehu approached Jezreel. When Jezebel heard the news, she put on some eye liner, fixed up her hair, and leaned out the window.

At the same time they worshiped the Lord. They appointed some of their own people to serve as priests in the shrines on the high places.

After him Baruch son of Zabbai worked on another section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

After him Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, worked on another section from the door of Eliashib’s house to the end of it.

You, O Lord God, the invincible warrior, the God of Israel, rouse yourself and punish all the nations! Have no mercy on any treacherous evildoers! (Selah)

May he live! May they offer him gold from Sheba! May they continually pray for him! May they pronounce blessings on him all day long!

As for those who are bent on traveling a sinful path, may the Lord remove them, along with those who behave wickedly! May Israel experience peace!

Those who pass by will not say, “May you experience the Lord’s blessing! We pronounce a blessing on you in the name of the Lord.”

So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile – like chasing the wind.

What they loved, as well as what they hated and envied, perished long ago, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth.

The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak, those watchmen on the walls!

Why do you insist on being battered? Why do you continue to rebel? Your head has a massive wound, your whole body is weak.

He will not grow dim or be crushed before establishing justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait in anticipation for his decrees.”

He sees there is no advocate; he is shocked that no one intervenes. So he takes matters into his own hands; his desire for justice drives him on.

Then he shouted in my ears, “Approach, you who are to visit destruction on the city, each with his destructive weapon in his hand!”

I will bring terrors on you, and you will be no more! Though you are sought after, you will never be found again, declares the sovereign Lord.”

As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority had already been removed, though they were permitted to go on living for a time and a season.

“Go to Bethel and rebel! At Gilgal rebel some more! Bring your sacrifices in the morning, your tithes on the third day!