In this initial skirmish Jonathan and his armor bearer struck down about twenty men in an area that measured half an acre.

However, if he should say, ‘I do not take pleasure in you,’ then he will deal with me in a way that he considers appropriate.”

Zanoah, Adullam and their settlements, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its villages. So they were encamped from Beer Sheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

You saw the many breaks in the walls of the city of David; you stored up water in the lower pool.

Wail, you people in Heshbon, because Ai in Ammon is destroyed. Cry out in anguish, you people in the villages surrounding Rabbah. Put on sackcloth and cry out in mourning. Run about covered with gashes. For your god Milcom will go into exile along with his priests and officials.

He built altars in the Lord’s temple, about which the Lord had said, “Jerusalem will be my home.”

In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress overtakes him. the full force of misery will come upon him.

As for God’s chosen people who are in the land, and the leading officials I admired so much –

Rejoice in the Lord and be happy, you who are godly! Shout for joy, all you who are morally upright!

Thus I will strengthen them by my power, and they will walk about in my name,” says the Lord.

The offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in former times and years past.

Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night.

In the morning Jacob discovered it was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What in the world have you done to me! Didn’t I work for you in exchange for Rachel? Why have you tricked me?”

He did evil in the sight of the Lord and followed in the footsteps of his father and mother; like Jeroboam son of Nebat, he encouraged Israel to sin.

Lord, I have heard the report of what you did; I am awed, Lord, by what you accomplished. In our time repeat those deeds; in our time reveal them again. But when you cause turmoil, remember to show us mercy!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.

Don’t report it in Gath, don’t spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate!

When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

“‘If you walk in my statutes and are sure to obey my commandments,

“Separate yourselves from among this community, that I may consume them in an instant.”