<p class="poetry">The <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s spirit spoke through me;p> <p class="poetry">his word was on my tongue.p>

So David went up as Gad instructed him to do, according to the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s instructions.p>

<p class="bodytext">David replied to Michal, &#8220;It was before the <sc>Lordsc>! I was celebrating before the <sc>Lord,sc> who chose me over your father and his entire family<n id="1" /> and appointed me as leader over the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s people Israel.

David replied to him, &#8220;How is it that you were not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s anointed?&#8221;

Those who carried the ark of the <sc>Lordsc> took six steps and then David<n id="1" /> sacrificed an ox and a fatling calf.

Now David, wearing a linen ephod, was dancing with all his strength before the <sc>Lordsc>.<n id="1" />

David and all Israel<n id="1" /> were bringing up the ark of the <sc>Lordsc>, shouting and blowing trumpets.<n id="2" />p>

When David finished offering the burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, he pronounced a blessing over the people in the name of the <sc>Lordsc> of hosts.

<t /><p class="bodytext">The king settled into his palace,<n id="1" /> for the <sc>Lordsc> gave him relief<n id="2" /> from all his enemies on all sides.<n id="3" />

Nathan replied to the king, &#8220;You should go<n id="1" /> and do whatever you have in mind,<n id="2" /> for the <sc>Lordsc> is with you.&#8221;

That night the <sc>Lordsc> told Nathan,<n id="1" />

Be strong! Let&#8217;s fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The <sc>Lordsc> will do what he decides is best!&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

and sent word through Nathan the prophet that he should be named Jedidiah<n id="1" /> for the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s sake.p>

<p class="poetry">In my distress I called to the <sc>Lordsc>;p> <p class="poetry">I called to my God.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">From his heavenly temple<n id="2" /> he heard my voice;p> <p class="poetry">he listened to my cry for help.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="poetry">The depths<n id="1" /> of the sea were exposed;p> <p class="poetry">the inner regions<n id="2" /> of the world were uncoveredp> <p class="poetry">by the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s battle cry,<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">by the powerful breath from his nose.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="poetry">The one true God acts in a faithful manner;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s promise is reliable;<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">he is a shield to all who take shelter in him.p>

<p class="poetry">Indeed,<n id="1" /> who is God besides the <sc>Lordsc>?p> <p class="poetry">Who is a protector<n id="2" /> besides our God?<n id="3" />p>

But he made a stand in the middle of that area. He defended<n id="1" /> it and defeated the Philistines; the <sc>Lordsc> gave them a great victory.p>

<p class="bodytext">When David got up the next morning, the <sc>Lordsc> had already spoken<n id="1" /> to Gad the prophet, David&#8217;s seer:

I, the servant of my lord<n id="1" /> the king, give it all to the king!&#8221; Araunah also told the king, &#8220;May the <sc>Lordsc> your God show you favor!&#8221;