131 David consulted with all of his leaders, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. 2 Then David addressed the entire assembly of Israel, "If it seems right to you, and it is God's will, let's invite all our relatives wherever they are throughout Israel, along with their relatives, including their priests and Levites from their cities and surrounding pastures, to join us. 3 And let's bring the Chest of our God back - the Chest that was out of sight, out of mind during the days of Saul." 4 The entire assembly of Israel agreed - everybody agreed that it was the right thing to do.
5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Egypt's Pond of Horus in the southwest to the Pass of Hamath in the northeast, to go and get the Chest of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6 Then David and all Israel went to Baalah (Kiriath Jearim) in Judah to bring back the Chest of God, the "Cherubim-Throne-of-God," where God's Name is invoked. 7 They moved the Chest of God on a brand-new cart from the house of Abinadab with Uzzah and Ahio in charge. 8 In procession with the Chest of God, David and all Israel worshiped exuberantly in song and dance, with a marching band of all kinds of instruments.
9 When they were at the threshing floor of Kidon, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah grabbed the Chest to keep it from falling off. 10 God erupted in anger against Uzzah and killed him because he grabbed the Chest. He died on the spot - in the presence of God. 11 David lost his temper, angry because God exploded against Uzzah; the place is still called Perez Uzzah (Exploded Uzzah). 12 David was terrified of God that day; he said, "How can I possibly continue this parade with the Chest of God?" 13 So David called off the parade of the Chest to the City of David; instead he stored it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14 The Chest of God was in storage in the house of Obed-Edom for three months. God blessed the family of Obed-Edom and everything around him.
141 King Hiram of Tyre sent an envoy to David, along with cedar lumber, masons, and carpenters to build him a royal palace. 2 Then David knew for sure that God had confirmed him as king over Israel, because of the rising reputation that God was giving his kingdom for the benefit of his people Israel.
3 David married more wives and had more children in Jerusalem. 4 His children born in Jerusalem were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
8 The minute the Philistines heard that David had been made king over a united Israel, they went out in force to capture David. When David got the report, he marched out to confront them. 9 On their way, the Philistines stopped off to plunder the Valley of Rephaim. 10 David prayed to God: "Is this the right time to attack the Philistines? Will you give me the victory?" God answered, "Attack; I'll give you the victory." 11 David attacked at Baal Perazim and slaughtered them. David said, "God exploded my enemies, as water explodes from a burst pipe." That's how the place got its name, Baal Perazim (Baal-Explosion). 12 The Philistines left their gods behind and David ordered that they be burned up. 13 And then the Philistines were back at it again, plundering in the valley. 14 David again prayed to God. God answered, "This time don't attack head-on; circle around and come at them out of the balsam grove. 15 When you hear a sound like shuffling feet in the tops of the balsams, attack; God will be two steps ahead of you, slaughtering the Philistines." 16 David did exactly as God commanded, slaughtering Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 David was soon famous all over the place, far and near; and God put the fear of God into the godless nations.
151 After David built houses for himself in the City of David, he cleared a place for the Chest and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David gave orders: "No one carries the Chest of God except the Levites; God designated them and them only to carry the Chest of God and be available full time for service in the work of worship." 3 David then called everyone in Israel to assemble in Jerusalem to bring up the Chest of God to its specially prepared place. 4 David also called in the family of Aaron and the Levites. 5 From the family of Kohath, Uriel the head with 120 relatives; 6 from the family of Merari, Asaiah the head with 220 relatives; 7 from the family of Gershon, Joel the head with 130 relatives; 8 from the family of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the head with 200 relatives; 9 from the family of Hebron, Eliel the head with 80 relatives; 10 from the family of Uzziel, Amminadab the head with 112 relatives. 11 Then David called in Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said, "You are responsible for the Levitical families; now consecrate yourselves, both you and your relatives, and bring up the Chest of the God of Israel to the place I have set aside for it. 13 The first time we did this, you Levites did not carry it properly, and God exploded in anger at us because we didn't make proper preparation and follow instructions." 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the Chest of the God of Israel. 15 The Levites carried the Chest of God exactly as Moses, instructed by God, commanded - carried it with poles on their shoulders, careful not to touch it with their hands. 16 David ordered the heads of the Levites to assign their relatives to sing in the choir, accompanied by a well-equipped marching band, and fill the air with joyful sound. 17 The Levites assigned Heman son of Joel, and from his family, Asaph son of Berekiah, then Ethan son of Kushaiah from the family of Merari, 18 and after them in the second rank their brothers Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel as security guards. 19 The members of the choir and marching band were: Heman, Asaph, and Ethan with bronze cymbals; 20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah with lyres carrying the melody; 21 Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah with harps filling in the harmony; 22 Kenaniah, the Levite in charge of music, a very gifted musician, was music director. 23 Berekiah and Elkanah were porters for the Chest. 24 The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer blew the trumpets before the Chest of God. Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also porters for the Chest.
25 Now they were ready. David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands started out to get the Chest of the Covenant of God and bring it up from the house of Obed-Edom. And they went rejoicing. 26 Because God helped the Levites, strengthening them as they carried the Chest of the Covenant of God, they paused to worship by sacrificing seven bulls and seven rams. 27 They were all dressed in elegant linen - David, the Levites carrying the Chest, the choir and band, and Kenaniah who was directing the music. David also wore a linen prayer shawl (called an ephod). 28 On they came, all Israel on parade bringing up the Chest of the Covenant of God, shouting and cheering, playing every kind of brass and percussion and string instrument. 29 When the Chest of the Covenant of God entered the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, was watching from a window. When she saw King David dancing ecstatically she was filled with contempt.
71 Later Jesus was going about his business in Galilee. He didn't want to travel in Judea because the Jews there were looking for a chance to kill him. 2 It was near the time of Tabernacles, a feast observed annually by the Jews. 3 His brothers said, "Why don't you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do? 4 No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you're serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world." 5 His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn't believe in him either. 6 Jesus came back at them, "Don't crowd me. This isn't my time. It's your time - it's always your time; you have nothing to lose. 7 The world has nothing against you, but it's up in arms against me. It's against me because I expose the evil behind its pretensions. 8 You go ahead, go up to the Feast. Don't wait for me. I'm not ready. It's not the right time for me." 9 He said this and stayed on in Galilee.
10 But later, after his family had gone up to the Feast, he also went. But he kept out of the way, careful not to draw attention to himself. 11 The Jews were already out looking for him, asking around, "Where is that man?" 12 There was a lot of contentious talk about him circulating through the crowds. Some were saying, "He's a good man." But others said, "Not so. He's selling snake oil." 13 This kind of talk went on in guarded whispers because of the intimidating Jewish leaders.
14 With the Feast already half over, Jesus showed up in the Temple, teaching. 15 The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: "How does he know so much without being schooled?" 16 Jesus said, "I didn't make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent me. 17 Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it's from God or whether I'm making it up. 18 A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn't tamper with reality. 19 It was Moses, wasn't it, who gave you God's Law? But none of you are living it. So why are you trying to kill me?" 20 The crowd said, "You're crazy! Who's trying to kill you? You're demon-possessed." 21 Jesus said, "I did one miraculous thing a few months ago, and you're still standing around getting all upset, wondering what I'm up to. 22 Moses prescribed circumcision - originally it came not from Moses but from his ancestors - and so you circumcise a man, dealing with one part of his body, even if it's the Sabbath. 23 You do this in order to preserve one item in the Law of Moses. So why are you upset with me because I made a man's whole body well on the Sabbath? 24 Don't be nitpickers; use your head - and heart! - to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right."
25 That's when some of the people of Jerusalem said, "Isn't this the one they were out to kill? 26 And here he is out in the open, saying whatever he pleases, and no one is stopping him. Could it be that the rulers know that he is, in fact, the Messiah? 27 And yet we know where this man came from. The Messiah is going to come out of nowhere. Nobody is going to know where he comes from."
(Read John 7:1-13)
The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages. The people differed about his doctrine and miracles, while those who favoured him, dared not openly to avow their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the gospel to be deceivers, speak out, while many who favour them, fear to get reproach by avowing regard for them.
(Read John 7:14-24)
Every faithful minister may humbly adopt Christ's words. His doctrine is not his own finding out, but is from God's word, through the teaching of his Spirit. And amidst the disputes which disturb the world, if any man, of any nation, seeks to do the will of God, he shall know whether the doctrine is of God, or whether men speak of themselves. Only those who hate the truth shall be given up to errors which will be fatal. Surely it was as agreeable to the design of the sabbath to restore health to the afflicted, as to administer an outward rite. Jesus told them to decide on his conduct according to the spiritual import of the Divine law. We must not judge concerning any by their outward appearance, but by their worth, and by the gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them.
(Read John 7:25-30)
Christ proclaimed aloud, that they were in error in their thoughts about his origin. He was sent of God, who showed himself true to his promises. This declaration, that they knew not God, with his claim to peculiar knowledge, provoked the hearers; and they sought to take him, but God can tie men's hands, though he does not turn their hearts.
