Hymn: Hallelujah! Sing to Jesus

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1.  Hallelujah! sing to Jesus,
His the scepter, His the throne;
Hallelujah! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.

Hark, the songs of His redeemed ones
Thunder like a mighty flood:
Jesus out of every nation
Hath redeemed us by His blood.

2.  Hallelujah! not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Hallelujah! He is in us,
Faith believes, nor questions how.

Though the clouds from sight received Him
When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget His promise,
“I am with you evermore“?

3.  Hallelujah! Bread of heaven (The Word),
Thou on earth our food, our stay;
Hallelujah! here the hungry
Come to Thee from day to day.

Advocate and Intercessor,
My Redeemer pleads for me,
On the throne of the Almighty
Now and to eternity.

4.  Hallelujah! sing to Jesus,
His the scepter, His the throne;
Hallelujah! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.

Hark, the songs of His redeemed ones
Thunder like a mighty flood:
Jesus out of every nation,
Hath redeemed us by His blood.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

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Scripture pertaining to this hymn:

John 1:1-4   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by HIM (The Word / Jesus); and without HIM was not any thing made that was made.

In HIM (The Word / Jesus) was life; and the life was the light of men.

(God created the heavens and earth and all things through THE WORD ... And THE WORD rules ... yet the WORD is subject to God the Father.)

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Concerning the blood of Jesus ... God gave me a very strong revelation as follows:  

Hebrews 9:12   ... by HIS own blood HE entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us ... v. 22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

I have shed none of my own blood to pay for my sins.  Jesus did shed HIS own blood to pay for my sins.  My sins can never be paid for by my works, by trying to make up for what I did wrong.  Only through entering into belief in Jesus' blood can I be saved from my sins.

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We are heirs with Christ through Jesus' blood.

Romans 8:11-17    But if the Spirit of HIM that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, HE that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by HIS Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. 

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John 6:35   (Jesus said)    I am the bread of life: he that cometh to ME shall never hunger; and he that believeth on ME shall never thirst.

Jesus, THE WORD, is the bread we, who are children of God, eat and drink.

The Lord's supper is THE WORD which we live by.  We eat and drink THE WORD continually as we live on this earth.

THE WORD (Jesus) is flesh and blood to us.

John 6:48-51    Jesus says:   I am that bread of life. 

(Jesus, THE WORD, is our bread.)

Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is MY flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

(THE WORD comes down from heaven to us today and comes into our minds by His Spirit speaking ...  THE WORD is living bread, for that word delivered to us today comes from God, The Father, through HIS Spirit who lives in us ... HE speaks to us through Jesus' Spirit, the Holy Spirit, and shows us the way to go as we live on this earth today ... God does this by bringing HIS thoughts to our minds by HIS Spirit.  John 14:26 & John 16:13)

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John 6:53-58   Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.

(Life is in The Word of God ... and the way we eat and drink that WORD given us by God.)

Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.

He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I (dwell) in him.

As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.

This (The Word) is that bread which came down from heaven: 

***

Romans 8:34    ... It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

***

Philippians 4:13    I can do all things through Christ (the Word) which strengtheneth me.

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Podcast: David and Bathsheba. David has Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, killed

 

 

 

2 Samuel 11

1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

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6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.

10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he (David) made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

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14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.

17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;

19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,

20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.

23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.

24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.

26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. 

But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

 

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Hymn: Great is THY faithfulness

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1.  Great is Thy faithfulness,
O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning 
  with Thee;

Thou changest not, 

Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been 
  Thou forever wilt be.

Chorus:

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy WORD hath provided— 

Great is Thy faithfulness, 
Lord, unto me! 


2.  Summer and winter, 
and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

3.  Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

***** 

Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

James 1:17    Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.


***

Genesis 8:22  While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

God set all things in the solar system and they are faithful to continue in the commandment of God.  We see the faithfulness of God's word day by day as the seasons continue and as the sun is visible day by day.

As God is faithful in this word, we can have faith God will perform every word HE has given us.

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Podcast: David tries to move the ark of God

 

 

 

II Samuel 6  

1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.

9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

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Today, church people do all manner of works which they think are good.

But Jesus said:

Matthew 7

21 Not every one that saith unto ME, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in THY name? and in THY name have cast out devils? and in THY name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity.

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A man came to our house to do extermination work.  Immediately he identified himself as a Christian.  He started telling us of places that he had gone the previous summer to "minister."

I said to him:  "How did God tell you to do this ministry work?"

He was stunned and couldn't answer my question.

Many today do "ministry" works without being told by God to do those works.

Ephesians 4  From heaven Jesus called HIS ministers and ordained them for the work of God in the New Testament church.

8 Wherefore HE saith, When HE ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

11 And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

I Corinthians 14  

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church (to work in the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Those who are the called by Jesus for the work of the ministry are ordained by Jesus as was the apostle Paul.  Paul was persecuting Christians, when Jesus spoke to him from heaven and called him and put him in the church and into the ministry.  Paul was an apostle, teacher, and preacher.

Acts 9

1 And Saul (Paul), yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou ME?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? 

And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Those men traveling with Paul heard that voice from heaven but they were not called by Jesus for the work of the ministry as was Paul.  And notice that Paul (Saul) was called by name by Jesus.

You cannot do the work of the ministry by your own desire.  You cannot become a minister by going to a Bible school.  

You must be called by Jesus and ordained for the work of the ministry to which Jesus calls HIS ministers.

Jesus' ministers to the New Testament church today are:  apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers

Concerning ministry, you do things God's way.  In the Old Testament when they tried to move the ark of God, they had to do it God's way.

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David moves the ark of God again:

(This time the Levites move the ark of God for they are the tribe appointed by God to do this work. Also instead of moving the ark by cart, they moved the ark by staves upon their shoulders as was commanded by Moses.)

II Samuel 6

13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

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Penalty of God set on Michal, Saul's daughter:

II Samuel 6

20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

If we do right in the sight of God we are blessed by God.

But if we do wrong in the sight of God we bring upon ourselves penalties from God.

So we seek God to know the right way in HIS sight for that which we do on this earth.

 

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Podcast: Part 2: Moving the ark of God the right way

 

 

 

David tried to move the ark of God.  But he did this in a fatal way to Uzzah.

For when the oxen stumbled and the cart slipped and Uzzah reached up and touched the ark to steady it, the anger of the Lord rose and God struck Uzzah dead!

Errors:  They did not handle the ark properly according to the word of God concerning the ark.

* Only the tribe of Levi were appointed for this work.

* They were told by God to move the ark on their shoulders with staves.

You cannot do the work of God by your own thinking.  You must be led by God and you must be called by God and you must follow the exact instructions given you by God.

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They had tried to move the ark of God but failed.

I Chronicles 15:2  Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto HIM for ever.

(By setting up the Levites to move the ark of God, they succeed.  Also the Levites carried the ark of God with staves on their own shoulders as commanded by God.)

11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

12 And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.

13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought HIM not after the due order.

(Order of the New Testament Church today:  From heaven Jesus called HIS ministers and set them to work in HIS church:  Ephesians 4:11-12   And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:)

14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.

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I Chronicles 16

4 And he (David) appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:

7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon HIS name, make known HIS deeds among the people.

9 Sing unto HIM, sing psalms unto HIM, talk ye of all HIS wondrous works.

10 Glory ye in HIS holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11 Seek the LORD and HIS strength, seek HIS face continually.

12 Remember HIS marvellous works that HE hath done, HIS wonders, and the judgments of HIS mouth;

13 O ye seed of Israel HIS servant, ye children of Jacob, HIS chosen ones.

14 HE is the LORD our God; HIS judgments are in all the earth.

15 Be ye mindful always of HIS covenant; the word which HE commanded to a thousand generations;

16 Even of the covenant which HE made with Abraham, and of HIS oath unto Isaac;

17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;

19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

21 HE suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, HE reproved kings for their sakes,

22 Saying, Touch not MINE anointed, and do MY prophets no harm.

23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day HIS salvation.

24 Declare HIS glory among the heathen; HIS marvellous works among all nations.

25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: HE also is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

27 Glory and honour are in HIS presence; strength and gladness are in HIS place.

28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto HIS name: bring an offering, and come before HIM: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

30 Fear before HIM, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because HE cometh to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for HE is good; for HIS mercy endureth for ever.

35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to THY holy name, and glory in THY praise.

36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. 

And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

 

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Hymn: Blessed Assurance

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)


1.   Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, 

Born of His Spirit, 
washed in His blood.


Chorus:

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.


2.   Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. 

3.   Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

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Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

v. 2  Angels descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Work of Angels:  Bible examples

Angels come down from heaven as commanded by God to do various works of God according to the will of God.

* An angel of the Lord told Zacharias that his wife Elisabeth would bear a son and they were to call his name John.

Luke 1:11-15    And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.  

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 

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Luke 1:39-44    Mary, who is carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin, Elizabeth, who is carrying John the Baptist in her womb  ...  The baby, John the Baptist, is filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb as soon as Mary with the baby Jesus enter the room ...

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.  And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

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Luke 1:16-17  ... concerning John the Baptist ...

And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

And he shall go before HIM (before Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

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* The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary to tell her she would have a son and to call His name Jesus.

Luke 1:26-38    And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:

And HE shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of HIS kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.  

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. 

And the angel departed from her.

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* An angel told Joseph not to fear to take Mary for his wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  

Matthew 1:18-25  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for HE shall save His people from their sins. 

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name Jesus. 


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* An angel of the Lord told the shepherds that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born and they could find Him in a manger in Bethlehem.

Luke 2:8-15    And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

*** 

* An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him to take Mary and Jesus and flee into Egypt and to remain in Egypt until the angel gave him word to return. 

Matthew 2:13-14  And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.

When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt

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* Later an angel told Joseph to return into the land of Israel for the ruler who wanted to kill the baby Jesus was now dead. 

Matthew 2:19-21  But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 

*** 

* When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan 40-days, angels ministered to Him.

Mark 1:12-13  And immediately the spirit driveth Him (Jesus) into the wilderness. 

And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him.

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* An angel of God moved the great stone which sealed the tomb of Jesus.

Matthew 28:2   And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

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* An angel of God came down from heaven to free Peter from prison.

Acts 12:1-11  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

***

* An angel delivered a message to the apostle Paul, telling Paul no harm would come to him and those on the ship.

Acts 27:18-25    And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.   

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 

*** 

Genesis 28:10-12    And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

Angels descend, carrying messages from God and doing works of God.

Then angels go back to heaven where God assigns them as He wills.

*** 

Psalm 103:20   Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.

*** 

(Comments by Joan Boney ...) The night of January 10, 1980, I was asleep and awakened by a very loud trumpet-like voice which blew 3 words into my ear as follows: "Hartford, Seattle, KWJS" ... I believe this to have been an angel of God speaking to me. By this and through prayer, I came to believe God was leading me to go on radio. Within about 5 days of this word, I was broadcasting exhortations week-days on KWJS radio. Within a year I was on radio stations from NYC (Hartford) to Seattle.

*** 

Psalm 104:4   Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire:

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Exodus 23:20-25    God says:    Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for MY name (the Word) is in him.

But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

For Mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.

Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and HE shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

*** 

Notice how angels deliver messages from God to individuals.

Angels also do great works.  It was an angel who moved the large stone from the front of the tomb of Jesus.

***

It is not so much delighting in the fact that an angel appeared to you but rather delighting and following that word which the angel of God delivered to you.

Share the Word.

Focus on the Word.

*****

Podcast: David reigns as king

 

 

 

II Samuel 5 

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed MY people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.

4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

10  And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

12  And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that HE had exalted his kingdom for HIS people Israel's sake.

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David inquires of the Lord:

II Samuel 5

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt THOU deliver them into mine hand? 

And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

21 And there they (the Philistines) left their images (the symbols of the gods they worshipped), and David and his men burned them.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23 And when David enquired of the LORD, HE said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

This is such an important example for us.  The first time when the Philistines came and David inquired of the Lord, God said to David, "Go up."

The second time the Philistines came against Israel, David inquired again of the Lord and God gave David another plan.

David didn't presume to know what to do just because God told him the first time.  But David inquired of God the second time also!

And David overcame each time by doing that which God showed him to do when he asked God what to do.

James 1:5   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Hymn: Beneath the cross of Jesus

(Click forward arrow > to play music:)

1.  Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.

2.  Oh, safe and happy shelter!
Oh, refuge tried and sweet!
Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love
And heaven’s justice meet *.
As to the holy patriarch
That wondrous dream was given,
So is my Savior by the cross
A ladder up to heaven.

3.  There lies beneath its shadow,
But on the farther side,
The darkness of an awful grave
That gapes both deep and wide;
And there between us stands the cross,
Two arms outstretched to save,
Like a watchman set to guard the way
From that eternal grave.

4.   Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One,
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart, with tears,
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of His glorious love,
And my own worthlessness.

5.  I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His WORD;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.


(Click pause symbol,  "  ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)

***

* where heaven’s love And heaven’s justice meet: heaven's love is shown by God's sacrifice of His Son, and Jesus' willingness to die for us.  Heaven's justice requires payment for our sins for it to be just.  The only payment sufficient to justify our sins is the blood of Jesus. 

***

Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:

Hebrews 9:22 ... and without shedding of blood is no remission.

*** 

John 14:6   Jesus says:  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.

The way of life and truth is The Word of God.

When we go that way, we live in HIM, doing that which HE says.

***

Psalm 119:105    Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:130   The entrance of THY words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

***

II Timothy 3:16-17    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

***

I Timothy 4:13    Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

*****

Podcast: Dealing with fear, dread, concern and anything else that can trouble you...through turning to God

 

 

 

When trouble comes to us, all we have to do is to learn to put our faith in God each time we have a problem or potential problem.  

We put our faith in God by turning to God in prayer, asking for help or asking God for wisdom in dealing with the problem.  

Each time we call on God asking HIM for help, we put our faith in God.  

And we learn to call on God over each concern, each time we are concerned.

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I'm 84 years old.  In 2021, one day fearful thoughts began to come to my mind:  "If I get to where I can't walk, what will happen to me?  What will I do?  I won't be able to stay here.  I'll have to move somewhere else."

I cried out:  "GOD ... HELP ME!"

Instantly the following came into my mind:  "God will supply all your need."

"That's right ... God will supply all my need!" (I cried out!)   

I completely relaxed and the fearful thoughts vanished.

James 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We submit ourselves to God by calling on God for help!

God brings us HIS Word and by faith in that Word we will not heed the thoughts sent by the devil and the devil will flees from us when he sees we believe that Word sent to us by God.

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We put our trust in God each time we cry out to God.

My 97 year old cousin told me this one day.  She said, "I do fine all day but I get so lonely at night."

(Her husband died 10 years ago.)

When she told me this problem, I was so excited for I knew all she had to do was ask God for help and God would help her!

So I said, "Oh this is no problem.  When you begin to feel that loneliness, all you have to do is to turn to God immediately, as soon as you begin to feel that loneliness, and ask God to help you. God will help you!"

My cousin had been taken to church as a baby and attended church all her life.

Many church goers do not understand calling on God for help.

And it is a matter of trusting in God.

About two weeks later, this cousin said to me, "I do all right during the day but at night I get so lonely."

She didn't put her trust in God.  

I just didn't try to help her after that, knowing there was nothing I could do for her.

James 1:22   But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Titus 3:9-11  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10-11 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;  Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

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In 2018, I fell and broke a hip and wrist and after surgery could not put any weight on my leg where the hip had been broken.  So they put me into a rehabilitation hospital for 2-1/2 months.  The first month I was in "bed rest" for I couldn't try to walk or do anything, according to the doctor. 

And I was alone most of the time, having no relatives and only a few visitors.

Often I would awake in the morning and think, "How can I get through this day?"

And then I would remember God and ask God to help me to get though that day.

(The time sort of flew by and before I knew it, evening had come.  I thanked God as I realized this.)

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The man who was helping me with my sound system was leaving my house one day and he turned to me and said, "I don't know why I am telling you this but they think I have ALS and I am going into hospital next week for tests."

(At that time, David was 44 years old and had a wife and 2 children, ages 8 and 12.)

I told David every time he was afraid, just ask God to help him.

At one point, he had to go to hospital for an operation.  He said he remembered what I had said and he did do this and he was helped so much when he did this.

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When we turn to God and ask God for help, often God will bring us an idea showing us something to do and when we do that, everything falls into place.

By HIS Spirit, the Holy Spirit, God brings ideas to our mind.  God communicates with us by giving us thoughts to help us in situations.

When my mother was still living, I would go to cafe daily to get our lunch.  It cost $5.30.  I would take a five-dollar-bill from my purse and a quarter and a nickle.  And I would leave my purse with my mother while I went for our food.

One day I looked in my coin purse and couldn't find a quarter and nickel.

As I dug through the change looking for these coins, I heard, "Three dimes will work!"

(That was the Holy Spirit helping me for I had several dimes in my coin purse but I was in habit of using a quarter and a nickel!  The Holy Spirit is a helper to us!)

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We recognize the thoughts sent to us by God, for when we have such a thought, it is "easy to be intreated."  

(When thoughts are very complex or overly expensive, I always know those thoughts are not from God.)

Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus says:  Come unto ME, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take MY yoke upon you, and learn of ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.

James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Philippians 4:6-7   Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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God will not fail us nor forsake us when we turn to HIM and call on HIM for wisdom or help in our problems.

Psalm 62:8   Trust in HIM at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before HIM: God is a refuge for us.

Remember:  God knows the future! He will lead us in plans that are right for us in our situation.

 

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Podcast: Judah recognizes David as king. But the other tribes of Israel try to make one of Saul's son's their king

 

 

 

 

II Samuel 2

1 And it came to pass after this (after the death of king Saul), that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?

And the LORD said unto him, Go up. 

And David said, Whither shall I go up? 

And HE said, Unto Hebron.

2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

An outstanding characteristic of David is this:  David inquired of the Lord.

David was said to be:  A man after God's own heart.

David sought the will of God.  David wanted to do the will of God.

Proverbs 3

1 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

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II Samuel 2

8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

10 Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. 

But the house of Judah followed David.

11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

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II Samuel 3:1  Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

Ishbosheth criticized Abner at one point in time and this caused Abner to turn to David and make David the following offer.

II Samuel 3

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

13 And he (David) said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

(Michal was David's wife who was given to another man by her father Saul. So Michal was brought to David.)

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I Samuel 3

17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:

18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. 

And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

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But there is a problem.  During the time when Saul's men fought against the men of David, Joab, the captain of David's army had a brother which Abner (Saul's captain) killed in battle.

II Samuel 3

23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

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