Romans 5; 1 Samuel 14; Psalms 59

Romans 5

1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,

4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

5 This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For rarely will someone die for a just person-though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die.

8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!

9 Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.

10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, [then how] much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!

11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.

13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to one's account when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam's transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man's trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.

16 And the gift is not like the one man's sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.

17 Since by the one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.

19 For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more,

21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Samuel 14

1 That same day Saul's son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, "Come on, let's cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side." However, he did not tell his father.

2 Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. The troops with him numbered about 600.

3 Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod, [was also there]. He was the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod son of Phinehas, son of Eli the Lord's priest at Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

4 There were sharp columns of rock on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine garrison. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh;

5 one stood to the north in front of Michmash and the other to the south in front of Geba.

6 Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, "Come on, let's cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few."

7 His armor-bearer responded, "Do what is in your heart. You choose. I'm right here with you whatever you decide."

8 "All right," Jonathan replied, "we'll cross over to the men and then let them see us.

9 If they say, 'Wait until we reach you,' then we will stay where we are and not go up to them.

10 But if they say, 'Come on up,' then we'll go up, because the Lord has handed them over to us-that will be our sign."

11 They let themselves be seen by the Philistine garrison, and the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they've been hiding!"

12 The men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer. "Come on up, and we'll teach you a lesson!" they said. "Follow me," Jonathan told his armor-bearer, "for the Lord has handed them over to Israel."

13 Jonathan went up using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Jonathan cut them down, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.

14 In that first assault Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about 20 men in a half-acre field.

15 Terror spread through the [Philistine] camp and the open fields to all the troops. Even the garrison and the raiding parties were terrified. The earth shook, and terror from God spread.

16 When Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, they saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction.

17 So Saul said to the troops with him, "Call the roll and determine who has left us." They called the roll and saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone.

18 Saul told Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God," for it was with the Israelites at that time.

19 While Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistine camp increased in intensity. So Saul said to the priest, "Stop what you're doing."

20 Saul and all the troops with him assembled and marched to the battle, and there, the Philistines were fighting against each other in great confusion!

21 There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle.

23 So the Lord saved Israel that day. The battle extended beyond Beth-aven,

24 and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath: "Cursed is the man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the troops tasted [any] food.

25 Everyone went into the forest, and there was honey on the ground.

26 When the troops entered the forest, they saw the flow of honey, but none of them ate any of it because they feared the oath.

27 However, Jonathan had not heard his father make the troops swear the oath. He reached out with the end of the staff he was carrying and dipped it into the honeycomb. When he ate the honey, he had renewed energy.

28 Then, one of the troops said, "Your father made the troops solemnly swear, 'Cursed is the man who eats food today,' and the troops are exhausted."

29 Jonathan replied, "My father has brought trouble to the land. Just look at how I have renewed energy because I tasted a little honey.

30 How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater."

31 The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash all the way to Aijalon. Since the Israelites were completely exhausted,

32 they rushed to the plunder, took sheep, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate [meat] with the blood [still in it.]

33 Some reported to Saul: "Look, the troops are sinning against the Lord by eating [meat] with the blood [still in it.]" Saul said, "You have been unfaithful. Roll a large stone over here at once."

34 He then said, "Go among the troops and say to them, 'Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep. Do the slaughtering here and then you can eat. Don't sin against the Lord by eating [meat] with the blood [in it.]' " So every one of the troops brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.

35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had built an altar to the Lord.

36 Saul said, "Let's go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. Don't let even one remain!" "Do whatever you want," the troops replied. But the priest said, "We must consult God here."

37 So Saul inquired of God, "Should I go after the Philistines? Will You hand them over to Israel?" But God did not answer him that day.

38 Saul said, "All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.

39 As surely as the Lord lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!" Not one of the troops answered him.

40 So he said to all Israel, "You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side." And the troops replied, "Do whatever you want."

41 So Saul said to the Lord, "God of Israel, give us the right [decision]." Jonathan and Saul were selected, and the troops were cleared [of the charge].

42 Then Saul said, "Cast [the lot] between me and my son Jonathan," and Jonathan was selected.

43 Saul commanded him, "Tell me what you did." Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff I was carrying. I am ready to die!"

44 Saul declared to him, "May God punish me severely if you do not die, Jonathan!"

45 But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? No, as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he worked with God's help today." So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

46 Then Saul gave up the pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own territory.

47 When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he caused havoc.

48 He fought bravely, defeated the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hand of those who plundered them.

49 Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were: Merab, his firstborn, and Michal, the younger.

50 The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Saul's uncle Ner.

51 Saul's father was Kish. Abner's father was Ner son of Abiel.

52 The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul's days, so whenever Saul noticed any strong or brave man, he enlisted him.

Psalms 59

1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who rise up against me.

2 Deliver me from those who practice sin, and save me from men of bloodshed.

3 Lord, look! They set an ambush for me. Powerful men attack me, but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine.

4 For no fault of mine, they run and take up a position. Awake to help me, and take notice.

5 You, Lord God of Hosts, God of Israel, rise up to punish all the nations; do not show grace to any wicked traitors. Selah

6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

7 Look, they spew from their mouths- sharp words from their lips. "For who," [they say,] "will hear?"

8 But You laugh at them, Lord; You ridicule all the nations.

9 I will keep watch for You, my strength, because God is my stronghold.

10 My faithful God will come to meet me; God will let me look down on my adversaries.

11 Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget. By Your power, make them homeless wanderers and bring them down, Lord, our shield.

12 The sin of their mouths is the word of their lips, so let them be caught in their pride. They utter curses and lies.

13 Consume [them] in rage; consume [them] until they are gone. Then they will know to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah

14 And they return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city.

15 They scavenge for food; they growl if they are not satisfied.

16 But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble.

17 To You, my strength, I sing praises, because God is my stronghold- my faithful God.