BRAGADAYJAH 139

Saturday, April 30, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 952


BRAGADAYJAH 952
David stoned and cursed

Then it came to pass that when David arrived at Bahurim, a man whose name was Shimei, a member of the house of Saul, came out and cast stones at him and at all his servants, and cursed David saying, “Come out, come out you bloody man, you man of Belial.  The Lord has returned upon thee the blood of the house of Saul in whose stead thou hast reigned; the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son and behold thou has been taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.”  Having heard this outburst against the king, Abishai asked, “Why should this dead dog be allowed to curse you, my Lord? Let me go to him and take off his head.”  But David refused and said,  ”the Lord has sent him to curse me. Who then is David to tell him not to?”   Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants. ”Behold my son who came forth from my bowels seek my life. How much more then this Benjamite?  Therefore leave him alone and let him curse for the Lord hath sent him.  It may be that the Lord will look upon my affliction and that the Lord will return me good for his cursing this day.” So David and his servants and his household continued on without retaliation and Shimei continued to curse and to throw stones at them.  And eventually the king and all the people that were with him grew tired and decided to rest where they were.

Friday, April 29, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 951

BRAGADAYJAH 951
Now when David came to the top of the mountain, he worshiped God. And at that time Hushai the Archite came to David with his coat torn and dirt upon his head; and David told him that if he passed on with him he would be a burden to him. But if he returned to the city and pledged loyalty to Absalom he would be more valuable to him, and defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. Besides David reminded him that also there in the court of Absalom were Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathon, Abiathar’s son; and he could use them to get to him any useful pieces of information that he may hear from time to time. So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city of Jerusalem to which city Absalom came eventually. And when David was just passed the top of the hill, Ahithophel’s servant Ziba met him with two saddled asses, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred summer fruit, and a bottle of wine. And David asked Ziba what was the reason for the supplies? And he told him that the asses were for the king’s household to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for such as became faint in the wilderness.


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Thursday, April 28, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 950

BRAGADAYJAH 950
King David Leaves Jerusalem
Notwithstanding Ittai’s pledge of loyal support, David encourage him to go; and so he left and all his people with him, including the little ones.  And the king himself continued and passed over the brook Kidron along with the people and they made their way towards the wilderness. Along with David were also the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of God; and eventually they set down the ark of God until all the people had departed from the city. But then David instructed Zadok to carry the ark back to the city; for David said, if he should find favor in the sight of God; and he allowed him to return to the city he would then find there both the ark and a possession; but David declared if the Lord does not favor him, then let the Lord do unto him as He sees fit. And David said to Zadoc that he should return to the city taking along with him his two sons Ahimaaz and Jonathon, and to bring him news again, while he the king remained in the wilderness.  Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark back to Jerusalem and waited there. And David decided to ascend to the top of Mount Olivet weeping as he went, his head covered and barefooted; and all the people also covered their heads and wept as they went.  And it was told to David that Ahithophel was among the conspirators along with Absalom. And David prayed, “O Lord I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”www.chaberbooks.com 

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 949

BRAGADAYJAH 949
Absalom’s Revolt

Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the land of Israel, telling them to warn the people that as soon as they heard the sound of the trumpet, they should say that Absalom reign in Hebron. And with him were two hundred men of Jerusalem who went along with Absalom not knowing what his intention was. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor from Giloh while he was offering sacrifices.  And the conspiracy against David grew daily as the people following Absalom increased in number. And a messenger came to David advising him that the hearts of the people were toward Absalom and David said to his people to make haste and depart from Jerusalem lest Absalom overtake tem there and evil befell them all. And David’s servants told to him that they were ready to do whatever he commanded them to do. And so David departed taking his household with him, leaving behind only ten of his concubines to keep the house. And David went and dwelt in at far off place. Also with the king were the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men in all.  Then the king asked Ittai the Gittite why he was accompanying him and suggested to him that they return to their own place rather than remain with him seeing they were strangers. So the king urged him to go away and take his companions with him rather than running and hiding with him. But Ittai answered and said, “As the Lord liveth and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be whether in death or in life even so also shall thy servant be.”    

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 948

BRAGADAYJAH 948
Absalom began to undermine King David his Father

After the reconciliation between King David and his son Absalom, it came to pass that Absalom assembled together chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And he rose up one morning and stood beside the King’s gate; and if any man with a controversy came to the king, Absalom would ask him what city he was from; and if the response was that he was from one of the tribes of Israel, then Absalom would say to him, “See that your matter is good and right, for there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.  And he then expressed the wish that he were made a judge in Israel. So that any man who had an issue, could go before him and be heard and receive justice. So Absalom put himself in front of everyone that came to the king for justice; and they would bow down to him and kissed his hand and so little by little, Absalom won the heart of the people of Israel.  And after a period of forty years, Absalom asked leave of the king to go and pay his vow which he had made unto the Lord at Hebron, because he had vowed a vow to the Lord while in Geshur in Syria while he lived there saying if the Lord if the Lord will allow him to return again to Jerusalem that he would serve the Lord. And David told him to go in peace.   

Monday, April 25, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 947

BRAGADATYJAH 947
David embraces his son Absalom
Accordingly the woman confesses all to the king and told the part played by the kind’s commander in getting her to speak to the king. So the king called Joab and commanded him to go and fetch his son Absalom to him. And job fell on his face and prostrated himself before the king and thanked him saying, “Today I know that thy servant has found grace in thy sight. For the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.” So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. And the king commanded that Absalom go to his own house and not see his face; so Absalom went to his own house and saw not the face of the king. And unto Absalom were born three sons and one daughter who was named Tamar and she was a beautiful woman of fair countenance. And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem during which time he saw not the king’s face. So Absalom sent twice to Joab to come to him, intending to send him with a message to the king; but Joab would not come. So Absalom commanded his servants to set Joab’s barley field on fire. So Joab went to Absalom’s house and asked him why he had his field set on fire? And Absalom told him it was as a result of his refusal to come to him the two times he had sent to him asking him to come to him. So Joab went to the king and told him what had transpired between himself and Absalom. And so the king sent for Absalom, and when he come to him he paid him homage to the king and the king embraced and kissed him.


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Sunday, April 24, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 946

BRAGADAYJAH 946
David perceived that the woman was not acting alone.
David the King promised the woman with whom he spoke that no harm would come to her son; but the woman was not finished.  “Let your servant O king speak one more word to you,” she said and the king told her to speak on. And the woman asked the king, “How is it that you have thought such a thing against the people of God?  For you O king speaks as one who is faulty in that the king has not sought to fetch home again his own banished. For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground which cannot be gathered up again, neither doth God respect any person; yet He does make a way for his banished not to be expelled from him. Now therefore as I am come to speak about this thing unto my lord, the king it is because the people have made me afraid. And thy handmaiden said I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid. For the king will hear to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of men who would destroy me and my son, out of the inheritance of God. So then thy handmaid thought to herself the word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad, for the Lord thy God will be with thee.”  In saying all that she said, the woman clearly overplayed her hand; for David was no fool and he asked her to tell him the truth, and to tell him whether or not the hand of Joab was with her in this approach to the king.  And the woman confessed that Joab had put her up to coming to speak to the king as she had done.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 945

BRAGADAYJAH 945
David and the Wise Woman from Tehoah
It happened that Joab, the son of Zeruiah perceived that the King’s heart was grieving for Absalom; so he sent away and found a wise woman and told her to put on mourning clothes, and not to anoint herself, but play the part of a woman who had been mourning for a long time for the dead; and go to the king and speak to him in the way that he would instruct him to speak.  So the woman went before the king and threw herself to the ground before the king and said “Help O king.”  And the king asked her what was it she wanted.  And she answered him and said, “I am an old woman whose husband is dead. And my husband had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them; and one killed the other. And so now the whole family has risen up against thy handmaid, and are demanding that I deliver up son who smote his brother so that they might kill him.  But my son is my only heir.  If I deliver him up to be killed my husband being long dead, he will be left with no heir.” And the king said to the woman, “Go to thy house and I will give charge concerning thee.” And the woman said, “My Lord O king the iniquity be on me and my father’s house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.” And the king said, “If any one touch you bring him to me, and he will not touch you anymore.”  

Then the woman said, “Let the king remember the Lord Thy God that you will not suffer anymore the avenger of blood to destroy anymore. Lest they destroy my son.” And the king told her, “There shall not be one hair of your son’s head fall to the earth.”

Friday, April 22, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 944

BRAGADAYJAH 944
Absalom Takes revenge on Amnon
In the meantime Absalom had commanded his servants to get Amnon drunk and then kill him.  Absalom encouraged them not to be afraid; but that when the right moment came to kill his brother. And so they did.  And when the king’s other sons saw that Amnon was dead, they got upon their mules and fled away.  And it happened that while they were yet on their way, the news reached David saying that Absalom had killed all the king’s sons and that not one of them was left. And the king rose up and tore his clothes and laid on the earth while all of his servants that were gathered around him did the same.  Then one of David’s servants, Jonadab, the son of David’s brother, told the king he was not to assume that all his sons were dead, but Amnon only; for by the appointment of Absalom, it was settled from the day Amnon forced himself upon his sister Tamar. Therefore, he consoled the king not to take the report that all his sons are dead for it was certain; that Amnon only was dead. After that Absalom fled and while he was fleeing David’s look out saw a group of people coming up the hillside and Jonadab told the king that indeed his sons were approaching; and soon after the king’s son came unto him weeping; and the king also and all his servants wept. And Absalom was away three years during which time David mourned for his son Absalom continually.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 943

                BRAGADAYJAH 943
Tamar Disgraced.

Having been savaged and ravaged by her own brother, and then thrown out of his home, Tamar tore her clothe, a sign of distress and put ashes on her head, and wept bitterly. And Absalom her brother asked her what was the matter, and knowing where she had gone and seeing her great distress, he asked her whether Amnon her brother had been with her. She was reluctant to speak; but Absalom persuaded her to tell all which she did, and she remained in her great distress and shame in Absalom’s house. And when David heard about the affair, he was very angry; but he did nothing.  So Absalom spoke not with his brother at all, because he was very angry with him. And after two full years that Absalom had a sheep-shearing event in Baalhazor which is near to Ephraim. And Absalom invited all the king’s sons. And Absalom came to the king and told him what he was doing and invited the king and his servants to attend the event. And the king was not in favor of going, however much Absalom pressed him and made the excuse that he did not want to be a burden to him, but he blessed him nevertheless. And Absalom told the king that if he did not want to go, he should at least let Amnon go along with them. The king wanted to know of Absalom why he wanted Amnon to go with him. But Absalom pressed him and he consented.  

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 942

BRAGADAYJAY 942
Amon’s disgrace on Tamar.

Having baked the cakes that she made, Tamar in her innocence took them to Amnon; but he refused to eat until everyone other than Tamar was gone from the house; and so everyone left.  Alone with Tamar at last, Amnon told her to bring the food into the bedchamber that he may eat out of her hand; and she did so.   And as soon as Tamar was in the bedchamber with him he said, “Come lie with me my sister.” And she remonstrated and said, “No my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done this day in Israel. Therefore, do not this folly. For on my part where will I cause my shame to go? And as for you, you shall be as one of the fools in Israel.”  Now therefore, I beg you, speak unto the King and he will not withhold me from you.” But do not commit this folly.”  But notwithstanding the logic and urgency of her plea, he used his greater strength to force himself on her and ravaged her; and after the act, his infatuation and lust turned to hate, so much so, that the love he had for her was exceeded by the hatred he then had for her, and said to her, “Get up and be gone!” And he called for his servants to come to him and throw her out and bolt the door. 

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 941

BRAGADAYJAH 941
David’s Trouble with Amnon his son. J
In course of time it happened that David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister by the name of Tamar, with whom Absalom was in love; but Amnon, one of David’s other sons loved her also, so much so that he fell sick with lust after his sickness since she was a virgin and he found it hard to do anything foul with her. But Amnon had a friend who was the son of David’s brother and the son’s name was Jonadab who was known to be very cunning.  And seeing Amnon sulking, he asked Amnon why he was so down seeing he was the Kings son.  And Amnon told him of his love for Tamar, Absalom’s sister.  And Jonadab told him to lay in bed and pretend to be sick; and when his father David came to see him, he should ask his father to tell Tamar to take him food and prepare it in his sight that he may be encouraged to eat it.  So Amnon laid in bed and pretended to be sick and when the king came to see him, he asked the king to send Tamar to give hin food; and the king did so. And Tamar went to Amnon’s  house and found him laid up in bed; and she made him cakes with her own hands.



Monday, April 18, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 940

BRAGADAYJAH 940
Joab Defeated the Ammonites
In the meantime Joab continued to fight against Rabbah of the children of Ammon and eventually took the royal city. And Joab sent messengers to David and told him that he had taken the town and suggested he David gather the rest of Israel together and encamp against the city and take it, lest he took it himself and it be called by his name.  And David gathered the people together and fought against Rabbah and took it. And he took the king’s crown from off his head the weight of which was a talent of gold with its precious stones and it was set on David’s head; and he took the spoils of the city in great abundance. And David took the people that inhabited it and caused them to be put under saws and under harrows of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln and so did he to all the cities of the children of Ammon, before he returned to Jerusalem along with all the people. A clearer translation of what David did to the Ammonites is to be found in the book of Chronicles chapter 20 verse 3.  It reads “And David took the crown of their king from off his head and found it to weigh a talent of gold and there were precious stones on it, and it was set on David’s head.”(a parallel account) “And he brought out the people that were in it and cut them with saws and with harrows of iron and with axes.”  


Sunday, April 17, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 939

BRAGADAYJAH 939
David’s Child Dies

Having told David what the Lord said, Nathan left and departed to his own house. And the Lord struck the child that David had with Uriah’s wife, and the child was very sick.  David therefore sought the Lord God for his child and fasted and lay all night on the earth, and prayed and fasted. And the elders went in and tried to raise him up from the earth; but he refused and would neither eat nor drink. And David remained in that position for seven days.  And on the seventh day the child died.  But David’s servants were afraid to go to him and tell him of the child’s death.  For, they reasoned it was difficult to talk to him while the child was still alive, therefore how would he react to the news that the child was dead?  They feared to tell him the news. But David heard them whispering and he guessed that the child was dead.  So he asked them if the child was dead and they told him that he was. So then David arose from the earth and washed himself, and anointed himself, and changed his clothes, and went into the house of the Lord and worshipped.  He then went to his own house, and then he did eat. And he said, that while the child was yet alive, he fasted and wept; for who could tell whether the Lord would be gracious to him and spare the child.  But since he is already dead why should he fast?  For said David, “I can go to him; but he will not come back to me.” And David comforted Bathsheba his wife and laid with her; and she bore a son, and David called his name Solomon.  And the Lord loved Solomon. And the Lord sent Nathan to visit the child, and he called his name Jedidiah, which means, “beloved of the Lord.”

Saturday, April 16, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 938

BRAGADAYJAH 938
David’s Punishment
In a typically human criminal court, many malefactors often are set free on a mere technicality; but not in God’s court.  There is no room for technicality, and less room for doubt.  God knows absolutely those who are guilty and those who are not.  In David’s case, God laid murder in the indictment against David. “Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, (Count 1) and hast taken his wife, (count 2) and you have used the sword of the children of Ammon to do it, (Count 3) So now the verdict is, “The sword shall not ever depart from thy house because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Behold I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes and give them unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.”  And David said unto Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”  And Nathan said unto David, “The Lord has also put away thy sins, thou shalt not die. Howbeit because of this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme,  the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die  



Friday, April 15, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 937


BRAGADAYJAH 937
The Lord sent His Prophet Nathan to speak to David.

In any event, there was no doubt how the Lord felt about David’s action and his role in the death of Uriah. For the Lord sent Nathan to speak to David.  And Nathan said to David, “There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished up, and it grew up together with him and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  And there came a traveler unto the rich man and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him, but took the poor man’s lamb and dressed it for the man that came unto him.” And David’s anger was greatly kindled against that man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord liveth the man that done this thing shall surely die.  And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he has done this thing, and because he had no pity.”  Then Nathan said unto David, “Thou art the man.  Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul.  And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy masters wives unto thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah  And if that had been too little I moreover would have given unto thee more of such things. Why therefore have you despised the commandments of the Lord to do evil in his sight? Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and has taken his wife to be your wife. And have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.”  (That was God’s verdict.  The punishment shall follow.)  

Thursday, April 14, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 936

GRAGADAYJAY 936
David’s role in Uriah’s death displeased the Lord.

One may wonder what was David thinking after he had broken two of God’s commandments by one look? Surely he had broken two of the commandments at once, hence my strongly held conviction based on both Scripture and the state of the human psyche, that it is impossible to commit any sin in isolation. That sins come in a bunch like grapes.  In David’s case he coveted, and he committed adultery, and then tried to cover them up by murder. But what was his intention at first, one may ask, when he invited Uriah to his house, that first evening and wined and dined him?  A simple logical answer would be that he intended Uriah to go home that night, and no doubt sleep with his wife and so the offence against him could have been covered up.  That is why when David found out Uriah had not gone to his house, and so did not sleep with his wife, he had to resort to plan B.  And while plan A was foul enough, plan B was viler and called for Uriah been sent to his death. Some may argue that David was not directly responsible for Uriah’s death.  After all Uriah was a soldier, and soldiers die in battle.  In addition other men died also at the same time.  But in God’s eyes David was guilty of murder and there is no argument around that fact.  He instructed Joab to have him killed and killed he was. Joab knew David well. So he sent one the men to report the outcome of the war to David. And when he told David that the war went badly, he ranted and questioned the wisdom of Joab’s strategy in attempting to breach the wall; but the messenger told him that many of his men were dead including Uriah and David told the messenger to tell Joab not to worry as men do die in battle, but that he should create a stronghold against the city and overthrow it. And Uriah’s wife mourned for her husband and when her period of mourning was over, David sent for her and made her his wife.  But the thing that David did displeased the Lord.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

BRAGAGADAYJAH 935

BRAGADAYJAH 935
The Death of Uriah

When David, therefore, heard that Uriah had not gone to his own house that night, but slept among his household servants, David asked him why he had not gone to his own house seeing he had just returned from a long journey. Then Uriah said to the king that the Ark, and Israel, and Judah all else abode in tents, including Joab David’s commander and are encamped out in the fields, and he did not think it appropriate to eat the kings food and  drink the king’s wine, and go and lie in his own house with his wife. Then David invited Uriah to spend another day with him and depart the following morning. So Uriah spent that day in Jerusalem. And that evening David encouraged him eat and drink until he was drunk; and after that he went and lay down in the field with the rest of David’s servants.  And the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab his field commander and sent it by the hand of Uriah.  The letter was in fact Uriah’s own death warrant.  For it instructed Joab to put Uriah at the front of the hottest battle, and give him no support that he may be smitten and die. And so it was that Joab picked a spot where he knew the most valiant men were and sent Uriah to fight there. And sure enough, some of David’s soldiers died in that battle and Uriah also died. 

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 934

BRAGADAYJAH 934
The Lure of a Beautiful Woman
The noun man is used a lot today. “Hey man,” “Yes man,” “no man,” and so on.  Apparently when Adam saw Eve, his first reaction was, “wow man!” Mark Anthony had a beautiful wife and marriage until he saw Cleopatra; and of course Romeo loved Juliette. And yes even David, a man of God’s own heart, was enthralled and taken in by the sight of a beautiful woman. So the bible tells us that one evening king David climbed up unto the roof of his house, and from there he saw a woman bathing herself and of course she was very beautiful.  “Wow man,” David said to one of his servants, “Who is she?”  He was told that her name was Bathsheba (Bath’ she ba)!  How cryptic! She taking a bath.  Anyway, David was told up front that she was the daughter of Eliam, and the wife of one Uriah the Hittite. At that stage, hearing she was a married woman, David should have backed off.  But he didn’t.  He sent a messenger with orders to take her to him, and David laid with her; and after she conceived; and after that she informed David that she was with child. Upon learning that the woman was pregnant, he decided to go further. He sent and told Joab, his commander in chief to send Uriah to him and Joab did so and Uriah came to David.  And David started light conversation with Uriah, asking him how was Joab? How were the people, the war and so forth?  Then David told Uriah to go down to the house and wash his feet and he did so; and David ordered a feast for him.  And that night, no doubt drunk from the king’s wine, he slept with the king’s messengers and did not go to his own house.   


Monday, April 11, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 933

BRAGADAYJAH 933
David Smote the Syrians who rose up against him.

After the Syrians saw that they were smitten by Israel, they gathered themselves together And

Hadarezer sent and brought out the rest of his army that were beyond the river and they came to Helam.  And Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went out before them. And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and marched over Jordan and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array and fought against David. And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen and killed Shobach the captain of their hosts who died there. And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more. And after a period of rest when the year ended, David sent Joab and all the host of Israel against the children of Ammon, but he himself went not with them.  And Joab and the host of Israel defeated the children of Ammon and laid siege to their city Rabbah.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 932

BRAGADAYJAH 932
David’s offer of friendship rebuffed.

In course of time the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son Hanun succeeded him. And king David decided to show kindness to Hanun because Hanun’s father had shown kindness to him. So after his farther died, David sent a messengers to Hanun to offer him condolence.  But on their arrival Hanun’s princes persuaded him that David’s messengers were not there to offer condolence but rather to spy out the land with a view toward invading it. So heeding the advice of his princes, Hanun took David’s messengers and shaved one side of their beard and cut off their garments to expose their buttocks and sent them back to David; and when the report of the treatment of his servants reached David, he sent messengers to them to tell them not to return until their beards had re-grown as the messengers were made to feel shame by the loss of their beards. Realizing that their actions greatly offended David, the children of Ammon hired twenty thousand footmen together with a thousand men of the king of Maacah and twelve thousands of the king of Ishtob.  And when David heard of it, he sent Joab to lead the host of his mighty men against the children of Ammon and their allies. And the children of Ammon came out in battle array against the host of Israel.  And in the course of the battle the allies of the Ammonites fled before Joab; and when the children of Ammon saw that their allies had fled, they also fled; and Joab returned to Jerusalem.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made


 I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.

As I was meditating this morning, some words of King David impinged upon my consciousness. David by inspiration of God said, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance yet being perfected, and in Thy book all my members were written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them.”  This last sentence mirrors what is written in Jeremiah 1:5, “Even before I formed thee in the belly, I saw you and even before you came out of the womb, I sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
                How significant I thought; and how illustrative of the fact that all, even the unborn child, is part of the Almighty’s creative will.  But what really struck me, was just one part, a tiny part, comparatively speaking, but at the same time a very large part of the human anatomy, namely, the human eyes. Fearfully and wonderfully made?  One could add, marvelously, fantastically, and a thousand other adjectives and epithets; and they all combined still could not begin adequately or at all to describe the creative genius of the human eyes, much less so the entire human frame.
                What really struck and astounded me, for the first time in my life was what marvelous appendages the eyes are.  If you go out into, and look at the world, the eyes take in a whole panorama of the world as far as the eyes could see in every direction all at once. Yet if you look at a smaller vision, example the television screen, the face of your cell phone, the eyes, unconsciously, without any manual, conscious or other need for adjustment, automatically adjusts their scope so that all you see is the television or the phone screen, however small as the case may be.
                Just think about it. Is the whole human body, not just the eyes, fearfully and wonderfully made?          Well whatever you may think, or whatever your replies might be, I know, like David, that I am also fearfully and wonderfully made. But this conclusion leads me to another question.  If He who made me, formed me, gives me instructions about the use of my body, what I should do with it, and what should I not do with it? How I should use it or not use it?  Would it not be wise to use it as He has instructed?  And or conversely, would it not be very foolish not to use it, or abuse it in ways contrary to His instructions?
                If for instance He says, this sort of use is abominable, or that kind of use is confusion, and or sin against His creative gift to humanity, should one not heed His warning just as you would heed the manufacturer’s warning or instructions with regard of an expensive motor vehicle, or piece of machinery that you have purchased? Well I think the answer to all these questions lies in a little bit of common sense.  www.chaberbooks.com

Saturday, April 9, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 931

BRAGADAYJAH 931
David gave to Mephibosheth all that pertained to Saul.

Having assured Mephibosheth a constant place at his table, king David then called Ziba to him and told him that he had given all that pertained to Saul his master and to his household to Mephibosheth.. Therefore he told Ziba, he and his sons and his servants must till the land for him and shall gather in the fruits thereof that his Master Mephibosheth should always have food to eat, notwithstanding he had been invited to eat at the king’s table always. Ziba himself and fifteen sons and twenty servants. Thereupon, Ziba pledged to the king that he would do as he had been commanded to do. Mephibosheth then had a young son whose name was Micha and all that lived in Ziba’s house were servants to Mephibosheth; and he remained in Jerusalem and ate continually at King David’s table.

Friday, April 8, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 930

BRAGADAYJAH 930
David Showed kindness to Mephibosheth.

After that David inquired whether there was anyone left of Saul’s kin that he might show him kindness for Jonathon’s sake.  And it was revealed to David that there was a servant in Saul’s house whose name was Ziba.  And when they called him to appear before David, he asked him if his name was Ziba, and he assured the king that he was. And David asked him if there was any of Saul’s kin left that he may show the kindness of God unto him.  And Ziba responded and said that Jonathon had a son who was lamed in the feet.  And David asked Ziba where he was; and Ziba told him that he was in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lodebar. And David ordered that he be brought unto him.  And when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathon, the son of Saul was brought before David, he fell on his face before the king, and did reverence. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” .And he said, “Behold thy servant.”  And David said unto him, “Fear not, for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathon thy father’s sake. And I will restore unto you all the land of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually."  

Thursday, April 7, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 929

·         BRAGADAYJAH 929
·         David’s Administration

·         After that David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and took them to Jerusalem. And from and from Betah and from Beruthai, two other cities belonging to Hadadezer, he took much brass  And when Toi, king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to David to salute him and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer who had fought against Toi.  And Joram brought David presents of gold and of silver and of brass, which David dedicated unto the Lord, along with all the gold and silver he had acquired from all the nations he had conquered, namely, Syria, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines and the Amalekites. And David made himself a name when he returned from smiting after he defeated eighteen thousand men of Syria in the valley of salt. And David stationed garrisons throughout all Edom and the nations whom he conquered; and David reigned over all Israel and executed justice unto all the people. And Joab Zeruiah’s son was over the host and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahihud was the recorder. And Zadok, the son of Ahitub and Ahimeleh the son of Abiathar were the priests and Seraiah was the scribe. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiaida was over both the Cherethites and Pelethites and David’s sons were chief rulers.   

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 928

BRAGADAYJAH 928
David Had to Fight another War.
Then it came to pass that David was forced to fight against the Philistines and his enemies once again. Perhaps it was the Lord’s way of occupying David’s mind with what came natural to him, to fight against and subdue his enemies.  He was sulking before the Lord over the Lord’s rejection of his offer to build the Lord a house; so then “Go fight against the Philistines,” was perhaps the Lord’s way of dealing with David.  So David subdued the Philistines and took Methegammah away from the Philistines. Then he went on to smite Moab, and measured them with a line and casting them down to the ground. In dealing with the Moabites David did not destroy them utterly but spared one third of them; therefore they became David’s servants and brought him gifts. Then David smote Hadadezer the son of Rehob king of Zobah as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. And David took from him a thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen.  And David destroyed all the chariot’s horses, except sufficient for a hundred chariots. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to aid Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians, twenty two thousands of them. And David garrisoned in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought him gifts. And the Lord preserved David wherever he went.

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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 927

BRAGADAYJAH 927
David Continued to plead with the Lord
David had Nathan the prophet approach God on his behalf as was the proper thing to do, and the Lord replied to Nathan and told him to in fact tell David, No!. David was perplexed. He was not asking anything from God. He was offering to give God something special. A house beautiful, dedicated to Him. And God said no?  How could He say, No? Why should he say No?  .Surely something is wrong; so he went before the Lord God himself.  David’s attitude was, “Lord this is David your beloved. I know you love me and care for me.  You have led me all these years from my youth up.  You have chosen me to lead or at least to be king over your people Israel. You have given me power over all my enemies, even Saul your servant.  And you have promised me to establish my house for ever.  So Lord I am not sure Nathan your prophet heard you aright.  So I am here to hear from you myself.  Are you saying Lord, God you don’t want me your favorite and faithful servant to build you a house?  Lord I just don’t understand why not.  You have said Lord that you have confirmed to yourself a people for ever; so now oh Lord, establish the word you have spoken and your servant forever. And let Thy name be magnified forever. For you O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, has declared to Thy servant,”  “I will build Thee a house.”  “Therefore Lord God let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant that it may continue forever before thee for thou oh Lord has spoken it, therefore let the house of thy servant be blessed forever.”

Monday, April 4, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 926

BRAGADAYJAH 926
David pours out his heart before God.

No doubt surprised by the Lord God’s response to his offer to build him a house, David upon receipt of God’s response via Nathan the prophet, went and sat before the Lord and asked Him, “Who am I O Lord God?  And what is my house that you have brought me hitherto?  And yet all this was just a small thing in your sight O Lord God, but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come. Is this the manner of man O Lord God?” David asked. “And what can I say more unto thee? For thou Lord God knows thy servant. For thy word’s sake and according to thine own heart have you done all those great things to make your servant know them? Therefore you are great O Lord God for there is none like you. Neither is there any God beside you according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people for Himself and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible things for your land before your people which you redeemed to yourself from Egypt from the nations and their gods?” (to be continued).

Sunday, April 3, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 925

BRAGADAYJAH 925

In response to Nathan’s conversation with God concerning David’s desire to build a house for the Lord, He continues to address Nathan as follows: Since the time I commanded judges to rule over my people Israel, and have caused them to rest from all their enemies, and has also promised you to make you a house.  Now when your days are at an end and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, which shall proceed out of his bowels I will establish his kingdom.  And he shall build me a house for my name, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father and he shall be my son.  If he commit iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men.  But my mercy shall not depart away from him as I took it from Saul whom I put away before you. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee. Thy throne shall be established forever,”  And Nathan communicated all that the Lord said to him to David .

Saturday, April 2, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 924

BRAGAGAYJAH 924

After many years, the Lord gave David rest from all his enemies round about, and as he sat in his house one day, David spoke to Nathan the prophet and said to him that while he the king lived in his fine house of cedar, the ark of the covenant of God lay placed behind curtains. And Nathan the prophets told the king to proceed and do all that was in his heart to do because the Lord was with him. And it happened that, that very night the word of the Lord came to Nathan to go and tell his servant David, “Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in?  Why do you want to build me house, seeing from the day I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt I have dwelt in tents and in tabernacles up to this day?” In all the places wherein I have walked with the children of Israel, did I ever speak a word to any of the tribes of Israel whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, asking them to build me a house? Now therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, Thus says the Lord of Hosts.  I took you from the sheepfold from following the sheep to be ruler over my people Israel. And I was with you wherever you went, and cut off all your enemies out of your sight, and have made you a great name like all the great names that are on the earth. In addition I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more, neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them as before. (to be continued).

Friday, April 1, 2016

BRAGADAYJAH 923

BRAGADAYJAH 923
David danced before the Lord

And it came to pass that when David was on his way to take the ark to his own city, that as they set off with the ark, David sacrificed oxen and fatlings unto the Lord. And David, dressed only in an ephod, danced with all his might before the Lord, as all Israel proceeded along with shouting and the sound of Instruments. And as the ark of the Lord entered into the city of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter looked through a window and saw David leaping and dancing before the Lord and she held him inn contempt for doing so. And they brought in the ark of the Lord and placed it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And as soon as David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings unto the Lord, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Hosts. And David gave to all the people, both men and women alike, a cake of bread, a goodly piece of meat and a flagon of wine. And the people departed to their own homes. And David returned to his own house to bless it, and Michal his wife, came out to meet him and remarked, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants as one of the vain fellows shamefully uncovering himself.”  And David told her that it was before the Lord who chose him before her father, and before all his house to appoint him ruler over all of Israel the people of the Lord.  Therefore, he said he would play before the Lord.  And to that end he would be even viler still in his own eyes and in the eyes of the handmaidens of whom she spoke even if they had no regard for him. And Michal the Daughter of Saul, David’s first wife never bore children as long as she lived.