Mercy Spares the King, Love Completes Redemption
1. The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?” 2. Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3. Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4. David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come. 5. Then David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him. 6. Then David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?” Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” 7. So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay around him. 8. Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered up your enemy into your hand today. Now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.” 9. David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?” 10. David said, “As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will strike him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish. 11. Yahweh forbid that I should stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head, and the jar of water, and let us go.” 12. So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head; and they went away: and no man saw it, or knew it, nor did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh was fallen on them. 13. Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them; 14. and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who cries to the king?” 15. David said to Abner, “Aren’t you a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord, the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. 16. This thing isn’t good that you have done. As Yahweh lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, Yahweh’s anointed. Now see where the king’s spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head.” 17. Saul knew David’s voice, and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” 18. He said, “Why does my lord pursue his servant? For what have I done? What evil is in my hand? 19. Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is so that Yahweh has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, they are cursed before Yahweh; for they have driven me out today that I shouldn’t cling to Yahweh’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods!’ 20. Now therefore, don’t let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Yahweh; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.” 21. Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” 22. David answered, “Behold the spear, O king! Then let one of the young men come over and get it. 23. Yahweh will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; because Yahweh delivered you into my hand today, and I wouldn’t stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed. 24. Behold, as your life was respected today in my eyes, so let my life be respected in Yahweh’s eyes, and let him deliver me out of all oppression.” 25. Then Saul said to David, “You are blessed, my son David. You will both do mightily, and will surely prevail.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. 1. David said in his heart, “I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel. So shall I escape out of his hand.” 2. David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. 3. David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife. 4. Saul was told that David had fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him. 5. David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” 6. Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day. 7. The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. 8. David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, on the way to Shur, even to the land of Egypt. 9. David struck the land, and saved no man or woman alive, and took away the sheep, the cattle, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing. Then he returned, and came to Achish. 10. Achish said, “Against whom have you made a raid today?” David said, “Against the South of Judah, against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.” 11. David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘David did this, and this has been his way all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” 12. Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him. Therefore he will be my servant forever.” 1. In those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the army, you and your men.” 2. David said to Achish, “Therefore you will know what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “Therefore I will make you my bodyguard forever.” 3. Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had sent away those who had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. 4. The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa. 5. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6. When Saul inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets. 7. Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.” 8. Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. Then he said, “Please consult for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomever I shall name to you.” 9. The woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?” 10. Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, “As Yahweh lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing.” 11. Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you?” He said, “Bring Samuel up for me.” 12. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!” 13. The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid! What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14. He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe.” Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and showed respect. 15. Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” Saul answered, “I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, by prophets, or by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.” 16. Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since Yahweh has departed from you and has become your adversary? 17. Yahweh has done to you as he spoke by me. Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David. 18. Because you didn’t obey Yahweh’s voice, and didn’t execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore Yahweh has done this thing to you today. 19. Moreover Yahweh will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Yahweh will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” 20. Then Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of Samuel’s words. There was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all day long or all night long. 21. The woman came to Saul, and saw that he was very troubled, and said to him, “Behold, your servant has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me. 22. Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your servant, and let me set a morsel of bread before you. Eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way.” 23. But he refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. 24. The woman had a fattened calf in the house. She hurried and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it. 25. She brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they ate. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
1. Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; 2. even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3. This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4. I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. 5. Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. 6. I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. 7. Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you, 8. for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. 9. I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10. All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11. I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. 12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13. But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. 14. I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15. I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 16. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. 17. Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. 18. As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. 19. For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20. Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, 21. that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. 22. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23. I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. 24. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25. Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. 26. I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.” 1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. 2. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3. Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out, and said to them, “Who are you looking for?” 5. They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6. When therefore he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7. Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,” 9. that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.” 10. Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11. Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?” 12. So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him, 13. and led him to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people. 15. Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; 16. but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17. Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” 18. Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself. 19. The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching. 20. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret. 21. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, these know the things which I said.” 22. When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?” 23. Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?” 24. Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest. 25. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, “You aren’t also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 26. One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” 27. Peter therefore denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed. 28. They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29. Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30. They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.” 31. Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32. that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die. 33. Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34. Jesus answered him, “Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?” 35. Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?” 36. Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.” 37. Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38. Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39. But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40. Then they all shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. 1. So Pilate then took Jesus, and flogged him. 2. The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment. 3. They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him. 4. Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5. Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!” 6. When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7. The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” 8. When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid. 9. He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10. Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?” 11. Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.” 12. At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!” 13. When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement”, but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.” 14. Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” 15. They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” 16. So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. 17. He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”, 18. where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle. 19. Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 20. Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21. The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, “I am King of the Jews.”’” 22. Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24. Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26. Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27. Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home. 28. After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” 29. Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth. 30. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. 31. Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32. Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him; 33. but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. 34. However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35. He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe. 36. For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.” 37. Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.” 38. After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body. 39. Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. 40. So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid. 42. Then because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Jesus there. 1. Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. 2. Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!” 3. Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. 4. They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter, and came to the tomb first. 5. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn’t enter in. 6. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, 7. and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8. So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. 9. For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11. But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, 12. and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13. They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” 14. When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!” 17. Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her. 19. When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 20. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. 21. Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22. When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! 23. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.” 24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. 25. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26. After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” 27. Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.” 28. Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29. Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” 30. Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; 31. but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. 1. After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. 2. Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3. Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. 4. But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. 5. Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6. He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. 7. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea. 8. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish. 9. So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn. 12. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13. Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead. 15. So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16. He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18. Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19. Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” 20. Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” 21. Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22. Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” 23. This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?” 24. This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. 25. There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
1. Yahweh, my heart isn’t haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. 2. Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3. Israel, hope in Yahweh, from this time forward and forever more.
What to notice today
David twice has the opportunity to kill Saul but chooses mercy instead, recognizing that vengeance belongs to God alone—a pattern that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus's finished work on the cross. In John 17–21, Jesus completes His mission through death and resurrection, securing eternal life for all who believe, while the Psalms remind us that true greatness lies not in self-promotion but in childlike trust in God's care.
Today's Quiz
In 1 Samuel 26, what does David take from Saul's camp to prove he could have killed him?
What does Saul say happened at Endor when the medium brought up Samuel's spirit?
In John 17, what does Jesus say eternal life consists of?
When you have opportunity to harm or take revenge on someone who has wronged you, what would it look like to follow David's example of restraint and trust in God's justice rather than your own?
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