The Daily Audio Bible
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Amnon and Tamar
13 Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar. And David’s son Amnon loved her. 2 Amnon was so troubled because of his sister Tamar that he became sick. She was a woman who had never had a man, and Amnon thought how hard it would be to have her. 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab. He was the son of David’s brother Shimeah. And Jonadab was very good at making plans. 4 He said to Amnon, “O son of the king, why are you so sad from day to day? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” 5 Then Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I beg you, let my sister Tamar come and give me some food to eat. Let her make food ready here so I can see it and eat it from her hand.’” 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I beg you, let my sister Tamar come and make two loaves beside me, that I may eat from her hand.”
7 Then David sent home for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and make food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house. He was lying down. And she took dough and made loaves so he could watch. Then she baked them ready to eat. 9 And she took the dish and held it out in front of him. But he would not eat. Amnon said, “Have everyone leave me.” So everyone left him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food to my room, so I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the loaves she had made and brought them to her brother Amnon in his room. 11 When she brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 But she said, “No, my brother. Do not make me. For such a thing is not done in Israel. Do not do this bad and foolish thing! 13 As for me, where could I get rid of my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. So now I beg you, speak to the king, for he will not keep me from you.” 14 But Amnon would not listen to her. Being stronger than she, he made her lay with him.
15 Then Amnon hated her very much. He hated her more than he had loved her. He said to her, “Get up! Go away!” 16 But she said to him, “No! Sending me away is worse than what you have done to me!” But he would not listen to her. 17 He called the young man who helped him and said, “Throw this woman out of my house, and lock the door behind her.” 18 Now she was wearing a dress which covered her arms. For this is how the king’s daughters dressed when they had never had a man. The man who helped Amnon took her out and locked the door behind her. 19 Then Tamar put ashes on her head. She tore the dress she was wearing which covered her arms. And she put her hand on her head and went away with a loud cry.
20 Absalom her brother said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Be quiet now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this to heart.” So Tamar stayed in her brother Absalom’s house, sad and alone. 21 When King David heard about all this, he was very angry. 22 But Absalom did not speak good or bad to Amnon. Absalom hated Amnon because he had put his sister to shame.
Absalom Kills Amnon
23 After two full years, Absalom had men cut the wool from the sheep in Baal-hazor, near Ephraim. And Absalom asked all the king’s sons to come. 24 He came to the king and said, “See, your servant has men to cut the wool from the sheep. Let the king and his men go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son. We should not all go, or we will be trouble for you.” Absalom tried to talk him into going. The king prayed that good would come to him, but he would not go with him. 26 Then Absalom said, “If you will not go, let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But when Absalom kept asking him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28 Then Absalom told his servants, “Watch when Amnon’s heart is happy with wine. When I say to you, ‘Kill Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not be afraid. Have not I myself told you to do it? Have strength of heart.” 29 So Absalom’s servants did to Amnon just as Absalom had told them. Then all the king’s sons got up on their horses and left in a hurry.
30 While they were on their way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons. Not one of them is left.” 31 The king got up and tore his clothes, and lay on the ground. And all his servants standing beside him tore their clothes. 32 But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, said, “Do not let my lord think they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons. Only Amnon is dead. Absalom has wanted to kill him since the day he put his sister Tamar to shame. 33 So do not let my lord the king take this to heart and think that all the king’s sons are dead, for only Amnon is dead.”
Absalom Goes to Geshur
34 Now Absalom had run away. And the young man who kept watch looked up and saw many people coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. 35 Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons have come. What your servant said is true.” 36 As soon as he had finished speaking, the king’s sons came and cried in a loud voice. The king and all his servants cried also.
37 Absalom ran away and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David was filled with sorrow for his son every day. 38 So Absalom had run away to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 The spirit of King David wanted very much to go out to Absalom. For he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.
Jesus Prays for Himself
17 When Jesus had said these things, He looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come! Honor Your Son so Your Son may honor You. 2 You have given Him power over all men. He is to give life that lasts forever to all You have given to Him. 3 This is life that lasts forever. It is to know You, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ Whom You have sent. 4 I honored You on earth. I did the work You gave Me to do. 5 Now, Father, honor Me with the honor I had with You before the world was made.
Jesus Prays for His Followers
6 “I have made Your name known to the people You have given Me from the world. They were Yours but You gave them to Me. They have obeyed Your Word. 7 Now they know that everything You have given Me came from You. 8 I gave them the Word which You gave Me. They received it. They know I came from You and they believe You sent Me.
9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world. I pray for those You gave Me. They are Yours. 10 All that is Mine is Yours. All that is Yours is Mine. I have been honored through them. 11 I am no longer in the world. I am coming to You. But these are still in the world. Holy Father, keep those You have given to Me in the power of Your name. Then they will be one, even as We are One. 12 While I have been with them in the world, I have kept them in the power of Your name. I have kept watch over those You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost except the one who is going to be destroyed, which is the son of death. The Holy Writings said it would happen. (A) 13 But now I come to You, Father. I say these things while I am in the world. In this way, My followers may have My joy in their hearts.
14 “I have given Your Word to My followers. The world hated them because they do not belong to the world, even as I do not belong to the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world. I ask You to keep them from the devil. 16 My followers do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Make them holy for Yourself by the truth. Your Word is truth.
18 “As You sent Me into the world so I have sent them into the world also. 19 I set Myself apart to be holy for them. Then they may be made holy by the truth.
Jesus Prays for All Christians
20 “I do not pray for these followers only. I pray for those who will put their trust in Me through the teaching they have heard. 21 May they all be as one, Father, as You are in Me and I am in You. May they belong to Us. Then the world will believe that You sent Me. 22 I gave them the honor You gave Me that they may be one as We are One. 23 I am in them and You are in Me so they may be one and be made perfect. Then the world may know that You sent Me and that You love them as You love Me.
24 “Father, I want My followers You gave Me to be with Me where I am. Then they may see My shining-greatness which You gave Me because You loved Me before the world was made. 25 Holy Father, the world has not known You. I have known You. These have known You sent Me. 26 I have made Your name known to them and will make it known. So then the love You have for Me may be in them and I may be in them.”
81 My soul becomes weak with desire for Your saving power, but I have put my hope in Your Word. 82 My eyes become weak with desire for Your Word. I say, “When will You comfort me?” 83 I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, but I do not forget Your Law. 84 How long must Your servant wait? When will You punish those who make it hard for me? 85 The proud have dug deep holes for me. They do not obey Your Law. 86 All of Your Word is faithful. Help me! For they have made it hard for me with a lie. 87 They almost destroyed me on the earth, but I did not turn away from Your Law. 88 Give me life again by Your loving-kindness, and I will keep the Word of Your mouth.
89 Forever, O Lord, Your Word will never change in heaven. 90 You are faithful to all people for all time. You have made the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand today by Your Law, for all things serve You. 92 I would have been lost in my troubles if Your Law had not been my joy. 93 I will never forget Your Word for by it You have given me new life. 94 I am Yours. Save me, for I have looked to Your Law. 95 The sinful wait to destroy me, but I will think about Your Word. 96 I have seen that all things have an end, even if they are perfect, but Your Word is without end.
6 Sin has been paid for by loving-kindness and truth. The fear of the Lord keeps one away from sin.
7 When the ways of a man are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even those who hate him to be at peace with him.
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