The Daily Audio Bible
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23 All the country was crying with a loud voice as all the people passed by. The king crossed the river Kidron, and all the people went on toward the desert.
24 Zadok came also, with all the Levites who carried the special box with the Law of God. Abiathar had the special box of God put down until all the people had passed out of the city. 25 The king said to Zadok, “Return the special box of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will have me return. And He will have me see both it and His family. 26 But if He says, ‘I have no joy in you,’ then here I am. Let Him do to me what He thinks is good.” 27 And the king said to Zadok the religious leader, “Are you not a man who speaks for God? Return to the city in peace with Abiathar and your two sons, your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. 28 See, I will wait in the desert by the place where the river is crossed, until I hear from you.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the special box of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.
30 David went up the Mount of Olives and cried as he went. His head was covered and he wore no shoes. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up crying as they went. 31 Now David was told, “Ahithophel is among those who are making plans with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, make the words of Ahithophel foolish.” 32 As David was coming to the top of the mountain, where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite met him. His coat was torn and there was dust on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be trouble for me. 34 But if you return to the city, you can bring trouble to the words of Ahithophel for me. Say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. I will work for you as I have worked for your father in the past.’ Then you can make the words of Ahithophel foolish for me. 35 Will not Zadok and Abiathar the religious leaders be there with you? Tell Zadok and Abiathar whatever you hear from the king’s house. 36 Their two sons are with them there, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. By them you can send me news of all that you hear.” 37 So David’s friend Hushai came into Jerusalem, just as Absalom was coming into the city.
David and Ziba
16 When David had gone a short way past the mountain top, Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba met him with two donkeys ready for traveling. On them were 200 loaves of bread, 100 vines of dried grapes, 100 summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” And Ziba said, “The donkeys are for those of the king’s house to travel on. The bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. And the wine drink is for whoever is weak in the desert.” 3 Then the king said, “Where is your owner’s son?” And Ziba answered, “He is staying in Jerusalem. For he said, ‘Today the family of Israel will return to me the nation of my father.’” 4 So the king said to Ziba, “See, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I bow down in honor to you. O my lord the king, let me find favor in your eyes!”
David and Shimei
5 When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of Saul. His name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He did not stop speaking bad things as he came. 6 He threw stones at David, and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the strong men were at his right and at his left. 7 Shimei said as he said bad things, “Get out! Get out, you man of blood, you man of no worth! 8 The Lord has punished you for all the blood of the family of Saul, in whose place you have ruled! The Lord has given the nation to your son Absalom! Your trouble is upon you, because you are a man of blood!”
9 Zeruiah’s son Abishai said to the king, “Why should this dead dog speak against my lord the king? Let me go now and cut off his head.” 10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he speaks against me, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Speak against David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See, my own son wants to kill me. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him speak against me, for the Lord has told him. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my trouble and return good to me instead of his bad words today.” 13 So David and his men went on the way. And Shimei went beside him on the hill. He spoke against David as he went, and threw stones and dust at him. 14 The king and all the people with him were tired when they came to the Jordan. There he rested and received new strength.
Absalom Goes to Jerusalem
15 Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came into Jerusalem. And Ahithophel was with him. 16 When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No! I will belong to whoever is chosen by the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel. 19 And whom should I serve? Should I not serve his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.”
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your wise words. What should we do?” 21 Ahithophel answered, “Go in to your father’s women, whom he has left to take care of the house. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself hated by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be made stronger.” 22 So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father’s women so that the eyes of all Israel could see. 23 The words that Ahithophel spoke in those days were as if one had asked for the Word of God. Both David and Absalom thought of Ahithophel’s words in this way.
25 Simon Peter was standing there and getting warm. They said to him, “Are you not one of His followers also?” He lied and said he did not know Jesus and answered, “I am not!” 26 A servant who was owned by the head religious leader was there. He was of the family of the man whose ear Peter cut off. The man said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Again Peter lied and said he did not know Jesus. At once a rooster crowed.
Jesus Stands in Front of Pilate (A)
28 They led Jesus from Caiaphas into the court room. It was early in the morning. They did not go inside because their Law said if they did they would become dirty with sin. Then they would not be able to eat the religious supper to remember how the Jews left Egypt. 29 So Pilate came out to them. He asked, “What have you to say against the Man?” 30 The Jews said, “If He had not done wrong, we would not have brought Him to you.”
31 Then Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and give Him a trial by your Law.” The Jews said to him, “It is against our Law to put anyone to death.” 32 This happened as Jesus said it would happen. He had told what kind of death He would die.
33 Then Pilate went back into the court room. He called for Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus said, “Do you ask Me this yourself, or did others say this to you about Me?” 35 Pilate said, “Do you think I am a Jew? Your own people and religious leaders have handed You over to me. What have You done?” 36 Jesus said, “My holy nation does not belong to this world. If My holy nation were of this world, My helpers would fight so I would not be handed over to the Jews. My holy nation is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said to Him, “So You are a King?” Jesus said, “You are right when you say that I am a King. I was born for this reason. I came into the world for this reason. I came to speak about the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Jesus or Barabbas Is to Go Free (B)
38 Pilate said to Jesus, “What is truth?” After Pilate said this, he went out again to the Jews. He said, “I do not find Him guilty. 39 But every year a man who is in prison is allowed to go free at the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. Do you want the King of the Jews to go free?” 40 Then they spoke with loud voices, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
The Crown of Thorns (C)
19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him beaten. 2 The soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head. They put a purple coat on Him. 3 Then they said, “Hello, King of the Jews!” and hit Him with their hands.
4 Pilate went out again and said to the people, “See, I bring Him out to you so you will know I do not find Him guilty.” 5 Jesus came out. He had on the crown of thorns and a purple coat. Pilate said to the people, “See! This is the Man!”
Pilate Tries to Let Jesus Go Free
6 The religious leaders and the soldiers saw Him. They spoke with loud voices, “Nail Him to a cross! Nail Him to a cross!” Pilate said, “Take Him yourselves and nail Him to a cross. As for me, I do not find Him guilty.” 7 The Jews said to Pilate, “We have a Law that says He should die because He has said He is the Son of God.”
8 When Pilate heard them say this, he was more afraid. 9 He went into the court room again. He said to Jesus, “Where do You come from?” Jesus did not say a word. 10 Pilate said, “Will You not speak to me? Do You not know that I have the right and the power to nail You to a cross? I have the right and the power to let You go free also.” 11 Jesus said, “You would not have any right or power over Me if it were not given you from above. For this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the worse sin.”
12 When Pilate heard this, he wanted to let Jesus go free. But the Jews kept saying, “If you let this Man go free, you are not a friend of Caesar! Whoever makes himself as a king is working against Caesar.” 13 When Pilate heard this, he had Jesus brought in front of him. Pilate sat down at the place where men stand in front of him if they are thought to be guilty. The place is called the Stone Floor.
14 It was the day to get ready for the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. It was about noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “See, your King!” 15 They spoke with a loud voice, “Take Him away! Nail Him to a cross!” Pilate said to them, “Do you want me to nail your King to a cross?” The head religious leaders said, “We have no king but Caesar!” 16 Then Pilate handed Him over to be nailed to a cross. They took Jesus and led Him away.
Jesus on the Cross (D)
17 Jesus carried His own cross to a hill called the Place of the Skull. 18 There they nailed Him to the cross. With Him were two others. There was one on each side of Jesus. 19 Then Pilate put a writing on the cross which said, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This was read by many of the Jews. The place where Jesus was nailed to the cross was near the city. The writing was written in the Hebrew and the Latin and the Greek languages. 21 Then the head religious leaders of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’! Write, ‘He said, I am the King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate said, “What I have written is to stay just as it is!”
113 I hate those who have two ways of thinking, but I love Your Law. 114 You are my hiding place and my battle-covering. I put my hope in Your Word. 115 Go away from me, you who do wrong, so I may keep the Word of my God. 116 Hold me up by Your Word and I will live. Do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Hold me up so I will be safe, and I will always have respect for Your Law. 118 You turn away from all those who turn from Your Law. They fool themselves with their own lying. 119 You put away like waste all the sinful of the earth, so I love Your Law. 120 My flesh shakes in fear of You, and I am afraid of how You may punish.
121 I have done what is fair and right. Do not leave me to those who would make it hard for me. 122 Promise that You will bring good to Your servant. Do not let the proud make it hard for me. 123 My eyes become weak with desire for Your saving power and for Your Word that is right and good. 124 Act in Your loving-kindness toward Your servant, and teach me Your Laws. 125 I am Your servant. Give me understanding so I may know Your Law. 126 It is time for You to work, Lord, for they have broken Your Law. 127 I love Your Word more than gold, more than pure gold. 128 And so I look upon all of Your Law as right. I hate every false way.
10 The lips of the king should decide as God would. His mouth should not sin in deciding what is right or wrong.
11 What is fair in telling the weight of something belongs to the Lord. He cares about all the weights of the bag.
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