Bible in a Year.

On day 141, we find King David's final speeches and blessings in 2 Samuel 23, reinforcing his faith and leadership. In 1 Chronicles 28, David organizes the succession and gives instructions for the construction of the temple, highlighting the importance of obedience to God. Psalm 42 reflects the soul's longing for God, reminding us to maintain our hope even in times of difficulty.

1. Now these are David's last words. David the son of Isai said: The man to whom it was appointed concerning the Christ of the God of Jacob, the excellent psalmist of Israel said:

2. The spirit of the Lord hath spoken by me and his word by my tongue.

3. The God of Israel said to me, the strong one of Israel spoke, the ruler of men, the just ruler in the fear of God.

4. As the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, shineth in the morning without clouds, and as the grass springeth out of the earth by rain.

5. Neither is my house so great with God, that he should make with me an eternal covenant, firm in all things and assured. For he is all my salvation, and all my will: neither is there ought thereof that springeth not up.

6. But transgressors shall all of them be plucked up as thorns: which are not taken away with hands.

7. And if a man will touch them, he must be armed with iron and with the staff of a lance: but they shall be set on fire and burnt to nothing.

8. These are the names of the valiant men of David. Jesbaham sitting in the chair was the wisest chief among the three, he was like the most tender little worm of the wood, who killed eight hundred men at one onset.

9. After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three valiant men that were with David when they defied the Philistines, and they were there gathered together to battle.

10. And when the men of Israel were gone away, he stood and smote the Philistines till his hand was weary, and grew stiff with the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day: and the people that were fled away, returned to take spoils of them that were slain.

11. And after him was Semma the son of Age of Arari. And the Philistines were gathered together in a troop: for there was a field full of lentils. And when the people were fled from the face of the Philistines,

12. He stood in the midst of the field, and defended it, and defeated the Philistines: and the Lord gave a great victory.

13. Moreover also before this the three who were princes among the thirty, went down and came to David in the harvest time into the cave of Odollam: and the camp of the Philistines was in the valley of the giants.

14. And David was then in a hold. and there was a garrison of the Philistines then in Bethlehem.

15. And David longed, and said: O that some man would get me a drink of the water out of the cistern, that is in Bethlehem, by the gate.

16. And the three valiant men broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water out of the cistern of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and brought it to David: but he would not drink, but offered it to the Lord,

17. Saying: The Lord be merciful to me, that I may not do this: shall I drink the blood of these men that went, and the peril of their lives? therefore he would not drink. These things did these three mighty men.

18. Abisai also the brother of Joab, the son of Sarvia, was chief among three: and he lifted up his spear against three hundred whom he slew, and he was renowned among the three,

19. And the noblest of three, and was their chief, but to the three first he attained not.

20. And Banaias the son of Joiada a most valiant man, of great deeds, of Cabseel: he slew the two lions of Moab, and he went down, and slew a lion in the midst of a pit, in the time of snow.

21. He also slew an Egyptian, a man worthy to be a sight, having a spear in his hand: but he went down to him with a rod, and forced the spear out of the hand of the Egyptian, and slew him with his own spear.

22. These things did Banaias the son of Joiada.

23. And he was renowned among the three valiant men, who were the most honourable among the thirty: but he attained riot to the first three: and David made him of his privy council.

24. Asael the brother of Joab was one of the thirty, Elehanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem.

25. Semma of Harodi, Elica of Harodi,

26. Heles of Phalti, Hira the son of Acces of Thecua,

27. Abiezer of Anathoth, Mobonnai of Husati,

28. Selmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

29. Heled the son of Baana, also a Netophathite, Ithai the son of Ribai of Gabaath of the children of Benjamin,

30. Banaia the Pharathonite, Heddai of the torrent Gaas,

31. Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Beromi,

32. Eliaba of Salaboni. The sons of Jassen, Jonathan,

33. Semma of Orori, Aliam the son of Sarar the Arorite,

34. Eliphelet the son of Aasbai the son of Machati, Eliam the son of Achitophel the Gelonite,

35. Hesrai of Carmel, Pharai of Arbi,

36. Igaal the son of Nathan of Soba, Bonni of Gadi,

37. Selec of Ammoni, Naharai the Berothite, armourbearer of Joab the son of Sarvia,

38. Ira the Jethrite, Gareb also a Jethrite;

39. Urias the Hethite, thirty and seven in all.

1. And David assembled all the chief men of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies, who waited on the king: and the captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and them who had the charge over the substance and possessions of the king, and his sons with the officers of the court, and the men of power, and all the bravest of the army at Jerusalem.

2. And the king rising up, and standing said: Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had a thought to have built a house, in which the ark of the Lord, and the footstool of our God might rest: and I prepared all things for the building.

3. And God said to me: Thou shalt not build a house to my name: because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood.

4. But the Lord God of Israel chose me of all the house of my father, to be king over Israel for ever: for of Juda he chose the princes: and of the house of Juda, my father's house: and among the sons of my father, it pleased him to choose me king over all Israel.

5. And among my sons (for the Lord hath given me many sons) he hath chosen Solomon my son, to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.

6. And he said to me: Solomon thy son shall build my house, and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be a father to him.

7. And I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he continue to keep my commandments, and my judgments, as at this day.

8. Now then before all the assembly of Israel, in the hearing of our God, keep ye, and seek all the commandments of the Lord our God: that you may possess the good land, and may leave it to your children after you for ever.

9. And thou my son Solomon, know the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind: "for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and under- standeth all the thoughts of minds. If thou seek him, thou shalt find him: but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

10. Now therefore seeing the Lord hath chosen thee to build the house of the sanctuary, take courage, and do it.

11. And David gave to Solomon his son a description of the porch, and of the temple, and of the treasures, and of the upper floor, and of the inner chambers, and of the house for the mercy seat,

12. As also of all the courts, which he had in his thought, and of the chambers round about, for the treasures of the house of the Lord, and for the treasures of the consecrated things,

13. And of the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, for all the works of the house of the Lord, and for all the vessels of the service of the temple of the Lord.

14. Gold by weight for every vessel for the ministry. And silver by weight ac- cording to the diversity of the vessels and uses.

15. He gave also gold for the golden candlesticks, and their lamps, according to the dimensions of every candlestick, and the lamps thereof. In like manner also he gave silver by weight for the silver candlesticks, and for their lamps according to the diversity of the dimensions of them.

16. He gave also gold for the tables of proposition, according to the diversity of the tables: in like manner also silver for other tables of silver.

17. For fleshhooks also, and bowls, and censers of fine gold, and for little lions of gold, according to the measure he gave by weight, for every lion. In like manner also for lions of silver he set aside a different weight of silver.

18. And for the altar of incense, he gave the purest gold: and to make the likeness of the chariot of the cherubims spreading their wings, and covering the ark of the covenant of the Lord.

19. All these things, said he, came to me written by the hand of the Lord that I might understand all the works of the pattern.

20. And David said to Solomon his son: Act like a man, and take courage, and do: fear not, and be not dismayed: for the Lord my God will be with thee, and will not leave thee, nor forsake thee, till thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

21. Behold the courses of the priests and the Levites, for every ministry of the house of the Lord, stand by thee, and are ready, and both the princes, and the people know how to execute all thy commandments.

1. Unto the end, understanding for the sons of Core.

2. As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God.

3. My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?

4. My tears have been any bread day and night, whilst it is said to me daily : Where is thy God?

5. These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me : for I shall go over into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God : With the voice of joy and praise; the noise of one feasting.

6. Why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou trouble me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him : the salvation of my countenance,

7. and my God. My soul is troubled within myself : therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniim, from the little hill.

8. Deep calleth on deep, at the noise of thy flood-gates. All thy heights and thy billows have passed over me.

9. In the daytime the Lord hath commanded his mercy; and a canticle to him in the night. With me is prayer to the God of my life.

10. I will say to God : Thou art my support. Why hast thou forgotten me? and why go I mourning, whilst my enemy afflicteth me?

11. Whilst my bones are broken, my enemies who trouble me have reproached me; Whilst they say to me day be day : Where is thy God?

12. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to him : the salvation of my countenance, and my God.