2 Chronicles 2

2 Chronicles 2

2 Chronicles 2:1 Solomon decided to build a house[1] for the name of Yahveh and a royal house for himself,

2 Chronicles 2:2 so he assigned 70,000 men as porters, 80,000 men as stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 as supervisors over them.

2 Chronicles 2:3 Then Solomon sent word to King Hiram of Tyre: Do for me what you did for my father David. You sent him cedars to build him a house to live in.

2 Chronicles 2:4 Notice[2] I am building a house for the name of Yahveh, my God, in order to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for displaying the rows of the Bread of the Presence continually,[3] and for sacrificing ascending offerings for the morning and the evening, the Sabbaths and the New Moons, and the appointed festivals of Yahveh our God. This is ordained for Israel permanently.[4]

2 Chronicles 2:5 The house I am building will be great, because our God is greater than any of the gods.

2 Chronicles 2:6 But who is able to build a house for him, since even the sky[5] and the sky of skies cannot contain him? Who am I then that I should build a house for him except as a place to burn incense before him?

2 Chronicles 2:7 Therefore, send me an artisan skilled in engraving to work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with the artisans with me in Judah and Jerusalem, appointed by my father, David.

2 Chronicles 2:8 Also, send me cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your slaves know how to cut[6] the trees of Lebanon. Notice that my slaves will be with your slaves

2 Chronicles 2:9 to prepare logs for me in abundance because the house I am building will be great and complicated.[7]

2 Chronicles 2:10 Notice I will give your slaves, the woodcutters who cut the trees, one hundred thousand bushels of wheat flour, one hundred thousand bushels of barley, one hundred ten thousand gallons of wine, and one hundred ten thousand gallons of oil.

2 Chronicles 2:11 King Hiram of Tyre wrote a letter and sent it to Solomon: Because Yahveh cares for[8] his people, he set you over them as king.

2 Chronicles 2:12 Hiram also said, “Praised[9] be Yahveh, God of Israel, who made the sky and the land!” He gave King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who would build a house for Yahveh and a royal house for himself.

2 Chronicles 2:13 I have now sent Huram-abi, a skillful man who has understanding.

2 Chronicles 2:14 He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan. His father is a man of Tyre. He knows how to work with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, with purple, blue, crimson yarn, and fine linen. He knows how to do all kinds of engraving and execute any design that may be given to him. I have sent him to be with your artisans and the artisans of my lord,[10] your father, David.

2 Chronicles 2:15 Now, let my lord send the wheat, barley, oil, and wine to his slaves as promised.

2 Chronicles 2:16 We will cut logs from Lebanon, as many as you need, and bring them to you as rafts by sea to Joppa. You can then take them up to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 2:17 Solomon took a census of all the foreign guests[11] in the land of Israel after his father David’s census, and the total was 153,600.

2 Chronicles 2:18 Solomon assigned 70,000 porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors to make the people work.[12]

[1] בַּיִת = house, (family, home, temple), inside. 2 Chronicles 2:1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12; 3:1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15; 4:4, 11, 16, 19, 22; 5:1, 7, 13, 14; 6:2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 20, 22, 24, 29, 32, 33, 34, 38; 7:1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, 16, 20, 21; 8:1, 11, 16; 9:3, 4, 11, 16, 20; 10:16, 19; 11:1, 4; 12:9, 10, 11; 15:18; 16:2, 10; 17:14; 18:16, 26; 19:1, 11; 20:5, 9, 28; 21:6, 7, 13, 17; 22:3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12; 23:3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20; 24:4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 21, 27; 25:5, 19, 24; 26:19, 21; 27:3; 28:7, 21, 24; 29:3, 5, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, 31, 35; 30:1, 15; 31:10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 21; 32:21; 33:4, 5, 7, 15, 20, 24; 34:8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 30; 35:2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 20, 21; 36:7, 10, 14, 17, 18, 19, 23.

[2] הִנֵּה = notice. 2 Chronicles 2:4, 8, 10; 6:18; 9:6; 13:12, 14; 16:3, 11; 18:12, 22, 24; 19:11; 20:2, 10, 11, 16, 24, 34; 21:14; 23:3, 13; 24:27; 25:19, 26; 26:20; 27:7; 28:9, 26; 29:9, 19; 32:32; 33:18, 19; 34:24, 28; 35:25, 27; 36:8.

[3] תָּמִיד = continual(ly). 2 Chronicles 2:4; 9:7; 24:14.

[4] עוֹלָם = permanent/ly, ancient, future. 2 Chronicles 2:4; 5:13; 6:2; 7:3, 6, 16; 9:8; 13:5; 20:7, 21; 30:8; 33:4, 7.

[5] שָׁמַיִם = sky. 2 Chronicles 2:6, 12; 6:13, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39; 7:1, 13, 14; 18:18; 20:6; 28:9; 30:27; 32:20; 33:3, 5; 36:23.

[6] כָּרָת = cut, establish, cut down. 2 Chronicles 2:8, 10, 16; 5:10; 6:11, 16; 7:18; 15:16; 21:7; 22:7; 23:3, 16; 29:10; 34:31.

[7] פָּלָא = complicated, overwhelming. 2 Chronicles 2:9; 26:15.

[8] אָהֵב = care about, care for. 2 Chronicles 2:11; 9:8; 11:21; 19:2; 20:7; 26:10.

[9] בָּרָךְ = empower, endorse, praise, kneel. 2 Chronicles 2:12; 6:3, 4, 13; 9:8; 20:26; 30:27; 31:8, 10.

[10] אָדוֹן = lord, 2 Chronicles 2:14, 15; 13:6; 18:16.

[11] גֵּר = foreign guest. 2 Chronicles 2:17; 30:25.

[12] עָבַד = slave for, make work, work for. 2 Chronicles 2:18; 7:19, 22; 10:4; 24:18; 30:8; 33:3, 16, 22; 34:33; 35:3.

links:

joint venture – Devotions
outsourcing
win – win

The 2 Chronicles shelf in Jeff’s library

1 Chronicles 28

1 Chronicles 28

1 Chronicles 28:1 David collected all the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem: the captains of the tribes, the captains of the divisions in the king’s ministry, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials, the fighting men, and all the most efficient soldiers.

1 Chronicles 28:2 King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of Yahveh’s covenant and as a footstool for our God. I had prepared to build,

1 Chronicles 28:3 but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’

1 Chronicles 28:4 “Yet Yahveh God of Israel chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel permanently. For he chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah, my father’s house, and my father’s sons, he was pleased to make me king over all Israel.

1 Chronicles 28:5 And out of all my sons — because Yahveh has given me many sons — he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of Yahveh’s kingdom over Israel.

1 Chronicles 28:6 He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who is to build my house and my courts, because I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

1 Chronicles 28:7 I will establish his kingdom permanently if he stays strong in keeping my commands and my judgments as he is doing today.’

1 Chronicles 28:8 “So now in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and guard all the commands of Yahveh your God so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants permanently.

1 Chronicles 28:9 “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and slave for him wholeheartedly and with a willing throat, because Yahveh searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.

1 Chronicles 28:10 Realize that Yahveh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”

1 Chronicles 28:11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the house and its buildings, treasuries, upstairs rooms, inner rooms, and a room for the atonement cover.[1]

1 Chronicles 28:12 The plans contained everything that was in his breath for the courts of Yahveh’s house, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of God’s house, and the treasuries of sacred things.

1 Chronicles 28:13 Also included were plans for the divisions of the priests and the Levites; all the work of service in Yahveh’s house; all the articles of service of Yahveh’s house;

1 Chronicles 28:14 the weight of gold for all the articles for every kind of service; the weight of all the silver articles for every kind of service;

1 Chronicles 28:15 the weight of the gold lampstands and their gold lamps, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps; the weight of each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the service of each lampstand;

1 Chronicles 28:16 the weight of gold for each table for the rows of the Bread of the Presence and the silver for the silver tables;

1 Chronicles 28:17 the pure[2] gold for the forks, sprinkling basins, and pitchers; the weight of each gold dish; the weight of each silver bowl;

1 Chronicles 28:18 the weight of refined gold for the altar of incense; and the plans for the chariot of the gold cherubim that spread out their wings and cover the ark of Yahveh’s covenant.

1 Chronicles 28:19 David concluded, “By Yahveh’s hand on me, he enabled me to understand everything in writing, all the details of the plan.”

1 Chronicles 28:20 David told his son Solomon, “Be strong and tough and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for Yahveh God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or abandon you until all the work for the service of Yahveh’s house is finished.

1 Chronicles 28:21 Notice the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing person of any skill will be at your disposal for the work, and the captains and all the people are at your every command.”

[1] כַּפֹּרֶת = atonement cover. 1 Chronicles 28:11.

[2] טָהוֹר = pure. 1 Chronicles 28:17.

links:

Attention, witnesses!
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Thursday, December 1, 2022
surrendering sovereignty
Who makes the choices- – Devotions

The 1 Chronicles shelf in Jeff’s library

1 Chronicles 16

1 Chronicles 16

1 Chronicles 16:1 They brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered ascending offerings and sacrifices for healthy relationships[1] in God’s face.

1 Chronicles 16:2 When David had finished offering the ascending offerings and the sacrifices for healthy relationships, he empowered the people in the name of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 16:3 Then he distributed to each and every Israelite, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

1 Chronicles 16:4 David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to celebrate Yahveh God of Israel, and to give thanks and praise to him.

1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph was the chief and Zechariah was second to him. Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel played the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals

1 Chronicles 16:6 and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets continually[2] before the ark of the covenant of God.

1 Chronicles 16:7 On that day David decreed for the first time that thanks be given to Yahveh by Asaph and his relatives:

1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples.

1 Chronicles 16:9 Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell about all his overwhelming[3] works!

1 Chronicles 16:10 Honor his sacred name; let the hearts of those who seek Yahveh enjoy[4] him.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek Yahveh and his strength; seek his face continually.

1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember the overwhelming works he has done, his wonders, and the judgments he has pronounced,

1 Chronicles 16:13 you seed[5] of Israel his slave, Jacob’s descendants — his chosen ones.

1 Chronicles 16:14 He is Yahveh our God; his judgments govern the whole land.

1 Chronicles 16:15 Remember his covenant permanently — the promise he ordained for a thousand generations,

1 Chronicles 16:16 the covenant he established with Abraham, swore to Isaac,

1 Chronicles 16:17 and confirmed to Jacob as a prescribed task,[6] and to Israel as a permanent covenant:

1 Chronicles 16:18 “I will give the land of Canaan to you as your inherited portion.”

1 Chronicles 16:19 When they were few in number, very few indeed, and resident guests[7] in Canaan

1 Chronicles 16:20 wandering from nation to nation and from one kingdom to another,

1 Chronicles 16:21 he allowed no one to exploit[8] them; he rebuked kings on their behalf: 1 Chronicles 16:22 “Do not touch my anointed ones or harm my prophets.”

1 Chronicles 16:23 Let the whole land sing to the Lord. Proclaim his salvation from day to day.

1 Chronicles 16:24 Declare his impressive appearance[9] among the nations, his overwhelming works among all peoples.

1 Chronicles 16:25 Because Yahveh is great and highly praised; he is feared above all gods.

1 Chronicles 16:26 Because all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahveh made the sky.[10]

1 Chronicles 16:27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.

1 Chronicles 16:28 Ascribe to the Lord, clans of the peoples, ascribe to Yahveh impressive appearance and strength.

1 Chronicles 16:29 Ascribe to Yahveh the impressive appearance of his name; bring a tribute offering[11] and come before him. Worship Yahveh in the splendor of his sacredness;

1 Chronicles 16:30 let the whole land tremble before him. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.

1 Chronicles 16:31 Let the sky be glad and the land enjoy, and let them say among the nations, “Yahveh reigns!”

1 Chronicles 16:32 Let the sea and all that fills it resound; let the fields and everything in them exult.

1 Chronicles 16:33 Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the land.

1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his covenant faithfulness[12] endures permanently.

1 Chronicles 16:35 And say: “Rescue us, God of our rescue; gather us and strip us from the nations so that we may give thanks to your sacred name and rejoice in your praise.

1 Chronicles 16:36 Praised be Yahveh God of Israel from age to age.” Then all the people said, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

1 Chronicles 16:37 So David left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of Yahveh’s covenant to minister continually before the ark according to the daily requirements.

1 Chronicles 16:38 He assigned Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun and Hosah were to be gatekeepers.

1 Chronicles 16:39 David left the priest Zadok and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of Yahveh at the high place in Gibeon

1 Chronicles 16:40 to offer ascending offerings continually, morning and evening, to Yahveh on the altar of ascending offerings and to do everything that was written in the instruction[13] of the Lord, which he had commanded Israel to keep.

1 Chronicles 16:41 With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord — for his covenant faithfulness endures permanently.

1 Chronicles 16:42 Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals to play and musical instruments of God. Jeduthun’s sons were at the city gate.

1 Chronicles 16:43 Then all the people went home, and David returned home to empower his house.

[1] שֶׁלֶם = sacrifice for healthy relationships. 1 Chronicles 16:1, 2; 21:26.

[2] תָּמִיד = continual(ly). 1 Chronicles 16:6, 11, 37, 40; 23:31.

[3] פָּלָא = overwhelming. 1 Chronicles 16:9, 12, 24.

[4] שָׂמַח = enjoy. 1 Chronicles 16:10, 31; 29:9.

[5] זֶרָע = seed. 1 Chronicles 16:13; 17:11.

[6] חֹק = prescribed task. 1 Chronicles 16:17; 22:13; 29:19.

[7] גּוּר = reside as a guest. 1 Chronicles 16:19.

[8] עָשַׁק = exploit. 1 Chronicles 16:21.

[9] כָּבוֹד = impressive appearance. 1 Chronicles 16:24, 28, 29; 17:18; 29:12, 28.

[10] שָׁמַיִם = sky. 1 Chronicles 16:26, 31; 21:16, 26; 27:23; 29:11.

[11] מִנְחָה = tribute offering. 1 Chronicles 16:29; 18:2, 6; 21:23; 23:29.

[12] חֶסֶד = covenant faithfulness. 1 Chronicles 16:34, 41; 17:13; 19:2.

[13] תּוֹרָה = instruction. 1 Chronicles 16:40; 22:12.

links:

connecting through worship – Devotions
God alone is Immortal
God is Different
staying connected
WORSHIP COMMANDED

The 1 Chronicles shelf in Jeff’s library

1 Chronicles 3

1 Chronicles 3

1 Chronicles 3:1 These were David’s sons who were born to him in Hebron: Amnon was the firstborn, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; Daniel was born second, by Abigail of Carmel;

1 Chronicles 3:2 Absalom, son of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur, was third; Adonijah son of Haggith was fourth;

1 Chronicles 3:3 Shephatiah, by Abital, was fifth; and Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah, was sixth.

1 Chronicles 3:4 Six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years.

1 Chronicles 3:5 These sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were born to him by Bath-shua daughter of Ammiel.

1 Chronicles 3:6 David’s other sons: Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet,

1 Chronicles 3:7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

1 Chronicles 3:8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet– nine sons.

1 Chronicles 3:9 These were all David’s sons, with their sister Tamar, in addition to the sons by his concubines.

1 Chronicles 3:10 Solomon’s son was Rehoboam; his son was Abijah, his son Asa, his son Jehoshaphat,

1 Chronicles 3:11 his son Jehoram, his son Ahaziah, his son Joash,

1 Chronicles 3:12 his son Amaziah, his son Azariah, his son Jotham,

1 Chronicles 3:13 his son Ahaz, his son Hezekiah, his son Manasseh,

1 Chronicles 3:14 his son Amon, and his son Josiah.

1 Chronicles 3:15 Josiah’s sons: Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim second, Zedekiah third, and Shallum fourth.

1 Chronicles 3:16 Jehoiakim’s sons: his sons Jeconiah and Zedekiah.

1 Chronicles 3:17 The sons of Jeconiah the captive: his sons Shealtiel,

1 Chronicles 3:18 Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.

1 Chronicles 3:19 Pedaiah’s sons: Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel’s sons: Meshullam and Hananiah, with their sister Shelomith;

1 Chronicles 3:20 and five others– Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed.

1 Chronicles 3:21 Hananiah’s descendants: Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shecaniah.

1 Chronicles 3:22 The son of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. Shemaiah’s sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat– six.

1 Chronicles 3:23 Neariah’s sons: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam– three.

1 Chronicles 3:24 Elioenai’s sons: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani — seven.

links:

a dysfunctional lot – Devotions
dysfunctional

The 1 Chronicles shelf in Jeff’s library

1 Kings 18

1 Kings 18:1 After a long time, the word of Yahveh came to Elijah in the third year: “Go and present yourself to Ahab. I will send rain on the surface of the land.”

1 Kings 18:2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. The famine was severe in Samaria.

1 Kings 18:3 Ahab called for Obadiah, who oversaw the palace. Obadiah was a man who greatly feared Yahveh

1 Kings 18:4 and took a hundred prophets and hid them, fifty men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered Yahveh ‘s prophets.

1 Kings 18:5 Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to every spring and to every wadi. Perhaps we’ll find grass so we can keep the horses and mules alive and not have to destroy any cattle.”

1 Kings 18:6 They divided the land between them to cover it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went the other way by himself.

1 Kings 18:7 While Obadiah was walking along the road, Elijah suddenly met him. When Obadiah recognized him, he fell facedown and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”

1 Kings 18:8 “It is I,” he replied. “Go tell your lord, ‘Elijah is here! ‘”

1 Kings 18:9 But Obadiah said, “What sin have I committed, that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to put me to death?

1 Kings 18:10 As Yahveh your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent someone to search for you. When they said, ‘He is not here,’ he made that kingdom or nation swear they had not found you.

1 Kings 18:11 “Now you say, ‘Go tell your lord, “Elijah is here!”‘

1 Kings 18:12 But when I leave you, the Breath of Yahveh may carry you off to some place I don’t know. Then when I go report to Ahab and he doesn’t find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared Yahveh from my youth.

1 Kings 18:13 Wasn’t it reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered Yahveh’s prophets? I hid a hundred of the prophets of Yahveh, fifty men to a cave, and I provided them with food and water.

1 Kings 18:14 Now you say, ‘Go tell your lord, “Elijah is here!” ‘ He will kill me!”

1 Kings 18:15 Then Elijah said, “As Yahveh of Armies lives, in whose presence I stand, today I will present myself to Ahab.”

1 Kings 18:16 Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him. Then Ahab went to meet Elijah.

1 Kings 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, the one ruining Israel?”

1 Kings 18:18 He replied, “I have not ruined Israel, but you and your father’s family have, because you have abandoned Yahveh ‘s commands and followed the Baals.

1 Kings 18:19 Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

1 Kings 18:20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and gathered the prophets at Mount Carmel.

1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you limp between two opinions? If Yahveh is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word.

1 Kings 18:22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of Yahveh, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.

1 Kings 18:23 Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire.

1 Kings 18:24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahveh. The God who answers with fire, he is God.” All the people answered, “That’s fine.”

1 Kings 18:25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don’t light the fire.”

1 Kings 18:26 So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound; no one answered. Then they danced around the altar they had made.

1 Kings 18:27 At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!”

1 Kings 18:28 They screamed, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them.

1 Kings 18:29 All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention.

1 Kings 18:30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near me.” So, all the people approached him. Then he repaired Yahveh’s altar that had been torn down:

1 Kings 18:31 Elijah took twelve stones — according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of Yahveh had come, saying, “Israel will be your name” —

1 Kings 18:32 and he built an altar with the stones in the name of Yahveh. Then he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold about four gallons.

1 Kings 18:33 Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, “Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.”

1 Kings 18:34 Then he said, “A second time!” and they did it a second time. And then he said, “A third time!” and they did it a third time.

1 Kings 18:35 So the water ran all around the altar; he even filled the trench with water.

1 Kings 18:36 At the time for offering the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah approached the altar and said, “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that you are God in Israel, and I am your servant, and that at your word I have done all these things.

1 Kings 18:37 Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that you, Yahveh, are God and that you have turned their hearts back.”

1 Kings 18:38 Then Yahveh’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.

1 Kings 18:39 When all the people saw it, they fell facedown and said, “Yahveh, he is God! Yahveh, he is God!”

1 Kings 18:40 Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let even one of them escape.” So, they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there.

1 Kings 18:41 Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a rainstorm.”

1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went to eat and drink, but Elijah went up to the summit of Carmel. He bent down on the ground and put his face between his knees.

1 Kings 18:43 Then he said to his boy, “Go up and look toward the sea.” So, he went up, looked, and said, “There’s nothing.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

1 Kings 18:44 On the seventh time, he reported, “There’s a cloud as small as a man’s hand coming up from the sea.” Then Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Get your chariot ready and go down so the rain doesn’t stop you.'”

1 Kings 18:45 In a little while, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a downpour. So, Ahab got in his chariot and went to Jezreel.

1 Kings 18:46 The power of Yahveh was on Elijah, and he tucked his mantle under his belt and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

The 1 KINGS shelf in Jeff’s library