The Philistines Reject David

29 ^(A)Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at ^(B)Aphek. And the Israelites were encamped by ^(C)the spring that is in ^(D)Jezreel. ² As ^(E)the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear ^(F)with Achish, ³ the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me ^(G)now for days and years, and since he deserted to me ^(H)I have found no fault in him to this day.” ⁴ But ^(I)the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, “Send the man back, that he may return ^(J)to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, ^(K)lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here? ⁵ Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances,

⁶ Then Achish called David and said to him, ^(M)“As the Lord lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that ^(N)you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. ⁷ So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” ⁸ And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” ⁹ And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight ^(O)as an angel of God. Nevertheless, ^(P)the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ ¹⁰ Now then rise early in the morning ^(Q)with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light.” ¹¹ So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to ^(R)Jezreel.

David's Wives Are Captured

30 Now when David and his men came to ^(S)Ziklag on the third day, ^(T)the Amalekites had ^(U)made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire ² and taken captive the women and all^[a] who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. ³ And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. ⁴ Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. ⁵ David's ^(V)two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. ⁶ And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke ^(W)of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul,^[b] each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

^7 (X)And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. ^8 (Y)And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this ^(Z)band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake ^(AA)and shall surely rescue.” ⁹ So David set out, and ^(AB)the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. ¹⁰ But David pursued, he and four hundred men. ^(AC)Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor.

¹¹ They found an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David. And they gave him bread and he ate. They gave him water to drink, ¹² and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, ^(AD)his spirit revived, for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. ¹³ And David said to him, “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” He said, “I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago. ^14 (AE)We had made a raid against the Negeb of ^(AF)the Cherethites and against that which belongs to Judah and against the Negeb of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.” ¹⁵ And David said to him, “Will you take me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this ^(AG)band.”

I Cry Out Day and Night Before You

A Song. A Psalm of ^(A)the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to ^(B)Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil^[a] of ^(C)Heman the Ezrahite.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In the first book, O ^(A)Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began ^(B)to do and teach, ² until the day when ^(C)he was taken up, after he ^(D)had given commands ^(E)through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ^3 (F)He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

⁴ And while staying^[a] with them ^(G)he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; ⁵ for ^(H)John baptized with water, ^(I)but you will be baptized ^(J)with^[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Ascension

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, ^(K)will you at this time ^(L)restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, ^(M)“It is not for you to know ^(N)times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive ^(O)power ^(P)when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and ^(Q)you will be ^(R)my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and ^(S)Samaria, and ^(T)to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, ^(U)he was lifted up, and ^(V)a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, ^(W)two ^(X)men stood by them in ^(Y)white robes, ¹¹ and said, ^(Z)“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, ^(AA)will ^(AB)come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then ^(AC)they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. ¹³ And when they had entered, they went up to ^(AD)the upper room, where they were staying, ^(AE)Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon ^(AF)the Zealot and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ All these ^(AG)with one accord ^(AH)were devoting themselves to prayer, together with ^(AI)the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and ^(AJ)his brothers.^[c]

¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among ^(AK)the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, ¹⁶ “Brothers, ^(AL)the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, ^(AM)who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ For ^(AN)he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in ^(AO)this ministry.” ¹⁸ (Now this man ^(AP)acquired a field with ^(AQ)the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong^[d] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called ^(AR)in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰ “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

and

²¹ So one of the men who have accompanied us during ^(AU)all the time that the Lord Jesus ^(AV)went in and out among us, ^22 (AW)beginning from the baptism of John until the day when ^(AX)he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us ^(AY)a witness to his resurrection.” ²³ And they put forward two, Joseph called ^(AZ)Barsabbas, who was also called ^(BA)Justus, and ^(BB)Matthias. ²⁴ And ^(BC)they prayed and said, “You, Lord, ^(BD)who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take the place in ^(BE)this ministry and ^(BF)apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 When ^(BG)the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like ^(BH)a mighty rushing wind, and ^(BI)it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues ^(BJ)as of fire appeared to them and rested^[e] on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all ^(BK)filled with the Holy Spirit and began ^(BL)to speak in other tongues ^(BM)as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And ^(BN)at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷ And ^(BO)they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking ^(BP)Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and ^(BQ)Medes and ^(BR)Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and ^(BS)proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” ¹² And ^(BT)all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others ^(BU)mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵ For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, ^(BV)since it is only the third hour of the day.^{[f] 16} But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, ^(CE)a man attested to you by God ^(CF)with ^(CG)mighty works and wonders and signs that ^(CH)God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³ this Jesus,^{[g] (CI)}delivered up according to ^(CJ)the definite plan and ^(CK)foreknowledge of God, ^(CL)you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ^24 (CM)God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because ^(CN)it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says concerning him,

²⁹ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about ^(CU)the patriarch David ^(CV)that he both died and ^(CW)was buried, and ^(CX)his tomb is with us to this day. ^30 (CY)Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that ^(CZ)God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹ he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that ^(DA)he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus ^(DB)God raised up, ^(DC)and of that we all are witnesses. ^33 (DD)Being therefore ^(DE)exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from ^(DF)the Father ^(DG)the promise of the Holy Spirit, ^(DH)he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴ For ^(DI)David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

³⁶ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that ^(DK)God has made him ^(DL)both Lord and Christ, this Jesus ^(DM)whom you crucified.”

³⁷ Now when ^(DN)they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, ^(DO)what shall we do?” ³⁸ And Peter said to them, ^(DP)“Repent and ^(DQ)be baptized every one of you ^(DR)in the name of Jesus Christ ^(DS)for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive ^(DT)the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For ^(DU)the promise is for you and ^(DV)for your children and for all ^(DW)who are far off, everyone ^(DX)whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ^(DY)“Save yourselves from this ^(DZ)crooked generation.” ⁴¹ So those who received his word were baptized, and ^(EA)there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² And ^(EB)they devoted themselves to the apostles' ^(EC)teaching and the ^(ED)fellowship, to ^(EE)the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe^[h] came upon every soul, and ^(EF)many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and ^(EG)had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And ^(EH)they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, ^(EI)attending the temple ^(EJ)together and ^(EK)breaking bread in their homes, they received their food ^(EL)with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and ^(EM)having favor with all the people. And the Lord ^(EN)added to their number ^(EO)day by day those who ^(EP)were being saved.

The Lame Beggar Healed

3 Now Peter and John were ^(EQ)going up to the temple at ^(ER)the hour of prayer, ^(ES)the ninth hour.^{[i] 2} And a man ^(ET)lame from birth was being carried, ^(EU)whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate ^(EV)to ask alms of those entering the temple. ³ Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. ⁴ And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” ⁵ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ But Peter said, ^(EW)“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. ^(EX)In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸ And ^(EY)leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹ And ^(EZ)all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

^11 (FA)While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in ^(FB)the portico called Solomon's. ¹² And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? ^13 (FC)The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, ^(FD)the God of our fathers, ^(FE)glorified his servant^[j] Jesus, whom ^(FF)you delivered over and ^(FG)denied in the presence of Pilate, ^(FH)when he had decided to release him. ¹⁴ But you denied ^(FI)the Holy and ^(FJ)Righteous One, and ^(FK)asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ and you killed ^(FL)the Author of life, ^(FM)whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. ¹⁶ And ^(FN)his name—by ^(FO)faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is ^(FP)through Jesus^[k] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

¹⁷ “And now, brothers, I know that ^(FQ)you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But what God ^(FR)foretold ^(FS)by the mouth of all the prophets, that ^(FT)his Christ would ^(FU)suffer, he thus fulfilled. ^19 (FV)Repent therefore, and ^(FW)turn back, that ^(FX)your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ ^(FY)appointed for you, Jesus, ^21 (FZ)whom heaven must receive until the time for ^(GA)restoring all the things about which ^(GB)God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. ²² Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you ^(GC)a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen ^(GD)to him in whatever he tells you. ²³ And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet ^(GE)shall be destroyed from the people.’ ²⁴ And ^(GF)all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. ^25 (GG)You are the sons of the prophets and of ^(GH)the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ^(GI)‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ ^26 (GJ)God, ^(GK)having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, ^(GL)to bless you ^(GM)by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”