Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

First reading and Psalm

David Becomes King of Israel and Judah

1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said to him, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2In the past, even when Saul was still our king, you led the people of Israel in battle, and the LORD promised you that you would lead his people and be their ruler.” 3So all the leaders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made a sacred alliance with them, they anointed him, and he became king of Israel. 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he ruled for forty years. 5He ruled in Hebron over Judah for seven and a half years, and in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah for 33 years.

2 Samuel 5:1-5GNBOpen in Bible reader

9After capturing the fortress, David lived in it and named it “David's City”. He built the city round it, starting at the place where land was filled in on the east side of the hill. 10He grew stronger all the time, because the LORD God Almighty was with him.

2 Samuel 5:9-10GNBOpen in Bible reader

Zion, the City of God

1The LORD is great and is to be highly praised

in the city of our God, on his sacred hill.

2Zion, the mountain of God, is high and beautiful;

the city of the great king brings joy to all the world.

3God has shown that there is safety with him

inside the fortresses of the city.

4The kings gathered together

and came to attack Mount Zion.

5But when they saw it, they were amazed;

they were afraid and ran away.

6There they were seized with fear and anguish,

like a woman about to bear a child,

7like ships tossing in a furious storm.

8We have heard what God has done,

and now we have seen it

in the city of our God, the LORD Almighty;

he will keep the city safe for ever.

9Inside your Temple, O God,

we think of your constant love.

10You are praised by people everywhere,

and your fame extends over all the earth.

You rule with justice;

11let the people of Zion be glad!

You give right judgements;

let there be joy in the cities of Judah!

12People of God, walk round Zion and count the towers;

13take notice of the walls and examine the fortresses,

so that you may tell the next generation:

14“This God is our God for ever and ever;

he will lead us for all time to come.”

Psalms 48:1-14GNBOpen in Bible reader
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