Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

First reading and Psalm

5He gave orders to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake don't harm the young man Absalom.” And all the troops heard David give this command to his officers.

6David's army went out into the countryside and fought the Israelites in the forest of Ephraim. 7The Israelites were defeated by David's men; it was a terrible defeat, with 20,000 men killed that day. 8The fighting spread over the countryside, and more men died in the forest than were killed in battle.

9Suddenly Absalom met some of David's men. Absalom was riding a mule, and as it went under a large oak tree, Absalom's head got caught in the branches. The mule ran on and Absalom was left hanging in mid air.

2 Samuel 18:5-9GNBOpen in Bible reader

31Then the Ethiopian slave arrived and said to the king, “I have good news for Your Majesty! Today the LORD has given you victory over all who rebelled against you!”

32“Is the young man Absalom safe?” the king asked.

The slave answered, “I wish that what has happened to him would happen to all your enemies, sir, and to all who rebel against you.”

33The king was overcome with grief. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he cried, “O my son! My son Absalom! Absalom, my son! If only I had died in your place, my son! Absalom, my son!”

2 Samuel 18:31-33GNBOpen in Bible reader

13But if I had disobeyed the king and killed Absalom, the king would have heard about it — he hears about everything — and you would not have defended me.”

2 Samuel 18:13GNBOpen in Bible reader

A Prayer for Help

1From the depths of my despair I call to you, LORD.

2Hear my cry, O Lord;

listen to my call for help!

3If you kept a record of our sins,

who could escape being condemned?

4But you forgive us,

so that we should stand in awe of you.

5I wait eagerly for the LORD's help,

and in his word I trust.

6I wait for the Lord

more eagerly than watchmen wait for the dawn —

than watchmen wait for the dawn.

7Israel, trust in the LORD,

because his love is constant

and he is always willing to save.

8He will save his people Israel

from all their sins.

Psalms 130:1-8GNBOpen in Bible reader
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