November 10 Reading

21:1 Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” But Naboth said to Ahab, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.

But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.”’”

Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD. Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel the LORD also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.’ Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.”

(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the LORD cast out before the people of Israel.)

And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”

Aleph

119:1   Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the LORD!
  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
  who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
  You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
  Oh that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
  Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
  I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous rules.
  I will keep your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me!

Beth

  How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
  With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
  I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
  Blessed are you, O LORD;
    teach me your statutes!
  With my lips I declare
    all the rules of your mouth.
  In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
  I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
  I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

Gimel

  Deal bountifully with your servant,
    that I may live and keep your word.
  Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
  I am a sojourner on the earth;
    hide not your commandments from me!
  My soul is consumed with longing
    for your rules at all times.
  You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from your commandments.
  Take away from me scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your testimonies.
  Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
  Your testimonies are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

Daleth

  My soul clings to the dust;
    give me life according to your word!
  When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes!
  Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
  My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
  Put false ways far from me
    and graciously teach me your law!
  I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your rules before me.
  I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;
    let me not be put to shame!
  I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you enlarge my heart!

He

  Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
  Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
  Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
  Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
  Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
  Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.
  Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
  Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!

Waw

  Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
    your salvation according to your promise;
  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your rules.
  I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
  and I shall walk in a wide place,
    for I have sought your precepts.
  I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
  for I find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
  I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.

Zayin

  Remember your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me hope.
  This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.
  The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not turn away from your law.
  When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O LORD.
  Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
  Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my sojourning.
  I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
    and keep your law.
  This blessing has fallen to me,
    that I have kept your precepts.

Heth

  The LORD is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words.
  I entreat your favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
  When I think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
  I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.
  Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not forget your law.
  At midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your righteous rules.
  I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
  The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
    teach me your statutes!

Teth

  You have dealt well with your servant,
    O LORD, according to your word.
  Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
  Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
  You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes.
  The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
  their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
  It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
  The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

  Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
  Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
  I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
  Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.
  Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my delight.
  Let the insolent be put to shame,
    because they have wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
  Let those who fear you turn to me,
    that they may know your testimonies.
  May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
    that I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

  My soul longs for your salvation;
    I hope in your word.
  My eyes long for your promise;
    I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
  How long must your servant endure?
    When will you judge those who persecute me?
  The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
  All your commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
  They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
  In your steadfast love give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

  Forever, O LORD, your word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
  Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
  By your appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
  If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
  I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have given me life.
  I am yours; save me,
    for I have sought your precepts.
  The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
  I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem

  Oh how I love your law!
    It is my meditation all the day.
  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.
  I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for your testimonies are my meditation.
  I understand more than the aged,
    for I keep your precepts.
  I hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
  I do not turn aside from your rules,
    for you have taught me.
  How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
  Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

  Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
  I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your righteous rules.
  I am severely afflicted;
    give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
  Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD,
    and teach me your rules.
  I hold my life in my hand continually,
    but I do not forget your law.
  The wicked have laid a snare for me,
    but I do not stray from your precepts.
  Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
    for they are the joy of my heart.
  I incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, to the end.

Samekh

  I hate the double-minded,
    but I love your law.
  You are my hiding place and my shield;
    I hope in your word.
  Depart from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commandments of my God.
  Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
  Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually!
  You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
    for their cunning is in vain.
  All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
    therefore I love your testimonies.
  My flesh trembles for fear of you,
    and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

  I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
  Give your servant a pledge of good;
    let not the insolent oppress me.
  My eyes long for your salvation
    and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
  Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
    and teach me your statutes.
  I am your servant; give me understanding,
    that I may know your testimonies!
  It is time for the LORD to act,
    for your law has been broken.
  Therefore I love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
  Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
    I hate every false way.

Pe

  Your testimonies are wonderful;
    therefore my soul keeps them.
  The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple.
  I open my mouth and pant,
    because I long for your commandments.
  Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
  Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
  Redeem me from man’s oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
  Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.
  My eyes shed streams of tears,
    because people do not keep your law.

Tsadhe

  Righteous are you, O LORD,
    and right are your rules.
  You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
    and in all faithfulness.
  My zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
  Your promise is well tried,
    and your servant loves it.
  I am small and despised,
    yet I do not forget your precepts.
  Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is true.
  Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my delight.
  Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph

  With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
    I will keep your statutes.
  I call to you; save me,
    that I may observe your testimonies.
  I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I hope in your words.
  My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promise.
  Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
    O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
  They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
    they are far from your law.
  But you are near, O LORD,
    and all your commandments are true.
  Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have founded them forever.

Resh

  Look on my affliction and deliver me,
    for I do not forget your law.
  Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!
  Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.
  Great is your mercy, O LORD;
    give me life according to your rules.
  Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
  I look at the faithless with disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
  Consider how I love your precepts!
    Give me life, O LORD, according to your steadfast love.
  The sum of your word is truth,
    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

  Princes persecute me without cause,
    but my heart stands in awe of your words.
  I rejoice at your word
    like one who finds great spoil.
  I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love your law.
  Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous rules.
  Great peace have those who love your law;
    nothing can make them stumble.
  I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
    and I do your commandments.
  My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I love them exceedingly.
  I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    for all my ways are before you.

Taw

  Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
    give me understanding according to your word!
  Let my plea come before you;
    deliver me according to your word.
  My lips will pour forth praise,
    for you teach me your statutes.
  My tongue will sing of your word,
    for all your commandments are right.
  Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
  I long for your salvation, O LORD,
    and your law is my delight.
  Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commandments.