The reading from the book of 2 Samuel.

Now these are the last words of David.

The oracle of David, the son of Jesse,

the oracle of the man who was raised on high,

the anointed of the God of Jacob,

the sweet psalmist of Israel.

The spirit of the Lord speaks by me.

His word is on my tongue.

The God of Israel has spoken. The rock of Israel Lord speaks by me. His word is on my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken,

the rock of Israel has said to me. When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God,

he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,

like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. For does not my house stand so with God, for he is made with me, an everlasting covenant,

ordered in all things and secure, for will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?

But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand, but the man who touches

them, arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they are utterly consumed with fire.

These are the names of the mighty men whom David had, Joshua Boshibeth, a Tekemanite. He was chief

of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time.

And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, son of Ahoy.

He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and

the men of Israel withdrew.

He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the

sword, and the Lord brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to

...