Quotes About Community

because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day.

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ëYou will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.í”

David again assembled the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand in all.

while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ramís horn.

When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Hosts.

Then he distributed to every man and woman among the multitude of Israel a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. And all the people departed, each for his own home.

In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ëWhy havenít you built Me a house of cedar?í

And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning

Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them.

And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?”

And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”

So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house,

and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.

“March on then,” said David to Ittai. So Ittai the Gittite marched past with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.

“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain.

They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

But the people pleaded, “You must not go out! For if we have to flee, they will pay no attention to us. Even if half of us die, they will not care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better for now if you support us from the city.”

Now therefore get up! Go out and speak comfort to your servants, for I swear by the LORD that if you do not go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the adversity that has befallen you from your youth until now!”

So the king got up and sat in the gate, and all the people were told: “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” So they all came before the king. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled, each man to his home.

You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?í

So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants.”