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Notes that are not verse specific
In Michael's comment (2004) we can see that the LORD was displeased with Israel. They had need of repentance before He would deliver them. In fact, I would go as far to say that God was Judging them by the children of Benjamin.
Israel had presumed that they were alright in the sight of the LORD. They had presumed that He would be with them. Yet they were the ones who had set up a rival "house of God" in Laish (see Judges 19 comment). They had fallen into the vilest idolatry and yet were expecting God to ignore this and help them anyway! In 21:19 we see an unbelievable thing. The description in that verse suggests that the Israelites knew virtually nothing about the place where the center of worship should have been, the house of the LORD in Shiloh (Josh 18:1, Judg 18:31). They needed to give directions on how to get to it, and they don't even know the name of the feast that was being held there!
Rob de Jongh [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2005 Reply to Rob
We may wonder why such an event is recorded in Scripture; we must realize that the Bible reveals life as it is, not necessarily the way we would have it. Events such as this slaughter are the way of man. What happened to Benjamin is no worse than many other similar events recorded in history. It finds a place in Scripture because it records the evil ways of man when they are unrestrained. More important however it shows what can happen when man forsakes God.
John Wilson [Toronto West (Can)] Comment added in 2007 Reply to John
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1. Then all the children <1121> of Israel <3478> went out <3318>(8799), and the congregation <5712> was gathered together <6950>(8735) as one <259> man <376>, from Dan <1835> even to Beersheba <884>, with the land <776> of Gilead <1568>, unto the LORD <3068> in Mizpeh <4709>.
2. And the chief <6438> of all the people <5971>, even of all the tribes <7626> of Israel <3478>, presented <3320>(8691) themselves in the assembly <6951> of the people <5971> of God <430>, four <702> hundred <3967> thousand <505> footmen <376> <7273> that drew <8025>(8802) sword <2719>.
3. (Now the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> heard <8085>(8799) that the children <1121> of Israel <3478> were gone up <5927>(8804) to Mizpeh <4709>.) Then said <559>(8799) the children <1121> of Israel <3478>, Tell <1696>(8761) us, how was <1961>(8738) this wickedness <7451>?
4. And the Levite <3881>, the husband <376> of the woman <802> that was slain <7523>(8737), answered <6030>(8799) and said <559>(8799), I came <935>(8804) into Gibeah <1390> that belongeth to Benjamin <1144>, I and my concubine <6370>, to lodge <3885>(8800).
5. And the men <1167> of Gibeah <1390> rose <6965>(8799) against me, and beset <5437> <0> the house <1004> round about <5437>(8799) upon me by night <3915>, and thought <1819>(8765) to have slain <2026>(8800) me: and my concubine <6370> have they forced <6031>(8765), that she is dead <4191>(8799).
6. And I took <270>(8799) my concubine <6370>, and cut her in pieces <5408>(8762), and sent <7971>(8762) her throughout all the country <7704> of the inheritance <5159> of Israel <3478>: for they have committed <6213>(8804) lewdness <2154> and folly <5039> in Israel <3478>.
7. Behold, ye are all children <1121> of Israel <3478>; give <3051>(8798) here <1988> your advice <1697> and counsel <6098>.
8. And all the people <5971> arose <6965>(8799) as one <259> man <376>, saying <559>(8800), We will not any <376> of us go <3212>(8799) to his tent <168>, neither will we any <376> of us turn <5493>(8799) into his house <1004>.
9. But now this shall be the thing <1697> which we will do <6213>(8799) to Gibeah <1390>; we will go up by lot <1486> against it;
10. And we will take <3947>(8804) ten <6235> men <582> of an hundred <3967> throughout all the tribes <7626> of Israel <3478>, and an hundred <3967> of a thousand <505>, and a thousand <505> out of ten thousand <7233>, to fetch <3947>(8800) victual <6720> for the people <5971>, that they may do <6213>(8800), when they come <935>(8800) to Gibeah <1387> of Benjamin <1144>, according to all the folly <5039> that they have wrought <6213>(8804) in Israel <3478>.
11. So all the men <376> of Israel <3478> were gathered <622>(8735) against the city <5892>, knit together <2270> as one <259> man <376>.
12. And the tribes <7626> of Israel <3478> sent <7971>(8799) men <582> through all the tribe <7626> of Benjamin <1144>, saying <559>(8800), What wickedness <7451> is this that is done <1961>(8738) among you?
13. Now therefore deliver <5414>(8798) us the men <582>, the children <1121> of Belial <1100>, which are in Gibeah <1390>, that we may put them to death <4191>(8686), and put away <1197>(8762) evil <7451> from Israel <3478>. But the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> would <14>(8804) not hearken <8085>(8800) to the voice <6963> of their brethren <251> the children <1121> of Israel <3478>:
14. But the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> gathered themselves together <622>(8735) out of the cities <5892> unto Gibeah <1390>, to go out <3318>(8800) to battle <4421> against the children <1121> of Israel <3478>.
15. And the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> were numbered <6485>(8691) at that time <3117> out of the cities <5892> twenty <6242> and six <8337> thousand <505> men <376> that drew <8025>(8802) sword <2719>, beside the inhabitants <3427>(8802) of Gibeah <1390>, which were numbered <6485>(8694) seven <7651> hundred <3967> chosen <977>(8803) men <376>.
16. Among all this people <5971> there were seven <7651> hundred <3967> chosen <977>(8803) men <376> lefthanded <334> <3027> <3225>; every one could sling <7049>(8802) stones <68> at an hair <8185> breadth, and not miss <2398>(8686).
17. And the men <376> of Israel <3478>, beside Benjamin <1144>, were numbered <6485>(8694) four <702> hundred <3967> thousand <505> men <376> that drew <8025>(8802) sword <2719>: all these were men <376> of war <4421>.
18. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> arose <6965>(8799), and went up <5927>(8799) to the house <1004> of God <430>(8677) <1008>, and asked <7592>(8799) counsel of God <430>, and said <559>(8799), Which <4310> of us shall go up <5927>(8799) first <8462> to the battle <4421> against the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144>? And the LORD <3068> said <559>(8799), Judah <3063> shall go up first <8462>.
19. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> rose up <6965>(8799) in the morning <1242>, and encamped <2583>(8799) against Gibeah <1390>.
20. And the men <376> of Israel <3478> went out <3318>(8799) to battle <4421> against Benjamin <1144>; and the men <376> of Israel <3478> put themselves in array <6186>(8799) to fight <4421> against them at Gibeah <1390>.
21. And the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> came forth <3318>(8799) out of Gibeah <1390>, and destroyed down <7843>(8686) to the ground <776> of the Israelites <3478> that day <3117> twenty <6242> and two <8147> thousand <505> men <376>.
22. And the people <5971> the men <376> of Israel <3478> encouraged <2388>(8691) themselves, and set their battle <4421> again <3254>(8686) in array <6186>(8800) in the place <4725> where they put themselves in array <6186>(8804) the first <7223> day <3117>.
23. (And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> went up <5927>(8799) and wept <1058>(8799) before <6440> the LORD <3068> until even <6153>, and asked <7592>(8799) counsel of the LORD <3068>, saying <559>(8800), Shall I go up <5066>(8800) again <3254>(8686) to battle <4421> against the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> my brother <251>? And the LORD <3068> said <559>(8799), Go up <5927>(8798) against him.)
24. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> came near <7126>(8799) against the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> the second <8145> day <3117>.
25. And Benjamin <1144> went forth <3318>(8799) against <7125>(8800) them out of Gibeah <1390> the second <8145> day <3117>, and destroyed down <7843>(8686) to the ground <776> of the children <1121> of Israel <3478> again eighteen <8083> <6240> thousand <505> men <376>; all these drew <8025>(8802) the sword <2719>.
26. Then all the children <1121> of Israel <3478>, and all the people <5971>, went up <5927>(8799), and came <935>(8799) unto the house <1004> of God <430>(8677) <1008>, and wept <1058>(8799), and sat <3427>(8799) there before <6440> the LORD <3068>, and fasted <6684>(8799) that day <3117> until even <6153>, and offered <5927>(8686) burnt offerings <5930> and peace offerings <8002> before <6440> the LORD <3068>.
27. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> enquired <7592>(8799) of the LORD <3068>, (for the ark <727> of the covenant <1285> of God <430> was there in those days <3117>,
28. And Phinehas <6372>, the son <1121> of Eleazar <499>, the son <1121> of Aaron <175>, stood <5975>(8802) before <6440> it in those days <3117>,) saying <559>(8800), Shall I yet again <3254>(8686) go out <3318>(8800) to battle <4421> against the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> my brother <251>, or shall I cease <2308>(8799)? And the LORD <3068> said <559>(8799), Go up <5927>(8798); for to morrow <4279> I will deliver <5414>(8799) them into thine hand <3027>.
29. And Israel <3478> set <7760>(8799) liers in wait <693>(8802) round about <5439> Gibeah <1390>.
30. And the children <1121> of Israel <3478> went up <5927>(8799) against the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> on the third <7992> day <3117>, and put themselves in array <6186>(8799) against Gibeah <1390>, as at other times <6471>.
31. And the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> went out <3318>(8799) against <7125>(8800) the people <5971>, and were drawn away <5423>(8717) from the city <5892>; and they began <2490>(8686) to smite <5221>(8687) of the people <5971>, and kill <2491>, as at other times <6471>, in the highways <4546>, of which one <259> goeth up <5927>(8802) to the house <1004> of God <430>(8677) <1008>, and the other <259> to Gibeah <1390> in the field <7704>, about thirty <7970> men <376> of Israel <3478>.
32. And the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> said <559>(8799), They are smitten down <5062>(8737) before <6440> us, as at the first <7223>. But the children <1121> of Israel <3478> said <559>(8804), Let us flee <5127>(8799), and draw <5423>(8804) them from the city <5892> unto the highways <4546>.
33. And all the men <376> of Israel <3478> rose up <6965>(8804) out of their place <4725>, and put themselves in array <6186>(8799) at Baaltamar <1193>: and the liers in wait <693>(8802) of Israel <3478> came forth <1518>(8688) out of their places <4725>, even out of the meadows <4629> of Gibeah <1387>.
34. And there came <935>(8799) against <5048> Gibeah <1390> ten <6235> thousand <505> chosen <977>(8803) men <376> out of all Israel <3478>, and the battle <4421> was sore <3513>(8804): but they knew <3045>(8804) not that evil <7451> was near <5060>(8802) them.
35. And the LORD <3068> smote <5062>(8799) Benjamin <1144> before <6440> Israel <3478>: and the children <1121> of Israel <3478> destroyed <7843>(8686) of the Benjamites <1145> that day <3117> twenty <6242> and five <2568> thousand <505> and an hundred <3967> men <376>: all these drew <8025>(8802) the sword <2719>.
36. So the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144> saw <7200>(8799) that they were smitten <5062>(8738): for the men <376> of Israel <3478> gave <5414>(8799) place <4725> to the Benjamites <1145>, because they trusted <982>(8804) unto the liers in wait <693>(8802) which they had set <7760>(8804) beside Gibeah <1390>.
37. And the liers in wait <693>(8802) hasted <2363>(8689), and rushed <6584>(8799) upon Gibeah <1390>; and the liers in wait <693>(8802) drew themselves along <4900>(8799), and smote <5221>(8686) all the city <5892> with the edge <6310> of the sword <2719>.
38. Now there was an appointed sign <4150> between the men <376> of Israel <3478> and <5973> the liers in wait <693>(8802), that they should make a great <7235>(8685) flame <4864> with smoke <6227> rise up <5927>(8687) out of the city <5892>.
39. And when the men <376> of Israel <3478> retired <2015>(8799) in the battle <4421>, Benjamin <1144> began <2490>(8689) to smite <5221>(8687) and kill <2491> of the men <376> of Israel <3478> about thirty <7970> persons <376>: for they said <559>(8804), Surely <5062>(8736) they are smitten down <5062>(8737) before <6440> us, as in the first <7223> battle <4421>.
40. But when the flame <4864> began <2490>(8689) to arise up <5927>(8800) out of the city <5892> with a pillar <5982> of smoke <6227>, the Benjamites <1145> looked <6437>(8799) behind <310> them, and, behold, the flame <3632> of the city <5892> ascended up <5927>(8804) to heaven <8064>.
41. And when the men <376> of Israel <3478> turned again <2015>(8804), the men <376> of Benjamin <1144> were amazed <926>(8735): for they saw <7200>(8804) that evil <7451> was come <5060>(8804) upon them.
42. Therefore they turned <6437>(8799) their backs before <6440> the men <376> of Israel <3478> unto the way <1870> of the wilderness <4057>; but the battle <4421> overtook <1692>(8689) them; and them which came out of the cities <5892> they destroyed <7843>(8688) in the midst <8432> of them.
43. Thus they inclosed <3803>(8765) the Benjamites <1145> round about <3803>(8765), and chased <7291>(8689) them, and trode them down <1869>(8689) with ease <4496> over against <5227> Gibeah <1390> toward the sunrising <4217> <8121>.
44. And there fell <5307>(8799) of Benjamin <1144> eighteen <8083> <6240> thousand <505> men <376>; all these were men <582> of valour <2428>.
45. And they turned <6437>(8799) and fled <5127>(8799) toward the wilderness <4057> unto the rock <5553> of Rimmon <7417>: and they gleaned <5953>(8779) of them in the highways <4546> five <2568> thousand <505> men <376>; and pursued <1692>(8686) hard after <310> them unto Gidom <1440>, and slew <5221>(8686) two thousand <505> men <376> of them.
46. So that all which fell <5307>(8802) that day <3117> of Benjamin <1144> were twenty <6242> and five <2568> thousand <505> men <376> that drew <8025>(8802) the sword <2719>; all these were men <582> of valour <2428>.
47. But six <8337> hundred <3967> men <376> turned <6437>(8799) and fled <5127>(8799) to the wilderness <4057> unto the rock <5553> Rimmon <7417>, and abode <3427>(8799) in the rock <5553> Rimmon <7417> four <702> months <2320>.
48. And the men <376> of Israel <3478> turned again <7725>(8804) upon the children <1121> of Benjamin <1144>, and smote <5221>(8686) them with the edge <6310> of the sword <2719>, as well the men <4974> of every city <5892>, as <5704> the beast <929>, and all that came to hand <4672>(8737): also they set <7971>(8765) on fire <784> all the cities <5892> that they came to <4672>(8737).
Notes that are not verse specific
How did Jesus study this chapter?
When deciding what this chapter means don't forget that it is written in the context of Isa 1:1
"The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken,... Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward." Isa 1:1-4
So while this is ultimately a prophecy fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is initially concerned with Judah and Jerusalem. It speaks of the birth of Hezekiah, a King who would be God's servant to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. When viewed in this way the chapter makes perfect sense in the context of the rest of Isaiah, and the book of Isaiah itself begins to make sense rather than being a seemingly random collection of prophecies.
How would Jesus have read this? I don't think he would have thought "this is about me", and applied it to predict what might happen in his own life. Instead he would study it in the context of that amazing time period where God delivered Jerusalem through Hezekiah's work. He would use this prophecy to learn about the man Hezekiah, how he reacted to the situation, and how God reacted to him. Having done this, he obtained food for thought which he could apply to his own life. There is a big difference in these two approaches. Using the first we only gain some information. Using the second approach gives spiritual food which in turn provokes spiritual actions.
Rob de Jongh [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2014 Reply to Rob
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1. Behold my servant <5650>, whom I uphold <8551>(8799); mine elect <972>, in whom my soul <5315> delighteth <7521>(8804); I have put <5414>(8804) my spirit <7307> upon him: he shall bring forth <3318>(8686) judgment <4941> to the Gentiles <1471>.
2. He shall not cry <6817>(8799), nor lift up <5375>(8799), nor cause his voice <6963> to be heard <8085>(8686) in the street <2351>.
3. A bruised <7533>(8803) reed <7070> shall he not break <7665>(8799), and the smoking <3544> flax <6594> shall he not quench <3518>(8762): he shall bring forth <3318>(8686) judgment <4941> unto truth <571>.
4. He shall not fail <3543>(8799) nor be discouraged <7533>(8799), till he have set <7760>(8799) judgment <4941> in the earth <776>: and the isles <339> shall wait <3176>(8762) for his law <8451>.
5. Thus saith <559>(8804) God <410> the LORD <3068>, he that created <1254>(8802) the heavens <8064>, and stretched them out <5186>(8802); he that spread forth <7554>(8802) the earth <776>, and that which cometh out <6631> of it; he that giveth <5414>(8802) breath <5397> unto the people <5971> upon it, and spirit <7307> to them that walk <1980>(8802) therein:
6. I the LORD <3068> have called <7121>(8804) thee in righteousness <6664>, and will hold <2388>(8686) thine hand <3027>, and will keep <5341>(8799) thee, and give <5414>(8799) thee for a covenant <1285> of the people <5971>, for a light <216> of the Gentiles <1471>;
7. To open <6491>(8800) the blind <5787> eyes <5869>, to bring out <3318>(8687) the prisoners <616> from the prison <4525>, and them that sit <3427>(8802) in darkness <2822> out of the prison <3608> house <1004>.
8. I am the LORD <3068>: that is my name <8034>: and my glory <3519> will I not give <5414>(8799) to another <312>, neither my praise <8416> to graven images <6456>.
9. Behold, the former things <7223> are come to pass <935>(8804), and new things <2319> do I declare <5046>(8688): before they spring forth <6779>(8799) I tell <8085>(8686) you of them.
10. Sing <7891>(8798) unto the LORD <3068> a new <2319> song <7892>, and his praise <8416> from the end <7097> of the earth <776>, ye that go down <3381>(8802) to the sea <3220>, and all that is therein <4393>; the isles <339>, and the inhabitants <3427>(8802) thereof.
11. Let the wilderness <4057> and the cities <5892> thereof lift up <5375>(8799) their voice, the villages <2691> that Kedar <6938> doth inhabit <3427>(8799): let the inhabitants <3427>(8802) of the rock <5553> sing <7442>(8799), let them shout <6681>(8799) from the top <7218> of the mountains <2022>.
12. Let them give <7760>(8799) glory <3519> unto the LORD <3068>, and declare <5046>(8686) his praise <8416> in the islands <339>.
13. The LORD <3068> shall go forth <3318>(8799) as a mighty man <1368>, he shall stir up <5782>(8686) jealousy <7068> like a man <376> of war <4421>: he shall cry <7321>(8686), yea, roar <6873>(8686); he shall prevail <1396>(8691) against his enemies <341>(8802).
14. I have long time <5769> holden my peace <2814>(8689); I have been still <2790>(8686), and refrained <662>(8691) myself: now will I cry <6463>(8799) like a travailing woman <3205>(8802); I will destroy <5395>(8799)(8676) <8074>(8799) and devour <7602>(8799) at once <3162>.
15. I will make waste <2717>(8686) mountains <2022> and hills <1389>, and dry up <3001>(8686) all their herbs <6212>; and I will make <7760>(8804) the rivers <5104> islands <339>, and I will dry up <3001>(8686) the pools <98>.
16. And I will bring <3212>(8689) the blind <5787> by a way <1870> that they knew <3045>(8804) not; I will lead <1869>(8686) them in paths <5410> that they have not known <3045>(8804): I will make <7760>(8799) darkness <4285> light <216> before <6440> them, and crooked things <4625> straight <4334>. These things <1697> will I do <6213>(8804) unto them, and not forsake <5800>(8804) them.
17. They shall be turned <5472>(8738) back <268>, they shall be greatly <1322> ashamed <954>(8799), that trust <982>(8802) in graven images <6459>, that say <559>(8802) to the molten images <4541>, Ye are our gods <430>.
18. Hear <8085>(8798), ye deaf <2795>; and look <5027>(8685), ye blind <5787>, that ye may see <7200>(8800).
19. Who is blind <5787>, but my servant <5650>? or deaf <2795>, as my messenger <4397> that I sent <7971>(8799)? who is blind <5787> as he that is perfect <7999>(8794), and blind <5787> as the LORD'S <3068> servant <5650>?
20. Seeing <7200>(8800)(8675) <7200>(8804) many things <7227>, but thou observest <8104>(8799) not; opening <6491>(8800) the ears <241>, but he heareth <8085>(8799) not.
21. The LORD <3068> is well pleased <2654>(8804) for his righteousness <6664>' sake; he will magnify <1431>(8686) the law <8451>, and make it honourable <142>(8686).
22. But this is a people <5971> robbed <962>(8803) and spoiled <8154>(8803); they are all of them snared <6351>(8687) in holes <2352>(8676) <970>, and they are hid <2244>(8717) in prison <3608> houses <1004>: they are for a prey <957>, and none delivereth <5337>(8688); for a spoil <4933>, and none saith <559>(8802), Restore <7725>(8685).
23. Who among you will give ear <238>(8686) to this? who will hearken <7181>(8686) and hear <8085>(8799) for the time to come <268>?
24. Who gave <5414>(8804) Jacob <3290> for a spoil <4933>(8675) <4882>, and Israel <3478> to the robbers <962>(8802)? did not the LORD <3068>, he against whom <2098> we have sinned <2398>(8804)? for they would <14>(8804) not walk <1980>(8800) in his ways <1870>, neither were they obedient <8085>(8804) unto his law <8451>.
25. Therefore he hath poured <8210>(8799) upon him the fury <2534> of his anger <639>, and the strength <5807> of battle <4421>: and it hath set him on fire <3857>(8762) round about <5439>, yet he knew <3045>(8804) not; and it burned <1197>(8799) him, yet he laid <7760>(8799) it not to heart <3820>.
Notes that are not verse specific
V14 John takes us back to Mic 7:18
It can be hard sometimes to forgive ourselves yet we must remember it is the lords pleasure to show us mercy providing of course we are not to proud to ask for it. v19 of Micah 7 tells us our sins will be cast to the depths of the sea. If only we could show each other so much mercy yet we never forget those who offend us do we?
stephen cox [Sedgley UK] Comment added in 2013 Reply to stephen
vv 14,15 “If we ask any thing, according to his will, he hears us … whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him”. This statement seems a tautology – we ask for something that God has already chosen to do because it is part of His will. So why pray for something that will happen anyway? And how do we know what God's will is, prior to making a prayer request, so that we don't unwittingly pray for something that God has already ruled out?
How do we resolve these problems?
Suggested response: God’s will is not always fixed – it may embrace a range of of possibilities that God is prepared to consider. Prayer requests are considered by God on two bases:
1. whether the request fits into God's broad plan; and
2. the character of the person making the request
So can we find evidence that God’s will has been altered by prayer? Yes, but not always. Consider the following examples
• Abraham asked that Sodom be spared even if only 10 righteous people were in it (Gen 18:32). God agreed.
• Moses pleaded with God for 40 days and nights that God reverse His decision to wipe out Israel after their apostate behaviour with the golden calf. (Exodus 32:11-14). God relented.
• God did not destroy Nineveh when it repented (Jonah 3:4,10).
• Paul asked three times that the thorn in the flesh be removed (2 Cor 12:8,9). God said No.
• Jesus three times pleaded that God consider an alternative to crucifixion within His plan for salvation. Jesus acknowledged that any alternative may not accord with God’s will. “My Father, IF IT BE POSSIBLE let this cup pass from me [that is, if it can be accommodated within Your will, please consider a less traumatic alternative]; NEVERTHELESS, NOT AS I WILL BUT AS YOU WILL”. (Matt 26:39-44). God did not change His will that Jesus die by crucifixion.
• Job’s character impressed God such that only Job’s intercessory prayer prevented God from punishing Job’s three friends “for I will accept [Job’s] prayer not to deal with you according to your folly” (Job 42:8,9)
• God intervened to save Israel from certain destruction because of the integrity of Jehoshaphat (2 Kings 3:14)
• Hezekiah’s prayer prevented an invasion by Sennacherib, King of Assyria, “BECAUSE you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib … he will not come into this city (Isaiah 37: 21,34). The implication is that had Hezekiah not prayed, Sennacherib would have invaded.
Bruce Bates [Forbes Australia] Comment added in 2022 Reply to Bruce
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1. Whosoever <3956> believeth <4100>(5723) that <3754> Jesus <2424> is <2076>(5748) the Christ <5547> is born <1080>(5769) of <1537> God <2316>: and <2532> every one <3956> that loveth <25>(5723) him that begat <1080>(5660) loveth <25>(5719)(5725) him also <2532> that is begotten <1080>(5772) of <1537> him <846>.
2. By <1722> this <5129> we know <1097>(5719) that <3754> we love <25>(5719) the children <5043> of God <2316>, when <3752> we love <25>(5719) God <2316>, and <2532> keep <5083>(5725) his <846> commandments <1785>.
3. For <1063> this <3778> is <2076>(5748) the love <26> of God <2316>, that <2443> we keep <5083>(5725) his <846> commandments <1785>: and <2532> his <846> commandments <1785> are <1526>(5748) not <3756> grievous <926>.
4. For <3754> whatsoever <3956> is born <1080>(5772) of <1537> God <2316> overcometh <3528>(5719) the world <2889>: and <2532> this <3778> is <2076>(5748) the victory <3529> that overcometh <3528>(5660) the world <2889>, even our <2257> faith <4102>.
5. Who <5101> is <2076>(5748) he that overcometh <3528>(5723) the world <2889>, but <1508> he that believeth <4100>(5723) that <3754> Jesus <2424> is <2076>(5748) the Son <5207> of God <2316>?
6. This <3778> is <2076>(5748) he that came <2064>(5631) by <1223> water <5204> and <2532> blood <129>, even Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>; not <3756> by <1722> water <5204> only <3440>, but <235> by <1722> water <5204> and <2532> blood <129>. And <2532> it is <2076>(5748) the Spirit <4151> that beareth witness <3140>(5723), because <3754> the Spirit <4151> is <2076>(5748) truth <225>.
7. For <3754> there are <1526>(5748) three <5140> that bear record <3140>(5723) in <1722> heaven <3772>, the Father <3962>, the Word <3056>, and <2532> the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>: and <2532> these <3778> three <5140> are <1526>(5748) one <1520>.
8. And <2532> there are <1526>(5748) three <5140> that bear witness <3140>(5723) in <1722> earth <1093>, the Spirit <4151>, and <2532> the water <5204>, and <2532> the blood <129>: and <2532> these three <5140> agree <1526>(5748) in <1519> one <1520>.
9. If <1487> we receive <2983>(5719) the witness <3141> of men <444>, the witness <3141> of God <2316> is <2076>(5748) greater <3187>: for <3754> this <3778> is <2076>(5748) the witness <3141> of God <2316> which <3739> he hath testified <3140>(5758) of <4012> his <848> Son <5207>.
10. He that believeth <4100>(5723) on <1519> the Son <5207> of God <2316> hath <2192>(5719) the witness <3141> in <1722> himself <1438>: he that believeth <4100>(5723) not <3361> God <2316> hath made <4160>(5758) him <846> a liar <5583>; because <3754> he believeth <4100>(5758) not <3756> <1519> the record <3141> that <3739> God <2316> gave <3140>(5758) of <4012> his <848> Son <5207>.
11. And <2532> this <3778> is <2076>(5748) the record <3141>, that <3754> God <2316> hath given <1325>(5656) to us <2254> eternal <166> life <2222>, and <2532> this <3778> life <2222> is <2076>(5748) in <1722> his <846> Son <5207>.
12. He that hath <2192>(5723) the Son <5207> hath <2192>(5719) life <2222>; and he that hath <2192>(5723) not <3361> the Son <5207> of God <2316> hath <2192>(5719) not <3756> life <2222>.
13. These things <5023> have I written <1125>(5656) unto you <5213> that believe <4100>(5723) on <1519> the name <3686> of the Son <5207> of God <2316>; that <2443> ye may know <1492>(5762) that ye <3754> have <2192>(5719) eternal <166> life <2222>, and <2532> that <2443> ye may believe <4100>(5725) on <1519> the name <3686> of the Son <5207> of God <2316>.
14. And <2532> this <3778> is <2076>(5748) the confidence <3954> that <3739> we have <2192>(5719) in <4314> him <846>, that <3754>, if <1437> we ask <154>(5735) any thing <5100> according <2596> to his <846> will <2307>, he heareth <191>(5719) us <2257>:
15. And <2532> if <1437> we know <1492>(5758) that <3754> he hear <191>(5719) us <2257>, whatsoever <3739> <302> we ask <154>(5735), we know <1492>(5758) that <3754> we have <2192>(5719) the petitions <155> that we desired <154>(5758) of <3844> him <846>.
16. If <1437> any man <5100> see <1492>(5632) his <848> brother <80> sin <264>(5723) a sin <266> which is not <3361> unto <4314> death <2288>, he shall ask <154>(5692), and <2532> he shall give <1325>(5692) him <846> life <2222> for them that sin <264>(5723) not <3361> unto <4314> death <2288>. There is <2076>(5748) a sin <266> unto <4314> death <2288>: I do not <3756> say <3004>(5719) that <2443> he shall pray <2065>(5661) for <4012> it <1565>.
17. All <3956> unrighteousness <93> is <2076>(5748) sin <266>: and <2532> there is <2076>(5748) a sin <266> not <3756> unto <4314> death <2288>.
18. We know <1492>(5758) that <3754> whosoever <3956> is born <1080>(5772) of <1537> God <2316> sinneth <264>(5719) not <3756>; but <235> he that is begotten <1080>(5685) of <1537> God <2316> keepeth <5083>(5719) himself <1438>, and <2532> that wicked one <4190> toucheth <680>(5731) him <846> not <3756>.
19. And we know <1492>(5758) that <3754> we are <2070>(5748) of <1537> God <2316>, and <2532> the whole <3650> world <2889> lieth <2749>(5736) in <1722> wickedness <4190>.
20. And <1161> we know <1492>(5758) that <3754> the Son <5207> of God <2316> is come <2240>(5719), and <2532> hath given <1325>(5758) us <2254> an understanding <1271>, that <2443> we may know <1097>(5725) him that is true <228>, and <2532> we are <2070>(5748) in <1722> him that is true <228>, even in <1722> his <846> Son <5207> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>. This <3778> is <2076>(5748) the true <228> God <2316>, and <2532> eternal <166> life <2222>.
21. Little children <5040>, keep <5442>(5657) yourselves <1438> from <575> idols <1497>. Amen <281>.