Read Scripture In A Year: May 3

Passage 1: Deuteronomy 20

(Deu 20:1) When thou shalt go forth to warre against thine enemies, and shalt see horses and charets, and people moe then thou, be not afrayde of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt.

(Notes Reference) When (a) thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, [and] a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

(a) Meaning, upon just occasion: for God does not permit his people to fight every time it seems good to them.

(Deu 20:2) And when ye are come neere vnto the battel, then the Priest shall come forth to speake vnto the people,

(Deu 20:3) And shall say vnto them, Heare, O Israel: ye are come this day vnto battell against your enemies: let not your heartes faynt, neither feare, nor be amased, nor adread of them.

(Deu 20:4) For ye Lord your God goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, and to saue you

(Notes Reference) For the LORD your God [is] he that (b) goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

(b) Is present to defend you with his grace and power.

(Deu 20:5) And let the officers speake vnto the people, saying, What man is there that hath buylt a new house, and hath not dedicate it? let him go and returne to his house, least he dye in the battel, and an other man dedicate it.

(Notes Reference) And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man [is there] that hath built a new house, and hath not (c) dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

(c) For when they first entered to dwell in a house, they gave thanks to God, acknowledging that they had that benefit by his grace.

(Deu 20:6) And what man is there that hath planted a vineyarde, and hath not eaten of the fruite? let him go and returne againe vnto his house, least he die in the battel, and another eate the fruite.

(Notes Reference) And what man [is he] that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not [yet] (d) eaten of it? let him [also] go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.

(d) The Hebrew word signifies to make common or profane, (Lev_19:25)

(Deu 20:7) And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and returne againe vnto his house, lest he die in the battell, and another man take her.

(Deu 20:8) And let the officers speake further vnto the people, and say, Whosoeuer is afrayde and faynt hearted, let him go and returne vnto his house, least his brethrens heart faynt like his heart.

(Deu 20:9) And after that the officers haue made an ende of speaking vnto the people, they shall make captaines of the armie to gouerne the people.

(Deu 20:10) When thou commest neere vnto a citie to fight against it, thou shalt offer it peace.

(Deu 20:11) And if it answere thee againe peaceably, and open vnto thee, then let all the people that is founde therein, be tributaries vnto thee, and serue thee.

(Notes Reference) And it shall be, if it make thee answer of (e) peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, [that] all the people [that is] found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.

(e) If it accept peace.

(Deu 20:12) But if it will make no peace with thee, but make war against thee, then shalt thou besiege it.

(Deu 20:13) And the Lord thy God shall deliuer it into thine handes, and thou shalt smite all the males thereof with the edge of the sworde.

(Deu 20:14) Onely the women, and the children, and the cattel, and all that is in the citie, euen all the spoyle thereof shalt thou take vnto thy selfe, and shalt eate the spoyle of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath giuen thee.

(Deu 20:15) Thus shalt thou do vnto all ye cities, which are a great way off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations here.

(Notes Reference) Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities [which are] very far off from thee, which [are] not of the cities of these (f) nations.

(f) For God had appointed the Canaanites to be destroyed, and made the Israelites the executers of his will, (Deu_7:1).

(Deu 20:16) But of the cities of this people, which the Lord thy God shall giue thee to inherite, thou shalt saue no person aliue,

(Deu 20:17) But shalt vtterly destroy them: to wit, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hiuites, and the Iebusites, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee,

(Deu 20:18) That they teache you not to doe after all their abominations, which they haue done vnto their gods, and so ye should sinne against the Lord your God.

(Deu 20:19) When thou hast besieged a citie long time, and made warre against it to take it, destroy not the trees therof, by smiting an axe into them: for thou mayest eate of them: therfore thou shalt not cut them downe to further thee in the siege, (for the tree of the field is mans life)

(Notes Reference) When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the (g) tree of the field [is] man's [life]) to employ [them] in the siege:

(g) Some read: For man shall be instead of the tree of the field, to come out in the siege against you.

(Deu 20:20) Onely those trees, which thou knowest are not for meate, those shalt thou destroy and cut downe, and make fortes against the citie that maketh warre with thee, vntil thou subdue it.

Passage 2: Ecclesiastes 12

(Ecc 12:1) Remember nowe thy Creator in the daies of thy youth, whiles the euill daies come not, nor the yeeres approche, wherein thou shalt say, I haue no pleasure in them:

(Ecc 12:2) Whiles the sunne is not darke, nor ye light, nor the moone, nor the starres, nor the cloudes returne after the raine:

(Notes Reference) While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, are not darkened, nor the (a) clouds return after the rain:

(a) Before you come to a continual misery: for when the clouds remain after the rain, man's grief is increased.

(Ecc 12:3) When the keepers of ye house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow them selues, and the grinders shall cease, because they are few, and they waxe darke that looke out by ye windowes:

(Notes Reference) In the day when the (b) keepers of the house shall tremble, and the (c) strong men shall bow themselves, and the (d) grinders cease because they are few, and those that (e) look out of the windows shall be darkened,

(b) The hands which keep the body.

(d) The teeth.

(e) The eyes.

(Ecc 12:4) And the doores shall be shut without by the base sound of the grinding, and he shall rise vp at the voice of the birde: and all the daughters of singing shall be abased.

(Notes Reference) And the (f) doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the (g) grinding shall be low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the (h) bird, and all the (i) daughters of music shall be brought low;

(f) The lips or mouth.

(g) When the jaws will scarce open and not be able to chew any more.

(h) He will not be able to sleep.

(i) That is the wind pipes or the ears will be deaf and not able to hear singing.

(Ecc 12:5) Also they shalbe afraide of the hie thing, and feare shalbe in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grassehopper shall be a burden, and concupiscence shall be driuen away: for man goeth to the house of his age, and the mourners goe about in the streete.

(Notes Reference) Also [when] they shall be afraid of [that which is] (k) high, and fears [shall be] in the (l) way, and the almond tree shall (m) flourish, and the (n) grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

(k) To climb high because of their weakness, or they stoop down as though they were afraid lest anything should hide them.

(l) They will tremble as they go, as though they were afraid.

(m) Their head will be as white as the blossoms of an almond tree.

(n) They will be able to bear nothing.

(Ecc 12:6) Whiles the siluer coarde is not lengthened, nor the golden ewer broken, nor the pitcher broken at the well, nor the wheele broken at the cisterne:

(Notes Reference) Or ever the (o) silver cord shall be loosed, or the golden (p) bowl be broken, or the (q) pitcher be broken at the (r) fountain, or the (s) wheel broken at the (t) cistern.

(o) Meaning, the marrow of the backbone and the sinews.

(p) The little skin that covers the brain, which is in colour like gold.

(q) That is, the veins.

(r) Meaning the liver.

(s) Which is the head.

(t) That is, the heart out of which the head draws the powers of life.

(Ecc 12:7) And dust returne to the earth as it was, and the spirit returne to God that gaue it.

(Notes Reference) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the (u) spirit shall return to God who gave it.

(u) The soul unconsciously goes either to joy or torment, and sleeps not as the wicked imagine.

(Ecc 12:8) Vanitie of vanities, saieth the Preacher, all is vanitie.

(Ecc 12:9) And the more wise the Preacher was, the more he taught the people knowledge, and caused them to heare, and searched foorth, and prepared many parables.

(Ecc 12:10) The Preacher sought to finde out pleasant wordes, and an vpright writing, euen the wordes of trueth.

(Ecc 12:11) The wordes of the wise are like goads, and like nailes fastened by the masters of the assemblies, which are giuen by one pastour.

(Notes Reference) The words of the wise [are] as goads, and as nails (x) fastened [by] the masters of assemblies, [which] are given from one (y) shepherd.

(x) Which are well applied by the ministers, whom he calls masters.

(y) That is by God.

(Ecc 12:12) And of other things beside these, my sone, take thou heede: for there is none ende in making many bookes, and much reading is a wearines of the flesh.

(Notes Reference) And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many (z) books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh.

(z) These things cannot be comprehended in books or learned by study, but God must instruct your heart that you may only know that wisdom is the true happiness and the way to it is to fear God.

(Ecc 12:13) Let vs heare the end of all: feare God and keepe his commandements: for this is the whole duetie of man.

(Ecc 12:14) For God will bring euery worke vnto iudgement, with euery secret thing, whether it be good or euill.

Passage 3: Acts 11-12

(Act 11:1) Nowe the Apostles and the brethren that were in Iudea, heard, that the Gentiles had also receiued the worde of God.

(Notes Reference) And (1) the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

(1) Peter, being reprehended without reason by the unskilful and ignorant, does not object and say that he should not be judged by any, but openly gives an account of his actions.

(Act 11:2) And when Peter was come vp to Hierusalem, they of the circumcision contended against him,

(Act 11:3) Saying, Thou wentest in to men vncircumcised, and hast eaten with them.

(Act 11:4) Then Peter beganne, and expounded the thing in order to them, saying,

(Act 11:5) I was in the citie of Ioppa, praying, and in a trance I sawe this vision, A certaine vessell comming downe as it had bene a great sheete, let downe from heauen by the foure corners, and it came to me.

(Act 11:6) Towarde the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and sawe foure footed beastes of the earth, and wilde beastes, and creeping things, and foules of the heauen.

(Act 11:7) Also I heard a voyce, saying vnto me, Arise, Peter: slay and eate.

(Act 11:8) And I said, God forbid, Lord: for nothing polluted or vncleane hath at any time entred into my mouth.

(Act 11:9) But the voyce answered me the seconde time from heauen, The things that God hath purified, pollute thou not.

(Act 11:10) And this was done three times, and all were taken vp againe into heauen.

(Act 11:11) Then behold, immediatly there were three men already come vnto the house where I was, sent from Cesarea vnto me.

(Act 11:12) And the Spirit saide vnto me, that I should go with them, without doubting: moreouer these sixe brethren came with me, and we entred into the mans house.

(Act 11:13) And he shewed vs, howe he had seene an Angel in his house, which stoode and said to him, Send men to Ioppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter.

(Act 11:14) He shall speake wordes vnto thee, whereby both thou and all thine house shalbe saued.

(Act 11:15) And as I began to speake, the holy Ghost fell on them, euen as vpon vs at the beginning.

(Act 11:16) Then I remembred the word of the Lord, howe he said, Iohn baptized with water, but ye shalbe baptized with the holy Ghost.

(Act 11:17) For as much then as God gaue them a like gift, as he did vnto vs, when we beleeued in the Lord Iesus Christ, who was I, that I coulde let God?

(Act 11:18) When they heard these things, they helde their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles graunted repentance vnto life.

(Notes Reference) (2) When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

(2) Those who ask a question of the truth which they do not know, ought to be quietly heard, and must also quietly yield to the declaration of the truth.

(Act 11:19) And they which were scattered abroade because of the affliction that arose about Steuen, went throughout till they came vnto Phenice and Cyprus, and Antiochia, preaching the worde to no man, but vnto the Iewes onely.

(Notes Reference) (3) Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and (a) Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

(3) The scattering abroad of Jerusalem is the cause of the gathering together of many other churches.

(a) He speaks of Antioch which was in Syria and bordered upon Cilicia.

(Act 11:20) Now some of them were men of Cyprus and of Cyrene, which when they were come into Antiochia, spake vnto the Grecians, and preached the Lord Iesus.

(Notes Reference) (4) And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

(4) The church of Antioch, the new Jerusalem of the Gentiles, was extraordinarily called.

(Act 11:21) And the hand of the Lord was with them, so that a great number beleeued and turned vnto the Lord.

(Act 11:22) Then tydings of those things came vnto the eares of the Church, which was in Hierusalem, and they sent foorth Barnabas, that he should goe vnto Antiochia.

(Notes Reference) (5) Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

(5) The apostles do not rashly condemn an extraordinary calling, but instead they judge it by the effects.

(Act 11:23) Who when he was come and had seene the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted all, that with purpose of heart they would continue in the Lord.

(Act 11:24) For he was a good man, and full of the holy Ghost, and faith, and much people ioyned them selues vnto the Lord.

(Act 11:25) Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus to seeke Saul:

(Notes Reference) (6) Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

(6) There was no contention amongst the apostles, either with regard to usurping, or with regard to holding places of degree.

(Act 11:26) And when he had founde him, he brought him vnto Antiochia: and it came to passe that a whole yere they were conuersant with ye Church, and taught much people, in so much that the disciples were first called Christians in Antiochia.

(Act 11:27) In those dayes also came Prophets from Hierusalem vnto Antiochia.

(Notes Reference) (7) And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

(7) God punishes his Church when he punishes the wicked, in his scourges and plagues which he sends upon the earth, in such a way that he nonetheless conveniently provides for it.

(Act 11:28) And there stoode vp one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit, that there should be great famine throughout all the world, which also came to passe vnder Claudius Cesar.

(Act 11:29) Then the disciples, euery man according to his ability, purposed to sende succour vnto the brethren which dwelt in Iudea.

(Notes Reference) (8) Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send (b) relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

(8) All congregations or churches make one body.

(b) That is, that the deacons might help the poor with it: for it was appropriate and helpful to have all these things done orderly and decently, and therefore it is said that they sent these things to the elders, that is, to the governors of the Church.

(Act 11:30) Which thing they also did, and sent it to the Elders, by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

(Act 12:1) Nowe about that time, Herod the King stretched forth his hands to vexe certaine of the Church,

(Notes Reference) Now (1) about that time (a) Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church.

(1) God gives his Church peace only for a short time.

(a) This name Herod was common to all those that come from the stock of Herod Ascalonites, whose surname was Magnus: but he that is spoken of here was nephew to Herod the great, son to Aristobulus, and father to the Agrippa who is spoken of afterwards.

(Act 12:2) And he killed Iames the brother of Iohn with the sword.

(Notes Reference) And he (b) killed James the brother of John with the sword.

(b) Violently, his cause not being heard at all.

(Act 12:3) And when he sawe that it pleased the Iewes, he proceeded further, to take Peter also (then were the dayes of vnleauened bread.)

(Notes Reference) (2) And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

(2) It is an old habit of tyrants to attain the favour of the wicked, with the blood of the godly.

(Act 12:4) And when he had caught him, he put him in prison, and deliuered him to foure quaternions of souldiers to be kept, intending after the Passeouer to bring him foorth to the people.

(Notes Reference) (3) And when he had apprehended him, he put [him] in prison, and delivered [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

(3) The tyrants and wicked make a gallows for themselves even then when they do most according to their own will and fantasy.

(Act 12:5) So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer was made of ye Church vnto God for him.

(Notes Reference) (4) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

(4) The prayers of the godly overturn the counsel of tyrants, obtain angels from God, break the prison, unloose the chains, put Satan to flight, and preserve the Church.

(Act 12:6) And when Herod woulde haue brought him out vnto the people, the same night slept Peter betweene two souldiers, bound with two chaines, and the keepers before the doore, kept the prison.

(Act 12:7) And behold the Angel of the Lord came vpon them, and a light shined in the house, and he smote Peter on the side, and raysed him vp, saying, Arise quickely. And his chaines fell off from his handes.

(Notes Reference) And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon [him], and a light shined in the (c) prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from [his] hands.

(Act 12:8) And the Angel saide vnto him, Girde thy selfe, and binde on thy sandales. And so he did. Then he said vnto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

(Act 12:9) So Peter came out and followed him, and knewe not that it was true, which was done by the Angel, but thought he had seene a vision.

(Act 12:10) Nowe when they were past the first and the second watch, they came vnto the yron gate, that leadeth vnto the citie, which opened to them by it owne accord, and they went out, and passed through one streete, and by and by the Angel departed from him.

(Act 12:11) And when Peter was come to himselfe, he said, Nowe I know for a trueth, that the Lord hath sent his Angel, and hath deliuered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the wayting for of the people of the Iewes.

(Act 12:12) And as he considered the thing, he came to the house of Marie, the mother of Iohn, whose surname was Marke, where many were gathered together, and prayed.

(Notes Reference) (5) And when he had considered [the thing], he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

(5) Holy meetings in the nights of both men and women (when they cannot take place in the day time) are allowable by the example of the apostles.

(Act 12:13) And when Peter knocked at the entrie doore, a maide came foorth to hearken, named Rhode,

(Notes Reference) (6) And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel (d) came to hearken, named Rhoda.

(6) We obtain more from God than we dare well hope for.

(d) Out of the place where they were assembled, but not out of the house.

(Act 12:14) But when she knew Peters voyce, she opened not the entrie doore for gladnesse, but ranne in, and tolde howe Peter stood before the entrie.

(Act 12:15) But they said vnto her, Thou art mad. Yet she affirmed it constantly, that it was so. Then said they, It is his Angel.

(Act 12:16) But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened it, and sawe him, they were astonied.

(Act 12:17) And he beckened vnto them with the hand, to hold their peace, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he saide, Goe shewe these things vnto Iames and to the brethren: and he departed and went into an other place.

(Notes Reference) (7) But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

(7) We may sometimes give place to the rage of the wicked, but yet only in such a way that our diligence which ought to be used in God's business does not slacken in the least.

(Act 12:18) Nowe assoone as it was day, there was no small trouble among the souldiers, what was become of Peter.

(Notes Reference) (8) Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

(8) Evil counsel in the end results in the hurt of those who devised it.

(Act 12:19) And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded them to be led to be punished. And he went downe from Iudea to Cesarea, and there abode.

(Act 12:20) Then Herod was angrie with them of Tyrus and Sidon, but they came all with one accord vnto him, and perswaded Blastus the Kings Chamberlaine, and they desired peace, because their countrey was nourished by the Kings land.

(Notes Reference) (9) And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's [country].

(9) A miserable and shameful example of what happens to the enemies of the Church.

(Act 12:21) And vpon a day appointed, Herod arayed himselfe in royall apparell, and sate on the iudgement seate, and made an oration vnto them.

(Act 12:22) And the people gaue a shoute, saying, The voyce of God, and not of man.

(Notes Reference) (10) And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice of a god, and not of a man.

(10) The flattery of people makes fools glad.

(Act 12:23) But immediatly the Angel of the Lord smote him, because he gaue not glorie vnto God, so that he was eaten of wormes, and gaue vp the ghost.

(Notes Reference) (11) And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he (e) gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

(11) God resists the proud.

(e) Josephus records that this king did not repress the flatterer's tongues, and therefore at his death he complained and cried out about their empty praise.

(Act 12:24) And the worde of God grewe, and multiplied.

(Notes Reference) (12) But the (s) word of God grew and multiplied.

(12) Tyrants build up the Church by destroying it.

(s) Those that heard the word of God.

(Act 12:25) So Barnabas and Saul returned from Hierusalem, when they had fulfilled their office, and tooke with them Iohn, whose surname was Marke.