88 passages · Kingdom
The Lord appears to Abraham as three men approach his tent. Abraham runs to welcome them and has Sarah and his servant prepare a generous meal.
Abraham again calls Sarah his sister, and Abimelech takes her. God warns him in a dream that she is married, and Abimelech pleads his innocence, so God tells him to return her.
On the road to Haran, Jacob sleeps with a stone for a pillow and dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels on it. God stands above and promises him the land, many descendants, blessing to all families, and His presence.
Joseph tells his brothers and father two dreams in which sheaves and then the sun, moon, and stars bow to him. The brothers grow more hateful and Jacob rebukes him but keeps the matter in mind.
Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker are imprisoned and put under Joseph's care. One night both have troubling dreams, and Joseph says that interpretations belong to God and asks to hear them.
The cupbearer describes a vine with three branches and Pharaoh's cup. Joseph says it means he will be restored in three days and asks him to remember him to Pharaoh.
The baker recounts his dream of three baskets and birds, and Joseph says he will be executed in three days. Both come true on Pharaoh's birthday, but the cupbearer forgets Joseph.
Pharaoh dreams of seven thin cows eating seven fat ones, then of thin heads of grain swallowing plump ones. His court's wise men cannot explain either dream.
Joseph is hurriedly cleaned up and brought to Pharaoh. He credits God, not himself, with any answer, and Pharaoh recounts both dreams.
Joseph says the two dreams are one message from God: seven years of abundance will be followed by seven years of severe famine. The repeated dream shows God has settled the matter.
On the way to Egypt, Jacob offers sacrifices, and God reassures him in a vision: do not fear, God will make him a great nation there and bring his descendants back.
While shepherding, Moses sees a bush burning without being consumed. God calls to him from it, tells him to remove his sandals on holy ground, and identifies himself as the God of Moses' ancestors.
On the third day thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a loud ram's horn make the camp tremble. Moses leads the people to the foot of the mountain, which is wrapped in smoke and shakes, and God answers Moses in the thunder.
Moses, Aaron, his sons and seventy elders go up and see the God of Israel above a pavement like sapphire. God does not harm them, and they eat and drink in his presence.
Moses asks to see God's glory. The LORD says he will let his goodness pass by and proclaim his name, but Moses cannot see his face and live, so he will be sheltered in a rock cleft and see God's back.
When Moses enters the Tent of Meeting, he hears the LORD speaking from above the mercy seat between the two cherubim.
God summons the three to the Tent of Meeting. He says Moses is unique among prophets, faithful and spoken to face to face, and asks why they did not fear to speak against him.
God asks Balaam who his visitors are, then tells him not to go and not to curse Israel, because the people are blessed. Balaam sends the princes home.
Moses says that hidden matters belong to the LORD, but what he has revealed belongs to Israel and their children so that they may follow the law.
That night the LORD tells Gideon to go down to the camp and, if afraid, listen with his servant Purah. He hears a Midianite describe a dream of a barley loaf toppling a tent, which his friend interprets as Gideon's sword, and Gideon worships.
Manoah offers to prepare a meal, but the angel tells him to offer a burnt offering instead and says his name is beyond comprehension. As the flame rises the angel ascends in it, Manoah fears they will die, and his wife reasons that the LORD would not have accepted the offering if He meant to kill them.
In a time when God's word was rare, Samuel hears a voice in the night and thinks it is Eli. After the third time, Eli realizes it is the LORD and tells Samuel how to answer.
Samuel tells Saul that the LORD has turned away and given the kingdom to David because Saul disobeyed over Amalek. He says Saul and his sons will die and Israel will fall to the Philistines.
David describes God's coming with earthquake, fire, dark clouds and thunder to scatter the enemy. He says God reached down and drew him out of deep waters.
David opens a final poem, claiming the Spirit of the LORD spoke through him. He begins to quote God's saying about how a ruler should govern.
In a dream God tells Solomon to ask for anything. Solomon asks for an understanding heart to govern, and God grants wisdom and adds riches and honor.
God tells Solomon he has heard his prayer and consecrated the temple. He promises Solomon's throne if he stays faithful, but warns that turning to other gods would bring exile and ruin.
God asks what Elijah is doing there, and Elijah says he alone remains faithful. God's presence is not in wind, earthquake, or fire but in a still, small voice, and Elijah repeats the same complaint.
Micaiah describes seeing the LORD on his throne and a spirit sent to deceive Ahab's prophets. Zedekiah strikes him, and Ahab has him jailed, but Micaiah says Ahab's return will prove him right.
That night God invites Solomon to ask for anything. Solomon recalls God's kindness to David and asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead such a large people.