Reubenansweredthem, saying,"Did I not tellyou, 'Do not sinagainst the boy;and you would not listen?Nowcomesthe reckoningfor his blood."
He said,"Whathave you done?The voiceof your brother'sbloodis cryingto Me from the ground.
They did not know,however, that Josephunderstood,for there was an interpreterbetweenthem.
Then Josephsaidto his brothers,"I am Joseph!Is my fatherstillalive?"But his brotherscouldnot answerhim, for they were dismayedat his presence.
When Joseph'sbrotherssawthat their fatherwas dead,they said,"What if Josephbearsa grudgeagainstus and paysus backin fullfor allthe wrongwhichwe didto him!"
"The LORDwill returnhis bloodon his own head,becausehe fellupon twomenmorerighteousand betterthanhe and killedthem with the sword,while my fatherDaviddid not know[it]: Abnerthe sonof Ner,commanderof the armyof Israel,and Amasathe sonof Jether,commanderof the armyof Judah.
"So shall their bloodreturnon the headof Joaband on the headof his descendantsforever;but to Davidand his descendantsand his houseand his throne,may there be peacefrom the LORDforever."
Thus Joashthe kingdid not rememberthe kindnesswhichhis fatherJehoiadahad shownhim, but he murderedhis son.And as he diedhe said,"May the LORDseeand avenge!"
For He who requiresbloodremembersthem; He does not forgetthe cryof the afflicted.
"When I sayto the wicked,'You will surelydie,'and you do not warnhim or speakout to warnthe wickedfrom his wickedwaythat he may live,that wickedmanshall diein his iniquity,but his bloodI will requireat your hand.
"And we indeed[are suffering] justly,for we are receivingwhatwe deservefor our deeds;but this manhas donenothingwrong."
Whenthe nativessawthe creaturehangingfrom his hand,they [began] sayingto one another,"Undoubtedlythismanis a murderer,and though he has been savedfrom the sea,justicehas not allowedhim to live."
in that they showthe workof the Lawwrittenin their hearts,their consciencebearing witnessand their thoughtsalternatelyaccusingorelsedefendingthem,
Ifanyone[is destined] for captivity,to captivityhe goes;ifanyonekillswith the sword,with the swordhe mustbe killed.Hereis the perseveranceand the faithof the saints.
Menwere scorchedwith fierceheat;and they blasphemedthe nameof Godwho hasthe powerovertheseplagues,and they did not repentso as to giveHim glory.
Then Jonathanspokewellof Davidto Saulhis fatherand saidto him, "Do not let the kingsinagainst his servantDavid,sincehe has not sinnedagainst you, and sincehis deeds[have been] verybeneficialto you.
