Occurring Scripture for the Hour of Matins
Week of the 7th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayLesson i
A reading from the Third Book of Kings
3 Kings 1:1-4Now king David was old, and advanced in years: and when he was covered with bedclothes, he was not warm. His servants therefore said to him: "Let us seek for our lord the king, a young virgin, and let her stand before the king, and cherish him, and sleep in his bosom, and warm our lord the king." So they sought a beautiful young woman in all the coasts of Israel, and they found Abisag a Sunamitess, and brought her to the king. And the damsel was exceeding beautiful, and she slept with the king: and served him, but the king did not know her.
Lesson ii
3 Kings 1:5-8And Adonias the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying: "I will be king." And he made himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. Neither did his father rebuke him at any time, saying: "Why hast thou done this?" And he also was very beautiful, the next in birth after Absalom. And he conferred with Joab the son of Sarvia, and with Abiathar the priest, who furthered Adonias's side. But Sadoc the priest, and Banaias the son of Joiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Semei, and Rei, and the strength of David's army was not with Adonias.
Lesson iii
3 Kings 1:11-15And Nathan said to Bethsabee the mother of Solomon: "Have you not heard that Adonias the son of Haggith reigns, and our lord David knows it not? Now then come, take my counsel and save your life, and the life of your son Solomon. Go in to king David, and say to him: 'Did you not, my lord O king, swear to me your handmaid, saying: Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne? why then does Adonias reign?' And while you are yet speaking there with the king, I will come in after you, and will fill up your words." So Bethsabee went in to the king into the chamber: now the king was very old, and Abisag the Sunamitess ministered to him.
Lesson iv
From the Epistle written to Nepotian by Saint Jerome, Priest
Letter ii, part iThen David, who had once been a man of war, was seventy years old, the chill of old age came upon him, and he could get no heat. So they sought out for him throughout all the coasts of Israel Abishag the Shunamite, to sleep with the king and to warm his aged body. Who is this Shunamite, wife and yet virgin, so hot, that she could heat the chilly, so holy, that her warmth provoked him not to lust? Let Solomon the Wise explain his father's enjoyment, and the "Peaceful One" tell of the warrior's embraces. "Get wisdom, get understanding forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth forsake her not, and she shall preserve you, love her, and she shall keep you." Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom and with all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote you. Honor her, and she shall embrace you, and shall give to your head an ornament of grace. She shall compass you like a crown of delights."
Lesson v
In old men almost all the powers of the body become weakened, and while wisdom only is increasing, all things else beside wisdom fail. Then fails strength for fasting, for watching, for "chameuniae," (that is, sleeping on the floor,) for wandering here and there, for receiving strangers, for defending the poor, for instance and constancy in prayer, for visiting the sick, for that work with the hands whence alms are given. I need not treat of this with long talk, but, in short, when the body is broken down, all the works of the body become feeble.
Lesson vi
I am not saying that wisdom, which in many old men drivels into a second childhood, is weak, or wanting in such of the young and stout, as win knowledge by work and earnest study, by holiness of life and ardent prayer to the Lord Jesus—but this I do say, that the more spiritual faculties in youth must wrestle with the body, and that, with violent provocations to vice, and the sensual titillations of the flesh, they are apt to be smothered like fire among green wood, and not able to blaze forth in all their brightness. But when old age comes upon those who have spent their youth in acquiring sound knowledge, and have meditated on the law of the Lord day and night, it has this effect on them, to make them more learned by their increased years, more experienced by constant use, more wise, through the advance of time and, in short, offers them the rich harvest of their past diligence.
Lesson vii
The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 7:15-21
At that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit, and the evil tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Not every one that says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that does the will of My Father who is in heaven shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.An Homily of Saint Hilary, Bishop
Commentary on Matthew (Chapter VI)The Lord here warns us that we must rate the worth of soft words and seeming meekness, by the fruits which they that manifest such good things in their works—and that we should look, in order to see what a man is, not at what he professes, but at his deeds. For there are many in whom sheep's clothing is but a mask to hide wolfish ravening. But "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit." Thus, the Lord teaches us, it is with men also—evil men bring not forth good fruits, and thereby we may know them. Lip-service alone does not win the kingdom of heaven, nor is every one who says unto Christ, "Lord, Lord," an heir of that kingdom.
Lesson viii
What use is there in calling the Lord, "Lord"? Would He not be Lord all the same, whether or not we called Him? So what holiness is there in this ascription of a name, when the true way to enter into the kingdom of heaven is to do the will of "Our Father, Who is in heaven"? Many will say to Me in that day "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name " Already here does the Lord rebuke the deceit of the false prophets, and the feigning of the hypocrites, who take glory to themselves because of the power of their words, their prophesying in teaching, their casting out of devils, and such mighty works.
Lesson ix
Because of all these things they promised themselves that they shall enter into the kingdom of heaven—as though in their words and works any good things were their own—and not all the mighty working of that God upon Whom they call, since reading brings knowledge of doctrine, and the Name of Christ drives out devils. That which is needed on our part to win that blessed eternity, that of our own which we must give, is to will to do right, to turn away from all evil, to obey with our whole heart the commandments laid on us from heaven, and so to become the friends of God. It should be ours rather to do God's will, than to boast of God's power. And we must put away from us and thrust away those who are by their wicked works already estranged from His friendship.
Let us pray:
O God, whose providence in the ordering of all things never fails; we humbly beseech Thee to put away from us all harmful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us. Through our Lord.
Lesson i
A reading from the Third Book of Kings
3 Kings 1:28-31And King David answered and said: "Call to me Bethsabee." And when she had come in to the king, and stood before him, the king swore and said: "As the Lord lives, who has delivered my soul out of all distress, even as I swore to you by the Lord the God of Israel, saying: 'Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead,' so will I do this day." And Bethsabee, bowing with her face to the earth worshipped the king, saying: "May my lord David live for ever."
Lesson ii
3 Kings 1:32-35King David also said: "Call me Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Banaias the son of Joiada." And when they had come in before the king, he said to them: "Take with you the servants of your lord, and set my son Solomon upon my mule: and bring him to Gihon. And let Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and you shall sound the trumpet, and shall say: 'God save king Solomon.' And you shall come up after him, and he shall come, and shall sit upon my throne, and he shall reign in my stead: and I will appoint him to be ruler over Israel, and over Juda."
Lesson iii
3 Kings 1:38-40So Sadoc the priest, and Nathan the prophet went down, and Banaias the son of Joiada, and the Cerethi, and Phelethi: and they set Solomon upon the mule of king David, and brought him to Gihon. And Sadoc the priest took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon: and they sounded the trumpet, and all the people said: "God save king Solomon." And all the multitude went up after him, and the people played with pipes, and rejoiced with a great joy, and the earth rang with the noise of their cry.
Lesson i
A reading from the Third Book of Kings
3 Kings 2:1-41And the days of David drew nigh that he should die, and he charged his son Solomon, saying: "I am going the way of all flesh: take courage, and show yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and observe His ceremonies, and His precepts, and judgments, and testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses: that you may understand all that you do, and whatever turn you shall make: that the Lord may confirm His words, which He has spoken of me, saying: 'If thy children shall take heed to their ways, and shall walk before me in truth, with all their heart, and with all their soul, there shall not be taken away from thee a man on the throne of Israel.'"
Lesson ii
3 Kings 2:5-6"You also know what Joab the son of Sarvia did to me, what he did to the two captains of the army of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether: whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to your wisdom, and let not his hoary head go down to hell in peace."
Lesson iii
3 Kings 2:7-9"But show kindness to the sons of Berzellai the Galaadite, and let them eat at thy table: for they met me when I fled from the face of Absalom your brother. You also have with you Semei, the son of Gera the son of Jemini of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse, when I went to the camp: but because he came down to meet me when I passed over the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying: 'I will not kill you with a sword': Do not hold him guiltless. But you are a wise man, and know what to do with him, and you shall bring down his grey hairs with blood to hell."
Lesson i
A reading from the Third Book of Kings
3 Kings 3:5-65And the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, saying: "Ask what you will that I give to you." And Solomon said: "Thou hast shown great mercy to Thy servant David my father, even as he walked before Thee in truth, and justice, and an upright heart with Thee: and Thou have kept thy great mercy for him, and have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day."
Lesson ii
3 Kings 3:7-9"And now, O Lord God, Thou have made Thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a child, and know not how to go out and come in. And Thy servant is in the midst of the people which Thou have chosen, an immense people, which cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore to Thy servant an understanding heart, to judge Thy people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, Thy people which is so numerous?"
Lesson iii
3 Kings 3:10-13.And the word was pleasing to the Lord that Solomon had asked such a thing. And the Lord said to Solomon: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, nor the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself wisdom to discern judgment, behold I have done for you according to your words, and have given you a wise and understanding heart. There has been no one like you before you, nor shall one arise after you. Yea and the things also which you didst not ask, I have given to you: to wit riches and glory, as that no one has been like you among the kings in all days heretofore.
Lesson i
A Reading from the Third Book of Kings
3 Kings 4:21-24And Solomon had under him all the kingdoms from the river to the land of the Philistines, even to the border of Egypt: and they brought him presents, and served him, all the days of his life. And the provision of Solomon for each day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, ten fat oxen and twenty out of the pastures, and a hundred rams, besides venison of harts, roes, and buffalos, and fatted fowls. For he had all the country which was beyond the river, from Thaphsa to Gazan, and all the kings of those countries: and he had peace on every side round about.
Lesson ii
3 Kings 4:25-29And Juda and Israel dwelt without any fear, every one under his vine, and under his fig tree, from Dan to Bersabee, all the days of Solomon. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of chariot horses, and twelve thousand for the saddle. And the governors of the king fed them: and they furnished the necessaries also for king Solomon's table, with great care in their time. They brought barley also and straw for the horses, and beasts, to the place where the king was, according as it was appointed them. And God gave to Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart as the sand that is on the sea shore.
Lesson iii
3 Kings 4:30-34And the wisdom of Solomon surpassed the wisdom of all the Orientals, and of the Egyptians, and he was wiser than all men: wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Dorda the sons of Mahol, and he was renowned in all nations round about. Solomon also spoke three thousand parables: and his poems were a thousand and five. And he treated about trees from the cedar that is in Libanus, unto the hyssop that comes out of the wall: and he discoursed of beasts, and of fowls, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And they came from all nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who heard of his wisdom.
Lesson i
A Reading from the Third Book of Kings
3 Kings 5:1-4And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon: for he heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram had always been David's friend. And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying: "You know the will of David my father, and that he could not build a house to the name of the Lord his God, because of the wars that were round about him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. But now the Lord my God hath given me rest round about: and there is no adversary nor evil occurrence."
Lesson ii
3 Kings 5:5-6"Therefore I purpose to build a temple to the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to David my father, saying: 'my son, whom I will set upon the throne in piece, he shall build a house to My name.' Give orders therefore that thy servants cut me down cedar trees out of Libanus, and let my servants be with your servants: and I will give you the hire of your servants whatsoever you ask, for you know that there is not among my people a man that has skill to hew wood like the Sidonians."
Lesson iii
3 Kings 5:7-9Now when Hiram had heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced exceedingly, and said: "Blessed be the Lord God this day, Who has given to David a very wise son over this numerous people." And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying: "I have heard all that you desire of me: and I will do all that you desire concerning cedar trees, and fir trees. My servants shall bring them down from Libanus to the sea: and I will put them together in floats in the sea, and convey them to the place, which you designate to me; and will land them there, and you shall receive them: and you shall allow me necessaries, to furnish food for my household."
Lesson i
A Reading from the Third Book of Kings
3 Kings 7:51; 8:1-2And Solomon finished all the work that he made in the house of the Lord, and brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, the silver and the gold, and the vessels, and laid them up with the treasures of the house of the Lord. Then all the ancients of Israel with the princes of the tribes, and the heads of the families of the children of Israel were assembled to king Solomon in Jerusalem: that they might carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, that is, out of Sion. And all Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon on the festival day in the month of Ethanim, the same is the seventh month.
Lesson ii
3 Kings 8:3-7And all the ancients of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark, and carried the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the covenant, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, that were in the tabernacle: and the priests and the Levites carried them. And king Solomon, and all the multitude of Israel, that were assembled unto him went with him before the ark, and they sacrificed sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered. And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord into its place, into the oracle of the temple, into the Holy of Holies under the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and covered the art, and the staves thereof above.
On feasts of the Saints or in the Saturday Office of the Blessed Virgin the second and third lessons are concatenated; the third then being of the feast.
Lesson iii
3 Kings 8:9-12Now in the ark there was nothing else but the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the sanctuary, that a cloud filled the house of the Lord, and the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord. Then Solomon said: "The Lord said that He would dwell in a cloud."
