Help the other Israelites until they occupy the land that the LORD is giving them west of the Jordan and until the LORD lets them live there in peace, as he has already done here for you. After that, you may return to this land that I have assigned to you.'

When you cross the Jordan River, the LORD will let you occupy the land and live there. He will keep you safe from all your enemies, and you will live in peace.

Be joyful there in his presence, together with your children, your servants, and the Levites who live in your towns; remember that the Levites will have no land of their own.

The LORD gave them peace throughout the land, just as he had promised their ancestors. Not one of all their enemies had been able to stand against them, because the LORD gave the Israelites the victory over all their enemies.

He built fortifications for the cities of Judah during this time, and for several years there was no war, because the LORD gave him peace.

We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised. It is just as he said, "I was angry and made a solemn promise: 'They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest!' " He said this even though his work had been finished from the time he created the world.

This same matter is spoken of again: "They will never enter that land where I would have given them rest."

This is shown by the fact that God sets another day, which is called "Today." Many years later he spoke of it through David in the scripture already quoted: "If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn."

As it is, however, there still remains for God's people a rest like God's resting on the seventh day.

The LORD kept every one of the promises that he had made to the people of Israel.

"Now my time has come to die. Every one of you knows in his heart and soul that the LORD your God has given you all the good things that he promised. Every promise he made has been kept; not one has failed.

But just as he kept every promise that he made to you, so he will carry out every threat.

He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors, and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham and to all his descendants forever!"

He said he would show mercy to our ancestors and remember his sacred covenant.

With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham he promised to rescue us from our enemies and allow us to serve him without fear,

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him and made come true everything that Samuel said.

This proves that everything that the LORD said about the descendants of Ahab will come true. The LORD has done what he promised through his prophet Elijah."