Be strong and courageous! Let's fight hard for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD's will be done."

May the LORD give you children--- you and your descendants!

A king's greatness depends on how many people he rules; without them he is nothing.

LORD, you have made our nation grow, enlarging its territory on every side; and this has brought you honor.

Your descendants would be as numerous as grains of sand, and I would have made sure they were never destroyed."

Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, "What have you done to us? What wrong have I done to you to make you bring this disaster on me and my kingdom? No one should ever do what you have done to me.

He said to Aaron, "What did these people do to you, that you have made them commit such a terrible sin?"

They went as far as Eshcol Valley and saw the land, but when they returned, they discouraged the people from entering the land which the LORD had given them.

The LORD became angry that day and made a promise:

Stop it, my sons! This is an awful thing the people of the LORD are talking about!

The LORD will abandon Israel because Jeroboam sinned and led the people of Israel into sin."