25 Bible Verses about Rivalry

And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign upon Israel, the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned upon Israel two years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in his sin wherewith he made Israel sin. But Baasha the son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against him, and slew him at Gibbethon a city of the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel lay at siege before Gibbethon.read more.
And it was the third year of Asa king of Judah, when Baasha slew him, and reigned in his stead. And as soon as he was king, he slew all the house of Jeroboam and left him nought that breathed, until he had put him clean out, agreeing unto the saying of the LORD which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite, for the sin of Jeroboam wherewith he sinned and made Israel sin, and for his angering wherewith he angered the LORD God of Israel. The rest of the deeds of Nadab, and all he did, are written in the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

Moreover, that same season was Israel divided in twain, for half the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and the other half followed Omri. But the people that followed Omri prevailed against them that followed Tibni the son of Ginath. And so Tibni died and Omri reigned.

Moreover, have ye not heard what I and my fathers have done unto the people of all lands? Were the gods of the people of other lands able to save their lands out of my hand? Which of all the gods was it, of those nations that my fathers destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand? Wherefore now let not Hezekiah deceive you, either persuade you of this fashion, nor yet believe him. For as no god among so many nations and kingdoms, was able to rid his people out of mine hand and the hands of my fathers: even so much less shall your God keep you out of mine hand!"read more.
And yet more did his servants speak against the LORD God and against his servant Hezekiah. And thereto he wrote a letter to rail on the LORD God of Israel and spake therein, saying, "As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, no more shall the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand." And they cried with a loud voice in the Jewish language, unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the walls, to fear them and to dismay them, that they might have taken the city. And they spake against the God of Jerusalem; as against the gods of the nations of the earth, which are the work of the hands of men. But Hezekiah the king and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed concerning the thing and cried up to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel and destroyed all the men of war and the lords and captains of the host of the king of Assyria, that he turned his face, with shame, towards his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, he was there overthrown with the sword - even by them that issued out of his bowels. And so the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabiters at Jerusalem out of the hands of Sennacherib king of Assyria and of all others, and maintained them on all sides -

"Say thus to Hezekiah king of Judah: Let not thy God deceive thee, in whom thou hopest, and which sayest, 'Jerusalem shall not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria.' For thou knowest well how the kings of Assyria have handled all the lands that they have subverted; and hopest thou to escape? Were the people of the Gentiles - whom my progenitors conquered - delivered at any time through their gods? As namely, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the children of Eden, which dwell at Telassar.read more.
Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?'"

Now when Hezekiah had received the letter of the messengers, and read it; he went up into the house of the LORD, and opened the letter before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD on this manner, "O LORD of Hosts, thou God of Israel, which dwellest upon Cherubim; Thou art the God, that only is God of all the kingdoms of the world, for thou only hast created heaven and earth.read more.
Incline thine ear LORD, and consider, open thine eyes, O LORD, and see; and ponder all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent his embassage to blaspheme the living God. It is true, O LORD, that the kings of Assyria have conquered all kingdoms and lands, and cast their gods in the fire. Notwithstanding, those were no gods; but the works of men's hands, of wood or stone, therefore have they destroyed them. Deliver us then, O LORD our God, from the hands of Sennacherib, that all kingdoms of the earth may know, that thou only art the LORD." Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, "Thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel, 'Whereas thou hast made thy prayer unto me, as touching Sennacherib, this is the answer, that the LORD hath given concerning him: Despised art thou, and mocked, O daughter of Zion, he hath shaken his head at thee, O daughter of Jerusalem. But thou Sennacherib, whom hast thou defied and blasphemed? And against whom hast thou lifted up thy voice, and exalted thy proud looks? Even against the holy one of Israel. Thou with thy servants hast blasphemed the LORD and thus holdest thou of thyself, I cover the high mountains, and sides of Lebanon with my horsemen. And there will I cut down the high Cedar trees and the fairest Fir trees. I will up into the height of it, and into the chiefest of his timber woods. If there be no water, I will grave and drink. And as for waters of defense, I shall dry them up with the feet of mine Host. Yea, sayest thou, hast thou not heard what I have taken in hand, and brought to pass of old time? That same will I do now also: waste, destroy, and bring the strong cities into heaps of stones. For their inhabiters shall be like lame men, brought in fear and confounded. They shall be like the grass and green herbs in the field, like the hay upon housetops, that withereth afore it be grown up. I know thy ways, thy going forth and thy coming home, yea and thy madness against me. Therefore thy furiousness against me, and thy pride is come before me. I will put a ring in thy nose, and a bridle bit in the jaws of thee, and turn thee about, even the same way thou camest. I will give thee also this token, O Hezekiah: this year shalt thou eat that is kept in store, and the next year such as groweth of himself, and in the third year ye shall sow and reap, yea ye shall plant vineyards, and enjoy the fruits thereof. And such of the house of Judah as are escaped, shall come together, and the remnant shall take root beneath, and bring forth fruit above. For the escaped shall go out of Jerusalem, and the remnant from the mount Zion. And this shall the jealousy of the LORD of Hosts bring to pass.' Therefore thus sayeth the LORD, concerning the king of the Assyrians, 'He shall not come into the city, and shall shoot no arrow into it, there shall no shield hurt it, neither shall they grave about it. The same way that he came, shall he return, and not come at this city, sayeth the LORD. And I will keep and save the city, sayeth he: for mine own, and for my servant David's sake.'" Thus the angel went forth, and slew of the Assyrians host, a hundred and eighty five thousand. And when men arose up early, at Jerusalem: Behold, all lay full of dead bodies. So Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians brake up, and dwelt at Nineveh. Afterward it chanced, as he prayed in the temple of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer, his own sons, slew him with the sword, and fled into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned after him.

Jacob sod pottage, and Esau came from the field and was fainty, and said to Jacob, "Let me sip of that red pottage, for I am fainty." And therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, "Sell me this day thy birthright."read more.
And Esau answered, "Lo, I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birthright do me?" And Jacob said, "Swear to me then this day." And he swore to him and sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of red rice. And he ate and drank and rose up and went his way. And so Esau regarded not his birthright.

And Esau hated Jacob, because of the blessing that his father blessed him withal, and said in his heart, "The days of my father's sorrow are at hand, for I will slay my brother Jacob."

And thereto her enemy Peninnah vexed her a good in casting her in the teeth how the LORD had made her barren. And so did she year by year, as oft as she went up to the house of the LORD. And so chafed her: wherefore Hannah wept and ate not.

And the women that played sang thereto, and said, "Saul hath slain his thousand, and David his ten thousand." Then was Saul exceeding wroth and that saying displeased him, and he said, "They have ascribed unto David ten thousand, and to me but a thousand. And what more can he have, save the kingdom?" Wherefore Saul looked sourly upon David from that day forward.

For as long as the son of Jesse lieth upon the earth, thou shalt not be established, nor yet thy kingdom; wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he is the child of death."

After this Absalom gat him chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him. And thereto he used to rise up early in the mornings and to stand by the wayside that led to the gate of the city. And all the men of Israel that had complaints and came to the king for judgment, he called unto him, and said, "Of what city art thou?" And when the other answered, "thy servant is of such a tribe of Israel," then said Absalom unto him, "See, thy matter is good and righteous, and yet no man is deputed of the king to hear thee."read more.
Then Absalom said moreover, "Oh, that I were a judge in the land, and that all men which have pleas and matter in the law, should come to me. For I would do them justice." And also when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him to him and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; and therewith stole the hearts of the men of Israel. And at forty years' end Absalom said unto the king, "Let me go, I pray thee, to Hebron; and pay my vow which I have vowed unto the LORD. For thy servant vowed a vow when I was in Geshur in the land of Syria, saying, "If the LORD shall bring me again to Jerusalem, I will serve the LORD." And the king said, "Go in peace." And so he arose and went to Hebron. Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as ye hear the voice of the trumpet blow, say, 'Absalom reigneth king in Hebron.'" And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called. And they went with pure hearts and knew nothing of the matter. And Absalom sent also for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, and fetched him out of his city Giloh, when he sacrificed sacrifices. And there was wrought strong treason. And the people drew to Absalom in great multitude. And there came a messenger to David and said, "The hearts of the men of Israel are to follow Absalom."

And Jeroboam thought in his heart, "Now might the kingdom return to the house of David again. For if this people shall go up and do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall their hearts turn again unto their lord Rehoboam king of Judah. And so shall they kill me and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah."

Thou shalt not take a wife and her sister thereto, to vex her that thou wouldest open her privities as long as she liveth.

Then there arose a disputation among them: who should be the greatest. When Jesus perceived the thoughts of their hearts, he took a child, and set him hard by him, and said unto them, "Whosoever receiveth this child in my name, receiveth me. And whosoever receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."

The same time the disciples came to Jesus saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, "Verily, I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.read more.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And they held their peace: for by the way they reasoned among themselves, who should be the chiefest. And he sat down, and called the twelve unto him, and said to them, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant unto all." And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them, and took him in his arms and said unto them,read more.
"Whosoever receive any such a child in my name, receiveth me:

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, "What wilt thou have?" She said unto him, "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy kingdom." Jesus answered, and said, "Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? And to be baptised with the baptism, that I shall be baptised with?" They answered to him, "That we are."read more.
And he said unto them, "Ye shall drink of my cup, and shall be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised with. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give you: but to them for whom it is prepared of my father." And when the ten heard this, they disdained at the two brethren.

And then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came unto him, saying, "Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we desire." He said unto them, "What would ye I should do unto you?" They said to him, "Grant unto us that we may sit one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory."read more.
But Jesus said unto them, "Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup, that I shall drink of? And be baptised in the baptism that I shall be baptised in?" And they said unto him, "That we can." Jesus said unto them, "Ye shall drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised in: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand, is not mine to give, but to them for whom it is prepared." And when the ten heard that, they began to disdain at James and John.

But ye shall not suffer yourselves to be called Rabbi, for one is your master, that is, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call ye no man your father upon the earth, for there is but one, your father, and he is in heaven. Be not called masters, for there is but one, your master, and he is Christ.read more.
He that is greatest among you, shall be your servant.

For ye are yet carnal. As long verily as there is among you envying, strife and dissension: are ye not carnal, and walk after the manner of men? As long as one saith "I hold of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are ye not carnal?

And this is it that I mean: how that commonly among you, one sayeth, "I hold of Paul"; Another, "I hold of Apollos"; the third, "I hold of Cephas"; and the fourth that, "I hold of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Either were ye baptised in the name of Paul?

For ye are all the sons of God, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. For all ye that are baptised, have put on Christ. Now is there no Jew, neither gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither man nor woman: but ye are all one thing in Christ Jesus.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said to them, "Ye know well that they which seem to bear rule among the gentiles, reign as Lords over them. And they that be great among them exercise authority over them. So shall it not be among you: but whosoever of you will be great among you, shall be your minister. And whosoever will be chief, shall be servant unto all.read more.
For even the son of man came, not to be ministered unto: but to minister, and to give his life for the redemption of many."

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, "Ye know that the Lords of the gentiles have domination over them. And they that are great exercise power over them. It shall not be so among you: But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief, let him be your servant.read more.
Even as the son of man came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister: and to give his life for the redemption of many."

Some there are which preach Christ of envy and strife, and some of goodwill. The one part preacheth Christ of strife, and not purely, supposing to add more adversity to my bonds. The other part of love, because they see that I am set to defend the gospel.read more.
What then? So that Christ be preached all manner ways, whether it be by occasion, or of true meaning, I therein joy: Yea and will joy.