The Bible Study Companion

Transcription

1 The Bible Study Companion The Bible Study Companion is a guide that, when used with the translation of your choice, will help you read through the Bible in one year in chronological order. The Bible Study Companion is also a collection of maps, charts, word studies, and personal reflections designed to assist you in your Daily Bible Study. May 2012

2 The Bible Study Companion is also available at: bunkertownpastor.blogspot.com Presented by Gregory L. Jones, Pastor Bunkertown Church of the Brethren 2

3 May May 1: 2 Samuel 22, Psalm 18 2 Samuel 22 It s interesting that this piece is set between a list of some Philistine wars (chapter 21) and a listing of David s mighty men (chapter 23). This becomes a testimony of David s feelings toward God as he looked back over his life, witnessing time and time again the protective arm of God. And situated between these two chapters I get a sense that David recognized the Lord working through those men who served with him. Psalm 18 Everyone sing it with me He s my Rock, my Sword, my Shield (Sorry. It s a Camp Eder thing). This Psalm is similar to what David wrote in 2 Samuel 22, with a few slight changes here possibly so it could be used in public worship. But these words express what David experienced. Sure, not everyone will experience what David did. Not everyone will find deliverance from their enemies. Some will actually fall by the hands of those who hate them. But, even though we fall in this life, God will hold us in His arms for eternity. I read this Psalm and rejoice for David, but what of Stephen? What of Paul or Peter or Justin Martyr? What of the countless who died by the sword or by fire. What of those whom the world was not worthy (Hebrews 11:38)? Was God not watching over them? Of course He was, but God had eternity in mind, not this temporary life that we are living now. 3

4 May 2: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles Samuel 24 2 Samuel 24 The events in this chapter happened at the point where David was instructing Solomon about building the Temple (see 1 Chronicles 21:28-30). 2 Samuel 24:1-3 We do not know why God s anger burned against Israel. But for whatever the reason, God allowed Satan to tempt David into taking a census. Perhaps it was to determine Israel s military might, considering Joab s reply in 2 Samuel 24:9. What strikes me as odd here is the wisdom we see in Joab, because Joab had been backsliding as of late. He was not acting like a man of God during some recent events (revenge of Amasa 2 Samuel 20:10). 2 Samuel 24:10 Oh that we would learn to listen to the guiding of God s Spirit before we would sin. But instead we find ourselves in the same predicament as David; our conscience begins to bother us, and we realize then that we have sinned. We would be wise to learn from David here, and come to God seeking forgiveness. 2 Samuel 24:13-16 Faced with the thought of running for his life again, David places Israel into the merciful hands of God. And God strikes down 70,000 people by a plague. But as King, was this the wisest decision? What would a righteous leader do? I d like to say I would have spent another three years on the run, but I m not so sure I would have the courage, especially after all the years David had spent running from his enemies. Before we judge David harshly, we d be wise to think about what we might do in the same situation. 2 Samuel 24:17 There! Now that s a confession. David is finally willing to stand between his people and the Death Angel, which is exactly the attitude God was looking for. I wonder what would have happened had David displayed this attitude in the beginning? 2 Samuel 24:18-25 This threshing floor, a smooth ledge-like surface, was on Mount Moriah, just outside the northern wall of David s Jerusalem. David had no rights to this place for it was owned by a man named Araunah. Although he 4

5 wanted to give this land to David, the King insisted on paying Araunah a fair price for the land and the oxen for the sacrifice. Now that s the way a King should act. David put his faith on display, and the entire nation could watch him act with righteousness. I only wish that some of David s righteousness would have been passed along to the rest of the nation. In about 40 years, these noble deeds would be long forgotten. Oh, and before I forget, this place where David sacrifices for the nation is the same place Abraham had taken Isaac for a sacrifice (Genesis 22:2), and the same place where Solomon will build the Temple. This is the place where the Dome of the Rock now stands in Jerusalem. Is it any wonder that the Jews in Jerusalem are constantly angered against the Muslims? 1 Chronicles 21 The account of David s census and the plague are similar here as compared to 2 Samuel 24, except in a few number discrepancies. Notably different is the amount paid for Araunah s threshing floor. 1 Chronicles 21:25 says David paid 600 pieces of Gold (about 15 pounds), but according to 2 Samuel 24:24 David paid 50 pieces of silver (20 ounces). Scholars point out that the silver paid for the threshing floor and the oxen while the gold paid for the land around the site. When you consider the size of the Temple that Solomon built, it was much larger than a simple threshing area. The Chronicler also alluded to the fact that because of this incident, David understood where the Temple was to be built. 1 Chronicles 22 1 Chronicles 22:1 Even though the Tabernacle was presently in Gibeon, David understood that this flat area just outside Jerusalem is where God wanted the Temple. And as I pointed out once before, this is also the same place Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice (but God did intervene). 1 Chronicles 22:2-5 Here the Chronicler fills in some details not mentioned in Samuel or Kings. Actually the next few chapters share details about David and Solomon that are not mentioned elsewhere. 5

6 1 Chronicles 22:6-19 This commissioning of Solomon also points out that he was the one to be king once David died, a point missed by some of David s other sons, but a point the Chronicler did not want anyone to miss. May 3: 1 Chronicles Chronicles 23 A long list of names is given here, all descended from Levi. Responsibilities were repeated, not given. The responsibilities of a Levite were already given to the nation earlier. For example, the age mentioned in 1 Chronicles 23:3 was already defined in Numbers 4:3. The main point of this section can be found in 1 Chronicles 23: The Chronicler wanted to remind the returning remnant what role a Levite played in worship at the Temple. When Israel still worshiped in the Tabernacle, they served with a different purpose. But in the Temple their role changed. 1 Chronicles 24 1 Chronicles 24:1-19 Here we have a more detailed listing of the Priests who served at the Temple. The Chronicler was giving detailed accounts of who served, and consequently who could serve when the nation returned from exile. 1 Chronicles 24:20-31 This is a detailed listing of the Levites who did not serve as priests. 1 Chronicles 25 We had already learned who the leaders of the Temple music were (see 1 Chronicles 15:17-19), but this chapter details their family and descendants who ministered with them or after them. It s pretty amazing to think that the entire family, 288 in all, were musicians (see 1 Chronicles 25:7). And think about what it would sound like to have them all singing and playing at the same time. 6

7 May 4: 1 Chronicles Chronicles 26 1 Chronicles 26:1-19 These gatekeepers were charged with guarding the entrance gates to the Temple. There were areas of the Temple restricted to Hebrews only, then Levites only, priests only, and then the High Priest only. Apparently their job was to make sure someone had permission to be in a secured area. Wow. TSA agents at the Temple. Go figure. Obed-Edom mentioned in 1 Chronicles 26:4 was probably the same man who guarded the Ark (1 Chronicles 13:14). He went on to become a minister before the Ark in the Temple, but his sons became gate keepers. 1 Chronicles 26:20-32 Other Levites were appointed to guard the things in the Temple. Perhaps they made sure that the food dedicated to God was properly distributed to the Priests and the Levites serving in the Temple during their appointed month. They also were called to guard the money and other treasures given to God. Some of it was also plunder taken from military victories. 1 Chronicles 27 1 Chronicles 27:1-24 This listing is possibly the result of David s census; the command for Joab to go and determine the fighting men in Israel (see 1 Chronicles 21:2-5). If you ll notice, neither the tribe of Gad nor the tribe of Asher is included in this list. That s probably because Joab never had a chance to finish the census (see 1 Chronicles 27:24). 1 Chronicles 27:25-31 This is a listing of those who were in charge of David s property. The Shimei mentioned in verse 27 is not the same as the one who threw stones at David when he fled from Absalom (2 Samuel 16:5-13). This man named Shimei was from Ramah and the other was from Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. 1 Chronicles 27:32-34 The Jonathan mentioned in verse 32 might actually refer to David s nephew, son of Shimea (see 2 Samuel 21:21). Notice also that the 7

8 Chronicler does not mention Ahithophel s part in Absalom s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:31). 1Chronicles 28 1 Chronicles 28:1-10 It s obvious this speech by King David was made before his health really began to fail. He stood in a place of prominence and declared to the nation that Solomon would be the next king and would be the one to build God s Temple. This sheds new light on the uprising of Adonijah and other court officials (see 1 Kings 1:5-10). Adonijah was not confused about who David would pick to be king. He knew and the others involved in the uprising knew. They just made a choice to disregard David s appointment and disobey God s command. No wonder the group was punished so severely. 1 Chronicles 28:11-21 We read in 1 Kings that David provided the materials for this Temple and the Palace, but here we are told that God gave him the design and specific details for the Temple. This also included the ministry of the priests and the duties of the Levites. This sheds new light on what we read in 1 Kings 6. May 5: 1 Chronicles 29, 1 Kings 1 1 Chronicles 29 1 Chronicles 29:1-9 Some of Solomon s brothers were probably thinking, Well, there goes my inheritance. The amount of wealth collected this day is staggering. Let s try to put a dollar amount on this. David gives 112 tons of Gold. Someone check my math here. I figure that s 224,000 pounds of Gold, or 3,584,000 ounces (2000 lbs. per ton, 16 oz. per pound, right?). At today s exchange rate ($1, an ounce) that s equal to $6,461,952,000.00; about 6.5 Billion dollars. That s just the gold. Is anyone else blown away by the dollar figure here? After that amount is given, David still takes up an offering. Another 188 tons of Gold is collected, plus more silver, bronze, and iron. The wealth here 8

9 boggles the mind. Finally, when it is all collected, David asks Jehiel to keep an eye on it. Is it any wonder then why a few other nations began to lick their chops when they visited Israel once the Temple was finished? The people of Israel saw God when they looked at the Temple. The people of the world saw dollar signs. 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 David s prayer here gives an indication of his heart. He saw that it all belonged to God, not just 10% of what a person owned. In David s time the tithe was not what we have made it today. Today people preach that 10% of our stuff belongs to God, the rest is ours. David rightly points out that this simply is not true. It is all Gods. He just commanded that 10% be given to support the Levite and the Priest working in the land. 1 Chronicles 29:21-25 It s obvious that the Chronicler skipped the events recorded in 1 Kings 1. He was not trying to cover every detail about history, but emphasize that the Rule of Israel had passed from David to Solomon. 1 Chronicles 29:26-30 The record of Samuel possibly refers to 1 Samuel chapters The record of Nathan the prophet and Gad the Seer probably refers to 1 Samuel 25 through 2 Samuel Kings 1 1 Kings 1:1-4 By now David was about 70 years old and in poor health. A young girl is asked to sleep in his bed with him, but they did not have sexual relations. This is important because any child this girl might have had later on would not be a child of the king, and not in line for the throne. 1 Kings 1:5-6 Again David s domestic problems continue. Adonijah apparently was a spoiled, undisciplined child who thought he could lead by popularity rather than by qualifications. His desire was selfish ( I will make myself king ), so he throws a party (not a religious sacrifice) south of Jerusalem near one of the main springs that supplies water to the city. This party, which was designed to gain a following, took place just 300 yards outside of Jerusalem. That s arrogance. See Map on next page. 9

10 1 Kings 1:7-10 Notice who sides with Adonijah - Joab and Abiathar. I half expected to see Joab turning against David, but I did not expect Abiathar. He had sided with David after Saul had the priest at Nob killed (1 Samuel 22:18-20). There is another name mentioned in this group that surprises me. Those who stayed loyal to David included Shimei (1 Kings 1:8). If this is the same Shimei who cursed David in the whole Absalom uprising, then perhaps he was truly grateful for the Kings mercy. 1 Kings 1:11-12 Nathan, probably acting on a prompting from God, goes to Bathsheba and speaks the truth. She and Solomon more than likely would be killed the moment Adonijah became king. Anyone so arrogant and selfish (and so much like his older brothers) wouldn t think twice of murdering anyone who might stand in their way. The mindset of the time was better to kill you before you kill me. However, they certainly did not learn this behavior from their father. David did not act this way. We have seen this behavior in some of David s other sons. Why should Adonijah be any different? Now I know you re going to point 10

11 out to me that this is exactly what Solomon did when he took the throne, but his actions were more in line with discipline, not selfish revenge or a fearful panic (1 Kings 2:13-46). 1 Kings 1:13-14 This promise to Bathsheba is not recorded directly in scripture, but apparently David did make this promise based upon a word from God. Back when David had set his heart on building the Temple, God replied to David that he would not be the one, but his son (see 1 Chronicles 22:8-10). And which son is specifically mentioned by God. 1 Kings 1:28-37 Before any anointing could take place, and before the present king was dead, David takes matters into his own hands. He actually abdicates the throne before he is gone, a practice not heard of in those days. Usually the king had to die (either by natural causes or by assassination) before the next king could reign. 1 Kings 1:41 There is a huge difference between throwing a party so you can gain support to be king, and being anointed as king. This is the difference between what Adonijah did and what happened to Solomon. And no matter what Adonijah said or did from this point on would make any difference. He was out of the race. 1 Kings 1:49-53 Adonijah was afraid because execution is what he had planned for Solomon and Bathsheba once David was dead. But not Solomon. There was a bit of his father in this young man. Solomon had no intention of following the practices of the other nations. Solomon would follow the example of his father and the guiding of his God. I think you and I should do the same. As I find myself in a leadership position, I study the example of the greatest leader I know; King David. And I continually seek the guiding of God. No one should ever try to lead without having a good example before them and the Spirit within them. 11

12 May 6: 1 Kings 2, 2 Samuel 23, Psalm 4-6, 8-9, 11 1 Kings 2 1 Kings 2:1-4 David charged his son to keep God s commands, to follow His decrees (ordinances), regulations, and Laws. These four things summarize what we read in the Law of Moses; what has been handed down in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. 1 Kings 2:5-6 Truthfully Joab did deserve to die for the murder of these two men. The Law demanded it. But David had shown grace. However, in the back of his mind was the understanding that justice had to be served. Perhaps David did not administer justice because he was too closely involved with Joab, and the more fair way to deal with this was through the hands of someone distant from the incident. I say this because David tells Solomon to deal with this situation; to do what seems best. I really don t think David passed this along out of revenge. I think it was one of those situations where the Holy Spirit continued to nag at his heart, but David was hoping someone else would step up and see that justice was served. The fact that no one did is a sad testimony to the heart of everyone else. 1 Kings 2:8-9 What David says here is right. Just because David said he would not kill Shimei, did not mean he was innocent. The same is true for those who reject Christ. Just because God does not strike them dead at that very moment, is not an indication of innocence. So David tells Solomon to make sure his crime does not go unpunished. However, Solomon decides to deal graciously with Shimei, with some restrictions. But in spite of that, Shimei seals his own fate, and is executed anyway (1 Kings 2:36-46). 1 Kings 2:10-12 David s reign lasted from BC. Solomon reigned from BC. 1 Kings 2:15-16 Adonijah still had thoughts of being king, but he had to overthrow Solomon. He spoke lies to Bathsheba; all of Israel did not think he should be king. And at no time did he have rights to the throne. Israel 12

13 established Kings differently that the nations around her. God determined who sat on the throne, not money, or power, or birth order. Although Adonijah s request to marry Abishag seemed innocent enough, but it would have been no different than when Absalom slept with David s concubines. Taking possession of the harem of a deceased king was equivalent to an establishment of the claim to the throne. Solomon displays wisdom. He saw right through Adonijah s ploy. 1 Kings 2:27 The prophecy about Eli s descendants is found in 1 Samuel 2: Kings 2:28 Joab ran to the Tabernacle as a place of refuge. And he had that right. This was a place of refuge for anyone whose life was in danger, unless that person was a murderer (Exodus 21:13-14). Perhaps Joab thought Solomon was only after him for his part in Adonijah s rebellion, not for the murder of Abner and Amasa. 1 Kings 2:36-37 Shimei must have been a dangerous man. Being from the same family as Saul, perhaps he harbored some deep seated desire for revenge. We know that David s men did not trust him (2 Samuel 16:9), and from what David said earlier it seems that he did not trust him as well. Solomon offers limited grace, but it is grace. The restriction to never leave Jerusalem would keep Shimei from going back to his hometown (Gibeah) and instigating a rebellion. 2 Samuel 23 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Although this says these are David s final words, they really are not. He will say much more in the years to come. But we get the impression that these words summarize David s life; from his humble beginning to his righteous leadership throughout Israel. This is all that David is going to say about himself, but they are not his last words. 2 Samuel 23:8-39 As we read over this list, 37 men are mentioned here (a similar list with different spellings can be found in 1 Chronicles 11:11-47). Surprisingly absent is mention of Joab. Perhaps it was not necessary since he 13

14 was mentioned as commander. The three leaders were the ones who went to Bethlehem and brought David a drink (2 Samuel 23:15-17). 2 Samuel 23:20-23 Benaiah is one of the more obscure people in the Bible. Yet his story about chasing a lion into a pit became the topic of a book by Mark Batterson. The question is, would you chase a lion onto a pit? Probably not. But what if God directed you into that pit? What if God is asking you to do something right now that is the opposite of what you would normally choose? That s the question Mark raises in his book. I m not sure God *told* Benaiah to pursue the lion, but the point of the lesson is valid. There are times when obeying God will send us to places and into situations we would normally not go. And a person would be wise to learn early how to tell the difference between the Lord s direction and just plain silliness. Psalm 4 Psalm 4 is probably associated with the time David fled from Absalom (see 2 Samuel 16). In response to those who have treated him so harshly (even his own son), David first spends time in prayer. He prays before he speaks. In this psalm, David s advice is to never reply in anger. Instead, first spend the night in prayer. This is impressive advice, especially considering it came from a man who had just been treated unfairly. People told lies about David. People treated him like the greatest criminal Israel had ever seen. They treated him as if he had brought nothing but doom and destruction upon the nation. Yet he held his tongue. He prayed about the whole situation, and let go of his anger. This is wise advice that you and I should follow, especially when people lie about us; when they spread slanderous gossip. Psalm 5 This psalm could represent the second morning of David s flight from Absalom, although no specific reference is made. The psalm alternates between the actions of the wicked and the actions of the godly. And we are left with the impression that David saw himself as the godly one. This raises a deep question 14

15 that everyone who calls themselves a Christian must consider. How can a person know if they are acting in a godly way, or if they are acting in wickedness? When people oppose us or lie and slander us, we want to say that we are on God s side; that we have not done anything wrong. But how can we know that we are innocent? This is an important lesson for the person who wants to be a follower of Christ. It s important because there may be times that the opposition we are facing is really the Lord s discipline, and He is using others to correct a behavior or bring us to repentance. This is what we see in David when he encountered Shimei on the road outside of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 16:11). And David wisely let Shimei hurl his lies and insults. David acted wisely because he needed to discern whether this was God s hand of discipline or if it was simply injustice. A wise Christian allows God to reveal what is behind the lies and slanderous gossip they receive. They open their heart before God and ask Him to reveal anything that does not belong. They let God be the one to vindicate; to deal with the injustice. In other words, the wise Christian learns to turn the other cheek when offended (Matthew 5:39 and Lamentations 3:30). And if we have been treated unjustly (we have been acting in righteousness), then the Lord will be the One to step in on our behalf. Psalm 6 It s unclear if this Psalm of penitence is directly related to David s suffering over his son s death. It could have been written at a point of severe illness. But it seems to be associated with a time of loss. In the NASB verse 3 simply ends with How Long? These words were highly emotional. Of particular interest is what David says in verse 5. If a person dies and no longer exists, who will give God thanks? I know David isn t directly thinking of this, but in a roundabout way his words proclaim eternal life. If all of us cease to exist when we die then, there would be no one around to glorify God. And since we were created as part of God s glory, it just seems that although we die, we will continue to praise the Lord; not in flesh and blood, but in Spirit and in Soul. 15

16 Psalm 8 Oh Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. One night while David was reflecting back on his life, he suddenly felt so insignificant. Looking at the grandness of the sky and at all of creation, David understood that it all came into being by the Hand of God. He felt undeserving of God s love, and that God s attention was unmerited. But David could not get past the fact that indeed we mere mortals have caught the attention of God. He has set us up above all that He has made. Whether we deserve this Love is not the issue. The real issue here is that God does consider us the object of His love. God does pour out unmerited grace and favor upon humanity. The fact is that He does value us. He values us so much that He would sacrifice His Son while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). We are loved even though we don t deserve it. We are cherished even though we have not earned it. And that should speak to us about our value as a human being, and the value of those we call our enemy. See, if God loves us in spite of whom we are and what we have done, we need to remember that He does the same for the person we don t like. They too are His creation just as we are His creation. And we would be wise to see them just as God sees them (read 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 for Paul s perspective on who we were before we came to God). Psalm 9 Psalm 9:4 David continues to give God the praise for bringing him victory. Toward those who spoke of his demise; to those who lied and slandered his name; to those who even insulted his family, God had judged in David s favor. Psalm 9:8 I appreciate the way David describes God s judgment. It happens with justice and fairness. If that is true, then for God to destroy the wicked and uproot entire cities so they are forgotten (Psalm 9:6), these people and these nations must have been incredibly wicked. I don t think we appreciate just how wicked and evil the nations around Israel must have been. 16

17 Psalm 9:18 There are two subtle implications here. David says that sometimes the needy are forgotten and sometimes the afflicted do lose hope, but their condition will not be permanent. Does David mean that all those who are forgotten or who have lost hope will be remembered and restored one day in the future? Or does he mean that even though a person exists as forgotten and hopeless in this life, that in the next they will be restored? I m inclined to think the latter is the more accurate. Not everyone will have a blessed life in this world. Some have died knowing nothing but misery and pain. But in the next life that same person may find comfort and hope; they may stand before the Lord who welcomes them with joy. Perhaps this is what Paul understood, and what caused him to exclaim, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18). Psalm 11 This is an incredible Psalm of confidence. Although there is panic and disorder all around him, David is convinced that God is still in control. It seems this was written when everything was falling apart (perhaps during Absalom s or Adonijah s rebellion). Maybe David did not write this to remind himself but to remind those around him. And if these words were penned during Adonijah s rebellion, then even though David was weak physically, his heart and mind remained sharp and focused on God. May 7: Psalm 12-17, Psalm Psalm 12 In the middle of a culture filled with lying, deceit, arrogance, and pride, David reminds us that none of this is missed by God. God surely does see what is happening in this world. He knows that the powerful and the proud are seeking 17

18 their own good and glory at the expense of the weak. One day these people will have to give an account for their behavior to God. It may not be today or tomorrow, but one day they will pay for their wicked behavior. Psalm 13 For Some reason David felt ignored by God. Several times he asks how long. Whatever he was facing, David knew that this was more than simply an attack against his behavior or his character. His enemies were looking for proof that God was no longer on his side. See, if David were to fall from his leadership position, it would become proof that God had abandoned him. Failure as a leader is a sure sign that God is not with someone at least this is what David s enemies surmised. So apparently they tried to sabotage David s rule. Maybe, just like some Christians today, they were praying that David fail instead of praying that he succeed. This is why David asks God to intervene. He does not want the enemies to gloat; to feel they have prayed him out of office. I find it discouraging that this attitude is still around today. Many times I have heard people asking God to remove someone from leadership instead of asking God to work in the leader s heart. Really? This is what it means to be a Christian; to pray that another Christian fails or to sabotage their ministry? Psalm 14 Psalm 14:1 A person has to work mighty hard to continually insist that there is no God. They have to be on guard night and day because God is constantly revealing Himself throughout this world. The atheist has to ignore evidence, deny miracles, and twist the truth just to keep God away from their heart and mind. Only a fool would act such a way. Only a fool would turn their backs to God. This foolishness best describes Judah and Jerusalem when Jeremiah pleaded with them to open their eyes; to look at the evidence and know He is God. 18

19 Psalm 14:7 David seems to be speaking about a time when all of Israel is restored. He seems to be looking ahead to a time when Israel will need to be restored; a time when they are driven away and need someone to rescue them. Psalm 15 Although this is only 5 short verses, this Psalm sure pacts a punch. Reading this kind of makes me wonder if the same is true today. It is not those who have gone through the motions who are holy. Neither baptism nor church membership makes a person blameless. A person can do all things religious and still not be holy. Holiness is a product of a transformed heart. Jesus pointed out that people who practiced religion will not necessarily enter the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21). He told us not to assume that a religious person truly abides in Him (Matthew 7:16-20). Holiness truly is something impossible for us to obtain on our own. But when it is a gift from the Father, it changes us from the inside out. Psalm 16 David rejoices in his relationship with the Lord. This psalm is a beautiful testimony of just how a close a person can grow to God. There is a friendship that knows no bounds. There is a love that is unconditional. There is also a reverence birthed from a heart that knows God is the one who has granted all blessings. This kind of relationship is difficult to explain to a non-christian. It's hard to explain that someone could come to love the same God who judges their sin. And yet when a person comes to understand the depth of the Father's love, they would not trade that love for anything earthly or temporary. This is the depth of David's relationship with the Lord. And as David finishes this psalm he makes a very profound statement. He says that death will not break the relationship he has with God. God will not allow David's soul to dwell among the dead, nor will he simply rot in the grave. These are interesting comments because they came long before Jesus would say them or His resurrection confirm them. Peter used David's comments in Psalm 16:9-11 when he spoke on Pentecost (see Acts 2:25-28). And Paul quoted them when he spoke to the people at 19

20 Antioch (Acts 13:35-37). Both men made a clear reference to Jesus, but they could also be applied to any follower of Christ. You and I and David will be delivered from death in soul and in spirit when we die. This is what David confessed. But Jesus taught us that one day we will be resurrected from the dead; we will be given a new body that will not die (see 1 Corinthians 15:54-55). In the meantime, our relationship with the Father will not be lost. We will not be separated from the Father's love or from His presence. When we die we will be with Him in spirit. But one day we will be with Him in body and in spirit. Psalm 17 Surrounded by enemies, David confessed here that he had examined his heart and his thoughts in search of things he may have done wrong. Turning his heart over to God, David asked the Lord to examine him. And as he had his heart scrutinized, the Lord did not convict him of any sin. But David desired more than simply a peace in his heart. He desired that he be granted peace in this life as well. Is this not the desire of anyone who is innocent but treated as guilty? Psalm 19 I really like the way David points to the sky and says There is evidence for God. Truly David had eyes to see and ears to hear. And as he looked about at creation, David saw the thumbprint of God everywhere. He was even able to see God in His written decrees and Laws. Who among the people of this world could have crafted such words and instructions? By our very nature we are selfish. We care only for ourselves. Yet, into our lives steps the Word of God instructing any who will listen to care and love and give to others. If we will listen to His word, we will live with wisdom and knowledge that is above anything the world can produce. For example, you may think I am wise when I say Because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, there is no survival of the fittest in God s kingdom; there is care for the weakest. Therefore strengthen what is weak and you strengthen the whole chain. However, my words are not wise because I am wise, but because I have taken what God has said in His word and applied 20

21 them to life. And the best part is that this same wisdom is available to all who will open their eyes and their ears and their heart to the Words of God. Psalm 20 One day, as David was about to go to war he stopped at the sanctuary and began to pray. Then the others with him knelt beside their king and prayed for him. Like people today, some in David s time placed their hope and trust in the craftiness of men (chariots and horses), but not so Israel. She had seen her God defeat enemies with nothing more than the power of His voice. And no device of man can stand against the mighty power of God. Psalm 21 This Psalm is probably closely associated with Psalm 20. There, David was going out to war. Here, he is returning from war. I did get to thinking about what it means to hate God, after reading verses See, I started thinking about who David might have been battling. Did these other nations really hate God, or did they simply not know about God. There is a big difference. Those that hate God are the ones who have met Him, learned what He teaches, watched Him reach down to His creation, yet despise and reject Him. I can understand why someone like this would be described as hating God, because they saw, yet rejected. But what of those who do not know Him? Do they really hate God, or do they hate those who represent God? Perhaps they simply hate that which they do not know. And if that s the case, then I think I can understand why God seems slow to anger; not just against His children, but against the neighborhood kids as well (see Jonah 4:11). 21

22 May 8: Psalm Psalm 22 Early on, David's life certainly did not resemble that of a king. Ironically, what David says he faced, Jesus dealt with while being crucified. Look closely at Psalm 22:8. These are the words the scoffers hurled at Jesus (Matthew 27:42). Psalm 22:16 is easy to recognize in the life of Jesus (Luke 23:33). And Psalm 22:18 is exactly what happened with Jesus' clothing (Mark 15:24). When you consider that this Psalm is not directly related to any particular event in David's life, it kind of makes you wonder if these were not prophetic words. There is no confession of sin in the Psalm; no spoken curse against enemies. This is the cry of a man who was being put to death by wicked men. And although this man is being killed, future generations will serve him (Psalm 22:30). At first David was the nation's hero. Later he became the nations hunted. Eventually his enemy is defeated and David becomes the nations King. Do you see the similarities between David's life and the life of Jesus? Psalm 23 Most of David's Psalms are not dated or related to specific events. Some are. But it seems fitting to read this Psalm at the end of David's life because it seems to be a reflection of all he had experienced. His life was in the Lord's hands (Psalm 23:1). God brought him to a place that he had never imagined (Psalm 23:2). David recognized that God had been at work in his life preparing him for this time and this place (Psalm 23:3). David did not say that he had walked through the dark valley of death, he merely stated that even if he did, he would not fear evil (Psalm 23:4). David finally understood that God recognized him as someone significant (Psalm 23:5). And David determined to build no walls between himself and God (Psalm 23:6). 22

23 Psalm 24 This psalm seems to be connected with the Ark being brought into Jerusalem. Whether it was the first time or some later time is unknown. But a central theme of holiness can be found here. Only those who are holy may stand before the Lord. If this was written when David first attempted to bring the Ark into Jerusalem, then these words may reflect what David learned when Uzzah was struck down by God. Whatever the events might have been, at one point in his life David became quite aware just how holy God is, and how unholy humanity is. But here's the good part; confess your sin to God, call upon the name of Jesus to cover your sin, and you may enter in to His presence because you are dressed in His (Jesus) righteousness. He makes you faultless to stand before the throne. Psalm 25 There is a huge difference between the godly and the wicked. It is the godly person who faces God with humbleness. They ask God to show them what is right, to guide them away from what is wrong, and to forgive them when they do sin. But the wicked do not care what God thinks. David demonstrated the depth of his humility in this Psalm. It s no wonder he was loved by so many. But, on the flip side of this, it s no wonder the wicked saw him as an easy target. A person who walks humbly with God caries themselves differently through life, especially compared to the proud and the arrogant. Psalm 26 David really asserts his integrity and holiness here. And he asks God to recognize his desire for holiness. He points out to God the things he does not do, the places he does not go, and contrast that with the words that come out of his mouth. His words demonstrate what is in his heart (Matthew 15:11). David s prayer is that these things would be the evidence of what is in his heart. Why did David lift up this prayer? It s hard to tell. It might have been a prayer spoken out 23

24 loud for all Jerusalem to hear (Psalm 26:12); spoken out loud to clear him of any wrong in the whole uprising. May 9: Psalm Psalm 27 A mighty fortress is our God, says King David. It seems he wrote those words in order to convince himself. Apparently he wrote this Psalm when he was feeling attacked, but not physically. It may reflect a time when his character and his reputation were being assassinated. That s a tough battle to face. How do you wage war against those who lie and slander? David asserts that this is not a battle to be won with sword and shield, but in the comforting presence of the Lord. For David, perhaps the sanctuary was a place (the Tabernacle). But more than likely it was a spiritual mindset. David s heart and mind focused on God in the midst of troubles. And that became his sanctuary. Like David, our mindset can become a sanctuary as well. When we are fighting a battle that sword and shield will not conquer, fixing our eyes on Jesus becomes our rock of refuge. Psalm 28 Death is not so much on David s mind here as is his undeserved treatment and the way he is being treated like a criminal. David did not fear death, but he did not want to die while running and hiding like someone who is evil. The Lord had to intervene, or else David would be killed. And his reputation would be destroyed before his nation. The change in attitude found in Psalm 28:6 could mean that something did change, or that David was resting in his assurance that God would intervene Psalm 29 David witnesses a thunderstorm racing across the sky, and immediately is reminded of the power of God. It was the power of God that brought down all the 24

25 pagan nations around Israel. Their victory in battle came not from their might or the cleverness of men, but from the powerful arm of God. Psalm 30 This Psalm is credited with David s dedication of the Temple. Now it was either written in advance, as David continued to make plans for the place where Israel will worship God, or it has to do with erecting the Tabernacle. But notice that David appears to have recently been disciplined by God. This psalm might just be a response to an event we will read shortly; where it seemed David s prosperity went to his head (1 Chronicles 21:8). Psalm 31 David continues to pen these Psalms of lament. Actually, considering that much of David's life was spent in this condition (where evil people slandered his name or looked for ways to destroy him), it's no wonder there are many psalms that speak of his persecution. Psalm 31:19 It's interesting that David says God is storing up goodness for those who fear Him. Does that mean if we are righteous enough God's goodness will spill forth and protect our lives? Or does that mean even though we may be wrongly accused and persecuted, our goodness will testify for us? I think this is probably what David was thinking. If a person lives a good and righteous life, those who slander us will not be able to make their case against us. Everyone who knows us or has seen us knows that the slanderous remarks are merely lies (see 1 Peter 2:12). Psalm 32 It seems this psalm was written after David had confessed a sin. After the confession, peace returned to his heart once again. He received comfort from God that his sin had been forgiven. In reading this Psalm it seems that David was plagued by guilt over his actions. Night and day his sin spoke to David in the shadows of his heart. He did not find relief until the day he confessed that sin 25

26 to God. But rather than receive God s wrath, David received God s grace. He was forgiven. It was no longer held against him. Yes, David would live with the consequences of that sin, but it was no longer a blemish that stood between himself and God. May 10: Psalm Psalm 35 Again David prays for the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. For me the most significant verses are Psalm 35: Probably everyone shares this lament at some point in their life. Probably everyone has had their sleepless nights begging God to wake up and rise to their defense. Psalm 36 David receives this message from God about the philosophy and the lifestyle of the wicked. To keep this from affecting him, David reminds himself of God s unfailing love for those who love him. David s cry to not be overcome by the wicked; to not let them trample him, is the same cry that is on our heart today. We certainly do live among wicked people, and every Christian should struggle to remain separate from the evil influences of this world. Christians should stay alert and prepared lest the world creep in and influence their own lives. Psalm 37 This psalm is a Hebrew acrostic: each stanza begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In it, David contrasts the godly and the wicked. Now, who do you suppose he was thinking about? Just who were the wicked people living in the land during his lifetime? Sometimes I think we misdiagnose just who the wicked person might be. Those who are in prison are the people who have broken man s laws. But the wicked are those who deliberately break God s laws. 26

27 Sometimes man s laws match God s laws, but not always. Sometime the most wicked person you know is not the one behind bars, but the one behind a desk. Psalm 38 Reading this Psalm I am reminded of what those in the palace said to David as he fasted and prayed for his son to be spared (see 2 Samuel 12:18-23). May 11: Psalm 39-41, Psalm 53, 55, 58 Psalm 39 This Psalm continues in the theme we saw in Psalm 38. David is being disciplined by the Lord. He says that the Lord s discipline is hard for those who love God. So in the few years he has left on this earth (our years are but a shadow), David pleads that God would withdraw His hand of discipline soon. Psalm 40 It seems that David s life is finally beginning to turn around. He had suffered the Lord s punishment, had endured it in agony, but now at last the Lord s hand was no longer against him. Because of this, David s heart begins to rejoice. He proclaims this to everyone who would listen. So joyful was David that he rededicates himself to the Lord s service. David finally realized that what the Lord requires from us comes from the heart, not through ritualistic obedience to set guidelines and practices (Micah 6:6-8). Psalm 41 David speaks about an incident when someone close to him turned against him. Jesus used these words about Judas (John 13:18). I wonder what happened in David s life to cause him to mention this? It s possible this Psalm could tie in with the events that unfolded when Absalom rebelled against David, and one of his trusted advisors Ahithophel conspired against him (see 2 Samuel 16:20-17:3). 27

28 Perhaps it was this event that caused David to write this Psalm. The point is though, that David is looking to have his health restored so he can seek revenge. Now although this is what David asked for, when it came time for revenge against Absalom, David let grace rule his heart instead. He did not want to see his son killed (2 Samuel 18:5). Psalm 53 The differences between this Psalm and Psalm 14 are subtle. The point, the words, and the questions remain the same. A person has to choose to ignore the signs in order to believe that there is no God. Psalm 55 David was betrayed by an intimate friend; a friend who used to walk the palace with him. Was this Absalom? Some scholars believe David was thinking of Ahithophel (see 2 Samuel 15:31). In light of Absalom s uprising, it could be a reflection of having his own son turn against him. And David mentions no name probably because he still loved his son through the whole ordeal. It seems that David is thinking of Jerusalem in Psalm 55:9-11. And the one in power is more of a threat than anyone from the outside. Wow, is that true of some churches, or what? Some churches are worried about evil from the outside getting into the church, when in reality there is more evil within the church than they fully realize. Psalm 58 As David looks at his nation, he is appalled by the inherent corruption found in those that rule. I know it is tempting to point the finger of blame at one person, but that person seldom acts alone. Seldom do the wicked rise to power when they are alone ( Always two there are. A master and an apprentice. ) If you see a corrupt judge, you can be sure there is a corrupt justice system. If you see a wicked ruler, you can be sure that wickedness defines the land. Just think about how willing Doeg was to kill the innocent priests and their families (1 Samuel 28

29 22:18-19). Without his wicked heart, Saul's command may have never happened. Presently, David could do nothing to rid the land of this injustice, but he could keep himself pure. He did have an effect on the men who followed him (remember the lesson about justice they learned in 1 Samuel 24). A day would come when righteousness will prevail. What I find alarming about this Psalm is that the church is much like the Israel David described here. In our churches we permit a person to spit deadly venom that destroys and kills, yet do nothing to put an end to this injustice. How does someone like this rise to power within a church? Better yet, how can someone like this stay in power? It's a poor testimony of the church when it permits a person like this to stay in power (see Revelation 2:20). May 12: Psalm 61-62, Psalm Psalm 61 At first read it almost sounds as if David is bartering with God. Do this and I will praise your name forever. But knowing what we do of David, he has spoken praise to God even when situations were not in his favor (Again, Shimei comes to mind see 2 Samuel 16:10). Perhaps this was not bartering with God but just a general statement that he would praise God for answered pray, not praise God because He answered prayer. It may not seem like such a big difference, but it is quite significant. I praise the Lord. Then one day I have a crisis, so I pray to God. He answers my prayer, and I praise the Lord. The other situation is like this. I have a crisis. I complain to God. God answers my prayer. Only then do I praise the Lord. Sadly, this is the mindset of many who claim to love God. The only reason they love God is because of what He does for them. I wonder if their love would continue when one day God s answer to their prayer is no. 29

30 Psalm 62 There are many who place their trust in the things of this earth; in power, in money, and in the praise of men. But these things will not sustain you. In these a person will not find refuge. All of the things of this earth can be taken away from a person, but God will remain with you no matter what. History has told how martyrs had everything taken from them, even their life; yet not once could the powerful strip them of God. You should read Foxes Book of Martyrs some day. The stories found in there are incredible. Everything of this earth was taken from these people; everything. Yet even as they drew their last breath, their hearts continued to praise the Lord. Think of Stephen, remember what was on his lips as he was being stoned (see Acts 7:59). Psalm 64 In verses 7-8 David announces that the very trap the wicked set for the innocent will ensnare them. In other words, those who are liars will one day be caught in their lie. Those who spread slanderous gossip will one day be destroyed by slanderous gossip. And they will bring shame upon themselves. No one will have to do it for them. Give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves (Matthew 12:33). Psalm 65 This Psalm seems to have been written as a song to be sung during the time of harvest. It is a reminder of God s abundant blessing upon His people and His handiwork in creating the harvest. In light of what God has done, David urges the people to renew their covenant with God (Psalm 65:1-2). Psalm 66 This Psalm calls the nation of Israel to rejoice in her deliverance, and calls the nations around her to join in praising God. If you ll take notice here, the writer speaks in the first person plural in verses 1-12, and in the first person singular in 30

31 verses The psalm moves from corporate worship to personal worship. As other nations credit God with what He has done for Israel, the people of Israel come to His Temple in praise. I look at this psalm and realize that just as worshiping together is important, a person must have their own quiet time with God as well. God is the God of Israel, but He is also the God of each and every individual in that nation. Psalm 67 Here the Psalmist prays that God might be known throughout the earth. It was his desire that all the nations might come to know the mercy and justice of God. But one question comes to mind here, and that is how might these other nations come to know God? They would see God through His people. Yes, the Psalmist has written a genuine prayer. It is a humble prayer; a prayer that through him and through his nation, others might be able to see God. Christians should have this same desire. Churches should have this same desire as well. And they should live in a way that helps others see God. Their conduct and their love should open the world s eyes and help them see God. May 13: Psalm 68-70, Psalm 86, Psalm 101 Psalm 68 Perhaps this Psalm was written when David conquered Jerusalem, or perhaps when the Ark was being moved there. Jerusalem is often called Mt. Zion (Psalm 68:16). The Apostle Paul referenced Psalm 68:18 in his letter to the church in Ephesus (Ephesians 4:8). There he says that David was thinking ahead to the Spiritual Gifts all believers will receive from God because Christ ascended (returned to heaven in triumph). 31

32 Psalm 69 The theme of drowning seems to be the image David paints here. His sorrow and his persecution have overwhelmed him. Placing this Psalm within the events of Absalom s rebellion seems to make sense based upon what David says in Psalm 69:26. It seems David had recently been punished by God (perhaps because of the whole Uriah/ Bathsheba affair - 2 Samuel 11:14-17), and now the shame of his own son trying to overthrow the throne. I notice that David is concerned how these events will affect others who live a life of righteousness (Psalm 69:6). It seems he is worried about how this rebellion will affect those who have tried to live a life that honors God. If David tried, yet failed, these events may weaken the faith of someone else. This is the mark of a very godly man. He was concerned about others even while he is in the midst of suffering and persecution. Sort of echoes the words of Christ as He hung upon the cross (Luke 23:34). Psalm 70 This is a rather short Psalm that seems to be David s reminder to God that he is still waiting for answered prayer. David seems to say, Lord, it s been a while since I ve asked, and I have not received an answer yet. So I m coming to you again simply to ask that You deliver me from my enemies. Psalm 86 Again David is looking for deliverance. It seems that trials unshackled David s pen. So often we read of his petitions for deliverance. It s easy for these similar Psalms to blend together; David cries out for help, speaks of the righteousness of God, asks that his enemies be put to shame, and that he will praise the name of the Lord. But within each there is a particular element that shows just how fully David understands the heart of God. Here we see him echo the attributes of God found in Exodus 34:6 (as seen in David proclamation in Psalm 86:15). 32

33 Psalm 101 David vows to maintain purity in the land by first removing wickedness from himself, from those who served with him in the palace, and finally from his capital. This Psalm appears to be a vow that he lived by. Isn't it true that holiness within a church begins within the hearts of the people? May 14: Psalm 103, Psalm , Psalm 122, Psalm 124 Psalm 103 David continues to praise God for His unfailing love. It seems David just can t get over the fact that the Lord would forgive him for his sinful actions against God (see Psalm 51). In this Psalm, David praises God for His compassion upon humanity. And he makes a few statements about God s compassion that we dare not miss. In Psalm 103:4 He says that God redeems him from death. David rightly understood that redemption comes from God. And he understood that he would be spared death by the Lord s mighty hand. In other words, David knew that there was nothing he could do to earn this redemption or no offering he could give that would purchase his eternal life. David knew that God gave this to those who love Him and serve Him. He also says in Psalm 103:9-10 that God does not accuse us for every little infraction, nor does He remain angry with us forever. This is significant theology coming from a man who was raised under Jewish Law. Perhaps the excess legalism of the Pharisees was non-existent in David s time. But it is a lesson legalist today need to learn. Salvation does not come in the absence of sin. Salvation comes to those who call upon the blood of Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin. But the sad truth is that no matter how hard we try, we all (even the redeemed) will sin from time to time. Does that mean we lose our salvation? No. It means we have been disobedient, but we still remain a child of God. See, God s love and mercy are not given because we deserve it, but because we ve asked for it; because we need it. And when do we need it the 33

34 most; when we have disobeyed. I think all of us should be surprised at the patient love of our God. We become so frightened that we fear the next sin might just be the one to cause God to break things off with us; to withdraw His love and mercy. But He doesn t because He knows we are weak and that we are only dust (Psalm 103:14). Psalm 108 A Psalm of Praise to who God is, what God has done, for what God is doing, and for what God will do. Most importantly here is that David continues to express utter dependence upon God; this, in spite of the recent victories over the surrounding nations and the tribute some have given him. A lesser man would have begun to grow confident in himself, but not David. He saw that the Lord had brought success, and the Lord alone (Psalm 108:12-13). Psalm 109 David's anger in this Psalm is quite evident. David asks the Lord to kill this wicked person, to wipe out his children, to never forgive his sins, and to blot out the family name in a single generation. As I read this I began to wonder if this was written early in David s life or toward the end. It s difficult to say because at times David became quite angry at others. It seems he was haunted by a sharp temper (compare 1 Samuel 25:13). Sometime he controlled it (compare 2 Samuel 16:5-13), and at other times it controlled him. People will always say or do things that hurt us. There will always be someone bent on destroying us for whatever reason (like jealousy or a lust for power). But it is the mature person, especially a mature king, who one day can look at these people and respond with restraint and mercy. This is the attitude a Christian must develop in their own life. Psalm 110 This Psalm begins kind of strange "The Lord says to my Lord". In essence, David overhears a conversation between Yahweh and Adonay; a conversation 34

35 between The Lord and David's Lord. This is what God the Father has to say to the Messiah. The Messiah is seated at the right hand of the Father, the place of authority. The Messiah will rule forever. Jesus understood the meaning behind this psalm, which is why He applied it to Himself in Mark 12:36. Psalm 122 Psalm 122:1 As David drew closer to Jerusalem, he was glad to be returning home. He was glad to find himself within its walls once again. The passage that is often quoted as a reference to going to church is in reality a passage directly related to David s return to Jerusalem. The House of the Lord was not in Jerusalem at this time. The Temple was not built within David s lifetime. So to quote verse 1 in reference to church attendance is to take it out of context. If that s true, then what did David mean? The Hebrew word Bayith (Bah-Yith), can mean house, but can also mean household. So an alternate reading of this could say I was glad when they said to me Let us go to the household (or family) of God. Considering what David had recently faced, the idea of being among a united family caused his heart to rejoice. He was not glad that he had come to church. He was glad that he was among the body of believers. And one can be among other believers even in a basement or around a camp fire. Psalm 122:6-9 But to be among the household (or family) is to be among a people who seek peace and harmony among themselves. If they are all God s holy people, then they should all act like God s hold people. Actually, if someone wants to start quoting from this psalm about church, these 4 verses should be the ones they mention. For the sake of the church, let those who call themselves Christian be at peace with one another. Then a person will be glad when they are among the brethren. Psalm 124 David confesses that deliverance comes from God. David has eyes to see the hand of God directing events and circumstances in order to protect His people and also to accomplish His will. David understood this. Isaiah proclaimed this 35

36 (Isaiah 40:15). I wonder if we fully grasp this. Sometime it seems we have a tendency to place God outside of the events in this world; that He merely quietly observes life. Some think that God is merely watching and waiting to answer a prayer or cure a disease or help us win the lottery. What many fail to realize is the depth of God s involvement in human affairs. I m not saying He interferes with Free Will, but I am convinced that He orchestrates events in order to bring us to a place where we are given a choice to trust Him. And I believe He guides events to bring about His will. Consider the story of Esther, for example. God put her in a position where she could step in to intervene for her people (the Jews). But she ultimately made the choice to go and petition King Xerxes. This is what King David proclaims here. God brings us to a place to deal with a situation that we have been prepared to face. May 15: Psalm 131, Psalm 133, Psalm , Psalm 143 Psalm 131 Sometimes we ponder things that we will never know this side of heaven. Sometimes we spend sleepless nights wondering about the things of God we may never know. David, as he has matured as a man of faith, has reached the point in his life that he is no longer concerned if the Lord will return Pretribulation, Mid-tribulation, or Post-tribulation. His only concern is his diligence in being faithful while he is here on this earth. Amen, to that sentiment. Sometimes we spend more time worrying about things that will not matter in view of eternity. Sometimes we need to simply rest at the feet of our Lord in worship. Psalm 133 Three short verses proclaiming the beauty in harmony. But that harmony surrounds God and God alone. There was no harmony between God and other gods (see Exodus 34:14). The worship of pagan gods angered the Lord, and He 36

37 used Israel to drive the worship of false gods out of the land (Deuteronomy 9:4). We are wrong to assume that Christians can worship in harmony with those who worship pagan gods; false gods who defile the Holiness of our Lord. The compromise did not work in David s time and it doesn t work today. Want proof? Think about what rests upon the Temple mount today. That Muslim Mosque certainly does not create harmony. The Jewish faith and the Christian faith can claim a heritage to this city and to this Mountain of Worship, but not Muslims. The only thing they can claim is that they took the city by force and desecrated this holy place by their worship of a false god. And so they battle. They fight for control in the Middle East. To the Jews this is their sacred land; the land given to them by God. To the Muslim, this is their land; a land Allah allowed them to conquer. A Christian needs to be careful that they don t get too bent out of shape that this Holy city has been defiled. In Christianity, places and religious artifacts have never been worshiped. Christ is worshiped, and that can happen anywhere, at any place, and at any time. For the Jew, I can understand their hostility toward the Muslim. Given their promise from God, it s difficult to share their land with a pagan religion that took over by force. But, a Jew needs to remember that God has always been mobile. He never did have a resting place upon this earth. The whole earth is His footstool (Isaiah 66:1). God has always been worshiped wherever He might be found (2 Samuel 7:6). Psalm 138 In a slightly change of attitude, this Psalm speaks of God s immediate answer (Psalm 138:3). Isn t it true that when God doesn t speedily answer we assume He isn t listening? I wonder if this is God s way of showing grace? Instead of saying no, causing us to lose faith, He remains silent causing us to pray even more. But of course God does sometimes answer right away, and He answers according to our desires. It is in these moments our faith is strengthened. Apparently this is what happened to David, and he boasts of God s faithful love. 37

38 Psalm 139 David claims that God is all knowing (Omniscient), present everywhere (Omnipresent), and all powerful (Omnipotent). Perhaps David wrote this Psalm as he reflected back upon his life. From a lowly shepherd boy he now finds himself king of Israel. Throughout this whole time, God had been working and moving in David's life to bring him to this point. God's hand could be found in all that had happened. None of it was by accident. Does this mean that David had been predestined for this? Not necessarily, but it does mean that God was orchestrating events to bring David to a place where he had to choose either his own desires or follow God's leading. His final confession in verse 24 is a desire that God continue to lead and guide him when he is in those situations where he must choose between following his desires or following God s will. Psalm 140 David cries out for justice in this Psalm, but he is not simply concerned about himself. I see a concern for the nation as well (Psalm 140:11). David seems to concede that he is not the only one being damaged by the slanderous words of the wicked, for he claims the Lord will protect those who are persecuted by the wicked liars in the land. Psalm 141 Several requests stand out in this Psalm. David pleads with God to direct him away from evil. Guard my lips, he asks. Turn me away from temptations. This reminds me of a particular event where David was bent on doing harm, but God redirected him through the council of a very wise woman. David must have been thinking of Abigail, when she wisely turned aside his wrath. And as a sign of David s heart, he heard the rebuke of God in the nick of time. It takes a humble heart to receive the correction of God through the mouth of another person. 38

39 Psalm 143 Many of David s Psalms are not attributed to any one event. This psalm, like many others, are petitions asking for deliverance. If we take each of these and see them as Psalms written about individual events, it might seem David had a truly miserable life. But if we look at these as a group of Psalms written during one particular event, then the words take on a different significance. When David petitions God for deliverance, it is an indication that the Lord was not answering according to David s timing, so he continues to go to the Lord in prayer. Think about the many prayers David must have uttered while fleeing Absalom s rebellion. May 16: Psalm , Psalm Psalm 144 David begins this Psalm not necessarily praising God that He HAS trained David to be a warrior, but that God had prepared David for the task set before him. Sure, David WAS thankful God had prepared him to be a superior warrior, especially considering that God directed him into battle so many times, but I just don t think David dwelt on the gift. Instead, what I read here, is a man thankful that God was gracious and loving enough to prepare him for the work set before him. David seems moved that God would even consider the affairs of Men. It is this attitude that separates Jew and Christian from all the other religions of the world. It is in these two faiths alone you will find the belief that God does indeed care and is intimately involved in the affairs of Humanity. Psalm 145 This Psalm seems to be a reminder of God s graciousness to those who love Him; to those who are His people. David calls us to pass along the character and the personality of God to the next generation. I think that s important. It s 39

40 one thing to know what God has done for us, but it is even a better thing to know God; to know what He loves and what He hates, and to know that He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. These attributes of God are not the fanciful imaginations of a person, but how God has described himself to humanity (Exodus 34:6). You and I need to know what God is like, for to know God is to love God. Knowing that He has withheld His wrath during our disobedience, and knowing that He has shown us grace even though we deserve punishment, a person cannot help but love God. We can t help but love God when we realize just how passionately He desires us to come to Him and embrace Him. God longs for you and me to draw near to Him. Anyway, this is what happens when we learn who God is, not just what He has done for us. Psalm 88 Heman is introduced to us in 1 Chronicles 16:19, and mentioned to be a little less wise than Solomon (1 Kings 4:31). This psalm is probably one of the saddest of any of the psalms. One has to wonder what prompted these sad words of lament. Either these words spoke of a situation Heman was facing, or they were prophetic words written for the entire nation; perhaps to prepare for the time Jerusalem is captured and the Temple destroyed by the Babylonian army. Psalm 89 Perhaps this Ethan was one of the leaders of the temple music (see 1 Chronicles 6:44). He may have been the same Ethan who was only slightly less wise that Solomon (1 Kings 4:31). The events that caused Ethan to write this Psalm are unknown. If he was the same Ethan that lived during Solomon s time, it may refer to the invasion of Shishak from Egypt (1 Kings 1425). Or perhaps it was the Babylonian Exile. And actually, this seems more likely, for Ethan laments the end of the Davidic Kingship in Jerusalem. Ethan points out to God that He had made this promise, but now it seems that promise had been forgotten. This dilemma has faced the godly for thousands of years. When facing a catastrophe, it is difficult to see 40

41 God s faithfulness to His word. Yet time after time God eventually shows faithfulness to His word according to His timing. This is what you and I are facing right now; waiting for Christ to come again (2 Peter 3:9). May 17: Psalm 50, Psalm Psalm 50 Psalm 50:1-1-6 Asaph says that God is seated in the courtroom, and He has summoned the rest of the earth to witness His judgment against the nation of Israel (those who made a covenant). What charges will He bring against them? Psalm 50:7-15 His first charge against Israel addressed their formalism in worship. The people needed to realize that God didn t need the animals, they needed Him. It s not like God was hungry or required the food to survive (unlike the pagan gods). He did not even need their worship in order to survive. God was not dependent upon them, the nation needed to remember that they were dependent upon God. Israel went through the motions of their worship, offering sacrifices and observing festivals, without truly giving God their heart. This is what God really wanted. This is what He still wants today. We attend church, we give, we pray, we do things for God not because in them we find eternal life, but because we desire to labor for the Kingdom. No Christian should ever grudgingly serve. That s an indication of a heart that is empty of thankfulness. Psalm 50:16-21 In God s second charge against His people he condemns their hypocrisy. They said one thing but lived another. They repeated God s Laws and spoke of His covenant, but lived as if those words didn t matter. They were a church with the 10 commandments posted outside the building, but didn t live as if they mattered. What s the point in being a Christian of your not going to live like Christ in the first place? During the Reformation there was a movement toward piety; a call to live what you confessed. Sometimes I think Christians need to be reminded of this. As a teen I once rode along with an older member 41

42 of my church, and was appalled at what I heard him say to people and about people. I don t know if he was trying to look cool around me, but it didn t work. I lost a lot of respect for him, and truthfully began to wonder how many other older people in the church were fakes; acting one way on Sunday, but another way the rest of the week. When a person who is called by the name of God s Son does not even try to act like the Son, they fail to be an effective witness for the Son. Psalm 73 Psalm 73:1-12 Reading this Psalm reminds me of the time Sennacherib stood outside Jerusalem and slandered the God of Israel. And I can almost picture Hezekiah on his knees praying this Psalm to the Lord. As a nation, Judah was weak and poor. Sure they tried their best to be obedient to God, but look at the situation they were in. Here comes some slobbering idiot without an ounce of righteousness in his bones, and asserts himself throughout the land. Look how he prospers! Look how few nations he fears! It seems that God was with Sennacherib (because of all the victories and the worldly blessings), even though he stood on a hill and spit in God s eye. The Psalmist (and perhaps Hezekiah) almost lost their step here. Envy almost destroyed them, but not quite yet. Psalm 73:13-14 This is a question that will continue to be asked by godly men and women until the Lord returns. At times life just doesn t seem fair. I ve asked this question myself from time to time. I ve crucified my life to serve God. But look how little I have to show for this. My friends and the people around me have so much, while I drive around in a 12 year old truck with 150,000 miles. I fall into this trap just like many other Christians. We, the righteous, seem to be ignored, while the wicked and the despicable coast through life on wheels of fortune. If we do slip into these moments, it s helpful to know that we are in good company. The Psalmist, and perhaps Hezekiah, struggled with these same thoughts. And thankfully we have their words to direct us away from this destructive thinking. Psalm 73:17-20 This is the fate of all who live unrighteous lives. This is the misery, the hopelessness, and the fear that haunt these people night and day. There is no peace, no assurance in their heart. They are empty shells that only 42

43 look like people. They know nothing of happiness and joy. They know nothing of wholeness; of the rest a righteous person finds while lying in bed. Would we really trade all of that for a new car or a nicer home? Psalm 73:21-28 These are the benefits of the righteous. And the best part is that even when a righteous person sins against God, they can find forgiveness. They will find God right there where they left Him. I suspect that it is in these times we allow our hearts to drift away from the presence of God that we will find Him drawing near. He continues to hold our right hand. He reaches out and is our strength when we have none left. Psalm 74 Psalm 74:1-8 The statements in these verses suggest a complete devastation of the sanctuary. The only historical event that matches this devastation is the invasion by the Babylonians in 586 BC, but that is far too late if the Asaph of David s time is the author of this psalm. Perhaps this Asaph is a later member of the Asaph musical guild. Psalm 74:9-17 Asaph spends a few verses reminding God of what He did in the past, and confesses of God s dominion over everything. He is begging God to act on their behalf now. Psalm 74:18-23 Asaph also calls on God to hear the insults these people are making against Him. He wonders how much longer God will tolerate their wickedness. I d say about as long as He tolerated Israel s wickedness. This psalm tells an interesting truth. People don t like being lied to or cheated or treated with injustice. But when they do these things to other people they expect God to show them mercy. Oh, we like it when the police stop another reckless driver. We call that justice. But when we get stopped we fuss about the cop trying to make his quota. My friend, if God s justice is good enough for the wicked, then it s good enough for you. And if you desire His love and mercy, then you had better be willing to let Him show love and mercy to someone else as well; especially toward someone you hate. 43

44 May 18: Psalm Psalm 75 At the right time, God plans to bring justice against the wicked. Written by Asaph probably during Solomon s reign, he rightly warns the wicked to not raise a defiant fist toward God (picture Sennacherib in 2 Kings 19:10-13). Do not boast at your power and might. Do not think too highly of yourself. A time will come when even the powerful and the mighty will find themselves facing God s judgment. And the wicked will experience every last drop of His wrath. Again I can picture Hezekiah reflecting on this Psalm once the Assyrian army, that army which was unstoppable, was stopped by the mighty hand of God (see 2 Kings 19:35). I really hope the leaders of our country keep in mind that they are not the ones with the power; God alone possesses power in this world. We exist as a nation only by His mercy and grace. I really hope our president keeps this in mind. Psalm 76 Here is yet another Psalm that proclaims the power of God. God s power can be seen, says the psalmist, in the way He destroys Israel s enemies. Even her boldest enemies lay broken and destroyed, all by the breath of God. Psalm 77 Asaph, possibly the one who lived during Hezekiah s reign (see 2 Kings 18:18), looked at the trouble that surrounded him, and felt abandoned by God. Yet he found strength by reading back over the records of God s faithfulness in the past. This is probably why a Christian finds strength from the Bible when facing times of trouble. God was there when others faced difficulties. He will be there when we face them as well. 44

45 Psalm 78 Israel is in the middle of a transition. At transitional times like these it is customary to look back and see all that has happened to get them to this place. Asaph, in this Psalm, reminds the nation of God's marvelous work from one generation to the next. He uses several examples from the past that show what happened when the nation turned its back on God. This Psalm was written by Asaph, a musician that David had appointed to oversee the music in worship (1 Chronicles 6:39). He also was commissioned to sing at the dedication ceremony for the Temple (2 Chronicles 5:12). May 19: Psalm Psalm 79 Another Psalm from Asaph that is similar to Psalm 74. However this Psalm speaks of Jerusalem s destruction and the desecration of the Temple. Perhaps this was not the same Asaph who was appointed by David. Maybe this Asaph lived much later, and was able to witness the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. Perhaps he was one of the few left behind in Jerusalem. If so, we are able to read what life was like for those who were forced to stay in Jerusalem. They probably heard more of the mocking and watched more of the destruction than those taken into captivity. Or maybe this Psalm was written prophetically by David s Asaph, speaking of a future time. Psalm 80 Years after the nation of Israel divides, King Hezekiah of Judah would come along and cleanse the Temple. It had previously been defiled by many kings and the priests. As he had the Temple cleansed and worship was restored, it says they sang many songs written by King David and by Asaph (see 2 Chronicles 29:30). Perhaps this was one of the Psalms that had been sung. It is a Psalm 45

46 speaking of restoration, a Psalm that speaks of repentance. The people are mourning their behavior and the consequences of their actions. They beg God to look upon their changed ways, and forgive. Psalm 81 This Psalm was written by Asaph, perhaps the same musician who served under King David. It sings a song of a people rejecting God, even though He rescued them while slaves in Egypt. Asaph calls the people to sing this song to remind them that if they would only live according to God s laws and decrees, He would rescue them once again. Perhaps during the first Passover celebration in the New Temple, the people sang this song to remind them of this truth, and to challenge them to continue following God s laws so they don t find themselves punished once again. Psalm 82 In a kind of commissioning service, this Psalm reminds people that they represent the Lord most High, and challenges them to make judgments with justice, upholding the rights of the oppressed, the helpless, and the destitute. One day, many years after this Psalm is written, King Jehoshaphat will send men out into the land to give godly judgment. Maybe he read them this Psalm before they left (see 2 Chronicles 19:8-11). May 20: Psalm 83, 2 Chronicles 1, 1 Kings 3 Psalm 83 Do you hear the uproar of your enemies? Asaph asks God. We re not sure what events caused Asaph to write this Psalm, but to help the nation face this trial, he reminds the people that just as God delivered the nation through Gideon, Deborah, and Barak, He will do so again. See Judges 7:25 and Judges 8:12 for the reference Asaph made about God s prior deliverance. 46

47 2 Chronicles 1 The beginning of Solomon s reign mentioned here is similar to what is mentioned in 1 Kings. Except that 2 Chronicles 2:14-17 gives a detailed list of the additional blessing Solomon received from God. However, the Chronicler does not point out that this amassed wealth was contrary to the Lord s commands. God had spoken against this sort of behavior in Deuteronomy 17:16-17 because the king would place his trust in things rather than in God. 1 Kings 3 1 Kings 3:1 This note might be out of Chronological order, but it sets the stage for what was to come. Solomon should have been a bit more particular who he married. But considering that he was about 20 years old at this time, it would have been difficult to not let his desire guide his decisions. The alliance with Egypt was probably politically motivated, making an allegiance with Siamon of the 21 st Dynasty. 1 Kings 3:2-3 Following Canaanite tradition, the people of Israel would find the highest place in town and there offer sacrifices to God. This was clearly against God s Law (Leviticus 17:3-4). Even Solomon followed this common practice. But why would Israel do this? Where was the Tabernacle that had been in Shiloh? It s possible that the Philistines destroyed it during the great battle mentioned in 1 Samuel 4:10-11 (comparing this battle with God s statement in Jeremiah 7:12-15). I say that it s possible the Tabernacle was destroyed. We cannot be sure. Some Bible scholars think that it was moved into Jerusalem, based upon what Solomon does after his blessing from God (1 Kings 3:15). I tend to agree with the thought that it was destroyed, and David s desire for a new dwelling for God was motivated by its destruction. It s possible the Ark was simply kept in some room within the palace. 1 Kings 3:5-9 Now that s a prayer. I think every leader, especially every leader in the church, should ask this of God. Granted, seldom does God come to us with a blank check like He did here with Solomon, but it is wise to ask God for 47

48 help in leading His people; His church. I also think that every church leader should recognize themselves as God s servant. They are not the one in charge; God is. It is the humble leader that keeps their role in its proper perspective. 1 Kings 3:12 Nuts! I was hoping for a double portion of Solomon s wisdom. Now it seems I d be lucky to have even half his wisdom. Oh well, I ll take all the help I can get. I remember that when I felt called to the ministry Solomon s request was often on my mind. Even now, after 17 years, I still ask for this wisdom and discernment. 1 Kings 3:16-28 People often quote this story as an example of Solomon s wisdom. It s true that he demonstrated wisdom here, but also he demonstrates dignity of human life. Think about this; two prostitutes are allowed to come before the king. This shows us something of Solomon s heart. It shows us that he could look past the sin and see the person instead. May 21: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles Kings 5 1 Kings 5:1-12 Solomon certainly knows how to be diplomatic. Either that or he was genuine. I mean, think about how this sounds; No one can cut timber like you guys can. Well, shucks Solomon. When you put it that way, you got a deal! Apparently a lot of wood was needed, considering the amount paid. 1 Kings 5:13-18 The people forced to gather all these materials would eventually rebel (1 Kings 12:18). Considering all that Solomon would build, the people just grew weary of being forced into working. 7 years for the Temple was bad enough, but to then add all the other buildings and gardens and storehouses... well, eventually the people had had enough. I find it interesting that a man wise enough to discern the human psyche was not wise enough to know when enough was enough. 1 Kings 6 48

49 1 Kings 6:1 This is one of the most important verses in the Old Testament because it helps us to fix certain dates in Israel s history. Solomon reigned from 971 to 931 BC. According to this verse, in the fourth year of his reign Solomon began to build the temple. That was in 966 BC. The Exodus took place 480 years earlier (1446 BC). The month Ziv is April-May. Here s a bit of trivia. 430 years later, Zerubbabel (536) began to rebuild the Temple in the same month (Ezra 3:8). 1 Kings 6:2-6 The Temple was not extremely large, about 2,700 square feet. But it would have been strikingly beautiful. 1 Kings 6:7 This verse amazes me. Apparently the craftsmanship was so superior that the mason s cut the stones at the quarry with so much precision that they merely fell into place at the construction site. Experts feel they interlocked with a tongue and grove joint. 1 Kings 6:14-35 The interior of this Temple was striking. The woodwork would have been quite elaborate. Perhaps it looked something like this artist s interpretation (see following picture). 49

50 1 Kings 6:36 The inner courtyard mentioned here was an open plaza that surrounded the Temple. There was also an outer courtyard not mentioned here (2 Chronicles 4:9), which was somewhat lower in elevation than the inner courtyard (compare upper courtyard in Jeremiah 36:10). This inner courtyard (also called the courtyard of the priests, 2 Chronicles 4:9) was separated from the outer (great) court by the wall described here. This wall consisted of three courses (rows) of dressed (cut) stone (limestone) and one course (row) of cedar beams. (The outer courtyard was also surrounded by a wall.) The size of the inner courtyard is not given, but if the dimensions of the courtyards of the temple are proportionate to those of the tabernacle courtyard, as the dimensions of the temple and tabernacle structures are, the inner courtyard was about 150 feet wide and 400 feet long. 1 Kings 6:38 It took seven years to finish the Temple. But keep in mind that David had gathered much of the material ahead of time. 2 Chronicles 2 The details here compare with what was recorded in 1 Kings 5. However, 1 Kings 7:14 says that Huram s mother was a widow from Naphtali, not from Dan as recorded in 2 Chronicles 2:14. It s possible the Chronicler didn t know the exact details by this time, or maybe she was originally from Dan but had been living in Naphtali, or the other way around. 50

51 2 Chronicles 3 Details about the size and construction of the Temple are mentioned in 1 Kings 6. What you might find interesting is that based upon recent archeological excavations around the Dome of the Rock (the Muslim Mosque that sets on Mt. Moriah), the threshing floor and the original Temple probably stood just north of the present building (see Asher S. Kaufman, Where the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem Stood, Biblical Archaeology Review 9. March-April 1983, pp ). You can read more at May 22: 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4 1 Kings 7 Next Solomon builds his palace. Several buildings are mentioned. I doubt the world had ever seen something so majestic. From the Encyclopedia Biblica, a reconstruction based on biblical scholarship, and topography of the land (the shape of the hill), can be found on the following page. 1 Kings 7:2 The building called The Palace of the Forest of Lebanon was in Jerusalem, but it was named this because of the extensive wood from Lebanon used in its construction. It was 4 times larger than the Temple, measuring 11,250 square feet. 1 Kings 7:9 Limestone in Palestine can be cut with a saw when first quarried, but it hardens when exposed to the elements. 1 Kings 7:13 This Huram (or Hiram) is not to be confused with the King of Tyre. They are not the same person. (see 2 Chronicles 2:14). 1 Kings 7:25 This huge basin held 11,000 gallons of water. That s a decent sized swimming pool! 51

52 1 'Great Court' 2 'Second Court' 3 'Court of the Temple' 4 House of the forest of Lebanon 5 Hall of Pillars 6 Hall of Judgment 7 Royal Palace 8 Harem 9 Temple 10 Altar 1 Kings 7:27 These carts were apparently designed to be moved around the courtyard as needed. But considering their size and weight, it would have been quite difficult. Fill them with all 220 gallons of water (1 Kings 7:38) and they would have been unwieldy. 52

53 1 Kings 7:48-50 The items outside the Temple were made of bronze, but inside they were made of gold. Each Lampstand probably weighed 100 pounds and was made entirely of gold. It s no wonder foreign kings schemed to ransack the Temple once Solomon died. 2 Chronicles 4 The furnishings for the Temple are also mentioned in 1 Kings 7: In 2 Chronicles 4:5 we are told the basin held 3000 baths, while 1 Kings 7:26 says it held 2000 baths. Which is correct? Well, if you know your geometry, both seem wrong. Both references seem to make the mistake for the value of Pi. If the circumference was 30 cubits (45 feet) and the diameter 10 cubits (15 feet), then the value of Pi would have been 3.0. But doesn t God know the value of Pi? How do we justify this error? There is a real good argument on this at To answer the volume discrepancy between 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, it seems the volume 53

54 listed in 1 Kings is more accurate, the 2000 baths. This is also explained at the previous link as well. May 23: 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles Kings 8 1 Kings 8:1-5 It might seem that Solomon didn t start to worship in the Temple until after the rest of the Palace was completed. But Bible Scholars point out that 1 Kings 7:1-12 was to tell us what Solomon also built. But, it was still 11 months from the completion of the Temple building until this celebration. It took place in the month of Ethanim, during the Feast of Tabernacles (September October). 1 Kings 8:8 This section was recorded before the Temple was destroyed in 586 BC. 1 Kings 8:10-11 This is significant. When was the last time a Church Service could not continue because the glorious presence of the Lord? I suspect that the overwhelming presence of God would not drive people away nor keep them from praising God. I think things are different today, with Christians being filled with the Holy Spirit. With the presence of God within us, I think it would cause us to worship even more. We are not like the Hebrew people who could not go near the mountain because the presence of God overwhelmed them (Exodus 20:19). 1 Kings 8:22-53 It s interesting that Solomon stood before the assembly and prayed. It seems he had training to do this sort of things Several verses really stand out here. 1 Kings 8:23 Solomon rightly acknowledges God as Lord above all. 1 Kings 8:24 Solomon rightly credits God as the builder of the Temple. God was the One who allowed all of this to happen in the first place. 1 Kings 8:30 Solomon asks that God perform the mightiest deed of all; that He forgive those who have humbled themselves. This request is unique among Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The three faiths alone believe forgiveness can 54

55 come through a humble and repentant heart. God is the One who chooses to forgive. 1 Kings 8:31-40 Solomon does not plead for protection from disasters, but that God would hear their prayers in the midst of those disasters. Solomon believed that the nation would sin, and that God would discipline. But he also believed that if Israel would repent, God would restore them. This is very prophetic. 1 Kings 8:41-43 Solomon asks that God would hear the prayers of the foreigners who come to Him in humbleness and reverence. That s an amazing request! Most people pray for the destruction of their enemies. Solomon hopes they might earnestly seek God, and that He would reveal Himself to them (Isaiah 65:1). 1 Kings 8:44-53 Solomon asks God to hear the prayer of a sinner, and forgive. What Solomon is asking is probably the most amazing request ever uttered by humanity. He asks for forgiveness without offering restitution. His only offering is a broken and humble heart that knows it has sinned. And surprisingly, Solomon believes God will answer this request. 2 Chronicles 5 The construction project on the Temple lasted 7 years. That s even after David acquired all the materials and laid out the plans. The Ark must have been moved off of Mt. Moriah and stored at Mt. Zion while the Temple was being built. What an incredible worship service this must have been. The great crowd of people gather to praise God, and God shows up (okay, I know He was there all along, but He did give a visible sign that He was there). What I can t figure is that with God displaying His presence in this way, why would these people eventually turn their backs on God. 2 Chronicles 6 2 Chronicles 6:13 Solomon s praise and prayer take place on a small bronze platform, an item not mentioned in 1 Kings 8:12. 55

56 2 Chronicles 6:21 This is a favorite prayer of mine. I don t think many of us fully understand Solomon s request. He asks God to hear the people s prayers, and when He hears them, to forgive. Sure, the people offered sacrifices to restore holiness, but for God to offer forgiveness, He needed to make a loving choice. Forgiveness is not purchased by us nor earned. Forgiveness is granted by a loving and merciful God who provided the means for forgiveness Himself. When we ask God to forgive our sins we are asking Him to make a choice. We are asking Him to choose grace over judgment; love over indifference. And the fact that forgiveness is granted demonstrates the character of God; that He is full of grace and love. 2 Chronicles 6:36-39 This section was quite important for those returning from exile. It would be important for them to know that God would hear their prayers of repentance and grant them forgiveness. May 24: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 7 1 Kings 9 1 Kings 9:3-9 God responds to Solomon s prayer, but it seems that He already knows what these people will do. Why, oh why will these people not listen? How many times has God spoke similar words to these people? Yet, even after their punishment in the years to come, God will establish a remnant. Truly He is slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). 1 Kings 9:10 Half of Solomon s reign was spent on building projects. I suspect the people were becoming a bit weary from all this construction and taxation. 1 Kings 9:1-14 King Hiram of Tyre didn t like the towns around Galilee one bit. He saw them as worthless. This sentiment was echoed by Nathaniel (John 1:46). 1 Kings 9:22 Solomon used the foreigners living in the land as forced laborers. The Israelites were the supervisors. Is this any different than the way they were 56

57 treated back in Egypt? The oppressed have become the oppressor. I wonder what God thought about all of this? 1 Kings 9:24 The Daughter of Pharaoh lived in the lower part of Israel; the section that existed up until Solomon expanded the Royal Palace up on Mt. Moriah, just north of old Jerusalem 1 Kings 9:25 It says here that Solomon presented offerings upon the Altar 3 times a year. Why Solomon and not the priests? 2 Chronicles 7 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 This time God answered Solomon s prayer by sending fire from heaven and consuming the sacrifice. That would have been a cool sight, watching from a distance, of course. But up close I think I d been a bit scared (or scarred, however you want to spell it). The text is not clear if the cloud in the Temple had dissipated, then returned, or if God s presence in the cloud was simply mentioned again. 2 Chronicles 7:4-10 records the people s response to the Lord. A week-long celebration took place with enough animals sacrificed to make a Texas rancher green with envy. And pardon my frankness but, what did they do with all the blood and guts? I mean, the place would have looked like a slaughter house. 2 Chronicles 7:11 The Chronicler only makes a passing remark about the palace. 1 Kings 7:1-12 gives a much more detailed report. 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 This is God s response to Solomon and to the people. But it is a mixture of blessings and warnings. The warning, however, is filled with a promise. If Israel disobeys God s commands and if they turn away from God, they will be punished. But if they repent of their sins, God will forgive them and heal their broken land. May I point out here that this is a promise God made Israel, not the United States. It irks me when people take a promise made to someone else and try to apply it to themselves. It s way out of context. That would be like my children cleaning up their rooms then saying we were going to Disney World because the Johnson s promised to take their children if they cleaned up their rooms. 57

58 May 25: 2 Chronicles 8-9, 1 Kings 10 2 Chronicles 8 2 Chronicles 8:1-2 According to 1 Kings 9:10-14 Solomon gave King Hiram these 20 town around Galilee, but he didn t care for those towns at all. So apparently the Chronicler is referring to the return of these rejected towns to King Solomon. 2 Chronicles 8:3-11 This is a listing of Solomon s political successes. The Chronicler points out that Pharaoh s daughter (Solomon s wife) lived in a separate palace because for some reason she would profane the presence of the Ark. We can only assume it s because she was Egyptian and would perhaps worship the false gods of Egypt. What s puzzling is that if she was not good enough to be in the presence of the Lord, then why was she good enough to be in the presence of Solomon? 2 Chronicles 8:12-16 Solomon s religious success is mentioned next, followed by a brief description of his economic success (2 Chronicles 8:17-18). I wonder how they got that much gold? 2 Chronicles 9 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 The visit by the Queen of Sheba is mentioned here, a story similar to what is recorded in 1 Kings 10:1-13. I don t get this lady. She travels 1,200 miles just to ask Solomon a couple of questions. And when he passes her test she gives him 9,000 pounds of Gold. Must have been some Old Testament Game Show. I d like to get in on this game, if I may. Maybe I would not win the grand prize, but still... 2 Chronicles 9:13-28 Solomon was one wealthy man. And what did he do to deserve this wealth? Why did the neighboring nations bring him all that gold? Was it tribute money? Was it payment for trade? 2 Chronicles 9:29-31 For a cross reference on these historians, see 1 Kings 1:11-13, 1 Kings 11:29, and 2 Chronicles 12:15. It is assumed that the records of 58

59 these men were compiled into one volume, perhaps some in the Book of Kings and some in the writings of the Chronicler. It does not mean they were lost. It means they were probably combined. 1 Kings 10 1 Kings 10:1-13 Sheba is located in modern day Yemen (you were paying attention in Geography class, right?), about 1,200 miles from Jerusalem. Apparently she had heard all about Solomon from the trade ships that traveled that far. Curious about what she had heard, she came to see for herself. I ve often wondered what she asked. What did she want to know? Duly impressed, she gave Solomon all kinds of gifts (a bribe?), including 9,000 pounds of Gold. At today s exchange rate that s about $221,358, She can come visit me anytime. I doubt she would be as impressed though. 1 Kings 10:14-29 What a spectacular throne! The whole kingdom shimmered with Gold, so much Gold that silver was considered common. But in all this splendor and glory, I can t help but wonder what it would be like to drink from a cup made of Gold. I ve drank from pewter cups, and they added a distinct flavor to the water. Anyone have a gold cup they ll let me drink from? 59