1 Chron 26-29 Psalm 127

OK, here is the deal, some of the chapters we may never read again in our lifetime.  We may never study them or feel led to read them again.  Just in case that is true,  I tried to really concentrate on these.  I  also try to make notes in my Bible knowing I will forget!  This is what I think of…I want my kids to be able to pick up my Bible and learn from my notes after I am no longer here.  Here were some of my notes from Chapter 26 and 27:

• 26:1 Korahites…Moses Family
• 25:4-5 Obed-Edom.  Sound familiar? Go back to 2Sam 6.  When Uzzah dies fixing the stumbling Ark and David didn’t know what to do so He parked the Ark at someone house for 3 months.  Guess who’s house…Obed-Edom…that is why he was blessed.
• 26:18: Korah and Merari
• 26:32 Did any one else read this and say “Hey…the Transjordan tribe!”
• Army Divisions: The names were not that familiar but the cross reference was redundant, so I looked it up.  Some of them are the Mighty Men we read about in Chap 23
• 27:15 Was that Othniel the Judge?
• 27:23…When David took the census out of Pride….
• 27:33…I am sure you recognized the names from the time of Absalom, but Chronicles is about the heritage of God’s Chosen People, not about all that “lesson”, so it left all that Joab stuff out.
• 26:10-11 cross reference Duet 21:15

The rest of this book really grabbed my heart.  This is the “take away” for me.  Every fiber of David’s being is to Worship the Lord.  With his heart, soul, and mind.  He states that everything that has been given to him is from the Lord.  Everything.  He is a leader by example (now there is a modern day question).  He is so obedient! All those Psalms are just falling into place for me.  He never once gave up on the Lord.  His enemies were out to kill him, some of them were his closest friends and he took refuge knowing in the end, the big picture God always prevails.  Well look at him here.  The Lord gives him the exact plans for the temple, just as Moses was for the tabernacle (Exodus 25).

So God chose Solomon.  This inexperienced man to be the next king and the builder of the Temple.  David gives Solomon Godly advice (28:9..) and we are all the audience on that.

• Get to know God personally
• Learn what God asks of us
• Worship God wholeheartedly
• Serve God willingly and henostly
• Be faithful
• Don’t become discouraged

David’s Prayer.  No words can describe this prayer and the paragraph to follow it.

Psalm 127: A Psalm written by Solomon.  I actually didn’t know that Solomon wrote a Psalm. And I loved it.  Imagine Life without God? Seriously.  I used to think it was scary to give God control of my life. I admit it, I did.  Now I think, imagine if God wasn’t? I didn’t realize the Peace I had, the comfort He gave me until I though about Him not there.

1 Chron 23-25

This may not have fascinated you but wasn’t it cool to see what David has done.  He has brought it back like the days of Moses.  A nation that is organized, sacrificing, worshipping, and united. 

There are 24 Divisions for service in the Sanctuary.  All the names mentioned can be traced back to the original High Priest, Aaron (Moses brother).  The Ark is in it’s permanent city so there is no need to carry the tabernacle anymore so the duties are regarding maintaining and worshipping it in Jerusalem.

You may have recognized some of the names of the Levites and also some of the names of the prophets.  I love how Chapter 25 talked about the authors of the Psalms as Prophets.

One ironic little bit was this line of Levites was the very same line of priests that actually orchestrated the crucifixion of Christ.  Very Sad.

By the way it’s my birthday!

2 Samuel 24, 1 Chron 21-22, Ps 30

Day 143! And WOW what a read.  One of the best things I think we did in this reading was to read Job first (does our brain go back that far) Why? Because we always need to remember that Satan is real and that he is very much at work in our lives.  If we believe in God, we must believe in Satan.  The Chronicler inserted that Satan is a huge part of this story.

Remember this chapter falls somewhere in the middle of David’s life.  Chronologically. What did David do that was so wrong? Well, speculating it might have been taking the census (prompted by Satan) was David’s way of sizing up his power for battle.  When we are in a battle all we need is the Lord.  After all the Lord has done, David has forgotten. (ahhhhem, sorry, something stuck in my throat).  Maybe he was counting his men pridefully, to see how many he had?  Not sure but the Lord knows the reason.

If you are wondering why David was called “a man after God’s own heart” it is because when he sins (we ALL do) he recognizes it, confesses it and repents from it immediately.  A huge thing to think about this weekend is how do we handle our sin? Brush it under the carpet, say “well no one is perfect”, continue it, or do you do what I do..rationalize it?

So God gave David 3 choices.  2 of them were at the hands of men, 1 was at the hands of the Lord.  God may be more powerful, but God is just and right and loving.  We need to get our stuff right with God and say “deal with me ever so severely”..before people  deal with it.  So confess it and agree with God that what we did was wrong.  And then TURN away form it.  David chose to be at the hands of the Lord.

This Threshing floor. Oh I wish I could see it.  Touch it.  Lay down on it.  This spot on this earth is so Holy.  This is where an Angel stood, where Abraham brought Isaac, an Alter was made to the Lord and then where the Temple was built.

(to those who have read the Bible before are we going to read about the Temple like we did about the Tabernacle, construction…meaning…I hope so)

P.S. Don’t forget the Psalm.

2Sam 11-12; 1 Chron 20

Well, I really don’t know where to begin.  So much!  I know something in this story caught your eye,  I would love for you to comment and then read the blog.

Ok, let’s break this down a little at a time. Kings went off to war, why had David not gone? Now that he was this fancy king did he feel above his people? Anyway, Joab went instead? Do you remember Abner? Joab revenged him back in 2 Sam 4,  which was a direct disobedience to the Lord and David should have handled that.  But David obviously was becoming desensitized to sin. (That will happen to us, when we are around it often).

The first thing I noticed was that David was bored.  Nothing good comes from being bored!  Think about what we do when we are bored…people drink, eat, watch stuff, gossip, meddle, inquire…If we keep busy doing the Lord’s work “thy will be done” we would be busy all the time.  Anyway, David then Inquires (step 2 down the slippery slope of Sin) and you know the rest of the story.  The reason they told you she had purified herself from uncleanliness was because she had just finished her period, so that we would know that she was not pregnant prior to this affair.

A quote in James sums up this whole scenario

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13)

Even though David had taken 1 bad step into sin, unfortunately the more he tried to cover it the more he was sinning.  And then the consequences were big: verse  10 “Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house” and as we read this week,   we will see the horrible events that will follow.

Out of this unfortunate story we do however see some gold.  David had confessed and repented in verse 13.  And the Lord forgave him immediately!! Just because we are forgiven does not mean the consequences of our actions are going to disappear though. Tomorrows Psalms were written at this moment in David’s life, if you want to feel the heart of what David was going through, read tomorrows’ Psalms right now.  You can hear the actual prayers of his repentance to the Lord.  And through this calamity you will also feel his Love for the Lord as He lifts this guilt from him.

Chronicles 20.  Interesting how the Chronicler left out the part about David and Bathsheba,  isn’t it?  Recall the purpose of the book of Chronicles: it is the History of the Israel nation.  God’s purpose for His people.  Chronicles is about True Kingship and Worship of the Lord.

2 Sam 10, 1 Chron 19, Ps 20

We have been is Psalms a lot so lets shake the cobwebs out and see who is fighting here.  The Ammonites.  DO you remember the name Ammon?

So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.  The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab ; he is the father of the Moabites of today. The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today. (Gen 19: 36-38)  Click here for the whole story.

So Moab and Ammon (Moabites and the Ammonites) two strong nations and obviously allies, if they are brothers.   David is victoriousover all!  I think had Hanun read the book of James maybe the outcome would have been different.  LOL.

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19)

Joab,  by the way,  is David’s nephew and his name means “Jehovah is Father”.  But I like Joab for more than his name, He is a Trusting man in the Lord.  Him and David prepare for battle and say “I got yur back, homie” but then says “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight.”

DO you have a Joab in your life?  Someone who will come to battle with me? Someone who trusts in the Lord so much that whatever the outcome is…She will know it to be right?

If one falls down,
       his friend can help him up.
       But pity the man who falls
       and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
       But how can one keep warm alone?

  Though one may be overpowered,
       two can defend themselves.
       A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecc 4:10-12)

The Victory Psalm 20, by David,  sounded like it was said BEFORE Battle. 

Hmmmm.  I need to take stock in how I praise and Trust the Lord Before the battle in my life, not just after.

2Sam 8-9; 1 Chron 18

Click here for the Reading

I will admit I was excited when I saw the reading was back to Samuel.  We read of David’s Victories.  This story for me paralleled the Goliath story.  David was anointed king and was pretty much just him and the Lord.  But truly, who else do you need!  And look at what he and He have accomplished! 

David’s victories were big deals.  First, I was surprised he killed the Moabites.  I know God called judgement on them but being who his great-grandmother was (Ruth, the Moabite), it just surprised me…that’s all.  But conquering Moab was quite the feat, they were ridiculously strong in military, they always have been (they began from the line of Lot and his daughter…yuck) The Edomites, another name we hear all the time, coming from the line of Esau (Jacob’s brother).

The details  in the geography in these chapters is important because it fulfils God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis.  Then there is the story of Jonathan’s son.  Go to 2 Sam 4:4 if you need a reminder of how he became crippled.

Off to CHurch and then a day of rest with my family and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.

Day 127: 2 Sam 7, 1 Chron 17

Being that it is May 7th, lots of 7′s today (Day 127 and we read 7 and 17).  Click here for reading. (God’s perfect number is 7)

Anyway this is such an important chapter!  This is the Chapter that promises us that the Messiah will come from the Dynasty of David.  When Mary was told she would give birth to a son as a virgin the angels said

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Mary was educated on the scriptures so on that phrase she knew that this baby was the promised Messiah. And Chronicles 17 gives a beautiful portrait of God.  He does not want a house or temple built for Him, he is very content where He is. Yet, He will build us a Temple, a temple that will last forever, Jesus.

” ‘I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you:  When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.  I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor.  I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.’ “

 

Remember what is the key word: Covenant!  God’s ling term purpose of redemption is evident here in what is called the Davidic Covenant.  Chapter 7 verse 4-17 God promises David an eternal kingdom, throne, and seed.  There are 9 different dynasties in Northern Israel, there is one dynasty in Judah-the line of David.  The promise of a permanent dynasty IS fulfilled in Christ, “the Son of David”.  prophesied in Isaiah 9:7 and told in Luke 1:32.

2 Sam 5:11-6:23 and 1 Chron 13-16

Click here for reading

So it starts off with a story many of us might have heard before.  Uzzah dying for keeping the ark from falling.  Let’s break this down like a  CSI crime scene on TV.  Look at some of these versus:

2 Samuel

• He and all the men…
• Set the ark on a new cart
• Uzzah and Ahio guided the cart
• Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark

1 Chronicles

• Let US bring the ark….
• …because it seemed right to all the people
• David assembled the people from Shihor River….to bring the ark
• they moved the ark from Abinadab’s house on a new cart
• Uzzah and Ahio are guiding it

Was God consulted? Why was an ox carrying the ark while they celebrated? Where are the Levites to transport it?  God repeated the Law to us over and over and over in Numbers to us.  We know, we read it! and there were paragraphs on how to make it and transport it and when it would be carried and HOW it would be carried.  Where was the preparation to do such a task?  Listen,  there are like 500 life lessons one can take form Uzzah’s moment, or should I say David’s moment!  He should have known better than to let all of this happen.  But for me today,  that story hit me with America!  We live in a very liberal society that does not know what God wants for us.  Or how Big and Awesome God is.   We think if it’s not hurting anyone, then what is wrong with it.…God wants us to be happy right?  We will be happy ABUNDANTLY if we follow His ways…no need to be changing them at all! Also, just because we think we are doing right, did we even consult God on it?  If we are in His Book, and in Prayer,  and then we sit still long enough to hear him answer He will lead us.  Jesus didn’t say, bring me with you and follow these 2 people, he said FOLLOW ME!

When reading the Chronicles, I really enjoy the detail that God had the author pen.  When it was time to properly move the Ark I loved reading how reverent they were this time.  The consecration and offering before a godly task.  Then the task was given 150%, following exactly as God had instructed, and then after the task, the praise and worship all to God’s glory with that beautiful Psalm.  It didn’t surprise me that Asaph was on hand for that one, since I truly enjoyed his Psalms this week.  It’s like listening to your favorite artist, a new song could be on the radio and you recognize their work immediately.

Day 121 2Sam 5:1-10; 1Chron 11-12

That’s right.  10 versus in 2 Sam 5 and then 2 chapters in 1 Chronicles.  Click here for reading

One of the last things I remembered about the book of Judges was the fighting amongst the tribes.  I could not believe the 12 tribes that wandered for 40 years together were now in the promise land, fighting each other.  But in God’s timing, David brings the tribes back together under David. 

The first part of David’s kingship his capital was Hebron, but God was to give him Jerusalem as his new capital. (Isn’t it so stinking cool to see HOW all this History unfolds so that when our kids say why are they fighting over Jerusalem…we can say BECAUSE IT IS HOLY AND CHOSEN)   Jerusalem was occupied by the Jubusites.  You may have recognized that name: Jebusites were first mentioned in Genesis 10:16 as a descendant of the Hammites.  At the time,  we probably glazed over that name (go peek in your bible and see) but we now are reading about them.  You may recall that Noah cursed the line of Ham after the “naked drunk” incident at the end of Genies 9,  and so his line became a people that God would need to be judged.  The next time in the bible we hear of them is during the Covenant with Abraham from God in Genesis chapter 15

 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates- the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites,  Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”

SO the Jebusites were people that should have been killed when taking the land years ago.  They now occupy the great city of Jerusalem.  Taking Jerusalem was for political and military purpose.  The city at this point was neutral and it had a great location.  It was in the center of all the tribes and it was high on the hill (if you read the NT you know this because Jesus refers to it as The City on the Hill) , making it difficult to attack.  But as we see in Chronicles, great warriors from all the tribes, describes in Chapter 12 “like an army of God“, especially the Benjaminites (Saul’s men) came together under David.

David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward.  And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. (2 Samuel 5:9,10)

Please note that we know the division is coming…but as of right now look at the unity.  Chapter 12 verse 23…DO ou recognize the names (I know Becca knows a few)  Judah, Simeon, Levi….to Asher.  These are the 12 tribes.  WOW.  We are exactly 1000 BC.  They will remain united for another 70 years…and then 😦

1Chron 7-10

Click here for reading.

Our last Chapters of the Chronicle genealogies ( I can read some of your minds on that).  Chapter 7.  Yes I recognized the Tribes (These are the ones on the West side of the Jordan) and I recognized some names, like Obadiah (prophet), Zelophehad, who only had daughters. (that was the end of Numbers because Moses granted them land anyway).

 Joshua, son of nun, which is important to note that he came from the line of Ephraim.  Why? Because that is a descendant of Joseph and his Egyptian wife.  SO the name Joshua, meaning Salvation,  was Jew and Gentile. WE have always been in the PLAN!

I know there are more names in here but I moved on to Chapter 8 which made me recall the small number of the the tribe Saul came from. The tribe was small because of the fighting at the end of the book of Judges.( go back if you need a brain refresher). Chapter 8,from this small tribe begins the line of Kings.  It’s important to note that the tribes are dividing North verse South 10 tribes become Israel and 2 become Judah.  It is the Benjaminites that broke away from the others to join Judah.

Chapter 9.  Not sure why the schedule has us reading this now, it should be at the end of Chronicles 2.  But the first verse says it all:

The people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness…. Those from Judah, from Benjamin, and from Ephraim and Manasseh who lived in Jerusalem were:

The author is talking about the whole nation here, Judah and Benjamin are the southern nation and the author says Ephraim and Manasseh representing the northern nation because they are the largest tribes.  He is speaking of them all  now as 1 nation brought back from exile.  I am sure you recognized Phinehas , son of Eleazar when mentioning the gatekeepers.  (Aaron had 4 sons, first 2 got killed for un-authorized fire, Eleazar the third son became high priest, his son Phineas was the one that killed the Moab woman and the Israelite for having a “conjugal visit” in an act of pagan worship to their god.

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The Reign of David: David becomes king over all of Israel.  We will see a man stubble often yet always be walking with the Lord.

Chapter 10 is an awesome recap of where we left off in 1 Samuel 4.  Saul took his life, and his body was put for the Philistines’ pagan god, Dagon (a god over drought and harvests).  His body was captured back by David’s men and given a proper Jewish burial.  But we need to remember why the Lord took Saul:

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance,  and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.