2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 135

    Day 135—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Have you identified with any Bible characters?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 135 – 2 Samuel 13 – 15 – (The “sword” begins in David’s house)

Amnon, King David’s firstborn son, took after him in one aspect. He lusted after a woman. It happens that Tamar was his half-sister and Absalom was their brother.  Both Absalom and Tamar are said to be very beautiful (handsome). 

Amnon had a wicked friend who hatched a plan to get Tamar into Amnon’s bedroom.  It worked, and he raped Tamar. Afterward, he hated her and cast her away. (If he’d have asked his father, David would have given Tamar to him, but this was not love just pure lust.  So Tamar went to live with her brother Absalom as a defiled, unmarriable woman.

King David is clueless.

Absalom waits two years, then plots to murder his brother.  News is taken to the King that ALL his sons are dead, and he almost has a heart attack. But then it’s said only his firstborn has been killed. Perhaps this is done to make Absalom’s offense seem less horrible. David does not respond with discipline, but merely sends his now oldest son away.

Absalom waits another two years without speaking to his father, and then Joab sends a “wise woman” to trick David into bringing him back from exile.  The king suspects Joab is behind it but calls Absalom back to Jerusalem.  However, he refuses to speak to his son.  

Absalom waits another two years, then gets Joab’s attention by burning his field.  “I want to talk to my father,” he demands, and Joab arranges it.  The King welcomes him with a kiss this time, and it seems all is reconciled.  But Absalom schemes to take the kingdom for himself without waiting for David to die. Gradually, he begins winning the people’s hearts away from David.

After FOUR years of this, Absalom puts another plan into action.  On the pretense of fulfilling a vow he made while in exile, the scheming son goes throughout all of Israel, calling people away from his father and to himself. “As soon as you hear a trumpet sound, proclaim, ‘ABSALON IS KING AT HEBRON.'”  He even entices David’s top counselor to his side. 

A messenger tells David of the coming coup, and (nope, he doesn’t fight for his kingdom against his favorite son), but instead flees the City of David (which may have been on its way to be named the City of Absalom.) 

What is touching to me is that the priests and Levites remain faithful to David. They get the Ark of the Covenant and follow him.  This time, however, David is NOT dancing and rejoicing before the Ark, but he is “weeping as he went up the Mount of Olives, barefoot and with his head covered.”

He hears that his top counselor has turned against him, and David prays, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

He also tells the priests to take the Ark back into the city. He enlists Hushai, a faithful servant and friend, to be his spy in Absalom’s court and to try to mess with Ahithophel’s advice. David tells him that Zadok and Abiathar are loyal, so if he wants to get word to him, he should tell these priests, and they will send a message to the exiled king.

So Hushai enters the city gate just as Absalom arrives and enters. And the scene is set.

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#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 133 & 134

    Day 133 & 134—We have begun our FIFTH month of Bible reading.  Are you learning and loving God more each day?

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

    Day 133 – 2 Samuel 11 – 12, 1 Chronicles 20 (the king’s sin, confession, downfall, and the consequences).

Since David is my favorite character in the Old Testament, this is the hardest section for me to read. But God knows how much I sin, too, and it gives me hope for his forgiveness and generosity and also reminds me of the sad consequences that sin brings.

King David – in the springtime when kings went to war – stayed home. Restless, he looked out his palace windows and saw a beautiful woman bathing on a rooftop. And he lusted after her.

Bathsheba, the woman, was ceremonially purifying herself after her monthly period, and the rooftop was where rainwater was collected and stored.  David – not only sinning with his eyes – took it a step further and inquired about her. EVEN when he was told that she was the wife of one of his valiant men, he called for her to be brought to him. And he committed adultery with her. Then sent her home.

Now, this particular time in the month is when a woman is most fertile and Bathsheba conceived. A month or two after the fact, she sent word to the King. (After all, she would be considered a prostitute and sinner because everyone knew her husband was away at war.) “Now what, your Majesty?”

David’s first cover-up plan was to call Uriah back from the field and let him sleep with his wife.  That way, the king’s son would be considered Uriah’s offspring.  But it turns out that Uriah was more noble than his Commander-in-chief and stayed in the barracks with the men.

David next gets him drunk and sends him home. But Uriah staggers to the barracks again.

This was not working, so the King added murder to adultery (both carrying the death penalty).  He sends Uriah back to the front carrying a message to Commander Joab to put him on the front line… and then draw back, so this righteous man is killed.  Joab obeys and then sends back a “disguised” message that the king’s wishes have been met.

King David sends for Bathsheba again and takes her as his umpteenth wife.  All of Jerusalem sees what he has been doing. There is no fooling them. But he is king. The shrug.

David breathes a sigh…. until the prophet Nathan comes and tells him a story.  The king is furious with the evil man who stole a poor man’s ONLY ewe lamb and requires quadruple punishment for that evil guy.

Nathan, “YOU are the man.”

And then Nathan speaks for God the saddest epitaph, “I anointed you king over Israel, and delivered you out of the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.  Why have you despised the word of the LORD to do what is evil in His sight? Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house.”

David – “a man after God’s heart” – immediately recognizes his sin and mourns his wicked deeds. “I have sinned against the LORD!” he cries.

Nathan, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.  Nevertheless, because by this deed, you have UTTERLY SCORNED THE LORD, the child who is born to you will die.”

David fasts and prays for the baby for seven days, but the baby dies.  (James 1:14-15)

David then gets up, washes himself, puts on fresh clothes, and goes into the house of the LORD. There, he worships the LORD.

Then, he comforts Bathsheba (the innocent victim of all this deceit).  In time, he sleeps with her, she conceives again, and gives birth to Solomon. But the LORD, through Nathan, names him “Jedidiah,” which means ‘beloved of the LORD.’

Commander Joab sends a message to the king that he is about to take Rabbah and end the war. He tells the king that he’d better come and lead the charge, or else it will be called “Joab’s victory.”   The king goes, and Israel wins. The Ammonite king’s golden crown is set on David’s head and all cheer.

And life goes on…. until it doesn’t.  The next chapters in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles begin the story of “the sword never leaving” David’s own house.

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Day 134 – Psalms, 32, 51, 86, 122. (the king laments his sin and pleads with God)

Psalm 32: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

Psalm 51: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from sin!  For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against YOU, YOU ONLY have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.”

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”  “Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”    “Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation..”

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Psalm 86: “Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.”    “Be gracious to me, O LORD, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. For You, O LORD, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.  Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.”    “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.”

“But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me;”  

Psalm 122: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’ 

True repentance and broken-heartedness when we sin reach God’s heart. He is merciful and gracious. He forgives and restores our relationship with Him, but we must still bear the consequences of sin.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 132

    Day 132—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 132 – Psalms 65, 66, 67, 69. 70. – (Psalms of God’s glory and awesomeness, and of humility and confession)

Read Psalms 65-67 in one swoop!  I’ll highlight phrases and verses. 

Psalm 65. “Praise is due to you, O God in Zion.:”   “O you, who hear prayer..”  “…You atone for our transgressions.”

“Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!”    “By awesome deeds, you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation.”   “You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.” (Sunrise & sunset)

Psalm 66.  “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name, give to Him glorious praise!  Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.”    “Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.”

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.”    “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”    “Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me!”

Psalm 67. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us.”    “Let the people praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.”    “,,,let all the ends of the earth fear Him.”

Confess, lament your sin, and plead for God to help. But then praise Him. He is GREAT.

Psalm 69. “Save me, O God!”    “O God, You know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.  Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who see You be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.”

“Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.  Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me….”

“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. ”    “For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise His own people …”    “Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion…..”

Psalm 70. “Make haste, O God to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!” “May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!”

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Hey, it’s okay to ask God to act quickly! Don’t panic, but pray!

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 131

    Day 131—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 131 – 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 20. – (War with Ammon & Syria, Trust in  God)

2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19 tell of the same incident, with slight differences. Both show King David’s graciousness toward a son whose father has died. Both show the stupidity of the friends of that son. Both show the strategy, victory, and godliness of Commander Joab. 

Psalm 20 tells of their trust and hope in God, who helps in the day of trouble. 

David: “I will deal loyally with Hanun, son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent his servants to console him concerning his father.

Hanun’s princes:  “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? He’s sent them to search the city and spy it out to overthrow it.”

(This reminds me of the foolish advisors to Rehoboam who helped split Israel, after his father, King Solomon, died.)

So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half their beards (disgrace!), and cut off their garments in the middle (exposing their genitals). WHOA!! When King David heard this, he told his servants to stay in Jericho until their beards re-grew, and sent Joab with the army to deal with these ingrates.

When Hanun and the Ammonites saw they had become “a stench to David” they hired Syrians to come fight with them. $1K pieces of silver did the trick and the Syrians brought 20K soldiers (plus 1K and 12K from other areas) to fight. Commander Joab, with his second-in-command brother, Abishai, led Israel’s soldiers. When they saw two battle fronts they split their men.

Joab: If the Syrians are too strong for me, they you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to Him.”

All the armies fled before Israel’s armies. (Hmmm. This reminds me of recent world news.) But when these armies saw they’d been “shamed” in battle, they called more troops, crossed the Jordan, and arrayed themselves against Israel…again.

King David himself led the battle, killed 40K horsemen, and killed Shobach, the commander of their army. When the Syrians realized this resounding defeat, they “made peace with Israel and became subject to them.”

“So the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.”

Psalm 20:1-5, 7

"May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May He send you help from the sanctuary 
and give you support from Zion!
May He grant you your heart's desire 
and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over Your salvation,
and in the name of our God, set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 130

    Day 130—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 130 – Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75. – (Psalms of Asaph and David)

In Psalm 50, Asaph writes about “The Mighty One, God, the LORD, as an all-sufficient judge. 

Around our God is “a devouring fire and a mighty tempest.”   He does not NEED  offerings and sacrifices because “every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.”  God says of Himself, “I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”

So what does God desire of His people?  “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.”  IF his people will praise and obey Him, He says to them, “call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Psalm 53 is almost a repeat of Psalm 14 except verse 5, in which David celebrates a battle won.

In Psalm 60 David praises God for victory over Edom “in the Valley of Salt” which we read about yesterday in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18.  David closes his song with, “Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God , we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down out foes.”

Again in Psalm 75, Asaph sings about God judging with equity. “At the set time that I appoint, I will judge with equity.” Asaph warns, “I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, “Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn or high or speak with haughty neck.”

“But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.”

NOTE: A “horn” symbolizes an animal’s or human’s strength and majesty. Lifting up the horn describes a stubborn animal who kept itself from entering a yoke by holding its head up as high as possible. Here, it portrays insolence or rebellion.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 129

    Day 129—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 129 – 2 Samuel 8 – 9, 1 Chronicles 18. – (David’s victories & compassion as king)

2 Samuel 8 recounts the battles and victories over the nations surrounding Israel: Philistia, Moab, Amalek, Edom, and Zobah (as far as the Euphrates River), and the Syrians at Damascus.

In all these, David collected tribute and spoils that he dedicated to the LORD (later to be used by Solomon in building the Temple and its furnishings). But most importantly, the chapter says, “the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.” (verses 6, 14) King David wisely gave glory to God.

2 Samuel 9 shows King David’s kindness and loyalty to his BBF Jonathan, Saul’s son, who was killed in battle. “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul that I may show him the kindness of God for Jonathan’s sake?” 

They found a young man – Mephibosheth – a son of Jonathan alone. He had been crippled as a child when his nurse dropped him and crippled him in his feet. When David heard about Mephibosheth, he called for him and installed him in his house to “eat at his table always.” He also personally restored all the land that belonged to Saul and directed servants to till the land, harvest the crops, and give the proceeds to him. 

Mephibosheth could hardly believe his good fortune!  “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I.”

Isn’t this what God has done for believers in Jesus?  We are sinners, separated from a holy God by eons and light years because of our iniquity and transgressions.  And yet he has brought us to Himself by sending His Son, Jesus, who paid all our sin debt on the cross. Now we can sit at the banquet table of the King forever. 

1 Chronicles 18 also tells of the victories of King David over his enemies, expanding the kingdom of Israel far and wide. It’s interesting that he disabled 9/10s of the chariot horses after conquering Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. 

Why this cruelty?  For sure, to prevent an uprising and return of a mighty foe. However, it could also be that David remembered God’s cautions for the kings of Israel not to accumulate horses and chariots for themselves to win battles but instead to depend on God for their victories.

Verse 14: “So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.”   (Wow. If only that was David’s final epitaph….)

 

Verses 15-17 end with a list of the important men in his service:

Joab – commander of the army

Jehoshaphat – recorder

Zadok & Ahimelech – priests

Shavsha – secretary

Benaiah – over the Cherethites & Pelethites, the loyal non-Jewish men who attached themselves to the king as his bodyguards

David’s sons – chief officials in the king’s service. 

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 128

    Day 128—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 128 – Psalms 25, 29, 33. 36. 39. – (Psalms of praise, worship, and commitment  by David and others.)

In Psalm 25, David pleads for a go,dly life: “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust…”   “Make me to know your ways, O LORD. Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me…”   “Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love.”

In Psalm 29, David seeds to glorify and magnify God. “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.”  Then David writes a series of metaphors from creation that show God’s power with gentleness.

In Psalm 33, the psalmist encourages God’s people to shout for joy, give thanks to the LORD, make melody to him on instruments, and sing new songs to him.  He describes the power in God’s Word and what happens whenever He speaks.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as his heritage!  The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man; from where He sits enthroned, He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.”     “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that He may deliver their soul from death…”

Psalm 36 begins by describing the heart of the wicked but soon turns to the love and mercy of God. “How precious is your steadfast love, O God!”    “Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know You, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!”

David is introspective in Psalm 39.  First, he pledges, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle so long as the wicked are in my presence.”   Next, he shows his vulnerability.  “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!”

“Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!

Surely a man goes about as a shadow!

Surely, for nothing, they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!”

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(If you feel like reading more along this vein, turn to Psalm 90:4-16, James 4:13-15, and Luke 12:16-21.)

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And David finishes with, “And now, O LORD, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 126 & 127

    Day 126 & 127—We have begun our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?  Share in the comments section.

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

    Day 126 – Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132 (Psalms of Ethan, David, and others).

.Psalm 89 is written by Ethan, one of the three leaders of music that David appointed in 1 Chronicles 6:42. It is a song of the Steadfast Love of the LORD.

“I will sing of the steadfast love (mercy) of the LORD, forever; with my mouth will I make know your faithfulness to all generations.”  “Who in the skies can be compared to the LORD?  Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD.”   “Who is mighty as you are, O LORD..?”   “Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.”

Psalm 96 is a psalm of Worship.  “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised…”    “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.  Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!'”  

These are admonitions that all of us who love the LORD should be doing.

Psalm 100 is another psalm that many who have attended church from an early age have memorized.

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Know that the LORD, He is God!

It is He who made us, and we are his

We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise!

Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the LORD is good;

His steadfast love endures forever,

and His faithfulness to all generations.”

In Psalm 101,  David praises the LORD and pledges his integrity to Him.  “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.”    “A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.”

It’s too bad David did not remember these vows in a few years when “his eyes” watched Bathsheba bathing and he perversely lusted for her and, in the end, killed her husband.  But, alas, but for the grace of God, “there go I.”

Psalm 105, another song telling about God’s wonderful works, relates the history of Israel from Abraham until they reached Mt. Sinai, escaping Egypt.

“O, offspring of Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones….”  “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who see the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that He has done….”

Again, words of admonition for us – how our hearts should always be toward God.

Psalm 132 calls the congregation to remember how David’s heart was for building a dwelling place, a resting place for the Ark, a house of worship for the LORD.  God took notice of his heart’s desires. God told him Zion was where He desired to dwell among His people, bringing them salvation and joy.  And for David’s heart desire, God would bless the house of David forever.

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Day 127 – 2 Samuel 6-7. 1 Chronicles 17 – (The Ark to Zion, God’s covenant with David)

2 Samuel 6 is a repeat of 1 Chronicles 15, when King David brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem correctly, with the Levites carrying it on their shoulders.

This passage elaborates more on his wife, Michal’s attitude towards him as he rejoiced and celebrated the Ark’s arrival. “How the king of Israel “honored” himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants, female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself.”  (King David was wearing a linen robe and ephod, so he was not exposed. Perhaps she thought he should have dressed in kingly robes as her father had.)

King David’s answer was terse. “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD – and I will make merry before the LORD.”

The final sentence says, “And Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child to the day of her death.”

2 Samuel 7 reveals King David’s heart for the LORD: “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the Ark of God dwells in a tent.” He wanted to build a temple to glorify his God, but the LORD had other plans.  But God was pleased with his heart and made a covenant with him.

“I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.”   “When your days are fulfilled, and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. HE shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”    “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”

David was so “wowed” by God’s words that he went in and sat before the LORD.  “Who am I, O LORD GOD, and what is my house that you have brought me thus far?  And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD.”    “Because of your promise and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.”

“Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you.”    “And your name will be magnified forever, saying The LORD of hosts is God over Israel.” 

1 Chronicles 17  repeats the LORD’s covenant with David. It is not for the king to build God a house but that the LORD would build David’s “house” forever.  Then, David’s humble prayer of amazement, gratitude, and worship.

(The “Davidic Covenant” reaches far into history, with the lineage of Jesus, the Christ, being traced to this king of Israel. (See Matthew 1:1-17.)  Further, the covenant points to when King Jesus, the Son of David, will reign and rule the whole earth.  (See Revelation 11:15.)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 125

    Day 125—We have begun our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 125 – Psalm 1, 2, 15, 22, 23, 24, 47, 68. – (Psalms of David and others.)

Today’s reading contains several familiar Psalms.

Psalm 1 describes the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Basically, the righteous delight themselves in the LORD and in His Word. The wicked, sinners, and scoffers do not.  The righteous are like a fruitful tree planted near water, while the wicked are like the chaff of wheat that blows away in the wind. 

Psalm 2 speaks about wicked nations standing in array against the LORD’s anointed, meaning either the newly crowned King David, or the coming Messiah (or both). Either way, God “laughs” at them. 

Psalm 15, by David, describes the person who will abide with the LORD. He is blameless, does what is right, speaks truth, does not slander, does no evil, honors the LORD, and doesn’t charge exorbitant interest or take bribes.  This man, David declares, shall never be moved.

Psalm 22 is often associated with the Messiah because Jesus quoted from it on the cross. It was written by David, and “could” also refer to him. (Read it with both ideas.) Verses 14-18 seem especially to picture Jesus being crucified. 

Most of us who have been to Sunday School can quote Psalm 23. It’s often also prayed by people facing death or deep trouble.  It is comforting. 

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. 
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness 
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley 
of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever."

Psalm 24 is also a psalm of David about  “The King of Glory,”   WHO IS the King of Glory? he asks, It is the LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle, and the LORD of hosts.  HE is the King of Glory. 

Psalm 47 is another psalm of rejoicing and praise.  You can almost see the crowd singing, dancing, praising God – perhaps when the Ark of the Covenant is brought into Jerusalem.  “Clap your hands, all you people! Shout to God with loud songs and joy! Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises…. He is highly exalted!”

Psalm 68, also by David, is similar to the song we read in 1 Chronicles 16 when David led the procession before the Ark of God into Jerusalem. Singing and joy, praise and exaltation to the LORD and His attributes. 

And you, ladies, look at verse 11. “The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host.”  (See also verse 12 and chuckle!)

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord belongs deliverances from death.”

These verses reminded me of the God who looks on and protects Israel today, too.

“Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God.” 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 124

    Day 123—We have begun our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 124 – 1 Chronicles 13 – 16 – (David’s attempts to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.)

(As we read through the history books, some things will seem repeated, but we will get more details of the whole picture.)

Ever since the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and returned it to Israel when God plagued them, the Ark has been sitting in the house of Abinadab (and his two sons, Uzzah and Ahio) in Kiriath-Jearim. Now that David has been crowned king of Israel and captured Jerusalem as his capital city, he wants to bring the “Ark of God” to the City of David.

.

1 Chronicles 13. King David consults with all his commanders, the people, and the Levites and priests. All of them agree that it would be a good thing. So, King David and all the people go to the house of Abinadab. They build a new cart for it and hitch it to a team of oxen. Uzzah (and Ahio) walk on either side of the cart, presumably to “protect” it.

And King David, with all the people, rejoice before God with songs, lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets as the Ark on the cart makes its way north.  UNTIL IT DOESN’T.

At one point, the oxen stumble (not the cart, not the Ark), and Uzzah puts out his hand to take hold of the Ark!

Uzzah tries to keep THE THRONE OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LIVING ALMIGHTY GOD from falling!!!! As if God depended on him! On any man. At all.  And Uzzah is stricken dead on the spot.

Why, you may ask? Wasn’t he doing a good thing?  What if the Ark had fallen to the ground and gotten dirt on it? What if a piece of the golden border had broken off?  —REALLY???—

Let’s remind ourselves that the God who created Heaven and Earth and all that is in them does not need man for anything.

Also, there is this “small” law in Numbers 4:15.  “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die.”  These top Levites were to carry the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders by the golden poles that were put through the rings on the bottom four corners of the Ark. THIS is how the Ark of the Covenant should have been transported to Jerusalem.

(Note: besides this setting the things of God apart as holy, carrying the Ark in this way would put the Mercy Seat (the lid) and the golden Cherubim, where the presence of God would dwell, ABOVE the heads of the Levites and all the people. On the cart, the people’s heads would have been higher than the “presence of God.” They would look down on it.)

King David was ANGRY about what God had done.  And he was AFRAID of God that day too.  “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” he cried.  (Go read the law, Davie.  See how it’s supposed to be done.)  And so, the Ark of God is once more housed in a house of an Israelite, Obed-Edom, for three months. And God blessed the man and his household.

1 Chronicles 14 is a repeat of 2 Samuel 5 and 1 Chronicles 3.

1 Chronicles 15 – After King David prepared a place for the Ark of God (the tent of meeting), he decided to again bring the symbol of God’s presence to Jerusalem.  Now, however, he said, “No one but the Levites may carry the Ark of God, for the Lord had chosen them to carry the ark and to minister to Him forever.”  (It seems that our boy has consulted the scriptures!)

Along with the sons of Kohath, he gathered the priests and all the Levites. He told them all to consecrate themselves so that they “may bring up the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel to the place that I prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we DID NOT SEEK HIM ACCORDING TO THE RULE.”

King David confessed his sin and did it right this time.  The chosen Levites “carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.”

There was more singing and musical instruments playing, to “raise the sounds of joy.”  They sacrificed bulls and rams, and then all Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD with shouting to the music of the instruments.

But………. David’s first wife, Michel, the daughter of Saul, “looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and rejoicing, AND SHE DESPISED HIM.”  Whoa! What was that about? Perhaps it was because David had torn her away from the second man her father Saul had given her to, way back when, to spite David. Maybe she LOVED that man and had children with him.  He certainly had cried all the way as she was taken to David and he had begged for her. 2 Samuel 6.

1 Chronicles 16 tells of the Ark of God being set inside the tent, and of the many burnt offerings and peace offerings they made to God. After that, David distributed to all the people loaves of bread, portions of meat, and cakes of raisins. What a party!!

The next 18 verses tell of David commanding Asaph & his brothers to sing a beautiful psalm of thanksgiving to the LORD. Be sure to re-read this song of worship!!  Bookmark it and read it often. Whenever you want to read the book of Psalms, don’t forget this one. It is marvelous.

King David then left the Levites and priests in charge of the tent and the Ark to “regularly do all that is written in the Law of the Lord that He commanded Israel” and he went home to bless his household.