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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 185

Jul4

Day 185 – Reading – 2 Kings 9 – 11

Read today’s Scriptures. Whoa! The prophesied Jehu. What do you learn about him?

2 Kings 9.

God had previously told Elijah, way back at Mt Horeb, that Jehu would become king over Israel, and he would kill all those involved in the worship of Baal (1 Kings 19:17).  The time had come for Elisha to see to Jehu’s anointing. He sent one of the young prophets to Ramoth-Gilead (that Eastern border town with Syria) to find Jehu and privately commission him.

Say, “I anoint you king over Israel.” THEN OPEN THE DOOR AND FLEE. DO NOT LINGER!”

The young prophet-student did just that … adding, “AND … you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that God may avenge on Jezebel the blood of His servants the prophets of the LORD.”  “AND, the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel and none shall bury her.”

“Then he opened the door and fled.”

Jehu came out and told his fellow servants, “Well, the LORD says I am anointed king over Israel.” 

And all those men threw down their garments, blew the trumpet, and proclaimed, “JEHU IS KING!”

FIRST THING:  Jehu plotted to kill Israel’s king Joram. He told the servants who’d proclaimed HIM king to keep quiet and tell no one of this.  Then Jehu mounted his chariot and went to Jezreel, because Joram (injured in the battle) lay there.  King Ahaziah of JUDAH was also visiting him. 

The king saw him coming and sent messengers (who did not return). But a servant exclaimed, “The driving is like the driving of Jehu, for he drives furiously!”

Both the king of Israel and the king of Judah got into their chariots and went out to meet Jehu. They came together at the property of Naboth. (Remember, he was the righteous vineyard keeper whom Jezebel killed so Ahab could make a veggie garden.)

“Is it peace?” asked the king of Israel.

“What peace can there be, so long as the whorings and the sorceries of your mother Jezebel are so many?”

King Joram saw the situation, turned his chariot around, and fled.  Jehu shot an arrow into his back, clear to his heart, and killed him.  “Throw his body onto Naboth’s land, as the LORD had prophesied.’

Judah’s king Ahaziah also fled, and Jehu shot him too.  Ahaziah’s servants carried him back to Jerusalem for burial.

When Jehu came to Jezreel, where the kings lived, Jezebel heard he was coming. She put on her makeup and fixed her hair.  Then she leaned out her window to watch his approach. “Is it peace, your murderer of your master?”

Jehu looked up and asked, “Who’s on my side?”  Several of her eunuch servants nodded.

“Throw her down!” commanded Jehu.  And they did.

She fell splat, for the window was way up high. Some of her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses and they trampled on her.

Jehu and his party went inside, ate, and drank.  Finally, Jehu said that they should see about burying that “cursed woman.”  But outside, only her skull, the bottoms of her feet, and the palms of her hands could be found.  The dogs had totally consumed her.

“Ah,” said Jehu. “This fulfills the word of the LORD that Elijah spoke.” (1 Kings 21:23)

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2 Kings 10.

Jehu continues to fulfill the prophecy and commands of the LORD.  He conspired and succeeded in killing all 70 of Ahab’s sons. He also killed all of Ahab’s great men, close friends, and priests. He left none standing.  He even killed a group of Ahaziah’s (the dead king of Judah) relatives as they came to visit Israel. Jehu struck down all who remained of Ahab in Samaria.

THEN, he tricks the worshippers of Baal into attending a big celebration for Baal.  Not one was to miss this.  And when they all assembled in the house of Baal, and while they were sacrificing, Jehu’s 80 soldiers went in and killed them all.  They brought out the statue of Baal and burned it. Then, they demolished the house of Baal and burned it too …and made it a latrine (toilet) to this day. 

BUT, he did not destroy the golden calves that were in Dan and Bethel.

Nevertheless, because he had obeyed God’s command about the house of Ahab and the worshippers of Baal, He promised King Jehu that his sons would reign on Israel’s throne for four generations.

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But the Syrians under King Hazael began to “cut off parts of Israel,” starting on the east side of the Jordan River, taking all the land of the three tribes of Israel who lived there (Gad, Reuben, 1/2 tribe of Manasseh).

Jehu reigned 28 years in Samaria. When he died his son Jehoahaz reigned in his place.

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2 Kings 11.

This is a repeat telling of the wicked Queen Athaliah (2 Chronicles 22 – 23) when she saw that her son was dead (killed by the second arrow of Jehu). She killed all his children living in Jerusalem and set herself up as Queen in Judah (no one believed her). But she missed the baby Joash, who was hidden with his wet-nurse by a priest and his wife for seven years. At that time, the priest arranged for him to be anointed, crowned, and hailed as king … and for Athaliah to be killed.

The boy-king reigned and did what was right in God’s eyes.

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(WHOA. This was a bloody day of reading. Evil is wiped out, and good (mostly) triumphs.  For a while.

Oh, LORD, I know our hearts are desperately wicked.  How can you love us and forgive?  Thank you for Jesus, the pure, sinless Son who sacrificed his life in our wicked place, so we could be forgiven!)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 179

Jun28

Day 179.  Reading 1 Kings 20-21

 
Read today’s Scriptures.

1 Kings 20….

…tells a surprisingly good story about the wicked King Ahab.  Until the last part, that is.

We see King Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, again in this chapter. (Syria is the country just north-east of Israel, with Damascus as the capital.) (This map also shows the two places Elijah stayed during the drought, and Mt. Carmel, where the great “showdown” happened. Samaria is the capital of Israel, where Ahab lives.) 

 

 

Remember, in Chapter 15, King Asa (south) had paid Ben-Hadad a large amount of gold and silver from the temple, to harass King Basha (north) so he’d stop fortifying the border. The Syrian King had agreed. Now, it seems, Ben-Hadad was sure King Ahab could also be easily defeated.

“Hey, King Ahab, give me your silver and gold and the best of your wives and children.” 

“Okay, sure,” said Ahab.

Then Ben-Hadad got greedy. “I will send my servants to you tomorrow, and they will search your house and take whatever pleases them.”

“Um, no! The gold and silver and best wives and kids I will do, but NOT THAT,” sent back King Ahab.

“Okay, then. It’s war!”

“Make my day!” replied Ahab.

Now, here is the strange part.  A prophet of God came to Ahab and told him that he would get the victory, “So you will know that I am the LORD.”  Ahab got some military instructions from the prophet, and at noon they went out to confront King Ben-Hadad’s army.

The Syrian king was drunk, however, and commanded, “If they come in peace, TAKE THEM ALIVE!  But if they come out for war …. TAKE THEM ALIVE!”  (Huh?)

Ben-Hadad didn’t have the chance to do either, because King Ahab struck his forces a “very great blow!” The Syrians fled and Ben-hadad escaped on a horse.

The prophet of God told King Ahab to rest up, for in the Spring the king of Syria would be back.  (Now, the Syrians believed that Israel’s God was only a god of the hills. That’s why they were defeated.  Next time they would bring lots of chariots and fight on the plains.  The Jewish God would be defeated there.)

Oh, Syria.  You’ve a lot to learn!!

So, in the spring Ben-Hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to fight against Israel … in the plains. The army of Israel that encamped before them was as “two little flocks of goats” compared to the Syrians who filled the country.  (Hahaha. Oh, Ben-Hadad, did you never hear of David and Goliath??)

The prophet of God came to Ahab and said, “BECAUSE the Syrians claim the LORD is only a god of the hills, I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and YOU SHALL KNOW that I am the LORD.”

And the people of Israel struck down of the Syrians 100K foot soldiers in one day.  When the rest fled to a town, the wall fell on them and 27K more were killed.  Ben-Hadad hid deep in the town and sent a message to King Ahab, “Please let me live.“

AND HERE IS WHERE KING AHAB WENT WRONG.  God had “devoted the Syrian king to destruction,” meaning he was to be killed.  But King Ahab thought it would be cool not to kill him.

“He’s alive? He’s “my brother!” he said.

“Yes! Your brother, Ben-Hadad!”

“Go, bring him out.”

When the Syrian king was brought out, King Ahab invited him up into his own chariot. And the two kings made a trade deal between their countries. And …. Ahab let him go.

LATER…

The prophet of God came to King Ahab with a bit of play-acting, but then told him.  “Because you have let go the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore YOUR life shall be for HIS life, and YOUR people for HIS people.”  Dire news indeed.  Instead of the Syrians and their king under this law, now Ahab and Israel would be “devoted to destruction.”

Ahab, went home, vexed and sullen.  

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1 Kings 21.

King Ahab’s boredom caused him to sin.  He saw a lovely vineyard that he coveted for himself. It belonged to another, but he WANTED it, and the obsession grew. 

(Oh, my goodness, this reminds me of our favorite King David. 

Idleness is a TERRIBLE sin.

It leads to much worse sin. 

Desire and lust and a flame in the belly, which James 1:14-15  says leads to death.

Watch out for it!!)

Ahab at first proposed to Naboth, the vineyard’s owner, that he give it to the king, in exchange for a “better vineyard.”  Or… he could sell it to Ahab, who would give him the vineyard’s value in money.” 

Reasonable, right?  NOT!

What Ahab neglected to realize in his coveting, is that the men of Israel had their land as a divine allotment from God.  They were not to sell/give it to someone outside their tribe.  He said “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”

Ahab “lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.”  

Really??  What a spoiled-brat!!

Enter his wicked wife, Jezebel.  “Hey, Hubby.  What’s wrong?”

“Naboth won’t give me his vineyard!”

“ARE YOU NOT THE KING OF ISRAEL!” she said.  “Get up, eat some bread, be happy!  I’ll get the vineyard for you!’

And the wicked Jezebel set into motion her wicked plan.  She defamed Naboth before of the town council, and tricked them into condemning the innocent vineyard owner. They killed him and sent a sweet note to the Queen.

“Naboth has been stoned. He is dead.”

And so, she skipped into King Ahab’s room with the news, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard for Naboth is not alive, but dead.”   And quickly, without any questions, Ahab got dressed and went down and took possession of it.

Sick!  And after all God had done for the king!

And God sent His top man, Elijah, to condemn the king.  “Arise, Elijah, go down and meet Ahab king of Israel in the vineyard of Naboth.

With this gruesome prophecy.

  • “Thus says the LORD: ‘In the place where dogs liked up the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick up YOUR blood.”

“Oh, my enemy!  You have found me!” said Ahab to Elijah.

And the LORD’s message continued.

  • “I have found you because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD.
  • I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab EVERY MALE, bond or free in Israel.   
  • And….. of Jezebel, the dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.
  • Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city, the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the country the birds of the heavens shall eat.”   

(And oh, wow, you will read about this happening in 2 Kings 9:10, 30-37.)

(“There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.  He acted very abominably in going after idols.”)

And here’s another VERY INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT. Ahab tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. (This was not his usual pouting.)  In the Old Testament, this is a sign of REPENTANCE.  Was it sincere? 

God saw this evil, weak, man’s heart. “Because he has humbled himself before me,” said the LORD. “I will not bring this disaster in his days, but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster on his house.”

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(Wow. There is hope for you and me.  God sees a person’s heart. He knows if repentance is real. He knows if we truly will humble ourselves before Him.  O, my heart, fall on your knees before the all wise, living God. He is merciful to save.)

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 165

Jun14

Day 165.  Reading 2 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 136

 
Read Today’s Scriptures.
*What truth about God stays in your mind?
 
Today’s reading is similar to yesterday’s verses in 1 Kings, about Solomon’s blessing the people of Israel and his prayer of dedication of the Temple.

2 Chronicles 6 and 2 Chronicles 7a.

Verses of note:

  • “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with His hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David, my father.”
  • “Now the LORD has fulfilled His promise that He made.”

God’s word is ever true, and we can be sure He will “fulfill what he promises.”

  • “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to Your servants who walk before you with all their hearts.”
  • “Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house that I have built.”

Then Solomon prays for all the “if-then” times when Israel will fail and sin, and God will bring disaster on them … that if they turn, repent, and pray, that God will indeed HEAR and FORGIVE.

  • “…then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart You know, according to all his ways, for You, You only, know the hearts of the children of mankind.”

Even when Israel is taken into captivity for their sin, perversion, and wickedness (wow, prophecy for sure!), but they REPENT with all their mind and with all their heart and pray toward their land and this house…. Solomon prays that God would HEAR and FORGIVE.

And when Solomon’s prayer was finished, “fire came down from heaven and consumed the burn offering and the sacrifices ... and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.  And everyone – Solomon, the priests, and the people – bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and WORSHIPPED and GAVE THANKS to the LORD, saying, “for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”

King Solomon offered sacrifice before the LORD = 22K oxen and 120K sheep (wow!).  The Levites stood at their posts with instruments playing music to the LORD that King David had written for giving thanks, “for His steadfast love endures forever.”

Psalm 136.

David wrote: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.”  “Give thanks to the God of gods.”  “Give thanks to the Lord of lords.”  “For His Steadfast Love (mercy) endures forever.”  

In this psalm, David repeats that concluding phrase after every element of praise he states about the awesome God of Israel…. 25 TIMES!   For His Steadfast Love endures forever.  

Read all those praise phrases!  If you ever find your heart stingy and grumpy.  Read all these beginning praise praises. How awesome is our God. He does such wonderous things for His own people. He is strong and mighty.  He is tender and kind. 

SERIOUSLY!! Read them and praise Him.  

WHY is He so good to His own people???  For (because) his everlasting love and mercy towards us …. endures…. forever!  (FOREVER!  THINK ON THAT.)

(And then, after you read those praise phrases in Psalm 136, make a list of your own.  I’ll start…

  • Lord, You searched me out and found me – Why? Your love endures forever.
  • You saved me and gave me new life – Why? Your love endures forever.
  • You help me walk in righteousness – Why? Your love endures forever.
  • You forgive and restore me when I sin and repent – Why? Your love endures forever.
  • You supply all I need – Why? Your love endures forever.
  • You give me joy in sorrow and suffering – Why? Your love endures forever.
  • Your presence is with me, even in death – Why? Your love endures forever.
  • You have promised me eternal life with YOU – Why? Your love endures forever. 

And on, and on, and on…….

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2 Chronicles 7b.

After all the celebration, glory, and praise, God appeared to Solomon in the cool, dark, silence of the night.

  • “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.”  “My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”

And then that verse we know so well, and often maybe mistakenly pray for our own countries.  God says about Israel, 

  • “If my people who are called by name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
  • “If you (Solomon) will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and rules, then I will establish your throne, as I covenanted with David your father, saying ‘You shall not lack a man to rule Israel.”

Such glorious promises!!

But there is a dire warning as well.  Sadly, this one comes to pass…. 

  • “BUT IF…. you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, THEN….I will pluck you up from my land that I have given you, and THIS HOUSE THAT I HAVE CONSECRATED FOR MY NAME, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.
  • “And THIS HOUSE, WHICH WAS EXALTED, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and this house?’
  • “Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on OTHER gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore He has brought all this disaster on them”

Solomon’s dream/vision turned into a nightmare of warning.  Will it keep his heart wholly for the LORD???

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*As for the truth(s) about God that stays in my mind after this reading?  It is His utter, enduring, amazing grace and love that He has for His people …. until they raise a fist in His face, turn their backs on Him, and seek to fulfill their own sinful and prideful cravings away from Him.  EVEN THEN, He is willing to forgive and restore if they repent and return to Him.  SUCH MERCY and STEADFAST LOVE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 161

Jun10

Day 161.  Reading Proverbs 22 – 24.

Read Today’s Scriptures.

WHAT truths have you learned about God, His Word, everyday living, or God’s Sovereignty from Solomon’s proverbs so far?

Proverbs 22.

Insights to ponder—

  • Your good name is better than getting rich.
  • God makes both the rich AND the poor.
  • One who borrows is a slave to the one who lends (so watch out about too much debt on your credit card!)
  • Don’t be friends with an angry person because you’ll learn to be angry, too. (The same goes for one who swears, tells off-color jokes, is malicious, rude, or mean, etc.)
  • (Humor) An excuse for not going to work for the lazy person is, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the street!”
  • Train your kids in God’s ways and His Word.
  • Don’t be afraid to spank your kids when they act foolishly.

Then Solomon says, “I’ve written for you 30 sayings (chapters) of counsel and knowledge.”  Why did he write this book? “So your trust will be in the LORD.”

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Proverbs 23.

There are some interesting pieces of advice from King Solomon in this chapter about dining with wealthy, powerful, or influential people. 

  • Use restraint in eating their delicacies (they may be trying to bribe you).
  • Don’t assume they are “treating” you because they like you, for they are probably inwardly calculating how to trap/use you.
  • “Eat and drink!” your host may say, but desist. You’ll end up vomiting if you eat/drink too much (and how will that look?).

Solomon also expands on the relationship between parents and children.

  • Don’t be afraid to spank your children as a part of their discipline.  They won’t die, though their yells may sound like it.
  • Children should listen to and respect their fathers and mothers when they are old.
  • Children, be wise and righteous so your parents will be glad and rejoice over you.

Then Solomon writes seven vivid (humorous if it weren’t so sad) verses about what happens to a person when they get DRUNK.  (Do we really want to look, act, and feel that way???)

  • Wounds without cause, red eyes, it’s smooth going down but with a serpent’s sting at the end.
  • Seeing strange things, speaking vile words, staggering, dizzy, numb.
  • And when they awake? Proof of addiction.  “I must have another drink!

(I wonder if Solomon observed this or experienced it.)

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Proverbs 24.

Solomon built his own palace and the Temple of God. He watched, read the plans his father drew up, and organized the building materials. (TOMORROW, WE WILL SEGUAY TO 1 KINGS AND 2 CHRONICLES FOR A FEW DAYS TO READ ABOUT THAT GREAT WORK.)

Meanwhile, in this chapter, he speaks of other building projects.

  • Verse 27.  He advises getting your fields in order (fences, plowing, and planting) first and then building your house.
  • Verses 3-4.  Solomon compares spiritual education to building your house.  “Wisdom is a house built, and by understanding, it is established; and by knowledge, the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”  
  • Knowledge = the facts of God’s truth,
  • Understanding = the meaning of the truth,
  • Wisdom = the application of the truth.

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I love verses 13-14. “Eat honey, for it is good. The drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Wisdom is like honey to your soul. If you find it, there will be a future and a hope.”

This reminds me of the words of Solomon’s father, David, in Psalm 19, speaking of the wisdom (all the law) of the Lord. “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.”

(Do I seek for that sweetness of God’s Word and truth?

Do I desire His wisdom, understanding, and knowledge like a taste of honey? 

LORD, oh, help me to long for Your word and to “devour” it constantly.)

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Solomon also writes about our responsibility to help others in physical or spiritual distress.

  • Proverbs 24:11-12.  “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not He who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to his work?”

Many prophets in the Old Testament warn about the responsibility of being a watchman and telling others about approaching disaster.  Jesus’ brother, Jude, urges this too.

  • Jude 22-23, “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”

Salvation should not mean complacency. Love for our Lord and others (friend or enemy) should always guide us.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 158

Jun7

Day 158.  Reading Proverbs 13 – 15

Read Today’s chapters.

Pithy, sharp, and true truths, which stood out to you?

Proverbs 13.

Four times in this chapter, Solomon says that when “whoever” (not the righteous or wise and not the foolish) but whoever does a particular thing (good or bad), that person experiences a matching result. Then, in the second part of the verse, the opposite is shown.

Check out Verses 3, 13, 20, and the familiar, 24

  • verse 3 – WHOEVER guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
  • verse 13 – WHOEVER despises the Word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
  • verse 20 – WHOEVER walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
  • verse 24 – WHOEVER spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

ANY OF SOLOMON’S READERS, then and now, can fall into these traps of 1) not guarding our speech, 2) despising (being offended by) the Word, 3) congregating with fools, and 4) not disciplining our children.

I am a “whoever,” and you are a “whoever,” too.   May we heed Solomon’s wise warnings.

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Proverbs 14.

There are several familiar quotations in Chapter 14.

When my husband and I ran a horse-boarding business, verse 4 became a humorous, oft-quoted saying between us.  Twice daily, we had to clean out and carry away the muck of nine horse stalls.  We would remind ourselves…

  • “Where there are no oxen (horses), the manger is clean, but abundant crops (our earnings) come by the strength of oxen (boarding horses).”  In essence, “dirty” stalls equaled money.

And verse 12 is often quoted when we share the Gospel of Christ with people who think they don’t need the Lord Jesus to get to heaven. They can manage okay on their own good works…

  • “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

And in patriotic meetings or on holidays, we quote verse 34.

  • “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

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Proverbs 15.

  • “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  and  “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”

Have you seen this happen?  Have you ever heeded this good advice of a ‘soft answer’ and being ‘slow to anger’ in a situation?  What happened?

LORD, help me remember these “better” truths when I wish I had more “stuff.”

  • “BETTER is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.”  and  “BETTER is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 

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LORD, I love how these pithy and even humorous proverbs convict us when we let the truths sink in. YOUR WORD, is truly “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.”

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 157

Jun6

Day 157.  Reading Proverbs 10 – 12.

Read Today’s Scriptures.
Which proverbs made you “think”?

Proverbs 10.

The Proverbs of Solomon. The proverbs in chapters 10-15 usually offer contrasts or opposites. Look for them.  There are a few familiar phrases, such as “love covers all offenses,” reminding us of 1 Peter 4:8.

Although I have to remember that these proverbs are “general truths” and not theology or promises, I enjoyed all that this chapter says about the “righteous.” (those who fear the LORD)

  • 3. The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry…
  • 6. Blessings are on the head of the righteous…
  • 7. The memory of the righteous is a blessing…
  • 11. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life…
  • 20. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver…
  • 24. The desire of the righteous will be granted…
  • 28. The hope of the righteous brings joy…
  • 30. The righteous will never be removed…
  • 31. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom
  • 32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable..

All of these are contrasted to that of the foolish, wicked, and slothful.  It’s true that the righteous often prosper, but not always.  They are frequently mocked and persecuted horribly.

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Proverbs 11.

There are more contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, perverse, cruel, and foolish in this chapter: common truths that often play out today.  Solomon also writes about money and wealth, as well as greed and dishonesty, pride and humility in this chapter, ending with, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall.” (29).  (Says the wealthiest man of his time!)

Humorously, right in the middle of the chapter, is this proverb (22): “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.”  He also writes about a gracious woman getting honor” in verse 16.  (Most of chapter 31 is honoring the “virtuous woman.”)

I love the truths about generosity in verses 24-25.

  • “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want.  Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and the one who waters will himself be watered.”

This truth is reinforced in Malachi 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-9.

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Proverbs 12.

This chapter holds more contrasts between good and evil, knowledge and stupidity, the righteous and the wicked, pride and humility, hard work and sloth, prudence and foolishness, and much about the power of the mouth and lips and what/how they speak.

Also, two other kinds of women!

  • 4.  An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.”

.On speech,

  • 17-19. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”
  • 22. “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD…
  • 25. “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

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Many of these proverbs convict me, especially about women and my speech.  Father, remind me from Your Word how to be a gracious woman and an excellent wife.  And may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 156

Jun5

Day 156.  Reading Proverbs 7 – 9.

Read Today’s Scriptures.
Name some things you have learned about Wisdom.
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Proverbs 7.

Solomon continues with his warnings about the Adulteress. He knows his son (and perhaps he, himself) needs to be repeatedly told of her sly ways.

But first, he extols the virtues of the other woman, Wisdom. “Keep my WORDS, treasure up my COMMANDMENTS, keep my TEACHING as the “apple (pupil) of your eye,” and write them on your heart.”

Let your “sister” and “intimate friend,” Wisdom, “keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.

  • This reminds me of David’s Psalm 119:11, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Then follows a scene that has happened many times. A young man is lured to the house, the arms, and the bed of either an adulterous wife or a prostitute. She is wily; she knows what he wants; she tells him what he wants to hear. She’s ritually “clean,” and her husband is far away.  Oh my!

And the fellow listens and follows “as an OX goes to the slaughter, or as a STAG is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver, as a BIRD rushes into a snare.  He does not know that it will cost him his life.”

  • James 1:14-15 says, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
  • James 1:5 also says, “If any of you LACK wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

“O sons! Listen to me.  Let not your heart turn aside to her ways.”

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Proverbs 8.

Now Solomon praises the “other path,” that of Wisdom (sometimes personified as Christ).  Unlike the Adulteress, Wisdom’s call is faithful and righteous.

  • On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads, she takes her stand; besides the gates in front of the town, at the entrance or the portals, she cries aloud, “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.  O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. HEAR, for I will speak noble things, and from MY lips will come what is right, for the words of MY mouth are righteous.”

And then Wisdom’s worth.

  • “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.  My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield is better than choice silver.

Christ used His eternal Wisdom in creation.

  • “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His work, the first of His acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 
  • “When He established the heavens, I was there; when He drew a circle on the face of the deep… when He made firm the skies above… when He established the fountains of the deep… when He assigned to the sea its limit… when He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him, like a master workman.
  • “I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, rejoicing in His inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.”

Blessed are those who keep my ways.

Blessed is the one who listens to me

Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.

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Proverbs 9.

Solid truth: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

The pleasant, abundant, long-lasting ways of Wisdom are contrasted now with the ways of “Folly.”

  • The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows NOTHING.
  • She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat in the highest places of the town and calls to those who pass by.  “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
  • But the listener does not know that the DEAD are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

And so, Solomon ends his warnings there.  Does his son(s) hear and respond?  Does he “get” Wisdom? Does he learn to fear the LORD above all?

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Do I heed the sweet words of Wisdom?  Do I shun the blatant, off-key untruths of Folly? 

O, LORD, the Holy One, please keep me on the narrow way. May I not be tricked and seduced by my own desires but seek You and Your face always!   

“Remind me constantly to keep Your Word in my heart as a guardrail against Folly.” 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 155

Jun4

Day 155.  Reading Proverbs 4 – 6.

Read Today’s Scriptures.
What truth about God’s instruction stays in your mind?

Remember:  The Book of Proverbs contains Biblical theology, helpful hints, funny illustrations, wise sayings … and a few contradictions. The verses are meant to be general truths, not promises to “claim” in particular life situations.  God wants us to live godly and gain discernment. How?  In “fearing (reverencing, obeying, loving) the LORD.”

Proverbs 4.

Solomon continues to instruct his son in the benefits of loving, cleaving to, prizing, and seeking “wisdom.” He tells his son how to do that.

  • take heed to your wise father’s words
  • don’t enter or walk in the path of the wicked, but keep to the path of righteousness
  • keep your heart with vigilance
  • put away crooked speech and devious talk
  • keep your eyes looking forward, watch your feet, and don’t swerve to the right or left.

Proverbs 5.

Next, Solomon warns his son (and all sons and daughters) about the danger of Adultery.

The “forbidden woman” has lips that drip honey and are smoother than oil … but the end of involvement with her is as bitter as wormwood.  SHE does not watch the path.  HER feet wander and follow the way of death.

The son is given ways to resist her temptation —

  • keep your way FAR from her
  • do not go near the door of her house

Solomon reminds him of the TRUE WAY, the way God planned from the beginning.  Keep to the wife of his youth and rejoice in her, be satisfied in her, delight in her.

‘For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths.”

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Proverbs 6.

Solomon gives his son wise words on practical living.

  • if you find yourself caught in snares of your own making, stop, go to the person, confess, and plead mercy. Do it before the sun sets, and you go to bed.
  • Look to the creatures of God’s creation – you might learn some things.  The ants do their work without being told. They labor all summer and put away for the future.  Then, in winter, they have no worries.  So, don’t be a late-sleeping, afternoon-napping sluggard!
  • Don’t be a bragging blow-hard, tricking people, winking at them, waggy fingers.  His end is quick and sure.

Then Solomon lists seven “detestable” things that the LORD hates.  HATES!  Yikes! This is serious. We should read and contemplate our own lives…

  1. haughty eyes (pride)
  2. a lying tongue,
  3. hands that shed innocent blood,
  4. a heart that devises wicked plans,
  5. feet that make haste to run to evil,
  6. a false witness who breathes out lies,
  7. one who sows discord among brothers (a trouble-maker)

This reminds me of the children’s rhyme.

Be careful, little eyes, what you see,

little tongue what you say,

little hands what you do,

little feet where you go,

little heart, what you plan …

for there’s a Father up above, looking down in tender love, so be careful, little ones, what you do.

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Then, again, Solomon cautions his son about Adultery and the Adulteress. KEEP HIS WORDS!  The commandment, the teaching, and the discipline (the Word of God) lead to safety away from the “evil woman.”

Then Solomon describes how the prostitute woos, tricks, lures, and captures her victims through her beauty, her eyelashes, and her smooth tongue.

BEWARE!  BEWARE!  “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?”  Can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?”   He who commits adultery lacks sense. He destroys himself!  Dishonor and disgrace are his wages.

(And more tomorrow.)

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I wonder when Solomon wrote these words. Probably early in his life.  For eventually he would have a thousand wives and concubines.  He became foolish and did not take his own words seriously.  He forsook the command, the teaching, and the discipline of the LORD in Moses’ books of the law.

Oh, my heart, be not like Solomon!  O LORD, keep me in Your word and make my heart tender to obey You. For heeding Your teaching will keep me safe from my sinful ways!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 149

May29

Day 149.  Reading 1 Kings 1-2 and Psalms 37, 71, 94.

 

Read Today’s Scriptures.

 

1 Kings 1.

Today, I say goodbye to King David, my favorite Bible character after the Lord Jesus. 

He has been many things:  a shepherd boy, giant killer, court musician, psalm/songwriter, lover of God, soldier, compassionate leader, architect for the Temple, humble, honorable, repentant, promise-keeper, “the sweet psalmist of Israel,” “a man after God’s heart,” “the lamp (hope) of Israel“, and a loyal lover of God and His Word.

He was also a great sinner. He did not discipline any of his sons (and paid the price); he lied; he lusted and committed adultery; he committed selfish murder.

But, unlike any king of Israel that followed him, he never EVER looked to or worshiped any god but the LORD God. He built no idols, poles, or temples to pagan gods.  Yes, a sinner, but never apostate. And God loved him dearly. He promised David that “His Messiah” would come through his line, the King of kings!

Hebrews 11:32-34 lists David as a man of faith, “who (with others) conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, escaped the edge of the sword, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. 

WOW.  My man!

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1 Kings 1.

David’s old age, last deeds, and his death.

The book begins with a natural state of advanced age.  David’s muscles were wasted; he was thin and “cold all the time.”  Even a pile of blankets couldn’t warm him in a Jerusalem winter. And so, a beautiful young woman named Abishag was brought to him to look after him and lay beside him when he was cold.  Abishag’s own body heat would warm him.  And NO, there was no sex involved. (verse 4)  Kind of pitiful, right?  But there were no electric blankets.

Then we read of the final coup.

We’ve read how both the LORD and David had declared and planned for Solomon to be David’s successor. David organized the building materials and plans so Solomon could build the House for God. He organized all the priests, gatekeepers, Levites, musicians, “providers and protectors” for the Temple and when/how they would serve.  All for Solomon. 

  • (Do you get the feeling that Solomon was VERY young, both in age and in readiness to rule the nation? He definitely was NOT a military man, and he didn’t seem to be aware of any danger to himself or the kingdom.)   Solomon was a man of peace, a builder, and a wise judge and author.  He indulged himself and amassed huge mountains of wealth, women, and praise.  The very opposite of his father.)

Anyway, while he sat at home doing — what? —, his older brother Adonijah decided HE would be king in place of David. He attempted a coup. David knew nothing about it either.  But it was told to Bathsheba and the prophet, Nathan.  They approached King David in a sneaky way and got some action.  David rose to the occasion, instructed Nathan, Zadok the priest, and Benaiah (head of his personal bodyguard) to Take Solomon to the public square, make sacrifices to God, and officially anoint and crown him king in his father’s place.

They did, and the new king sat on David’s throne.

Adonijah and his followers (including the priest Abiathar and Commander Joab) were afraid. Solomon’s brother came to him and asked for mercy, which the peaceful Solomon granted.  However, he told him, “Bro, you have to straighten up and fly right. Any misdemeanor, and your toast!” Adonijah agreed.

But, after David died, he came to Bathsheba and requested Abishag (body warmer of the king, also considered his concubine) as his own wife.  Um, NOPE!  Solomon recognized just what it was, an attempt to steal the kingdom by “sleeping with the former king’s concubine.”  So…. “off with his head.”

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1 Kings 2.

David finally realized he was about to die, and like all the patriarchs before him, he summoned his son to his bed for a final blessing.  He charged and encouraged Solomon to stay true to God and to walk in all His ways, statutes, commandments, rules and testimonies as written in the “Law of Moses.”  In doing that, Solomon would be blessed, and his son’s after him too, if they did the same.

You can picture young Solomon nodding.

Then, I think because David knew Solomon was not street-wise in the ways of politics, he commanded the young man to “clean house.”  

  • “You know, Joab, Commander of the Army?  Do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.” (kill him)
  1. “You’ve heard about how Shimei cursed me and threw stones at me all the way to the Jordan when I was escaping from Absalom?  You know what you ought to do to him. You shall bring his gray head down with blood to the grave.”
  • “About Barzillai, he showed me much loyalty when I was escaping.  You deal loyally with his sons; let them eat at your table.”

(David did not instruct Solomon about the priest Abiathar, who had sided with Adonijah “because the priest had carried the Ark of the Lord GOD and because he had helped David when he had to escape Absalom.  Solomon later just expelled him from Jerusalem and service as priest.) 

And then the Prince of Israel died.  He had reigned over Israel for forty years.  They buried him in Jerusalem, “the city of David.”  Solomon sat on the throne of his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

Then, Solomon took care of business just like David had instructed.  Joab was killed, and Chief Bodyguard Benaiah, was made Commander of the Army.  Abiathar was sent home.  Shimei was given house arrest, and lived as long as he stayed home.  When he ventured out, he was killed. 

Done and Dusted.

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Psalm 37.

  • Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! They will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
  • Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in HIM, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.

Can’t you hear David saying this to Solomon?  And the rest of the Psalm as well.

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Psalm 71.

  • My mouth is filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day.  Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
  • O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.  So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.
  • O Holy One of Israel, My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.

We’ve seen David’s old age, still praising his God.

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Psalm 94.

  • Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O LORD, and whom You teach out of your law. to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.  For the LORD will not forsake His people; he will not abandon His heritage.

 

 

 

 

 
 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 147

May27

Day 147.  Reading 1 Chronicles 26-29 and Psalm 127.

 
Read Today’s Scriptures.
 

1 Chronicles 26.

David continues to organize the services of the Temple which Solomon will build.  It’s not that he doesn’t trust his young son to do it all, I believe he is super-enjoying the planning of it all, picturing in his mind how it will be.

After all the musicians, David now organizes the gatekeepers.  They will guard the gates and doors in two-week shifts. Note the prominence of Obed-Edom and his sons.  Remember it was at his house the Ark of the Covenant was kept after that disaster when Uzzah touched it and was killed. It stayed in Obed-Edom’s house for three months until David learned the correct way to carry the “Presence of God.”  Meanwhile God had blessed the house of Obed-Edom. 

David also appoints Levites to be in charge of the treasuries of the House of God, and the dedicated gifts, and all of the spoil from the wars, going back to that of King Saul, Samuel, and also from Abner and Joab. David also appoints families to be officers and judges.

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1 Chronicles 27.

David then organizes the military divisions and their commanders who served the king, month by month.

He chose officers over each of the tribes of Israel.  He appointed those over the kings treasuries in the country, cities and villages, as well as those who did the agricultural work. 

Wow – wouldn’t Solomon be grateful for all this organization!!

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1 Chronicles 28.

After all that, David assembled all the officials at Jerusalem.  He then told them how God had chosen him as leader from the house of Judah and his father’s line, and had then, out of his many sons, chosen Solomon to reign after him.  Although David had so yearned to build a House for God, it would be his son, Solomon who would build the temple.  

God had also promised David that his father’s house was to be king over Israel forever.

  • “Now, therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.”

And he turned to his son, with this charge,

  • “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it!”

Then David gave Solomon the plans he’d made for the Temple, and all that went with building it.

  • “Be strong and courageous and do it.  Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.”

He also encouraged Solomon by saying all the priests, Levites, officers and all the people “will be wholly at your command.”

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1 Chronicles 29.

Then David turns to all the assembly and charges them to work faithfully for Solomon,

  • “whom alone God has chosen. He is young and inexperienced and the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the LORD God.  I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and precious stones.  And of his own private treasury, he dedicates to the House of God, gold and silver.”

He the turns to the people,

  • “Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself to the LORD?”

And the leaders, commanders, and officers brought their freewill offerings, huge amounts of gold, silver, bronze, iron and precious stones.  The people then rejoiced, and David the king also rejoiced greatly.

And so, finally, David turns his thoughts and words to God. 

  • “Blessed are You, O LORD, the God of  Israel, our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens, and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank You, or God, and praise your glorious Name!”

WOW.  No wonder David is a “man after God’s own heart” despite his many sins.  His heart never ever strayed from the LORD God of Israel to other idols. 

Be sure to read the rest of his prayer to God, his humility and knowledge that all he has is from the LORD.

  • “Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and Your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.

Oh, that we prayed for our own children this way!

NOTE: The end of this chapter tells how Solomon was made king in David’s place, how Solomon took the throne, and how David died “at a good old age.”  BUT THERE IS MORE TO READ ABOUT KING DAVID AS WE GO FORWARD INTO THE BOOK OF 1 KINGS  IN A COUPLE DAYS.  HANG IN THERE.  THE SWEET PSALMIST OF ISRAEL IS NOT DEAD YET!

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Psalm 127.

  • “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain, unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

This psalm is written by Solomon.  Could it have been about his task of building the House/Temple of God, and about all those gatekeepers and watchmen that his father, David had organized to keep it safe?

  • “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep.”

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