2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 161 & 162

Jun10

    Day 161 & 162—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading. Praise God!  What have you learned so far about God and his purposes in your life? Share in the comments.

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

    Day 161 – Proverbs 22 – 24. (More proverbs and wise sayings, some compiled by Hezekiah)

There are many familiar and quoted proverbs in this section. It’s good to remember they are “wise sayings” that are generally true and meant for godly living, but NOT promises, prophesies or law.

22:1a – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches…”

22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

22:7b – “…the borrower is the slave of the lender.”

22:13 – “The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”.

22:15 – “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from Him.”   23:13-14 – “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.”

23:4-5 _ “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”

23:22, 24, 25 – “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”

An almost laughable description of a DRUNKARD.

23:29-33 – “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without a cause? Who has redness of eyes?  (It is) Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wind. Do not look at wine when it is red when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end, it bites like a servant and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. “They struck me” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” 

24:1-2 – “Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence and their lips talk of trouble.”  24:19-20 – “Fret not yourself because of evildoers and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

24:11, 17-18 – “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.”  “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger.”   (These verses remind me of 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.”

Instruction learned from the sluggard.

24:32-43 – “Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber and want like an armed man.”

KNOWLEDGE: knowing facts. UNDERSTANDING: knowing what the facts mean. WISDOM: knowing how to apply the facts.

24:3-4 – “By wisdom. a house is built, and by understanding, it is established; by knowledge, the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 

.##.

    Day 162 – 1 Kings 5 – 6, 2 Chronicles 2 – 3. (Solomon builds the HOUSE OF THE LORD in Jerusalem.)

1 Kings 5 and 2 Chronicles 2.  These two chapters tell of King Solomon’s preparations for building the Temple. His father had collected tons of gold, silver, and precious stones. Now Solomon made a deal with King Hiram of Sidon (Lebanon) to purchase and cut all the cedar and cypress week needed. (It’s a LOT.) They struck a deal. Hiram would send the logs down via the Mediterranean Sea as rafts, and Solomon would supply Hiram with LOTS of grain and oil each month. 

It seems that King Hiram had a great relationship with David and now with his son, Solomon.  And Sidon’s King even had respect for their God. “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.”  2 Chronicles 2:12. 

Solomon drafted forced labor to be stone cutters and burden-bearers. (1 Kings 5:13-16.)  The account in 2 Chronicles 2:17-18 reports that these 153,500 laborers were “resident aliens who lived in the land of Israel.”

2 Kings 6 and 1 Chronicles 3 describe the details and dimensions of the Temple building and surrounding court, that Solomon built on Mt. Moriah, the land David had purchased from the Jebusite after his ill-fated census taking. It was also where Abraham had attempted to sacrifice his son Isaac, before God provided a ram for the offering.

It was a grand and glorious place, on the pattern of the Temple, only solid. The foundation was made of massive dressed stone (weighing hundreds of tons each). as were the walls, all lined inside with cedar boards and covered with gold. Carved cherubim, palm trees, open flowers, and chains were the gold-covered decorations.   Inside the Most Holy Place two massive cherubim with outstretched wings spread across the 30-foot square room over the “throne of God” (Ark of the Covenant).

Two massive pillars of 4″ thick bronze stood at the front of the temple. They were 52.5 feet tall, with an additional 7-food capital on top decorated with chains like a necklace, lilies, and a hundred pomegranates on the chains.  Solomon named them Jachin (“he shall establish”) and Boaz (in it is strength). 

It took Solomon SEVEN YEARS to start and finish the Temple, the House of God in Jerusalem.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 160

Jun8

   Day 160—We are in the sixth month of Bible reading.  We are continuing to read in the 16th book in the Bible, PROVERBS.  

 Day 160 – Proverbs 19 – 21. (More wisdom & truth from Solomon)

Specific topics are placed randomly in Proverbs. Here are a few from these three chapters.

Wives. 

19:13-14 “A foolish son is a ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.”   21:9, 19 “It is better to live in the corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”

Slander, false witness.

19:5, 9, 28  “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.”  “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.”  “A worthless witness mocks at justice and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.”    20:19 “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets: therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”  21:28  “A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.”

Sloth and sluggards.

19:15, 24  “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.”  “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.”  20:4, 13  “The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will see at harvest and have nothing.”  “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.”   21:25  “The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.”

Wealth, Generosity, and ill-gotten gain 

19:4, 6, 17  “Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friends.”  “Many see the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.”   “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his deed.”   20:17  “Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward, his mouth will be full of gravel.”  21:6 “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”

Man’s plans and God’s purposes.

19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”  20:22 “Do not say, “I will repay evil,” wait for the LORD, and He will deliver you.” (Romans 12:19)  21:31 “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD>”

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 159

Jun7

   Day 159—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible this week: PROVERBS.

 Day 159 – Proverbs 16 – 18. (More of Solomon’s words of wisdom)

Chapter 16 shows God’s sovereignty in many of its proverbs. 

Verse 1 – “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”    Verse 4 – “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.”    Verse 9 – “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”    Verse 33 – “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. 

Look to God first in your ways and plans, and he will bless you.

Verse 3 – “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.”   Verse 7 – “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”    Verse 20 – “Whoever gives thought to the Word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”

Sweetness in gracious speech.

Verse 21 – “The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” Verse 24 – “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

“Gray hair is a crown of glory…“

Verse 31a

Chapter 17 contains some very familiar sayings.

Verse 1 – “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting and strive.”

“Grandchildren are a crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

Verse 7

Verse 9 – “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”

Verse 17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Verse 22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Good words are described, and bad words are illustrated by the fool in Chapter 18.

‘The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”    “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a breathing.”   “A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.”    “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”   “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”    “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”  (Verses, 4, 6 – 8, 13, 21)

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”

Verse 22

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 158

Jun6

   Day 158—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible this week: PROVERBS.

 Day 158 – Proverbs 13 – 15. (More of Solomon’s general wisdom proverbs)

Chapter 13  again begins with the pride of a father’s wise son. The following pithy, interesting, thought-provoking proverbs cover work, laziness, the mouth or tongue, wealth, and discipline.

13:3 “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”

13:4, 11 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”    “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”    

13:12, 19 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”    “A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.”

13:13-14, 24 “Whoever despises the Word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”    “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”

13:20. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Chapter 14 is eclectic in its topics, but is consistent in its comparisons.  14:1 “The wisest of women builders her house, BUT folly with her own hands tears it down.”  14:4 “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, BUT abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” And notice in 14:11 who has a house and who, a tent. “The HOUSE of the wicked will be destroyed, BUT the TENT of the upright will flourish.”

14:17, 29-30 “A man of quick temper acts foolishly…”    “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”

And two very familiar proverbs:

14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

There are many familiar proverbs in Chapter 15 as well, on speaking, praying, cheer, and good temper.

15:1, 4 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”    “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”     

15:13, 15, 30 “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”    All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.”    The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.”

15:16, 17 “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is that a fattened ox and hatred with it.”

15:8, 29 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to Him.”    “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

And remember, PROVERBS are general rules on righteous living, NOT promises, prophecy, or law.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 157

Jun5

   Day 157—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible this week: PROVERBS.  

 Day 157 – Proverbs 10 – 12. (General Proverbs by Solomon)

Today, we leave the specific advice of a wise father to his son in this book and look at Solomon’s more general proverbs. 

Chapter 10. If you underline or take notes, observe how many of them talk about the mouth and what we say.  For instance, in 10:11, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence,”  and 10:30-31, “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.”

10:1 is a segue from a father’s wise advice to the plain and pithy remaining proverbs of section two.  It says, “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”  

Remember, these proverbs are examples of general common sense. They are probabilities, not promises. They are often true, but not always. They are general rules on how to live in a way that honors God and others.

10:4-5: “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”

10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”

Chapter 11 contrasts the righteous and upright with the wicked, the generous and stingy, the industrious and the slothful. There are very good truths here, but remember, it doesn’t mean they are promises or prophecies.

11:1:  “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.”

11:2: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

11:14: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety.”

11:24-25: “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessings will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Chapter 12 contains more contrasts in discipline, humility, mercy, truth-telling, and other matters of the heart. Many of these are familiar and have been memorized.

12:1: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

12:4: “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.”

12:9-10: “Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. Whosoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.”

12:20, 35:  “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”  “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

12:28: “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 156

Jun4

   Day 156—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading.  We are also reading the 16th book in the Bible: PROVERBS.

 Day 156 – Proverbs 7 – 9 (a father continues to instruct his son on pitfalls and wisdom)

Chapter 7 begins, sounding like an instruction from Deuteronomy. “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of hour heart.” 

The father says this will keep the young man from sin, specifically the adulteress. The rest of the chapter describes all her temptations, from her silky smooth words, attire, perfumed and soft linens, and couch.  Her husband is away on a long trip, she says. 

If he yields to her he will be as an ox going to slaughter, as a stag with an arrow through it, or a bird caught in a snare. “He does not know that it will cost him his life.”

Chapter 8 compares the perfections, graces, and delights of WISDOM’s path. “Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth… all the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him, who understands.  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.”

“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me….. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.”   “…but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

Chapter 9 compares the WAY of wisdom with the WAY of folly. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. By me, your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”

COMPARE THIS (FOLLY)…….”The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.  She sits at the door of her house… calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way.”   “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”    “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”   “But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol (the grave).”

TO THIS (WISDOM)……. “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.”   “She has sent out her young women to call, ‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.’ To him who lacks sense, she says, ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.’  Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 154 & 155

Jun3

    Day 154 & 155—We are in the 6th month of Bible reading. Praise God! Today, we are also reading in the 16th book in the Bible: Proverbs. 

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

    Day 154 – Proverbs 1 – 3 (Solomon’s proverbs, many written by him or in his style, but all perhaps “compiled” by him.)

The purpose of Proverbs: 1. To KNOW wisdom and instruction, 2. to UNDERSTAND words of insight, 3. to RECEIVE instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity, 4. to GIVE prudence to the simple, and knowledge and discretion to the youth.

The theme of Proverbs is “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” (Verse 1:7, and also concluding the book in verse 31:30)  “Wisdom” is more about practical skills in living well in the fear (reverence and awe) of God in a way that honors both Him and others.

There are several speeches from a father to his son in these chapters. 

1:6. “Hear, my son, your father’s instructions, and forsake not your mother’s teaching….”

1:10. “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

2:1. “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you…”

3:1. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” 

3:11. “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of His reproof…”

3:21. “My son, do not lose sight of these – keep sound wisdom and discretion and they will be life for your soul…”

In several sections, “wisdom” speaks as a person, sounding very much like God. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30).

1:23. “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”

1:28-29. “Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD…..”

1:22. “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

A favorite and often repeated wisdom is in 3:5-6. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

I all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

.

    Day 148 – Proverbs 4 – 6 (These chapters continue with a father’s warnings and instructions to his son.)

Chapter 4.  The father urges his son to “Get wisdom; get insight…”  “Keep hold of instruction; do not let her go; guard her, for she is your life….”    “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”   “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

Chapter 5.  Here, the father begins to warn and caution his son about adultery and the temptress.  “For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end, she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death…..”

He advises his son to be true to his own wife. “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.”   “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.”

Chapter 6. Now, the father offers practical warnings and advice about co-signing for someone, about working hard for your own needs, and not being lazy, for then, poverty will surely come. 

A list of SEVEN things that the LORD hates is given. Consider what the opposite would be: WHAT GOD LOVES.

  1. Haughty eyes — HUMILITY
  2. A lying tongue — TRUTH-TELLING
  3. Hands that shed innocent blood — COMPASSION
  4. A heart that devises wicked plans — GOODNESS
  5. feet that make haste to run to evil — EAGERNESS TO HELP
  6. a false witness who breaths out lies — HONESTY
  7. One who sows discord among brothers — UNITY.

The father again urges his son to keep his commandments and mother’s teachings. “Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. when you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”   “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light.” (See Psalm 119:105)

And, for a third time, the father warns his son about the evil woman, this time another man’s wife… and, in the end, the rightfully jealous husband.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 153

Jun1

   Day 153—We’ve begun the 6th month of Bible reading. Praise God! Today, we are also reading the 14th book in the Bible: The Song of Solomon. What have you learned so far about God and his purposes in your life? Share in the comments.

 Day 153 – Song of Solomon 1 – 8 (Solomon’s love song between himself and his first wife (Abishag? an unnamed woman? the Shulamite? Pharoah’s daughter?), or some think possibly an allegory of God’s love to his people, although that is stretching the idea.)

The Song of Solomon might be rated for “Mature Audiences.” The Jews would not let their young sons read it while they studied the scriptures. 

The subtitles list she, he, and others as the speakers, although “the daughters of Jerusalem” and “the Shulamite’s brothers” are also mentioned.  Solomon, or “the king,” is also in the text. The descriptions of both the bride and the groom are poetic, vivid, and sometimes evocative.

Some phrases seem almost humorous to modern readers. (“I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.” “Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing.” 

Many phrases appear in modern songs, Christian hymns, and choruses. (“Kisses sweeter than wine,”  “Rose of Sharon,” “Lily of the Valley,” “He brought me to his banqueting table; his banner over me is love” “I am my beloved’s and he is mine”)

It also vividly portrays God’s perfect plan for marriage in Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The Song includes the beauty and sanctity of sexual intimacy between husband and wife.  Hebrews 13:4 states this beautifully. “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immodest and adulterous.”

“In the Song, Solomon recounts his own days of courtship, the early days of his first marriage, and the maturing of this royal couple through the good and bad days of life.” 

I. The courtship: “Leaving” (1:2 – 3:5)

     The lovers’ remembrances & the lovers’ expression of reciprocal love.

II. The wedding: “Cleaving” (3:6 – 5:1)

     The kingly bridegroom, the wedding, and the first night together, God’s approval.

III. The marriage: “Weaving” (5:2 – 8:14

     The first major disagreement, the restoration, growing in grace.

 

Enjoy reading these eight chapters in Solomon’s “Song of Songs.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 152

May31

   Day 152—We are almost finished with the FIFTH month in our reading and have begun a new book in the Bible. – 2 Chronicles. 

   Day 152 –  2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72 (Solomon’s request, fame & glory, wealth.)

2 Chronicles 1. Much of this chapter is a repeat of 1 Kings 3. in Solomon’s sacrifices to God, God’s request of him, and Solomon’s seeking wisdom and understanding to lead the people of Israel.

God gives him abundant wisdom, as well as riches and honor. Verse one says, “…and the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.” As for riches, Solomon “made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stone…”  

However, this rich and wise king disobeyed God’s words about how kings should live in Deuteronomy 17 by importing thousands of horses and chariots from Egypt and Kue. These were not only for himself, but he also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria. (Huh???)

(NOTE: Kue is possibly Cilicia, including Tarsus, located north of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria.)

Psalm 72. This is a “coronation psalm” written either by David or Solomon himself. It’s a prayer for the king to be a righteous judge of the people. It’s challenging him to care for the people by defending them and supplying their needs. It states the desire for there to be righteousness and peace in all his kingdom as it expands in all directions. 

“Long may he live… May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all day!” (How many of us pray for our leaders continually and invoke God’s blessings on them?) Many more blessings are prayed for the king, his people, and his kingdom.

Then the psalmist directs the reader to the One who makes it all possible. “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 151

May30

   Day 151—We are almost finished with our FIFTH month of Bible reading, and we’ve begun our 13th book – 1 Kings.  

   Day 151 –  1 Kings 3-4 (Solomon’s early days)

1 Kings 3. First off, we see King Solomon making a big mistake. He makes a marriage alliance with Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

Why is that a mistake? First, this nation kept the people of Israel in slavery for 400 years, subjecting them to cruelty and the worship of multiple pagan gods. Second, God cautioned any king of Israel 1. NOT to return to Egypt to acquire horses & chariots, 2. NOT to acquire many wives (make alliances with foreign kings), and 3. NOT to amass a lot of silver & gold for himself. (Deuteronomy 17:14-20.)  In 1 Kings 4, we see King Solomon also going to Egypt for thousands of horses & chariots, and also the account of the massive amount of provisions he needed for JUST ONE DAY OF MEALS. 

And… there would be trouble at the end of his reign concerning that connection with Egypt. (Sigh.)

1 Kings 3 also tells of King Solomon’s dream. In it, God came to him and said, “Ask what I shall give you.”  The new king, probably dealing with all kinds of stuff left over from his father’s reign, asked for WISDOM (an understanding mind to govern God’s people and to discern between good and able). This pleased God. “Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.”

The gracious and generous God also promised to give Solomon riches and honor like no other king and to give him “length of days” if he would walk in His ways and keep His statutes and commandments.  When Solomon awoke, he went before the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD and made offerings. 

THE FIRST TEST OF SOLOMON’s WISDOM came shortly afterwards. Two prostitutes came to him arguing about a living baby. Each woman claimed it was hers and that the dead baby left at home was the other’s.  The wise king called for a sword to cut the babe in half to share equally and identified the TRUE MOM as the one willing to give up the baby rather than see it killed.

“Oooo! Aaaaa!” All of Israel heard of the judgment and stood in awe of the king because they perceived that the WISDOM OF GOD was in him to do justice. 

1 Kings 4. This chapter lists all of the new king’s high officials (his cabinet), twelve in all. It also lists twelve officers over all Israel who provided food for the king and his household (one each for the months of the year).  Interestingly, the first named was Ben-Hur (Remember that huge movie by Cecil B. DeMille? no connection.)

Verses 20-21:  “Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.” 

This is a clear allusion to the Lord’s promise to Abraham. The early part of King Solomon’s reign was characterized by population growth, peace, and prosperity, foreshadowing the blessings that will prevail when the Abrahamic Covenant is fully fulfilled in the future. 

An interesting epitaph about Solomon is at the end of this chapter:  “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all other men… and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.”  WOW. Talk about God answering requests!  (And yet….1,000 wives?? How smart is that?)

This chapter then lists all his oral/written accomplishments:  3,000 oral proverbs, 1,005 songs, oral compositions about trees (from the gigantic cedars to the hyssop that grows out of a wall), beasts, birds, reptiles, and fish.