2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 147 & 148

May27

    Day 147 & 148—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading and today we finis the 12th book!   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 147 – 2 Chronicles 26 – 29, Psalms 127 (David appoints all who will be in charge of the kingdom as it passes to Solomon.)

Chapter 26. David continues to assign specific work in the Kingdom to men and groups who can handle it. Here, he assigns Gatekeepers, the first line of defense for the City of David. He also assigns men in charge of the treasuries of the house of God, and dedicated gifts.

Interestingly, he assigned “men of great ability” to oversee the tribes east of the Jordan in everything pertaining to God and the king’s affairs.  

Chapter 27. Here, David assigned a standing army of 24,000 for each month, rotating throughout the year (total: 288,000). He also appointed one man to oversee each of the tribes. As for his own property, he appointed men over the treasuries in the country, cities, villages, and towers. Chosen men who oversaw the farms, vineyards, wine cellars, olive & sycamore trees, stores of oil, herds of cattle, camels, donkeys, and flocks of sheep. David also appointed men to “oversee” all his sons (for the LORD had given him many.)  

Lastly, Joab stands as the commander of the king’s army. (David didn’t like him because he killed Absalom and tried to replace him, but the army leader persisted, obeyed the king in everything (even when the king sinned), and was a great military leader.)

Chapter 28.  David assembled all the officials of Israel at Jerusalem.  He tells them how it was in his heart to build a House for the LORD, but that God had given that task to Solomon. He tells how God allowed him to amass all the materials and make the plans.  He also tells them again that young SOLOMON will be the next king of Israel, chosen by GOD! 

David charges Solomon with the task and with obedience to God and then gives him the plans. He reminds him (and the assembled officials there) that “the people will be wholly at your command.”

Chapter 29. David challenges the assembly that the task of building the Temple is great and Solomon is young. He tells of the huge offerings he himself has given and asks, “Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the LORD?”   As one, they come forward with huge offerings for the treasury for the House of the LORD.  Then everyone REJOICES greatly.

David blesses the LORD in their presence. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and 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, our God, and praise YOUR GLORIOUS NAME.”

“O LORD, our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand and is all Your own.”     “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.”

Then the whole congregation made Solomon, the son of David, king a second time, and they appointed him as Prince for the LORD.

Psalm 127 is a psalm written by Solomon.  “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.” 

King David’s death is mentioned at the end of 2 Chronicles, but we’ll see a little more of him in 1 Kings.

.

    Day 148 – Psalms 111 – 118 (Psalms of assents and praise written by others)

111. “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart.”    “Holy and awesome is His name! The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: all who practice it have a good understanding.”

112.  “Blessed be the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments!    “It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.”

113. “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”

The above reminds me of the modern song “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman —

Verse 1
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Chorus
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul, worship His holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name.

114. “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.”

115.  “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory for the sake of your mercy and your faithfulness.”    “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.”    

116. “I love the LORD because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy, because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD; ‘O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.”

“For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;…”    “What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?”

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints…“

117. “Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples!”

118. “Out of my distress, I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?  The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.”    “The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation..”

“I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.”   “I thank You that You have answered me and have become my salvation.”

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 146

May25

   Day 146—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading and begin our 12th book – 1 Kings.  Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 146 –  Psalms 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, 145. (Parts of some of these psalms of David are very familiar.)

131. “O, LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother..”    “O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.”

138, “For though the LORD is high, He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me…“

139.  (This whole psalm is precious and beautiful!  “O LORD, You have searched me and known me!  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.  Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”

“Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even darkness is not dark to You; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”

“For you formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

143. “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that You have done; I ponder the work of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land.” “Teach me to do your will, for You are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!“

144. “Blessed be the LORD, my rock….He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge;” “Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!”

145. “I will extol You, my God and King, and bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.”

“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.” “The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works! The LORD upholds all who are the falling and raises up all who are bowed down.”

“The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, and He also hears their cry and saves them. The LORD preserves all who love Him…..” “Let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 145

May24

   Day 145—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading. Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 145 –  1 Chronicles 23 – 25, (David “setting his house in order”)

Surprise! We will be reading more genealogies today (and in chapters 26-27)

These genealogies are specific to the tribe of Levi and are part of King David’s plans for the “House of God” that he so yearns to build.  His son, Solomon, will do it, but David took pleasure in making the plans and collecting the building materials. And now, he revels in setting up the care, maintenance, and worship in the Temple once it is finished. 

Chapter 23. “When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel,” reads verse one.  That’s all. But we’ll read much more about Solomon’s coronation later.  For now, David’s heart and eyes are on the future House of God (which I think he can “picture” perfectly in his mind’s eye).

He gathers all the leaders in Israel, the priests and Levites, and presents his plans.  There are 38K Levites.  “Twenty-four thousand of them will be in charge of the work in the house of the LORD.” Another 6K will be officers and judges, 4K will be gatekeepers, and the remaining 4K will offer praises to the LORD with instruments and songs. 

He then goes into detail, including the names of tribe leaders and their descendants. 

Chapter 24. “The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became priests.  With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar (priests during David’s time), David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service.”

Chapter 25. “David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Herman, and of Jeduthun (Ethan), who prophesied (wrote inspired songs) with lyres, with harps and with cymbals.” 

David then lists all those who did the work and their duties in “music ministry,” as well as the order in which they would serve. 

The King was nothing but organized in this! 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 144

May23

   Day 144—We are still in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 144 – Psalm 108 – 109 – 110. (Psalms of David)

Psalm 108 repeats some of Psalms 57 and 60.  “Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the PEOPLES; I will sing praises to you among the NATIONS.”     “Be exalted, O God, above the HEAVENS!  Let your glory be over all the EARTH!”

“Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the SALVATION OF MAN!  With GOD WE DO VALIENTLY; it is HE who will tread down our foes.”

Psalm 109 is a prayer for God’s help against the wicked of his day.  “Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.”   “In return for my love, they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” 

Many of the following complaints refer to the time when David was being persecuted by Saul. It’s as if David is petitioning God, as a judge in a courtroom, to rule against his persecutors.  “Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love!”    “With my mouth, I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise Him in the midst of the throng. For HE STANDS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE NEEDY ONE, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.”

Psalm 110 contains great prophetic sections, showing Jesus as both king and high priest. It is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament.

“The LORD says to my Lord; ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ (Matthew 23:43-44) (Hebrews 10:12)

“The LORD has said and will not change His mind. Yo are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Genesis 14:17-20, Hebrews 5:6, 7: 1-28)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 143

May22

   Day 143—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading, and today, we finish our ELEVENTH Book (2 Samuel).   Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 143 –  2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21 – 22, Psalm 30. (Census, judgment, alter/temple, joy)

What exactly incited King David to call for a census of all his military men?  2 Samuel seems to say that the LORD (in His anger) did, while 1 Chronicles says that Satan did. Both instances began with Israel’s sin, which is important when the consequences fall. 

Perhaps God, in His anger against Israel, allowed Satan to put the need to see how big his army was in David’s mind. Israel and her king needed to trust ONLY in the LORD  for victory in battle and not in the amount of military power that had.

Interestingly enough, Commander Joab confronted the king and said a census was NOT a good idea. But David, who didn’t like Joab anyway, ignored his advice and sent him throughout Israel with an abacus.

The tally numbers also seem to conflict. 2 Samuel‘s number could be the amount of standing army soldiers, and 1 Chronicles could also include all men of military age, whether seasoned or not. 

Also, 1 Chronicles mentioned that Joab hadn’t gotten to the tribes of Benjamin and Levi when God stopped the process.  (The Levites wouldn’t stand in battle, but only in defense of the Tabernacle and its contents.) 

In either case, the whole thing displeased God, and he sent His Seer, Gad, to David to give him three choices as to the consequences of showing this lack of trust in Him.  (And NO, this is not like having a Genie in a bottle.)  For one thing, the choices were horrific.  1) 3 years of famine, 2) 3 months of devastation by their enemies, and 3) 3 days of pestilence/plague.  What a choice!!

David chose #3 for the shorter duration and because he would rather trust himself in the hands of God than the hands of the Philistines, etc. And the Angel of the LORD killed 70,000 men in Israel. (soldiers?) But the Angel stopped when He came to Jerusalem and allowed the king to offer burnt (sin) offerings on the threshing floor of a Jebusite (People who held Jerusalem before David conquered it.) 

After seeing the Angel of the Lord, the Jebusite and his sons ran and hid, but then he fearfully approached the King and offered his threshing area, his oxen, and all the wooden implements to use in his offerings.  But David refused the offer and insisted on buying everything. “I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel – 50 shekels for the oxen and implements & 1 Chronicles – 600 for the land)

It reminds me of Abraham, who was looking for a burial place for his wife, Sarah. He did not accept the land as a gift but insisted on paying for it. Both that land and the area David bought became a permanent possession.

This purchased area would become the site of Solomon’s magnificent Temple. (Currently, the Dome of the Rock (“threshing floor”) sits on top of it.)

2 Chronicles.  This chapter flows from the previous verses about that area in Jerusalem, which would become the place where Solomon would build a House for the LORD. David was not allowed to build it because he was a man of war and bloodshed, while Solomon, who was a man of peace, could.  Meanwhile, God allowed David to make the plans and collect all the materials needed, from great stones and cedar trees to the iron nails for the doors, clamps, etc.

King David even called his young son and charged him with the task, telling him that the LORD would be with him and establish his royal throne in Israel forever. “Now my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the LORD you God as He has spoken concerning you. Only may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when He gives you charge over Israel, you may keep the law of the LORD your God…..  Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. With great pains, I have provided for the house of the LORD.”

Psalm 30. “O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me. O LORD, you have brought up my soul from the grave.; You restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.  Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”   “O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 142

May21

   Day 142—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 142 – Psalm 95, 97, 98, 99. (Psalms of Praise, author unknown. Well, it’s God, but you know what I mean.)

Psalm 95. “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a JOYFUL NOISE (laughter?) to the rock of our salvation!  Let us come into His presence with THANKSGIVING; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!”

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.”

Psalm 97.  “The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice!”    The heavens proclaim His righteousness; all the peoples see His glory.”   “For You, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.”   “Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to His holy name!”

Psalm 98.  “Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things!”    “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!  Sing praises to the LORD….”

Psalm 99.  “The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!  The LORD is great in Zion; He is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name! Holy is He!”

“Exult the LORD our God, and worship at His holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 140 & 141

May20

    Day 140 & 141—We are in 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 140 – Psalms 5. 38. 41. 42. – (Psalms of David in a tumultuous time)

Psalm 5. “Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouth…”     

“But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, and those who love your name may exult in you. FOR YOU BLESS THE RIGHTEOUS, O LORD; You cover him with favor as with a shield.”

Psalm 38. “I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.”     “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully.”    “Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.”

Psalm 41. “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble, the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; You do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness, you restore him to full health.”     “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.”

Psalm 42. “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? HOPE IN GOD, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.  My soul is cast down within me; therefore, I remember you…”     “By day, the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night, His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” 

.

    Day 141 – 2 Samuel 22 – 23, Psalm57 – (Songs of David & a recount of all his mighty men)

2 Samuel 22 is a song of David praising God for deliverance. Notice all the nouns he uses.

“The LORD is my ROCK and my FORTRESS and my DELIVERER, my GOD, my rock in whom I take refuge, my SHIELD, and the HORN of my salvation, my STRONGHOLD and my REFUGE, my SAVIOR, you save me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised.”

“In my distress, I called upon the LORD; to my God, I called. From His temple, HEARD my voice, and my cry came to His ears.”     “He SENT from on high, He TOOK me; He DREW me out of many waters. He RESCUED me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too  mighty for me.”   “He BROUGHT me out into a broad place; He RESCUED me because He DELIGHTED in me.”

“This God–His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.”

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your GENTLENESS made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip…”     “You delivered me from strife with my people; You kept me as the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me.”

“The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation.”    “Great salvation he brings to His king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.”

2 Samuel 23 opens with these words: “Now these are the last words of David; the oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel.”  The following words (praise to God for choosing him and these people) are not David’s final oral speech but his final literary legacy to Israel.

The last part of this chapter is a repeat recalling of David’s mighty men and some of their actions of greatness. The last one mentioned is “Uriah the Hittite…”

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 139

May18

   Day 139—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 139 – 2 Samuel 19 – 21 (Aftermath of Absalom’s coup)

Chapter 19. The rebellious, arrogant, murdering son, Absalom, is dead at the hands of Commander Joab. The war is over. The coup is stopped. There should be a celebration. And yet the king is in his room, weeping, moaning, and wailing. “O Absalom, my son! Wish I had died.” His troops hear him and slink away. 

Joab goes to him and basically slaps him alongside the head. “What are you doing? Your enemy is dead. The people are ashamed and leaving you. Get up and ACT LIKE A KING!” And David does. But he fires his successful commander-in-chief and replaces him with Absalom’s commander, Amasa. SERIOUSLY DAVID???  (Joab takes care of that later in chapter 20.)

The priests and people of Judah call the king back to Jerusalem, and David magnanimously pardons his enemies. (Remember Shimei, who cursed David as he was fleeing? And Ziba, who (maybe falsely) bad-mouthed Mephibosheth? Even the crippled son of Jonathan got the benefit of the doubt about seizing the kingdom.)  Then there is a tug-of-war between Judah and the other 10 tribes about WHO should be helping King David and his entourage back over the Jordan River.  Sheesh!

Chapter 20.  Then “a worthless man” named Sheba musters a rebellion of the Benjaminites, saying it should be a descendant of King Saul (A Benjamite) who rules. Again, the tribes align themselves on one side or the other, and King David sends Amasa and his troops to take care of Sheba.

For some dumb reason, Amasa procrastinates (can’t make up his own mind?), and Joab, dressed only as a soldier now, follows him. “Hey, Dude, how ya doing?” he says as he grabs Amasa’s beard and stabs him in the gut.  Joab then slips back into his role of Commander-in-chief and, with his co-commander brother, Abishai, takes care of the task. Instead of attacking the city that Sheba is hiding in, a wise woman persuades Joab to let her take care of it. He does. She does. And soon Sheba’s head is tossed over the wall. Joab leads the entire army of Israel home.

Chapter 21. Next, there is a three-year famine, and the king inquires of the LORD in case there is something else he has done wrong. It turns out King Saul had treated the Gibeonites cruelly, and that needed to be fixed.

(Remember when Joshua began conquering the land? The Gibeonites had tricked him, and he had made a covenant with them not to attack them. Joshua 9:14-15!  Since then, Israel had honored that covenant and had not warred against them, only made them servants.)  But Saul had sought to strike them down in his zeal.”  King David makes it right, but not without them hanging seven of Saul’s 15 remaining sons. Later David collects their bones and those of Saul and Jonathan and buries them in a respectful manner.

The last of the chapter is a recap of Israel’s wars with the Philistines and their champion giants, all of which are now dead. 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 138

May17

    Day 138—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 138 – Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61, 62, 64. – (Psalms of David during and after the calamity with Absalom)

Psalm 26. “Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind.”

Psalm 40. “I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”

“For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!”    “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.”

Psalm 58. David proclaims judgment on the wicked but contrasts the righteous. “Mankind will say, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges the earth!”

Psalm 61.  “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”

Psalm 62. “For God ALONE, my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He ONLY is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be greatly shaken.     “For God ALONE, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”     “Trust in Him at ALL times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

Psalm 64.  “Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers…”     “Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him! Let all the upright in heart exult!,,”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 137

May16

    Day 137—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? What are you learning about Him?  Share in the comments section.

   Day 137 – 2 Samuel 16 – 18 (Absalom’s take-over & Fall, David’s friends & sorrow)

You may need to read these chapters twice to keep track of all that is happening, but basically, they are about Absalom vs David (their counsel & battles, and their loyalties & betrayals), and God’s sovereign oversight.

Chapter 16. As David and his entourage pass over the Mount of Olives, a man meets him with supplies for the exiled King and his men. It’s Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth (Saul’s remaining disabled son, whom David has been more than generous with), and along with supplies, he brings news that Mephibosheth is taking advantage of the situation to reclaim the throne of his father, Saul.  On hearing this, the exiled King transfers all the blessings he gave to Saul’s son to Ziba.  However….,this is just another incident of betrayal, which we’ll see in chapter 19.

As they go, Shimei, a Benjamite from Saul’s family, travels along with them on the hillside, cursing David. Joab’s brother and second-in-command, Abishai, offers to go and kill the fellow, but David stops him, recognizing that perhaps he deserves the cursing. 

Meanwhile, Absalom and all his followers enter the city, and Ahithophel, David’s former counselor, advises him to “take” his father’s concubines in the sight of all Jerusalem. This will fix him firmly in the place of king. (This is part of the “consequences” God spoke to David.)

Chapter 17.  Next, Ahithophel gives Absalom good military advice, but the proud usurper asks for a second opinion from Hushai (David’s spy in the court).  Hushai gives him bad military advice, which plays to Absalom’s ego, so he takes it.  Hushai tells Zadok, the priest who secretly sends the news and some advice via messengers to David.  Ahithophel sees the writing on the wall, goes home, and hangs himself.

One of Absalom’s loyal men sees the messengers and tells his master. The messengers are pursued, but the wife of a loyal-to-David man hides them in a well until the danger passes (much like Rahab in Joshua’s time).  David listens to Zadok’s advice and flees over the Jordan River.  Again, men loyal to David bring them all food and supplies.

Chapter 18 tells of the battle between David’s army and commander Joab and Absalom’s army, led by his commander Amasa (a distant relative of Joab). Before the battle begins, king-in-exile David tells Joab in the hearing of all the men NOT TO KILL Absalom.

God allows Joab a resounding success, and in the middle of the battle, Absalom’s donkey runs a bit too close to a low-hanging branch of a tree in the forest. Absalom’s gorgeous, thick hair – which he is so proud of – catches in a branch, and he is left hanging there and vulnerable while the donkey keeps going.  It is told to Joab by a soldier who scolds him for not killing the usurper. Immediately, Joab, wisely but contrary to David’s specific command, thrusts a javelin through Absalom’s heart.  Several of his men surround the body and finish him off (to cover for who actually killed him??). 

Commander Joab then blows a trumpet to call his men off and tell them of the victory.  Another of Zadok’s sons, Ahimaaz, asks to be the messenger of good news to David.  However, Joab sends another messenger. He knows King David will not be happy to hear that Absalom is dead, against his specific orders.  BUT he allows Ahimaaz to also run after the first messenger has a head start.  However, Ahimaaz is a faster runner and charges ahead.

Meanwhile, back in the city where David is staying, a watchman sees the first runner and tells the King. Then he sees another runner passing the first.   Ahimaaz arrives and says, “All is well. Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.”

But David is only concerned about Absalom. “Is it well with the young man, my son?” he asks. Ahimaaz, who knows very well what has happened, says he only saw a commotion when he left, so he doesn’t know, trying to be gentle with his king.  But the second messenger soon arrives (the one who began first) and gives David the news, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man!”

David, the king, sinner, adulterer, murderer, and failure as a father to his sons, goes up to his chamber and weeps for his arrogant and betraying son. “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”  

Seriously????