It happened in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the armed forces and ravaged the country of the people of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. And Joab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it. v.1
Read chapter 20
So you know that story of David and Bathsheba? The one where David commits adultery with one of his mighty men's wife and she becomes pregnant and David has her husband Uriah killed. The account is in 2 Samuel 11-12. Two full chapters in the book of Second Samuel are on this event yet the coinciding historical record gives a glimpse in half a verse. We read it here in verse one, "but David stayed at Jerusalem." There is no record in the books of Chronicles of David and Bathsheba's sin. Why God didn't choose to reference it could be a number of reasons. That story and account of David's sin with Bathsheba is one many people know and don't forget. But perhaps God is choosing to forget and not hold against him as David repented and was forgiven by God. What also seems like a big matter in the world's eyes is a small matter in God's eyes. What took two chapters in man's account only took God one verse in His account. As you look back on your life can you think of a time of sin in a situation that seemed like it was a huge ordeal that you now have moved on from and feel the Lord's forgiveness not holding it against you? If you were to look at your life this past year what do you focus on the most and what do you think God would focus on the most? Are they the same or different? Why?
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Monday, February 6, 2017
1 Chronicles 19
And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his servants. So the Syrians were not willing to help the people of Ammon anymore.
Read chapter 19
Two nations join together to defeat Israel, but guess who comes out for the win? Israel, that's right! The Ammonites saw that they were repulsive in the sight of King David (their own fault for what they did to David's men by shaving off their beards and cutting their pants to expose them) so they decide to war against Israel. The Ammonites know they didn't stand a chance on their own so they use their money to buy power and favor from the Syrians. So now the Ammonites have the Syrians all riled up against Israel as well and the two attack Israel from the front and behind. So then we see Israel's army commander Joab set up well his army to defend the people and their cities. We see in Joab's words of encouragement his own reliance on God: "Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight" (v.13). So we read the Syrians and the Ammonites were defeated by David and the Israelite army and the chapter ends seeing the Syrians no longer wiling to help the people of Ammon. The account in 2 Samuel 10 says they were afraid to help them anymore. They helped a nations hatred all for money yet lost so much more as some 47,000 men died in that war. The Ammonites tried to gang up but ultimately got ganged up instead. How have you either tried to gang up on someone to hurt them or been the one ganged up by? Why did you join in? If you're the one being attacked in a gang up situation how can you turn and ask the Lord for how to defend yourself and trust in Him?
Read chapter 19
Two nations join together to defeat Israel, but guess who comes out for the win? Israel, that's right! The Ammonites saw that they were repulsive in the sight of King David (their own fault for what they did to David's men by shaving off their beards and cutting their pants to expose them) so they decide to war against Israel. The Ammonites know they didn't stand a chance on their own so they use their money to buy power and favor from the Syrians. So now the Ammonites have the Syrians all riled up against Israel as well and the two attack Israel from the front and behind. So then we see Israel's army commander Joab set up well his army to defend the people and their cities. We see in Joab's words of encouragement his own reliance on God: "Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight" (v.13). So we read the Syrians and the Ammonites were defeated by David and the Israelite army and the chapter ends seeing the Syrians no longer wiling to help the people of Ammon. The account in 2 Samuel 10 says they were afraid to help them anymore. They helped a nations hatred all for money yet lost so much more as some 47,000 men died in that war. The Ammonites tried to gang up but ultimately got ganged up instead. How have you either tried to gang up on someone to hurt them or been the one ganged up by? Why did you join in? If you're the one being attacked in a gang up situation how can you turn and ask the Lord for how to defend yourself and trust in Him?
Sunday, February 5, 2017
1 Chronicles 18
So the Lord preserved David wherever he went. v.6
Read chapter 18
This chapter speaks of David's victories in battle from the north, east, south and west. Fulfilling what was foretold of some of these nations. This wasn't David trying to fulfill a prophesy but letting it happen according to God's way. The Lord preserved David. The word preserve means to keep up or maintain. God was keeping David alive to fulfill prophesy and promise. This wasn't a preservation to keep alive forever but for the time God allotted to David. Paul says in his letter to Timothy, "And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom." The same was of Paul as was to David, both used by God and preserved for His kingdom. They will both be raised up into God's glorious kingdom one day. Although they both are today dead they are not gone forever but are preserved by and for God.
I love the last verse of Psalm 121 that comes to mind as I read this verse in 1 Chronicles: "The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore."
Let us not fear death if we are in Christ for He preserves us. And even while we are alive and have comings and goings in our life the Lord is preserving and watching over every move. Take heart dear friend.
Read chapter 18
This chapter speaks of David's victories in battle from the north, east, south and west. Fulfilling what was foretold of some of these nations. This wasn't David trying to fulfill a prophesy but letting it happen according to God's way. The Lord preserved David. The word preserve means to keep up or maintain. God was keeping David alive to fulfill prophesy and promise. This wasn't a preservation to keep alive forever but for the time God allotted to David. Paul says in his letter to Timothy, "And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom." The same was of Paul as was to David, both used by God and preserved for His kingdom. They will both be raised up into God's glorious kingdom one day. Although they both are today dead they are not gone forever but are preserved by and for God.
I love the last verse of Psalm 121 that comes to mind as I read this verse in 1 Chronicles: "The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore."
Let us not fear death if we are in Christ for He preserves us. And even while we are alive and have comings and goings in our life the Lord is preserving and watching over every move. Take heart dear friend.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
1 Chronicles 17
And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever. v.14
Read chapter 17
This chapter is identical with 2 Samuel 7 with some minor word changes. Does this mean that there's contradiction? Nope. Remember the purposes of the two accounts of history are different. One from man's view and one from God's view (to sum it up basically). One different I noticed is here in verse fourteen compared with 2 Samuel 7:16. Here we read MY house and MY kingdom whereas in the Samuel account we read YOUR hour and YOUR kingdom (MY referring to God, YOUR referring to David). Bible scholar E.W Bullinger notes they're "both alike, for the kingdom was David's because it was God's gift to him." Both through God and through David came the Jesus Christ whose kingdom it is what we wait for and rest assured that will endure forever. God gave the gift of being king over His people Israel, who is His house, to David. What a gift and honor to receive and share in. We may not have the gift of ruling God's people but God gives us the gift of a seat in His kingdom as He sees what we will when His kingdom comes as "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesias 2:6). Do you believe and trust in this exalted position you are elected for by Him?
Read chapter 17
This chapter is identical with 2 Samuel 7 with some minor word changes. Does this mean that there's contradiction? Nope. Remember the purposes of the two accounts of history are different. One from man's view and one from God's view (to sum it up basically). One different I noticed is here in verse fourteen compared with 2 Samuel 7:16. Here we read MY house and MY kingdom whereas in the Samuel account we read YOUR hour and YOUR kingdom (MY referring to God, YOUR referring to David). Bible scholar E.W Bullinger notes they're "both alike, for the kingdom was David's because it was God's gift to him." Both through God and through David came the Jesus Christ whose kingdom it is what we wait for and rest assured that will endure forever. God gave the gift of being king over His people Israel, who is His house, to David. What a gift and honor to receive and share in. We may not have the gift of ruling God's people but God gives us the gift of a seat in His kingdom as He sees what we will when His kingdom comes as "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesias 2:6). Do you believe and trust in this exalted position you are elected for by Him?
Friday, February 3, 2017
1 Chronicles 16
And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals; vv.4-5
Read chapter 16
Do you ever read the psalms and either skip over the post script (the tiny title words before verse one) or at least are confused at the words? Twelve psalms are written by this man we read of here: Asaph (Ps. 73-83). Asaph is the chief musician as we see here as well as attached to his name in the prescripts of his psalms. The prescripts often also have a note of instruments to use for the psalm, which again we read here of two of these Levites playing instruments we see mentioned often in the psalms: string instruments, harps and cymbals. I've always been jealous of people that can play an instrument, let alone multiple instruments like mentioned of this man Jeiel.
Also to note about this chapter that it is 43 verses long yet in comparison with the account in 2 Samuel 6 there is only two verses on this account (vv.19-20). Interesting what God chooses to focus on in His account to record through the Chronicles than what man chooses to record of the account in the Samuels. Why do you think that is in this particular case? What is a time in your life that you look at more in depth that the majority of people would simply pass over in thought?
Read chapter 16
Do you ever read the psalms and either skip over the post script (the tiny title words before verse one) or at least are confused at the words? Twelve psalms are written by this man we read of here: Asaph (Ps. 73-83). Asaph is the chief musician as we see here as well as attached to his name in the prescripts of his psalms. The prescripts often also have a note of instruments to use for the psalm, which again we read here of two of these Levites playing instruments we see mentioned often in the psalms: string instruments, harps and cymbals. I've always been jealous of people that can play an instrument, let alone multiple instruments like mentioned of this man Jeiel.
Also to note about this chapter that it is 43 verses long yet in comparison with the account in 2 Samuel 6 there is only two verses on this account (vv.19-20). Interesting what God chooses to focus on in His account to record through the Chronicles than what man chooses to record of the account in the Samuels. Why do you think that is in this particular case? What is a time in your life that you look at more in depth that the majority of people would simply pass over in thought?
Thursday, February 2, 2017
1 Chronicles 15
And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart. v.29
Read chapter 15
What makes you just want to get up and dance? Do you have that with the joy of the Lord? David sure did. The ark of the covenant is finally being brought to the City of David, that is Jerusalem. Remember the ark of the covenant is where the Lord's presence could be sought. It brought blessings to those in its presence and held the commandments of the Lord, manna and Aaron's rod. It was placed in the most holy of holies, the inner most place of the tabernacle that only the high priest was allowed in to. So of course David was happy. David here is said to have been wearing a linen ephod which was clothing of priest. Perhaps this is one reason why his wife Michal despised David because he wasnt dressed like a king. Other commentaries suggest she despised him because he danced like a woman forgetting his royal, manliness. Interesting that Michal is not called David's wife but instead called Saul's daughter. Also to note that the writer knows the heart even if there were not words spoken. Yet even this account in 2 Samuel 6 her despised heart is mentioned, something not only God can see but man as well. Can people tell when you despise something without saying any words? What other reason do you think this dancing of David made Michal despise him? Even though others will despise your joy for the Lord, don't hold back dance and leap for joy!
Read chapter 15
What makes you just want to get up and dance? Do you have that with the joy of the Lord? David sure did. The ark of the covenant is finally being brought to the City of David, that is Jerusalem. Remember the ark of the covenant is where the Lord's presence could be sought. It brought blessings to those in its presence and held the commandments of the Lord, manna and Aaron's rod. It was placed in the most holy of holies, the inner most place of the tabernacle that only the high priest was allowed in to. So of course David was happy. David here is said to have been wearing a linen ephod which was clothing of priest. Perhaps this is one reason why his wife Michal despised David because he wasnt dressed like a king. Other commentaries suggest she despised him because he danced like a woman forgetting his royal, manliness. Interesting that Michal is not called David's wife but instead called Saul's daughter. Also to note that the writer knows the heart even if there were not words spoken. Yet even this account in 2 Samuel 6 her despised heart is mentioned, something not only God can see but man as well. Can people tell when you despise something without saying any words? What other reason do you think this dancing of David made Michal despise him? Even though others will despise your joy for the Lord, don't hold back dance and leap for joy!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
1 Chronicles 14
And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.”..Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. vv.10,14
Read chapter 14
In once instance God says yes and then another instance God says no. The Philistines go to attack David twice in this chapter. The first time David hears about them coming to attack, David inquired of the Lord if he should go up against them and God said yes. And David prevailed over them. Then another time later (only a verse later in this chapter) the Philistines go to attack David again. Again David goes to the Lord to ask if he should up against them, but this time God says no. The Lord the second time decides to defeat the Philistines without using David and his men that time. David didn't just assume the Lord's answer just because it was a yes one time. Then enemy doesn't just quit after one defeat either. David knew he needed to inquire of the Lord for every battle he faced no matter how many he may have won. In what areas of your life do you treat as you're fine not praying about a situation due to past answers? How have you seen a similar situation gone different than what you thought with the Lord still prevailing?
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