1 Chronicles 16 - 2 Chronicles 1: Silver & gold as common as rocks

"He's on His way to set things right! Give thanks to God--He is good and His love never quits" (1 Chronicles 16:33-34).

- Facts and figures:  Much of this passage is a roster of names and administrative details for the running of a country and the building of a temple.

- Before he died, David stockpiled construction materials for the temple his son Solomon would be building. He set Solomon up for success. He also gave Solmon detailed blueprints and specs. In addition, the people donated large quantities of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious jewels (1 Chron 28:10). The result? "The people were full of a sense of celebration--all that giving!" (1 Chron 29:9).
- Now that's a worship band:  There were 4,000 Levitical priests assigned to the orchestra alone to carry out "the work of worship" (1 Chron 25:6).
- Level playing field:  The Levitical priests were directed to draw names out of a hat for their particular work assignment. "Nobody, whether young or old, teacher or student, was given preference or advantage over another" (1 Chron 25:8). This must be a very important point, as it's repeated. I do know this principle goes so against human nature--we're always looking for the advantage, the short cut, or the fast pass so we don't have to stand in line like everyone else.
- Organized to a tee:  This passage spells out a highly organized administrative system including orders for a vast security force, army, government of tribes, storage and supply, farming, wine growing, ranching and herding, and childcare (of the king's sons).
- God never judges a book by its cover:  "God examines every heart and sees through every motive" (1 Chron 28:9).
- David prays:  "Everything comes from You--all we're doing is giving back what we've been given from your generous hand" (1 Chron 29:14).
- A parent's prayer:  David prayed this about Solomon:  Give Solomon "an uncluttered and focused heart so he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel," and carry out your plan (1 Chron 29:19). Lord, I pray this for my children today.

- This is how rich Solomon was:  "The king made silver and gold as common as rocks" (2 Chron 1:15).

Elena's verse of the day:  "Be confident, and never be afraid of anything or get discouraged. The Lord my God will help you" (1 Chronicles 28:20)

1 Chronicles 2 - 15: Drummer boy

- Lots of repetition from 1 and 2 Samuel, although there are occasional interesting new details. Much of this reading incorporated detailed genealogies and details on land occupation (1 Chronicles 1-9).
- He ignored God:  Saul died in disobedience, according to 1 Chronicles 10:13. "He didn't go to God for help," so God turned the kingdom over to David.
- My drummer boy:  My son, Ethan Flory, is a born percussionist. He started out on piano, then began playing drums in 6th grade and has taken percussion lessons and played in bands ever since. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the biblical Ethan was a musician as well. He played "bronze cymbals" in the worship band that accompanied the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:19). Go Ethan!

Elena's verse of the day:  "Everyone in Israel was listed in the official family records included in the history of Israel's kings" (1 Chronicles 9:1).

2 Kings 16 - 1 Chronicles 1: Good king, bad king

- Finally, a good king:  King Hezekiah held fast to God, and God held fast to him. He prayed an amazing prayer in 2 Kings 19:14-34, along with a prophecy by Isaiah. God promised to shield the royal city of Jerusalem from the arrogant and bloodthirsty Assyrian king. That night, an angel of God came and killed 185,000 Assyrians. The Assyrian king (Sennacherib) went home to Nineveh and was later murdered by his own sons in their temple.
- God listens:  Hezekiah prayed and asked God for physical healing. 2 Kings 20:4 says that God listened to his prayer and heard his tears and....God changed his mind. Wow. I should be praying more.
- Then more bad kings:  Manasseh set up pagan idols in the temple and sacrificed his own son to pagan gods. These passages report that this evil king set new records in evil and this type of sin led to the destruction of Jerusalem. The accounts of these evil kings and the consequences for Israel were heartbreaking and very, very difficult for me to read (2 Kings 21).
- Back to the book: Finally, along came another godly king named Josiah. He rediscovered the Word of God and read it to the people. They had forgotten what the Scriptures had to say, but Josiah's leadership led them to repentance. "The world would never again see a king like Josiah" (2 Kings 23:5).


Elena's verse of the day:  "This festival had not been celebrated in this way since the time that tribal leaders ruled Israel. But in Josiah's 18th year as king, everyone came to Jerusalem to celebrate

 year as king, everyone came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover" (2 Kings 23:22-23).

2 Kings 4 - 15: Fresh baked bread!

- Multiplicity:  Precursors to Jesus' loaves and fishes miracle include Elijah's miracle providing oil and flour to the widow; Elisha providing the poor woman with oil to sell; and, Elisha providing fresh-baked harvest bread and apples to 100 men (2 Kings 4:42-44).

- Open his eyes:  Elisha's servant was afraid of losing a battle to the ferocious Arameans, so Elisha prayed, "God, open his eyes and let him see" (2 Kings 6:17). All at once, the servant saw horses and chariots of fire surrounding them. Apparently they were angelic beings, part of an army sent by God. What a wonderful thing to know that the God who created the universe is the same God who fights our battles. Next time you feel attacked, think about those horses and chariots of fire.
- A good egg:  So many evil kings. But one, Jehu, loved God enough to clean house and exterminate evil Ahab's line, including his wicked wife Jezebel, their sons, and the Baal priests (2 Kings 10).

Elena's verse of the day:  "The Lord was kind to the Israelites and showed them mercy because of his solemn agreement with their ancestors" (2 Kings 13:23).

1 Kings 16 - 2 Kings 3: Running man, chariot of fire, & heavenly bread

- Sin's growth:  Each king of Israel grew worse than the one before (1 Kings 16). It seems that sin multiplied over generations. Sin is active and alive; it grows unless stopped by something stronger.

- Exponential sinfulness:  Ahab was worse than all of the kings before him, put together (chap 16). Unlike Solomon, who built a beautiful temple for God, Ahab built a temple for Baal and a shrine for Asherah (the whore goddess, the Message version calls her). God was angry.
- Running man:  After the amazing, fiery display of God's power on Mount Carmel and the destruction of the Baal priests, Elijah hitched up his robe and ran in front of Ahab's chariot. What an image--he was a shaggy man with a big belt. Must have been sort of like Charlie Daniels running in front of Saddam Hussein.
- Heavenly meal:  God cared about Elijah's hunger and had an angel bake him a fresh loaf of bread. He also provided him with a jug of water. Just think, God cares about your needs, large and small. He even cares when you're hungry!
- A chip off the old block:  Ahab's son, Ahaziah, was worse than his father in terms of evil. Hard to believe (1 Kings 22:51-53).
- Chariot of fire:  Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot and horses of fire, with Elisha watching (2 Kings 2:11-14). Truly the most unique death scene in the Bible, I think.
- Baldy and the bears:  An amazing story about God's judgment on some wild kids (probably teens)who mocked Elisha (2 Kings 2:11-14).

Elena's verse of the day:  "A strong wind shook the mountain & shattered rocks..next an earthquake..then a fire..but the Lord was not in [these]...Finally, there was a gentle breeze, & when Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his coat." (1 Kings 19:11-13)

1 Kings 7-15: 14 day party, golden calves, & relentless love

- Relentless God:  Solomon finished the temple and held a dedication ceremony where he blessed the people, then prayed: "O God, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the skies above or on the earth below who unswervingly keeps covenant with his servants and relentlessly loves them...." (1 Kings 8:20-21). I love that--God is relentless in his love for us.
- A shepherd's heart:  Like his father David, Solomon had a shepherd's heart and interceded for his people with God: "Forgive your people who have sinned against you....They are, after all, your people and your precious inheritancae whom you rescued..." (1 Kings 8:50-51).
- Seven day party times two:  The temple celebration was incredible, with 22,000 cattle sacrificed. It's beyond imagination. Oh yeah, and 120,000 sheep! They started out to celebrate for seven days, then went another seven for two solid weeks of celebration.
- Obsessed with women:  The Message version I'm reading says that Solomon was obsessed with women. His pagan wives and concubines led him into worship of the pagan false gods and he openly defied God. How could the wisest man in the world be so foolish? A good, cautionary tale for us not to relax our pursuit of a holy life and to follow God our entire lives so we end well. Solomon loved God but lost momentum and allowed himself to be enticed away from his first love.
- Not the golden calves again:  Jeroboam made two golden calves for the people to worship, just as they'd done back in Moses' time. It's interesting how sin seems to run in cycles and come back around again.


Elena's verse of the day:  "There's not enough room in all of heaven for you, Lord God. How could you possibly live on earth in this temple?" (1 Kings 8:27).

2 Samuel 20 - 1 Kings 6: Bedrock, Rock-mountain, & rescuing Knight

Wow--these chapters were like a roller coaster ride filled with incredible events that took my breath away. I got a strong sense of David's intimate relationship with God, but also realized, perhaps for the first time, some of David's major flaws. That God loved him and protected him gives me hope that God loves me in spite of my flaws.

- The good-for-nothing:  The Israelites split and part followed a good-for-nothing named Sheba. But the men of Judah stayed committed to David (2 Samuel 20:2-3). David's reign was never easy--there were always revolts, most of them carried out by his own flesh and blood.
- The rescuing knight:  David was a musician and composer, and chapter 22 records the lyrics to a song he wrote and sang to God. It is achingly beautiful. In it, he uses powerful metaphorical language to describe how he feels about God. Here are some of the images he uses to describe God:

• Mountaintop refuge
• Bedrock
• The castle in which I live
• Rescuing knight
• Granite hideout
• Warrior
• Rock
• Israel's Rock-mountain
• Emanating cloud-brightness
• Hurricane anger
• Writer ("God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes" (2 Sam 22:21-25).

- Destroying angel:  This story left me quaking. God was angry at David for his pride in ordering a census to determine the number of fighting men in the country (seems innocent, but it was a sure sign that he wasn't trusting and relying on God for his strength). God sent a judgment, carried out by a destroying angel. David saw the angel, hovering between heaven and earth with sword drawn, ready to destroy Jerusalem through plague. David built an altar, sacrificed, and prayed, interceding with God. "God was moved by the prayers and that was the end of the disaster" (2 Sam 24:25). I was reminded of God's power, and also that God listens and cares. Prayer is vitally important.
- Not another one:  David was old and dying in the beginning of 1 Kings, and yet another son, the next in line behind the dead Absalom, wanted the throne from his father. HIs name was Adonijah, and he was as gorgeous as Absalom had been. The text says that David had never disciplined him as a child. However, Adonijah was not God's  chosen, even though many supported his cause, including Joab, the mighty commander of David's armies. Solomon was the chosen one to succeed David. Bathsheba and Nathan interceded with David for Solomon, and got through--David crowned Solomon king.
- Time to clean house:  After David died, King Solomon cleaned house and took care of some of David's unfinished business, including carrying out some just killings. Why didn't David do this? (1 Kings 2).
- Peace:  During Solomon's reign, "peace reigned everywhere" (1  Kings 4:24-25).
- Wisdom reigns:  Solomon was recognized as the wisest man alive, and this was a gift from God. People came from all over to listen to his wisdom.
- Temple construction began, and the stone blocks were dressed at the quarry so that the building site itself was "reverently quiet" (1 Kings 6). It took Solomon 7 years to build the temple (a significant number).
- Dazzling:  The inner sanctuary of the temple was all gold, walls, floors, everything (1 Kings 6:19-22). Two huge cherubim, 15 feet tall, filled the sanctuary. Their outstretched wings were 15 feet long, and they were covered in pure gold.

Elena's verse of the day:  "Hiram said, 'I am grateful that the Lord gave David such a wise son to be king of that great nation'" (1 Kings 5:7).