Thursday, June 30, 2022

Bible in one year 6/30/2022 2Chronicle Introduction Chapter 1-3 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 6/30/2022 2Chronicle  Introduction Chapter 1-3

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

Introduction to the second book of the chronicles

Author: Ezra   Date:450-425 B.C.

Title, Authorship, Purpose   Since 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book, see the introduction to 1 Chronicles for a discussion of these matters. The book’s Hebrew title means “ the words of the days”. The annals of Israel from Adam to the Babylonian captivity and Cyrus’s decree allowing the exiled Jews to return. In a sense it is a “ miniature Old Testament,” tracing in capsule form the flow of O.T. history.

Contents  Beginning where 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles records the history of the reign of King Solomon(971-931) and of all kings of Judah from Rehoboam(931) through Zedekiah(586). Thus the book covers the same period as 1 and 2 Kings, though 2 Chronicles focuses only on the kings of Judah and excludes those of Israel. Disobedience to the Mosaic law was the reason for the Babylonian captivity. The book concludes with a brief reference to the decree of Cyrus in 539 that permitted the Jews to return to Judea and build their Temple.

Significant passages in clued Solomon’s prayer for wisdom(1:7-12), the dedication of Solomon’s magnificent Temple(chapts. 5-7), the visit of the Queen of Sheba(9:1-12), and the prediction of the length of captivity(36:20-21). Favorite verses are found in 7:14 and 16:9. 

2Chronicles Chapter1 The reign of Solomon, Inauguration

 Solomon’s worship and prayer for wisdom--  Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceeding great. Solomon went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the desert. He went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the Tent of Meeting and offered a thousand burnt offering on it. (v.1-6). Solomon firmly grasped the reigns of power. The details of how he did the reigns of power. The details of how he did this are in 1 Kings 1-2:46. The tabernacle was at Gibeon (six  miles NW of Jerusalem;1Chron.16:39), though the Ark was at Jerusalem(v.4).

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “ Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “ You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  (vv.7-10).  

God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not ask for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches, and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”(vv.11-12).

Solomon accumulated Chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue-the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans. (vv.14-17).

2 Chronicles Chapter 2 Solomon’s Temple and preparations

            Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the Lord and a royal palace for himself. He conscripted seventy thousand men as carriers and eighty thousand as stonecutters in the hills and thirty-six hundred as foremen over them.(vv.1-2). Solomon sent this message to Hiram, king of Tyre:

Send me cedar logs as you did for my father David when you sent him cedar to build a palace to live in. I am about to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on Sabbaths and New Moons and at the appointed feasts of the Lord our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel. The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. (vv.3-5)

But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?” (v.6). Because the temple I build must be large and magnificent. I will give your servants, the woodsmen who cut the timber, twenty thousand cors of ground wheat, twenty thousand cors of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine and twenty thousand baths of olive oil.(vv.9-10).

With great humility Solomon realized that the omnipresent God could not be confined to a Temple, but rather that the Temple served as a place in which His people could worship Him.

Hiram king of Tyre replied by letter to Solomon: “ Because the Lord loves his people, he has made you their king…Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the Lord and a palace for himself. I am sending you Huram-Abi, a man of great skill...he will work with your craftsmen and with those of my lord, David your father. (vv.11-14).

Solomon took a census of all the aliens who were in Israel, after the census his father David had taken, and they were found to be 153,600. He assigned 70,000 of them to be carriers and 80,000 to be stonecutters in the hills, with 3,600 foremen over them to keep the people working.(vv.17-18).

2 Chronicles Chapter 3 Construction of the Temple

            The Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign. (vv.1-2).                                                                                    

         The foundation Solomon laid for building the temple of God was sixty bubits long and twenty cubits wide (using the cubit of the old standard). The portico at the front of the temple was twenty cubits long across the width of the building and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold. He paneled the main hall with pine and covered it with fine gold and decorated it with palm tree and chain designs. He adorned the temple with precious stones. And the gold he used was gold of Parvaim. He overlaid the ceiling beams, doorframes, walls and doors of the temple with gold, and he carved cherubim on the walls.(vv.3-7).                              

          He built the Most Holy Place, its length corresponding to the width of the temple-twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. He overlaid the inside with six hundred talents of fine gold. The gold nails weighed fifty shekels. He also overlaid the upper parts with gold. (vv.8-9). In the Most Holy Place he made a pair of sculptured cherubim and overlaid them with gold. The total wingspan of the cherubim was twenty cubits. One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long and touched the temple wall, while its other wing, also five cubits long, touched the wing of other cherub.(vv.10-11). Similarly one wing of the second cherub was five cubits long and touched the other temple wall and its other wing, also five cubits long, touched the wing of the first cherub. The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits. They stood on their feet, facing the main hall. (vv.12-13). He made the curtain of blue, purple and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it…(v.14)

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986 

                                                

  

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Bible in one year 6/29/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 28-29 King David's final instruction and praise By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 6/29/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 28-29 King David's final instruction and praise

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 1 Chronicles Chapter 28 David’s last Instructions to the People and to Solomon

          King David summoned all the officials of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty men and all the brave warriors. (v.1). King David said to them,

          “ Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place for rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, for the footstool of our God, and I made plans to build it. But God said to me, ‘ You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’ Yet the lord, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king over Israel forever. He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah he chose my family, and from my father’s sons he was pleased to make me king over all Israel. Of all my sons and the Lord has given me many he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. He said to me: ‘ Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.” (vv.2-7).

          So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. (v.8)  And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted, devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. (v.9). Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work. (v.10).

 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. He gave him instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the Lord, as well as for all the articles to be sued in its service.(vv.11-13).

All this David said, “ I have in writing from the hand of the Lord upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan.(v.19). David also to Solomon his son, “ Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. (v.20). Apparently David in a vision, had seen the entire edifice and had sketched it for Solomon.

1 Chronicles Chapter 29 David’s offerings and worship

          Then King David said to the whole assembly, “ My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. With all my resources I have provided for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble all of these in large quantities. (vv.1-2). Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple.(v.3). King David gave three thousand talents of gold, the gold was about 3.6 million ounces and the silver about 8.4 million ounces.                 

      Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. (v.6). Five thousand talents.(v.7). About 6 million ounces. Ten thousand darics. About 45,500 ounces (Ezra2:69). The silver amounted to about 12 million ounces. The brass equaled approximately 1.35 million pounds, and the the iron, 7.5 million pounds (3,750 tons). The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.(v.9).

          David praise the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

 “Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.(vv.10-13).

          But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. (vv.14-16).

          I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly you people who are here have given to you. O Lord, God of our Father Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the eharts of your people forever, and keep their heart loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.(vv.17-19).

Then David said to the whole assembly, “ Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praise the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the Lord and the king.(v.20). The next day they made sacrifices to the Lord and presented burnt offerings to him: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. (v.21). Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the Lord to be ruler and Zadok to be priest. So Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him.(v.22-23). The Lord highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor such as no king over Israel ever had before. (v.25).

David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. He ruled over Israel forty years –seven in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.(v.26-28).

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986 

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Bible in one year 6/28/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 25--27 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible in one year 6/28/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 25--27

King David census, preparations for the Temple and organization of the Levites

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

           

1Chronicles Chapter 25 Assigning the musicians

          David together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.(v.1). On these who were appointed chief musicians (16:5). The ministry of prophesying. Notice that prophecy sometimes was given as poetry and with music (1Sam.10:5). From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision.

As for Jeduthun, from his sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.(v.3).  As for Heman, from his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothis, Hothirand Mahazioth. All these were sons of Heman the king’s seet. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.(vv.4-5). Some think that the last nine words are not to be taken as proper names; rather, they relate to Heman’s prayer, which goes something like this: “Be gracious, O Lord, be gracious to me. Thou art my God whom I magnify and exalt for helping. Though sitting forlorn, I have proclaimed highes vision.” To exalt him.(v.5) this may refer to blowing an actual horn or to the fact that Heman’s sons help him.

All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives-all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord-they numbered 288. Young and old alike teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties. (vv.6-8). The teachers (skilled ones) were the 288 of verse 7, and the scholars or pupils were the 4,000 of 23:5. They cast lots to determine the order of the twenty-four groups to match the twenty-four courses of priests.

 

1Chronicles Chapter 26 Appointing gate keepers, assigning the treasures, delegating magistrates

          Four thousand (23:5) gatekeepers were involved in guarding the Temple day and night to prevent unauthorized persons from entering and profaning it. Various numbers of leaders of these gatekeepers are mentioned in vv.8-9, 11 and 9:22. They cast lots to determine which gates would be guarded by whom.(v.14) The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. The lots for West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah.

          Assigning the treasures- their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things. (v.20). Ordinary revenues that came to the Temple from prescribed contributions and special gift (Lev.27; Num.18:16;1Chron.29:7-8). The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belong to Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli, the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the tresasuries of the temple of the Lord. From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites. (vv.21-23).

          Delegating magistrates – From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges over Israel.(v.29). Scribes or secretaries and magistrates who adjudicated cases on the basis of the law, and who were likely involved in the collection of taxes and tithes. Altogether there were six thousand(23:4).

 1 Chronicles Chapter 27 David’s civil leaders

           David had an army of 288,000 men, consisting of twelve divisions of 24,000men, each of which served in turn for one month out of the year. Eight of the twelve generals belonged to the tribe of Judah.(vv.1-15). This is the list of the Israelites –heads of familie, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.

          David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. Wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David. (v.23). David only took a census of the fighting men (Num.1:3), but even this showed lack of faith in God’s power to protect his kingdom. To have numbered all the people would have displayed doubt in God’s promise (Gen.22:17).

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986 

 

Bible in one year 6/27/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 21-24 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible in one year 6/27/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 21-24

King David census, preparations for the Temple and organization of the Levites

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

1Chronicles21 David’s sinful census

            Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “ Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.:(v.1-2). But Joab replied, “ May the Lord multiply his troops a hundred times over. May lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”(v.3). The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem.(v.4). Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah.(v.5). Actually God permitted Satan to prompt David to take a census of the people, and David insisted on doing it, contrary to Joab’s advice (2Sam.24:1). Though not inherently wrong, the action demonstrated David’s reliance on numbers of warriors rather than on God. The census took about ten months to complete (2Sam.24:5-8). The 800,000 from Israel in 2Sam.24:9 may not have included the 300,000 listed in 1Chron.27, which would make the total (as here) 1,100,000. The 470,000 in Judah may not have included the 30,000 of 2 Sam.6:1, which would bring the total (as here) to 500,000. Or perhaps the Chronicles figure represents a round number.

            The consequences of sin often affect others. The Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people “ Enough! Withdraw your hand”. (vv.14-15). Then the angel of the Lord ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build up an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. King David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site. The amount was about three hundred ounces of gold and paid for the whole property on which the Temple would be built. (2Sam.24:24) records only the purchase of the threshing floor and oxen.

David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven on the altar  of burnt offering. (vv.25-26). Then the Lord spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there. The tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the desert, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon. But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.(vv.26-30).

1 Chronicles Chapter 22 David’s preparations for the Temple

            Then David said, “ The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”(v.1) so David gave orders to assemble the aliens living in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. (v.2). He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David. (vv.3-4). David said, “ My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.(v5).

            Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon : “ My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But his word of the Lord came to me. ‘ You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon; and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever. (vv.6-10).

            Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would. May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. (vv.11-13).Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the Temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord.(v.19).

1 Chronicles Chapter 23 David’s Organization of the Levites

            When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. The Levites thirty year old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. David said, Of these, twenty-four thousand are to supervise the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”(vv.1-5). David divided the Levites into groups corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (v.6).The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Heborn and Uzziel four in all. The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the Lord, to minister before him and to pronounce blessing in his name forever. The sons of Moses the man of God were counted as part of the tribe of Levi.(vv.13-14).

 There was the descendants of Levi by their families –the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the Lord.(v.24). Foreseeing the need for added manpower when the Temple would be built, David lowered the age of service to twenty.       

 The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the Lord: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duty at the house of God. They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened wafers, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord on Sabbaths and at New Moon festivals and at appointed feasts. They were to serve before the Lord regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them.(vv.28-31).

1 Chronicles Chapter 24 Dividing the Levites into twenty-four groups

            These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests. With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelech a descendant of Ithamar a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering. A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than among Ithamar;s, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar’s descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar’s descendants. They divided them impartially by drawing lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar. (vv.1-5). Dividing the priests into twenty-four groups meant that each group would serve for two weeks out of the year. The way the Jewish year was divided meant that their service would gradually move around the calendar. This arrangement was reinstituted after the exile and continued into N.T. times (Luke1:5).

The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites-one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar. The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, second, Jedaiah, third, Harim, fourth, Seorim, fifth, Malkijah, sixth, Mijamin, seventh, Hakkoz, eighth, Abijah, ninth, Jeshua, tenth, Shecaniah, eleventh, Eliashib, twelfth, Jakim, thirteenth, Jeshebeab, fifteenth, Bilgah, sixteenth, Immer, seventeenth, Hezir, eighteenth, Happizzez, nineteenth, Pethahiah, twentieth, Jehezkel, twenty-first, Jakin, twenty-second, Gamul, twenty-third, Delaiah, twenty-fourth, Maaziah. (vv.7-18).

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986 

 

     

Monday, June 27, 2022

Bible in one year 6/26/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 17-20 The Davidic covenant By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 6/26/ 2022 1Chronicle Chapter 17-20 The Davidic covenant

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

1 Chronicles Chapter 17 David’s desire to build a Temple: The Davidic covenant

            After king David was settle in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet that he had desire to build a Temple for the Lord. The Lord spoke to Nathan about king David’s heart and made a covenant with king David, an explanation of this great covenant with David (2Sam.7:12-16)  “ I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you: When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.” (vv.11-14).

            Nathan reported to king David all the words of this entire revelation. Then King David sat before the Lord, and he said,

 “ Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you  have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of me, O Lord God. What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, O Lord. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises. There is no one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel –the one nations on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, O Lord, have become their God. (vv.16-22) 

And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, “The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!” and the house of your servant David will be established  before you. You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. O Lord, you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.” (vv.23-27).

1 Chronicles Chapter 18 David’s wars

            In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its surrounding villages from the control of the Philistines.(v.1). David also defeated the Moabites, fought Hadadezer king of Zobah, as far as Hamath, he captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David also struck down Arameans of Damascus who came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. (vv.2-6).

            King David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.(vv.14-17).

1 Chronicles Chapter 19 Arameans were not willing to help the Ammonites anymore

            In the course of time, Nahash king of the Ammonites died, King David showed kindness to Hanun song of Nahash, and expressed his sympathy to Hanun. However, When David’s men came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to express sympathy to him, the Ammonite nobles said to Hanun, “ Haven’t his men come to you to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?” (v.3). So Hanun seized David’s men, shaved them, cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks, and sent them away.(v.4). Ammonites hired thirty-two thousand chariots and charioteers , as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites were mustered from their towns and moved out for battle. (v.7). On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men. The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance to their city, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country. Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him. When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were fleeing, they too fled before his brother Abishai and went inside the city .So Joab went back to Jerusalem. (vv.14-15). After Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they sent messengers and had Arameans brought from beyond the River, the Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.(v.16). When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan; he advanced against them and formed his battle lines opposite them. David formed his lines to meet the Arameans in battle and they fought against him. But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.(vv.17-18). When the vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were not willing to help the Ammonites anymore.(v.19).

 

1 Chronicles 20 King David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the battle with Rabbah, Philistines

            In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. (v.1). The scandal of David’s adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband, Uriah( 2 Sam.11), occurred during this time. Rabbah. The chief city of the Ammonites, now called Amman, the capital of Jordan.  Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. David took the crown from the head of their king –its weight was found to be a talent of gold, and it was set with precious stones and it was placed on David’s head. He took a great quantity of plunder from the city and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes. David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem. (vv.2-3). In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines, at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subjugated. (v.4). In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. (v.5).In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. Twenty –four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him. (vv.6-7). These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.(v.8).

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986 

 

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Bible in one year 6/25/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 13-16 King David’s reign By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 6/25/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 13-16 King David’s reign

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

 

1Chronicle Chapter 13 David brings the Ark to Kidon: Uzzah’s death

             

           King David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “ If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. (vv.1-4). So David assembled all the Israelites, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. David and all the Israelites with him went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim)to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubim –the ark that is called by the name.(vv.5-6).

            They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets. (vv.7-8). When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. (vv.9-11). The Ark was to be carried by hand, not by any vehicle,and was not to be touched by those carrying it (Num.4:15). God had once allowed the Philistines to transport the Ark on a cart (1Sam.6:7), but His exception didn’t set aside His revealed will.

Dave was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” He didn’t take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. Three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.(v.12-14).

 1Chronicles Chapter 14 David’s fame and victory over the Philistines

            Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel. (vv.1-2). In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.(vv.3-4).

            When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him. So David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.” (v.10). So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “ As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.(v.11).

            Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear him.(vv.13-17).

 1 Chronicles Chapter 15 David brings the Ark to Jerusalem

            David learned from the mistake he had made in his first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place fro the ark of God and pitched a ten for it. Then David said, “ No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.(vv.1-2). David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. He called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites. From the descendants of Kohath, Uriel the leader and 120 relatives; Merari, Asaiah and 220 relatives; from Gershon, Joel and 130 relatives; from Elizaphan, Shemaiah and 200 relatives; from the descendants Hebron, Eliel and 80 relatives, from Uzziel, Amminada the leader and 112 relatives.(vv.3-10).  Then David summoned Zadok, and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. He said, to them, “ You are the heads of Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.”(vv.11-12). It was because you, the Levites, didn’t bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of Him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”(v.13). So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.(v.15).  

            David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments:lyres, harps and cymbals.  So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berekiah; the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah, and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel…(vv.1618). Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; theat was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.(v.22). Because God had helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed. (v.26). David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the singers, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod. So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the  Lord with shouts, with the sounding of rams horns, and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps. (vv.27-28). As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And despised him in her heart. (v.29).

1 Chronicles Chapter 16 David’s celebration and arrangements of the arks

            They drought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offering before God. After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offering and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisings to each Israelite man and woman. That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the Lord:

Give thanks to the Lord, all on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (vv.8-11).

Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced, O descendants of Israel His servant, O Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones. He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the word He commanded for a thousand generations, the covenant He made with Abraham, the oath He swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.” (vv.12-18) . When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no man to oppress them; for their sake He rebuked kngs: “ Do not touch anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” (vv.19-22).

Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy in His dwelling place.(vv.23-27)

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth! The World is firmly established; it cannot be moved. (vv.28-30)

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “ The Lord reigns!” Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. (vv.31-33)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Cry out, “ Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.” (vv.34-35). Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. (v.36). Then all the people said,” Amen” and “ Praise the Lord.”

 This psalm(through v.36) consists, with slight variations, of Psalms 105:1-15;96; and 106:1, 47-48, perhaps indicating the David was their author (though they are listed anonymously in the Psalter).  Amen means “firmness” (and thus true” and is derived from the Hebrew verb that means “ to believe” (Gen.15:6).

 

 Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986