April 30, 2010 1Chronicles 11:22- ch15

David's mighty men's exploits are reviewed, and finishes with a list of them that is longer than the one in 2Samuel chapter 23. The warriors who joined David in Ziklag are listed with an oath given by Amasai chief of the thirty warriors who swore their allegiance to David. David gains more support from more warriors while he is in Hebron.

The first attempt of David to bring the ark of God to his house and the failure of that attempt is retold. Our reading concludes with a review of how Hiram of Tyre sent carpenters and stone masons to build David a palace.

Tomorrow read 1Chronicles 16-19:9

April 29, 2010 1Chronicles 8:29-11:21

As the genealogy of Benjamin continues, the descendants of king Saul are listed.

Next, in chapter 9, the genealogy of the people who settled in Jerusalem after being in Babylonia is detailed. There is some description of the gatekeepers of the temple, assigned by David and Samuel. Also, the chapter ends with nearly identical verses as chapter 8:29-38. (I thought I had lost my place and was re-reading the same thing again.)

Chapter 10 is almost identical to 1Samuel 31.

Chapter 11 briefly describes David's accession to the throne of Israel, again, this is almost identical to 2Samuel 5:1&2. Then called Jebus, Jerusalem was captured by David and called the City of David. The three mighty warriors and their heroic feats are reviewed.

Tomorrow read 1Chronicles 11:22-15:29

April 28, 2010 1Chronicles 6:31-8:28

Our review in First Chronicles continues with a listing of temple musicians. I must say it delighted me to see that in the NIV they are described as having "ministered with music before the tabernacle." Music in worship makes a bee-line right into my soul!

The Levites and their various duties of the tabernacle are listed. Also, the lands shared with them by the other tribes are noted.

Our reading continues with the genealogies of the tribes of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim and Asher.

Chapter 8 begins with more of the genealogy of Benjamin and Saul.

Tomorrow read 1Chronicles 8:29-11:21

April 27, 2010 1Chronicles 3:10-6:30

First Chronicles continues with a review of the genealogy of Solomon, and the descendants of Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, East manasseh and Levi. There are some details of their history here, but not much. (We've all ready read that.)

Tomorrow read 1Chronicles 6:31-8:28

April 26, 2010 1Chronicles 1:17-3:9

We pick up the review of our genealogy with Shem, the son of Noah, continuing with the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), and on to David and his children.

I must confess that this is the part of the Bible that tends to be very difficult reading for me. At least it isn't difficult subject matter. It is nicely laid out and if I had a couple extra hours to spare each day, I would make a genealogy chart on a huge piece of paper!

Tomorrow read 1Chronicles 3:10-6:30

April 25, 2010 finish 2Kings - 1Chron 1:1-16

Josiah continued his destruction of the idols, altars, and shrines that had been built to false gods all throughout Judah. He even reinstated the celebration of the Passover. Still, God was angry with the people. Josiah died in battle and the people of Jerusalem anointed his son, Jehoahaz king. He was 23 when he was made king and ruled 3 months. Jehoahaz disobeyed the Lord and Neco the King of Egypt had him arrested and put in prison, where he died. Neco forced the people to pay him gold and silver and he appointed Josiah's son Eliakim king of Judah and changed his name to Jehoiakim.

During the reign of Jehoiakim which lasted 11 years, king Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and defeated king Neco of Egypt. The Lord sent troops which dismantled Judah, and just as had been prophesyed, all was taken to Babylon. Jehoiakim died and his son Jehoiachin was made king. He was 18 years old and ruled 3 months. Right after Jehoiachin became king, Nebuchadnezzar himself came to Jerusalem and arrested Jehoiachin and took him and his family to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Jehoiakim's uncle as king and changed his name to Zedekiah. He too ruled for 11 years and disobeyed God. After 9 years, Nebuchadnezzar returned and the rest of Jerusalem was captured and destroyed. The temple and palace were dismantled and stripped of all that was valuable, the rest was burned. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as ruler of the few people left in Judah. He was killed 2 months later by Ishmael and his cronies. After Nebuchadnezzar died, Evil-Merodach became king of Babylonia and he let Jehoichin out of prison and treated him better.

1Chronicles begins with a genealogy of Adam to Noah and continues with a list of the descendants of Japheth, Ham and Shem, his sons.

Tomorrow read 1Chronicles 1:17-3:9

April 24, 2010 2Kings 19:25-23:9

Today I'm at the beach, see ...wish you were here!



Isaiah finished his message to the king of Assyria. He told Hezekiah that God would protect Jerusalem. That night the lord sent an angel and killed the Assyrian army and the king. 

Hezekiah was on his deathbed. First Isaiah told him he was going to die, a little while later he told him God would save him. To prove it God made a shadow move backwards. Hezekiah entertained visitors from Babylonia, for some reason he showed them all the silver, gold, spices, and fine oils in his storehouse. Later Isaiah told him everything would be taken to Babylonia. Hezekiah died and his son Manasseh became king at the age of 12. He was a very bad boy!  A very, very bad boy. Then he died, and his son Amon became king. He was bad too, he ruled two years, his officials plotted and killed him. Then, the people of Judah killed the officials who murdered Amon and made Josiah, his son, king. Josiah was 8 and he obeyed the Lord. Later he had one of his officials get some money from the temple and he found a book called 'The Book of God's Law'. After they read this book they felt very sad and guilty. Josiah read the book aloud to the people of Judah, and they agreed to do everything in the book.  Next they removed all the idols from Judah and destroyed them.

When I get home from the beach, I'll tell ya what we're reading tomorrow!
OK I'm baaaack! Finish 2Kings & read 1Chronicles 1:1-16 

April 23, 2010 2Kings 17:19-19:24

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE!! (my firstborn!)

Only people in Judah were left, and even they didn't follow God's commandments. The Assyrians had removed the Israelites out of the promised land. When they still didn't worship the Lord, he sent lions to kill them. When the king of Assyria heard about it he had a priest sent to them to teach them how to worship the Lord. Still, they continued making their own gods and worshiping both. There is a reason why the first commandment is "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" It seems that almost none of the children of Israel could remember this.

When Hezekiah became king in Judah, he ruled 29 years from Jerusalem. He also tore down the idols, trusted and obeyed God. The Lord helped Hezekiah, who was successful in everything that he did. No other leader was like him before or after him.

As time passed, Assyria controlled Israel. Then they went after Judah, so they controlled everything except Jerusalem. Hezekiah sent a message to the king of Assyria that he knew that he was in defiance of the Assyrians and asked to pay for the privelege of remaining separate. Hezekiah paid about 11 tons of silver and almost a ton of gold and even stripped the temple of it's gold. The Assyrian king sent 3 messengers to Jerusalem and Hezekiah sent 3 of his own. They spoke loudly so everyone could hear and told the people not to trust Hezekiah and the Lord. They wanted to make a bet that they would give them 2,000 horses if they had enough people to sit on them. Hezekiah's representatives remained silent as he had commanded them. Hezekiah was very sad and went to Isaiah his prophet to ask him to pray for them. Isaiah told them that the Lord would take care of them with rumors that bad things were happening in their own country. They would leave and find a violent end. The king of Assyria sent Hezekiah a note not to trust the Lord. Hezekiah took it to God in the temple and he prayed.

God was listening and heard Hezekiah. He spoke through Isaiah and told the king of Assyria His answer. The Lord told him that the people of Jerusalem laughed at him, and that God had seen what he had done. He had heard the insults hurled at Him. God had also heard Sennacherib's (the Assyrian king) proud boasts of how he had conquered the highest mountains, cut down the deepest forests and dried up all the streams. That God had heard him crow about how he had drunk water from wells he had dug. There's more, but we'll get to that tomorrow.

Tomorrow read 2Kings 19:25-23:9

April 22, 2010 2Kings 14:11-17:18

Amaziah wouldn't listen so Judah was routed by Israel. Jehoash tore down the wall in Jerusalem, well, 600 feet of it anyway. Then he took all the gold from the temple, some hostages and went home. Fifteen years after Jehoash died people plotted against Amaziah and killed him. Then they made Azariah his son king of Judah. Jeroboam II became the next king of Israel, and he was wicked. Even though the king was bad, God heard the cries of the Israelites who suffered, so He allowed JII to get more land for them. Jeroboam II died and his son, Zechariah became king in Israel.

Azariah was 16 when he became king of Judah and he ruled 52 years. He obeyed the Lord, except that he left the local shrines in place where the people could make sacrifices. The Lord punished him with leprosy and he couldn't live in the palace. So his son, Jotham lived in the palace and ruled in his stead.

In Israel, Zechariah ruled 6 months. Shallum plotted against Zechariah, killed him publicly, and became king. One month later, Menahem killed Shallum. This guy was bad news. Menahem ruled Israel 10 years, then he died and his son, Pekahiah became king of Israel. Pekahiah ruled 2 years when his chief officer Pekah killed him and became king. Pekah ruled Israel 20 years when Hoshea plotted against him, killed him and became Israel's next king.

Jotham was king in Judah and he ruled for 16 years. He obeyed the Lord and rebuilt the Upper Gate that led to the Lord's temple, but the local shrines remained. During his rule, the Lord allowed Israel and Syria to attack Judah. Jotham died and was buried and Ahaz his son became king. Ahaz was 20 when he became king, and he ruled for 16 years. He was really bad, he even sacrificed his own son. Judah was attacked by Israel and Syria, but they couldn't capture Jerusalem. Then Ahaz sent a message to the king of Assyria, Tiglath-Pileser, asking him for help. He sent along the gold and silver from the treasuries and temple and sent them to the Assyrian king. The Assyrians attacked Damascus, deported the inhabitants and killed the king. Ahaz had to go to Damascus to meet his rescuer and while he was there he saw an altar he just had to have. He sent a sketch of it to Uriah the priest in Jerusalem, which he built before Ahaz got home. Apparently, Ahaz liked the new altar because he presented offerings on it. Then Ahaz told Uriah the way he wanted the new altar to be used. Uriah did as he was told. Ahaz dismantled the furnishings from inside the temple - the basins were removed including the Sea which he moved to a stone base. He took down the Sabbath canopy and royal entryway.

Hoshea became the last king of Israel. The Assyrians invaded the entire land, and the Israelites were removed from the land to Assyria. While I'm reading ch 17 vs 7-18, I am hearing the voice of that guy in the Ten Commandments who narrated the movie. A sad tale of disobedience and all is sourness and ruin.

Tomorrow read 2Kings 17:19-19:24

April 21, 2010 2Kings 10:25-14:10

Jehu made burnt offerings and then killed everyone who worshiped Baal. Then he tore apart the temple and burned it, turning it into a public toilet. Jehu was king over Israel 28 years and he died.

Back in Judah, the mother of Ahaziah was Athaliah, she was so angry that her son had been killed that she went on a killing spree of her own - on her own family! She almost got to everyone except that her son's sister saved his son (her grandson?) from her wrath and hid him in the temple. He spent six years hidden while Athaliah ruled Judah. The priest of the temple, Jehoiada staged a coup and anointed him king of Judah. When the queen heard and saw what was going on she called it treason, but the priest had arranged to have her killed discreetly. The priest committed the people to follow God and they smashed the temple of Baal, the altars and idols, too. Little Joash (7 years old) was placed on the throne and the people rejoiced.

Joash had to get creative to collect enough money to repair the temple. He cut a hole in the top of a chest and whatever was collected was placed in the box. Later it was counted by trustworthy servants. So the temple was restored.

Joash avoided a raid on Jerusalem by Hazael king of Aram because he paid him off with the gold from the treasuries of the temple. He reigned in Jerusalem 40 years and was killed by his officials who conspired against him.

Back in Israel, Jehu's son, Jehoahaz became king. Because they were so wicked, the Lord allowed them to be ruled by the Aram for a time. Then, when they had learned their lesson he sent a deliverer. The bible doesn't say who this was, but for a time the Israelites lived in peace. Eventually, they returned to their evil ways and nothing was left of the army but 50 horsemen, 10 chariots and 10,000 foot soldiers. Jehoahaz died and was buried and his son, Jehoash became king. Jehoash did evil and reigned for 16 years.

Before Elisha died, Jehoash went to see him and cried because he was afraid of what would happen without him. Elisha told him to shoot an arrows out the open window and told him that was a sign that the Lord would help him completely defeat the Syrian army. Then he told him to pick up the bunch of arrows remaining and strike the ground with them. Jehoash did and struck the ground only 3 times which made Elisha angry and told him if he had struck the ground 5 or 6 times the Syrians would be completely wiped out. Now they would only be defeated 3 times. Then Elisha died and was buried. Once, when the Israelites were buring a man's body, they were alerted that the enemy Moabites were tracking them, so they threw the body into the tomb of Elisha and it touched Elisha's bones. The man came back to life and stood up.

Syria ruled over Israel the entire time Jehoahaz was king. But the Lord never forgot his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and never turned his back on them or let them get completely destroyed. Jehoash recaptured the towns from Syria during the 3 attacks and defeats Elisha told him about.

Back in Judah, Amaziah son of Joash became king. He ruled for 29 years. He sort of followed the Lord, but allowed the local shrines to remain. He killed the officials who had killed his father. He defeated the Edomites. Then he challenged Jehoash to battle, who replied that he was too big for his britches and he'd better just stay home.

Tomorrow read 2Kings 14:11-17:18

April 20, 2010 2Kings 8:16-10:24

Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah during the 5th year of Joram's reign in Israel. (I must admit that I began to get so confused after King Solomon died and the tribes split and the names of the kings for Judah and Israel were similar or identical and I was sure the room was spinning... I started to make a chart for myself, I feel much better.) He reigned for 8 years and died. He was succeeded by his son, Ahaziah (yes, this name was mentioned over in Israel too - different guy) Ahaziah reigned for 1 year. He joined Joram and they went to war against the Arameans. Joram was wounded and went to Jezreel to recover. Ahaziah, the king of Judah went to visit him during his convalscence.

Meanwhile, Elisha had a prophet take oil and run to where a man named Jehu was and anoint him with oil and make him the next king of Israel. He also instructed him to destroy the house of Ahab, who worshiped idols and other gods. So he did. He killed Joram with an arrow through his heart. He killed Ahaziah too. Then he went after Jezebel and avenged all the prophets she had killed. He ordered eunuchs to throw her out the window of a tower and they did. They went in and ate, and Jehu ordered some men to bury her because she was royalty. When they went to get her body there was only her skull, hands and feet. The prophecy that there would't be enough of her left to bury came true.

Next it was time to eliminate the house of Ahab as Jehu had been charged to do. He sent letters to the officials of Jezreel who were afraid of him after what he had done to Joram, Ahaziah and Jezebel. They wrote back to him that they would do what he asked. He wrote back that he wanted them to bring the heads of all 70 of the royal princes to him in Jezreel. So they did. Then he went throughout the countryside killing anyone who did not love God, making Elijah's prophecy regarding the house of Ahab come true.

Then Jehu played a trick on the ministers of Baal. He told them to gather all the believers, because he was going to be a bigger follower of Baal than Ahab. They all went for it - the ministers, and people alike. They entered the temple of Baal and Jehu asked them if there was anyone who followed the Lord if so, they weren't welcome there. He had also put 80 men outside to guard the entrance and if anyone inside escaped, they would pay with their own lives. So, inside the temple of Baal, they made sacrifices...

Tomorrow read2Kings 10:25-14:10

April 19, 2010 2Kings 4:29-8:15

Elisha did many things in a way that was similar to Elijah, including bringing the son of people who had helped him, back from the dead. Later, the crops had failed and food was scarce. A group of prophets were meeting with Elisha, who told his servant to make a big pot of stew. Someone found a wild vine with fruit growing on it. They added it to the stew, which made it too sour to eat. Elisha sprinkled some flour into the stew and it tasted fine. Some time after that a man brought Elisha some bread from the firstfruits of the barley harvest. Elisha told his servant to give it to the people. The servant told him that there wasn't enough to feed 100 of them, but Elisha told him to do it anyway, because God promised there would be enough. So the servant served them the food and there were leftovers, just as God had promised.

Naaman a commander of the Syrian army was well respected, brave, and strong, but he had leprosy. An Israelite servant of his wife's told her about Elisha and how he could heal him. He went through proper channels and found Elijah's house. A servant met him at the door and told him to wash in the Jordan 7 times. This made him angry, because he thought it wouldn't work. He was wrong. It worked, then he knew that the God of Israel was God. He had brought clothes and riches which Elijah refused to accept. Gehazi decided to get some for himself and composed a lie which he told to Naaman. Elijah knew everything that had happened and cursed him with leprosy.

The prophets wanted to build a larger meeting place. As they were chopping wood for the new place an ax head of one of the men flew off and sank in the Jordan. The man was upset because he had borrowed the ax. Elisha asked him to show him where it had fallen in, and he threw a stick he had cut into the water and the ax head floated up to the surface and the prophet reached in and grabbed it.

The king of Syria was convinced he had a spy, because the Israelite army always seemed to know what he was going to do. Elisha knew because God told him and he told the Israelite king. The Syrian king heard about Elisha and wanted to caprure him. Elisha's servant was afraid until Elisha asked God to let him see. What he saw was the hillside covered with fiery chariots and horses all around Elisha. As the soldiers drew near Elisha prayed to make the soldiers blind. So they were blinded by the light. Then Elisha led them to his king who thought he should kill them. But Elisha told him not to kill them, but feed them and send them back home.

Later, Israel was attacked by Syria again. It lasted so long that there was nothing to eat. A couple of women even agreed to eat their children, and one welched on the deal and the other complained to the king of Israel. He blamed Elisha and ordered him behedded. The king went to Elisha, who told him that by that time the next day the famine would be over. An officer with the king told him that could never happen, and Elijah told him he would see it but he wouldn't eat it. Then 4 men with leprosy figured they had nothing to lose if they went to the camp of the Arameans. So at sundown they went and found the entire camp with everything left just the way it had been set up with just the people missing. (The Lord had made them hear thundering hooves of horses and chariots of a great army, and they had run for their lives leaving everything behind.) After they enjoyed a meal, they went back to tell the Israelites what they had found. Everyone went to the camp and helped themselves and the famine was over, just like that. The officer who had doubted God's word was trampled to death in the frenzy of the people.

Elisha had told the Shunammite woman who's son he had brought back to life to leave for 7 years because of the famine. She did as the man of God told her and returned 7 years later. She went to the king to ask for her property back and told him she had been told to leave. Gehazi happened to be there and backed up her story to the king. So the king returned everything she had owned to her.

Later, Elisha went to Damascus to visit king Benhadad who was ill. He asked his servant Hazael to take a gift to Elisha and ask him if he would get well. So he did and Elisha told him that the king would get well. Then he told him that the Lord had told him that Benhadad would die. He stared so long at Hazael that he was embarrassed, then he started crying. When Hazael asked him why, Elisha told him the horrible things he would do to the people and their children, and that he would be the next king. When he returned to the king he told him he would get well, then he smothered him and became king.

Tomorrow read 2Kings 8:16-10:24

April 18, 2010 1Kings 22-end 2Kings 1-4:28

Ahab's body was taken home and buried. Dogs licked his blood just as God had told him. His son Ahaziah became king. Jehoshaphat, son of Asa was king of Judah and he ruled for 25 years. (Jesus was from the tribe of Judah.) Jehoshaphat obeyed the Lord and was at peace with Israel. When Jehoshaphat had been king for 17 years, Ahaziah became king in Israel. Ahaziah worshiped Baal and made the Lord angry as his father had done.

2Kings begins with the Lord's condemnation of Ahaziah. Somehow the king fell through some wooden slats and badly injured himself. He sent messengers to a nearby town to ask the god Baalzebub if he would get well. Meanwhile an angel sent Elijah to tell these messengers that their king was on his deathbed. They went back to the king and told him what happened and the king asked them what he looked like. They told him that he was hairy. Immediately he knew it was Elijah! At once he sent an officer with 50 men to Elijah. The officer told Elijah the king ordered him to talk to him. Elijah told the officer that because he was a man of God, that God would send down fire on him and his 50 soldiers. Immediately they were burned up. So Ahaziah sent another officer and 50 more soldiers to Elijah. The same thing happened again. The third time, the officer knelt down and begged Elijah to not burn them. The angel of the Lord told Elijah to go with this officer. He went to Ahaziah and told him that because he inquired of Baalzebub about his injury, he would die. Then he died. Ahaziah had no sons, so his brother Joram assumed the throne. By now Jehoshephat had died and his son, Jehoram had been king of Judah 2 years.

The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah away. He kept telling Elisha to stay behind, but he insisted on going with him. They came to the Jordan river, Elijah took off his coat, rolled it up and smacked the water with it and the river opened up so they could walk across on dry ground. There was a crowd of 50 prophets watching them. When they reached the other side Elijah told Elisha that it was almost time for him to leave and wanted to know if there was something he could do for him. Elisha asked for twice Elijah's power, so the other prophets would know he had taken Elijah's place. Elijah told him it wouldn't be easy and that it would only happen if he saw Elijah as he was taken away. As they walked along, a flaming chariot and horses appeared and in a whirlwind carried Elijah up to heaven. Elisha picked up Elijah's coat which had fallen to the ground and went back to the Jordan and rolled the coat and tapped the water and it parted just as before. The other prophets, still watching, realized he had Elijah's power and bowed down to Elisha and told him they had some men who could go find Elijah. Elisha told them they wouldn't find him. They kept bugging him, so finally he let them go. They searched 3 days and never found Elijah. Elisha purified the water at Jericho. Some boys started making fun of Elisha because he was bald. Elisha cursed the boys and two bears ran out of the forest and ripped 42 of them to pieces.

Joram became king during Jehoshaphat's 18th year as king of Judah. He reigned for 12 years. He did evil, but not as bad as his father. During the reign of Joram, the people of Moab rebelled against Israel. He asked if Jehoshaphat would help him and he told him he would. They marched and met the king of Edom and his army and they all went out to attack Moab. Seven days later there was no water and they were all panicking. Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet and was told that Elisha was with them, so he had him come to him. Elisha told them to find someone to play the harp, so accompanied by harp music Elisha prophesied that not only would they be given water, but they would defeat Moab's army. In the morning water began to rise up, and the Moabites thought it looked like blood in the sunrise and they thought that the three armies had killed each other. When they investigated they were surprised by the three armies and fled back to Moab with the Israelites in hot pursuit. They overtook towns all day and when they came to the last one, the king sacrificed his son and heir to the throne and put him on the wall of the city. There was such fury against Israel they went home.

Elisha helps a widow pay her debt by blessing her with a bottomless bottle of olive oil. She and her sons filled as many jars as they could find until they had no more jars, then the oil stopped. They sold part of the oil to pay off the debt and lived on the rest. There was a woman and her husband in a town who had no children. They took Elisha into their house whenever he was in their city. They even made him his own room. One time while Elisha was there he promised her she would have a son next year even though her husband was very old. It happened just as he said. Some time later the boy and his father were out in the field and the boy's head hurt really bad. The boy's father took him home to his mother where he lay on her lap all morning and died at noon. She took him up and laid him on Elisha's bed. Then she traveled to Carmel where Elisha was and grabbed him by the feet.

Tomorrow read 2Kings 4:29-8:15

April 17, 2010 1Kings 20:26-22:36

In the spring, the Syrian king, Benhadad and his army marched to attack Israel. The Israelites also prepared to fight and marched out to meet the Syrians. The 2 armies camped across from each other and the Syrians filled the countryside, while the Israelites looked like two little flocks of goats. A prophet went to king Ahab and told him that the Lord would help them so he would know the Lord was in control. The 2 armies stayed in their places for 6 days and on the 7th fighting broke out. The Syrians were defeated and the king, Benhadad, ran and hid in the town nearby, while his officials went to king Ahab to ask him to spare his life. Ahab told them that Benhadad was like a brother to him and asked where he was. They brought him out, the two had a nice reunion, and Benhadad went back home.

The Lord commanded another prophet to have his friend hit him. When the friend refused, the prophet told him that a lion would kill him as soon as he walked away. When the friend left, a lion suddenly appeared and killed him. The prophet found someone else who would pummel him so he could pass for a soldier who had been fighting. He went to Ahab and told him a story that he had been in battle and had been given a prisoner to guard, with instructions that if he lost him he would be killed or forced to pay 75 pounds of silver. He told Ahab he lost track of him. Ahab said he would be punished as he had been told. The prophet tore the bandage off his face and told Ahab that because he didn't follow the commandment of the Lord and kill Benhadad, he would die in his place. Ahab went home angry and sad.

A man named Naboth owned a vineyard which was next to Ahab's palace and he wanted the land. When he asked Naboth for it Naboth refused him and he went home, lay down on his bed, stared at the wall and refused to eat. Jezebel his wife found him and asked him what was wrong, so he told her. She said not to worry, that she'd take care of it. She set up Naboth to be killed by having two liars swear they had heard him curse the Lord and the king. When the people heard it they dragged Naboth outside the town and stoned him to death. They sent word to Jezebel that Naboth was dead and she told Ahab he could have his vineyard. While Naboth was in his new vineyard, Elijah went to him and told him he would die and dogs would lick his blood from the same spot where he'd had Naboth murdered. Elijah added that all the men and boys in his family would be wiped out as well, and Jezebel too. Ahab was sad at hearing this and he tore his clothes and refused to eat. Then the Lord told Elijah how he had seen the way Ahab suffered, so He wouldn't punish his family while he was alive. Ahab and Jezebel did evil just as the Amorites did before Israel came.

Three years of peace passed and Jehoshaphat came to visit Ahab. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to get a town back from the Syrians. Jehoshaphat said he would help, but first they needed to ask God. Ahab sent for about 400 prophets and asked them what they should do. All the prophets told them to attack the Syrians. Then they had a prophet named Micaiah come forward and tell them his prophecy, because he always told Ahab something bad. When Micaiah told him the same thing as the other prophets he didn't believe him. Ahab told him to tell him the truth and Micaiah told him that the Israelites should go home and not fight. Then he told him his vision of the Lord seated on his throne surrounded with every creature and asked them who could trick Ahab to go to the town and be killed. They discussed it for a while and a spirit came forward and said that they would make the prophets lie. Then it was done. Another man slapped Micaiah because he was jealous that the Lord spoke to Micaiah and not him. Then Ahab put Micaiah in prison.

So the two leaders took their armies into battle. Ahab disguised himself, so the other army thought Jehosehapt was Ahab and attacked him. When they found out he wasn't, they stopped. A soldier shot an arrow without aiming and it pierced Ahab in a joint of his armor. He was propped up in his chariot so he could see. He bled so much from his wound the bottom of the chariot was covered with blood and by evening he was dead. At sunset an Israelite shouted to retreat and go back home.

Tomorrow finish 1Kings read 2Kings1-4:28

April 16, 2010 1Kings 18-20:25

God told Elijah that it would rain soon and He wanted him to present himself to the king of Israel, Ahab. Meanwhile, Ahab had summoned a man named Obadiah during a severe famine. Obadiah believed in God. Ahab was married to a woman named Jezebel who tried to kill every prophet of God (she missed Elijah and 100 others who Obadiah hid in two caves.) Ahab wanted to find some grass so they wouldn't have to kill the animals, and he had Obadiah go one way and he went another in search of grass. Elijah met Obadiah while he was looking for fresh grass. Obadiah knew Elijah on sight and greeted him. Obadiah wanted to know when he would die, since everyone involved with finding Elijah was put to death by Ahab. Elijah assured Obadiah he would present himself to Ahab that day.

When Ahab and Elijah met, Ahab accused Elijah of causing trouble in Israel. But Elijah countered that Ahab and his father's family had worshiped Baal and other gods, making God angry. Elijah dared Ahab to have all the prophets of his gods meet Elijah by himself and see who's god was God. When the people gathered for the spectacle, Elijah told them to make up their minds, that the god who answered by fire, was God. Everyone thought this was a good idea. The Israelites were first. They prepared the bull as an offering and all day and night they asked Baal to come and consume their offering. They shouted louder in case he was thinking, busy, traveling or napping. They even cut themselves with blades and bled themselves. Nothing happened. Then it was Elijah's turn. He repaired the alter with 12 stones, and he dug a trench around the base large enough to hold 13 quarts of seed. On the altar, he arranged the wood and the bull parts. Then he told the people to fill 4 large jars with water and pour it over the offering. He had them do this 3 times. There was A LOT of water! Then Elijah started to pray. When he was finished the fire of God came down and consumed the offering, the wood, stones and soil and even the water! Then the people believed. Elijah had the prophets of Baal killed. Then Elijah told Ahab to go eat because it was going to rain. Elijah climed a mountain and bowed down and told his servant to look to the sea 7 times and then the servant saw the storm beginning. Ahab rode home, but Elijah tucked his robe into his belt and ran and beat Ahab home.

When Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, she wanted to kill Aham. So Elijah got out of town quick! He took a break and sat down and prayed to the Lord to take his life. He fell asleep and an angel woke him up and told him to eat. There was a cake and a jar of water. He ate, drank and lay down again. The angel repeated his request for Elijah to eat and drink. When he was refreshed, he was able to continue his journey. He traveled 40 days and nights and got to Horeb, the mountain of God. He found a cave and spent the night there.

God spoke to Elijah and asked him what he was doing there. Elijah told God that he was the only prophet left and he had run for his life. God told him to stand on the mountain and that He would pass by. A terrible wind came, then an earthquake, then a fire came, but God was not in them. Then Elijah heard a gentle whisper and he covered his face with his cloak and went out to the mouth of the cave. The voice asked him what he was doing there? He told Him about how God's covenant had been rejected by the people and how they had tried to kill him along with all the others. Then the Lord told him to go back the way he came and anoint Hazael king over Aram, Jehu king over Israel, and Elisha as prophet to succeed him. He told Elijah that all but 7000 who had remained faithful to Him would be put to death.

Elijah called Elisha to follow him. After slaughtering his yoke of oxen (he had been plowing in the field) and breaking up the plow to use as fire to burn them and feeding the people who were with him, he followed Elijah and became his attendant.

The king of Aram decided to attack Israel. A prophet told Ahab that he would be victorious even though there were only 7000 to fight. They won because they attacked during the day when the king of Aram and his soldiers were getting drunk. So the king of Aram devised another plan with his commanders.

Tomorrow read 1Kings 20:26-22:36

April 15, 2010 1Kings 14-17

Jeroboam's son became ill. So he told his wife to disguise herself and go to the prophet with gifts and find out what will happen. The prophet was blind, but God told him who was coming and then he heard her. He told her that the Lord had said He was angry about all the wickedness and evil Jeroboam did. He told her that every male in the family would die. He told her that she was to return home and when she set her foot there, her son would die, and that the Lord would raise up a king, and Jeroboam's family would be wiped out. She went home and the boy died. Jeroboam reigned for 22 years.

Meanwhile in Judah, Rehoboam, son of Solomon was king for 17 years. They too did evil by worshiping other Gods. During the 5th year of his reign, the king of Egypt raided Jerusalem and carried off the treasures of the temple and the palace.

There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.

During the 18th year of Jeroboam's reign, Rehoboam died. His son, Abijah inherited the throne of Judah, and he reigned for 3 years. He did evil things too. Jeroboam fought with Abijah the entire time. Then Abijah died.

Asa the son of Abijah became the next king in Judah in the 20th year of Jeroboam's reign. He obeyed God and cleaned up Judah. Asa reigned 41 years. He restored the lost articles to the temple. Asa would watch a parade of kings come and die in Israel during his long reign. The bible jumps ahead a bit to tell about the war between Baasha, king of Israel and Asa. Baasha fortified the town of Ramah to keep anyone from going in or out. Asa paid the leader of the Syrian army to fight against Israel to make them leave, and it worked.

Back to Israel - Jeroboam died and his son Nadab became king in the 2nd year of Asa's reign. He too did evil things. He reigned for 2 years. Then a guy named Baasha plotted against him and killed him and became king. So, in the 3rd year of Asa's reign Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned for 24 years. He killed everyone from Jeroboam's whole family. A prophet foretold doom to the house of Baasha. In the 26th year of Asa's reign in Judah, Baasha died and Elah, his son, became King of Israel. He reigned for 2 years. Zimri, one of his officials, killed Elah and became king in the 27th year of Asa's reign. Zimri killed everyone in Baasha's family. After 7 days with Zimri in charge, the people voted Omri to be their king. Then, some of the people wanted Tibni to be king, but Omri defeated him. This happened in the 31st year of Asa's reign. Omri was king for 12 years. Omri did evil things and provoked God to anger. Omri's son Ahab became the next king in the 38th year of Asa's reign. Omri was king of Israel for 22 years and did evil things too.

Ahab had a prophet named Elijah tell him that a drought was on it's way. God told Elijah to hide in a ravine where he could get water and food from ravens which God had instructed to feed him. So he went. The ravens brought him meat and bread every morning and evening and he drank from the brook. When the brook dried up, God told Elijah to go to a town to the house of a widow who would supply him with food. He went to the town and saw a widow gathering sticks and asked her for a drink. When she was going to get the water Elijah asked her for some bread too. She swore to him that he didn't have any bread, only a handful of flour and a little oil. She was going to prepare her final meal for her and her son and then die. So Elijah told her not to be afraid, and to go home and do what she planned, but first bring him a small cake of bread and then feed her son and herself. Then he promised her that if she were to do this, her flour and oil would not run out until it rained. It was just as Elijah had said and he lived in a room of her house. One day her son became ill and finally stopped breathing. She went to Elijah and told him about her son and supposed the reason was to punish her further. Elijah had her bring her son to him and he took his body up to the room where he stayed and brought him back to life. He took the boy back to her and she told him that he was a man of God and he spoke the truth.

Tomorrow read 1Kings 18-20:25

Aprril 14, 2010 1Kings 11:26-ch13

An official of Solomon, Jeroboam, rebelled against him. While working for Solomon, a prophet named Ahijah, tore his coat into 12 pieces and prophesied to Jeroboam that God was about to take away Solomon's kingdom from him - except for 1 tribe - and give 10 tribes to Jeroboam. This was because Solomon and his followers had forsaken God. Then he said that God would punish the descendants of David, but not forever. Whatever Solomon did was written in his book. He died after 40 years of rule. His son Rehoboam became king.

Not everyone was happy with Solomon's son Rehoboam becomming king and the rebelled. They had been forced into hard labor and wanted to stop. Rehoboam told them that he would have an answer for them in 3 days. During that time he asked for advice from 2 different groups. The first group was formerly his fathers advisors who told him to give them what they wanted. The second group was from the younger crowd and they told him to scare them. So, 3 days later Rehoboam took the advice of the younger group and scared the workers with threats. They responded with an attempt to stone him and he went home. Then Rehoboam tried to take Israel by force. God sent a prophet to tell them not to do this and they listened and went home. Jeroboam became afraid that the people of Israel would love David's family more than him, so he gave them what they wanted and made them 2 golden calves. Jeroboam made up his own religion based on his idea of what the people wanted.

Then one of God's prophets showed up. He had a message for Jeroboam about a child named Josiah born into David's family, that he would sacrifice on the altar he had made to other gods and that human bones would be burned on it, and that the altar would split in half and fall to the ground. Jeroboam ordered his soldiers to grab the man. Immediately his hand became stiff, the altar split in half and things happened just as the prophet had foretold. The Jeroboam begged the prophet to pray that his hand be healed. So the prophet prayed and his hand was healed. Jeroboam insisted the prophet come home with him so he could give him a gift to repay him for what he had done. But the prophet said he was told by the Lord not to eat or drink anything and that he couldn't return home the way he came. Then he started down a different road from the one he came in on.

An old prophet heard the story and went to find the prophet. He found him sitting under an oak tree. He told him that an angel of the Lord had told him to have the prophet come to his house and eat with him. Unfortunately, he was lying. He went home with the old prophet and ate with him. During the meal the old prophet got a message from the Lord about the prophet that he had disobeyed the Lord and that when he died he would not be buried in his father's tomb. He left the old prophet and on the way home he was killed by a lion. He had been riding a donkey, and the donkey and the lion sat there beside his dead body, right there on the road. When the old prophet heard about it, he had his sons saddle his donkey and he went and found the prophet's body on the road. The lion and the donkey were still there, so he took the body and put it on his donkey and buried it in his own family tomb.

Meanwhile, Jeroboam continued his wicked ways and did evil things. He made anyone who wanted to be a priest, a priest. Eventually this was his undoing.

Tomorrow read 1Kings 14-17

April 13, 2010 1Kings 9:10-11:25

It took Solomon 20 years to finish his construction projects. He gave Hiram the king of Tyre 20 towns around Galilee for the wood and precious metals. After Hiram checked them out he told Solomon he didn't like them, that they were good for nothing. Hiram sent only 5 tons of gold in return to Solomon for the land. Solomon built a wall around Jerusalem and rebuilt towns. The Israelites did not do this work, rather Solomon forced the original inhabitants of the land to do it. Solomon's Egyptian wife moved into the new palace. Three times a year Solomon offered sacrifices to God. He also had ships which sailed to other lands and brought back gold for Solomon.

The Queen of Sheba (the Bible doesn't say what her name was) didn't believe the folklore about Solomon and decided to see for herself this king of Israel who was so wise. She had prepared difficult questions to try and test him. She brought along camels loaded with spices, jewels and gold as gifts for Solomon. When they met, they talked about everything she could think of and Solomon answered every single question she asked. Also, when she saw how opulently he lived, she was overwhelmed. She said as much to him. She even praised the God of Israel. They gave each other loads of gifts and then she went home.

Solomon received so much gold, wood and jewels, he didn't know what to do with it all. He made shields of solid gold and put them in his palace. He covered his fancy throne with gold, which he set on top of 6 steps with carved lions on either side of the throne and on the ends of every step. No other throne in the world was like Solomon's. Every 3 years Solomon sent out his ships and they brought back exotic animals and riches. Year after year visitors would bring gifts of every sort. Solomon bought horses from what is today southeast Turkey.

What's that phrase? Absolute power corrupts absolutely? Well, Solomon wasn't immune. His big trouble was women. The Lord had said not to intermarry, and Solomon ignored that one. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines! Even though Solomon had been visited by God twice, his wives led him astray from the Lord's teachings and commandments and he forgot God and started worshiping Ashtoreth and Molech. The Lord became angry and told Solomon that since he wasn't honoring God, God wouldn't honor His promise.

While David was king, he had conquered the nation of Edom. Joab, was the commander of the army, and they stayed in Edom 6 months and killed every boy and man. A boy named Hadad escaped with some of his father's officials. He fared well in Egypt, married and his son played with the queen's children in the palace. Hadad went to the king and asked to go back home. He became Solomon's enemy when he found out that David and Joab were dead. Another enemy of Solomon was Rezon, who had run away from his master and formed his own army. He became the ruler of Syria and an enemy of Israel. Both of these men caused Solomon a lot of trouble.

Tomorrow read 1Kings 11:26-ch13

April 12, 2010 1Kings 7:40-9:9

Huram also made pans for hot ashes, shovels and sprinkling bowls. David had dedicated objects to the Lord and Solomon put these in the storage rooms of the temple when it was finished. During the Festival of the Shelters when everyone was in Jerusalem, Solomon decided to hold the dedication of the temple. Solomon called together the important leaders of Israel, while the priests and Levites moved the ark and its furnishings to the temple. The poles for carrying the ark were so long that they could be seen from the doorway of the holy place. The two sculptures which spanned the room arched over the ark. The only things inside the ark were the two stones Moses brought down from Mount Sinai. Suddenly a cloud filled the temple as the priests were leaving, the light was so bright they couldn't see to do their work. Solomon prayed and told God that he had built a glorious temple where He could live forever.

Solomon spoke to the people assembled telling them that his father, David had wanted to build God a temple to live in, but God told him that his son would be the one to do it, and now God had kept his promise.

Solomon knelt facing the altar, lifted his arms up to heaven and prayed. He humbly asked God to listen to his prayers and forgive his sins and the sins of the people of Israel. Solomon asked God to remember them when they remembered Him. When Solomon finished his prayer he blessed the people saying that the Lord had kept His promise and given them peace. As God was with their ancestors, Solomon prayed that God would be with them. He asked for God to be with them and turn their hearts toward Him, and to help everyone in Israel in whatever way they needed His help.

Solomon dedicated the temple by offering 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep as sacrifices to ask the Lord to bless them. The courtyard in front of the temple was dedicated also. The people celebrated afterward for 7 days and then went home.

The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream. He told him that the temple was His and He would always watch over it. God told Solomon that he must always obey His teachings and commandments, that if he did someone from Solomon's family would always be king over Israel. But if any of his descendants disobeyed Him, He would desert the temple and it would become a pile of rocks, and people passing by would know that the children of Israel had rejected their God, who rescued them from Egypt.

Tomorrow read 1Kings 9:10-11:25

April 11, 2010 1Kings 4:20-7:39

Just as God promised Abraham, the children of Israel became as numerous as grains of sand on a beach. Solomon kept a peaceful kingdom where everyone had plenty of food and paid taxes and enjoyed peace and happiness. The daily provisions for Solomon's household were rather massive. He had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen. Imagine feeding all those horses! The provisions were given by one of the 12 regional officers each month.

Solomon was the wisest man in the world. God had blessed him well. He educated people about plants, animals, birds, reptiles and fish. His reputation throughout the world was legendary and kings sent people to him to learn from him.

The time came when Solomon could build the temple where the Lord God could be worshiped. He sent a message to Hiram, king of Tyre (a good friend of his father's) and told him that he was going to build the temple. He asked Hiram for help with cedar trees and woodworkers because his workers were more experienced with lumber. Hiram was delighted to help. He promised all the cedars needed and he would have his workers float them to where Solomon's workers would take over. In exchange, Hiram asked for the grain needed for his household. So it was done. The two rulers signed a treaty and never went to war against each other.

To commence temple construction, Solomon organized a massive workforce to collect the raw materials: 30,000 worked gathering logs, 80,000 worked at cutting stone, 70,000 carried the stone, and 3,000 to assisted in managing the project.

It had been 480 years since the Israelites left Egypt, and four years since Solomon became king. The inside of the temple was 90x30 feet with a 45 foot high ceiling. A porch across the front was 15 feet deep. The windows were narrow on the outside and wide on the inside. Along the sides and back were 3 levels of storage rooms. Solomon didn't want the sound of hammers heard at the temple construction site, so he had the stone cut at the quarry. The roof of the temple was made of beams and boards of cedar.

God promised Solomon that if he obeyed His commandments and did what He told him, He would live among the people and in the temple Solomon was building.

The building was completed and needed to be furnished. The floor was of pine and the walls were lined with cedar from floor to ceiling. The temple was divided into thirds, with the back third separated by cedar boards, floor to ceiling, which created the most holy place. The cedar on the walls was decorated with carvings of gourds and flowers. The ark of the covenant was kept in the most holy place, the room was 30x30x30 feet and lined with pure gold, with gold chains at the entrance. The inside of the temple as well as the cedar altar in the most holy place were covered with gold. Solomon had two massive statues made from olive wood covered with gold to put in the most holy place. These were winged creatures 15 feet tall, and 15 feet across - their wings were 7 1/2 feet long. Solomon had them placed so that the tips of their wings touched, so they stretched across the 30 foot wide room. The walls of the two rooms were covered with carvings of palm trees, flowers, and winged creatures. Solomon even had the floor covered with gold! There were two doors to the most holy place made of olive wood, richly carved and covered with gold, which came to a point at the top. The two main doors of the temple were hinged so they would fold open (bi-fold doors) and were also richly decorated with carvings and covered with gold. The inner courtyard of the temple was made of 3 layers of stone with 1 layer of cedar beams. The temple was built in 7 years.

After Solomon finished God's house he began work on his own. Solomon's palace took 13 years to build. It had many large halls, and accomodations for his Egyptian wife. A bronze artist from Tyre named Huram, made furnishings of bronze for the temple according to Solomon's instructions. He made richly decorated columns to be placed on either side of the doors, a large bowl, called the sea, was 7 1/2 feet deep, 15 feet across and 45 feet around. The bowl sat on the hindquarters of 12 bronze bulls, 3 facing in each direction, north, south, east, and west. Huram made 10 moveable bronze stands to hold 10 "small" bronze bowls (these were only 6 feet across.) Five stands were put on the south side of the temple and 5 on the north.
The sea was placed at the southeast corner of the temple.

Tomorrow read 1Kings 7:40-9:9

April 10, 2010 1Kings 2:19-4:19

Bathsheba asked Solomon if Adonijah could marry Abishag. Solomon became angry at Adonijah's lack of humility and had him killed. Then Solomon removed Abiathar the priest from his duties fulfilling the word of the Lord. (1Sam 2:27-36 Mar 23) Joab heard about the priest and he became so scared that he ran into the tent of the Lord and grabbed hold of the horns on the altar. Joab was eventually killed and buried on his own land. Benaiah was made commander of the army. Then Shimei left town and returned after he promised he would stay put, so he had to die.

Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter, forming an alliance with Egypt. He brought his bride to Jerusalem until his palace and the temple were completed. The people still made their sacrifices at the high places. So Solomon went up to the high places to make his sacrifices too. One night while Solomon was sleeping, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask Him for whatever he wanted. Solomon told God that he didn't feel as if he was wise enough for such a daunting task as to lead so many people, so he asked God for wisdom. His lack of selfish desire pleased God and He granted Solomon's request.

Later, two prostitutes came before Solomon wanting him to settle their dispute. The two ladies lived in the same house and both had baby boys at the same time. One night while sleeping one of them rolled over on her baby and smothered it. She switched the dead baby with the living one before the other woman woke up. In the morning the woman with the dead baby knew it was not her son and she wanted him back, but the other woman wouldn't hand him over. Solomon ordered a sword and then ordered the living child to be cut in half so they could share the child. The boy's mother told Solomon to give her son to the other woman, but the other woman told Solomon to go ahead and cut him in two. Then the king gave his ruling, he said to give the baby to the woman who wanted the baby's life spared, because she was the real mother. Solomon's reputation grew when the Israelites heard about his wisdom.

Solomon had help in governing Israel. He had many officials, priests, and servants. There were also 12 district governors who were in charge of the tribes and providing the palace with provisions.

Tomorrow read 1Kings 4:20-7:39

April 9, 2010 finish 2Samuel 1Kings 1-2:18

The place where the angel stopped killing the people was the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. David went to him and asked him if he could buy it. Araunah said he would give it to him, but David told him that he would buy it because he couldn't offer God a sacrifice which he hadn't paid for. So David bought the place, built an altar and made burnt offerings to the Lord.

1Kings begins with the end of David's life. By this time he was an old man and couldn't get warm even with blankets piled on him. It was decided that a young virgin needed to be found to lie beside him, keep him warm and take care of him. The young woman they found was named Abishag. She took care of David, but they didn't have sex.

One of David's sons named Adonijah decided that he should be king in his father's place. So he got chariots and men and went to crown himself king. David never asked him what he was doing. He didn't invite Nathan the prophet, David's bodyguards, or Solomon his brother. Adonijah made sacrifices and told everybody he was king. When Nathan heard about it he told Bathsheba. When Bathsheba heard about it she went to ask David to keep his promise to her to make Solomon, their son the king. Nathan came in and asked David if he had made Adonijah king, because he was making alot of sacrifices, and invited many important people except those listed and was that what David meant to happen? David told Bathsheba that Solomon their son would be the next king. So they made Solomon king, blew the trumpet and shouted "Long live King Solomon!" so that the ground shook. Adonijah and his guests heard the noise and asked what was going on. Just then Jonathan came running up with the news that David had just made Solomon king and he told them all that had happened. The guests were very afraid and left as fast as they could. Adonijah was so afraid that he ran to the altar and held on to two corners of it. Someone told Solomon what he was doing and he had them give him a message that if he didn't cause trouble he would not have him killed. The Solomon told Adonijah to go home.

On his deathbed, David gave Solomon his final instructions. He urged Solomon to love God with all his heart, follow His teachings, and obey God so He would keep his promise that the king would always be someone from his family. Then, there were scores to be settled. Joab was not to die peacefully, Barzillai's sons were to be welcome at his table, and Shimei should be killed. Then David died.

Adonijah was up to his old tricks and wanted to marry the young virgin, Abishag in exchange for letting David have the throne. He went to Bathsheba and asked her to ask David for this favor. So she told him she would ask.

Tomorrow read 1Kings 2:19-4:19

April 8, 2010 2Samuel 22:35-24:17

David finished his poem of praise and gratitude for God.
Chapter 23 begins with David's last song.

David had three fighting men - sort of like the original Three Musketeers - who were fierce and did mighty works against the enemies of David. One killed 800 men at one time. The other two were like the first. Once while David was in a stronghold he was thirsty and wanted water. The only water available was under enemy control. So the three broke through enemy lines got to the well and brought David back some water. Instead of drinking it he poured it on the ground as a sacrifice to God to honor the bravery of the men.

There were 30 warriors led by Joab's brother Abishai who killed 300 men with his spear. He was as famous as the three. Another man named Benaiah did some amazing things. He killed 2 of Moab's best fighters and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. He also killed a giant Egyptian with his own spear. Neither of these men were part of the 30. The list of men who were part of the 30 ends with Uriah the Hittite, the man David set up to be killed so he could marry Bathsheba.

Again, the Lord became angry with Israel. He gave David the impression that all the fighting men in Israel should be counted. David instructed Joab and all the army commanders to go all throughout Israel and count how many could serve in the army. Joab asked why David wanted them counted, but David didn't answer. So they counted all the fighting men in Israel. It took 9 months and 20 days. There were 800,000 fighting men in Israel, and 500,000 in Judah.

After the count, David felt guilty and asked God to forgive him. Before the night was over the prophet Gad told David what God had said. God would give him three ways to be punished: 1. Seven years of famine. 2. Their enemies would chase them for 3 months. 3. Three days of horrible disease. David didn't want to be punished by men, so he chose #3. The lord sent an angel to spread disease through the land. 70,000 people died in Israel. When the angel was about to destroy Jerusalem, God felt sorry for the people and stopped him. David saw the angel killing the people and he asked God why they were being punished, since he was the one who had sinned.

Tomorrow finish 2Samuel read 1Kings 1-2:18

April 7, 2010 2Samuel 20-22:34

As the men were arguing about who loved David more a young upstart named Sheba sounded the trumpet and shouted his denial of David to the men of Israel. So the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba, while the men of Judah remained with David and escorted him home to Jerusalem. When he got there he took the 10 concubines he had left to take care of the palace (the same women who had been defiled by Absalom) and put them in a house under guard. There they were confined until the day of their death.

David sent his army to go fight against Sheba and the Israelites. A man named Amasa was sent by David to summon the men. He took too long and David believed that Sheba would do more harm before they could get there. When Joab and his men caught up to Amasa, Joab stabbed him killing him and left him in the road with his guts hanging out. Finally someone moved his body off the road becaue everyone kept stopping to look at the body and slowed everyone down. (Rubberneckers) They surrounded Sheba and the men of Israel who were inside a town. As they were preparing to enter the city by force a wise woman came forward and asked to speak to Joab. He went to listen to her. She told him the history of her town, that it was an ancient place to find a solution to problems. She asked Joab why he wanted to destroy it. He told her he didn't want to, but he wanted Sheba because he was making trouble. So the woman told him that Sheba's head would be thrown from a wall. The wise woman went to tell her people what had been agreed to, they cut off Sheba's head, threw it to Joab, he sounded the trumpet and they left. Joab brought the head to David in Jerusalem.

There was a famine for three years in a row. During that time, David would try to ask what the Lord would have them do. He would not answer. Eventually the Lord told David that it was because of the Gibeonites and the way Saul had brutalized them. So David sent for the Gibeonites to talk with them about how to make amends. The Gibeonites asked for 7 of Saul's male descendants to die for the sins of Saul. David agreed. He did not give them Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan because of his oath to protect him, but he gave them 2 sons of Saul's and 5 of his grandsons. Their father was the son of Barzillai who had brought the provisions to David. They killed them and hung them where they could be seen by everyone on a hillside. Rizpah, the widow of Saul guarded the bodies for months to keep the birds from feeding on them. When David heard what she had done, he took the bones of Saul, Jonathan as well as the 7 and had them buried in the tomb of Saul's father.

The Philistines were at it again and almost succeeded in killing David. He was rescued by Abishai and all the men told David not to come to the battles anymore. They weren't willing to risk his life. There were more wars with the Philistines and no matter how intimidating the foes were, David's men defeated them.

Chapter 22 is a beautiful poem of praise by David to the Lord. I especially like verses 26-29:

You are always loyal to your loyal people, and you are faithful to the faithful.
With all who are sincere you are sincere,
but you treat the unfaithful as their deeds deserve.
You rescue the humble, but you look for ways to put down the proud.
Our Lord and God, you are my lamp.
You turn darkness to light. CEV

Tomorrow read 2Samuel 22:35-24:17

April 6, 2010 2Samuel 17-19

Absalom was listening to suggestions from his advisors about what to do next. He took the advice given by David's spy, Hushai. This was too much for Ahithophel to bear and he hanged himself. The Lord deliberately confused Absalom and his troops. All the men of Israel gathered to go to war against David and his men. People helped David's spies stay safe by hiding them in an empty well. When David arrived at a place called Mahanaim, people met his party with bedding, food and drink for everyone.

David organized his army into groups of 100 and 1000. The men marched out, leaving David at the gate of the town because they thought it best for him to stay alive. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. The army of Israel was defeated by David's men. David had asked his men to try and spare Absalom. As Absalom was riding his mule his head became stuck in the branches of an oak tree and he got stuck while the donkey kept going. So there he was dangling from the tree by the head. The soldiers had heard David's request to spare Absalom and didn't want to hurt him. When Joab found out where Absalom was he speared him with three javelins in the heart while he was dangling from the tree. Then 10 of Joab's armor bearers struck him and killed him. Joab sounded the trumpet halting the attack on the Israelites. They took Absalom's body and threw it into a big pit and threw stones in to cover him. Meanwhile all the Israelites beet feet to get back to their homes. The pillar Absalom had erected as a monument to himself was still there at the time this part of the bible was written.

A messenger was sent to tell David about the death of his son. Then another man wanted to run too. The second one got there first, but didn't tell him about his son. Then the other one arrived and delivered the sad news to David. When David heard the news that Absalom was dead he was badly shaken and he went up to the room over the gate and wept and mourned.

When Joab heard that David was mourning Absalom he went to talk to him, because this overshadowed the victory won by all the soldiers, and it was a slap in the face to the men who had risked their lives to defend David and his family. He told David that he loved those who hated him (Absalom) and hated those who loved him (his army and the whole tribe of Judah.) So David stopped crying and sat at the gate.

Israel and Judah wanted David back as their king. So David started back to Jerusalem. As he went on his way, people began to join him. People helped him cross the Jordan River and bowed down to him. Ziba the chief servant of Saul's family joined them. Mephibosheth the crippled grandson of Saul also joined David. He had missed David so much that he hadn't bathed, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes. When David asked him why he didn't go with him, he told him that his servant had left him behind and lied about him. David told him he would split Ziba's property between him and Ziba. But he told David that he didn't care about the property and Ziba could have it all since he was so happy that David was all right.

Barzillai, a wealthy 80 year old from Mahanaim was responsible for the delivery of food, drink, and bedding sent to David. Even he came out to meet David who wanted him to come to Jerusalem and stay with him. But he said he was too old and he declined. He wished him well and returned home.

Israel and Judah argued about who loved David more. Oh boy!

Tomorrow read 2Samuel 20-22:34

April 5, 2010 2Samuel 14-16

Joab knew that David longed for his son Absalom. He had a woman pretend to be a widow in mourning because her two sons had a fight and one killed the other, and everyone wanted him dead too, leaving her destitute. David told her he would protect her son. Then she asked to speak and told David the rest of what Joab had told her to say which was if the king could save her son, couldn't he also save his own? Then David became wise to what was going on and asked if Joab was involved to which she replied that there was no pulling the wool over his eyes. Then David told Joab that he would bring Absalom back. Then Joab bowed down and thanked David.

So Joab brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. However, David wouldn't see him. He made him live in his own house. Absalom was a very handsome man, with thick rich hair. He had 3 sons and a daughter named Tamar, who became a beautiful woman.

Absalom became impatient that after 2 years, he still hadn't seen David. He sent for Joab twice and he refused to come, so he set Joab's barley field on fire. That got Joab's attention and he came to see Absalom. Joab asked why he set his field on fire and Absalom told him he did it because Joab wouldn't come. Then he asked Joab to find out when he could see David. So Joab went to the king and told him that his son told him to put him to death if he was guilty. Then David sent for Absalom and they were reunited.

Time passed and Absalom started a campaign to win the hearts of the people. He got a chariot and horses and 50 men to go ahead of him. He waited by the gate and when people would come through on their way to issue a complaint to David, Absalom would tell them that he would listen to them if he were made judge. He kissed everyone and gave them love and support and they lapped it up. After 4 years, he told David that he'd made a promise to the Lord that if he were welcomed back to Jerusalem, he would go to Hebron to worship God. So David told him to go in peace. So he went.
The conspiracy gained strength when Absalom sent secret messages all throughout Israel that when they heard the trumpets they were to name Absalom king in Hebron. Absalom had been accompanied by 200 men from Jerusalem who didn't know about Absalom's plan. Absalom summoned a counselor of David's to join him, and his conspiracy gained strength.

When David heard about this he thought that he would not escape Absalom. David set out with his whole household, but left 10 of his concubines to take care of the palace. On the way he urged Ittai the Gittite who had just arrived the day before from his own country to stay behind and be comfortable, since he didn't know where he was going. Ittai told him that wherever David went there he would go too. So David told him to go on ahead of him with his men. When people saw the king leaving, they all wept. They had brought the ark of God with them, but David told them to take it back to its place in the city. David would accept whatever God had intended for him. David climbed up the Mount of Olives with the people that were with him, all with their heads covered and weeping. When he reached the summit his friend, Hushai, was there waiting for him. David asked him to return to the city and get word to him about what was going on. Hushai arrived just as Absalom was entering the city.

As they were coming down the other side of the mountain, they met Ziba the steward of Saul's crippled grandson. He had donkeys, bread, fruit and wine for the tired travelers. When he told David that Mephibosheth believed that he would now be the king, David gave all Mephibosheth's property to Ziba.

As they traveled, a man came out shouting curses at David and throwing stones. Joab's brother Abishai wanted to go kill the man, but David forbade him because the man might be speaking words of God. They continued on their way.

By this time Absalom met Hushai, David's friend. Hushai successfully fooled Absalom that he was there to support whoever was in charge.

A man named Ahithophel (don't ask me how to say that one!) gave such good advice that people thought he was speaking from God. He told Absalom that he should humiliate his father and have sex with his concubines. On the roof where everyone could watch, that is just what he did. Making Nathan's prophecy in chapter 12 verses 11-12 true. All because David killed Uriah the Hittite so he could have Bathsheba for his wife.

Tomorrow read 2Samuel 14-16

April 4, 2010 2Samuel 11-13 Happy Easter!

One spring, David awoke from a nap and went out on the roof of his palace for a walk. Down below on her own terrace, a very beautiful woman named Bathsheba was taking a bath. David sent a servant to find out who she was. The servant returned and told him her name and that she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. He sent a servant to bring her to him and he slept with her. She went back home and some time later David received a message that she was pregnant. David schemed to get Uriah to come home and sleep with her so he would think the baby was his. Uriah came to David, but he wouldn't go home and be comfortable while all his fellow soldiers were living in hardship. So David fell back on plan B, which was to have Uriah placed on the front lines where he would be sure to be killed. That's what happened. When Bathsheba found out that her husband was dead, she mourned him. When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and she became his wife and bore him a son. The Lord was displeased with what David had done.

God sent Nathan the prophet to tell David how displeased he was. Nathan told David a story about a man who took another man's only lamb to eat because he didn't want to kill one of his own. The story made David mad that the man would treat the other so unfairly. Nathan told David that he was the selfish man in the story. Because of this God told David that he and his family would never live in peace, someone from his own family would make a lot of trouble for him, and God would give another man David's wives and he would go to bed with them while everyone watched, and his newborn son would die. But the Lord would spare David's life. David's son became sick. David did everything he could think of to show God how sorry he was and thought maybe God would spare the baby's life after all. But it didn't work and the child died. David comforted his wife Bathsheba. Later they had a son named Solomon. Nathan the prophet told David that the Lord would call the baby Jedidiah.

Joab was about to conquer Ammon. He sent word to David that he'd better get down there to finish the war or everyone would remember that Joab had conquered Ammon rather than David. So David went and finished the job and put the people to work making bricks. Then he went home.

David had a beautiful daughter named Tamar. His son, Amnon, her half-brother was in love with her and wanted her. Amnon's friend, also his cousin, Jonadab was one of those people who always know how to get what they want and told him to pretend he was sick, ask David to have Tamar come and prepare him food and then seduce her. It went too far and Amnon raped Tamar. As if that weren't bad enough, the jerk threw her out of the house in disgrace afterward. When Tamar's brother Absalom heard what Amnon had done to Tamar he was very angry and hated Amnon. David would not discipline his son. Absalom bided his time and two years went by. Then Absalom hosted a party during sheep shearing time and invited David and his sons. David didn't go, but Absalom convinced him to have the boys come over. He prepared a banquet fit for a king and when Amnon got a little drunk he had his servants kill Amnon. The other boys hopped on their donkeys and went home. Gossip flew that all the sons had been killed, but Jonadab cleverly smoothed things over saying that only Amnon was dead; then the rest of the sons arrived. David mourned the death of his son.

Tomorrow read 2Samuel 14-16

April 3, 2010 2Samuel 6:12-ch10

David heard about the blessings of Obed-Edom and changed his mind about the ark. He went and got the ark and again the parade ensued and he danced with all his might as the ark traveled to its new home in the City of David. Michal, Saul's daughter watched David from a window and was all 'real housewives' about it. She told David she didn't like the way he acted and he told her that he would make a fool out of himself to God and people would love him for it. She never had any kids - which might be a good thing...

David enjoyed peace for a while. He was comfortable in his palace and realized that the ark of God was in a tent. A prophet named Nathan told him to go ahead with whatever he had in mind because the Lord was with him. That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan. God reminded David that he had never in all that time asked for a palace of cedar to be built for Him. That He had brought David in from the pasture from his flocks and made him king. That wherever David went God helped him and destroyed his enemies. God promised David that his descendents would be kings and when David's life was over, He would make one of his sons a great ruler and he would be the one to build a temple for God, and that God would love him always. David went into the tent before the ark to pray. He thanked God for all the blessings he had been given and would be given in the future.

David had many military successes in the following years. He defeated the Philistines. He defeated the Moabites and had them lay down on the ground and took a rope and measured two lentgths and killed those men, then lay down one lentgh and let those live. David became their ruler. David won decisive victories over many nations and his kingdom prospered.

Jonathan, David's friend who had died with his father in battle had a son who was crippled. When David heard about him he wanted to do something to help him. He had him come to the palace and become part of his family. He ate at the table with David and his family. David restored his lands to him and gave him servants.

When the king of the Ammonites died, David wanted to be kind to the new king and sent a delegation. The new king became suspicious of their motives and humiliated them by shaving their beards and cutting off their clothes just at hip level creating a little too much ventilation (if you catch my drift...) Anyhoo, when David found out about it he sent the army to respond. The Arameans came to help the Ammonites fight against the army of David. Long story short, David won, tens of thousands of Ammonites and Arameans died, and the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.

Tomorrow read 2Samuel 11-13

April 2, 2010 2Samuel 3-6:11

The house of David warred with the house of Saul for a long time. David became stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker. By this time David had 6
sons from as many wives.

Abner the commander of Saul's army went to visit David. On the way, Abner then went to the elders of Israel to encourage them to make David the king over Israel. Then he and David made a peace treaty with each other. The brother of Asahel, Joab was very angry that David was no longer the enemy of the man who had killed his brother, so Joab killed Abner. When David found out about it he declared that he and his family were innocent concerning the blood of Abner. David tore his clothes and wept aloud as they buried Abner.

Saul's son Ish-Bosheth, became disheartened when he heard that Abner was dead. Two of him men made it their business to put him out of his misery. They went into his house in the heat of the day, during nap time and stabbed him in his bed. They cut off his head and brought it to David. David was not pleased at all! He did the same to these two as he had done with the man who said he killed Saul. He buried the head in Abner's tomb at Hebron.

The elders of Israel came to Hebron and anointed David king at the age of 30. He reigned for a total of 40 years.

David went to Jerusalem and conquered the Jebusites who inhabited the city. He took up residence in the fortress there and called it the City of David. He became more powerful because the Lord was with him. Hiram the king of Tyre sent him cypress logs and craftspeople to build David a palace. David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem and had 11 more children.

When the Philistines heard that David was the anointed king of Israel, they went to fight him. David asked God if he should go and attack the Philistines, and God said that He would hand them over to him. The Philistines were defeated, but that did not stop them from trying again. David inquired of the Lord what he should do and again the Lord told him that he should fight, but this time to circle around the Philistines and wait for the signal that the Lord would give him so he would know that the Lord had struck the Philistine army. David obeyed the Lord and drove the Philistines away.

David brought 30,000 chosen men to bring the ark of God from Abinadab's house to Jerusalem. They traveled in parade fashion with mighty celebrating, with cymbals, harps, tambourines and the like. Two of Abinadab's sons were using a new cart to carry the ark and one of the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah one of the sons, reached out and took the ark. The Lord was very angry at this irreverent act, and Uzzah died right there beside the ark. This made David angry and afraid of God that day. He decided not to bring the ark to Jerusalem and put it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite where it stayed for 3 months. During that time Obed-Edom and his entire household were very blessed by the Lord.

Tomorrow read 2Samuel 6:12-10:19

April 1, 2010 Finish 1Samuel read 2Sam ch1&2

Maybe it was an April Fool's trick than wasn't funny, but my blog failed to behave properly last night. So far it's working today. Luckily most of it saved, so I didn't have to do the entire thing over again! Thank You Lord!!!

David and his men came across an Egyptian slave who had been left behind because he was sick. They gave him food and water and he was revived. David asked him who he was, and found out that he had been with the raiding party that had razed and plundered Ziklag. The slave asked them not to turn him over to his master, and in exchange, he told them everything. They went down and fought them and got back everyone and everything. Two hundred men had been too exhausted to continue all the way to rescue their families and had to stop and wait beside a river. When David and the entourage arrived at the place where they waited, the men who had fought didn't want the 200 men to have anything. But David insisted that they would all share and share alike. When they got back to Ziklag, David sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah as a present.

Saul and his army fought the Philistines. It was a mighty battle. Soon three of Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua were killed. Saul had taken heavy damage from the arrows of the archers, critically wounding him. He told his armor-bearer to kill him, but he couldn't do it. So he fell on his own sword and died. Then the armor-bearer did likewise. When the Israelites saw that the battle was lost they fled for their lives and the Philistines inhabited their towns. The next day when the Philistines came through the battleground and found the bodies of Saul and his sons they cut off Saul's head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers all throughout the land, they hung his body on a wall. When the Israelites heard about it they went and got the bodies of Saul and his sons during the night and burned them. Then they buried their bones under a tamarisk tree and fasted 7 days.

David heard about Saul's death. Shortly after that a man arrived at Ziklag with a story that he'd been at the place of the battle and Saul had asked him to kill him so he had obliged him. Then he took Saul's crown and the band on his arm and brought them to David. All the men tore their clothes and mourned and wept and fasted until morning. Then David asked the messenger why he was not afraid to kill God's anointed. David had the man killed because he had admitted to killing Saul. David remembered Saul and Jonathan with a lament which he taught to all his men.

David asked the Lord if he should go up to one of the towns of Judah. God told him to go. David asked where he should go and God told him to go to Hebron. So David, his wives, the 600 men and their families all went to Hebron and the men of Judah anointed David king over them. David was king of Judah for 7 years and 6 months.

Meanwhile Abner, the commander of Saul's army decided Saul's son should be king. He was 40 years old and ruled Israel (except for Judah) for 2 years. David and his men met Abner and his soldiers at a place called the pool of Gibeon. There they decided that the soldiers should fight each other. That day David defeated them. Abner was chased by a very fast runner named Asahel. Abner told him to stop chasing him, but he wouldn't, so he thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach and it went through to his back, and he died. When David's men found his body they all stopped and Abner called out to them asking how long they would kill each other. So they blew the trumpet and the fighting stopped. In all, 19 of David's men had gone missing, but 360 Benjamites who had been with Abner died. They buried Asahel in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. They marched all night and returned to Hebron by dawn.

Tomorrow read 2Samuel 3-6:11