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
20100413
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
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
20100412
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
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
20100411
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
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
20100410
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
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
20100409
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
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
20100408
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
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
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