Day 3 of the 365 Day Bible (still have some catching up to do).
Genesis 5 - 10
Genesis 5:1-2 reminds us that when God created man He did so in the likeness of God, the Imago Dei. Interestingly here, the NIV says the "likeness of God" and not the "image of God". I wonder what the original text states? I know there are some Christian sects that believe that we were created in the image and likeness of God, but after the Fall we lost the 'likeness' and retained the 'image'.
Adam lived 930 years. Seth lived 912 years. Enosh lived 905 years. Kenan lived 910 years. Mahalalel lived 895 years. Jared lived 962 years.
Enoch lived 365 years and unlike his ancestors, the Bible doesn't say 'and then he died'. It states 5:24 "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away". Is this poetic license? Is it just stating the same thing in a more flowery language? Or is it something else? I don't know.
Methuselah lived 969 years. Lamech lived 777 years. Lamech was the father of Noah.
Noah was the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Genesis 6 has some interesting stuff. First, "the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose" (6:2). "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown" (6:4). What on earth does that mean? Who were the Nephilim?
In spite of the wickedness of man, Noah alone found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was righteous, blameless and walked with God. God decided to wipe out all living things on account of man who had brought violence to the earth. But, God makes a covenant with Noah (this is the first time God makes a covenant in the Old Testament).
Why does God command Noah to take two of every kind of bird in 6:20 and seven of every kind of bird in 7:2?
After the flood the first thing Noah does is to build an altar and sacrifice to God. God then states, "never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood" (8:21). That doesn't exactly paint a very good picture of man - every inclination is evil from childhood. So much for the theory that man is intrinsically good.
God then reminds us of the Imago Dei in a warning not to kill another man - 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man".
God then makes his covenant with Noah never to destroy the earth by a flood and sets the rainbow as a sign to remember that He will remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures of every kind.
Noah then gets drunk and Ham dishonors him, but Japheth and Shem cover him up. Noah curses Ham (the father of Canaan) to be the slave of his brothers. Noah lived 950 years and died.
What are we to do with the ages in this passage? Are we to take literally that men lived nearly a thousand years? What can be the explanation for such longevity?
Matthew 3-4
John the Baptist bursts onto the scene in Matthew 3, calling for repentance. He prophesies about the coming Messiah who will baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit. He doesn't paint Jesus as a sort of wimpy guy either "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12).
John the Baptist then, after mild protestation, baptizes Jesus. A voice from Heaven declares that Jesus is God's son.
After baptism, Jesus goes into the desert to fast 40 days. After this he is tempted by the devil three times. The thing I have always found the most interesting about this passage is that both use Scripture in their back and forth. Of course one would expect Jesus to quote Scripture, but the devil uses it as well. That's an unsettling thought.
Just like John the Baptist, Jesus begins to preach calling for repentance. Jesus then calls his first four disciples Simon-Peter, Andrew, James and John (the sons of Zebedee). Jesus then begins his ministry by preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing the sick. People flocked to him from all over and brought their sick to be healed.
Psalms 3-4
Psalm 3 is one of those Psalms that has a difficult verse in it. "Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked" (Psalms 3:7). Not exactly one of those verses that makes God seem like the great redeemer He is. It's hard to reconcile the love of God with what David is calling on God to do. But, just as we saw in Matthew 3, Jesus who is healing the sick just one chapter later is being prophesied as standing with the winnowing fork ready to store up his wheat in the barn and burn the chaff forever in an unquenchable fire.
But there are two verses that really stick out to me in Psalm 3. Psalm 3:5 "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me". Even something so simple as waking up is worthy of praising God, because He sustains us. Psalm 3:8 "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people". David, for all intents and purposes is one of the most renowned warriors in the Bible, but he sees the Lord as his deliverance, not his own strength or might.
Psalm 4 also shows David seeing God as his safety. But, the verse in Psalm 4 that strikes me the most is verse 4. "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent". Hear my prayer God, help me to search my heart so that I do not sin in anger.
Proverbs 1:10-23
Again we see a warning against sin - 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them". Again we see repentance and what it does for a man. 1:23 "If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you".
Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Friday, June 6, 2008
Brief Notes on 1 Chronicles 22-29
(Originally written June 6, 2008 in the Journal)
Oh Lord how long? How long oh Lord must I suffer in anguish and torment? There is an anger and a rage in me that I have never known. Bitterness is knocking at the door of my heart. Where is the joy of righteousness? Where is that easy yoke? May bless me as you blessed Jabez. Jabez prayed, oh that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries. Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain". If only you would grant me this prayer oh Lord!
Augustine states that a good man is neither exalted by the goods of this world nor overwhelmed by its ills. My ills are temporal - it is true. And the joy of the Lord, which is eternally written on my heart overshadows these temporary struggles by far, but, my Lord can you not see the immense pain this separation is causing me? Lord see my tears of sorrow and grief and have pity on me. But know that my heart and hope rest with you. You are my rock and shield. You are my strength when I have none and my strength when I feel gallant. May not a day or an hour pass by when my mind does not think on you. Lord teach me to be this good man of Augustine, but grant pity on me in my temporal sufferings. If it is your will reunite us. Do not destroy her, but open her heart to you. May you draw her close to you in love and grace. Lord, if you will, restore us. But, come what may I will serve you in all that I do, until I breathe my last. Teach me in your word.
Notes on I Chronicles
Chapter 22
David gathered materials so that his son Solomon could build the Temple of the Lord.
David could not build the temple because he had shed much blood. Solomon would be a peaceful man for the Lord and he would build the temple. The Hebrew name for Solomon is Shelomo, which is a play on the Hebrew word for peace, Shalom.
Chapter 23 - The Classes of the Levites
Chapter 24 - The classes of priests, who were the sons of Aaron
Chapter 25 - The musicians of the Lord
Chapter 27 -
The gatekeepers, treasurers and magistrates of the Lord
The divisions of the army.
I find it interesting that there are 12 tribes of Israel and 12 months, 12 lunar cycles. Of course one could say that the cult of Israel established 12 tribes because there are 12 months, but how much easier could we say that the Lord, in His divine plan ordained 12 months to correspond to the coming of the twelve tribes (and then the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ)? All things must be considered as to God and His plan and with God there is only purpose, not coincidence.
The 12 heads of the tribes
The overseers of Israel
David's court
Chapter 28
Serve God with a perfect heart and a willing soul, "for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the mind's thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let Himself be found by you; but if you abandon Him, He will cast you off forever" (1 Chronicles 28:9, New American Bible).
Oh Lord how long? How long oh Lord must I suffer in anguish and torment? There is an anger and a rage in me that I have never known. Bitterness is knocking at the door of my heart. Where is the joy of righteousness? Where is that easy yoke? May bless me as you blessed Jabez. Jabez prayed, oh that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries. Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain". If only you would grant me this prayer oh Lord!
Augustine states that a good man is neither exalted by the goods of this world nor overwhelmed by its ills. My ills are temporal - it is true. And the joy of the Lord, which is eternally written on my heart overshadows these temporary struggles by far, but, my Lord can you not see the immense pain this separation is causing me? Lord see my tears of sorrow and grief and have pity on me. But know that my heart and hope rest with you. You are my rock and shield. You are my strength when I have none and my strength when I feel gallant. May not a day or an hour pass by when my mind does not think on you. Lord teach me to be this good man of Augustine, but grant pity on me in my temporal sufferings. If it is your will reunite us. Do not destroy her, but open her heart to you. May you draw her close to you in love and grace. Lord, if you will, restore us. But, come what may I will serve you in all that I do, until I breathe my last. Teach me in your word.
Notes on I Chronicles
Chapter 22
David gathered materials so that his son Solomon could build the Temple of the Lord.
David could not build the temple because he had shed much blood. Solomon would be a peaceful man for the Lord and he would build the temple. The Hebrew name for Solomon is Shelomo, which is a play on the Hebrew word for peace, Shalom.
Chapter 23 - The Classes of the Levites
Chapter 24 - The classes of priests, who were the sons of Aaron
Chapter 25 - The musicians of the Lord
Chapter 27 -
The gatekeepers, treasurers and magistrates of the Lord
The divisions of the army.
I find it interesting that there are 12 tribes of Israel and 12 months, 12 lunar cycles. Of course one could say that the cult of Israel established 12 tribes because there are 12 months, but how much easier could we say that the Lord, in His divine plan ordained 12 months to correspond to the coming of the twelve tribes (and then the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ)? All things must be considered as to God and His plan and with God there is only purpose, not coincidence.
The 12 heads of the tribes
The overseers of Israel
David's court
Chapter 28
Serve God with a perfect heart and a willing soul, "for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the mind's thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let Himself be found by you; but if you abandon Him, He will cast you off forever" (1 Chronicles 28:9, New American Bible).
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Brief Notes on I Chronices 1-21
(Originally Written June 5, 2008 in the Journal)
Lord I am so feeble and weak. My soul is in anguish. My temper flares and I hurt from longing. Why has she forsaken me? Why would you cause this to happen? What must I learn from you? Do I not trust you? Do I not bless your name? Where is the easy yoke? Lord may your will be done and may the whole world come to see that you are just and good. Lord I struggle, but I thank you for the struggle. For if I die, I will be with you and if I live I will be even stronger in you for it. May you restore my wife to me or otherwise show me your plan for me. You have my heart, my soul, my mind, my all. 'Tis a small offering I know, but what I have is yours. Comfort me in the readings today. Do not look on me in anger or disgust, but deliver me from my anguish. Thank you Lord for all you have done. May the whole world praise you ceaselessly. May every tongue sound of the Holiness of the one true God. Thank you for your love and care.
Notes on I Chronicles
Chapter 1 - Genealogy from Adam to the Edomites
Chapter 2 - Genealogy of the sons of Israel, that is Jacob
Chapter 3 - The line of David
Chapter 4 -
The sons of Judah
Jabez prayed to the Lord, "oh that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries! Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!" The Lord answered his prayer.
The sons of Simeon
The sons of Reuben
Reuben, though firstborn, lost his birthright to Joseph. The king came from Judah because Judah was powerful.
The sons of Gad.
The sons of East Manasseh.
These men angered God by idolatry and were deported to Assyria.
The sons of Levi
Chapter 6 - The descendants of Aaron
Chapter 7
The sons of Issachar
The sons of Benjamin
The sons of Dan, Naphtali and Manasseh
The sons of Ephraim
The sons of Asher
Chapter 8 - The sons of Benjamin
Chapter 9 -
Judah had been carried away into Babylon as exiles.
Jerusalem still had some Israelites in it from Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh and also some Levites dwelled in Jerusalem.
The Genealogy of Saul
Chapter 10
Saul and his three sons were killed in battle by the Philistines because Saul rebelled against the Lord.
Chapter 11
David was made king of Israel.
David conquered Jerusalem.
Chapter 12 - David gathered many warriors around him
Chapter 13 - David brought the Ark to Jerusalem
Chapter 14 -
David settled in Jerusalem, took wives and had sons.
David conquered the Philistines who attacked him. The Lord made all nations fear David.
Chapter 15 -
David danced in the streets and his wife Michal, daughter of Saul, despised him for it.
Chapter 16
"Glory in his holy name; rejoice, o hearts that seek the Lord" (I Chronicles 16:10, New American Bible).
"Sing to the Lord, all the earth, announce his salvation, day after day" (I Chronicles 16:23, New American Bible).
Chapter 17
Nathan had a vision that David's son would build the temple of the Lord and David rejoiced at this.
Chapter 18
David subdued the Philistines and the Moabites. He defeated the king of Zobah and the Arameans.
Chapter 19
David defeated the Ammonites for shaming ambassadors he sent them. David then crushed the Arameans for aid the Ammonites.
Chapter 20
David went to battle with the Philistines again and the Israelites defeated three giants that were sons of the Rephaim.
Chapter 21
David then sinned and took a census of Israel. David was given three choices of punishment and chose pestilence. 70,000 men died on account of David's sin.
Lord I am so feeble and weak. My soul is in anguish. My temper flares and I hurt from longing. Why has she forsaken me? Why would you cause this to happen? What must I learn from you? Do I not trust you? Do I not bless your name? Where is the easy yoke? Lord may your will be done and may the whole world come to see that you are just and good. Lord I struggle, but I thank you for the struggle. For if I die, I will be with you and if I live I will be even stronger in you for it. May you restore my wife to me or otherwise show me your plan for me. You have my heart, my soul, my mind, my all. 'Tis a small offering I know, but what I have is yours. Comfort me in the readings today. Do not look on me in anger or disgust, but deliver me from my anguish. Thank you Lord for all you have done. May the whole world praise you ceaselessly. May every tongue sound of the Holiness of the one true God. Thank you for your love and care.
Notes on I Chronicles
Chapter 1 - Genealogy from Adam to the Edomites
Chapter 2 - Genealogy of the sons of Israel, that is Jacob
Chapter 3 - The line of David
Chapter 4 -
The sons of Judah
Jabez prayed to the Lord, "oh that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries! Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!" The Lord answered his prayer.
The sons of Simeon
The sons of Reuben
Reuben, though firstborn, lost his birthright to Joseph. The king came from Judah because Judah was powerful.
The sons of Gad.
The sons of East Manasseh.
These men angered God by idolatry and were deported to Assyria.
The sons of Levi
Chapter 6 - The descendants of Aaron
Chapter 7
The sons of Issachar
The sons of Benjamin
The sons of Dan, Naphtali and Manasseh
The sons of Ephraim
The sons of Asher
Chapter 8 - The sons of Benjamin
Chapter 9 -
Judah had been carried away into Babylon as exiles.
Jerusalem still had some Israelites in it from Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh and also some Levites dwelled in Jerusalem.
The Genealogy of Saul
Chapter 10
Saul and his three sons were killed in battle by the Philistines because Saul rebelled against the Lord.
Chapter 11
David was made king of Israel.
David conquered Jerusalem.
Chapter 12 - David gathered many warriors around him
Chapter 13 - David brought the Ark to Jerusalem
Chapter 14 -
David settled in Jerusalem, took wives and had sons.
David conquered the Philistines who attacked him. The Lord made all nations fear David.
Chapter 15 -
David danced in the streets and his wife Michal, daughter of Saul, despised him for it.
Chapter 16
"Glory in his holy name; rejoice, o hearts that seek the Lord" (I Chronicles 16:10, New American Bible).
"Sing to the Lord, all the earth, announce his salvation, day after day" (I Chronicles 16:23, New American Bible).
Chapter 17
Nathan had a vision that David's son would build the temple of the Lord and David rejoiced at this.
Chapter 18
David subdued the Philistines and the Moabites. He defeated the king of Zobah and the Arameans.
Chapter 19
David defeated the Ammonites for shaming ambassadors he sent them. David then crushed the Arameans for aid the Ammonites.
Chapter 20
David went to battle with the Philistines again and the Israelites defeated three giants that were sons of the Rephaim.
Chapter 21
David then sinned and took a census of Israel. David was given three choices of punishment and chose pestilence. 70,000 men died on account of David's sin.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Brief Notes on 2 Kings 8-25
(Originally written June 4, 2008 in the Journal)
Thank you Lord for today. May all earth praise you for what you have done. The weather is beautiful. Tonight we go to meet with our counselors. Lord use tonight to begin the reconciliation process. Give me the strength to endure this process and separation. Give me the wisdom to speak what needs to be said. Pour out your spirit on Kris and John that they may enlighten us. Circumcise our hearts, ears and minds. Above all may you be glorified in this meeting! Grant me some wisdom from this reading.
Notes on 2 Kings
Chapter 8
Elisha told of a seven year famine that was coming and it came to pass.
Ben-hadad, king of Aram became ill and sent Hazael to seek out Elisha to see if he would recover. Elisha told Hazael to tell Ben-hadad that he would live but told Hazael that he was in fact going to die. Elisha then wept. Hazael asked why he was crying and Elisha told him that he wept for the monstrous things that Hazael would do to Israel. Hazael asked how he would do these things and Elisha told him that he would become king of Aram. Ben-hadad died and Hazael became king.
Jehoram succeeded his father, Jehoshaphat as king of Judah. Jehoram did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Ahaziah succeeded his father, Jehoram as king of Judah. Ahaziah reigned only for one year and did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Chapter 9
Elisha sent a prophet to anoint Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat as king of Israel. The prophet then doomed the house of Ahab. Jehu then killed Joram, the king of Israel. Next, he killed Ahaziah, king of Judah who was visiting Joram in Jezreel. Jehu had three eunuchs throw Jezebel out of a window. He rode over her with a chariot. Dogs then devoured her flesh as the prophet decreed.
Chapter 10
Jehu then killed all of Ahab's descendants and supporters. Jehu then had 42 men of the house of Ahaziah killed. Jehu then called all of the worshippers of Baal in Israel into the temple of Baal. He slew them all and destroyed the temple, turning it into a latrine. While Jehu did good in the sight of the Lord, he still continued the sins of Jeroboam. He reigned over Israel for 28 years.
Chapter 11
Athaliah, mother of Ahaziah, killed all the royal family of Judah to rule. Joash was hidden from her though. Seven years later Joash was crowned as king of Judah. At the coronation of Joash, Athaliah was put to death. Judah then destroyed the temple of Baal and killed its high priest.
Chapter 12
Joash was seven years old when he became king. He reigned for 40 years and did good in the sight of the Lord because he was guided by the priest Jehoiada.
Chapter 13
Jehoahaz, son of Jehu became king of Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. Then, Jehoash became king of Israel. He also did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Elisha died and was buried.
Some men were burying a man when Moabite raiders came upon them suddenly. They threw the dead man's body into the grave of Elisha and fled. The man came back to life when he touched the bones of Elisha.
Chapter 14
Amaziah succeeded Joash as king of Judah. Amaziah pleased the Lord, but not as much as David. Amaziah killed the officials who murdered his father. He defeated the Edomites and captured the city of Sela. Amaziah was killed in Lachish and his son Azariah replaced him as king.
Jeroboam II became king of Israel after his father Jehoash died. Jeroboam II did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Chapter 15
Azariah, son of Amaziah, reigned over Judah for 52 years. He pleased the Lord, but did not destroy the high places. He became afflicted with leprosy.
Zechariah succeed his father Jeroboam II in Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and only reigned for six months.
Shallum killed Zechariah and ruled one month over Israel. Menahem killed Shallum and became king of Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. Pekahiah, son of Menahem, succeeded his father on the throne of Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. Pekahiah was killed by Pekah. Pekah then took over Israel. Hoshea, son of Elah, killed Pekah and took over Israel.
Jotham, son of Azariah, became king of Judah. He pleased the Lord, but did not destroy the high places.
Chapter 16
Ahaz, son of Jotham, succeeded his father as king of Judah. Ahaz did evil in the sight of the LOrd. He even immolated his son.
Rezin, king of Aram and Pekah, king of Israel then besieged Jerusalem. Ahaz enlisted Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria to help him. Together they defeated Aram and Israel. Tiglath-pileser killed Rezin.
Ahaz then removed the altar of the Lord from the Temple and replaced it with one that was similar to the one in Damascus.
Chapter 17
Hoshea became king in Israel after killing Pekah. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, yet not to the extent of the other kings of Israel. Under Hoshea, Shalmaneser, king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported its citizens to Assyria. The Lord allowed this to happen because Israel was a stiff-necked people and served other gods.
Chapter 18
Hezekiah came to power in Judah. He pleased the Lord. He removed the high places and shattered the pillars and cut down the sacred poles. Hezekiah never turned from the Lord.
The king of Assyria taunted Jerusalem. He tried to turn Judah against king Hezekiah.
Chapter 19
Hezekiah called upon the Lord for deliverance from Assyria. The angel of the Lord came down and killed 165,000 Assyrians and so Sennacherib, king of Assyria returned to Nineveh. Sennacherib was killed in the temple of his god.
Chapter 20
Hezekiah became ill and Isaiah came to him to tell him to get his house in order for he was going to die. Hezekiah wept and prayed to the Lord. He was healed and lived 15 more years. Isaiah told Hezekiah that a time was coming when the people of Judah would be carried off to Babylon.
Chapter 21
Manasseh succeeded Hezekiah in Judah. He was 12 years old and reigned 55 years. Manasseh did evil in the sight of the Lord. He rebuilt the high places, erected altars to Baal and set up a sacred pole. He immolated his son and practiced witchcraft. Manasseh did more evil than any other king of Judah and shed much innocent blood.
Amon, son of Manasseh replaced Manasseh as king of Judah. Amon abandoned the Lord and did evil. Amon was killed in his house.
Chapter 22
Josiah, son of Amon became king at age 8. Josiah pleased the Lord and reigned 31 years.
Chapter 23
Josiah removed from the temple all things given to other gods. Josiah removed the sacred pole from the temple and burned it. He tore down the apartments of the cult prostitutes. He defiled all the high places and removed all the priests that were not Levites. He removed the place of Molech so there would be no more immolations. He cut down the sins of Jeroboam. Josiah reestablished the Passover. No Passover had been seen since before the time of the Judges. Josiah did away with all witchcraft and idolatry. Josiah was killed in battle against Egypt at Meggido.
Jehoahaz, son of Josiah replaced him as king of Judah. Jehoahaz did evil in the sight of the Lord. Jehoahaz was carried away to Egypt and Pharaoh Neco appointed Eliakim, son of Josiah as king of Judah. Eliakim changed his name to Jehoiakim and did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Chapter 24
Jehoiakim was made a vassal by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jehoiachin replaced Jehoiakim as king and did evil in the sight of the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and carried of its treasure. He also deported the Judahites from Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle as king. Mattaniah changed his name to Zedekiah. Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the Lord and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.
Chapter 25
Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and caught Zedekiah. Zedekiah's sons were killed in front of them and then he was taken to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar burned the Temple and the Palace. He burned all of Jerusalem. They carried away all the treasure and people of Jerusalem. Judah was carried away in exile.
Jehoiachin, king of Judah was released by Evil-merodach, successor of Nebuchadnezzar and given a seat of honor in Babylon.
The penalty of sin is great my Lord. I deserve no less than these of you chosen people. My sin is great indeed. Look upon me with mercy for I choose to serve you every day of my life. Do not destroy me, but show me your grace.
Thank you Lord for today. May all earth praise you for what you have done. The weather is beautiful. Tonight we go to meet with our counselors. Lord use tonight to begin the reconciliation process. Give me the strength to endure this process and separation. Give me the wisdom to speak what needs to be said. Pour out your spirit on Kris and John that they may enlighten us. Circumcise our hearts, ears and minds. Above all may you be glorified in this meeting! Grant me some wisdom from this reading.
Notes on 2 Kings
Chapter 8
Elisha told of a seven year famine that was coming and it came to pass.
Ben-hadad, king of Aram became ill and sent Hazael to seek out Elisha to see if he would recover. Elisha told Hazael to tell Ben-hadad that he would live but told Hazael that he was in fact going to die. Elisha then wept. Hazael asked why he was crying and Elisha told him that he wept for the monstrous things that Hazael would do to Israel. Hazael asked how he would do these things and Elisha told him that he would become king of Aram. Ben-hadad died and Hazael became king.
Jehoram succeeded his father, Jehoshaphat as king of Judah. Jehoram did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Ahaziah succeeded his father, Jehoram as king of Judah. Ahaziah reigned only for one year and did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Chapter 9
Elisha sent a prophet to anoint Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat as king of Israel. The prophet then doomed the house of Ahab. Jehu then killed Joram, the king of Israel. Next, he killed Ahaziah, king of Judah who was visiting Joram in Jezreel. Jehu had three eunuchs throw Jezebel out of a window. He rode over her with a chariot. Dogs then devoured her flesh as the prophet decreed.
Chapter 10
Jehu then killed all of Ahab's descendants and supporters. Jehu then had 42 men of the house of Ahaziah killed. Jehu then called all of the worshippers of Baal in Israel into the temple of Baal. He slew them all and destroyed the temple, turning it into a latrine. While Jehu did good in the sight of the Lord, he still continued the sins of Jeroboam. He reigned over Israel for 28 years.
Chapter 11
Athaliah, mother of Ahaziah, killed all the royal family of Judah to rule. Joash was hidden from her though. Seven years later Joash was crowned as king of Judah. At the coronation of Joash, Athaliah was put to death. Judah then destroyed the temple of Baal and killed its high priest.
Chapter 12
Joash was seven years old when he became king. He reigned for 40 years and did good in the sight of the Lord because he was guided by the priest Jehoiada.
Chapter 13
Jehoahaz, son of Jehu became king of Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. Then, Jehoash became king of Israel. He also did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Elisha died and was buried.
Some men were burying a man when Moabite raiders came upon them suddenly. They threw the dead man's body into the grave of Elisha and fled. The man came back to life when he touched the bones of Elisha.
Chapter 14
Amaziah succeeded Joash as king of Judah. Amaziah pleased the Lord, but not as much as David. Amaziah killed the officials who murdered his father. He defeated the Edomites and captured the city of Sela. Amaziah was killed in Lachish and his son Azariah replaced him as king.
Jeroboam II became king of Israel after his father Jehoash died. Jeroboam II did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Chapter 15
Azariah, son of Amaziah, reigned over Judah for 52 years. He pleased the Lord, but did not destroy the high places. He became afflicted with leprosy.
Zechariah succeed his father Jeroboam II in Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and only reigned for six months.
Shallum killed Zechariah and ruled one month over Israel. Menahem killed Shallum and became king of Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. Pekahiah, son of Menahem, succeeded his father on the throne of Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. Pekahiah was killed by Pekah. Pekah then took over Israel. Hoshea, son of Elah, killed Pekah and took over Israel.
Jotham, son of Azariah, became king of Judah. He pleased the Lord, but did not destroy the high places.
Chapter 16
Ahaz, son of Jotham, succeeded his father as king of Judah. Ahaz did evil in the sight of the LOrd. He even immolated his son.
Rezin, king of Aram and Pekah, king of Israel then besieged Jerusalem. Ahaz enlisted Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria to help him. Together they defeated Aram and Israel. Tiglath-pileser killed Rezin.
Ahaz then removed the altar of the Lord from the Temple and replaced it with one that was similar to the one in Damascus.
Chapter 17
Hoshea became king in Israel after killing Pekah. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, yet not to the extent of the other kings of Israel. Under Hoshea, Shalmaneser, king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported its citizens to Assyria. The Lord allowed this to happen because Israel was a stiff-necked people and served other gods.
Chapter 18
Hezekiah came to power in Judah. He pleased the Lord. He removed the high places and shattered the pillars and cut down the sacred poles. Hezekiah never turned from the Lord.
The king of Assyria taunted Jerusalem. He tried to turn Judah against king Hezekiah.
Chapter 19
Hezekiah called upon the Lord for deliverance from Assyria. The angel of the Lord came down and killed 165,000 Assyrians and so Sennacherib, king of Assyria returned to Nineveh. Sennacherib was killed in the temple of his god.
Chapter 20
Hezekiah became ill and Isaiah came to him to tell him to get his house in order for he was going to die. Hezekiah wept and prayed to the Lord. He was healed and lived 15 more years. Isaiah told Hezekiah that a time was coming when the people of Judah would be carried off to Babylon.
Chapter 21
Manasseh succeeded Hezekiah in Judah. He was 12 years old and reigned 55 years. Manasseh did evil in the sight of the Lord. He rebuilt the high places, erected altars to Baal and set up a sacred pole. He immolated his son and practiced witchcraft. Manasseh did more evil than any other king of Judah and shed much innocent blood.
Amon, son of Manasseh replaced Manasseh as king of Judah. Amon abandoned the Lord and did evil. Amon was killed in his house.
Chapter 22
Josiah, son of Amon became king at age 8. Josiah pleased the Lord and reigned 31 years.
Chapter 23
Josiah removed from the temple all things given to other gods. Josiah removed the sacred pole from the temple and burned it. He tore down the apartments of the cult prostitutes. He defiled all the high places and removed all the priests that were not Levites. He removed the place of Molech so there would be no more immolations. He cut down the sins of Jeroboam. Josiah reestablished the Passover. No Passover had been seen since before the time of the Judges. Josiah did away with all witchcraft and idolatry. Josiah was killed in battle against Egypt at Meggido.
Jehoahaz, son of Josiah replaced him as king of Judah. Jehoahaz did evil in the sight of the Lord. Jehoahaz was carried away to Egypt and Pharaoh Neco appointed Eliakim, son of Josiah as king of Judah. Eliakim changed his name to Jehoiakim and did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Chapter 24
Jehoiakim was made a vassal by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Jehoiachin replaced Jehoiakim as king and did evil in the sight of the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and carried of its treasure. He also deported the Judahites from Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle as king. Mattaniah changed his name to Zedekiah. Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the Lord and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.
Chapter 25
Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and caught Zedekiah. Zedekiah's sons were killed in front of them and then he was taken to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar burned the Temple and the Palace. He burned all of Jerusalem. They carried away all the treasure and people of Jerusalem. Judah was carried away in exile.
Jehoiachin, king of Judah was released by Evil-merodach, successor of Nebuchadnezzar and given a seat of honor in Babylon.
The penalty of sin is great my Lord. I deserve no less than these of you chosen people. My sin is great indeed. Look upon me with mercy for I choose to serve you every day of my life. Do not destroy me, but show me your grace.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Brief Notes on 1 Kings 9-22
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on 1 Kings
Chapter 9
The Lord spoke to Solomon through Gibeon, telling Solomon that the Lord would remain faithful to the temple so long as Solomon and Israel remained faithful to the Lord. But, He warned Solomon if they turned to idols He would put the Temple to ruins.
Chapter 10
The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to see if he was as wise as his fame reported. She found it to be so and gave Solomon the largest gift ever given to a king. Solomon grew to be the wealthiest man in the world and all kings of the earth came to hear his wisdom. (It is interesting that the Scriptures state that the men came to hear the wisdom that God had given him, not to see the fortune of Solomon).
Chapter 11
Solomon sinned and married many foreign women. Solomon was swayed by the gods of his wives and did not follow the Lord with his whole heart as David had done. The Lord grew angry with Solomon and told him that He would split the kingdom, not in the lifetime of Solomon though on account of the Lord's love of David. God raised up Hadad, heir to Edom against Solomon. Also the Lord raised up Rezin, who became king of Damascus, against Solomon. The Lord raised up Jeroboam and gave to him 10 tribes of Israel to be king over.
Chapter 12
Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, went up to Schechem and spoke to Israel. They told Rehoboam they would follow him if he had an easier yoke for them than Solomon. Rehoboam consulted his father's advisors and they told him to do such. He then consulted young men of his age and they told him to press the Israelites even harder. Rehoboam took the latter advice and Israel abandoned him as king, leaving only Judah for him to rule.
Jeroboam was then made king of Israel's other ten tribes. Jeroboam then sinned against the Lord by erecting idols to the Lord to have the people worship at, rather than traveling to Jerusalem.
Chapter 13
The Lord sent up a man from Judah to the altar where Jeroboam was offering sacrifices and spoke out against Jeroboam. He told everyone that Josiah would rise up out of Judah and slaughter Israel on this altar for their sins. A prophet of Israel tricked the man of God from Judah into coming home with him and eating. As punishment the man of God from Judah was slain by a lion on his trip back home.
Chapter 14
Abijah, the son of Jeroboam grew ill so Jeroboam sent his wife to the prophet Ahijah to find out what would happen to his son. It was Ahijah that told Jeroboam initially that he would become king. Ahijah told Jeroboam's wife that her son would die because of the sins of Jeroboam. All Ahijah said happened and all of Israel mourned the death of Abijah. Jeroboam died and his son Nadab succeeded him. Jeroboam reigned for 22 years.
Rehoboam, the king of Judah sinned and the Lord punished Judah. The Egyptian king carried off the wealth of the Temple of Solomon.
Chapter 15
Abijam succeeded Rehoboam as king of Judah. Abijam warred with Jeroboam and reigned over Judah for three years. He sinned as his father Rehoboam had.
Asa, son of Abijam, succeeded Abijam and reigned for 41 years. Asa banished the prostitutes and tore down the idols of his fathers. Asa pleased the Lord.
Nadab, son of Jeroboam, king of Israel was wicked in the eyes of the Lord. He only reigned for two years over Israel.
Baasha, a son of Issachar, deposed Nadab and became king over Israel. Baasha killed off the entire house of Jeroboam. Baasha reigned for 24 years and continued the sins of Jeroboam.
Chapter 16
Elah, son of Baasha, succeeded him as king of Israel.
Zimri plotted against Elah and killed him. He then killed the whole house of Baasha as the Lord had said would happen through the prophet Jehu.
Zimri reigned for only seven days and was replaced by Omri, the general of the Israelite army.
Omri reigned for 12 years and continued the sins of Jeroboam.
Ahab succeeded his father Omri as king. Ahab reigned for 22 years over Israel, but was even more wicked than his father. Ahab turned to Baal worship. During the reign of Ahab a man from Bethel named Hiel rebuilt Jericho. He lost his two sons as the Lord said would happen through Joshua.
Chapter 17
Elijah rose up and went to king Ahab and told him that the Lord would send a drought on him. Elijah then hid in the Wadi Cherith where the Lord had ravens feed him. The wadi grew dry and the Lord sent Elijah to a widow in Sidon. There the Lord made the widow's cup of flour and cup of oil sustain her, Elijah and her son for a whole year. Elijah called upon the Lord to heal the boy and the Lord did so.
Chapter 18
Obadiah hid 100 prophets of the Lord when Jezebel, queen of Ahab began to murder the followers of the Lord.
Elijah then went to Ahab as the Lord commanded. Elijah commanded Ahab to summon Israel to Mount Carmel along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. Elijah spoke to the people of ISrael and said, 'if the Lord is God then follow him; if Baal is God then follow him'. Elijah called for two bulls, one for himself and one for the prophets of Baal. He said the true God would start the fire for the sacrifice. The prophets of Baal called on Baal to start the fire for hours, but Elijah mocked them. Elijah then prepared the bull on the altar to the Lord he had built and poured twelve jars of water on the holocaust. He prayed to the Lord and the fire of the Lord came down and consumed the holocaust and the altar itself. Elijah told the Israelites to kill the prophets of Baal and the Lord sent rain to parched Israel.
Chapter 19
Jezebel cursed Elijah for what he did to the prophets of Baal. Elijah walked across the desert for 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb to escape Jezebel. Elijah then went and anointed Elisha as his successor as the Lord commanded.
Chapter 20
Ben-hadad, king of Aram went to war against Ahab of Israel. The Lord then delivered the Arameans into the hands of Ahab. Ben-hadad attacked again and the Lord handed him a defeat through Israel. But, Ahab set Ben-hadad free, so the Lord's anger flared up against Ahab.
Chapter 21
Ahab went to Naboth and asked him to sell his vineyard to him, but Naboth refused because it was his ancestral heritage. Jezebel then had Naboth stoned to death and told Ahab to go and claim the field. Elijah then went and doomed the line of Ahab on cue from the Lord. Ahab humbled himself before the Lord at the news, so the Lord told Elijah that because Ahab had humbled himself he would not bring about the doom during Ahab's life.
Chapter 22
King Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahab went to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from Aram. Four hundred prophets of the Lord told Ahab to go, but Micaiah told him that he would be defeated. Ahab locked Micaiah in prison until he returned. Micaiah said that if he returned then the words he had spoken were not from the Lord. King Ahab was killed while he was in disguise by a stray arrow. The Israelites then fled in terror.
King Jehoshaphat reigned 25 years over Judah. He followed his father Asa and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
King Ahab was succeeded by his son Ahaziah. Ahaziah was wicked and worshiped Baal. He reigned only two years.
Notes on 1 Kings
Chapter 9
The Lord spoke to Solomon through Gibeon, telling Solomon that the Lord would remain faithful to the temple so long as Solomon and Israel remained faithful to the Lord. But, He warned Solomon if they turned to idols He would put the Temple to ruins.
Chapter 10
The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to see if he was as wise as his fame reported. She found it to be so and gave Solomon the largest gift ever given to a king. Solomon grew to be the wealthiest man in the world and all kings of the earth came to hear his wisdom. (It is interesting that the Scriptures state that the men came to hear the wisdom that God had given him, not to see the fortune of Solomon).
Chapter 11
Solomon sinned and married many foreign women. Solomon was swayed by the gods of his wives and did not follow the Lord with his whole heart as David had done. The Lord grew angry with Solomon and told him that He would split the kingdom, not in the lifetime of Solomon though on account of the Lord's love of David. God raised up Hadad, heir to Edom against Solomon. Also the Lord raised up Rezin, who became king of Damascus, against Solomon. The Lord raised up Jeroboam and gave to him 10 tribes of Israel to be king over.
Chapter 12
Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, went up to Schechem and spoke to Israel. They told Rehoboam they would follow him if he had an easier yoke for them than Solomon. Rehoboam consulted his father's advisors and they told him to do such. He then consulted young men of his age and they told him to press the Israelites even harder. Rehoboam took the latter advice and Israel abandoned him as king, leaving only Judah for him to rule.
Jeroboam was then made king of Israel's other ten tribes. Jeroboam then sinned against the Lord by erecting idols to the Lord to have the people worship at, rather than traveling to Jerusalem.
Chapter 13
The Lord sent up a man from Judah to the altar where Jeroboam was offering sacrifices and spoke out against Jeroboam. He told everyone that Josiah would rise up out of Judah and slaughter Israel on this altar for their sins. A prophet of Israel tricked the man of God from Judah into coming home with him and eating. As punishment the man of God from Judah was slain by a lion on his trip back home.
Chapter 14
Abijah, the son of Jeroboam grew ill so Jeroboam sent his wife to the prophet Ahijah to find out what would happen to his son. It was Ahijah that told Jeroboam initially that he would become king. Ahijah told Jeroboam's wife that her son would die because of the sins of Jeroboam. All Ahijah said happened and all of Israel mourned the death of Abijah. Jeroboam died and his son Nadab succeeded him. Jeroboam reigned for 22 years.
Rehoboam, the king of Judah sinned and the Lord punished Judah. The Egyptian king carried off the wealth of the Temple of Solomon.
Chapter 15
Abijam succeeded Rehoboam as king of Judah. Abijam warred with Jeroboam and reigned over Judah for three years. He sinned as his father Rehoboam had.
Asa, son of Abijam, succeeded Abijam and reigned for 41 years. Asa banished the prostitutes and tore down the idols of his fathers. Asa pleased the Lord.
Nadab, son of Jeroboam, king of Israel was wicked in the eyes of the Lord. He only reigned for two years over Israel.
Baasha, a son of Issachar, deposed Nadab and became king over Israel. Baasha killed off the entire house of Jeroboam. Baasha reigned for 24 years and continued the sins of Jeroboam.
Chapter 16
Elah, son of Baasha, succeeded him as king of Israel.
Zimri plotted against Elah and killed him. He then killed the whole house of Baasha as the Lord had said would happen through the prophet Jehu.
Zimri reigned for only seven days and was replaced by Omri, the general of the Israelite army.
Omri reigned for 12 years and continued the sins of Jeroboam.
Ahab succeeded his father Omri as king. Ahab reigned for 22 years over Israel, but was even more wicked than his father. Ahab turned to Baal worship. During the reign of Ahab a man from Bethel named Hiel rebuilt Jericho. He lost his two sons as the Lord said would happen through Joshua.
Chapter 17
Elijah rose up and went to king Ahab and told him that the Lord would send a drought on him. Elijah then hid in the Wadi Cherith where the Lord had ravens feed him. The wadi grew dry and the Lord sent Elijah to a widow in Sidon. There the Lord made the widow's cup of flour and cup of oil sustain her, Elijah and her son for a whole year. Elijah called upon the Lord to heal the boy and the Lord did so.
Chapter 18
Obadiah hid 100 prophets of the Lord when Jezebel, queen of Ahab began to murder the followers of the Lord.
Elijah then went to Ahab as the Lord commanded. Elijah commanded Ahab to summon Israel to Mount Carmel along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. Elijah spoke to the people of ISrael and said, 'if the Lord is God then follow him; if Baal is God then follow him'. Elijah called for two bulls, one for himself and one for the prophets of Baal. He said the true God would start the fire for the sacrifice. The prophets of Baal called on Baal to start the fire for hours, but Elijah mocked them. Elijah then prepared the bull on the altar to the Lord he had built and poured twelve jars of water on the holocaust. He prayed to the Lord and the fire of the Lord came down and consumed the holocaust and the altar itself. Elijah told the Israelites to kill the prophets of Baal and the Lord sent rain to parched Israel.
Chapter 19
Jezebel cursed Elijah for what he did to the prophets of Baal. Elijah walked across the desert for 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb to escape Jezebel. Elijah then went and anointed Elisha as his successor as the Lord commanded.
Chapter 20
Ben-hadad, king of Aram went to war against Ahab of Israel. The Lord then delivered the Arameans into the hands of Ahab. Ben-hadad attacked again and the Lord handed him a defeat through Israel. But, Ahab set Ben-hadad free, so the Lord's anger flared up against Ahab.
Chapter 21
Ahab went to Naboth and asked him to sell his vineyard to him, but Naboth refused because it was his ancestral heritage. Jezebel then had Naboth stoned to death and told Ahab to go and claim the field. Elijah then went and doomed the line of Ahab on cue from the Lord. Ahab humbled himself before the Lord at the news, so the Lord told Elijah that because Ahab had humbled himself he would not bring about the doom during Ahab's life.
Chapter 22
King Jehoshaphat of Judah and Ahab went to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from Aram. Four hundred prophets of the Lord told Ahab to go, but Micaiah told him that he would be defeated. Ahab locked Micaiah in prison until he returned. Micaiah said that if he returned then the words he had spoken were not from the Lord. King Ahab was killed while he was in disguise by a stray arrow. The Israelites then fled in terror.
King Jehoshaphat reigned 25 years over Judah. He followed his father Asa and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
King Ahab was succeeded by his son Ahaziah. Ahaziah was wicked and worshiped Baal. He reigned only two years.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Brief Notes on I Kings 1-8
(Originally Written May 30, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on I Kings
Chapter 1
David was old and his son Adonijah was rallying to be king, but Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and the army did not support him. David announced however that Solomon would be king because he had sworn an oath to make Bathsheba's offspring the king. Adonijah fled in terror, but King Solomon spared him.
Chapter 2
David instructed Solomon in his last words. David died and had reigned 40 years over Israel. Solomon had his brother Adonijah put to death because he asked for one of David's concubines. Solomon then deposed Abiathar the priest for siding with Adonijah, thus fulfilling the prophecy that the house of Eli wo8uld be removed from the priesthood for the wickedness of Eli's sons and Eli's reluctance to admonish them.
Solomon then had Abner killed for the murder of the generals of Israel and Judah. David had promised Abner he would not be punished while he was still alive, but Solomon fulfilled the avengement of innocent blood. Solomon then told Shimei that he must stay in Jerusalem for cursing David. When Shimei left he was put to death.
Chapter 3
Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh to ally himself with Egypt.
The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and granted him a request. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong. The Lord gave it to him and also riches and glory and said he would give him long life as well, if Solomon obeyed the Lord.
Two women came before the king arguing over a live child and a dead child. Both said the live one was theirs. Solomon proposed to have the child cut in two and give half to each. The child's real mother begged Solomon to give the child to the other woman to spare its life, but Solomon gave it to her because he knew she was the mother.
Chapter 4
Solomon split the nation into 12 parts for administrative purposes.
Chapter 5
Solomon grew famous and men from all over came to hear him speak. Solomon had lumber imported from Lebanon to build the Temple of the Lord.
Chapter 6
Solomon built the temple and filled it with gold. It took seven years to build the temple.
Chapter 7
It took 13 years to build Solomon's palace. Solomon had the temple's interior decked out in bronze and gold. He also brought in items David had collected for it.
Chapter 8
The temple was consecrated and the ark was brought in. The Lord came to the Temple. Solomon then prayed.
Lord, I ask you to do as Solomon asked. Lord, I have sinned and turned away from you. But I come now before you humble and contrite. I am broken and praise your name for that brokenness. Lord grant my prayer. Do not turn away from me. Save my marriage. Restore my wife to me. I will praise your name forever and forever regardless, but do not let this pain rest permanently on my heart. Do not shame me so severely. Look on me with kindness and restore her to me. Lord I ask for so much and offer so little. I offer you all I have though. Please, I beg of you, answer this prayer.
Notes on I Kings
Chapter 1
David was old and his son Adonijah was rallying to be king, but Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and the army did not support him. David announced however that Solomon would be king because he had sworn an oath to make Bathsheba's offspring the king. Adonijah fled in terror, but King Solomon spared him.
Chapter 2
David instructed Solomon in his last words. David died and had reigned 40 years over Israel. Solomon had his brother Adonijah put to death because he asked for one of David's concubines. Solomon then deposed Abiathar the priest for siding with Adonijah, thus fulfilling the prophecy that the house of Eli wo8uld be removed from the priesthood for the wickedness of Eli's sons and Eli's reluctance to admonish them.
Solomon then had Abner killed for the murder of the generals of Israel and Judah. David had promised Abner he would not be punished while he was still alive, but Solomon fulfilled the avengement of innocent blood. Solomon then told Shimei that he must stay in Jerusalem for cursing David. When Shimei left he was put to death.
Chapter 3
Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh to ally himself with Egypt.
The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and granted him a request. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong. The Lord gave it to him and also riches and glory and said he would give him long life as well, if Solomon obeyed the Lord.
Two women came before the king arguing over a live child and a dead child. Both said the live one was theirs. Solomon proposed to have the child cut in two and give half to each. The child's real mother begged Solomon to give the child to the other woman to spare its life, but Solomon gave it to her because he knew she was the mother.
Chapter 4
Solomon split the nation into 12 parts for administrative purposes.
Chapter 5
Solomon grew famous and men from all over came to hear him speak. Solomon had lumber imported from Lebanon to build the Temple of the Lord.
Chapter 6
Solomon built the temple and filled it with gold. It took seven years to build the temple.
Chapter 7
It took 13 years to build Solomon's palace. Solomon had the temple's interior decked out in bronze and gold. He also brought in items David had collected for it.
Chapter 8
The temple was consecrated and the ark was brought in. The Lord came to the Temple. Solomon then prayed.
Lord, I ask you to do as Solomon asked. Lord, I have sinned and turned away from you. But I come now before you humble and contrite. I am broken and praise your name for that brokenness. Lord grant my prayer. Do not turn away from me. Save my marriage. Restore my wife to me. I will praise your name forever and forever regardless, but do not let this pain rest permanently on my heart. Do not shame me so severely. Look on me with kindness and restore her to me. Lord I ask for so much and offer so little. I offer you all I have though. Please, I beg of you, answer this prayer.
Brief Notes on II Samuel 21-24
(Originally Written May 30, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on II Samuel
Chapter 21
The Gibeonites were given seven of the descendants of Saul to atone for Saul breaking covenant with them. These descendants were dismembered before the Lord by the Gibeonites. David then gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan and the dismembered descendants of Saul and buried them. God then lifted the famine from the land.
The Philistines did battle again with the Israelites and the Israelites defeated them, killing four of the Rephaim.
Chapter 22
David sings a song of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Chapter 23
A list of David's most acclaimed warriors.
Chapter 24
David took a census. There were 800,000 men in Israel and 500,000 in Judah.
David asked for forgiveness for this act because only God should know the number, not men. The Lord gave David three choices for his consequences through the prophet Gad. 1) Three years of famine. 2) Three months of fleeing from an enemy. 3) Three days of pestilence. David chose the pestilence. 70,000 men died of the pestilence and as it was about to strike Jerusalem, God commanded the angel bringing it to stop. David then went and built an altar to the Lord and offered a holocaust and the Lord removed the plague from Israel.
Notes on II Samuel
Chapter 21
The Gibeonites were given seven of the descendants of Saul to atone for Saul breaking covenant with them. These descendants were dismembered before the Lord by the Gibeonites. David then gathered the bones of Saul and Jonathan and the dismembered descendants of Saul and buried them. God then lifted the famine from the land.
The Philistines did battle again with the Israelites and the Israelites defeated them, killing four of the Rephaim.
Chapter 22
David sings a song of thanksgiving to the Lord.
Chapter 23
A list of David's most acclaimed warriors.
Chapter 24
David took a census. There were 800,000 men in Israel and 500,000 in Judah.
David asked for forgiveness for this act because only God should know the number, not men. The Lord gave David three choices for his consequences through the prophet Gad. 1) Three years of famine. 2) Three months of fleeing from an enemy. 3) Three days of pestilence. David chose the pestilence. 70,000 men died of the pestilence and as it was about to strike Jerusalem, God commanded the angel bringing it to stop. David then went and built an altar to the Lord and offered a holocaust and the Lord removed the plague from Israel.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Brief Notes on II Samuel 1-20
(Originally Written May 29, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on II Samuel
Chapter 1
David hears of the death of Saul and Jonathon
Chapter 2
David asked the Lord what to do and the Lord told him to go to Hebron. There, David was anointed as the king of the Judahites. Ishbaal, son of Saul, was made king of the rest of Israel. David went to battle with Ishbaal and Israel.
Chapter 3
A long war took place between the house of David and the house of Saul.
David had six sons.
Abner then made peace with David. Abner was the general of Saul. Abner set up David to become king of all Israel. He also returned David's wife Michal to him.
Joab, a servant of David killed Abner because Abner had killed his brother. David then cursed Joab and his family for this deed.
Chapter 4
Ishbaal was beheaded in bed. David killed the murderers of Ishbaal as he had killed the Amalekite who slew Saul.
Chapter 5
The elders of Israel came to Hebron and anointed David king of all Israel. David then went up and defeated the Jebusites and took Jerusalem. David then defeated the Philistines in many battles.
Chapter 6
David went down and retrieved the Ark of the Lord. On bringing it back to Jerusalem a man named Uzzah steadied the ark with his hand, but the Lord struck him down for touching the ark. David brought the ark of the Lord into Jerusalem and danced for the Lord. Michal saw him dancing and despised him in her heart. She despised him for lowering himself, but the Lord made her barren.
Chapter 7
The Lord told David, through Nathan the prophet, that his heir would build the House of the Lord. David praised God for this.
Chapter 8
David conquered the Philistines, then Moab. He then slew the king of Zobah and the Arameans of Damascus. So too the Edomites became David's subjects.
Chapter 9
David summoned Meribaal, the son of Jonathon, and gave him a place of honor at the king's table. He also restored all of Saul's land to Meribaal.
Chapter 10
David then sent emissaries to the Ammonite King Hanun, when his father died to pay respect. Hanun mistreated the emissaries. Hanun bought soldiers from the Arameans and allied himself with the king of Maacah and Tob. David sent Joab with part of the army to face them. Joab and the Israelites defeated the alliance. David then fully defeated the Arameans and the Arameans were too afraid of David to give further aid to the Ammonites.
Chapter 11
David saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, bathing and sent for her. He had relations with her and she became pregnant. David then sent Uriah to the front lines to be killed. When Bathsheba learned of Uriah's death she mourned, but once the mourning was over David took her as his wife.
Chapter 12
Nathan went and admonished David for his evil deed. The Lord struck the child of David and Bathsheba and it died. Then David and Bathsheba had another son who they named Solomon. David finally defeated the Ammonites and removed the crown from their king's head.
Chapter 13
Amnon, the first-born of David, raped his brother's sister Tamar. Absalom hated Amnon for this. Absalom then got Amnon drunk and had him killed.
Chapter 14
Joab tricked David into returning Absalom to Jerusalem. Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years before David finally pardoned him.
Chapter 15
Absalom began to steal the loyalty of the people from King David. Absalom had himself anointed king in Hebron and David fled Jerusalem. Absalom then took Jerusalem.
Chapter 16
Meribaal, the son of Jonathon turned against David to become king himself. Absalom then slept with all of David's concubines in view of Israel.
Chapter 17
David's friend Hushai convinced Absalom to march out to fight against David. When Antithopel, the advisor to King Absalom learned that his advice was ignored for Hushai's he went home and hanged himself.
Chapter 18
Absalom marched against David, but was heavily defeated. Absalom's hair was caught in a tree as he was retreating and was hung there. Joab stabbed Absalom in the heart.
Chapter 19
Joab admonished David for his mourning of Absalom and told him to go cheer the people for their victory. Judah and Israel quarreled over the restoration of David and who escorted him home.
Chapter 20
Israel left David and followed a rebel named Sheba, but Judah supported David. Joab then pursued Sheba. They caught him at a city and began to attack the city, but the people beheaded Sheba and the attack stopped.
Thank you for this day Lord. Do not forget your servant here and grant me mercy and peace. Restore my wife to me. Do not let me be overcome with grief and misery. Do this for the sake of your name. Do not let a man tear apart what you have joined together. Do not let your enemy rejoice in victory over you. Do not let me fall into dismay. Be near me and quiet my soul.
Notes on II Samuel
Chapter 1
David hears of the death of Saul and Jonathon
Chapter 2
David asked the Lord what to do and the Lord told him to go to Hebron. There, David was anointed as the king of the Judahites. Ishbaal, son of Saul, was made king of the rest of Israel. David went to battle with Ishbaal and Israel.
Chapter 3
A long war took place between the house of David and the house of Saul.
David had six sons.
Abner then made peace with David. Abner was the general of Saul. Abner set up David to become king of all Israel. He also returned David's wife Michal to him.
Joab, a servant of David killed Abner because Abner had killed his brother. David then cursed Joab and his family for this deed.
Chapter 4
Ishbaal was beheaded in bed. David killed the murderers of Ishbaal as he had killed the Amalekite who slew Saul.
Chapter 5
The elders of Israel came to Hebron and anointed David king of all Israel. David then went up and defeated the Jebusites and took Jerusalem. David then defeated the Philistines in many battles.
Chapter 6
David went down and retrieved the Ark of the Lord. On bringing it back to Jerusalem a man named Uzzah steadied the ark with his hand, but the Lord struck him down for touching the ark. David brought the ark of the Lord into Jerusalem and danced for the Lord. Michal saw him dancing and despised him in her heart. She despised him for lowering himself, but the Lord made her barren.
Chapter 7
The Lord told David, through Nathan the prophet, that his heir would build the House of the Lord. David praised God for this.
Chapter 8
David conquered the Philistines, then Moab. He then slew the king of Zobah and the Arameans of Damascus. So too the Edomites became David's subjects.
Chapter 9
David summoned Meribaal, the son of Jonathon, and gave him a place of honor at the king's table. He also restored all of Saul's land to Meribaal.
Chapter 10
David then sent emissaries to the Ammonite King Hanun, when his father died to pay respect. Hanun mistreated the emissaries. Hanun bought soldiers from the Arameans and allied himself with the king of Maacah and Tob. David sent Joab with part of the army to face them. Joab and the Israelites defeated the alliance. David then fully defeated the Arameans and the Arameans were too afraid of David to give further aid to the Ammonites.
Chapter 11
David saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, bathing and sent for her. He had relations with her and she became pregnant. David then sent Uriah to the front lines to be killed. When Bathsheba learned of Uriah's death she mourned, but once the mourning was over David took her as his wife.
Chapter 12
Nathan went and admonished David for his evil deed. The Lord struck the child of David and Bathsheba and it died. Then David and Bathsheba had another son who they named Solomon. David finally defeated the Ammonites and removed the crown from their king's head.
Chapter 13
Amnon, the first-born of David, raped his brother's sister Tamar. Absalom hated Amnon for this. Absalom then got Amnon drunk and had him killed.
Chapter 14
Joab tricked David into returning Absalom to Jerusalem. Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years before David finally pardoned him.
Chapter 15
Absalom began to steal the loyalty of the people from King David. Absalom had himself anointed king in Hebron and David fled Jerusalem. Absalom then took Jerusalem.
Chapter 16
Meribaal, the son of Jonathon turned against David to become king himself. Absalom then slept with all of David's concubines in view of Israel.
Chapter 17
David's friend Hushai convinced Absalom to march out to fight against David. When Antithopel, the advisor to King Absalom learned that his advice was ignored for Hushai's he went home and hanged himself.
Chapter 18
Absalom marched against David, but was heavily defeated. Absalom's hair was caught in a tree as he was retreating and was hung there. Joab stabbed Absalom in the heart.
Chapter 19
Joab admonished David for his mourning of Absalom and told him to go cheer the people for their victory. Judah and Israel quarreled over the restoration of David and who escorted him home.
Chapter 20
Israel left David and followed a rebel named Sheba, but Judah supported David. Joab then pursued Sheba. They caught him at a city and began to attack the city, but the people beheaded Sheba and the attack stopped.
Thank you for this day Lord. Do not forget your servant here and grant me mercy and peace. Restore my wife to me. Do not let me be overcome with grief and misery. Do this for the sake of your name. Do not let a man tear apart what you have joined together. Do not let your enemy rejoice in victory over you. Do not let me fall into dismay. Be near me and quiet my soul.
Brief Notes on 1 Samuel 13-31
(Originally Written May 29, 2008 in the Journal)
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for this beautiful weather. Than you for the chance to serve and worship you. May the whole world sing your praises for the mighty works you have done. Lord forgive me for my sins. I am weak and contemptible. I am a lonely man Lord. I need the touch of my wife. Why have you taken her from me?
Lord look upon me with pity and mercy. Your servant cries out to you. Do not sit silent and allow me to fall into deeper affliction still. I can only bear so much. Lord I try to thank you for these sufferings but my heart and mind are wary from so much turmoil. Still my heart and quiet my mind so I can use these long few months to reflect on you. Lord teach me to be strong in you. There is no strength but that which comes from you.
Awaken the love for me in her heart. Open her eyes to the treasure of you. Do not give her over to temptations, but make her steadfast in you. Draw her to you so that she cannot escape. I beseech you my God and Savior, reach down your hand and bind us together. Show me the path you wish me to travel. I will follow wherever you lead. Be with my grandmother and ease her pain and discomfort. Strengthen her, if only in heart and soul. Pour out your love upon her so she can feel rest in old age.
Lord look upon me with favor for I need your hope and guidance. My strength is failing but yours will never fail. Lord become the Lord of my life. Take me under your wing and guide me to the way you wish. I will follow you until the end of my days.
Notes on I Samuel
Chapter 13
The Philistines rose up against Israel. While waiting for Samuel men began to leave Saul. Saul then offered a holocaust in anxiety and Samuel told him he was foolish and as a result Saul's line would not continue as the kings of Israel. The Philistines destroyed all the blacksmiths so only Saul and his son had swords. Everyone else sharpened farm tools to fight.
Chapter 14
Jonathan went up with his armor bearer and slew 20 Philistines. The Philistines went into panic and were terror-stricken. The earth shook so violently the panic was beyond human endurance. During the panic, Saul took his men and slaughtered the Philistines. Saul fought and won many victories as king of Israel.
Chapter 15
Samuel told Saul to doom all of Amalek for their mistreatment of Israel. However, they doomed only what was worthless and kept what was worthwhile. Samuel reproved Saul for his sin stating that obedience is better than sacrifice. He told Saul that because Saul rejected the command of the Lord, the Lord rejected him as a ruler. Samuel left Saul and never saw him again.
Chapter 16
The Lord spoke to Samuel and asked him why he still grieved for Saul. He told him to get up and go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king. Samuel anointed David, son of Jesse as the new king in accordance with the will of God. The Lord left Saul and an evil spirit began to torment him. They sent for David because he was a skillful harpist and could soothe the evil spirit. Saul grew fond of David and made him his armor-bearer.
Chapter 17
The Philistines gathered against Saul and sent out their champion, Goliath, who was a giant. Goliath called out for a challenger but all of Saul's men were seized with fear. David went to the battle and saw Goliath and was ready to challenge him. He spoke to Saul and Saul said, may the Lord be with you. Goliath mocked David. David called on the name of the Lord. David then slung a stone and embedded it into Goliath's forehead. He then took Goliath's own sword and chopped off his head. The Judahites chased the fleeing Philistines and cut them down. When they returned they looted the Philistine camp.
Chapter 18
David became a successful soldier, winning every mission he went on and Saul grew jealous of David's success. Saul offered his youngest daughter to David as a wife, but required 100 foreskins of the Philistines as a dowry. This was a trap to kill David. David slew two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. Saul gave his daughter to him but became David's enemy because he feared David.
Chapter 19
Saul told Jonathon of his plan to kill David. Jonathan was fond of David so he warned David of Saul's plot. Jonathon then convinced Saul not to kill David. David defeated the Philistines again and Saul tried to kill David, but David escaped. David went to Ramah and told Samuel all of what had happened.
Chapter 20
Jonathon then saved David again from Saul, sending him away from danger.
Chapter 21
David then met with his men and took Goliath's sword up. David fled to Gath, but they recognized him so he pretended to be mad.
Chapter 22
Four hundred men came to David in hiding. A Benjamite then betrayed David to Saul saying that he had seen David with the Priest of Nob. Saul ordered his men to kill the priests of the Lord who aided David but the refused so he told Doeg, who had betrayed David to do it. Doeg killed 85 priests, but one man escaped and told David of the slaughter.
Chapter 23
David then consulted the Lord and went down to Keilah and defeated the Philistines. When Saul learned that David was in Keilah he went down to capture him, but David and his 600 men escaped. David hid out from Saul, but Jonathon went out to see him and assured him that he would be king and Jonathon would be second to him. Saul pursued David, but left because the Philistines invaded Israel.
Chapter 24
David had the chance to kill Saul, but spared his life. He then bowed before Saul and showed him that he could have killed him but did not. Saul became remorseful and acknowledged that David would become king. Saul made David swear not to blot out his line and they separated.
Chapter 25
Samuel died and was buried in Ramah. David went to ask Nabal for some provisions but Nabal refused so David took up arms. Nabal was cold, but his wife Abigal was generous and sent food to David and his men. When Abigail returned Nabal was very drunk. Abigail told Nabal what happened when Nabal sobered up. He grew ill and died 10 days later. David then married Abigail and also Ahinoam of Jezreel. Saul gave away David's first wife (his daughter) to another man.
Chapter 26
David went down to Saul's camp and stole his spear and water jug. He snuck out of the camp without waking anyone because the Lord had put the men of Saul into a deep sleep. David then taunted Abner and made Saul ashamed for hunting David.
Chapter 27
David then fled to Gath and lived with the Philistines. There, Saul no longer pursued him. The king of Gath gave David a city to live in. While living in the Philistine country David would raid the enemies of Israel and kill all the people, but return the spoils to Achish, the king of Gath.
Chapter 28
The Philistines marched against Israel and Achish took David and his men to fight with them at Jezreel. Saul became dismayed at the sight of the Philistines and called upon the Lord, but the Lord would not answer him. Saul then went to a medium to conjure up Samuel from the dead. Samuel told Saul that the Lord would deliver him into the hands of the Philistines and that he would be dead tomorrow.
Chapter 29
The other lords of the Philistines were angry with Achish for bringing David along. They made Achish send David away.
Chapter 30
While David and his troops were away, the Amalekites raided their city and burned it and carried away all of the inhabitants. David tracked them down and killed all but 400 who escaped and rescued the inhabitants that were stolen. He also recovered the loot. David sent some of the loot to the elders of cities in Judah.
Chapter 31
Saul and his sons were killed by the Philistines
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for this beautiful weather. Than you for the chance to serve and worship you. May the whole world sing your praises for the mighty works you have done. Lord forgive me for my sins. I am weak and contemptible. I am a lonely man Lord. I need the touch of my wife. Why have you taken her from me?
Lord look upon me with pity and mercy. Your servant cries out to you. Do not sit silent and allow me to fall into deeper affliction still. I can only bear so much. Lord I try to thank you for these sufferings but my heart and mind are wary from so much turmoil. Still my heart and quiet my mind so I can use these long few months to reflect on you. Lord teach me to be strong in you. There is no strength but that which comes from you.
Awaken the love for me in her heart. Open her eyes to the treasure of you. Do not give her over to temptations, but make her steadfast in you. Draw her to you so that she cannot escape. I beseech you my God and Savior, reach down your hand and bind us together. Show me the path you wish me to travel. I will follow wherever you lead. Be with my grandmother and ease her pain and discomfort. Strengthen her, if only in heart and soul. Pour out your love upon her so she can feel rest in old age.
Lord look upon me with favor for I need your hope and guidance. My strength is failing but yours will never fail. Lord become the Lord of my life. Take me under your wing and guide me to the way you wish. I will follow you until the end of my days.
Notes on I Samuel
Chapter 13
The Philistines rose up against Israel. While waiting for Samuel men began to leave Saul. Saul then offered a holocaust in anxiety and Samuel told him he was foolish and as a result Saul's line would not continue as the kings of Israel. The Philistines destroyed all the blacksmiths so only Saul and his son had swords. Everyone else sharpened farm tools to fight.
Chapter 14
Jonathan went up with his armor bearer and slew 20 Philistines. The Philistines went into panic and were terror-stricken. The earth shook so violently the panic was beyond human endurance. During the panic, Saul took his men and slaughtered the Philistines. Saul fought and won many victories as king of Israel.
Chapter 15
Samuel told Saul to doom all of Amalek for their mistreatment of Israel. However, they doomed only what was worthless and kept what was worthwhile. Samuel reproved Saul for his sin stating that obedience is better than sacrifice. He told Saul that because Saul rejected the command of the Lord, the Lord rejected him as a ruler. Samuel left Saul and never saw him again.
Chapter 16
The Lord spoke to Samuel and asked him why he still grieved for Saul. He told him to get up and go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king. Samuel anointed David, son of Jesse as the new king in accordance with the will of God. The Lord left Saul and an evil spirit began to torment him. They sent for David because he was a skillful harpist and could soothe the evil spirit. Saul grew fond of David and made him his armor-bearer.
Chapter 17
The Philistines gathered against Saul and sent out their champion, Goliath, who was a giant. Goliath called out for a challenger but all of Saul's men were seized with fear. David went to the battle and saw Goliath and was ready to challenge him. He spoke to Saul and Saul said, may the Lord be with you. Goliath mocked David. David called on the name of the Lord. David then slung a stone and embedded it into Goliath's forehead. He then took Goliath's own sword and chopped off his head. The Judahites chased the fleeing Philistines and cut them down. When they returned they looted the Philistine camp.
Chapter 18
David became a successful soldier, winning every mission he went on and Saul grew jealous of David's success. Saul offered his youngest daughter to David as a wife, but required 100 foreskins of the Philistines as a dowry. This was a trap to kill David. David slew two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. Saul gave his daughter to him but became David's enemy because he feared David.
Chapter 19
Saul told Jonathon of his plan to kill David. Jonathan was fond of David so he warned David of Saul's plot. Jonathon then convinced Saul not to kill David. David defeated the Philistines again and Saul tried to kill David, but David escaped. David went to Ramah and told Samuel all of what had happened.
Chapter 20
Jonathon then saved David again from Saul, sending him away from danger.
Chapter 21
David then met with his men and took Goliath's sword up. David fled to Gath, but they recognized him so he pretended to be mad.
Chapter 22
Four hundred men came to David in hiding. A Benjamite then betrayed David to Saul saying that he had seen David with the Priest of Nob. Saul ordered his men to kill the priests of the Lord who aided David but the refused so he told Doeg, who had betrayed David to do it. Doeg killed 85 priests, but one man escaped and told David of the slaughter.
Chapter 23
David then consulted the Lord and went down to Keilah and defeated the Philistines. When Saul learned that David was in Keilah he went down to capture him, but David and his 600 men escaped. David hid out from Saul, but Jonathon went out to see him and assured him that he would be king and Jonathon would be second to him. Saul pursued David, but left because the Philistines invaded Israel.
Chapter 24
David had the chance to kill Saul, but spared his life. He then bowed before Saul and showed him that he could have killed him but did not. Saul became remorseful and acknowledged that David would become king. Saul made David swear not to blot out his line and they separated.
Chapter 25
Samuel died and was buried in Ramah. David went to ask Nabal for some provisions but Nabal refused so David took up arms. Nabal was cold, but his wife Abigal was generous and sent food to David and his men. When Abigail returned Nabal was very drunk. Abigail told Nabal what happened when Nabal sobered up. He grew ill and died 10 days later. David then married Abigail and also Ahinoam of Jezreel. Saul gave away David's first wife (his daughter) to another man.
Chapter 26
David went down to Saul's camp and stole his spear and water jug. He snuck out of the camp without waking anyone because the Lord had put the men of Saul into a deep sleep. David then taunted Abner and made Saul ashamed for hunting David.
Chapter 27
David then fled to Gath and lived with the Philistines. There, Saul no longer pursued him. The king of Gath gave David a city to live in. While living in the Philistine country David would raid the enemies of Israel and kill all the people, but return the spoils to Achish, the king of Gath.
Chapter 28
The Philistines marched against Israel and Achish took David and his men to fight with them at Jezreel. Saul became dismayed at the sight of the Philistines and called upon the Lord, but the Lord would not answer him. Saul then went to a medium to conjure up Samuel from the dead. Samuel told Saul that the Lord would deliver him into the hands of the Philistines and that he would be dead tomorrow.
Chapter 29
The other lords of the Philistines were angry with Achish for bringing David along. They made Achish send David away.
Chapter 30
While David and his troops were away, the Amalekites raided their city and burned it and carried away all of the inhabitants. David tracked them down and killed all but 400 who escaped and rescued the inhabitants that were stolen. He also recovered the loot. David sent some of the loot to the elders of cities in Judah.
Chapter 31
Saul and his sons were killed by the Philistines
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Brief Notes on Ruth
(Originally Written May 28, 2008 in the Journal)
Heavenly Father I am lost in my thoughts. She is leaving in just four days. Lord make this separation temporary. Return her to me after this period renewed in her love for me. While we are separated teach me to be a good husband. Teach me to love her as Christ loves the Church.
I am terrified at the prospect of losing her. I seek refuge in you. Do not cast me away broken hearted. Lord you put us together, why tear us apart? Hear my cry oh Lord and rejoin us as a testimony to your care, love and mercy. Your will be done above all. May you be praised forever and ever.
Lord, I continue on days of only bread and water. Teach me what you will and make it plain for me to know your will. Keep me free of sin and strengthen me not to falter in the face of temptation. Focus my mind on you. I give you my life, my all. Do with me as you will. I am first-born and belong to you. Redeem me in this very hour so I can be with you. I seek only to serve you. Show me how you wish to be served. I will follow you all the days of my life.
Notes on Ruth
Chapter 1
Naomi was widowed and lost both of her sons who had married Moabite women, Oprah and Ruth respectively. She sent Oprah and Ruth away, but Ruth stayed with her. Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem from Moab.
Chapter 2
Ruth found favor with Boaz because what she had done for Naomi.
Chapter 3
Ruth wen to Boaz and asked him to protect her by marrying her. Boaz said he would if a closer relative to her late husband would not.
Chapter 4
Boaz asked the man who had first claim to Ruth and her late husband's field if he would claim his right. The man declined, so Boaz married Ruth.
Chapter 5
Ruth conceived and bore a son to continue the line of her late husband. They named him Obed who became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David.
Heavenly Father I am lost in my thoughts. She is leaving in just four days. Lord make this separation temporary. Return her to me after this period renewed in her love for me. While we are separated teach me to be a good husband. Teach me to love her as Christ loves the Church.
I am terrified at the prospect of losing her. I seek refuge in you. Do not cast me away broken hearted. Lord you put us together, why tear us apart? Hear my cry oh Lord and rejoin us as a testimony to your care, love and mercy. Your will be done above all. May you be praised forever and ever.
Lord, I continue on days of only bread and water. Teach me what you will and make it plain for me to know your will. Keep me free of sin and strengthen me not to falter in the face of temptation. Focus my mind on you. I give you my life, my all. Do with me as you will. I am first-born and belong to you. Redeem me in this very hour so I can be with you. I seek only to serve you. Show me how you wish to be served. I will follow you all the days of my life.
Notes on Ruth
Chapter 1
Naomi was widowed and lost both of her sons who had married Moabite women, Oprah and Ruth respectively. She sent Oprah and Ruth away, but Ruth stayed with her. Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem from Moab.
Chapter 2
Ruth found favor with Boaz because what she had done for Naomi.
Chapter 3
Ruth wen to Boaz and asked him to protect her by marrying her. Boaz said he would if a closer relative to her late husband would not.
Chapter 4
Boaz asked the man who had first claim to Ruth and her late husband's field if he would claim his right. The man declined, so Boaz married Ruth.
Chapter 5
Ruth conceived and bore a son to continue the line of her late husband. They named him Obed who became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Chapter 8 - Pocket Guide to World Religions
(Originally written February 18, 2007 in Book 14)
Pocket Guide to World Religions
Chapter 8 - Islam
Name
The name Islam literally means, "submission".
Muslim is translated as "one who submits to God".
Muhammadism and Mahometism and derivatives should not be used to describe Muslims.
Numbers and Distribution
There are 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide. 5-7 million Muslims live in the U.S.
The largest populations of Muslims are actually in Asia, not the Middle East.
- India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Symbols
The most common is the crescent moon with a star inside it.
The meaning of the crescent is obscure. Most frequently it is deemed to stand for representing the new moon because many Muslim practices are tied to a lunar calendar.
History
According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca, in A.D. 570.
Muhammad meditated and received messages from God and passed them to the people. These messages were collected in the Qur'an (Koran).
Muhammad preached that there is only one God and all human beings will be held accountable to him at the last judgment.
The idolatrous religions of the Arabian peninsula and their leaders took offense at Muhammad's message and persecuted the new Muslim community. They fled Mecca.
Muhammad and his followers formed an army in nearby Medina. They returned to Mecca and purged the city of idolatry and claimed it for Islam.
After Muhammad died the Muslim community split over who would be his successor. This is where the Shi'ite and Sunni division took place.
During this time of inner strife, Islam spread rapidly. Over 30 years nearly the entire Middle East and Northern Africa was conquered by Islam.
Islam is not simply a religion, ti is aching that encompasses an entire community, including government.
Scriptures
Only one book contains the complete and true revelation of God, the Qur'an.
Islam recognizes the Law of Moses, the Psalms of David and the Gospels of Jesus as holy books, but they have been corrupted and thus, are unreliable.
Also the Hadith is a collection of several words from Muhammad and stories of his life. The Hadith is not the word of Allah, but it is an authoritative interpretation of the Qur'an.
Major Beliefs
There are Five or Six Essential beliefs in Islam
1) God
- Allah is one God
- He can neither be divided nor multiplied
-Islam rejects polytheism and Christianity's idea of the Trinity
2) Angels and Spirits
- There are beings who were created to serve humans and Allah
- The angel Gabriel presented Muhammad with his first revelation
- The jinn are malicious spirits
- Iblis is the spirit who refused to bow to Adam and became the devil
3) Prophets
- God has designated individuals to be prophets in order to declare his standards
- Muhammad is the "seal of the prophets". He brought the same message, but it has been preserved without corruption or alteration
- Noah, Adam, Abraham and Jesus are some notable prophets recognized by Islam
4) Books
- Some prophets (Moses, Jesus, David and Muhammad) embodied their words in books. Jews and Christians have flawed books, but their devotion to Monotheism, gain them a special standing as "people of the book"
5) Judgment
- all will be judged at the last judgment
- at the final judgment a book of their actions will be placed in every persons' hands by an angel. If it is placed in their left hand they are condemned. If it is placed in their right hand they will spend eternity with Allah in Heaven.
- If you submitted to Allah you will spend eternity in Heaven. Some who have never even heard of Islam will be deemed to have submitted while those who claim to be Muslim may be deemed to have not submitted
- "Allah's judgement will be harshest on hypocrites and lapsed Muslims" (Corduan, 84).
Subgroups
There are two major divisions amongst Muslims:
1) Sunnis
2) Shi'ites
The split is primarily historical, but there are few belief/practice differences as well.
Sunni Muslims followed Abu Bakr, one of Muhammad's fathers-in-law, upon Muhammad's death.
According to the Sunni tradition, Muhammad's spiritual gifts died with him and the Qur'an is the final say on all matters.
The Shi'ite Muslims followed Ali, Muhammad's son-in-law. Ali, according to the Shi'ite tradition, possessed a spiritual endowment from the prophet.
Shi'ites believe that their leaders, the imams, have, if not authority on par with the Qur'an, the final say on interpretation.
Sunni Islam does not have a central authority, is fairly uniform and believe Mecca is the only pilgrimage. The Shi'ite tradition has a hierarchy with 1 imam, 12ish ayatollahs and many local mullahs, is split into further divisions and has other major pilgrimage sites like the tombs of Ali and Hussein.
Sunnis have a vague expectation of a future leader, the Mahdi.
Shi'ites believe that an important imam went into concealment hundreds of years ago and continues to live there. He will return as the Mahdi.
The vast majority of Muslims are Sunni.
Yemen, Lebanon and Iran contain significant numbers of Shi'ites.
Iraq is mostly Shi'ite and contain most of the Shi'ite holy sites. Ironically, Iraq has almost always been ruled by a Sunni government from the Turkish Sultans to the Hashemite Kings to the Baath party.
Worship Practices:
The Five Pillars of Islam
1) Confession: "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah". This must be recited by all Muslims
2) Prayer
- Muslims must pray five times daily
- After prayer is called, the worshiper must rinse one's hands, feet, eyes and mouth three times as a purification ritual
- Men and wormen pray separately
- They pray side by side and perform ritual moments while silently reciting the Qur'an
3) Fasting
- During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset
- It is a month of meditation and reflection
4) Alms giving
- Muslims must provide for the poor and needy
- The Zakat is required annual contribution of about 2.5% of one's income
5) Pilgrimage
- All muslims should visit Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime.
Jihad: Holy War
- Sometimes called the 6th pillar
- Literally means "struggle"
- "Greater Jihad" inner struggle of each individual to submit to Allah
- "Lesser Jihad" -outward struggle to defend the Islamic community
- The Qur'an forbids conversion by force
- Physical warfare is legitimate in two cases:
1) To protect an oppressed Muslim minority
2) TO reclaim what was once Islamic territory
Religious Buildings
Islamic places of worship are called mosques
Mosques traditionally have turrets with balconies for the muezzin to call to prayer.
A niche indicating the way to Mecca is in the front of the empty hall of the Mosque.
There is also a separate place for women to pray away from the men.
Sermons are given on Friday afternoons.
Home Practices
Most prayers are said at home.
The Qur'an states that a man may have up to four wives, so long as he treats each of them equally in all respects.
Clothing
Men and women are expected to dress modestly in public.
The full face veil is not a Koranic requirement for women.
Women must keep all but their faces covered while men must keep everything down to their knees and above their elbows covered.
Diet
The Halal is the food laws followed by Muslims.
The halal is similar to the Jewish Kosher laws.
Muslims mustn't eat pork or anything that has come into contact with pork.
Calendar
The Islamic Calendar has 12 months of approximately 29 1/2 days.
The Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Western one.
The calendar began with Muhammad's flight from Mecca to Medina called the hijira in A.D. 622. It is designated 1 A.H (Anno Hegirae).
2000 A.D. roughly coincided with 1421 A.H.
The two major holidays are:
1) Ramadan - the month of fasting
2) Eid-al-Adha pilgrims sacrifice animals outside of Mecca to observe God's gift to Abraham
Pocket Guide to World Religions
Chapter 8 - Islam
Name
The name Islam literally means, "submission".
Muslim is translated as "one who submits to God".
Muhammadism and Mahometism and derivatives should not be used to describe Muslims.
Numbers and Distribution
There are 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide. 5-7 million Muslims live in the U.S.
The largest populations of Muslims are actually in Asia, not the Middle East.
- India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Symbols
The most common is the crescent moon with a star inside it.
The meaning of the crescent is obscure. Most frequently it is deemed to stand for representing the new moon because many Muslim practices are tied to a lunar calendar.
History
According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca, in A.D. 570.
Muhammad meditated and received messages from God and passed them to the people. These messages were collected in the Qur'an (Koran).
Muhammad preached that there is only one God and all human beings will be held accountable to him at the last judgment.
The idolatrous religions of the Arabian peninsula and their leaders took offense at Muhammad's message and persecuted the new Muslim community. They fled Mecca.
Muhammad and his followers formed an army in nearby Medina. They returned to Mecca and purged the city of idolatry and claimed it for Islam.
After Muhammad died the Muslim community split over who would be his successor. This is where the Shi'ite and Sunni division took place.
During this time of inner strife, Islam spread rapidly. Over 30 years nearly the entire Middle East and Northern Africa was conquered by Islam.
Islam is not simply a religion, ti is aching that encompasses an entire community, including government.
Scriptures
Only one book contains the complete and true revelation of God, the Qur'an.
Islam recognizes the Law of Moses, the Psalms of David and the Gospels of Jesus as holy books, but they have been corrupted and thus, are unreliable.
Also the Hadith is a collection of several words from Muhammad and stories of his life. The Hadith is not the word of Allah, but it is an authoritative interpretation of the Qur'an.
Major Beliefs
There are Five or Six Essential beliefs in Islam
1) God
- Allah is one God
- He can neither be divided nor multiplied
-Islam rejects polytheism and Christianity's idea of the Trinity
2) Angels and Spirits
- There are beings who were created to serve humans and Allah
- The angel Gabriel presented Muhammad with his first revelation
- The jinn are malicious spirits
- Iblis is the spirit who refused to bow to Adam and became the devil
3) Prophets
- God has designated individuals to be prophets in order to declare his standards
- Muhammad is the "seal of the prophets". He brought the same message, but it has been preserved without corruption or alteration
- Noah, Adam, Abraham and Jesus are some notable prophets recognized by Islam
4) Books
- Some prophets (Moses, Jesus, David and Muhammad) embodied their words in books. Jews and Christians have flawed books, but their devotion to Monotheism, gain them a special standing as "people of the book"
5) Judgment
- all will be judged at the last judgment
- at the final judgment a book of their actions will be placed in every persons' hands by an angel. If it is placed in their left hand they are condemned. If it is placed in their right hand they will spend eternity with Allah in Heaven.
- If you submitted to Allah you will spend eternity in Heaven. Some who have never even heard of Islam will be deemed to have submitted while those who claim to be Muslim may be deemed to have not submitted
- "Allah's judgement will be harshest on hypocrites and lapsed Muslims" (Corduan, 84).
Subgroups
There are two major divisions amongst Muslims:
1) Sunnis
2) Shi'ites
The split is primarily historical, but there are few belief/practice differences as well.
Sunni Muslims followed Abu Bakr, one of Muhammad's fathers-in-law, upon Muhammad's death.
According to the Sunni tradition, Muhammad's spiritual gifts died with him and the Qur'an is the final say on all matters.
The Shi'ite Muslims followed Ali, Muhammad's son-in-law. Ali, according to the Shi'ite tradition, possessed a spiritual endowment from the prophet.
Shi'ites believe that their leaders, the imams, have, if not authority on par with the Qur'an, the final say on interpretation.
Sunni Islam does not have a central authority, is fairly uniform and believe Mecca is the only pilgrimage. The Shi'ite tradition has a hierarchy with 1 imam, 12ish ayatollahs and many local mullahs, is split into further divisions and has other major pilgrimage sites like the tombs of Ali and Hussein.
Sunnis have a vague expectation of a future leader, the Mahdi.
Shi'ites believe that an important imam went into concealment hundreds of years ago and continues to live there. He will return as the Mahdi.
The vast majority of Muslims are Sunni.
Yemen, Lebanon and Iran contain significant numbers of Shi'ites.
Iraq is mostly Shi'ite and contain most of the Shi'ite holy sites. Ironically, Iraq has almost always been ruled by a Sunni government from the Turkish Sultans to the Hashemite Kings to the Baath party.
Worship Practices:
The Five Pillars of Islam
1) Confession: "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah". This must be recited by all Muslims
2) Prayer
- Muslims must pray five times daily
- After prayer is called, the worshiper must rinse one's hands, feet, eyes and mouth three times as a purification ritual
- Men and wormen pray separately
- They pray side by side and perform ritual moments while silently reciting the Qur'an
3) Fasting
- During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset
- It is a month of meditation and reflection
4) Alms giving
- Muslims must provide for the poor and needy
- The Zakat is required annual contribution of about 2.5% of one's income
5) Pilgrimage
- All muslims should visit Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime.
Jihad: Holy War
- Sometimes called the 6th pillar
- Literally means "struggle"
- "Greater Jihad" inner struggle of each individual to submit to Allah
- "Lesser Jihad" -outward struggle to defend the Islamic community
- The Qur'an forbids conversion by force
- Physical warfare is legitimate in two cases:
1) To protect an oppressed Muslim minority
2) TO reclaim what was once Islamic territory
Religious Buildings
Islamic places of worship are called mosques
Mosques traditionally have turrets with balconies for the muezzin to call to prayer.
A niche indicating the way to Mecca is in the front of the empty hall of the Mosque.
There is also a separate place for women to pray away from the men.
Sermons are given on Friday afternoons.
Home Practices
Most prayers are said at home.
The Qur'an states that a man may have up to four wives, so long as he treats each of them equally in all respects.
Clothing
Men and women are expected to dress modestly in public.
The full face veil is not a Koranic requirement for women.
Women must keep all but their faces covered while men must keep everything down to their knees and above their elbows covered.
Diet
The Halal is the food laws followed by Muslims.
The halal is similar to the Jewish Kosher laws.
Muslims mustn't eat pork or anything that has come into contact with pork.
Calendar
The Islamic Calendar has 12 months of approximately 29 1/2 days.
The Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Western one.
The calendar began with Muhammad's flight from Mecca to Medina called the hijira in A.D. 622. It is designated 1 A.H (Anno Hegirae).
2000 A.D. roughly coincided with 1421 A.H.
The two major holidays are:
1) Ramadan - the month of fasting
2) Eid-al-Adha pilgrims sacrifice animals outside of Mecca to observe God's gift to Abraham
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Structure of Matthew
(Originally written January 10, 2006 in Notebook 20)
Matthew
Structure: Narrative & Teaching
Ch. 1-4 is Narrative
Ch. 5-7 is Teaching
Ch. 8-9:34 is Narrative
Ch. 9:35-10:42 is Teaching
Ch. 11-12 is Narrative
Ch. 13:1-52 is Teaching
Ch. 13:53-17 is Narrative
Ch. 18 is Teaching
Ch. 19-23 is Narrative
Ch. 24-25 is Teaching
Ch. 26-28 is Narrative
5 Women in Matthew's Genealogy
1) Tamar
2) Rahab
3) Ruth
4) Bathsheba
5) Mary
Why were these women placed in the Genealogy?
1) All were sinners?
2) All were foreigners/Gentiles?
3) Something extraordinary about these women's relationship with their husbands? (Dr. Heth's choice)
Matthew 1:1
1) Son of David/Davidic Covenant:
-House
-Kingdom
-Throne
2) Son of Abraham/Abrahamic Covenant:
- All nations blessed through Abraham
John 8:41 indicates that the Jews knew Jesus was a bastard (illegitimate)
Matthew
Structure: Narrative & Teaching
Ch. 1-4 is Narrative
Ch. 5-7 is Teaching
Ch. 8-9:34 is Narrative
Ch. 9:35-10:42 is Teaching
Ch. 11-12 is Narrative
Ch. 13:1-52 is Teaching
Ch. 13:53-17 is Narrative
Ch. 18 is Teaching
Ch. 19-23 is Narrative
Ch. 24-25 is Teaching
Ch. 26-28 is Narrative
5 Women in Matthew's Genealogy
1) Tamar
2) Rahab
3) Ruth
4) Bathsheba
5) Mary
Why were these women placed in the Genealogy?
1) All were sinners?
2) All were foreigners/Gentiles?
3) Something extraordinary about these women's relationship with their husbands? (Dr. Heth's choice)
Matthew 1:1
1) Son of David/Davidic Covenant:
-House
-Kingdom
-Throne
2) Son of Abraham/Abrahamic Covenant:
- All nations blessed through Abraham
John 8:41 indicates that the Jews knew Jesus was a bastard (illegitimate)
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