(Originally Written June 7, 2008 in the Journal)
Oh Lord God Almighty, look upon me with pity! See how your servant wallows in agony! My wife has left me and now the door is closing on remaining physically close to her. I see that there is a divine will for me to leave this place. I clung to her too greatly and now I have been stripped of hope in early reconciliation.
Where do you want me Lord? I think about Taylor in my head. If this is your doing make it clear, but if this is just my association with the familiar make that known too. I will go where you lead.
Today I will call my father and seek his advice on this matter. Give him your words so that I may follow you. Lord do not abandon me or forsake me. I need you to be my strength for I have none of my own. Lord grant me the wisdom to make the righteous choice and the discernment to hear your voice and know it is you.
Notes on II Chronicles
Chapter 1 - Solomon is granted wisdom and discernment as well as riches and power by God.
Chapter 2 - Solomon makes preparation for building the Temple.
Chapter 3 - They build the Temple
Chapter 4 - The Temple is ornamented
Chapter 5 - The Temple is dedicated
Chapter 6 - Solomon prays to God before Israel
Chapter 7 - God answers Solomon's prayer
Chapter 8 - Solomon rebuilt and fortified cities
Chapter 9 -
The queen of Sheba visited Solomon to test his wisdom. Many kings sought an audience with Solomon and paid him tribute. Solomon reigned 40 years and died.
Chapter 10 - Israel rebelled against Solomon's son Rehoboam and nation split.
Chapter 11 - Rehoboam fortified Judah. He had 28 sons.
Chapter 12 - Rehoboam turned from the Lord. The Lord punished Judah by raising up Egypt against them.
Chapter 13 -
Abijah succeeded his father Rehoboam as king of Judah. Abijah defeated Jeroboam, king of Israel, because the Judahites called upon the Lord.
Asa, son of Abijah succeeded him as king of Judah.
Chapter 14 -
Asa followed the Lord.
Judah defeated Zerah the Ethiopian king and his force of a million strong.
Chapter 15 - Asa removed idols from Judah
Chapter 16 - Asa sinned by trusting the king of Aram when Israel attacked Judah.
Chapter 17
Jehoshaphat succeeded Asa as king of Judah. Jehoshaphat pleased the Lord. He fortified the cities of Judah and the surrounding nations feared the Lord on his account.
Chapter 18
Jehoshaphat and Ahab, king of Israel, went to battle against Aram. They were defeated and Ahab died.
Chapter 19 - Jehoshaphat set up judges to bring order and peace to Judah.
Chapter 20 - Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord for a vast army had been assembled against Judah. The Lord caused the army to fight amongst itself and the Judahites took the plunder.
Chapter 21 -
Jehoram succeeded his father Jehoshaphat as king of Judah. Jehoram was evil and practiced idolatry. The Lord raised Edom and Libnah against Judah for Jehoram's wickedness. Jehoram died and was buried in the city of David, but not as a king.
Chapter 22 -
Ahaziah became king of Judah. He was the youngest son of Jehoram. Ahaziah did evil in the sight of the Lord. Ahaziah was cut down by Jehu, who the Lord had appointed to overthrow the house of Ahab in Israel.
Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah took over Judah by killing the royal family. Only Jehosheba, the youngest son of Ahaziah was spared and that was because he was hidden.
Chapter 23 - After eight years of the reign of Athaliah, Jehosheba was named king. He was crowned king and Athaliah was killed.
Chapter 24 -
Joash and the priest Jehoida restored the Temple of the Lord and reinforced it. Jehoida lived to 130 years old and died. He was buried with the kings for his service to the Lord.
Joash turned from God after the death of Jehoida and even had Jehoida's son Zechariah stoned to death after he prophesied against him.
Joash was killed by conspirators. He was not buried as a king.
Chapter 25
Amaziah replaced his father Joash as king of Judah. He pleased the Lord but did not serve God wholeheartedly. He conquered Seir but brough back their gods to worship. For this he was punished.
Amaziah, filled with pride went to war with King Joash of Israel. He was soundly defeated. Amaziah fled to Lachish but was cut down there.
Chapter 26
Uzziah became king after his father Amaziah was killed. Uzziah fortified Jerusalem and gathered a large army to him. He was feared among the nations. When Uzziah became strong he became too proud and burnt incense to the Lord. As a result he received leprosy and was a leper until the day he died.
Chapter 27
Jotham succeeded his father Uzziah as king of Judah. Jotham pleased the Lord, but the people were sinful.
Chapter 28
Ahaz succeeded his father Jotham as king. Ahaz did not please the Lord and worshipped Baal. As a result Judah fell to Aram and then to Israel in war. Ahaz set up more high places to the gods of Aram and further angered the Lord.
Chapter 29
Hezekiah, son of Ahaz became king of Judah. Hezekiah summoned the Levites to restore the Temple of the Lord. Hezekiah had a sin offering for all of Israel prepared.
Chapter 30
Hezekiah called for all of Judah and Israel to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem.
"Be not obstinate, as your fathers were; extend your hands to the Lord and come to his sanctuary that he has consecrated forever and serve the Lord your God, that he may turn away his burning anger from you" (II Chronicles 30:8, New American Bible).
Chapter 31 - Hezekiah reestablished the prescribed order in the priesthood.
Chapter 32
Sennacherib, king of Assyria besieged Jerusalem and mocked the Lord. Isaiah the prophet and King Hezekiah prayed to the Lord. The Lord sent an angel who defeated the Assyrian invaders. Sennacherib returned home and was killed in the temple of his god by his own family.
Hezekiah died and was buried as a king.
Chapter 33
Manasseh became king at age twelve and reigned, wickedly, for fifty five years.
Manasseh provoked the Lord to great anger with idolatry, immolations, divination and spirit worship.
Manasseh repented after being taken captive by the Babylonians.
Amon succeeded him as king of Judah. Amon was even more wicked than his father Manasseh. He did not repent and was killed by his subjects.
Josiah, the son of Amon became king of Judah.
Chapter 34
Josiah served the Lord. He destroyed the high places and destroyed the temple of Baal.
Josiah restored the Temple of the Lord. While restoring the Temple, the book of the Law of Moses was found.
Josiah renewed the covenant with the Lord.
Chapter 35
Josiah held Passover that had not been seen since the time of Samuel (as was prescribed in the book of the Law).
Josiah was killed in battle against Neco, the Pharaoh of Egypt.
Chapter 36
Jehoahaz replaced his father as king of Judah. Jehoahaz reigned only three months before being kidnapped by Neco.
Jehoiakim, his brother became king. Jehoiakim was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim became king. Jehoiachin was evil and was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon.
Zedekiah, the brother of Jehoiachin became king. Zedekiah was evil and did not humble himself in front of the Lord's prophet Jeremiah.
Babylon came down and destroyed the Temple and slaughtered many. The survivors were carried off to Babylon.
Years later, the Persian king, Cyrus, who defeated the Babylonians, released the Judahites to go home to Jerusalem.
Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the glory and the power forever and ever, Amen.
Thank you Lord for this day. May you continue to comfort me through the night.
Showing posts with label Baal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baal. Show all posts
Saturday, June 7, 2008
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 2 Kings 1-6
(Originally Written June 3, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on 2 Kings
Chapter 1
After the death of King Ahab the Moabites rebelled against Israel.
Ahaziah fell and injured himself. He sent for Baalzebub to see if he would survive his injuries. The Lord sent Elijah to him and told him that he would die because he had sought the counsel of another god.
Chapter 2
Elijah was taken up to the Lord in a fiery chariot and the spirit of Elijah passed on to his pupil Elisha. Elisha then purified water in the name of the Lord for a city.
On the way up to Bethel children came and mocked Elisha for being bald. Elisha cursed them in the name of the Lord and two she bears came and mauled 42 of the children.
Chapter 3
Joram succeeded his father Ahab as the king of Israel. He did away with the Baal worship, but not with the sins of Jeroboam.
Now Moab rebelled against Israel so Joram called Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom to join him against Moab. Elisha prophesied that they would crush Moab through the Lord.
Chapter 4
Elisha then performed a miracle through God to save a widow's children from slavery.
A woman named Gehazi showed kindness to Elisha. She was without children and her husband was old. Elisha said the Lord would give her a son. The boy was born but died very young. Gehazi went to Elisha and wept over her son. Elisha went to her house and found the boy dead. Elisha prayed to God and the boy rose from the dead.
Elisha then fixed a stew that was poisoned. He put meal in it and it became poisoned no more.
Chapter 5
Naaman was the captain of Aram and won many victories in the Lord, but was a leper. Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan River and be clean. Naaman became angry at this but was convinced to listen and was healed. Naaman tried to pay Elisha for this healing, but Elisha refused. Finally Naaman asked for dirt of Israel to worship the true God and Elisha consented. Elisha's servant however ran behind Elisha's back and asked for payment. When Elisha learned of this he inflicted the servant with leprosy.
Chapter 6
While getting wood for their lodging a prophet lost the iron of his ax in the Jordan River. Elisha raised it to the surface.
Aram tried to attack Israel but Elisha warned the king of Israel every time the Arameans mounted an attack and they were defeated. The king of Aram set out to kidnap Elisha.
Elisha blinded his kidnappers and took them to Samaria. The king of Israel served them food and drink and then sent them home. No more raiders of Aram entered into Israel.
All of Aram then came and besieged Samaria. The famine became severe and the people turned to cannibalism. The king of Israel was angry and set out to behead Elisha for this.
The Lord caused the army of Aram to hear phantom chariots coming for them and they fled their camp in fear.
Notes on 2 Kings
Chapter 1
After the death of King Ahab the Moabites rebelled against Israel.
Ahaziah fell and injured himself. He sent for Baalzebub to see if he would survive his injuries. The Lord sent Elijah to him and told him that he would die because he had sought the counsel of another god.
Chapter 2
Elijah was taken up to the Lord in a fiery chariot and the spirit of Elijah passed on to his pupil Elisha. Elisha then purified water in the name of the Lord for a city.
On the way up to Bethel children came and mocked Elisha for being bald. Elisha cursed them in the name of the Lord and two she bears came and mauled 42 of the children.
Chapter 3
Joram succeeded his father Ahab as the king of Israel. He did away with the Baal worship, but not with the sins of Jeroboam.
Now Moab rebelled against Israel so Joram called Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom to join him against Moab. Elisha prophesied that they would crush Moab through the Lord.
Chapter 4
Elisha then performed a miracle through God to save a widow's children from slavery.
A woman named Gehazi showed kindness to Elisha. She was without children and her husband was old. Elisha said the Lord would give her a son. The boy was born but died very young. Gehazi went to Elisha and wept over her son. Elisha went to her house and found the boy dead. Elisha prayed to God and the boy rose from the dead.
Elisha then fixed a stew that was poisoned. He put meal in it and it became poisoned no more.
Chapter 5
Naaman was the captain of Aram and won many victories in the Lord, but was a leper. Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan River and be clean. Naaman became angry at this but was convinced to listen and was healed. Naaman tried to pay Elisha for this healing, but Elisha refused. Finally Naaman asked for dirt of Israel to worship the true God and Elisha consented. Elisha's servant however ran behind Elisha's back and asked for payment. When Elisha learned of this he inflicted the servant with leprosy.
Chapter 6
While getting wood for their lodging a prophet lost the iron of his ax in the Jordan River. Elisha raised it to the surface.
Aram tried to attack Israel but Elisha warned the king of Israel every time the Arameans mounted an attack and they were defeated. The king of Aram set out to kidnap Elisha.
Elisha blinded his kidnappers and took them to Samaria. The king of Israel served them food and drink and then sent them home. No more raiders of Aram entered into Israel.
All of Aram then came and besieged Samaria. The famine became severe and the people turned to cannibalism. The king of Israel was angry and set out to behead Elisha for this.
The Lord caused the army of Aram to hear phantom chariots coming for them and they fled their camp in fear.
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.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Brief Notes on I Samuel 1-12
(Originally written in May 28, 2008 in the Journal)
May the Lord look upon me with favor as I faithfully serve Him, swaying neither to the left nor to the right. Lord I am tempted already! How can I make it through August on just bread and water when I am struggling on day two? Was I rash when I vowed to do this? Did I not hear your voice? No, I did. Lord, help me through these temptations. I will be faithful, swerving neither to the left nor the right.
Notes on I Samuel
Chapter 1
There was a man named Elkanah who had two wives, Hannah and Peninah. Hannah was barren, but Peninah had sons. Elkanah loved Hannah more, but Peninah taunted her for being barren. Hannah wept and prayed to the Lord to give her a son and she vowed to dedicated him to the Lord. Eli, the priest, first thinking that Hannah was drunk admonished her, but learning that her prayers were out of deep sorrow blessed her and sent her home. The Lord answered Hannah's prayers and gave her a son named Samuel. Hannah then gave to Eli the priest her son as she had vowed to the Lord.
Chapter 2
"There is no Holy One like the Lord; there is no rock like our God" (I Samuel 2:2, New American Bible).
The sons of Eli were wicked and respected neither the Lord nor the priesthood. The Lord blessed Hannah with three more sons and two daughters. Eli admonished his own sons for being wicked, but they did not listen. Samuel was growing up strong in the Lord. The angel of the Lord appeared to Eli and told him that his family would be doomed for their wickedness and that his two sons would die on the same day.
Chapter 3
One night Samuel was sleeping and heard a voice calling out to him. He ran to Eli but Eli had not called for him. This happened again a second time. The third time this happened Eli realized that the Lord was calling to Samuel and told Samuel to answer the voice of the Lord. The Lord told Samuel that he was going to doom Eli's family. Eli pressed this from Samuel and then said the Lord will do what he judges best on hearing the vision. Samuel became recognized as a prophet on account of the Lord.
Chapter 4
The Philistines defeated Israel in battle so the Israelites decided to take the Ark of the Covenant up to battle. When the ark reached the camp of Israel the warriors shouted so loudly the earth shook. When the Philistines learned of this they became frightened. But, the Philistines defeated the Israelites and captured the ark and Eli's two sons. When Eli learned that the ark was stolen and his two sons were dead he fell back and broke his neck and died. He was 98 years old.
Chapter 5
The Philistines took the ark back to the Temple of Dagon. The next morning the idol of Dagon was lying prone before the ark. The people picked him up and put him back in his proper place, but the next morning the idol was broken and laying before the ark.
The Lord sent plagues to Ashdod (where the ark was) and the people feared it and sent it to Gath. The Lord sent the plague to Gath. The Philistines then moved the ark to Ekron. The people of Ekron wanted to send the ark back because the Lord had dealt severly with them.
Chapter 6
The Philistines put the ark on a cart and hitched it to two cows. The cows then carried it back to Israel.
Chapter 7
Samuel told Israel that if they wished to be free of the Philistines and to serve the Lord they must turn aside from the Baals. Israel did so. The Israelites defeated the Philistines at Mizpah because of the Lord.
Chapter 8
Samuel appointed his sons Joel and Abijah as judges but they perverted justice so the people asked for a king. Samuel was displeased with this but the Lord told him to grant the Israelite's request. Samuel warned them that the king would enslave them, but the people refused to listen to him.
Chapter 9
Kish had some asses who ran away so he sent his son Saul and a servant to find them. When they could not they went to see a man of God to tell them the way. The Lord told Samuel that a man from Benjamin would seek him and that Samuel should appoint him as king. When Samuel saw Saul the Lord told him Saul was to be king. Samuel invited Saul to dinner. Saul was placed at the seat of honor. After dinner, Saul spent the night.
Chapter 10
Samuel then anointed Saul as king. He told him what was to happen and Saul went on his way. All of what Samuel prophesied came true. Samuel then appointed Saul as king in front of all the people.
Chapter 11
Saul summoned 300,000 Israelites to attack Nahash the Ammonite who was besieging Jabesh-Gilead. Saul and his army slaughtered the Ammonites.
Chapter 12
Samuel warned the people against idolatry and meaningless gods. He told them that the Lord would remember the covenant for the sake of His own great name.
Lord, remember me for your name. Remember the marriage vows we said before you. Honor those vows and strengthen our relationship so that you are credited with the victory over sin. Save this marriage so all who meet us will know of your grace and love. I beseech you, do not forsake this marriage. Make it holy and blameless in your sight. By your power it is easily done. Above all do your will but I will continue to pray until you grant me this request.
May the Lord look upon me with favor as I faithfully serve Him, swaying neither to the left nor to the right. Lord I am tempted already! How can I make it through August on just bread and water when I am struggling on day two? Was I rash when I vowed to do this? Did I not hear your voice? No, I did. Lord, help me through these temptations. I will be faithful, swerving neither to the left nor the right.
Notes on I Samuel
Chapter 1
There was a man named Elkanah who had two wives, Hannah and Peninah. Hannah was barren, but Peninah had sons. Elkanah loved Hannah more, but Peninah taunted her for being barren. Hannah wept and prayed to the Lord to give her a son and she vowed to dedicated him to the Lord. Eli, the priest, first thinking that Hannah was drunk admonished her, but learning that her prayers were out of deep sorrow blessed her and sent her home. The Lord answered Hannah's prayers and gave her a son named Samuel. Hannah then gave to Eli the priest her son as she had vowed to the Lord.
Chapter 2
"There is no Holy One like the Lord; there is no rock like our God" (I Samuel 2:2, New American Bible).
The sons of Eli were wicked and respected neither the Lord nor the priesthood. The Lord blessed Hannah with three more sons and two daughters. Eli admonished his own sons for being wicked, but they did not listen. Samuel was growing up strong in the Lord. The angel of the Lord appeared to Eli and told him that his family would be doomed for their wickedness and that his two sons would die on the same day.
Chapter 3
One night Samuel was sleeping and heard a voice calling out to him. He ran to Eli but Eli had not called for him. This happened again a second time. The third time this happened Eli realized that the Lord was calling to Samuel and told Samuel to answer the voice of the Lord. The Lord told Samuel that he was going to doom Eli's family. Eli pressed this from Samuel and then said the Lord will do what he judges best on hearing the vision. Samuel became recognized as a prophet on account of the Lord.
Chapter 4
The Philistines defeated Israel in battle so the Israelites decided to take the Ark of the Covenant up to battle. When the ark reached the camp of Israel the warriors shouted so loudly the earth shook. When the Philistines learned of this they became frightened. But, the Philistines defeated the Israelites and captured the ark and Eli's two sons. When Eli learned that the ark was stolen and his two sons were dead he fell back and broke his neck and died. He was 98 years old.
Chapter 5
The Philistines took the ark back to the Temple of Dagon. The next morning the idol of Dagon was lying prone before the ark. The people picked him up and put him back in his proper place, but the next morning the idol was broken and laying before the ark.
The Lord sent plagues to Ashdod (where the ark was) and the people feared it and sent it to Gath. The Lord sent the plague to Gath. The Philistines then moved the ark to Ekron. The people of Ekron wanted to send the ark back because the Lord had dealt severly with them.
Chapter 6
The Philistines put the ark on a cart and hitched it to two cows. The cows then carried it back to Israel.
Chapter 7
Samuel told Israel that if they wished to be free of the Philistines and to serve the Lord they must turn aside from the Baals. Israel did so. The Israelites defeated the Philistines at Mizpah because of the Lord.
Chapter 8
Samuel appointed his sons Joel and Abijah as judges but they perverted justice so the people asked for a king. Samuel was displeased with this but the Lord told him to grant the Israelite's request. Samuel warned them that the king would enslave them, but the people refused to listen to him.
Chapter 9
Kish had some asses who ran away so he sent his son Saul and a servant to find them. When they could not they went to see a man of God to tell them the way. The Lord told Samuel that a man from Benjamin would seek him and that Samuel should appoint him as king. When Samuel saw Saul the Lord told him Saul was to be king. Samuel invited Saul to dinner. Saul was placed at the seat of honor. After dinner, Saul spent the night.
Chapter 10
Samuel then anointed Saul as king. He told him what was to happen and Saul went on his way. All of what Samuel prophesied came true. Samuel then appointed Saul as king in front of all the people.
Chapter 11
Saul summoned 300,000 Israelites to attack Nahash the Ammonite who was besieging Jabesh-Gilead. Saul and his army slaughtered the Ammonites.
Chapter 12
Samuel warned the people against idolatry and meaningless gods. He told them that the Lord would remember the covenant for the sake of His own great name.
Lord, remember me for your name. Remember the marriage vows we said before you. Honor those vows and strengthen our relationship so that you are credited with the victory over sin. Save this marriage so all who meet us will know of your grace and love. I beseech you, do not forsake this marriage. Make it holy and blameless in your sight. By your power it is easily done. Above all do your will but I will continue to pray until you grant me this request.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Brief Notes on Judges 1-21
(Originally Written May 27, 2008 in the Journal)
Notes on Judges
Chapter 1
Judah and Simeon attacked the Canaanites and Perizzites in Bezek. They caught Adonibezek and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Adonibezek said, 'as I have done to others, God has doen to me'. He was taken and killed at Jerusalem.
The house of Joseph went and took Bethel with the help of the Lord.
Many peoples were not dislodged from their homes, but the Israelites impressed them as laborers.
Chapter 2
Because the Israelites did not remove all the inhabitants from the Promised Land, the Lord sent an angel to tell them that the other gods would now be a snare to them. After Joshua died and his generation passed on, a new generation offended the Lord by worshipping the Baals. The Lord grew angry with Israel for their idolatry and refused to remove any more of the peoples living in the Promised Land.
Chapter 3
The Lord allowed the five lords of the Philistines, the remaining Canaanites, the Sidonians and the Hivites to remain in the land as a test for Israel's fidelity.
The Lord allowed the Israelites to fall under the rule of Cushan-rishathaim, king of Aram Naharaim for eight years. Then they cried out to the Lord and the Lord raised up Othniel, nephew of Caleb. Israel was at peace for 40 years until Othniel died.
The Israelites sinned again and the Lord raised up Eglon, king of Moab who enslaved them for 18 years. The Israelites called out to the Lord and the Lord raised up Ehud, a Benjaminite. Ehud was left-handed. He hid his sword on the right thigh where it would not be checked and stabbed Eglon in the stomach. Eglon was so fat his belly swallowed the sword. The Israelites came down and conquered Moab and reigned over them for 80 years.
Shamgar was raised up by the Lord and rescued the Israelites by killing 600 Philistines with an ox-goad.
Chapter 4
The Israelites abandoned God after the death of Ehud, so the Lord allowed Jabin, king of Hazor to oppress them for 20 years. Debora and Barak gathered 10,000 men from Zebulun and Naphtali and marched to Mt. Trabor where they defeated the chariots of Jabin. Sisera, the general of Jabin fled and was killed by Jael, the wife of Heber, who was allied with Jabin.
Chapter 5
After defeating the chariots there was peace for 40 years.
Chapter 6
The Israelites again offended the Lord. They fell under the reign of Midian. The Lord sent an angel to Gideon and told him to rise up and save Israel. Gideon tore down the altar to Baal and the sacred pole and built an altar to the Lord on its place. Gideon then tested the Lord twice to see if it was really the Lord.
Chapter 7
The Lord told Gideon he had too many soldiers for him to deliver Midian into his hands. Gideon told all who were fearful to leave. 22,000 men left, but 10,000 stayed. The Lord then dwindled the number down to 300 men.
Chapter 8
Gideon then pursued Zebah and Zalmunna with his 300 men and was refused food from the men in Succoth and Penuel. Gideon vowed to crush Succoth and Penuel when he returned victoriously. Gideon caught Zebah and Zalmunna and returned to crush Succoth and Penuel. Gideon told his son to kill Zebah and Zalmunna but he was too afraid to, so Gideo did it himself. After Gideon died the Israelites once again turned to the Baals.
Chapter 9
Abimelech, the son of Gideon through a concubine, went to Schechem and killed all 70 of Gideon's legitimate sons. Only Jotham, Gidoen's youngest son survived. The people of Schechem made Abimelech king. Abimelech made war on cities against him and was killed by a woman who dropped a millstone on his head.
Chapter 10
After the death of Abimelech, the Issacharite Tola rose up to save Israel. After Tola came Jair. After Jair died the Israelites turned away from God and served the Baals once more. They were allowed to be oppressed for eighteen years by the Ammonites in punishment. The Israelites cried out once more but the Lord told them to cry out to the gods they had chosen. When they persisted the Lord grieved over them.
Chapter 11
Jephtah, the son of Gilead by a harlot was driven away for being illegitimate. But, the elders of Gilead called him back to be their leader. Jephtah vowed to the Lord that he would offer up whomever came out of the door to greet him in victory as a holocaust to the Lord if the Lord would grant him victory. When Jephtah returned victoriously his daughter came out to greet him and he tore his clothes in despair. Jephtah then offered her as a holocaust as he had vowed.
Chapter 12
The Ephraimites went to war with Jephtah, but Jephtah defeated them. After Jephtah died, Izban of Bethlehem judged Israel. After Izban, Elon judged Israel. After Elon, Abdon judged Israel.
Chapter 13
After Abdon, the Israelites turned from God so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years. An angel of the Lord appeared to a woman and told her that she would bear a son to be consecrated to the Lord from the womb. No razor was to touch his head. The woman bore a son and called him Samson.
Chapter 14
Samson killed a lion with his bare hands.
Chapter 15
Samson's wife was married to another man. In anger Samson destroyed the Philistine town with foxes and fire. Samson then killed a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass. Samson judged Israel for 20 years.
Chapter 16
Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah who wished to find out the secret of his strength for money she was offered. Finally she betrayed him and cut off his hair. The Philistines captured Samson and gouged out his eyes. The put him on display as a prisoner in the temple of Dagon. Samson collapsed the temple, killing everyone inside.
Chapter 17
Micah had an image made of the true God and consecrated a Levite as his personal priest.
Chapter 18
A group of Danites stole Micah's image of God and his priest and attacked a town and sacked it. They rebuilt the city and lived there until they were taken captive.
Chapter 19
A Levite from Ephraim went to get his unfaithful concubine. After getting her he stayed in Gibeah where he gave his concubine to the men of the town to save his own skin. When he returned home he cut her into twelve pieces and sent them throughout Israel.
Chapter 20
The men of Israel rose up and went to this Levite's house and he relayed the story of what had happened. The men of Israel rose up against Gibeah but the Benjaminites refused to give over the wicked men. The Benjaminites went to war with Israel. The Benjaminites defeated the Israelites on the first two days but were crushed on the third day.
Chapter 21
The Israelites were distraught over having destroyed their brother Benjamin. They had sworn an oath not to give wives to Benjamin and so the tribe was in danger of dying out. But the Lord provided a way.
Notes on Judges
Chapter 1
Judah and Simeon attacked the Canaanites and Perizzites in Bezek. They caught Adonibezek and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Adonibezek said, 'as I have done to others, God has doen to me'. He was taken and killed at Jerusalem.
The house of Joseph went and took Bethel with the help of the Lord.
Many peoples were not dislodged from their homes, but the Israelites impressed them as laborers.
Chapter 2
Because the Israelites did not remove all the inhabitants from the Promised Land, the Lord sent an angel to tell them that the other gods would now be a snare to them. After Joshua died and his generation passed on, a new generation offended the Lord by worshipping the Baals. The Lord grew angry with Israel for their idolatry and refused to remove any more of the peoples living in the Promised Land.
Chapter 3
The Lord allowed the five lords of the Philistines, the remaining Canaanites, the Sidonians and the Hivites to remain in the land as a test for Israel's fidelity.
The Lord allowed the Israelites to fall under the rule of Cushan-rishathaim, king of Aram Naharaim for eight years. Then they cried out to the Lord and the Lord raised up Othniel, nephew of Caleb. Israel was at peace for 40 years until Othniel died.
The Israelites sinned again and the Lord raised up Eglon, king of Moab who enslaved them for 18 years. The Israelites called out to the Lord and the Lord raised up Ehud, a Benjaminite. Ehud was left-handed. He hid his sword on the right thigh where it would not be checked and stabbed Eglon in the stomach. Eglon was so fat his belly swallowed the sword. The Israelites came down and conquered Moab and reigned over them for 80 years.
Shamgar was raised up by the Lord and rescued the Israelites by killing 600 Philistines with an ox-goad.
Chapter 4
The Israelites abandoned God after the death of Ehud, so the Lord allowed Jabin, king of Hazor to oppress them for 20 years. Debora and Barak gathered 10,000 men from Zebulun and Naphtali and marched to Mt. Trabor where they defeated the chariots of Jabin. Sisera, the general of Jabin fled and was killed by Jael, the wife of Heber, who was allied with Jabin.
Chapter 5
After defeating the chariots there was peace for 40 years.
Chapter 6
The Israelites again offended the Lord. They fell under the reign of Midian. The Lord sent an angel to Gideon and told him to rise up and save Israel. Gideon tore down the altar to Baal and the sacred pole and built an altar to the Lord on its place. Gideon then tested the Lord twice to see if it was really the Lord.
Chapter 7
The Lord told Gideon he had too many soldiers for him to deliver Midian into his hands. Gideon told all who were fearful to leave. 22,000 men left, but 10,000 stayed. The Lord then dwindled the number down to 300 men.
Chapter 8
Gideon then pursued Zebah and Zalmunna with his 300 men and was refused food from the men in Succoth and Penuel. Gideon vowed to crush Succoth and Penuel when he returned victoriously. Gideon caught Zebah and Zalmunna and returned to crush Succoth and Penuel. Gideon told his son to kill Zebah and Zalmunna but he was too afraid to, so Gideo did it himself. After Gideon died the Israelites once again turned to the Baals.
Chapter 9
Abimelech, the son of Gideon through a concubine, went to Schechem and killed all 70 of Gideon's legitimate sons. Only Jotham, Gidoen's youngest son survived. The people of Schechem made Abimelech king. Abimelech made war on cities against him and was killed by a woman who dropped a millstone on his head.
Chapter 10
After the death of Abimelech, the Issacharite Tola rose up to save Israel. After Tola came Jair. After Jair died the Israelites turned away from God and served the Baals once more. They were allowed to be oppressed for eighteen years by the Ammonites in punishment. The Israelites cried out once more but the Lord told them to cry out to the gods they had chosen. When they persisted the Lord grieved over them.
Chapter 11
Jephtah, the son of Gilead by a harlot was driven away for being illegitimate. But, the elders of Gilead called him back to be their leader. Jephtah vowed to the Lord that he would offer up whomever came out of the door to greet him in victory as a holocaust to the Lord if the Lord would grant him victory. When Jephtah returned victoriously his daughter came out to greet him and he tore his clothes in despair. Jephtah then offered her as a holocaust as he had vowed.
Chapter 12
The Ephraimites went to war with Jephtah, but Jephtah defeated them. After Jephtah died, Izban of Bethlehem judged Israel. After Izban, Elon judged Israel. After Elon, Abdon judged Israel.
Chapter 13
After Abdon, the Israelites turned from God so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years. An angel of the Lord appeared to a woman and told her that she would bear a son to be consecrated to the Lord from the womb. No razor was to touch his head. The woman bore a son and called him Samson.
Chapter 14
Samson killed a lion with his bare hands.
Chapter 15
Samson's wife was married to another man. In anger Samson destroyed the Philistine town with foxes and fire. Samson then killed a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass. Samson judged Israel for 20 years.
Chapter 16
Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah who wished to find out the secret of his strength for money she was offered. Finally she betrayed him and cut off his hair. The Philistines captured Samson and gouged out his eyes. The put him on display as a prisoner in the temple of Dagon. Samson collapsed the temple, killing everyone inside.
Chapter 17
Micah had an image made of the true God and consecrated a Levite as his personal priest.
Chapter 18
A group of Danites stole Micah's image of God and his priest and attacked a town and sacked it. They rebuilt the city and lived there until they were taken captive.
Chapter 19
A Levite from Ephraim went to get his unfaithful concubine. After getting her he stayed in Gibeah where he gave his concubine to the men of the town to save his own skin. When he returned home he cut her into twelve pieces and sent them throughout Israel.
Chapter 20
The men of Israel rose up and went to this Levite's house and he relayed the story of what had happened. The men of Israel rose up against Gibeah but the Benjaminites refused to give over the wicked men. The Benjaminites went to war with Israel. The Benjaminites defeated the Israelites on the first two days but were crushed on the third day.
Chapter 21
The Israelites were distraught over having destroyed their brother Benjamin. They had sworn an oath not to give wives to Benjamin and so the tribe was in danger of dying out. But the Lord provided a way.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Brief Notes on Numbers 18-29
(Originally Written May 16, 2008 in the Journal)
A lot has happened in the last week and a half. She left me on Wednesday May 7th and today she put down her deposit to live in a coed house. Is it not enough to make me suffer the loss of my wife that I must writhe in pain and agony over her unfaithfulness? Why does the Lord hate me so? Why must He put me in such misery? Why do I face such trials and tribulations. I am merely a man. I am a weakling who is going to be crushed by this. Why have I been set upon a path to be destroyed? What sins have I committed to bring so much shame and hurt upon my head? Where is the mercy of the Almighty? Why have you looked upon me with scorn? I am wicked and growing ever more wicked. There is hate and malice in my very breath. This is why the Lord has struck me down. My pride and arrogance are decimated. The glory of the Lord has reduced me to ashes. May He now, if it is His will, resurrect me from this death. It is in your power Lord, if it is in your will.
The Lord is great and good in His dealings with me. He is fair and just. Though I now walk through such pain and strife I know that He has not abandoned me. Draw me closer to your love my sweet God so that I can begin to heal. Restore my faith and my heart for I am weak and faint. Fear has gripped my heart and soul and I long to be free of it. The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. Thank you Lord for your tests. May it strengthen my resolve for you. May you be praised for your very Being. You alone are worthy of my praise. Teach me patience and trust here, for I am in failing health and spirit. My mind betrays me and my heart stops. I have sunk beneath all else. I am the lowest of the lows. Restore me to you Lord. I will trust your unfailing judgment in all matters. Amen.
I hurt so bad Lord. Give me some comfort.
Numbers 18 - The priesthood is given to Aaron and his descendants as a gift.
Tithing - only the best portion is acceptable.
Numbers 19 -
The cleansing of the unclean men and women.
The importance of days number three and seven.
Numbers 20
Moses sinned by not trusting God and struck the rock twice.
Aaron passed away and the priesthood went to his son Eleazar.
Numbers 21 -
The Lord led the Israelites to victory over the King of Arad.
The Israelites complained against God and the Lord sent serpents to kill them. They repented and the Lord showed mercy.
What is the Book of the Wars of the Lord?
The Lord led the Israelites into victory over King Sihon and the Amorites.
The Israelites settled in the lands of the Amorites and then captured Jazer.
Numbers 22
Balak, the king of Moab sought out Balaam who feared the Lord. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites. The Lord told Balaam to go, but to do only as He said. The ass Balaam was riding saw the angel of the Lord and turned back three times and spoke to Balaam.
Numbers 23
Balaam blessed Israel to Balak's consternation.
Numbers 24
Balaam gave the oracle that no descendants of Ishmael shall survive.
Numbers 25
Some Israelites worshiped Baal of Shittim and were executed before the Lord. 24,000 died that day.
The Lord told Israel to crush the Midianites for bringing Baal worship to them.
Numbers 26
Another census of the 20 year old males and older is taken.
From Reuben came the Hanochites, the Pallvites, the Hezronites and the Carmites: 43,730 men.
From Simeon came the Nemuelites, the Jaminites, the Jachinites, the Soharites and the Shaulites: 22,200 men.
From Gad came the Zephonites, Haggites, Shunites, Oznites, the Erites, the Arodites, and the Arelites: 40,500 men.
From Judah came the Shelahites, the Perezites, the Hezronites, the Hamulites: 76,500 men.
From Issachar came the Tolaites, the Puvahites, the Jashubites, the Shimuonites: 64,300 men.
From Zebulun came the Seredites, the Elonites, the Jahleelites: 60,500 men.
From Joseph came the Manassehites, the Machirites, the Gileadites, the Abiezrites, the Helekites, the Asrielites, the Shechemites, the Shemidaites, the Hepherites: 52,700 men.
From Ephraim came the Shuthelahites, the Bechrites, the Tahanites, the Eranites: 32,500 men.
From Dan came the Shuhamites: 64,400 men.
From Asher came the Imnites, Ishvites, Benites, Heberites, Malchielites: 53,400 men.
From Naphtali came the Jahzeelites, Gurites, Jezerites, Shillemites: 45,500 men.
601,730 men were registered.
The Levites were the Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites, Libnites, Hebronites, Mahlites, Mushites, Korahites: 23,300 men.
Only Joshua and Caleb were counted in both censuses.
Numbers 27 - The Lord showed Moses the Promised Land though he could not enter. He then told Moses to anoint Joshua as his successor.
Numbers 28 & 29
Offerings and festivals.
Thank you for this day. I always feel so much better after reading your Word. You are my strength and solace. May my lips never stop praising your Holy name.
A lot has happened in the last week and a half. She left me on Wednesday May 7th and today she put down her deposit to live in a coed house. Is it not enough to make me suffer the loss of my wife that I must writhe in pain and agony over her unfaithfulness? Why does the Lord hate me so? Why must He put me in such misery? Why do I face such trials and tribulations. I am merely a man. I am a weakling who is going to be crushed by this. Why have I been set upon a path to be destroyed? What sins have I committed to bring so much shame and hurt upon my head? Where is the mercy of the Almighty? Why have you looked upon me with scorn? I am wicked and growing ever more wicked. There is hate and malice in my very breath. This is why the Lord has struck me down. My pride and arrogance are decimated. The glory of the Lord has reduced me to ashes. May He now, if it is His will, resurrect me from this death. It is in your power Lord, if it is in your will.
The Lord is great and good in His dealings with me. He is fair and just. Though I now walk through such pain and strife I know that He has not abandoned me. Draw me closer to your love my sweet God so that I can begin to heal. Restore my faith and my heart for I am weak and faint. Fear has gripped my heart and soul and I long to be free of it. The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. Thank you Lord for your tests. May it strengthen my resolve for you. May you be praised for your very Being. You alone are worthy of my praise. Teach me patience and trust here, for I am in failing health and spirit. My mind betrays me and my heart stops. I have sunk beneath all else. I am the lowest of the lows. Restore me to you Lord. I will trust your unfailing judgment in all matters. Amen.
I hurt so bad Lord. Give me some comfort.
Numbers 18 - The priesthood is given to Aaron and his descendants as a gift.
Tithing - only the best portion is acceptable.
Numbers 19 -
The cleansing of the unclean men and women.
The importance of days number three and seven.
Numbers 20
Moses sinned by not trusting God and struck the rock twice.
Aaron passed away and the priesthood went to his son Eleazar.
Numbers 21 -
The Lord led the Israelites to victory over the King of Arad.
The Israelites complained against God and the Lord sent serpents to kill them. They repented and the Lord showed mercy.
What is the Book of the Wars of the Lord?
The Lord led the Israelites into victory over King Sihon and the Amorites.
The Israelites settled in the lands of the Amorites and then captured Jazer.
Numbers 22
Balak, the king of Moab sought out Balaam who feared the Lord. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the Israelites. The Lord told Balaam to go, but to do only as He said. The ass Balaam was riding saw the angel of the Lord and turned back three times and spoke to Balaam.
Numbers 23
Balaam blessed Israel to Balak's consternation.
Numbers 24
Balaam gave the oracle that no descendants of Ishmael shall survive.
Numbers 25
Some Israelites worshiped Baal of Shittim and were executed before the Lord. 24,000 died that day.
The Lord told Israel to crush the Midianites for bringing Baal worship to them.
Numbers 26
Another census of the 20 year old males and older is taken.
From Reuben came the Hanochites, the Pallvites, the Hezronites and the Carmites: 43,730 men.
From Simeon came the Nemuelites, the Jaminites, the Jachinites, the Soharites and the Shaulites: 22,200 men.
From Gad came the Zephonites, Haggites, Shunites, Oznites, the Erites, the Arodites, and the Arelites: 40,500 men.
From Judah came the Shelahites, the Perezites, the Hezronites, the Hamulites: 76,500 men.
From Issachar came the Tolaites, the Puvahites, the Jashubites, the Shimuonites: 64,300 men.
From Zebulun came the Seredites, the Elonites, the Jahleelites: 60,500 men.
From Joseph came the Manassehites, the Machirites, the Gileadites, the Abiezrites, the Helekites, the Asrielites, the Shechemites, the Shemidaites, the Hepherites: 52,700 men.
From Ephraim came the Shuthelahites, the Bechrites, the Tahanites, the Eranites: 32,500 men.
From Dan came the Shuhamites: 64,400 men.
From Asher came the Imnites, Ishvites, Benites, Heberites, Malchielites: 53,400 men.
From Naphtali came the Jahzeelites, Gurites, Jezerites, Shillemites: 45,500 men.
601,730 men were registered.
The Levites were the Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites, Libnites, Hebronites, Mahlites, Mushites, Korahites: 23,300 men.
Only Joshua and Caleb were counted in both censuses.
Numbers 27 - The Lord showed Moses the Promised Land though he could not enter. He then told Moses to anoint Joshua as his successor.
Numbers 28 & 29
Offerings and festivals.
Thank you for this day. I always feel so much better after reading your Word. You are my strength and solace. May my lips never stop praising your Holy name.
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