We've been away from II Chronicles for awhile; but the story picks up here parallel to II Kings 8-9.
...continue reading "II Chronicles 21-22:9"Category: David
Goin’ Back to Go Forward
I have been on a very long journey to read the Old Testament in chronological order, which (once passed the first few books) is much more difficult than I would have guessed. Once I got passed the divided kingdom and it was going to take a few different books at once to move forward, I made a decision to go back and read more of the end of the united kingdom before it got too far away. So I read some Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
Now, I am heading back to the narrative; but as a refresher, I am going to read through some I Kings and II Chronicles that I've already reviewed.
...continue reading "Goin’ Back to Go Forward"Ecclesiastes 4
Solomon is using his life mixed with God's wisdom as an experiment in search of some meaning he has lost since he has walked away from worshipping God alone. He'll contemplate some portion of life left hollow in his earth pursuits and then briefly come back to the understanding that life lived with God does have meaning and purpose. We just completed the famous chapter three in which he contemplates the events in life under heaven.
...continue reading "Ecclesiastes 4"I Kings 15-16 and II Chronicles 13-16: Kings on Parade
I admit...I stole this title from Wiersbe's commentary on these chapters> I'll have to see if I change it once I read the content; but I'm guessing it's perfect because I think we're about to hit a string of kings and many of them will fly by as they did not glorify God.
Let's check 'em out.
...continue reading "I Kings 15-16 and II Chronicles 13-16: Kings on Parade"The End of an Epoch
So, apparently, the Bible is commonly divided in eras known as epochs. Oddly enough, we're at the end of one of these epochs right in the middle of our books, I Kings and II. We're leaving the united monarchies of David and Solomon and moving to the divided nations of Judah and Israel.
But before we go...I'm going stop and spend some time with the remaining books of David and Solomon, while I still have their lives fresh in my mind. I don't know how it will look exactly, but I will be working on some more Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. And probably Song of Solomon.
Then I will return to life after these monarchy falls to division.
I Kings 11
Solomon accomplished what he was assigned to do and then, seemingly, spent the rest of his life attending to himself. I don't get the feeling this is going to end well for him.
...continue reading "I Kings 11"I Kings 10 and II Chronicles 9
Solomon has completed the Temple and his palace and now we're learning more about what he did afterward. In these passages we'll learn about his interactions with the infamous Queen of Sheba.
...continue reading "I Kings 10 and II Chronicles 9"I Kings: 8:12+ and II Chronicles 6 and 7:1-11 Temple Dedication
The Temple has been built and the Lord was faithful to fill it with His presence. Now Solomon dedicates and prays over this House of God. What a seismic moment in their history and ours. To speak into such a profound moment had to come from the Lord. No human, even the wisest one can do that without God's guidance.
Read moreI Kings 8: 1-11 and II Chronicles 5: 1-14 God’s Presence
Solomon has had the Temple built, started on his own palace, and had Huram the craftsman oversee the making of the holy implements and the decorating and furnishing of the inside of the Temple.
Now it's time for the formal dedication of the Temple.
...continue reading "I Kings 8: 1-11 and II Chronicles 5: 1-14 God’s Presence"I King 6 and II Chronicles 3
Solomon worked with Hiram for the final preparations for building the Temple. He also conscripted workers and levied taxes to pay for all of his building projects, creating the first cracks of resentment that will, ultimately, divide the nation.
...continue reading "I King 6 and II Chronicles 3"