June 26, Reading Notes

2 Kings 9:14-10:31

2 Kings 9:14-37 These are Jehu's first actions against the house of Ahab.

V. 17 Remember that Joram thinks that Jehu is still one of his best, most loyal leaders.

V. 20 This could be a cool bumper sticker: Driving like a Jehu!

V. 26 This is where we understand that earlier when Naboth was killed, his sons (probably wife and daughters too) were killed with him. It is interesting to note that Jehu and all of these men knew about this word from the Lord.

V. 27 Ahaziah, though from Judah, was still related to Ahab through Ahab's daughter. Killing him was a fulfillment of the judgment on Ahab. Jehu didn't need to pursue him.

Vs. 30-37 I can imagine that Jezebel was not well liked.

V. 36 Notice again how well they knew what the Lord had spoken. So, why didn't they obey earlier? Better yet, why won't they obey in the future?

2 Kings 10:1-31

Vs. 1-11 Notice in all of this that Jehu is very tactical and that he also appeals to the prophesy against the house of Ahab.

V. 11 It should be noted that God judged Jehu, among other things, for his excessive zeal and violence. I think killing all of the great men and close friends might have been part of this.

Vs. 12-14 Some of this may have been warranted, since Jehu had the command to kill everything related to Ahab. But not all of these people were related. I think Jehu got carried away.

Vs. 15-28 Jehu's final step was to eliminate Baal worship (and the other associated gods) from Israel.

In verse 15 we meet Jehonadab the son of Rechab. We don't know it here, but this guy is a full, 100% follower of Yahweh. He's one of those 7000 who hadn't bowed the knee to Baal. In Jeremiah 35 we'll hear about him (called Jonadab there) and meet his kids. God will make an eternal promise to his family, to the effect that one of Jehonadab's descendants is running around today, as we speak, and is a fully devoted follower of Christ. Perhaps it's you.

Vs. 29-31 So, in spite of all of the prophesies and their fulfillments, Jehu still did not follow God. Rather than simply trusting and honoring God, there was fear of losing the kingdom if the people were to return to Jerusalem. There was still the lack of asking God's will and following His leading.

Acts 17

Vs. 1-15 Notice the similarities of Paul's work in Thessalonica and in Berea. Notice too, that when Paul fled to another city, he immediately began to work. Everything was seen as God's leading and will.

V. 15 Paul sent word for Silas and Timothy who had remained and gone back to Thessalonica to see if the church there was OK.

Vs. 16-34 Some people go nuts, and say this was a total failure by Paul, and that Paul became vague and wishy-washy in his preaching. What do you think? The reality is, people were saved. I could live with that. Since Paul normally began in synagogues, this is pretty amazing that people responded in a totally secular and confused environment. God blessed with fruit. I think I'd have been happy.

Athens, the cultural center of Greece, didn't have a fraction of the importance of Corinth, Paul's next stop.

Psalm 144

This psalm of David looks like it could have been written after he finally became king of the entire nation. In those early days he faced many foreign enemies and God brought them into submission to Israel. What do you think the purpose of this prayer is? What is David asking for the nation?

Vs. 3-4 You have to wonder why David says this. It's almost like a moment of reflection.

Vs. 9-11 I wonder if these verses were penned just before David was going into battle.

Proverbs 17:27-28

So, what kind of knowledge gives you the ability to keep cool and control your words?

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.