1 Chronicles 22-23
1 Chr. 22
This chapter adds some interesting information and perspective to what we have read before. Before you read what I say below, read chapter 22 and see what questions or observations you come up with. This is a very rich chapter, full of information and David's words to Solomon.
Now from Ezra's perspective, other than the fact that this gives the returnees some great historical insight, I wonder what Ezra's purpose was for including this. The entire chapter is devoted to David's preparation for building the temple. I wonder if it was known among the people that for all of the good he had done, Solomon was the first king to lead the nation into idolatry. It could be that the temple had a kind of "strike" against it because of this. Since Solomon died as a bitter, backslidden idolater, I'm wondering if Ezra wanted to correct the notion that the temple was Solomon's idea. After having read 1 Kings and Solomon building the temple, we stand here viewing this with the same surprise that Ezra's readers had. It was really David who did the greatest amount of preparation for the temple. David couldn't build it, but David devoted the last years of his life to amassing materials, making drawings, organizing labor, enlisting the support of the leaders of Israel and then, carefully instructing Solomon on what to do. Ezra is showing them that although David was not allowed to build the temple, he prepared the next generation to do it. David, the king of promise, the "man after God's own heart," was responsible for the temple.
What this gives us is some interesting perspective on Solomon. David spent hours with him before he became sick and bedridden to pass on these instructions. We read of Solomon in 1 Kings, organizing for the building of the temple, not realizing that this wasn't all Solomon. It was David.
This chapter also gives some added details to the attempt of Adonijah to become king. According to this chapter, after David knew where the temple would be built, he spent years making it clear that Solomon would be his heir and that he would build the temple. David commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon build the temple. So then, Adonijah, Abiathar and Joab staging the coup in 1 Kings 1 was really a crass, intentional act of treason. They thought that because David was a fading, tottering, old man, they could get away with this. If not for God, via Nathan, Solomon would not only have been passed by, but killed.
In the gap between 2 Samuel and 1 Kings you don't have any of this information about David preparing for the building of the temple. This is pretty cool.
1 Chr. 23
Between chapters 22 and 23 you have the fun and games of 1 Kings 1-2:9. Again, what Ezra is showing here is that it was the godly king David who organized those who were to serve Israel in the worship of God.
David wasn't just a warrior and musician, he was an organizing animal. Sometimes very disorganized people are very "together" in the area of their passion. In the last years of David's life, he pursued his passion: loving and following God.
In one sense, Ezra is making disciples. He's helping a new generation find the calling of their heritage. As you think about what he is doing here, what things do you learn that might help you in making disciples.
Romans 3:9-31
This is one of those portions in Romans where it is worth memorizing more verses than just Rom. 3:23.
V. 9 "Under sin" means under the power of sin. Paul will talk more about this in Romans 7; for example, Romans 7:23, "but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members." Sin is a spiritual sickness responsible for the acts that we call "sin." The sin within us can only be fully cured by the resurrection. That is why the resurrection is a great hope for us, to be finally freed from this sickness.
Vs. 11-18 This seems hard, but it is the truth about sin. We are totally ruined by it. In the OT, leprosy was the physical disease that symbolized sin. It was incurable and it permeated all of the body and life.
Paul is showing some of his knowledge of Scripture, bringing together several different portions of the OT.
Vs. 19-20 In God's own words. No human being will be justified by doing good, not even religious good.
If you want to memorize a good solid portion that makes sense, memorize 3:20-25. The RSV is slightly better than the ESV here.
Vs. 25-26 I've hinted to the drama going on to see if God is really righteous. How do you understand these two verses?
Vs. 27-31 How would you explain what Paul is saying here?
Psalm 12
It says that this psalm is written by David. Thinking back over David's life, when do you think he might have encountered something this devastating that it would have prompted this song?
Because of verse one, I wonder if this was the death of Samuel. David was on the run, and would be for the next 10 years, and now Saul was free to kill priests and do whatever was necessary to instill fear in the people to hold the crown.
I think that the lying and flattery was in Saul's government, promoting Saul and justifying hunting David.
V. 6 Since this isn't talking about God refining us, what is the point of what this verse says?
Can you imagine singing this in a worship service? Maybe it had a catchy melody. Since it was used in worship, what exactly is this psalm exalting and why would this be something important to remember in worship?
Proverbs 19:13-14
It is hard to see the connection in all of this, but I say "amen" to the last one. It's hard to know where stuff comes from…a foolish child, a bitter wife, inherited wealth or talent. Sometimes you can find a cause, but sometimes it seems like it's just there. But you know for sure, that if you have a good wife, you have been blessed by God. Amen!
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.
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