1 Kings 2:13-46

This chapter is full of death, so what is going on?  Let's break it down:

Adonijah was David's eldest living son; therefore, he thought he had a right to the throne.  In 1 Kings 1, as David is nearing the end of his life, Adonijah goes to Joab and Abiathar the priest to usurp David.  Adonijah isn't waiting for David to name him king, he's just going to take it while is father is too ill to stop him. However, the rest of Israel is not behind Adonijah, and Solomon is named king.  So, Adonijah attempts to gain the upper hand by asking to wed Abishag, the woman attending the king.  Basically, this is very much what Absolom did - bedding' his fathers concubine, which amounts to claiming the throne.  Because of his continued attempts to usurp the throne, Solomon has him put to death.  Those in conspiracy with Adonijah are either put to death also, or cast out.

Harsh?  Well, let's think it through.  Solomon is in charge of a great kingdom.  As king, he is tasked in bringing peace and prosperity to the nation.  Does one continue to allow a group of people to threaten that peace and prosperity with their greed and pride?  Our country doesn't.  Traitors are put to death or confined to prison.  I think we have a tendency to read the Old Testament and think of it as a violent, uncivilized time; yet, in our world today wars are being fought, governments are being overturned, and the peace and prosperity of our own country is constantly being defended.  The technology of such defense has come a long way, but really there is nothing new under the sun.

So, as we continue to read the Old Testament, take the time to think these events through.  Compare and contrast the actions of these people with our own lives.  There is much to be learned from the history of Israel.

A final round of psalms - 2, 20, 21, 72, 93-95, 97-99, 101, 110, 144

2, 72, 101, 110, 144 - a royal psalm reminding the people of the promises God has made regarding the House of David.

20-21 - a pair of royal psalms.  The first requests success in battle, the second thanks for the success.

93, 97, 98, 99 - Hymn of praise for God's rule over all creation

94 - a community lament for God to step in & help His people during times of oppression

95 - a prophet hymn calling the people to learn from the mistakes of those who have come before

2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Chronicles 29:22b-30

The "last words of David" are a song praising God for establishment of the house of David & the promises of God.  What a wonderful completion of a life.  For David, death isn't the end, but the fulfillment of an earthly purpose.  Oh, to look back on one's life with satisfaction & to look forward with eagerness and joy.

Solomon is now made king.  Remember, he has been serving as regent.  During this time, both David and Solomon are kings.  David, the king, teaching Solomon, the regent king, the ropes.  Once again this is a time of looking ahead, a time of humbleness, a time of cooperation, a time of sharing.  This is a true leader, a leader that we should aspire to be.

Whether we are leaders of countries, cities, or simply households.  You may be a leader over many or just one.  Regardless - humility, cooperation, peace and a total reliance on God are the marks of a good leader.

1 Chronicles 29:1-25

The temple was a very big undertaking.  It required lots of materials to build.  David set the example when he willingly offered his own gold and silver.  He then asks for those willing to freely give to also help fund the temple.  Notice this isn't a tax, nor is giving a requirement.  Instead, it is a free will offering.  When we believe in the validity or necessity of something - a building, a mission, a charity - we happily support it's funding.  God's kingdom is no different.  We don't give because we HAVE to.  We give because we believe in the mission of the church.  And it's not just about money.  We can also give our time, our talents, our service to the betterment of the church.  I have found in my own life that free will giving offers some of the greatest sense of purpose and satisfaction in my life.  Working together to spread the gospel, using my God-given talents to support and help - there's no better feeling.

David then prays over the offering, the temple, his son, his nation.  I love that in this prayer he recognizes that the ability to give has also been given by God.  We are able to give, because He has given to us.

Psalms 15, 24, 42-49, 84, 85, 87

Psalms for your weekend ~ these are psalms written by David toward the end of his life.

Ps. 15 - is a hymn celebrating the ideal worshiper

Ps. 24 - for liturgical purposes.  This psalm celebrates the presence of God.

Ps. 42-43 - go well together as a corporate worship song

Ps. 44 - another corporate song - this one is sung when calamity befalls a group of people

Ps. 45 - a hymn for a royal wedding

Ps. 46, 48, 87 - celebrate Zion as the Holy City.  This is also a liturgical song.

Ps. 47 - song celebrating God's kingship

Ps. 49 - a liturgical wisdom song extolling God's Scripture

Ps. 84 - a song celebrating the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for worship at the temple

Ps. 85 - a community lament seeking forgiveness

1 Chronicles 28

In this chapter, David calls together the military, tribal, and royal leaders of Israel.  He lets them know God's plan - that Solomon will be king and will build a temple.  Then he charges them with this, "observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever."  Notice that it says observe and seek.  Our relationship with God is not a passive relationship, it is active.  It its not one-sided.  We are to seek God, through prayer & reading His Words.

David then charges Solomon with the building of the temple.  Notice that he starts by telling Solomon the relationship with God is first and foremost.  Without relationship, we can accomplish nothing for God.  David also tells him to not let the task burden him.  Building this temple will be a life long & costly project, but Solomon doesn't need to worry or stress about it, for God is with him.

As we face our own lives, we need to remember David's counsel - first and foremost, focus on strengthening your relationship with God.  Then, as the projects and storms of life approach, have no fear, for God is with you.

1 Chronicles 26-28

Organizing the temple was a big task.  These next few chapters continue to break down different temple duties:

The Musicians: Musicians were also taken from the Levites and arranged in 24 divisions for their duties. Once again, lots were cast to assign duties.  Note the instruments used:  cymbals, harps, lyres.   Worship of God is vital - it leads you into His presence, provides you an opportunity to commune with God.  To praise Him, thank Him, and spend time with Him.  Are you making the most of worship?  Do you just sing the song or do you speak the words directly to Him?  

The Gatekeepers:  Once again, these men were from the Levite family.  There duty was to guard the temple against trespass from unauthorized persons and from idolatrous practices.  They also guarded the temple treasury and maintained the building and its equipment.  

The Treasurers:  These Levite men were the treasurers of two temple treasuries:  one for the House of God to store regular tithes and offers; and one for the dedicated gifts, the spoils of war and other special gifts.

The Missionaries:  Those that served outside Jerusalem.  The trip to the temple was long and costly for those that lived far away.  These men would have served as the religious leaders and possibly government officials among the people.

The Military and government leaders - these are non-Levites.  

Notice that these duties don't fall to one man.  We aren't here to do it all.  Instead, we have been given gifts and talents that we need to develop in order to best serve the Lord and live out a purposeful life.  So, what are you good at?  What puts a fire in your belly and a smile on your face?  Where do you find the most satisfaction and joy?  

1 Chronicles 24

Well, I took a little more time than a week.  Does your life ever seem to get so busy that it controls you rather than the other way around?  I learned this past holiday season that doing it all isn't worth the stress.  So, I took a nice long rest and now I'm ready to get back to it.

We left off near the end of David's life.  In the beginning of chapter 23, David anoints Solomon king of Israel.  This doesn't mean that David is stepping down.  Instead, Solomon will serve as a regent king.  Think of it as a king in training.  This was common practice in David's time, and it allowed for an easier transition.  We will see what happens when a king dies without naming an heir further into Israel's history.  Let's just say the transition isn't always pretty.

Chapter 24 outlines the organization of the priests from the lineage of Aaron.  David may not be permitted to build the temple, but he does start the work of organizing the work force.  These divisions, chosen by lot, set up a duty roster of 24 divisions providing for two weeks of service by each division.  The lunar calendar has 48 weeks.  The roster was organized by lot, so no favoritism was shown.

What I find interesting about this portion of Scripture is that David didn't organize the temple according to his wants and desires.  Rather, he followed God's plan for the temple outlined in Exodus and Leviticus.  How did he know this plan?  He prepared and did he research by reading and understanding the Word of God.

We should do the same.  Don't undertake a project with your own thoughts in mind.  Instead, spend time in prayer, asking God for His plan.  Read the Bible - this is God's Word.  Knowing the Scriptures, understanding their meaning, will help you make good choices no matter what project you have undertaken.