2 Chronicles 11-12

2 Chronicles 11-12

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 11: Jeroboam does wickedly

                When Rehoboam comes to Jerusalem, he assembled from the house of Judah and Benjamin; one hundred and eighty thousand (180,000) warriors. This was the time of Jeroboam’s rebellion against the house of David. Rehoboam would keep the kingdom united, even if he had to do it by force. He was ready for a war against any of the Tribes of Israel that wanted to secede, but God spoke through a prophet in order to stop him. It was convincing enough, because Jeroboam decided to listen to the words of God spoken through Shemaiah, who was a man of God.

                Rehoboam stayed in Jerusalem and made sure to build cities of defense in Judah, Bethlehem, Tekoa, Beth Zur, Sochoh, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. He fortified strongholds and put captains to watch over stores of food, oil and wine. He put shields and spears; making them very strong.

                From all the territories; the priests and the Levites who were in Israel came out and took their stand with him. Jeroboam and his sons had been rejected from serving as priests of the Lord and therefore were now appointed as priests in the high places for the demons, and the calf idols. With this, they were able to strengthen the kingdom of Judah, but only because of the godly men and women who had migrated there. The kingdom was strong for 3 years because they walked in the way of David and Solomon.

                Rehoboam took for himself as a wife; Mahalath and she bore him children: Jeush, Shamariah, and Zaham. Rehoboam also took for himself eighteen wives and sixty concubines. Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maachah as chief to be leader among his brothers. He dispersed his sons throughout all the territories of Judah and Benjamin in order to keep them from forming an alliance to overthrow Abijah, who would be the likely successor to the throne.

Chapter 12: Rehoboam forsakes the Lord

                After Rehoboam had established his kingdom with strength, he completely forsook the law of the Lord and all of Israel along with him. He grew independent of God, instead of becoming more dependent on him. Essentially he looked to his own strength and wisdom, instead of humbling himself before the Lord.

                In the fifth year of the reign of the King of Rehoboam, Shishak the king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and because they had transgressed against the Lord, the Lord held his hand back and let the king of Egypt, Lubim, Sukkim and the Ethiopians take the fortified cities of Judah and Jerusalem. Shishak (known in Egyptian history as Sheshonk I), was the founder of the 22^nd Dynasty and one of the most energetic Pharaohs. His campaigns include a list of documented cities of Palestine that he conquered which stands to this day, carved into the walls of the temple of Amon at Karnak.

                Shemaiah, the prophet comes to Rehoboam and relays a message from God; “…Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.” (2 Chronicles 12:5). Shemaiah was the same prophet who discouraged Rehoboam from attacking the 10 tribes of Israel that rejected the leadership and ultimately formed the northern kingdom of Israel (see: 2 Chronicles 11:1-4).

                Because of this invasion, the leaders and King of Israel humbled themselves and said; “…The Lord is righteous.” (2 Chronicles 12:6). After the Lord had seen them humble themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah saying; “…They had humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries” (2 Chronicles 12:7-8).

                So, Shishak comes to Jerusalem and takes away all of the treasures of the house of the Lord and treasures of the King’s house. He also took away the gold shields, which Solomon had made. After the useless gold shields were taken to Egypt, Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place. This is an example of the fall; from gold to bronze in less than 5 years!

Thus Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem and reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king; and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother’s name was Naamah. And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord. The acts of Rehoboam, first and last, were written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer. Again, the Lost Books of the Bible. And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days. So Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. Then Abijah his son reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 9-10

2 Chronicles 9-10

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 9: Queen of Sheba and Solomon    

        

When the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to ask very hard questions of Solomon to prove of his wisdom and knowledge. After the Queen of Sheba heard the answers, wisdom and the house and all that Solomon had built. She approved. She didn't believe until she saw with her own eyes, but after seeing everything she knew that people had only told of half the greatness of Solomon. She gave Solomon 120 talents of gold, precious spices in abundance and many precious stones.

Solomon also received gold, algum trees and precious stones from Huram. With the algum trees, Solomon made terraces and harps. The amount of gold that came into Solomon in just one year was six hundred and three score and six talents of gold. This equates to about 49,950 pounds of gold or about 25 tons! OR 799,200 ounces! The current rate of gold per ounce right now is; $1,100! OR $879,120,000
per year! Almost one billion dollars, per year! In this chapter it mentions that, this did not include all of what the kings of Arabia or the chapmen or merchants.

Solomon made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with gold, with six steps to the throne with a footstool of gold with two lions standing by the stays. King Solomon passed the wealth of all the kings of the earth, all of the kings of the earth sought for the Wisdom of Solomon.

Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots and twelve thousand horsemen. The rest of the acts of Solomon are written in the book of Nathan and in the prophecy of Ahijah and the visions of Iddo. The Lost Books of the Bible! Solomon reigned for 40 years and then died.

Chapter 10: Rehoboam is an Idiot

                Rehoboam went to Shechem and all of Israel to make him King. Jeroboam and all of Israel came unto Rehoboam saying: “Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee” (2 Chronicles 10:4) and so Rehoboam told them to return in 3 days and they people left.

                Rehoboam goes to his counsel of old men and they tell him that if he listens to the people and speak kind words unto them, then they will serve you forever. But the younger counsel tells him to make their burdens even heavier.

                So 3 days passes and the people return to Rehoboam and he tell them; “…My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” (2 Chronicles 10:14). Obviously the people did not like these words and when Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute, the children of Israel stoned him to death and Rehoboam had to flee in his chariot from the city of Jerusalem. The people rebelled against the house of David from then on.

2 Chronicles 7-8

2 Chronicles 7-8

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 7: The Lord Appears Unto Solomon

Solomon ended his dedicatory prayer when The Lord came down from heaven and consumed his burnt offerings and sacrifices and the priests could not even enter  into the temple, because the glory of The Lord had filled the entire temple. When everyone sees tv glory of God in the temple, the children of Israel bow to the earth, and worshiped and praised God. Solomon then offered 22,000 oxen and 22,000 sheep as sacrifices. Solomon had to use the middle court, because the altar in the temple could not accept all of the fat and meat offerings. But the children of Israel keep the feast for 8 days, and on the eighth day they made a Solomon assembly.

The Lord appeared to Solomon by night and tells him that his prayers have been answered and that he will overlook the little things that men do, if they turn away from their evil ways and do good He will be patient and kind to the children of Israel. The Lord also promises to bless Solomon with many things if he follows The Lord, but if he did not follow The Lord he would be cut off.

Chapter 8: Solomon Builds Cities

Hurman restores cities to Solomon and Solomon causes that his people dwell in those cities. Solomon goes on to build more cities, like; Beth-horon and Baalath and all the other cities. Solomon offers sacrifices to The Lord according to the law of Moses and priests and Levites are appointed to serve The Lord.

2 Chronicles 5-6

2 Chronicles 5-6

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 5: The Temple is Finished

                Solomon finishes the temple and brings in everything that his father had dedicated towards the temple, the gold, silver and all the instruments were put in the treasuries of the house of the Lord. Solomon then commanded all the elders of Israel to go up to bring the ark of the Lord unto the city of David which is Zion.

                So they go and get the ark of the Lord and they bring it back to the house of the Lord, the newly built temple and rest the ark in the Oracle of the Sanctuary of the Temple. The men with the instruments began to play and glory in God and the glory of God was shown through the Temple.

Chapter 6: Dedicatory Prayer for the Temple

                Solomon blesses all the congregation of Israel that is gathered before the temple on the day of the dedication. Solomon gets down on his knees and spreads his hands toward heaven and prays;

                “O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. Now therefore, O Lord God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David. But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:

That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive. If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness. And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.

                When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them; Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.

If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:

Then what prayer or what supplication so ever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house: Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

                If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name; Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;

If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:

Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

                Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. O Lord God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.” (2 Chronicles 14-42)

                We learn a lot from Solomon’s prayer. Mainly asking God to be patient and understand of the weakness of man. Solomon prays that God will forgive men of their weakness, if only they turn away from it and come back to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 3-4

2 Chronicles 3-4

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 3: Solomon Builds a Temple

                Solomon begins the construction of the temple on the threshingfloor or Ornan. He begin construction on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign.

                In this chapter we learn again about the dimensions of the temple which could be found in previous books and chapters of the Old Testament. It mentions that Solomon used many precious stones and gold of Parvaim. He made images of cherubims and overlaid them with gold. Solomon also made a veil for the temple made of purple and crimson and all manner of fine linen. In the inner sanctuary he made chains and put a hundred pomegranates on the chains. The pillars of the temple on the left he called Boaz and on the right hand he called Jachin.

Chapter 4: Solomon’s Temple
               

                Solomon makes a molten altar of brass and a molten sea of brass (this is the baptismal font) which had oxen underneath it, 3 looking north, 3 looking west, 3 looking south and three looking east. The sea (baptismal font) rested upon their back and represent the twelve tribes of Israel. (the picture below is the baptismal font in the Salt Lake City, Utah LDS Temple.

                He made 10 lavers (washing stations), 10 candlesticks of Gold and 10 tables and put 5 on the right and 5 on the left. The baptismal font was set on the right side of the east end against the south. Everything in the temple was of gold.

2 Chronicles 1-2

2 Chronicles 1-2

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 1: Solomon Chooses Wisdom

                Solomon was strengthened in his kingdom and the Lord magnified him exceedingly. Solomon gathers up all the captains, princes and governors of Israel to go with him to a place at Gibeon, which was a tabernacle of the congregation that Moses had built in the wilderness. The ark of God was brought up to Kirjath-jearim and the brazen altar was brought before the tabernacle, and there Solomon offered a thousand sand burn offerings upon it.

                God comes to Solomon and asks him to ask Him for anything. Solomon asks God for wisdom and knowledge so he can better judge and lead the Lord’s people. God was very pleased with Solomon asking for knowledge and wisdom over riches and fame, and tells Solomon that his wish is granted and because he had asked for only knowledge and wisdom, he would also give him riches. So Solomon is given much wisdom, knowledge and riches!

Chapter 2: Solomon Builds a Temple

                Solomon begins to organize his labor force to build the temple. He gets men to get stone in the mountain, and men to oversee their work. He also contacts Huram in Tyre to get cedars to build the temple. Huram also supplies him with men to work in gold, silver, brass and iron. In trade, Solomon agrees to provide Hurman with his servants, if he lends some of his servants back. 

Summary of 1 Chronicles

Summary of 1 Chronicles

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

1 Chronicles 1-2: Genealogy of Adam/The Sons of Israel
1 Chronicles 3-4: David's Sons/Descendants of Judah
1 Chronicles 5-6: Descendants of Reuben/The Sons of Levi
1 Chronicles 7-8: Sons of Issachar/Descendants of Benjamin
1 Chronicles 9-10: Inhabitants of Jerusalem/Saul Dies
1 Chronicles 11-12: David King of Hebron/David's Mighty Men
1 Chronicles 13-14: The Ark of the Lord/David Marries Wives and Becomes Famous

1 Chronicles 15-16: David Prepares the Ark of the Lord/People Sacrifice and Praise the Lord
1 Chronicles 17-18: Covenant Between David and God/David Subdues all the adversaries of Israel
1 Chronicles 19-20: Ammonites plan War Against Israel/Ammonites are Overcome
1 Chronicles 21-22: David Numbers Israel/Solomon Is to Build the Temple
1 Chronicles 23-24: Solomon is Made King/Sons of Aaron and Levi Divided
1 Chronicles 25-26: Levite Singers and Musicians/Levites Assigned as Porters
1 Chronicles 27-29: Officers who served the King/Solomon to Build the Temple/Solomon Reigns as King

Summary of 1 Chronicles:

The book of 1st Chronicles is a book of Narrative History, and Genealogies. The author appears to be the prophet Ezra who wrote it in circa 430 B.C. It covers the events from 1000 to 960 B.C. Key personalities are King David and Solomon. This book parallels some of 2 Samuel, and therefore describes similar events. It was written after the exile, its purpose was to encourage the remnant that had come out of the Babylonian captivity. It begins with the ancestry of the nation’s past, but it is not chronological.

Chapter 1-9, the book begins with Adam and runs through the genealogies of Israel It continues through all the 12 tribes of Israel, then King David, and the priestly line. The descendants teach the history of the nation, extending from God's creation all the way through the exile in Babylon. "Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him that he requested" (4:10).

From chapters 10-29, there is a review from King Saul’s death with the Philistines, through King David's reign, including the preparation for the building of the new temple, which Solomon would build, "David also told his son Solomon, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or terrified. The LORD God, my God, will be with you. He will not abandon you before all the work on the LORD's temple is finished" (28:20). The book ends with Solomon's reigning as king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 27-29

1 Chronicles 27-29

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 27: Officers who served the King

                 David’s army was divided into units of twelve, with one group of the twelve on alert each month of the year. By doing this, they found an effective way of always keeping the troops ready and the inactive troops regularly trained.

Over the first first month was; Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were 24,000.The children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.

Over the second month was; Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course were 24,000.

Over the third month was; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course was 24,000. Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.

Over the fourth month was; Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course was 24,000.

Over the fifth month was; Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course was 24,000.

Over the sixth month was; Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Over the seventh month was; Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course was 24,000.

 Over the eighth month was; Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Over the ninth month was; Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course was 24,000.

 Over the tenth month was; Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course was 24,000.

Over the eleventh month was; Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course was 24,000.

Over the twelfth month was; Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course was 24,000.

Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah: Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok: Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.

And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah: And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash; And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys wasShaphat the son of Adlai: Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s.

Chapter 28: Solomon to Build the Temple

                David assembled all of the princes of Israel and the princes of the tribes and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by their month.

                David stands and says; “… Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and  had made ready for the building: But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war and hast shed blood.” (1 Chronicles 28:2-3). But he continues on to say that he was chosen to be the father of the one chose to build that house. This is Solomon. Solomon will build the house of the Lord. David says to Solomon; “…Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

                David further counsels Solomon to take heed and build the sanctuary for the Lord. He says; “…be strong, and do it.” (1 Chronicles 28:10)

                David continues to give Solomon the blue prints for the construction and gives him all the resources that he will need in preparing and going forth with the construction.

                He continues to speak with Solomon; “…Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 28:20)

Chapter 29: Solomon Reigns as King

                Everyone in Israel makes generous offerings of Gold, Silver, Iron, Time, etc. to the construction of the house of the Lord. David blesses and praises the Lord and instructs the people. David dies and Solomon reigns as the king. In verse 29 the chapter mentions the books of both “Samuel” and “Gad” which we no longer have today. Which is another example of why the Bible is not complete.

1 Chronicles 25-26

1 Chronicles 25-26

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 25: Levite Singers and Musicians

                David and the captains of the host are separated to assist the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, so they can prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the workers were:

The sons of Asaph; Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah

The sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah.

The sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:

 Everyone was there for a song in the house of the Lord with cymbals, psalteries, and harps and they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

The first lot came to Joseph, the second to Gedaliah, the third to Zaccur, thefourth to Izri, the

 fifth to Nethaniah, the sixth to Bukkiah, the seventh to Jesharelah, the eighth to Jeshaiah, the ninth to Mattaniah, the tenth to Shimei, the eleventh to Azareel, the twelfth to Hashabiah, the thirteenth to Shubael, the fourteenth to Mattithiah, the fifteenth to Jeremoth, the sixteenth to Hananiah, the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, the eighteenth to Hanani, the nineteenth to Mallothi, the twentieth to Eliathah, the 21^st to Hothir, the 22^nd to Giddalti, the 23^rd to Mahazioth, the 24^th to Romamti-ezer.

Chapter 26: Levites Assigned as Porters

Concerning the divisions of the porters:

 Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore.

The sons of Meshelemiah were; Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

The sons of Obed-edom were; Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth.

 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, Elihu, and Semachiah.

 All of the sons of Obed-edom were able men for strength.

Meshelemiah had 18 sons and brethren who were strong me.

 Also Hosah, had sons; Simri the chief, Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth:  and all the sons of Hosah were thirteen.

 Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the Lord. And they cast lots:

The eastward lot fell to Shelemiah. The northward lot to Zechariah, southward to Obed-edom, westward to Shuppim, eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day and toward Asuppim, two and two. At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.

And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, were over the treasures of the house of the Lord.

And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.

And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord.

And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated;and whosoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.

Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.

And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of theLord, and in the service of the king.

Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead.

And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.

1 Chronicles 23-24

1 Chronicles 23-24

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 23: Solomon is Made King

                When David was old and ready to return to his heavenly father he made his son Solomon king over the land. David then gathered up all the princes in Israel, and the priests with the Levites and had them all numbered, which was 38,000 men, of which 24,000 men were charged with working in the house of the Lord and 6,000 were officers and judges. 4,000 were porters and 4,000 praised the Lord with instruments.

                David divided them up into groups; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Of the Gershonites were: Laadan, and Shimei.

The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, Zetham, and Joel.

The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran.

The sons of Shimei were:  Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second.

The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

The sons of Amramwere ; Aaron and Moses. Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.

 The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.

The sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had noother sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.

The sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.

The sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

The sons of Uzziel; Michah the first, and Jesiah the second.

 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.

And Eleazar died, and had only daughters, and the sons of Kish married them.

The sons of Mushi; Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth.

These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the Lord, from the age of twenty years and upward.

Chapter 24: Sons of Aaron and Levi Divided

The divisions of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office.

David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, Ahimelech, and the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices of service.

The sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar; were they divided.

Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.They were divided by lot.

 7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses, the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel, the 21^st to Jachin, the 22^nd to Gamul, the 23^rd to Delaiah, and the 24^th to Maaziah.

And the rest of the sons of Levi were these:  the sons of Amram; Shubael: the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.

Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah;  was Isshiah.

Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.

And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.

The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.

The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.

The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.

Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.

Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.

The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. 

1 Chronicles 21-22

1 Chronicles 21-22

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 21: David Numbers Israel

                David commands that a census be taken, to "number" Israel. This is prompted however by Satan who has his own reasoning for doing things. God allows this temptation to move David into numbering Israel because God wants to chastise David. So why was it so bad to "number" Israel? In these times a man would "number" only what belonged to him. David did not own Israel or its people, God does. If God were to command a "numbering" of his people, then the motive would be service to the Lord and doing as He had commanded. However in this instance David was only concerned with protecting and putting his trust in a "multitude" of hosts, or in other words putting his trust in numbers of a manmade army over the trust of God.

                In our daily lives we can see this happen to us on a daily basis. How often do we put our trust in something manmade or putting our trust in another man (or woman) over God? I would say quite often. We must put our trust in God. That, however, does not mean that we are free to do as we please, or to simply sit back and say that we are putting our trust in God, without any actions! To trust, or have faith in God, we must ACT. We must do all that we can in following the commandments and working hard for what we feel is right, and then and only then will the hand of God be shown in our lives.

                Joab objects to the numbering and asks David to reconsider his foolish ways. Joab knew that David's reasoning was built up in pride, wanting to know how powerful he was, perhaps to conquer a neighboring nation. In Samuel 24:4 we read that it was not only Joab who objected to the numbering, but also the captains of the army, but David however prevails in his desire to number Israel, and he was immediately sorry for doing so.

                Joab comes back to David with the census complete and finds that there are 1.3 million fighting men among the twelve tribes, which is a small portion of the 6 million people living in Israel. Although Joab did not count the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, for fear that God would strike them down and all that would remain would be those who were not numbered. God would have struck down all of Israel, but God had already done so with the deeply afflicted heart of David. David, wasn't perfect, but when he knew that he had sinned his heart was very sensitive to sin and therefore was very remorseful of his ways. David admits that he has been foolish and asks God for, forgiveness.

                God sends a messenger to David and gives him three options of Judgment to forgive his sin:

#1: 3 years of famine.

#2: 3 Months until you are defeated by your enemies.

#3: For 3 days a plague would engulf the land.

                God gave David these three options to test David's heart and wisdom:

#1: 3 years of famine would surely kill most of Israel, the wealthy and resourceful would survive by depending on neighboring nations for food.

#2: 3 Months until you are defeated by your enemies would surely mean the death of most of the soldiers, and would probably result in new enemies.

#3: For 3 days a plague would engulf the land, this would cause a great deal of death among all of Israel, no matter who; rich, poor, military...etc.

                David chooses to have 3 days of plagues. This is important, because had David chose war; his family and himself would have been protected. Had David chosen famine, his wealth would have sustained him. Therefore he humbled himself and accepted of God's punishment by choosing something that could ultimately effect himself and his loved ones. By choosing 3 days of plague he was also in the hands of God, whom he knew would be more merciful than man.

               

                The destroying angel comes and kills 70,000 men of Israel and as the destruction is happening, God steps back and relented of the disaster and commanded the angel to restrain from continuing. David seeing the destructions laments to God asking him why he had killed so many of his innocent sheep and had refrained from touching him. God then commands David to erect a altar to the Lord. So
David does as he is commanded.

               

                David goes to Ornan and asks him to build an altar where his threshingfloor stands. David buys the land for 600 shekels of God, the full price of the property. David offers peace and burnt offerings there, as a tribute to his understanding of God and his ways in destroying 70,000 of his sheep.

                David finally knows where the Lord wants his temple to be built, right there on the threshingfloor.

Chapter 22: Solomon Is to Build the Temple

                David is commanded to gather men who were foreigners in the land of Israel, which were about 70,000 slaves to build the temple of Solomon. David gathered the finest materials, cedar trees from Lebanon. The house of God would have to be magnificently built unto the Lord, so David made preparations for his son Solomon to continue building the temple after his death. David charges (gives blessing) to Solomon to complete this great work of building the House of the Lord after his death, in a sense if Solomon failed in building the temple, David failed as well. David warns Solomon to stay faithful to God and his word, in accomplishing the construction of the temple. David counsels Solomon to;

                "...be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed." (1 Chronicles 22:13)

                                This is something that we can all appreciate and place in our hearts in our daily activities. Life, after all, is tough. Our challenges we face on a day to day level are not easy ones, but if we put our trust in God and don't worry about the future or how something will come about, then we can have that courage and strength that we need to continue fighting towards our righteous individual dreams and desires.

                David prepares the construction by leaving Solomon in charge of a great deal of money and resources to ensure that the temple does get built and with all its magnificence.