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.