pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Monthly Archives: March 2024


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Dangers and Trappings

Readings: 1st Kings 9, 1st Kings 10, 1st Kings 11

1st Kings 9:6-7 – “However, if you or your sons turn away from following me… then I will remove Israel from the land… and I will reject the temple.”

Photo credit: Josh Calabrese

Our readings begin with God’s second visit to Solomon. God has heard his prayers and will “put my name” in the temple. God reminds Solomon again of the charge to walk faithfully with the Lord. God also warns, “However, if you or your sons turn away from following me… then I will remove Israel from the land… and I will reject the temple.”

We next gain some insights into Solomon’s building projects. Towns are given to Hiram and he questions their worth. Solomon forces all non-Israelites into work gangs. Yet outside of Israel, Solomon’s fame grows. The Queen of Sheba comes and questions him. She sees his wisdom and wealth. These are so great “it took her breath away.” She leaves many gifts and she offers a blessing. This foreign queen sees God as the driving force behind Solomon’s success. Others come to see Solomon, leaving tribute as they go.

In chapter 11 we begin to see Solomon’s struggles. He marries many, many foreign women. God had warned him: “They will definitely turn your heart towards their gods.” They do. Solomon worships their gods and builds shrines and altars so that his wives (and others) can worship these foreign gods. An angry God visits Solomon. God begins, “Because you have done all this…” Almost all of the kingdom will be torn away. But it will happen during his son’s reign and one tribe will remain with Solomon’s family. Both of these “gifts” are because of God’s love for David.

Next we learn of some of Solomon’s enemies. Hadad and Rezon are nuisances, picking away at the edges. There is no longer peace in Israel. Jeroboam will be the greater challenge. In his youth he had impressed Solomon. The prophet Ahijah meets Jeroboam and tears his new garment into 12 pieces. Handing Jeroboam ten he tells him that God will give him ten tribes to rule over. Ahijah tells him that if he will walk faithfully with the Lord… Well, we know that story.

Prayer: Lord God, today we are reminded of the dangers and trappings of the things of this world – wealth, possessions, fame. In and of themselves these are not evil. They are not a guarantee of sin. But they so easily entangle, so easily give us a false sense of security and identity. Lord, no matter our place in life, remind us again and again, draw us back over and over. Moment by moment, whisper into our hearts and keep us walking in your ways. Amen.


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A Temple and a Palace

Readings: 1st Kings 5, 1st Kings 6, 1st Kings 7, 1st Kings 8

1st Kings 8:58 – “May God draw our hearts to him to walk in all his ways and observe his commands, his laws, and his judgments.”

In today’s chapters the temple and Solomon’s palace are constructed. The King of Tyre, Hiram, reiterates the promise he made to David. Solomon and Hiram make an agreement. Solomon will receive wood and Hiram will receive wheat and oil. A huge work force is called up. The temple is 90′ by 30′ and is 45′ tall. It is beautiful and ornate and much is covered in gold. After 7 years, the temple is built. Hiram comes and makes items for the outer area: pillars, a huge tank, stands, washbasins… – all of bronze. For the inside items are made of gold: altar, table, lampstands…

Solomon is also building his palace. It will be 150′ by 75′ and is 45′ tall. It is much larger than the temple but is also much less ornate… It takes 13 years to finish the palace. As this is ongoing, the temple is dedicated. The ark of the covenant is brought into the Holy of Holies. God’s glory fills the temple. Solomon offers a long and beautiful prayer. He begins by acknowledging that there is no god like the one God. He acknowledges the covenant and God’s loyalty. He calls for the temple to be the center of worship and the focus of their faith. Whether famine or plague or sin or enemy invasion or exile, he calls on the people to look to the temple, to repent, to pray to God, and to turn their hearts fully to God. Solomon asks God to listen to their prayers and to do what is right. He closes and then offers an invitation: “May God draw our hearts to him to walk in all his ways and observe his commands, his laws, and his judgments.”

Extravagant sacrifices are made to dedicate the temple and courtyard. This is followed by a great celebration that lasts 14 days. The people are dismissed. They bless the king and head to their tents happy and pleased. It is a good day.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the picture painted today – a king and a people focused on doing something for your glory. Thank you for the example of a people with hearts turned fully towards you. Lead us to walk in these ways. Amen.


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Antidotes

Readings: 1st Kings 1, 1st Kings 2, 1st Kings 3, 1st Kings 4

1st Kings 2:3 – “Guard what is owed to the LORD your God, walking in his ways and observing his laws… commands… judgments… testimonies.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

As 1st Kings opens David is failing. A beautiful young woman, Abishag, is brought in to care for David. Sensing an opportunity, Adonijah gathers support from Joab the general and Abiathar the priest and declares himself king. Nathan and Bathsheba respond quickly to establish Solomon as the king. David makes it happen. Adonijah’s support disappears.

David then speaks to Solomon. He instructs him to be strong. He then instructs him to be faithful, saying, “Guard what is owed to the LORD your God, walking in his ways and observing his laws… commands… judgments… testimonies.” Obey God and it will go well. Oh, and by the way, take care of Joab and Shimei. David then dies and Solomon follows orders. Adonijah asks to marry Abishag. This potential power move costs him his life as Benaiah murders him. Abiathar is then banished from the priesthood and from Jerusalem. Eli’s family is now fully removed. Joab dies next, also at Benaiah’s hands. Shimei is placed under house arrest. After two years he breaks his pledge and also pays with his life.

In chapter 3 God comes to Solomon in a dream and says, “Ask whatever you wish.” After remembering God’s loyalty and kindness to his father, Solomon acknowledges that he is young, inexperienced, and doesn’t know it all. So he asks God for a discerning mind to govern well. God is pleased. Solomon will be abundantly wise. Plus he will have fame and riches. And a very long life – if he is obedient to God. Solomon’s wisdom is demonstrated in the case of the two prostitutes. News of his wisdom grows and spreads.

Chapter 4 marks the high point of Solomon’s reign. His administration is vast. The population explodes and life is good. They eat, drink, and celebrate and there is peace. Abundance is the word of the day. It is also the other edge of the sword. It can lead to dangerous places. It can be a trap for us as well. Humility and obedience to God are the antidotes.

Prayer: Lord God, things are going great for Solomon – if one overlooks the murder and revenge and the accumulation of great overabundance. We know the dangers and trappings of these things. Yet we can also struggle with them. So, Lord, guide us by the power of your Holy Spirit; keep our focus on you and on walking in your ways. Help us to be strong and to be faithful. Amen.


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Unrest Around Every Corner

Readings: 2nd Samuel 20, 2nd Samuel 21, 2nd Samuel 22, 2nd Samuel 23, 2nd Samuel 24

2nd Samuel 22:31 – “God! His way is perfect; the LORD’s word is tried and true. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Trouble begins our reading and makes frequent appearances throughout. Sheba tries to lead Israel away from David. Only one clan joins his revolt. In the pursuit, Joab kills Amasa, eliminating a rival. In the end, Sheba is beheaded by the people of Abel. Next a famine falls upon the land. It is connected to Saul’s treachery against the Gibeonites. David inquires of the Lord, who sends him to them. The price to fix this wrong is set at seven sons of Saul. They are offered up by the Gibeonites as the blood price for Saul’s sin. Rizpah, the mother of two of the seven, mourns day and night for months, keeping guard over their bodies. This moves David. He reburied Saul and Jonathan in the ancestral grave of Saul’s family.

War and battles with the Philistines continues to be the norm. After a close call David is told he will never go into battle again. This is one hint that chapters 21-24 were written or at least take place before Absalom’s rebellion. David offers a Psalm of praise in chapter 22. God is his rock, fortress, rescuer, salvation. God hears his cries. God rewards David’s righteousness and integrity. God shows faithful love to God’s anointed. He then offers some “last words” about covenant and dynasty.

Then there is a list of David’s warriors along with some of their feats. Then 2nd Samuel closes with another sin and its consequences. A census is ordered. Joab questions this. David overrules him. Pride is at play in David’s heart. After the census David feels guilty and he repents. The prophet Gad is sent to David with three choices of consequences. David chooses the plague, trusting God’s mercy over what human hands might do. After 70,000 die, David cries out and God relents. Gad instructs David to buy a threshing floor at the place the plague stopped. He does so, building an altar and offering sacrifices. The plague ends. Yet unrest lies just around the next corner as we turn to 1st Kings tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord God, unrest and turmoil and violence continue to be the norm. This feels like our world today. Yet here and there your love and goodness poke through – in a mother’s love, in your mercy, in David’s faithfulness. In the midst of the trials and sufferings of our world, remind us again and again of your love, mercy, and goodness. And, Lord, use us as conduits of these things in our world too, reminding others of your presence here with us. Amen.


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Tension Remains

Readings: 2nd Samuel 15, 2nd Samuel 16, 2nd Samuel 17, 2nd Samuel 18, 2nd Samuel 19

2nd Samuel 15:25 – “Carry God’s chest back into the city. If the LORD thinks well of me, then he will bring me back.”

Photo credit: Kim West

Our reading begins with Absalom subtly beginning a rebellion. He curries favor at the city gate. He builds alliances for four years. Then he gathers people in Hebron – some don’t know why – and he declares himself king. David and his household flee Jerusalem. On the way out, the priests offer sacrifices by the chest. David sends Zadok, the chest, and the rest of the priests  back into the city, saying, “Carry God’s chest back into the city. If the LORD thinks well of me, then he will bring me back.” He trusts the outcome of this rebellion to God.

Alliances, betrayals, and conceit abounds. Ziba lies for material gain. Shimei curses David. Spies give false advice, buying David and his troops needed time. They cross the Jordan safely and receive aid from Barzillai. Troops on both sides prepare for battle. David is convinced to stay behind. He gives a command to protect Absalom. David’s forces win the battle. Absalom gets caught in a tree while trying to escape. Joab begins and then oversees Absalom’s death.

News reaches David and he mourns deeply. Victory turns to sadness. The troops slink back into camp. Joab goes to David and calls him on this. David goes out to greet the troops. As David returns to Jerusalem, Israel argues about bringing him back as king. David reconnects with Judah and they take the lead in restoring David as king. This upsets the rest of Israel. Tension remains in the air. The sword is not far from David’s house.

Prayer: Lord God, so many do the wrong things in today’s passages. They chase the things of this world – power, possessions, status. Yet there are still those who do right. These are ones after your heart. Spirit, lead us to do right and to hold God’s will and ways above all else in our hearts and lives. Amen.


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Just the Beginning

Readings: 2nd Samuel 11, 2nd Samuel 12, 2nd Samuel 13, 2nd Samuel 14

2nd Samuel 11:1 – “In the spring, when kings go off to war, David sent Joab.”

Today begins the downward spiral of David’s reign. It sure begins simply enough. Instead of leading the troops on the annual springtime conquest, David stays behind. David sees Bathsheba as she bathes. Long story short, he sleeps with her and she becomes pregnant. In an attempted cover up, David brings Uriah to town. Given two opportunities to go and sleep with his wife, Uriah does the right thing. He is sent back to the battle front carrying his own death sentence.

God sends Nathan to confront David. He tells a simple story that is really the story of rich David and poor Uriah. David is very angry. Nathan responds, “You are that man!” David recognizes his sin and God forgives him. But the child will die. Soon Solomon is born. David goes out to lead in finishing off the Ammonites.

The next step downward involves two of his sons – Amnon and Absalom. Amnon is in “love” with Absalom’s sister Tamar. Using deceit Amnon arranged an opportunity to rape Tamar. Disgraced, she ends up back in Absalom’s house. Revenge is plotted and executed. Absalom flees to a foreign land.

Joab, a wise man, orchestrates Absalom’s return. These two are cut from the same cloth. Similar to how Nathan drew David in, Joab uses a woman to draw David in. This story also turns and in the end, Absalom is restored to David’s presence. But this is just the beginning of the stories of violence, revenge, and murder. The sword will not leave David’s house.

Prayer: Lord God, today we see how power can corrupt, can be twisted, and can be used for evil. When we are tempted to use our power in these ways, reign us back in. Remind us of the righteousness that you call us to. Bring us to the path that you want us to walk. Amen.


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Faithful to God

Readings: 2nd Samuel 8, 2nd Samuel 9, 2nd Samuel 10

2nd Samuel 8:15 – “David ruled over all Israel and maintained justice and righteousness for all his people.”

Photo credit: Emma Gossett

Turning to chapters 8-10, David continues to solidify his kingdom. He defeats the Philistines, Moabites, and Zobah. They bring him tribute. A king from Hamath sends his son with silver, gold, and bronze – a form of tribute. God gives David “victory wherever he went.” In return, in verse 8:15 we read, “David ruled over all Israel and maintained justice and righteousness for all his people.”

In chapter 9 we see the tender side of David. In a way, this is an expression of his grief over Jonathan. David locates Mephibosheth, the only surviving son of Jonathan. For most new kings, eliminating the former king’s offspring was a priority. But in this case, David brings him to the palace, buys back all the family land, tasks Ziba with working the land, and makes Mephibosheth like his own son. He will eat at the king’s table for the rest of his life.

In the next chapter Nahash dies. He is the king who took in a fleeing David, giving him Ziklag as a place to live. David sends messengers with condolences, but Hanun, the son, doubts David’s sincerity. He humiliates the messengers and sends them back home. War is on. Joab and his brother Abishai lead Israel against the Ammonites and Arameans. Trusting that God is with them, Israel wins two great victories. God is with David in all that he does. David has been faithful to God. It is as it should be.

Prayer: Lord God, in our daily lives, lead and guide us to follow you and to honor you in all that we do. Guide us to seek justice and to be righteous. Lead us to care well for those in need. Keep us faithful to you alone. Amen.


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Truly Grateful

Readings: 2nd Samuel 5, 2nd Samuel 6, 2nd Samuel 7

2nd Samuel 7:16 – “Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.”

The rest of Israel comes to David at Hebron and makes the king of Judah the king over all Israel. They recognize that God has declared David to be the one to “shepherd my people.” David makes a covenant with them and they anoint him king. In his first move as king, David captures Jerusalem. In an action that works like a treaty or peace offering, the king of Tyre sends supplies and laborers to build a palace for David.

The Philistines gather and God gives them into David’s hands. They regather and come against David again. And again God has a plan, which David follows exactly, and victory belongs to Israel. David then decides to bring the chest of the Lord to Jerusalem. Along the way Uzzah touches the chest and dies on the spot. This scares David and the chest is left there in Obed-edom’s house. His house is blessed by the presence of the chest. After three months the journey resumes. The chest enters Jerusalem with great celebration. Michal is displeased with how David danced before the Lord with all his might. He says to her, “I may humiliate myself even more” before the Lord.

David, sitting in his palace, realizes that God’s chest is still dwelling in a tent. He thinks God needs a house. But, through Nathan, he learns that his son will build the temple. God then turns the tables, telling David that God will build him a house – a dynasty. Through Nathan, God tells David, “Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.” Our reading closes with a beautiful prayer to God. David is truly grateful for all that God has done and for all that God promises to do. May it be so for us as well!

Prayer: Lord God, your plans are always good. You lead and guide us when we are obedient and faithful to you. Guide our steps too, blessing us with your presence every day. Amen.


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Lines Drawn

Readings: 2nd Samuel 1, 2nd Samuel 2, 2nd Samuel 3, 2nd Samuel 4

2nd Samuel 3:1 – “The war… was long and drawn out. David kept getting stronger, while Saul’s house kept getting weaker.”

The story of 1st Samuel continues into 2nd Samuel. News of Saul’s and Jonathan’s deaths reach David. The bearer of the news is dishonest in his account. He thinks it will bring him a reward. Instead, he pays for it with his life. David and all of Judah mourn the losses of Saul and Jonathan through a song that honors them. God leads David to move to Hebron. There the tribe of Judah gathers and anoints David king.

Ishbosheth, with Abner’s help, rules the rest of Israel from Mahanaim. Abner then leads Israel’s troops out to battle David’s troops, led by Joab. They meet at the pool of Gibeon and agree to send out 12 men each. They simultaneously kill each other. It is a sign of what is to come. The armies battle. Asahel, Joab’s brother, pursues Abner. Trying to end the pursuit, Abner accidentally kills Asahel. Finally, Abner asks Joab how long will brothers kill brothers. This ends the battle for now. It is just the beginning. In 3:1 we read, “The war… was long and drawn out. David kept getting stronger, while Saul’s house kept getting weaker.”

We then learn that six sons are born to David at Hebron – by six different wives. Meanwhile, Ishbosheth angers Abner and he decides to now side with David. After meeting with David, Joab murders Abner, getting revenge for Asahel’s death. David condemns this evil act. David and Judah then mourn Abner’s death. Next we learn of Rechab and Baanah assassinating Ishbosheth, bringing his head to David, looking for some personal reward. David, however, condemns this evil act too. These two men pay for the righteous Ishbosheth’s blood with their lives. David clearly draws the line against revenge and assassination. These evil things will have no place in his kingdom – for now.

Prayer: Lord God, we see in David a man that leads mostly well as he consolidates power. He seeks your guidance. He honors the dead. He calls out and punishes evil, even when it benefits him. And he has six sons by six wives and adds Michal back into the mix too. Lord, guide us to know right from wrong, good from evil. And help us to resist those temptations that we struggle with along the way. Amen.


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Set for a Transition

Readings: 1st Samuel 29, 1st Samuel 30, 1st Samuel 31

1st Samuel 30:26 – “He sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah and to his friends. ‘Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.'”

Once again it is time for battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. David has been living in the Philistine territory for over a year so he and his soldiers march out with Achish and the rest of the Philistine army. But the commanders don’t trust David – he could turn on them in battle. He and his soldiers are sent back to Ziklag. In the meantime, though, the Amalekites have raided Ziklag and have hauled off everyone. David’s soldiers are very upset, almost ready to stone David. But he consults with God and is directed to pursue the raiding party.

David and the troops have been marching for 3 days already. 200 of the soldiers are too exhausted to continue the pursuit. David and 400 press on. They find a slave who was abandoned and he leads them to the Amalekite raiders. David attacks and recovers everyone plus some sheep, cattle, and other plunder. Some of the “evil and despicable individuals” don’t want to share with the 200 but David intervenes, making it a regulation to share with those who guarded the supplies. David also sends some of the plunder to Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”

Elsewhere, the Philistines and Israelites engage in battle. Many Israelites fall and the rest flee. Saul and sons are overtaken. Saul’s three sons die and he is wounded. He falls on his sword and dies, avoiding torture and death at the “hands of these uncircumcised men.” Some brave men recover the bodies of Saul and his sons. They are cremated and buried in Jabesh. Israel mourns for seven days.

The reign of Saul comes to a close and the stage is set for a transition to a new king. This will not be an easy transition.

Prayer: Lord God, there is violence and war and mistrust and death. There is loyalty and faith and trust and hope. Guide us to cling to you in both the good and the bad of our lives, just as David did. Turn us ever to you for guidance and strength. May we find these too. Amen.