Prophets And Kings, Day 3. David's Instructions To Solomon, The Death Of David

Prophets And Kings

Day 3

David's Instructions To Solomon

The Death Of David

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA

David knows hims going to die soon and its impawtant to give instructions on faith to hims son Solomon. Its also impawtant to give him instructions about men in high offices who cannot be trusted. 

1 KINGS 2:1-11

"When the time grew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 'I am about to go the way of all the earth,' he said." (1 Kings 2:1-2a) We all have a date with death unless the Lord returns soon. We all have sinned and we all owe a death. David knows his time is short and that he must give instructions to Solomon while he still has the strength to do so.

David goes on to say, "So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to Him, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and regulations, as is written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep His promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.'" (2 Kings:2b-4) The Lord kept His promise until the the family line of David became more and more unfaithful to Him. They failed to keep their word to the Lord. Had they been faithful, there would never have ceased being a throne in Israel and a king to sit on it. Instead the nation was conquered by Babylon and taken into captivity and Solomon's temple was destroyed. There has been no throne and no king since approximately 600 BC, as King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon made several sieges of Jerusalem during the late 500s BC and early 600s BC. Under Cyrus the Great, Israel was allowed to return to her homeland, but there was no king, and she was later conquered by Rome. After the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 70AD it seemed impossible that Israel could ever rise again. But God is faithful even when man is not. Ever since He placed Adam and Eve in the garden, humans have failed to keep their part of the bargain time and again, but God is still faithful. His promise is not made void by the actions of man because His perfect plan does not depend upon man. Someday there will be a throne in Israel and the King of kings will sit on it, just as God said He would.

David turns to more practical matters as he warns Solomon about false friends and wicked men. "Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me---what he did to the two commanders of Israel's armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace." (1 Kings 2:5-6) Abner was the general of Saul's army and of Ish-Bosheth's army. He made a peace treaty with David and Joab killed him in cold blood. Amasa was the man David put in charge when he demoted Joab after Joab killed Absalom against David's instructions. Joab killed Amasa while pretending to greet him as a friend. Both times Joab's dagger dripped blood on his belt and his sandals when he placed it back in its sheath at his waist. He is guilty of innocent blood. David doesn't mention the murder of Absalom perhaps because he knows Absalom's death was warranted. David didn't want his son killed but his son was guilty of treason against the king, an offense punishable by death. Therefore Joab's killing of Absalom was justified in a legal sense. David does not come right out and tell Solomon he should have Joab executed, but he insinuates it. He says, "Deal with him according to your wisdom," or in other words, "Do as you see fit." But we know what he is really saying is, "I'm not telling you to kill him, but you should kill him."

"But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom." (1 Kings 2:7) Barzillai was the elderly man who provided for David and the people with him when they fled across the Jordan in fear for their lives. David is a man who remembers the acts of others toward him, both the good and the bad, and he wants each one rewarded accordingly. Barzillai has probably been in his grave for some time now but his sons are still in Israel and are still faithful to David. He wants to make certain Solomon takes care of them just as their father took care of David.

David has not forgotten the man who kicked him when he was down. "And remember, you have with you Shemei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: 'I will not put you to death by the sword.' But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood." (1 Kings 2:8-9) When David and those with him had to abandon Jerusalem in order to save their own lives, Shemei cursed them and threw rocks and dust on them. He was of the tribe of Saul and was happy to see David cast down from the throne. He told David he was getting exactly what he deserved. But after Absalom was killed and the nation asked David to return as king, Shemei was one of the first to greet him. He knew he had to smooth things over if he wanted to keep on living. I doubt his heart was really in it, but David granted him mercy anyway. David kept his word not to kill Shemei but he advises Solomon to take care of this man if he makes any trouble. Times of political change often bring out the worst in those closest to the throne and David wants to make sure Solomon doesn't give this man another chance if he messes up again.

Solomon now knows all he needs to know to take up the reigns of the kingdom. Above all else, he is to serve God and obey Him. He is to be kind to those with pure motives and he is to be wary of those with bad motives. David trusts Solomon is wise enough, with the help of the Lord, to figure the rest out as he goes along.

Now we come to the part of our study that makes me sad. "Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. He had reigned forty years over Israel---seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established." (1 Kings 2:10-12) It grieves me to say goodbye to David. We have been with him for so long now. We have shared in his adventures. We have joined him in journeys both good and bad. Our church pastor preached Sunday morning about David being called by God from the sheepfold to be king of Israel and I remarked to my husband that I feel like I know David personally because of the blog. When the pastor spoke of him it was like he was speaking of someone I once knew in real life. So it hurts to say goodbye to him. But we have an unshakable hope in that the author takes care to assure us "David rested with his ancestors". He is not dead but alive in the presence of the Lord, along with all his ancestors who trusted in the God of Israel. Someday we can sit down in the kingdom of God and listen to David tell the story about having to kill the lion and the bear when they tried to attack the little lambs. We can hear about his military exploits and victories. But above all I think David will point us to the One who brought him safely through and we will rejoice with him in our Savior.

In conclusion today I feel like eulogizing David and I can think of no better words to say than those that came from his own pen. These are words that have been spoken over many a casket and over many a grave. It seems fitting to end our journey with David by reading the 23rd Psalm.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil;

My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Prophets And Kings, Day 2. A New King

Prophets And Kings

Day 2

A New King

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA

Yesterday Davids wife Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan came to inform him that Adonijah hads set himself up as king, despite the fact that the throne weres promised to Solomon. This news rouses the weak and sickly king to action. While him haves lain ill in bed, no longer able to go out among the people, treason haves taken place in hims own family. I picture David sitting up now in bed, hims voice made stronger by the urgent need to act quickly. I think there is some fire in hims aged eyes as him lays out the plans to anoint Solomon king today.

1 KINGS 1:32-53

"King David said, 'Call Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.' When they came before the king, he said to them: 'Take your lord's servants with you and have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon. There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!' Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.'" (1 Kings 1:32-35) David calls in three of his top men who have remained loyal to him, trusting them to carry out this vital piece of business. Two men of God and an army commander are to get Solomon and place him on David's own mule as a sign of the legitimacy of his claim to the throne. A mule was an imported animal and usually reserved for kings and leaders, so there is no mistaking David's intentions when he insists Solomon ride his mule. Benaiah's presence there will show the people that the army is behind Solomon. The presence of Zadok the high priest and Nathan the prophet will show the people that the Lord and the priesthood are behind Solomon. This new king is given the blessing of both the military leaders and the spiritual leaders of the nation. The men of God will anoint Solomon king and then the trumpet will be blown and the men will shout, "Long live King Solomon!" Then they are to place him on David's throne in the palace at Jerusalem, making a clear and unmistakable statement that David himself has handed over the crown to his son. 

"Benaiah son of Jehoida answered the king, 'Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, so declare it. As the Lord was with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon to make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King David!'" (1 Kings 1:36-37) Benaiah is saying, "May the Lord bless what we do today! May He bless King Solomon and bless the nation through him! May Israel prosper even more under the rule of Solomon than it prospered under David!" The man who formerly commanded the army, David's nephew Joab, has betrayed him by supporting Adonijah. But God is faithful and in Benaiah He has given David a man who is both loyal and godly. As we go through life there are some friends who will stick with us no matter what; forty years from now they will still be our friends. Other friends may come and go. Some may desert us when hard times come or when things don't go their way. God is faithful to send us the kind of friends we need when we need them and I believe Benaiah is that type of friend. Joab deserted David after all these years but the new army commander supports David with all his heart.

"So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and Pelethites went down and had Solomon mount King David's mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, 'Long live King Solomon!' And all the people went up after him, playing pipes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound." (1 Kings 1:38-40) You may have heard of the Gihon Springs. This was a populous area and a gathering place because of the water there. Taking Solomon to Gihon to anoint him king was like going on TV and making an official statement. The area was so populated on the day Solomon was anointed that the ground shook from the noise they made as they celebrated the new king.

"Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they were finishing their feast. On hearing the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked, 'What's the meaning of all the noise in the city?'" (1 Kings 1:41) Joab is never one to catch on quickly to spiritual matters. He has no idea why anybody would be blowing the trumpet and shouting with joy. Nobody is shouting with joy at Adonijah's feast even though he has declared himself king.

"Even as he was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, 'Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news.'" (1 Kings 1:42) Jonathan risked his life for King David in 2 Samuel when, as a spy, he ran to warn David that Absalom was coming for him. If not for the help of Jonathan, David might not be alive. Because Jonathan is the son of Adonijah's henchman Abiathar, he assumes he is bringing good news. But it is not so.

"'Not at all!' Jonathan answered. 'Our lord King David has made Solomon king. The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they have put him on the king's mule, and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds with it. That's the noise you hear. Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours and his throne greater than yours!' And the king bowed in worship on his bed and said, 'Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.'" (1 Kings 1:43-48) It seems to me that Jonathan takes pleasure in giving this news to Adonijah, for it appears he has remained loyal to David. He keeps referring to David as "our lord King David". He was in the palace to observe David bowing in worship on his bed. I believe that even though Jonathan's father betrayed David, Jonathan himself has not.

"At this, all Adonijah's guests rose up in alarm and dispersed." (1 Kings 1:49) Adonijah has gathered to himself a bunch of fair weather friends and now they desert him like rats leaping off a sinking ship.

"But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. Then Solomon was told, 'Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, 'Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.'" (1 Kings 1:49-51) The altar was considered a place where a man could flee to find mercy for his crimes, although Exodus 21 points out that this will not help anyone who deliberately kills a person. Since Adonijah hasn't yet gone so far as killing anyone to take the throne, he runs to the altar and takes hold of it, begging leniency from Solomon. It's ironic that, upon taking the throne, Adonijah would have killed Solomon and his mother Bathsheba, yet here today he is pleading for Solomon not to kill him.

Solomon is willing to show mercy to his half brother. "Solomon replied, 'If he shows himself to be worthy, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.' Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, 'Go to your home.'" (1 Kings 1:52-53) Solomon grants Adonijah a pardon for his treason and sends him home. This could have been the end of it if Adonijah had subjected himself to Solomon's rule. He could have lived the life of a prince of Israel in peace but he will not show himself worthy. This man whose name means "my master is Yahweh" feels that nobody is the master of him...not the Lord and certainly not his brother Solomon. If Adonijah had respected the Lord, he would have respected the Lord's chosen king, but Adonijah doesn't even respect his own father. This is why I believe the Lord commanded us to respect our parents; even if they don't have the type of character we can respect, we are to respect their position of authority. If we cannot respect those in authority over us on earth, how can we learn to respect our Father in heaven? This lack of respect will lead to Adonijah's doom at the hands of the king. 

A proud, rebellious, and disrespectful spirit is a quality the Lord deplores in us. It will bring harm to us and He would rather spare us that. A willingness to respect God and His decisions will help us a great deal in life. We must follow the example of the Lord Jesus who said to His Father, "Not My will, but Yours be done."

Prophets And Kings, Day 1. Another Rebellion Against David

Prophets And Kings

Day 1

Another Rebellion Against David

INTRODUCTION BY BELINDA

Happy Sunday mornin and welcome to ours new Bible study coverin the books of 1st & 2nd Kings! Mommy and I are so excited to get started because we haves never done a really in-depth look at these books before. We are going to learn all sorts of new and wunnerful things bouts ours God. 

We are tryin somethin different wif this study if thats ok wif ours readers. If not, we invite you to tell us whether or not this is acceptable to you. But as you know, the Belinda haves been in heaven now for 15 months and up til now I haves mostly been the voice of the blog because of being much older and wiser than the Mommy. I weres almost 108 years old in doggie years when I lost my battle wif congestive heart failure, so I experienced a long and eventful life on earth. I haves given the Mommy a lot of advice and help wif the blog. I weres thinkin now it might be time to let her take a bigger role while I step back a bit, like a pawrent steppin back and lettin go of the bicycle seat. I will still be here and I will still contribute, but I wants to let the Mommy be a big girl now. I haves taught her a lot of what I know about life and about God and I think hers ready to give it a try. Mommy will always love me and I will always be a huge influence on hers life, so you cans be certain the Belinda will be here all the time watchin over her. 

Now lets begin ours look today at the word of God.

1 KINGS 1

"When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him." (1 Kings 1:1) To us seventy may not seem "very old" but David was a warrior all his life. David faced stress after stress, hardship after hardship, and his body is tired and worn. He is confined to his bedroom and no amount of covers is able to warm his thin blood. 

"So his attendants said to him, 'Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.' Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her." (1 Kings 1:3-4) I believe Abishag was a concubine, and therefore a legal but lesser type of wife, for otherwise it would have been improper for her to sleep in David's bed even though he had no sexual relations with her. I imagine David would have had relations with her if he could have because David had a weakness for women, but he is obviously in very ill health by this time. Another reason I believe she was a concubine is that David's rebellious son Adonijah will ask for her hand in marriage after David's death, a custom which signified a man's desire to take the dead man's place in every way. It was a presumptuous and sinful request for Adonijah to make because it indicated his disrespect for his father. Some historians have tried to equate the beautiful Abishag with the woman Solomon writes the Song Of Songs for, but most mainstream Bible scholars reject this idea. The Bible forbade a man to sleep with any of his father's wives, "Do not have sexual relations with your father's wife; that would dishonor your father." (Leviticus 18:8) Even in New Testament times this practice was forbidden by all cultures as the Apostle Paul points out, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate; a man is sleeping with his father's wife." (1 Corinthians 5:1) Although Solomon would have inherited everything that belonged to David, including the harem, this does not mean he slept with those women. They are now widows but it is still wrong, according to the word of God, for any of them to be married to any of David's sons. 

All of Israel knows that David's time is short and so his son Adonijah sees an opportunity to make a bid for the throne. "Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, 'I will be king.' So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. (His father had never rebuked him by asking, 'Why do you behave as you do?' He was also very handsome and was born after Absalom.)" (1 Kings 1:5-6) We see why Adonijah feels he can lay claim to the throne. Absalom was at one time the heir-apparent and now that Absalom is dead Adonijah is next in line after him.  

David was a successful man on the battlefield but was never very successful at home. His children are rebellious because he never rebuked them, as the author of 1 Kings tells us. David never once took matters in hand to ask Adonijah why he is disobedient. His actions here are very similar to the actions of Absalom who also procured for himself a chariot and horses and runners to announce his journeys through the land as he stole the hearts of the people of Israel. That strategy worked pretty well for Absalom and Adonijah copies him. David, as his father and as the king, could have at any time prevented this behavior but he never did. No wonder Solomon spends so much time in the book of Proverbs discussing the importance of discipline and training for children. He has seen firsthand what happens when a family is allowed to run amok. 

"Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support." (1 Kings 1:7) Joab, David's nephew and army commander, turns away from him after all these years and places his loyalty with Adonijah. Up til now Joab remained loyal to David and many times in 1st and 2nd Samuel we wondered what David would have done without Joab to advise and encourage him. I think there are several reasons Joab supports Adonijah. For one thing, he may still harbor resentment over being demoted after he killed Absalom. Joab had to kill his replacement in order to get his job back and even now a new commander named Benaiah is gradually taking over the army. For another, at the end of 2 Samuel we saw that Joab was disgusted with David's sinful plan to count all the fighting men and he may feel greatly offended by having to perform such a task. And third, he has always been a shrewd and ambitious man and he sees now that David is near the end of his life. It may seem to him that the prudent thing to do is to stand behind the man who looks like he will be the next king. Abiathar's reasons for betraying David are less clear. Previously he was a spy for David during Absalom's short occupation of Jerusalem but some commentators speculate he is jealous that David made Zadok high priest instead of him.

"But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David's speccial guard did not join Adonijah." (1 Kings 1:7) The high priest, a great leader in the army, a loyal prophet, David's close advisers, and his personal group of bodyguards remain firmly in support of David.

"Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoleheth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon." (1 Kings 1:7-8) Adonijah offers these animals to the Lord and burns the fat to Him, then prepares a feast with the meat. He invites all those he thinks will support his bid for the throne. It's very telling that he does not invite Solomon, for we will find that it is well known that David has chosen Solomon to reign after him. Solomon is nowhere near being next in line as far as birth order is concerned, but God didn't choose the first several kings of Israel according to man's rules. Throughout the Bible we find God choosing leaders according to what is in their hearts and He has chosen Solomon and has made this choice clear to David. We find this passage in 1 Chronicles 22 when David intends to build a temple for the Lord but the Lord tells him Solomon will build it instead. The Lord promised David regarding Solomon, "He will be My son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever." 

Nathan finds out what is happening at En Rogel and he hurries to speak to Solomon's mother, "Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, 'Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. Go in to King David and say to him, 'My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: "Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne?" Why then has Adonijah become king?' While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and add my word to what you have said." (1 Kings 1:11-14) David is too feeble to keep up with what is happening in the nation but Nathan is surprised Bathsheba has heard nothing about this from the women. He would expect Haggith to be bragging about her son Adonijah. But one thing is for certain: if Adonijah becomes king he will be sure to kill his rival Solomon and Solomon's mother Bathsheba. Adonjiah may think he has the title to the throne by birth order, but God's will trumps birth order every time. He has chosen Solomon to lead Israel and Adonijah will waste no time getting rid of Solomon.

"So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him. Bathsheba bowed down, prostrating herself before the king. 'What is it you want?' the king asked. She said to him, 'My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the Lord your God: 'Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.' But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it. He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his ancestors, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals.'" (1 Kings 1:15-21) Bathsheba makes a lovely and respectful speech before the king. She repeatedly refers to him as "my lord the king", reminding him he is still in control of Israel and still has the power to take charge of this dire situation. She reminds him of the promise he made to her in the name of the Lord. She also points out that she and Solomon are sure to perish at the hands of Adonijah if he is allowed to set himself up as king.

"While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. And the king was told, 'Nathan the prophet is here.' So he went before the king and bowed his face to the ground." (1 Kings 1:22) Nathan arrives to be a second witness to the national emergency that's taking place. Evidently Bathsheba is asked to wait outside while David talks to Nathan, for she is called back in later.

"Nathan said, 'Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king's sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!' But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiaha, and your servant Solomon he did not invite. Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?'" (1 Kings 1:24-27) Nathan knows David never approved of such a thing but appeals to him in a respectful manner, as if David may have made decisions he knows nothing about.

"Then King David said, 'Call in Bathsheba!' So she came into the king's presence and stood before him. The king then took an oath: 'As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.' Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground, prostrating herself before the king, and said, 'May my lord King David live forever!'" (1 Kings 1:28-30) This very day, while David is still alive, he will give the throne to Solomon. He will not make an announcement that Solomon will reign after his death; instead he will assure that the throne goes to Solomon by giving it to him now. There will be no way anyone else can lay legitimate claim to the throne after this, for King David himself will give it to Solomon. Solomon's reign can never be spoken against and no other son of David will be able to say the throne rightfully belongs to anyone else.

Tomorrow we will see David carry out this plan and we will see a little bit of the old warrior come out in him as he takes charge of things during his final days on earth. Today I want to conclude by meditating a moment on the grace of God in making Solomon king. Solomon is the son of the woman with whom David committed adultery, though he is not the child of that sinful escapade. Solomon is the son of the woman David married after having her husband killed, so he is a legitimate child, but who would ever have thought God would choose him to be king of Israel? But over and over in the Bible we find God redeeming people and circumstances. God redeems this family line of David, so much so that God's own Son will spring from this branch of David's family. What a Redeemer we have! He takes us in all our faults and failures and makes something new of us. He casts our wicked past aside and gives us a glorious future in Christ. There is nothing God cannot make new. There is nothing He cannot redeem. 

The Christmas Story, Part 3

The Christmas Story

Part 3

Yesserday I enjoyed readin bouts the birth of Jesus wif you. It weres such a holy night when ours Lord came to earth and it mades me happy to know Him weres loved and adored on that night, for Him endured such awful things later on. Today Mary and Joseph take Him to the temple accordin to the law and we see two more people declare Jesus to be the Messiah.

"On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived." (Luke 2:21 ) This weres accordin to the law as it says in Leviticus 12:3, "On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised." This is another example that Mary and Joseph did theirs best to live accordin to all the Lords commands.

"When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law 'Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord'), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord: 'a pair of doves or two young pigeons'." (Luke 2:22-24) Accordin to the law, 40 days of purification followed the birth of a child, at which time the mother hads to present a sacrifice. The preferred sacrifice weres a year-old lamb for the burnt offerin and a young pigeon or dove for the sin offerin. But the law allowed for the fact of poverty and saids if the mother couldnts afford a lamb her coulds bring two doves or two pigeons instead. (Leviticus 12:6-8) Because Joseph and Mary coulds only bring two birds we knows they weres too poor to afford a lamb.

Oh, but why bring a lamb when the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world weres here? Gods holy and spotless Lamb hads come to earth to save the poor and the rich alike, to save the reverent and the wicked alike, to make children of God from all who woulds accept Him. Accordin to ours studies, Jesus Himself never mades any kind of sacrifice. Theres no record of it in the Scriptures. Tho sacrifices weres required by the law, they weres made to atone for sin, and Jesus hads no sin. In this area the law woulds not apply to Him for Him weres sinless.

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the law required, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.' The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.'" (Luke 2:25-25)

This man Simeon hads been promised by God that him woulds live to see the Messiah. The Holy Spirit instructed him that the Savior weres in the temple so him went over to see Jesus in person. Now Simeon coulds depart this life in peace knowin Gods promise hads come true. The preachin of the Lord Jesus weres going to reveal to people what weres truly in theirs hearts. Those who eagerly heard Him weres convicted by the Holy Spirit of theirs sinful state and they found in Him a Savior. Jesus woulds lift up those who hads turned to Him from wicked lives. But many woulds also fall: those who thought they weres righteous yet weres evil in theirs hearts but refused to believe it.

Simeon prophetically tells Mary, "And a sword will pierce your own soul too." I think this prophecy is twofold like most of the prophecies in the Bible. Just as the Lord Jesus woulds be pierced by a sword on the cross, Mary woulds be pierced to the soul at the same time, witnessin the death of hers precious boy. Some of my readers may haves lost children and you know exactly how Mary felt. Also I believes that the sword of the Holy Spirit weres going to pierce hers soul and show her that her needed a Savior just as we all need a Savior. Mary weres aware her werent perfect for we sees her keepin the law and bringin the required sacrifices for sin. But after the resurrection of Jesus her believed on Him also as Savior. At that time her fully unnerstood all the things her hads formerly marveled at and kept in hers heart.

"There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." (Luke 2:36-38) We begins to see already that Jesus treated men and women alike. Him revealed Himself to both. In a patriarchal society women weres often treated as the lesser sex, treated as if they werent as impawtant as men, but in the ministry of Jesus we will see Him treatin women wif respect and dignity. Him even taught women, which a rabbi didnts do. This is why the sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, loved Him so, for Jesus believed theirs instruction and teachin weres as impawtant as the mens. We all are equally valuable to Him. We all are equally loved by Him.

"When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on Him." (Luke 2:39-40) The Lord went home wif Joseph and Mary and grew strong in this household wheres the Lord weres respected. The Lord Jesus weres filled wif wisdom and the grace of God weres on Him. Someday this child woulds become a man who woulds go to the cross for us all, pourin out the grace of God on all mankind.

At Hims first advent the Lord weres loved only by those whose hearts longed to know Him. The Lord Jesus, King of all creation, Maker of heaven and earth, lived humbly Hims entire life. Instead of sittin on Davids throne at Hims first advent, ours Lord weres born in a stable. Instead of havin all mankind bow down to Him as Lord, they hung Him on a cross. But someday Jesus Christ will return as King of kings and Lord of lords, magnificent in glory, mighty in power, and the government of this world will be on Hims shoulders. Righteousness will reign. Peace will prevail. Love will be the law. Amen! Come soon, Lord Jesus our King!

Below is ours worship song for today.
Our King Has Come

The Christmas Story, Part 2

The Christmas Story

Part 2

Yesserday we saw that Mary and Joseph hads arrived in Bethlehem to be taxed. Today we studies the birth of Jesus.

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." (Luke 2:6-7) Cans you imagine how nerve-wrackin this experience weres for a young couple away from home? If Mary hads been home her could haves hads hers mother and female relatives to help wif the birth but we doesnt see any mention of anypawdy being wif Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem. Plus no inns hads any room for em even tho her weres bouts to haves the baby any minute. Mary and Joseph hads no experience wif labor and babies and I cants help wonderin if they weres frightened and upsetted. All we knows for certain is that Mary evidently gave birth in a stable or some type of other shelter for livestock, for her laid the baby Jesus in a manger.

I haves heards it mentioned that most everything Jesus ever hads weres borrowed. When the Lord said "the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" it weres the truth. (Luke 9:58) Hims first baby bed weres borrowed from the farm animals. Him stayed at the homes of friends and disciples durin the years of Hims ministry. The body of Jesus weres even laid to rest in a borrowed tomb. Jesus, the Lord of heaven and precious Son of God, owned nothin but the clothes on Hims back here on earth. Him dids that for us! Him considered us worth the cost of layin aside the glory and privilege of heaven. Just between you and me, we werent worth it. We werent worth the hard livin, the sufferin, and the death of ours Lord. But love mades us worth it to Him.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.'" (Luke 2:8-14) You woulds expect the Messiah and King to be born in a palace somewhere but the sign weres that Him hads been laid in a manger, wrapped in swaddlin cloths, like a homeless child. Ours sinful world thought we hads it all but we really hads nuthin wifout Him, so Him gaved up everything Him hads to come here and save us. The Lord Jesus said to one of the churches in the book of Revelation, a wealthy church, "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." (Revelation 3:17) Thats what we weres wifout Christ: wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. No wordly treasures coulds ever compare to what we haves in Him. No amount of wealth cans save ours souls. When we gets to heaven its gonna be by grace alone that we enters in.

"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." (Luke 2:16-18) I finds it so touchin that there weres shepherds and lambs at the birthplace of ours Lord because Him weres the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) I heards somepawdy say once that only eyes that adored Him weres the ones who saws Him on the night of Hims birth and that blesses my heart, for so many eyes that hated Him saws Him on the day of Hims death. On the night the Lord weres born Him weres looked upon wif lovin eyes. The Father looked down on Him wif pride and probably some sorrow too, knowin what weres to come. The angels looked upon Him in adoration and praise. Mary and Joseph looked upon Him in love and awe. The shepherds looked upon Him in worship. The animals looked upon Him as theirs Creator. The King hads come and on this first night Him weres honored.

Mary, that young scared girl wif a new baby, weres tired and proud and awestruck at the events that hads taken place. Luke says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) Doesnt that sound just like a mom? Her treasured everything to do wif hers son, and her treasured everything said bouts hers son. Mary hads a mental baby book for this precious boy, just as in ours day a mom woulds save all the cards, birth announcements, pictures, and the wunnerful compliments bouts hers child.

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." (Luke 2:20) The word of God is true and we will find things just as we haves been told. This child Jesus hads been told of by all the prophets. Hims eventual sacrificial death weres pictured in the Passover lamb and all the sacrifices which hads come before Hims birth. At last God hads come Himself, in the flesh, to Hims people. Nopawdy else coulds save us but Jesus and Him weres more than willin to do it. Who elses God ever died for them? What other religion offers us salvation thru anything but ours own works? Ours salvation is in the person of Jesus Christ, and in Christ alone. Glory to Hims name for this great gift!

Below is a worship song about the night ours Lord weres born, the night when heaven came down and changed everything.
One Silent Night

The Christmas Story, Part 1

The Christmas Story

Part 1

We begins ours study of the second chapter of Luke today. Its gonna be a very familiar chapter to most of us because it includes the Christmas story, which we will get to in tomorrows study. I hopes that even tho this story is familiar to us we will learn somethin new together and will get a fresh look at the birth of ours Lord. We are going to take a look at some of the history as well as study the firstest part of the chapter which involves Joseph and Mary havin to travel to Bethlehem to be taxed.

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register." (Luke 2:1-3) Now we knows from the King James Version that this census weres for the purpose of taxation. My hoomans weres just complainin bouts the increase in ours property taxes that getted voted on but we sees from Gods word that taxin isnt a new idea. It weres a good way to finance the Roman army, the road buildin, the upkeep of the palace, and all the conveniences of theirs culture. Caesar Augustus weres the adopted son of Julius Caesar and hims real name weres Octavian but him taked the name of Caesar (no doubt for the royal honor that camed along wif it) and added the name of Augustus which means "great" or "magnificent". Caesar Augustus evidently hads a high opinion of himself and essentially called himself "Caesar the Great" or "Caesar the Magnificent", as if him weres a god. The taxation idea weres the cause of Joseph and Mary travelling to Bethlehem and the Lord Jesus being born there. This fulfilled the word of God as spoken by the prophet Micah, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (Micah 5:2) This weres a prophecy about the Messiah, as the Apostle John validates by sayin, "Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David's descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" (John 7:42)

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." (Luke 2:4-5) I thinks we doesnt give enuf credit to Joseph for the man him weres. In the gospel accordin to Matthew we sees that when Joseph found out Mary weres expectin him intended to "put her away privately". In those days an engagement weres a legally bindin contract and it weres like gettin a divorce to break the engagement. Joseph hads the right to put Mary away for being pregnant by somepawdy else but being a good man and not willin to bring shame on her, Matthew tells us that him intended to put her away privately. (Matthew 1:19) Joseph coulda mades her a public disgrace but him weres too tenderhearted to do such a thing. But God intervened and sent an angel in a dream to tell Joseph that the baby weres fathered by the Holy Spirit and that him hads no need to put Mary away for her hads not been unfaithful to him. The angel said to Joseph, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) As we studied earlier in the week, the name of Jesus means "God saves". What a perfect name for Him, as God in the flesh who takes away ours sins! From the book of Matthew we also sees that the birth of Jesus fulfilled what weres prophesied by Isaiah who said that a virgin woulds conceive and bear a son. (Isaiah 7:14)

In the mornin Joseph waked up and obeyed the Lord and accepted what the angel hads told him. It werent gonna be an easy road to travel for all theirs friends and neighbors probly thoughted either Joseph and Mary hads beens together before marriage or else they believed Mary hads beens intimate wif anudder man. I bets there weres all kinda gossip floatin round wif folkses speculatin who the real father of Jesus weres. People woulda wondered why Joseph putted up with it and raised Jesus as hims own son. It taked a strong and godly man to stand up to this kinda whisperin and gossip. Not only weres it hurtful to hims own honor, but it also dishonored Marys name by makin her sound like a loose woman. God the Father knew exactly what Him weres doing when Him chose Joseph and Mary to raise Hims precious Son. It takes faith to go against the flow and obey God when the world is against you. It takes faith to obey God even when it hurts. This is the kind of faith that Mary and Joseph hads and I believes God chose the perfect family for Hims only Son.

Luke wants to make sure theres no doubt in ours minds that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and the one promised by God and prophesied by the prophets. Hims birth weres the fulfillment of the Scriptures. Theres no way Jesus could haves arranged Hims birth to coincide wif the word of God sayin Him woulds be born in Bethlehem. It took a taxation law passed by a prideful ruler to bring this about. Theres no way Jesus could haves arranged being born of the line of David as the Scriptures predicted. It took the will and plan of God to bring this about. Theres no way Jesus could haves arranged for Hims mother to be a young unmarried virgin girl. It took the Holy Spirit to bring this about. All the prophets, speakin hundreds of years before Hims birth, weres speakin by inspiration of God wifout any way of knowin how all these things woulds come together. But God hads a plan in place since the very beginnin and things weres gonna happen exactly the way Him intended for them to happen, for whatever God says is as good as done whether it happens next week or a thousand years from now.

In the book of Revelation the Apostle John calls Jesus "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world". (Revelation 13:8) The execution warrant of Jesus weres signed at the moment that God created mankind. Hims death on the cross weres certain. The date of Hims death weres set. Everything that came before that day weres gonna take place exactly accordin to Gods plan and exactly as foretold by the prophets so there woulds be no doubt in ours minds that Jesus of Nazareth, born of a virgin, born in a stable in Bethlehem, weres the Son of God. Jesus weres the Messiah promised by God. Mary and Joseph knew this to be true and coulds stand up against any gossip or harmful whispers. Luke knew this to be true and weres willin to help take the gospel to the world. I knows this to be true and I declares in faith that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and Him is my Lord.

The 150 Day Challenge, Day 27, Psalm 27

By Belinda And Kim


Friends, todays psalm be a wunnerful one! This be one of mine and Mommys favorites, especially whenever we starts to feels anxious or worried bouts somethin. David be the writer of this psalm and we sees hims confidence in the Lord no matter what comes against him. David haves learned from experience that him cans trust God. We knows the word of God be true, and that Him encourages us to trust Him, but until we haves walked thru the fire we hasnt experienced the truth of Hims word. Many of you knows exactly what I means. Before difficult times ever camed on you, you probly believed the word of God weres true, but it hadnts beens tested. But now you haves actually experienced Hims trustworthiness and you cans say along wif David, "The Lord is my light and my salvation---whom shall I fear?"

Many hundreds of years later the Apostle Paul saids a similar thing bouts the Lord in Romans 8:31, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Paul weres anudder man who, like David, hads walked thru fiery trials but hads finded the Lord faithful.

These two men camed from very different circumstances and hads very different lives but they served the same Lord. David weres a young man tendin the sheep when Samuel camed along and anointed him the future King of Israel. David weres so humble him wented back to tendin the sheep til him getted called to play music for King Saul. For a while there it looked like him weres gonna inherit the throne someday after him married Sauls daughter and weres so mighty in battle. But jealousy entered Sauls heart and him persecuted David for bouts 15 years. Yet durin all that time David weres kept safe by the Lord, cause the Lord weres for him. Eventually the Lord putted King Saul outta the picture and putted David on the throne just like Him promised. Though David failed miserably in several ways in hims personal life, we sees him repentin and comin back to God, though him hads more tryin times to endure. Hims little baby wif Bathsheba died, some of hims own children turned against him, one of em trieds to take the kingdom away from him, and him still hads many actual military battles to fight. But til the end of hims life I believes David hads a heart for God and him ended up dyin peacefully in bed at the age of 70. I really haves no doubt that hims final thoughts in life weres bouts God, and what God hads done for him.

The Apostle Paul weres born into an upper class family and studied under one the bestest tutors. Him weres part of the very elite sect of the Pharisees and him says him weres movin up in the ranks, even faster than most men hims age. Paul thoughted him weres doin great things for the Lord when him persecuted the Christians and it weres also helpin him move farther up the ladder. Him weres fairly self-righteous and thought hims observance of the Mosaic law and hims zealous persecution of Christians woulds gain him high favor wif the Lord. But then one day him camed face to face wif the livin Christ Jesus on the road to Damascus and him weres humbled and overwhelmed. Yet, in spite of all the Apostle Paul hads done against the Lords people, God weres for givin him a better future and usin him in the kingdom of God. So for the rest of hims life we sees the Apostle Paul givin up everything from hims former life to serve the livin Lord. Him trusted that no matter what camed against him, God weres for him. Ancient tradition tells us that the Apostle Paul ended up bein martyred for the gospel but, just like David, I feels certain hims final thoughts weres bouts the Lord and bouts how faithful the Lord hads been.

Most of us will never hafta face bein on the run 15 years from a vengeful king, and most of us will never be called to gives up ours lives for the gospel. But we does come face to face wif what often seems like unbearable troubles in this life. If we doesnt face em wif the attitude of a King David or an Apostle Paul ours troubles mite leads us to believe that God doesnt be for us. But sweet friends, Him is for us! A God who didnts withold Hims own precious Son from us hasta be for us! If ever we haves moments of doubt all we hasta do be look at the cross, and look at ours Savior, and look at what Him dids for us! Who cans come against the children of a God like that? Even when we walks thru the fire, and even if we loses ours life, God be wif us all the way. Hims grace gonna be sufficient. Hims gonna hold ours hands. Hims gonna provide exactly what we needs every step of the way. I knows many of my readers haves faced terrible things in life, but werent God faithful? If yous still breathin, Hims bein faithful, even tho the journey may be painful rite now. Him still haves plans for yours future. As King Solomon said in Proverbs 23:18, "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." And we sees also the Lord promisin in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We cants judge tomorrow by how we feels today. We mustnt believe the lie that things will never gets better. We cants judge God by how dark the road looks rite now. Him haves plans for ours future.

Hold onto that hope. Hold onto the promise of Gods faithfulness. The future mite look scary rite now from ours mortal standpoint, but if we coulds only see how God be gonna work things out I thinks we coulds find a reason to smile today. Just keep on puttin one foot in front of the other, keep yours eyes on Jesus, and Him will leads you into better and brighter days. Him is for you.

Psalm 27

The Lord lights my way and saves me---
Why should I fear anyone?
The Lord is the One who protects my life---
Why should I be afraid?
When wicked ones come against me
To do me harm,
They are the ones who
Will come to harm.
Even if an army comes against me,
I won't be afraid;
Even if war breaks out all around me,
My trust will be in the Lord.
I only want one thing of God,
This is all that I care about;
That I can dwell in His house
Every day of my life,
That I can enjoy His beauty
And kneel before Him in His temple.
When days of trouble come
He will Hide me under His wings;
He will protect me from the wicked ones
And lift me up above the enemy.
Then I will rule over
Those who tried to hurt me;
I will shout for joy in victory;
I will sing and praise the Lord.
Hear my prayer, Lord;
Have mercy on me and answer me.
My heart tells me to seek You
And that is what I will do.
Don't ever close Your eyes,
Or turn from me in anger;
You are the One who helps me.
Do not leave me or forsake me,
For You are my Savior.
Even if my own parents reject me,
The Lord will be my Father.
Teach me to do Your will, Lord;
Lead me in the right direction
Because my enemies would love to see me fall.
Please don't let my enemy have the victory,
Because they do nothing but lie,
And they accuse me of things I didn't do.
My confidence is in this:
The Lord will give me good things in the future
And will bless me in this life.
Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and brave
And wait for the Lord.