Monthly Archives: April 2018

Daily Bible Study

April 21, 2018 Bible Study — Turning Our Attention To God

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 8.

    Once the furnishings for the Temple were complete, Solomon had the Ark of the Covenant moved into the Temple and conducted a dedication ceremony. While the Ark was being moved, Solomon and the entire community had so many animals sacrificed that no one could keep track. Once they had placed the Ark inside the Most Holy Place, the Temple was so filled with smoke that the priests had to stop offering sacrifices. The writer tells us that this cloud represented the presence of the glory of the Lord. I am convinced that there is a combination of factors at work here: the smoke from the sacrifices being offered, the intensity of emotion from the worship, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The way the writer chose to phrase this convinces me that we were intended to see that combination.

    In his prayer dedicating the Temple, Solomon acknowledges that even though the Temple was built to be the House of God it cannot possibly contain God. God is not limited, cannot be limited to any location. Instead of being built to contain God the Temple was built to provide people with a focus to turn their attention to God. This was what the writer was trying to tell us happened when the Ark was placed in the Temple; the smoke from the sacrifices filled the Temple in a way which turned the attention of those worshiping from the sacrifices and the service to God Himself. In the New Testament, we are referred to as being God’s Temple. We should live our lives so as to turn people’s attention to God.

Daily Bible Study

April 20, 2018 Bible Study — Solomon Puts More Effort Into His Palace Than He Did the Temple

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 7.

    Solomon spent 7 years building the Temple. Then he spent almost twice as long building his own palace, because it was so much more ornate than the Temple (or, at least, that is how I read it). I think the priorities Solomon demonstrated by doing this are the origin of what went wrong that led to the kingdom being split after his death. Solomon is an example that someone who possesses wisdom may not always choose the actions which that wisdom dictates. However, despite spending lavishly on his own palace, Solomon spared no expense on the furnishings for the Temple. He hired the best craftsman he could find to oversee creating the furnishings and allocated so much bronze for them that it was impossible to keep track of how much was used. And all of this was over and above the wealth and materials which his father David had gathered for the Temple. Those Solomon put into the Temple treasuries after he had finished building and furnishing the Temple.

Daily Bible Study

April 19, 2018 Bible Study — Egypt to the South, the Euphrates River to the North

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 4-6.

    One of the things which has always struck me when reading this passage, and other descriptions of the large geographic area around Israel in the Bible, is that it describes the Euphrates River as being north of Israel. I always think of the Euphrates River as being east of Israel because I think of it as being in Iraq (which it is). However, when the writers of the Old Testament thought of the Euphrates River, they thought of the area that is now Syria (bordering on what is now Turkey). It is worth mentioning that the various references to Babylon and other empires based in what is now Iraq or Iran as being from the north in the Old Testament has bothered me for years. Now, I understand why that happened. Because almost all travel to and from the capitals of those empires and Israel went through northern Syria, those who lived in Israel thought of them as being to their north.
    In the past when I read that David or Solomon or some other Israelite/Judean king ruled over land extending from Egypt to the Euphrates River, I envisioned a much larger kingdom then the writer meant. I always interpreted that as from Egypt in the east to the Euphrates River (Iraq) in the east. When in fact the writer meant from Egypt in the south to the Euphrates River (Turkey) in the north.

Daily Bible Study

April 18, 2018 Bible Study — Solomon Consolidates Power

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 2-3.

    David’s final instructions to Solomon are interesting. He took the time to single out three people for special treatment by Solomon. First, he instructed Solomon to bring Joab to justice for the murders of Abner and Amasa, both of whom David had made his army commander in Joab’s place. The basis for the animosity that David had for Joab is unclear, perhaps it was these murders, but they each appear to come after an attempt by David to get rid of him. Second, he asks Solomon to look after the sons of Barzillai (which is technically more than one person, but it is Barzillai who, in the form of his sons, is getting special treatment). This is simple pay back for what Barzillai did for David when he fled Absalom. Finally, David asks Solomon to make Shimei pay for cursing him when he fled Absalom. Even in the way David asks Solomon to arrange Shimei’s death we see that Shimei held some power limiting the king’s ability to kill him.
    Shortly after this, Solomon’s brother Adonijah made another play for the throne by attempting to marry David’s final concubine. As a result, Solomon consolidated his power by having Adonijah and Joab executed while deposing Abiathar from his priesthood. Then Solomon ordered Shimei to build himself a house in Jerusalem and never again leave the city on pain of death. When, after some time, Shimei violates this command, Solomon has him executed. It is interesting that this account of Shimei’s execution is included with the conspirators who tried to usurp the throne since Shimei was listed among those of David’s advisers who refused to support Adonijah’s attempt for the throne.

    As part of his consolidation of power, Solomon went to Gideon to offer sacrifices. While there he experienced a vision in which God offered him his deepest desire. By seeking wisdom rather than wealth, long life, or vengeance against his enemies, Solomon chose wisely. If we do not seek wisdom we will not find it, while wisdom may bring us wealth and long life. It may even grant us vengeance against our enemies. Of course, once we obtain wisdom it may lead us to no desire other things more than those.
    I love the story of Solomon’s decision regarding the child claimed by two women. When he realized that he had no evidence to choose which woman was the child’s mother, he offered to kill the child and split him between them. One woman begged him to instead give the child to the other, while the other was happy that if she could not have the child neither could her rival. Solomon’s ruling was that the former was the child’s real mother and gave her the child. When I was growing up, I was told that by their answers Solomon knew which woman was truly the birth mother and thus gave her the child. As I have gotten older I realized that Solomon’s decision was much wiser than that. Solomon realized that it did not matter which woman was the birth mother of the child. The one which was willing to sacrifice her own interests for those of the child was the one who would provide the better home for him. The child’s real mother was willing to sacrifice herself for her child whether or not she was the child’s birth mother.
    The first part of today’s passage was about Solomon consolidating power, but, in some ways, so was the part about Solomon seeking wisdom and making a wise judgment. Solomon’s judgment between the two women is an example of how he balanced the conflicting interests of his people. Those who were willing to give up what they desired for the greater good were demonstrating that they sought the greater good (suggesting that what they desired was likely for the greater good).

Daily Bible Study

April 17, 2018 Bible Study — Solomon Becomes King

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 1 Kings 1.

    Despite the fact that 2 Samuel wrapped up its account of David’s kingship, there were a few things left which 1 Kings covers as part of introducing us to Solomon’s reign. One of the things which had struck me in previous readings of this passage was that we have no record elsewhere of David promising Bathsheba that Solomon would be king. Which led me to wonder if that promise was made up by Nathan and Bathsheba. However, today as I read it I was struck by the fact that Adonijah invited all of his brothers and half-brothers to join him at his coronation celebration, except for Solomon. This last suggests that there was strong backing for Solomon to succeed David.

    When it became clear that David would not live much longer, and in any case was no longer able to govern because of the infirmities of old age, Adonijah made plans to make himself king. He approached David’s advisers with his plans. Joab and Abiather the priest supported his plans. However, Zadok the priest, Benenaiah, the commander of David’s bodyguard, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, and a few other key advisers refused to support Adonijah. The writer does not tell us exactly what was going on, but a little bit of reading between the lines tells us a few things.
    First, the entire book of 1 Kings starts out by telling us that David was a frail old man. He was so constantly cold that they got him a beautiful virgin to serve as a bed warmer, but David was so frail that she remained a virgin. This is where I get the idea that David was no longer able to govern. The other thing going on was that David had not officially named one of his sons as his heir, as the one to take the throne after him.
    From what we read about Joab I believe he supported Adonijah because he believed that Israel needed a clear successor to rule in David’s place. David had declined to name someone to that role, perhaps even refusing to recognize that his death was fast approaching. Looking at what David’s various advisers did in the crisis I believe that they had tried to get David to choose one of his sons to rule in his place but that David had refused to do so..probably neither side was blatant about their actions. David’s advisers hinted that he should select someone and David ignored their hints.

    It is not clear why Joab and Abiathar supported Adonijah. I am going to assume that they did so because they thought that someone needed to take action about the succession and Adonijah was doing so. On the other hand, I think it is clear why those who refused to support him did so. They did so because Adonijah recognized no limits on himself. Like his older brothers Amnon and Absalom, Adonijah had learned that he could do whatever he pleased. He failed to learn from their fates that there was a limit to what he could get away with. In addition, the passage seems to suggest that David had indicated that he preferred Solomon as his heir.
    Ultimately, Adonijah failed because he sought to raise himself up and Solomon became king because he waited for David to declare him king. Perhaps if Adonijah had waited for David’s death to attempt to seize the throne things would have turned out differently. On the other hand, I suspect that Joab and Abiather advised him to act when he did, in the hopes of avoiding the civil war which they thought would break out if David died without a designated heir.

Daily Bible Study

April 16, 2018 Bible Study — Wrapping Up the Story of David

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Samuel 23-24.

    The writer wraps up this book by listing who David’s core followers were. He gives us a few stories about the most renowned of them. It is here that we learn that Uriah, whose death David arranged to cover up his affair with Bathsheba, was a member of that core. From the perspective of the time of writing, this made David’s crime even worse: by arranging for Uriah’s death, David betrayed one of his most loyal followers.

    Then we have the story of David’s census. There is nothing about the story which tells us when it occurred although its placement in 1 Chronicles suggests that it occurred shortly after David’s married Bathsheba. One of the things which is not clear is what was wrong with taking a census. I did a little bit of searching to see if anyone gave a reason which I could understand. I found a couple of ideas suggested, but nothing clearly supported by the wording of the passage. However, I did find a couple of blogs which noted that the original Hebrew is ambiguous about WHO incited David to take this census. According to those blogs, the Hebrew merely states that David was incited to take a census. My understanding is that in other passages with similar construction in Hebrew there is a clear indication that the unnamed actor is God, which is what led the translators to say that it was God who got David to conduct the census. Take note that it was Joab who tried to convince David not to commit this sin.

Daily Bible Study

April 15, 2018 Bible Study — If We Call Upon God When We Are Betrayed and Attacked, He Will Come To Our Aid

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Samuel 20-22.

    At the end of yesterday’s passage we saw the beginning of the divide between the Northern Tribes and the Tribe of Judah which led to the splitting of Israel into two kingdoms under Rehoboam. Today’s passage begins with the outbreak of open revolt against David. The discontent found a focus in Sheba, who led his own clan in revolt, while the rest of the northern tribes seem to have taken a more neutral stance, withdrawing their troops from David’s army but unwilling to commit them to Sheba. David responds by sending his nephew and new army commander, Amasa, out to gather the warriors of Judah. David’s instructions include doing so quickly. Unfortunately, Amasa was unable to meet David’s deadline, so David ordered Abishai, Joab’s brother and another of David’s nephews, to take the warriors already gathered and pursue Sheba. Despite David giving the orders to Abishai, it is clear that Joab commanded this force (if you have been following along you realize that David had dismissed Joab and given his position as Army Commander to Amasa). When Amasa returned shortly after David issued this order, Joab greeted him and killed him in a similar manner to what he had done to Abner. Now, it may seem that Joab killed Amasa because David had made Amasa Army Commander in Joab’s place. That probably played a role in it. However, it is worth noting that Amasa had also accepted the position of Army Commander from Absalom and had just led troops in an attempt to overthrow David. It seems likely that Joab believed that his killing of Amasa was in David’s best interest.

    As a reader of fantasy novels and a player of fantasy roleplaying games, I love the imagery David used in his song of praise recorded here. I am not the word smith that David was. I am not even the equal of those who translated this song into English. Nevertheless, I am going to try to describe the imagery which this song evokes for me.

  • David starts be describing God as a rock and a fortress. These are really two descriptions meant to complement each other to form the image. To me this evokes the image of a fortress on a mountain or cliff, where the defenders can pick off their enemies while the enemy attacks bounce uselessly off of the rocks of the fortress walls.

However, David tells us that God is not a passive fortress where we, by our own initiative go to defend ourselves. No, when our enemies attack us, we call out to God and He takes us to this fortress of safety.

  • David describes the situation in which he, and most of us (perhaps even all of us), had found himself. He had been caught in a trap and bound up in ropes which are dragging us into the rising tide, or surging floodwaters. I don’t know why, but I always picture being bound up in a net made of rope, something like a deep sea fishing net, being dragged toward a wave of muddy water, which would overwhelm me even if I could keep from being dragged into it. Something which evokes a sense of complete helplessness in my mind.

From that place of complete despair, David cried out to God for help and God heard his cry, as He heard mine and will hear yours.

  • God did not just hear David’s cry. God rose to come to David’s rescue. His anger at the evil being done caused the earth to tremble and quake. This is the moment in a good fantasy novel where the reader realizes that the bad guys have gone too far and called up against themselves a force more powerful than they can comprehend. It is the moment when fires burst forth and those who have been inspiring terror in others feel fear themselves.
  • Now that God has entered the fray, everyone can see His mighty power coming. The bad guys see Him coming and realize they are doomed. God arrives on the scene smashing the enemy forces and scattering those who remain.
  • Then in the midst of this devastation and destruction, God reaches out a gentle hand and lifts David up and carries him to a place of safety. From sure death God rescues us and calms our fears.

    This is getting loner than I like, but there is one more part of this song I want to look at. David tells us that if we are faithful, not just to God, but in everything we do, God will treat us faithfully. If we live our lives with integrity, we will experience God’s integrity. But, if we think we are clever and can find loopholes in God’s laws, we will discover that God is shrewd and the “loophole” is not what we thought it was.

Daily Bible Study

April 14, 2018 Bible Study — The Aftermath of Absalom’s Rebellion

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Samuel 18-19.

    There is really a lot in this passage which I want to comment on. It is worth noting that David did not kill the messenger who brought him the news of Absalom’s death, unlike those who brought him the news of Saul’s death and the news of Ishbosheth’s death. The difference is that this messenger did not claim responsibility for the death.
    David’s reaction to Absalom’s death is understandable. He clearly deeply loved this son. Although it is likely that part of David’s morning was a result of the betrayal he felt over Absalom’s attempt to usurp his throne. It took Joab confronting him for David to realize what his actions said to his loyal followers who had just saved his life. So, this is the second account where Joab gets David to change his behavior in a way which Joab perceives as being in David’s interest. The first time was when Joab convinced David to bring Absalom back from exile because he believed that to be David’s desire (an idea supported by how deeply David mourned Absalom’s death). Then this occasion where Joab got David to put aside his mourning before he alienated his supporters.
    When David entered into Jerusalem he had a disagreement with Joab’s brother. David was angry because Abishai, Joab’s brother, wanted to kill Shimei for cursing David when he fled from Absalom. In reaction to Abishai’s reccomendation that Shimei be killed, David angrily lashed out at both Abishai and Joab. I have never quite understood the conflict between David and his nephews, Joab and Abishai. It is never clear to me why David was unable to remove Joab from his position as head of his army. Even more confusing is why Joab remained loyal despite David’s clear desire to remove him. I think, at least in part, this situation can be explained by family dynamics. Joab was David’s nephew, but not a lot younger than David. So, Joab looked up to David, but was close enough in age to see him more as a companion than as an elder. David, on the other hand, felt a sense of duty to look after Joab and his brothers, perhaps even felt that their impetuousness was his fault for not being a better example.

    Finally, I said that we would come back to what Ziba had told David when he joined him as he fled Jerusalem. When David returned to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth came to greet him. Now the passage tells us that Mephibosheth had not taken care of his basic hygiene since David had left the city. Further, when questioned by David, Mephibosheth claimed that Ziba had tricked him into staying and outright lied when he said that Mephibosheth had refused to join David as he fled. This is where it gets interesting. David apparently believed Mephibosheth. At least, by enough to return to Mephibosheth half of the property he had bestowed upon Ziba when David fled Jerusalem. Now, if David believed that Ziba had lied to him about Mephibosheth, why did he allow him to keep half of the property? On the other hand, if David believed that Mephibosheth was lying here, why did he return to him half his property? At which pint Mephibosheth declines, saying that Ziba should be allowed to keep all of it. We do not know how this actually played out. Did Mephibosheth get half of his property back? Or did it all go to Ziba and his heirs?

Daily Bible Study

April 13, 2018 Bible Study — Good Advice vs. Bad Advice

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Samuel 16-17.

    As David was fleeing Jerusalem ahead of Absalom’s forces, several men came to join him. In yesterday’s passage, he sent Hushai, one of his advisers, back because he would have been a burden on the flight. Yet in today’s passage David questions Ziba, the man he had appointed to be Mephibosheth’s servant, why Mephibosheth had not come along as well. Remember, Mephibosheth was crippled in both feet. Ziba claimed that Mephibosheth stayed behind in Jerusalem because he thought this civil war would result in him gaining the throne his grandfather Saul had held. On that basis, David gave Ziba everything he had previously given to Mephibosheth. We will revisit this exchange when David returns to Jerusalem.

    I find the contrasting advice of Ahithophel and Hushai interesting. Ahithophel gave Absalom the advice which he believed would give Absalom the best chance at victory. Hushai gave Absalom advice which he believed would give Absalom the least chance at victory. Hushai was constrained by needing to give advice which would appeal to Absalom more than Ahithophel’s. I want to look at Hushai’s advice first.
    Hushai’s advice contained two elements which should set off warning bells. First, it played on Absalom’s fears and sense of inadequacy. Hushai emphasized the reputation of David and the men around him. Hushai cleverly used their reputation to offset the argument that David and his men were well past their prime (which they were). Then before anyone had time to make an argument against that, Hushai appealed to Absalom’s vanity. He recommended that Absalom gather the entire army of Israel and lead it out against his father himself. Here he was playing up the benefits to Absalom of being seen as a military leader. If Absalom defeated the mighty warrior David in battle, his reputation would be established. Basically, Hushai’s advice encouraged Absalom’s fears and his desire for personal glory.
    Ahithophel, on the other hand, knew that Absalom needed a quick victory. David had only a small force and had been caught off-guard. Absalom needed to finish him before he and his men could establish a base and make a plan of action. David had risen to power because of his, and Joab’s, strategic and tactical brilliance, not because of his great fighting ability. So, Ahithophel’s first advice was for Absalom to make it clear that he could not reconcile with his father by having sex with his father’s concubines. This advice Absalom was happy to take, but the more important advice, Absalom chose against. Hushai had phrased his advice to Absalom in a way which made it seem like sending Ahithophel after David was both dangerous and would give glory to Ahithophel that Absalom could have for himself.

Daily Bible Study

April 12, 2018 Bible Study –Personality Studies and Lessons In Leadership

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Samuel 14-15.

    I am not sure what the motives were of all of the people in this story. It is clear that once Absalom returned from exile that he began planning on becoming king. If not for the fact that Joab led David’s army against Absalom, I would suspect that Joab encouraged Absalom in his ambition. Perhaps Joab’s motives were only those presented here, that he could see that David wanted to bring his son back. In any case, once Absalom returned to Jerusalem, he sought reconciliation with his father, David, in order to begin positioning himself to become king. It seems likely that Joab wanted David to bring Absalom back from exile to be the heir apparent so that there would be a clear line of succession.

    For the most part, today’s passage gives us a greater understanding of people who played an important role in the history of Israel. However, when we look at what Absalom did between the time he was reconciled with David and when he started his rebellion we learn some things about being a leader and choosing what leaders to follow. Absalom did two things. First, he moved around in such a way as to make himself appear like a person of great importance. Second, he expressed sympathy for the problems the common man was experiencing and implied that the government was not treating their problems with the urgency which they deserved.
    So, what can we learn from this? First, those who wish to lead others need to present themselves as leaders. In addition, people will follow those who listen to and address their concerns, or, at least appear to do so. A good leader will listen to and seek to address the concerns of those whom they lead. There is also an important lesson for us when it comes to choosing leaders. Absalom presented himself as someone important who listened to people’s concerns and cared about them. However, since he had no power to do anything, he could tell people on both sides of a conflict that he would resolve the conflict in their favor if he had the power. We need to watch out for those who seek to recruit us to follow them who are merely telling us what they think we want to hear. When deciding whether to follow someone, look for where they have had the opportunity to do things and judge them based on that. Usually if someone has never done anything which allows us to judge how they will act if given authority it indicates that they will not use authority wisely.