Tag: Kings

1 Kings 7

1 Kings 7

The dimensions of the compound Solomon built (7.2) is comparable to that of the Temple (1 Kings 6) although a bit larger. It was not merely his house but included the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, the Hall fo the Throne, the Hall of Judgment, his own house, and the house for Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3.1). The remainder of the chapter, 7.13-51, is a description of what Hiram contributed to the effort from the largest detail to the smallest, in order of size.

A point of interest is the naming of the two pillars in 7.21. Jachin means “God will establish” and Boaz means “in it is strength.” Placing these in the Temple presents us with the truth that what God establishes will not fail. Apply this to your salvation. It is established in Christ and He will not fail.

Psalm 20

This is a short psalm that reminds us to pray for those over us. Are you praying for your leaders, whether you like them or not? The psalm also shows us that true worship gets God’s attention.

Psalm 20 (cf. 1 Timothy 2.1-8 and see our study Psalm 21 and our study of 2 Samuel 10 for possible background to this psalm)

Verses 1-3-Trouble is coming in warfare. The priest is offering a sense of peace to David before the battle. Because of David’s faithfulness to God, God will bring him support. Pause (Selah). Are your sacrifices to God the kind that He celebrates and honors? Or, are they merely tokens you throw at Him, hoping to appease Him?  See our study on Psalm 50.

Verses 4-6-Triumph of God’s answers are evident. Notice the change from “your” to “we” to “I.” All are involved.

Verses 7-9-Trust and confidence in the God who gives victories and allows defeats.

Notice the bookend of “Lord answer” in verse one in the day of trouble and in verses nine in the day we call. Notice how the name of God is invoked in each stanza (1, 5, 7). Notice the abundance of desire in the first five verses with each beginning with “may.”

This is a short psalm that reminds us to pray for those over us. Are you praying for your leaders, whether you like them or not? The psalm also shows us that true worship gets God’s attention.

1 Chronicles 7

This list ends with mighty men of valor. Would your name be placed here or would it be absent as Dan? Why?

1 Chronicles 7 (Genesis 46.13, 17, 21, 24)

Issachar-More research later

Benjamin-This tribe was almost reduced to naught. It grew and is listed here in detail due to the genealogy of King Saul.

Naphtali-This is quite short, probably due to the size of the tribe after returning from the Assyrian captivity. Tiglath-Pileser seems to have targeted this area (2 Kings 15.29).

Manasseh-Note the absence of the term “half-tribe” (1 Chronicles 5.23), implying that this portion of Manasseh was placed in higher regard than the portion east of the Jordan River. Zolophehad’s daughters required a change in the inheritance laws under Moses (Numbers 27.1-11 and Numbers 36.1-12).

Ephraim-This genealogy is detailed to display the heritage of Joshua. Sheerah is the only mention of a woman in the Bible who built cities.

Asher-More research later

The two tribes, Zebulun and Dan, are omitted from these genealogies. For Dan’s omission, a conjecture would be that his tribe began the idolatry of the nation with the calves set-up by Jeroboam. He is also not listed in Revelation 7.5-8. As for Zebulun, more research is needed.

This list ends with mighty men of valor. Would your name be placed here or would it be absent as Dan? Why?

1 Chronicles 5

We need to remember that the battle is the Lord’s battle, not ours. We are to be prepared for war (Ephesians 6.10-17), we are to be actively involved in faith (1 John 4.4 and 5.4), but the victory is always His (cf. verse 22).

1 Chronicles 5 (Genesis 46.8-9)

This chapter is a continuation of the genealogies from chapters one, two, three, and four (read these short accounts to gain a perspective on these lists). This list contains the descendants of Reuben (1-10), Gad (11-22), and the half-tribe of Manasseh (23-26). Joshua 13 informs us that these were the tribes who settled on the eastern shore of the Jordan River.

Although Reuben was the firstborn, he sinned against his father Jacob (Israel) by sleeping with Jacob’s concubine (Genesis 35.22 and 49.3-4). This was tantamount to desiring to take Jacob’s place. This will be shown in the study in 2 Samuel 1. Since Joseph was the firstborn of the wife Jacob loved (Rachel), he was given the place of firstborn. Verse ten reminds us that God did take care of the descendants of Hagar as God promised to do (Genesis 25.12-18). See verses 18-22 in this chapter for a reference to the Hagarites.

We need to remember that the battle is the Lord’s battle, not ours. We are to be prepared for war (Ephesians 6.10-17), we are to be actively involved in faith (1 John 4.4 and 5.4), but the victory is always His (cf. verse 22).

Because of Manasseh’s exposure to and allowance of the idolatry of the nations that surrounded them, they gave into idolatry. Because of this, God judged them through the nation of Assyria and they were carried away into captivity by Tiglath-Pileser (745-727). The Assyrian Captivity will be developed in a later post (2 Kings 15.29).

This needs more research and it will be done at a later time.

Psalm 130

This Psalm takes us from the depths of our sins to the forgiveness of our sins. The only hope for such forgiveness is looking to the only hope for forgiveness and that is Christ alone. Have you done this?

Psalm 130

Another Song of Ascents.

Verses 1-2-This cry is found in all of us (Lamentations 3.55). We desire God to hear us in our pain. We even expect Him to hear us in our sin and desire Him to deliver us. And, we expect Him to answer.

Verses 3-4-He is asking God to forgive him of his sins (1 Kings 8.39-40; Daniel 9.9; and Jeremiah 33.8-9). We are to proclaim His holiness in our forgiveness.

Verses 5-6-Do you wait on the Lord (Psalm 103)? When we do, we are watchful for what He does. The Psalmist is sitting in the dark awaiting the morning. Sin does that to a person.

Verses 7-8-This is a call for all the nation to come to God in repentance.

This Psalm takes us from the depths of our sins to the forgiveness of our sins. The only hope for such forgiveness is looking to the only hope for forgiveness and that is Christ alone. Have you done this?