2 Chronicles 1: 7

2 Chronicles 1:7 says, In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.  That night, God appeared to Solomon and told him to ask for what he wanted.  I have to wonder if God appeared to us today telling us the same thing what we might ask for.  Verse eight adds, And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.  Before asking God for what he wanted, Solomon gave God praise for having shown mercy on David his father and for choosing him to reign in David's place.  As Christians, before we ask God for anything, we should praise Him for His mercy in redeeming us.  Verse nine continues, Now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.  Solomon then asked that God's promise to David be established, because the kingdom of Israel was now a large kingdom.  We need to always look to God to allow us to help establish His kingdom by spreading the gospel and living under the authority of the Holy Spirit.  We do not serve God for material benefits, and if they do come, they should be used to build God's kingdom at least spiritually.  As followers of Christ, whatever we do should bring glory to God.  Verse ten states, Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?  Solomon then asked for wisdom, because he felt that no one would be able to rule such a great number of people by their own abilities.  We cannot do the work of God today, no matter how great or small, by our own abilities, but must look to God for the wisdom and strength to do whatever He calls us to do.  I believe that too often we concentrate on material things instead of the wisdom of God.  Verse eleven adds, And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:  God pointed out all the things tha Solomon could have asked for and didn't.  Solomon asked for wisdom instead.  I hear some people claim that if we want something as Christians, all we have to do is tell God and He will give it to us, but if we don't first ask God for the wisdom to know what He wants us to have, then I believe we are asking with the wrong attitude.  God is not a genie Who grants our every wish.  Verse twelve continues, Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.  God then told Solomon that He would not only give him wisdom, but also riches like no king had seen before him.  If we allow God to give us the wisdom to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, then we already have riches like no one in this life will ever know.  We have a home in heaven.  Worldly riches will pass away, so I have to wonder why that is often all we as followers of Christ seem to want.  

2 Chronicles 1:1

2 Chronicles 1:1 says, And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.  After Solomon began to reign in place of David, his kingdom was strengthened by God, Who was with him and strengthened him.  We as followers of Christ need to be strengthened by God if we are to lead successful Christian lives. Verse two adds, Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.  Solomon addressed all the people of Israel.  If we are called to a position of leadership in the church today, we need to speak to and for all the people we represent so that there will be no misunderstandings.  Some had wanted someone else to be king, but God had chosen Solomon, and if the person God has chosen is pastor of a church today, all the members need to support him.  Verse three continues, So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness.  Solomon and all the congregation went to the high place in Gibeon where the tabernacle that Moses had made in the wilderness was located.  When we worship God today as a group of believers, we need to gather where He leads us to worship.  Verse four states, But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.  The tabernacle may have been in Gibeon, but the Ark of the Covenant was in in a tent that David had made for it in Jerusalem.   Matthew Henry said Solomon paid more respect to the tabernacle that Moses had built than David had, though this was not to censure either one.  We do need to make sure that we are following the Bible in our worship service today.  Verse five adds, Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the Lord: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.  Solomon also put the brazen altar that Bezaleel had made before the tabernacle of the Lord.  We need to place everything that God has blessed us with before Him today, to be used for His honor and glory.  Verse six continues, And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.  Solomon then offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar.  What we need to do today is offer everything we have to God and place it all on the altar in worship of Him. 

1 Chronicles Review Continued

David was appointed king of Israel by God, even while Saul was still alive.  This was because Saul, who had been chosen by the people because of his physical traits, had not been obedient to God.  We should never choose religious leaders simply because they look good.  We need to make sure that God is the One Who is calling them. 

After David was anointed king, because of his obedience to God, he became stronger and stronger in the world, but he still called on the mighty men of Israel to serve under him.  We are never alone in our service to God and should always be willing to call on other Christians for help when we need it. 

We are told of the time that David wished from water from a particular well, and about three men breaking through the Philistines to get it for him, and then David refusing to drink it because they had risked their lives to fulfill what was really a vanity desire of his.  We should never want the things of the world so badly that we aren't satisfied with what God provides for us and we certainly shouldn't expect others to endanger themselves, physically or spiritually, to get it for us. 

David called for the return of all the people of Israel to the land of Israel. We need to call on God's people to always be ready to gather together to worship Him and to do His work.

We are told of David's first attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem.  The people were to gather together and as a united group they were to go and bring the Ark from Kirath Jarim. They didn't transport it in accordance with God's directions though, and Uzza was killed for touching the Ark, which was forbidden.  David then became angry with God and didn't continue to bring the Ark home.  We cannot profess to do things for God if we go against His commandments in doing them.  As followers of Christ, we should never get angry with God if He does not accept things that we say we are doing for Him that are not done in accordance with His will.

David began to grow more powerful, but then he went against God's commandments and married several women, and his desire for one would lead him to an even greater sin, though we aren't told about that here.  We should not be surprised if we allow even a small sin to rule us that we are not soon drawn into even greater sins. 

David had many sons, and some of them would cause him problems.  All we can do is teach our children about God, and then pray that they will listen and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

The second time David decided to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, he sought God's guidance and was successful in doing so.  If we are trying to do something good for God, even if we have failed before, if we seek His approval and guidance, we should be successful the second time.  The people rejoiced in the Lord after this, singing and praising God, and we need to rejoice in God today if He leads us to a victory in the world.

We know that as David was sitting in his house that he realized that God had no house dedicated to him, and he desired to build one.  Still, God had not asked for a house, and David was not allowed to build on because he was a man of war.  If we want to do something great for God, we need to ensure that it is something God wants before we even start.

We see where David decided to number the people of Israel out of pride, and God was not pleased.  God began to destroy the people of Israel because of this.  If we are doing things in the name of God but for our own self-pride today, God is not going to be pleased with us, and he may destroy our works.  

David continued to defeat the enemies of Israel by the power of God.  We should never overlook the fact that if we are successful in life as Christians it is by the power of God and by being obedient to Him.  

David tried to show kindness to the son of Nahash after he died, but his kind deed was rejected, and David's messengers were mistreated.  God tries to show kindness to everyone by their who puts their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, but too often, people reject and even try to abuse His Son.  Nahash's son and those who advised him paid for their actions, and so will anyone who rejects Jesus Christ today.

I also find it interesting that when God was going to destroy Jerusalem because of David's disobedience in numbering the people at Satan's temptation, he didn't send a legion of angels, but He sent one angel.  Many people of Israel had already been destroyed by the one angel.  I believe we downplay the power of angels today.  

Though he wasn't going to be allowed to build the temple, David nad been told by God that his son would build it so he continued to gather the things necessary to build it, and after Solomon took his place as king, Solomon built the temple.  If we want to do something for God and know it is something He wants but are forbidden to do it, we need to prepare for the one that God calls to do it.

Next, we will look at 2 Chronicles. 

1 Chronicles Review

Mattew Henry says that since there is a lot of repetition of what had already been said in other books of the Bible that if there were parts of the Bible that could be excluded, they would be it, and yet there are things that are not found anywhere else.  I simply accept the fact that God preserved them for us and therefore we need to read and learn what we cab from them which starts with 1st Chronicles.  He also points out that the second and third books of the New Testament have a lot of duplication, and we still learn a little more from each of them.  All of God's word is important, even if we may think it repetitious. 

He also points out that people didn't always have the whole Bible read from, so these Chronicles might have been what they had.  All I know for sure is that it is a part of the bible, so we need to read all of it and look for what God has to tell us.  Matthew Henry also says that Ezra was supposed to have penned these books as a scribe of the Law of the Lord.  These books are called the words of days in Hebrew, according to Matthew Henry.  There are many genealogies, and the calling of those whose genealogies are given, and there are some things that are not found anywhere else, including the priests, both Aaronic and Levitical priesthood.  There is also the story of David the settlement David made of the ecclesiastical affairs and the preparation he made for the building of the temple that are not found elsewhere.   There are stories of the reigns of kings and dates of kingdoms, as well as the lives of common people who were doing the work of God.  So, we learn that God was and is at work in the world and that He works in the lives of both Christian leaders and laymen as we do His work.  Of course, it is always best if the worldly leaders are following God as well.

We have the story of the Philistines fighting against Israel, and Saul their first king and God choosing David to rule in Saul's place.  Then, we are told of Saul's death by his own hand because he was afraid to fall into the hands of his enemies.  The Philistines then took hishead and his armor to show their power.  If we remain true to God, we never have to be concerned about being spiritually defeated, and had Saul remained true to God, he wouldn't have either.  We can also be certain that many times people of the world will do all that they can to dishonor Christians. 

Then the men of Jabesh Gilead took back Sauls's body and buried it and fasted seven days.  These men were brave in doing this, since the Philistines were still about.  We must do what is right in God's eyes even if it brings us danger in the world.  

There is a lot written about David's reign as King, and he was called a man after God's own heart, even though he often allowed himself to give into temptation.  We need to be people after God's own heart, and still, we will sometimes fail to live by faith and allow sin to slip into our life, but we will never stop being God's people if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. 

1 Chronicles 29:21

1 Chronicles 29:21 says, And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings unto the Lord, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:  After this dedication ceremony, the next day the people offered a great sacrifice to God.  Matthew Henry said they offered both burnt offerings which are totally consumed and peace offerings, which those there could participate in, or eat from.  Somethings we give to God are totally lost to us for our own material benefit, but also when He blesses us richly with things materially, we should dedicate them to Him as Christians even if they are still of benefit to us in our everyday life.  Verse twenty-two adds, And did eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.  These peace offerings would be what the people were eating and drinking before the Lord, and they took Solomon and anointed him as King for the second time.  This was a much larger and more formal gathering I believe.  If we are called by God to serve in a position today, we are already anointed by Him, but sometimes we may have formal ceremonies to acknowledge this, such as the ordination of preachers and deacons.  Verse twenty-three continues, Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.  Solomon then replaced David as king, and all of Israel prospered.  God has people called to replace others in the church today, and as long as we follow the leadership or the Holy Spirit's guidance when we appoint them, the church should always prosper.  Verse twenty-four states, And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.  All those who had been under David, the princes and mighty men, submitted to Solomon as king.  When we have a change in leadership in the church today, we all need to support the new leader, no matter how great the last one may have been.  Verse twenty-five adds, And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.  God magnified Solomon, making him greater than any king of Israel before him, which would have been Saul and David.  They had both been kings during war times, and Solomon was to be king during a time of peace.  We follow the one and only King, Jesus Christ, and we need to magnify His name.  He will lead us to peace with the heavenly Father, which is the only peace that really matters.  Verse twenty-six says, Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.  This verse and the remaining ones are about David's reign over Israel.  We may look back at Christian leaders of the past and note the good things they did, but we need to move ahead with those who replace them under God's leadership and not just believe things will never be as good again.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.  David had ruled for a total of forty years, starting with seven in Hebron and ending with thirty-three in Jerusalem.  He was just as much king when he was in Hebron as he was in Jerusalem.  It doesn't really matter where we may live today, because Jesus Christ is King over those who put their faith in Him just as much in one place as He is in another.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.  David lived a long life and died with riches and honor, all of which were left behind.  He didn't take any of the riches with him, but they were left for Solomon's use after he became king.  We will never take anything of this world with us to heaven, and we need to pray that what we leave behind will be used wisely and for God's glory.  Verse twenty-nine continues. Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,  We are told that all the acts of David as king were written in the book of Nathan the prophet and the book of Gad the seer.  Unless part of these books are included in another book of the Bible, we don't have these books.  Verse thirty concludes, With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.  These books were said to contain an account of all that David did as king, and even if we don't have them, we do have an account of all that was important in David's rule as king.

1 Chronicles 29:10

1 Chronicles 29:10 says, Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  David offered a blessing or prayer for the people.  It says he blessed the Lord, but I believe that he was acknowledging God's blessing on him more than given God a blessing.  I guess if we are living in accordance with God's word as followers of Christ, we might be a blessing to Him, but I believe blessings come from God, so I would not say that we bless Him.  Verse eleven adds, Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.  David then declares that everything in Heaven and earth is God's. and acknowledged God's greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty, which would led me to believe there is nothing we can bless Him with, except our obedience.  These were all things that Jesus Christ showed when He died for us on the cross, especially the victory over sin and death.  Verse twelve continues, Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  David said that all riches and honor come from God, and I believe that is more spiritual riches and honor than material ones.  We may be materially poor, but we are still rich spiritually if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse thirteen states, Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.  David then said because of Who God is, they thanked Him and praised His glorious name.  We also need to thank and praise God for Who He is, and not just for things He may have given us beyond an everlasting relationship with Him, and for that we need to continually thank Him by living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse fourteen adds, But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.  As David asked then, who are we to think we can give anything to God, except ourselves, since everything already belongs to Him.  Though we may already belong to God by the fact that He gives us life, He has given us the power to refuse to acknowledge Him, and in that respect, we don't belong to Him spiritually until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse fifteen continues, For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.  David said that we are strangers to God and sojourners here on earth and nothing here will abide, or last forever.  Until we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are strangers to God, and even after we do, this world is not our home, but we are just traveling through on our way to our everlasting heavenly home.  Verse eighteen declares, O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.  David then acknowledged that everything that had been amassed to build the temple was God's already.  That will always be true.  Anything we give to support God's work already belongs to Him.  He just blesses us with the use of it.  Verse seventeen adds, I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.  David said God tried the heart and had found David to be upright in his heart and that he offered everything to God willingly.  We know that David was not always upright in his actions, so if he was upright in his heart before God it was because of God's forgiveness.  The only way we can be made upright before God is by putting our faith in Jeus Christ.  By our own goodness, we will always stand condemned.  Verse eighteen proclaims, O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:  David declared God to be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and asked Him to keep the thoughts of the people on Him forever.  We are a part of that forever group of people.  Verse nineteen adds, And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.  David then asked God to give Solomon a perfect heart of obedience and to let him keep God's commandments, testimonies, and statutes, as he built the house of God.  This needs to be our prayer for our children today.  Verse twenty continues, And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the Lord your God. And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the Lord, and the king.  David then asked the whole congregation to bless God, and they bowed their heads and worshipped Him.  We need to acknowledge God's blessing on us when He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place and we need to praise and worship Him, not just once or twice a week but daily. 

1 Chronicles 29:1

1 Chronicles 29:1 says, Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.  David said Solomon had been chosen by God to replace him and build the temple, which would be a palace for God and not for man.  He also pointed out that Solomon was young and would need the support of the people in doing the work.  We need for people to serve where they are called to serve by God, and we need to support them, especially if they are called when they are young and are called to a position of leadership.  Verse two adds, Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.  David pointed out all that he had done to have the things that would be needed ready for the building of the temple, and we need to do everything we can to have the things needed for doing God's work ready today, even if someone else is called to do the work.  Verse three continues, Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.  David said he had also added his own gold and silver to that he had amassed from other places.  We also need to make personal contributions to God's work and not just expect others to pay for it.  Verse four states, Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:  David listed what he had personally given, not to brag, but to challenge the other rich men to give as well.  I don't believe we should brag about what we have given God today, especially if we give out of an abundance and not out of sacrifice, and I believe the Holy Spirit will call on everyone to give as God asks of them.  Verse five, adds, The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?  David had donated his personal wealth for the purpose of building the temple and not for whatever purpose the people might want to use it for.  God was guiding him in this, and when we give today, it must be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and for the work He has dedicated it to.  David did not tax the people to help support the building of the temple, but he set the example and challenged them to give.  This is a good example for church leaders to follow today.  Verse six says, Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,  The chief fathers and princes and captains gave willingly to the work, and we need those in positions of leadership in the church today to give willingly to support God's work and not to ask people to give to support their lifestyle.  Verse seven adds, And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.  Then we have a list of what they gave, including brass and iron, which might not have been as valuable in and of itself, but would be needed in the building of the temple.  We may not all be able to give things that are viewed as valuable in the eyes of the world, but we can all give things necessary for accomplishing God's work today.  Verse eight continues, And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.  They also gave precious stones if they had them.  I have to wonder how much greater God's work would be done if people gave their valuable things to support it.  Of course, as with David and the people then, this should be done willingly and not because people are forced to give.  Verse nine concludes, Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.  The people then rejoiced because they had given with a pure heart, and David rejoiced with them.  I believe that we too often give sparingly and begrudge given instead of giving willingly and with a pure heart while rejoicing in the Lord.