2 Chronicles 2:1

2 Chronicles 2:1 says, And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the Lord, and an house for his kingdom. Solomon decided to build a house for God and a house for his kingdom.  He was to have the temple built first, and then his palace.  Matthew Henry points out that the palace was not so much for Solomon's convenience and glory, but to bring honor to the nation of Israel from the nations around it.  We should likewise first do God's kingdom work, and then build up things that will show His greatness to the world, and not just our greatness.  I don't believe that God ever blesses His people just so they can brag about or show of their riches.  Verse two adds, And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.  Solomon then had seventy thousand men to bear burdens, eighty thousand men to hew out of the mountain, and thirty-six hundred men to oversee them.  It took a lot of people to build the temple, and much of the work was what we might call grunt labor, but it was necessary for it to be done.  What we do for God today may not be glorious in the view of the world, but we should not feel above doing it, and we need people to make sure that we are doing things in an organized way.  Verse three continues, And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.  Solomon was not above reaching out to others for help, and he did so with Huram, who had helped David by sending him cedars.  He asked Huram to deal with him just as he had with David his father.  As followers of Christ, we should never feel that we are too good to reach out to others for help when we need it, and we need to pray that they will treat us fairly.  Verse four states, Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.  Solomon told Huram that he was going to build a house to the name of God, or dedicated to Him, for the purpose of worshipping Him.  I believe that whatever we are doing as Christians and as a group of believers collectively should be to honor God, and our church buildings should be there to worship in and glorify God.  Verse five adds, And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.  Solomon said that the house he built was going to be great, because his God was great and above all other gods.  Of course, there is really only one God, and all others are just manmade creations.  Verse six continues, But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?  Solomon then asked who was worthy to build God a house.  He asked who he himself was to build as house for God, to serve to burn sacrifices.  Solomon knew that God was too great to be confined to one place, but that people could gather at a particular place to worship and offer their sacrifices to Him.  We may build beautiful buildings in which to worship God today, but we must never try to confine God to that building.  Verse seven says, Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.  Solomon the asked Huram to send him a man who was skilled in building to help those that were in Judah and Jerusalem.  Solmon acknowledged that they people of Tyre were better at doing ornate work than the people of Israel were.  We may need the help of non-Christians when we are doing work for God today, and we should never feel that we are so much superior to them that we don't reach out for help.  Of course, when it comes to spiritual matters, we must look to God's people and not the world for guidance.  Verse eight adds, Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,  Solomon asked Huram to not only send him cedar, fir and algum trees, but to send men who knew how to work with them in building, and he said that the workmen from Israel would work under them.  We may have to work under people who are not Christians today, and we should never believe that we are too good to do so.  We do have to make sure that we remain true to God when we do.  Verse nine continues, Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.  Solomon said he wanted timber in abundance, because he was going to build a great house to God.  If we build something for God today, we should want it to be the best that it can be, but I don't believe that means it should be ornate.  Verse ten concludes, And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.  Solomon promised to pay well those from Tyre who did the work.  We need to pay those who may not be Christians but who help in the building of works for God a fair and honest price.  If they choose to donate their work, that is good, but we should never expect them to do so.

2 Chronicles 1:13

2 Chronicles 1:13 says, Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.  Solomon then came down from the high place at Gibeon and went to stand before the tabernacle in Jerusalem to reign over the people.  We cannot just stay in the high places separated from people and praying to God, but must come down to daily life and interact with people if we are to be effective in sharing God's word.  We also are not called to rule over them spiritually, but to lead them to a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.  Solomon first began to gather and assign his chariots and those who drove them to their place of service.  Though God was his ultimate source of power, he was wisely using what God provided him with, and God is still our source of power today, but we also must wisely use what He provides us with.  Verse fifteen continues, And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance.  Solomon then enriched the city, making silver and gold a plenteous as stones and cedars as abundant as the common sycamore trees.  Not that it is what is going to be important, but when we get to our heavenly home, we are told that the streets are going to be paved with gold, but we are not promised riches here, nor should we be concerned if we don't have them.  Verse sixteen states, And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.  Solomon also brought horses and linen yarn out of Egypt, and his merchants received the linen yarn at a price.  He engaged in trade with other countries and promoted industry in Israel.  We are not an island as a nation, but we need to be engaged in business with other countries, which may provide us with an opportunity to share the gospel.  Verse seventeen adds, And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.  Matthew Henry says that they sold these things to Syria at a profit.  Though if we are engaged in trade with someone, we should want to make a profit, I believe our first concern should be to bring honor to God in what we do and to share His gospel with others. 

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.