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Day 115 – A Year in the Bible – 1 Chronicles 16-18

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1 CHRONICLES 16 – GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD

A Psalm to Thank the LORD
Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 
13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
19 When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD. – 1 Chronicles 16:7-36

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1 CHRONICLES 17 – O LORD, THERE IS NONE LIKE THEE

Thy Servant Hath Found in His Heart to Pray Before Thee
16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.
19 O LORD, for thy servant’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.
20 O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
21 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?
22 For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.
23 Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.
24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
26 And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
27 now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever. – 1 Chronicles 17:16-27

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1 CHRONICLES 18 – THE LORD PRESERVED DAVID

David Reigned and Executed Judgment and Justice Among All His People
Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭18‬:‭13b‬-‭14‬

Day 114 – A Year in the Bible – 1 Chronicles 13-15

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1 CHRONICLES 13 – DAVID GATHERED ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL

We Enquired Not in the Days of Saul
And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: and let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

And David was Afraid of God that Day
And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had. – 1 Chronicles 13:7-14

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1 CHRONICLES 14 – DAVID ENQUIRED OF GOD

Shall I Go Up Against the Philistines?
And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim. And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. – 1 Chronicles 14:8-12

The Fame of David Went Out Into All the Land
And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭14‬:‭13-‭17‬ ‭

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1 CHRONICLES 15 – DAVID PREPARED A PLACE FOR THE ARK OF GOD

None Ought to Carry the Ark but the Levites
And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it. And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

Sanctify Yourselves that Ye May Bring Up the Ark of the LORD
and said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭

All Israel Brought Up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD with Praise
So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obed-edom with joy. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭

Michal Despised David in Her Heart
And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭29‬ ‭

Day 113 – A Year in the Bible – 1 Chronicles 10-12

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1 CHRONICLES 10 – SAUL DIED FOR HIS TRANSGRESSION

Which He Committed Against the LORD, Even Against the Word of the LORD
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; and enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. – 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

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1 CHRONICLES 11 – DAVID POURED IT OUT TO THE LORD

Shall I Drink the Blood of These Men that Put Their Lives in Jeopardy?
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate! And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD, and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest. – 1 Chronicles 11:17-19

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1 CHRONICLES 12 – THERE WAS JOY IN ISRAEL

If Ye Come to Help Me, Mine Heart Shall Be Knit Unto You
And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David. And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭

All These Men of War Came with a Perfect Heart
All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them. Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭38‬-‭40‬ ‭

Day 112 – A Year in the Bible – 1 Chronicles 6-9

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1 CHRONICLES 6 – TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR ISRAEL

They Whom David Set Over the Service of Song
And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest. And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭

Appointed Unto All Manner of Service of the Tabernacle
Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭6‬:‭48‬ ‭

Appointed for All the Work of the Place Most Holy
But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭6‬:‭49‬-‭53‬ ‭

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1 CHRONICLES 7 – THEM APT TO THE WAR AND TO BATTLE

Mighty Men of Valour
And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand. – 1 Chronicles 7:5

All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle. – 1 Chronicles 7:11

All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men. – 1 Chronicles 7:40

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1 CHRONICLES 8 – ALL THESE ARE OF THE SONS OF BENJAMIN

Kish Begat Saul and Saul Begat Jonathan
And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah. And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz. And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, and Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son: and Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭8‬:‭33‬-‭39‬ ‭

Mighty Men of Valour and Archers
And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin. – 1 Chronicles 8:40

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1 CHRONICLES 9 – WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS OF THE KINGS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH

Who were Carried Away to Babylon for Their Transgression
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.
1 Chronicles 9:1

The genealogies are important. Don’t skip them!

Reckoned – to be counted, computed, or calculated; to be esteemed or considered

Day 111 – A Year in the Bible – 1 Chronicles 1-5

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1 CHRONICLES 1 – ABRAHAM BEGAT ISAAC

The Sons of Isaac – Esau and Israel
Abram; the same is Abraham. The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael. These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, 30 Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael. Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these are the sons of Keturah. And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel.
1 Chronicles 1:27-34

In today’s reading, we started 1 Chronicles. No one knows who wrote the books of Chronicles, but some believe the scribe and priest Ezra wrote at least some of it. First and 2 Chronicles tells much of the same history as the books of Samuel and Kings, but Chronicles looks at the history through the priests’ eyes.

We ended Kings yesterday with the conquest of Judah and the exile to Babylon, which ended the time of the Promised Land. Chronicles were written from this exile. Exile was a tool used to build empires, and it forced the mixing of people groups. Personal histories were forgotten over time. The Chronicles were written to remind the children of Israel who they were, where they came from, and who God is.

The first nine chapters are genealogy. When we read these lists of hard to pronounce names, we might wonder what the purpose is of including them. But once we understand why the names are there, it will make a difference in the posture of our heart as we read them.

When families were taken into exile, those families were split apart; community groups and relationships were destroyed; and parents, siblings, and even spouses would never see each other again as they were carried away to unknown lands. These names—these genealogies—were written so the people could remember where they came from and who they were. Each name represents a person that lived and went through great sorrow, grief, and much loss.

On September 11, 2006, at the fifth anniversary of what our country knows as 9/11, there was a reading of the names of every single person killed in the events of that tragic day. Someone read each name, paused, and then moved to the next name.

It was during that reading that the conviction of God fell on me, and I cried out to Him – repenting of my sins and confessing Jesus as my Lord and Savior. What was it about those names? For me, I listened and remembered these people. I didn’t know them, but I did know that not one of those listed deserved to die on that day the way they did. It caused me to look at my own life, and to be honest, I wanted to die that day, but I knew that I deserved to die, for my heart was full of sin and anger and bitterness. I also knew that if I did, I would split hell wide open and live eternity there. What do you do when you are at the end but there is nothing? You go back to what you know to be true. Even if you have denied truth and walked away from truth. 

So I did. I cried out to God, and He heard me “out of His holy hill,” and He reached down and His glory filled the room I was in. LITERALLY!!!! In that room that day He saved me, delivered me, and filled me with His Holy Ghost. My life has never been the same. 

What brought me to my knees was the reality of the life and death behind each name that was remembered. I have never looked at a genealogy the same. Since the Bible says our names are written in a book – we are a part of a great genealogy too. When you hear my name read someday – remember this testimony. When I hear yours, I will remember you and all you have shared with me about your own life in Jesus Christ. 

What is in a name? For some of us, everything. Please don’t skip the reading of the genealogies. 

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1 CHRONICLES 2 – THE SONS OF ISRAEL

These are the Sons of Israel
These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. – 1 Chronicles‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

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1 CHRONICLES 3 – THE SONS OF DAVID

Now These Were the Sons of David
Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: the third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years. And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel: Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister. – 2 Chronicles 3:1-9

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1 CHRONICLES 4 – GOD GRANTED HIM THAT WHICH HE REQUESTED

Jabez Called On the God of Israel
And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. – 2 Chronicles 4:9-10

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1 CHRONICLES 5 – BECAUSE THE WAR WAS OF GOD

There Fell Down Many Slain
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him. And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand. For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity. – 1 Chronicles 5:18-22

Day 110 – A Year in the Bible – 2 Kings 22-25

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2 KINGS 22 – JOSIAH

Josiah Did that Which was Right in the Sight of the LORD
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. – 2 Kings‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

When Josiah Heard the Words of the Book of the Law He Rent His Clothes
And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying, Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us. – 2 Kings 22:10-13

Thine Eyes Shall Not See All the Evil Which I Will Bring
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched. But to the king of Judah which sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again. – 2 Kings 22:14-20

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2 KINGS 23 – JOSIAH MADE A COVENANT BEFORE THE LORD

To Walk After the LORD
And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant. – 2 Kings 23:3

There was No King Like Him
And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. – 2 Kings 23:25

So far this year, we have read about several evil kings—some so corrupt that they were known to sacrifice children. Today we read about King Josiah. Hilkiah, a priest, found a scroll in the temple that recorded the covenant between God and the children of Israel. When Josiah was made aware of how they had strayed, he turned to the LORD with all of his heart, sound, and might…and cleansed the land of idolatry.

Oh, how I want it to be said of me that I turned to the LORD with all of my heart, and with all of my soul, and with all my might! Please help me, Lord, because I know I can’t do anything apart from YOU living through me. I ask this in the Name above ALL names…JESUS!

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2 KINGS 24 – ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD

The LORD Sent Them Against Judah to Destroy It
In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets. Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; and also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon. – 2 Kings‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

Jerusalem Besieged
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. – 2 Kings 24:10

Through the Anger of it LORD
For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. – 2 Kings‬ ‭24‬:‭20‬ ‭

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2 KINGS 25 – THE FALL OF JERUSALEM

They Slew the Sons of Zedekiah Before His Eyes and Then Put Out His Eyes
And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king’s garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain. And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him. So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him. And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon. – 2 Kings‬ ‭25‬:‭3-‭7‬ ‭

Most People Carried Away but the Poor were Left to Work the Fields
And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about. Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carry away. But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen. – 2 Kings‬ ‭25‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭

Jehoiachin King of Judah Given Favor and Lifetime Allowance
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison; and he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon; and changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life. And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life. – 2 Kings 25:27-30

Day 109 – A Year in the Bible – 2 Kings 19-21

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2 KINGS 19 – HEZEKIAH PRAYED BEFORE THE LORD

That All the Kingdoms of the Earth May Know
And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only. – 2 Kings 19:14-19

In yesterday’s reading, the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and sent ten of the ancient tribes into exile. In today’s reading, the Assyrians attempt to overthrow the kingdom of Judah. Assyria’s king Sennacherib sent officials to intimidate them into surrender. The officials taunted Jerusalem saying: “Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? – 2 Kings 18:35.

King Hezekiah took off his robes and put on a sackcloth. He went to God’s Temple and dispatched messengers to find the prophet, Isaiah. Isaiah’s message was that the Assyrians would withdraw because they would hear a rumor of threats from another army. Sennacherib sent a threatening letter to Hezekiah, recounting all of his conquests and telling Hezekiah that Jerusalem would fall next.

Here was Hezekiah, with the enemy there threatening and taunting. Finally, Hezekiah took Sennacherib’s letter into the temple, laid it before the Lord, and confessed his powerlessness. Then – God wiped out the Assyrian army. Sennacherib withdrew to Nineveh, the capital city of his kingdom. There he was killed by two of his sons, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah that we also read in these passages today.  

There is a lesson here for times that we feel intimidated and backed against a wall. Sennacherib’s letter was meant to scare Hezekiah into defeat, but the intimidation was nothing more than idle words next to God’s mighty power. When we find ourselves in these situations, we have a choice—we can believe the threats of the enemy, or we can believe and act on God’s holy Word –  casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

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2 KINGS 20 – I HAVE HEARD THY PRAYER

Behold, I Will Heal Thee
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. – 2 Kings 20:1-7

Is It Not Good if Peace and Truth Be in My Day?
Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days? – 2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭14‬-‭19‬ ‭

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2 KINGS 21 – I WILL FORSAKE THE REMNANT OF MINE INHERITANCE

Manasseh did that Which was Evil in the Sight of the LORD
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi-bah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them. But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel. – 2 Kings‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-‭9‬ ‭

Because Manasseh King of Judah Hath Done These Abominations
And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying, Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols: therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies; because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day. Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. – 2 Kings‬ ‭21‬:‭10‬-‭16‬ ‭

Day 108 – A Year in the Bible – 2 Kings 16-18

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2 KINGS 16 – THUS DID URIJAH THE PRIEST

According to ALL that King Ahaz Commanded
And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof. And Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus: so Urijah the priest made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus. And when the king was come from Damascus, the king saw the altar: and the king approached to the altar, and offered thereon. And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar. And he brought also the brasen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar. And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king’s burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to inquire by. Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that king Ahaz commanded. – 2 Kings 16:10-16

King Ahaz did not worship God. He wanted an altar like he saw in Damascus and ordered Urijah the priest to build it, adding to and taking away parts of the altar that God designed. Urijah, the high priest, did anything the king commanded, disobeying the law of Moses. Moses was commanded to make the tabernacle according to what God showed him, and then the temple was constructed according to the plans God gave to David. God does not like compromise or mixture.

Urijah, the priest, followed the King’s command rather than God’s. The king ordered the changes, but Urijah is the one that made the changes.

This kind of mixture still happens today. Somebody sees something out in the world that would “fit” into the Lord’s work and perhaps make it more pleasing to the outside world, thus drawing the people in. The church starts to imitate that and, slowly, one compromise at a time, starts to look more like the world than the church God designed.

Like Urijah, the same type of compromise and mixture can happen in our hearts if we aren’t more tuned to God’s Word and God’s voice than we are to man’s. Urijah knew God’s laws, as do we. Each time there is known compromise, we have a choice to cooperate with the changes or to stand firm in God’s commands. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and we should take as much care of lining our hearts and souls to His, as Moses took of obeying God’s designs for the tabernacle and David for the temple.

Please help us, Lord, to see our own compromise and address it swiftly as You reveal these things. I ask this in Jesus’ Name! Amen!!!

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2 KINGS 17 – THE LORD WAS VERY ANGRY AT ISRAEL AND REMOVED THEM OUT OF HIS SIGHT

They Followed Vanity and Became Vain
And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger: for they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing. Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. – 2 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬-‭18‬ ‭

One translations says in 2 Kings 17:15 – They worshiped worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.

An idol is anything you desire more than God. – Tim Kellar

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2 KINGS 18 – HEZEKIAH REMOVED THE HIGH PLACES

Hezekiah Did that Which Was Right in the Sight of the Lord
Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not. He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
2 Kings 18:1-8

Day 107 – A Year in the Bible – 2 Kings 13-15

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2 KINGS 13 – ELISHA DIED AND THEY BURIED HIM

O My Father, My Father, the Chariot of Israel, and the Horsemen Thereof
Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. And Elisha died, and they buried him. – 2 Kings 13:14-20a

The LORD Was Gracious, Compassionate, Respectful Unto Them Because of His Covenant with Their Fathers
But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet. – 2 Kings‬ ‭13‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭

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2 KINGS 14 – THE FATHERS SHALL NOT BE PUT TO DEATH FOR THE CHILDREN

Nor the Children Be Put to Death for the Fathers
And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father. But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin. – 2 Kings‬ ‭14‬:‭5‬-‭6‬

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2 KINGS 15 – AZARIAH AND JOTHAM – THEY DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, EXCEPT…

The High Places Were Not Removed
In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging the people of the land. And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead. – 2 Kings‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭

And the People Sacrificed and Burned Incense Still in the High Places
In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign. Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead. – 2 Kings‬ ‭15‬:‭32‬-‭38‬ ‭

These passages throughout 1 and 11 Kings have made me ask myself: what will be written of me about my life and death, and will there be an “except” written of me? Show me, LORD, the areas that I follow You, but not fully, because I have allowed exceptions.

Day 106 – A Year in the Bible – 2 Kings 10-12

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2 KINGS 10 – JEHU DESTROYED BAAL OUT OF ISRAEL

But Jehu Took No Heed to Walk in the Law of the LORD God
Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan. And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
2 Kings 10:28-31

Jehu did much that the Lord wanted him to do, and God made him a promise that his children to the fourth generation would sit on the throne of Israel. But – but this chapter ended by telling us that Jesus took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord with all of his heart. How often do we follow some of God’s instructions, and God blesses us, and we turn around and compromise. We take no heed to continue to walk in the law of the Lord. We do that…again and again. Help us, Lord. Please help me!

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2 KINGS 11 – HE BROUGHT FORTH THE KING’S SON AND PUT THE CROWN UPON HIM

God Save The King
And he brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD. And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason. But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD. And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king’s house: and there was she slain.
2 Kings 11:12-16

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2 KINGS 12 – HIGH PLACES

Jehoash Began to Reign
In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. – 2 Kings 12:1-3

Jehoash was third of eight kings over Judah.

“all his days” – This means all the days of Jehoiada–as long as he was alive to keep Jehoash from doing wrong. When Jehoiada died at the age of 130, Jehoash did evil in God’s sight and brought judgment upon his people as well as himself. For this, God let a small band of Syrians conquer a large army of Israel.

“But the high places were not taken away” – High places, very simply, were places of worship on elevated pieces of ground. High places were originally dedicated to idol worship. The Israelites, forever turning away from God, practiced Molech worship and built high places for Baal. Although King Solomon built the temple of God in Jerusalem, he later established idolatrous high places for his foreign wives outside of Jerusalem. Solomon’s compromise caused him to lose the kingdom.

Israel was to destroy all such places.