Day 120: 2 Chronicles 1, 2 and 3

[Solomon] adorned the temple with precious stones. And the gold he used was gold of Parvaim. (2 Chronicles 3:6)

We've already acknowledged the cheerful heart with which the people of Israel donated monies and materials toward the construction of the temple. They were a grateful people, who cheerfully gave to make the construction of the temple a success.

Here we have another illustration of this building project's importance. This was not the kind of construction project where the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder. Without proper oversight that process can lead to inferior materials being substituted for those in the engineering specs. There was no cutting of corners in building Solomon's Temple. Only the best was good enough for God.

Precious stones were used where the substitution of cubic zirconium would have never been detected. This is where I'd add a little smiley face if this were an email. And when it came to the overlays, no one was tempted to get by with 10-carat gold. They used the gold of Parvaim, the finest gold money could buy.

When you leave your gift at the altar (be it money, time or talent), can you walk away satisfied you've given your very best?

Day 119: 1 Chronicles 26, 27,28 and 29

We have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chronicles 29:14b)

Listen to David's heart as he splendors in God's blessing: Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this (29:14a)?

I read where an eastern European government has regulated the amount its citizens can give to their churches. Charitable contributions are limited to 2% - the thinking being that support for terrorist organizations is often disguised as gifts to charities. Christians in those countries are looking for loopholes so they can give more.

Contrast that with wealthier countries where many people try not to give at all, or find loopholes to give as little as possible. Not so with David and the people of Israel. They were truly grateful for all that God had done for them, and they gave with joyful hearts. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Knowing where our good gifts come from transforms us into cheerful people with giving hearts.

How can you cheerfully give extra this week?

Day 118: 1 Chronicles 22, 23, 24 and 25

They numbered 288. (1 Chronicles 25:7)

David set aside 288 men to serve as singers in the new temple. 288 vocalists divided into 24 groups of 12.

What else can be evenly divided into 24 units? Hmmm... a day? Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. Congratulations! Johnny, tell him what he's won. You bet, Bob. You've won a BRAND NEW CAR!!! [1]

It has been conjectured that these 24 12-member worship teams each served 1-hour shifts every day lifting up their voices in praise to God, so that worship was offered continuously in Solomon's Temple.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long, they exult in your righteousness (Psalm 89:15,16).

Worship. It's not just for Sunday anymore.

How could you develop a lifestyle of worship?

[1] Just to be clear - no one is getting a new car.

Day 117: 1 Chronicles 19, 20 and 21

Do you think David is honoring your father by sending men to you to express sympathy? (1 Chronicles 19:3)

During the days of Saul there was great enmity between Israel and Ammon. Saul's decisive victory over the Ammonite forces cemented his position as king over Israel. We learn in verse 2 that David held the Ammonite king Nahash in high regard. The text doesn't spell out for us why that is, except with a vague reference to some kindness shown David. It is probable that Nahash may have provided David refuge during the time he was hiding from Saul. Whatever the case, upon Nahash's death, David wanted to show kindness to his son Hanun in return for the kindness he'd been shown years earlier. Not only was it the right thing to do, but it should have also served to strengthen the tentative alliance between the two nations.

When the Israeli envoys arrived in Ammon they were greeted with suspicion. Hanun's advisors encouraged him to deal harshly with this threat, and the order was given for the ambassadors to be humiliated. Diplomacy demands that when an ambassador is welcomed, he is to be received as though he were the king himself. Not only were the envoys humiliated, but David and all Israel were shamed as well by this despicable act.

The resulting conflict would result in Ammon's destruction.

Have you ever suffered a lapse in judgment and questioned someone's motives when they deserved the benefit of the doubt?

Day 116: 1 Chronicles 16, 17 and 18

David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering... (1 Chronicles 16:39,40)

In approximately 1050 BC the Philistines won a decisive victory over the confederated tribes of Israel at Shiloh. Though Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield as their ultimate weapon, it did them no good, and they were soundly thrashed in a major defeat leaving Israel subservient to Philistia.

Philistine celebration soon turned to concern and then panic as the power of God turned against them. They sent the ark back to Israel where it found its rest in Kiriath-Jearim.

For over fifty years the ark remained in the care of Abinadab's family. Never during the reign of Saul did he inquire of the ark. When David conquered Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious and political center of Israel, he retrieved the ark placing it in the new tent he had built for it there.

At some point after the defeat at Shiloh, Moses' tabernacle was moved to Gibeon, and from today's passage it seems that sacrificial worship continued there - business as usual. One difference: God was not there. The Ark of the Covenant (the symbol of God's presence) was housed elsewhere.

How life changing could worship be that doesn't require the presence of God?

When's the last time you encountered God's manifest presence?

Day 115: 1 Chronicles 13, 14 and 15

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul. (1 Chronicles 13:5)

When King Saul wanted advice he went to the Prophet Samuel, but most of the time he trusted his own instincts, leading according to his own strengths. For many years, Saul successfully reigned over Israel, even though he neglected the Ark of the Covenant (symbolic of the presence of God). After Samuel's death, rather than go to the priests or visit the ark to encounter God, Saul chose to consult a witch. And in the end, the burdens and responsibilities of leading God's people proved too heavy a burden for his broad shoulders.

David was a great military leader, he made great decisions politically, and because of his charisma and wisdom his people loved him. But David never forgot where his success - including his gifts and strengths - came from.

David wanted God close to him, so he built a new tent to house the Ark of the Covenant. Even though it took a couple attempts to accomplish the task, he brought the ark into Jerusalem and gave it the place of prominence that reflected God's prominence in his own life.

Some people are content to just get by. Some want to accomplish great things requiring God's help and strength?

What about you?

Day 114: 1 Chronicles 10, 11 and 12

[These fighting men] came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. (1 Chronicles 12:38)

Most casual readers of the Bible think David became king of Israel immediately upon the tragic deaths of Saul and Jonathan (as first-born, Jonathan was in line for the throne). What they fail to realize is that Saul had another son named Ish-Bosheth, who received the kingdom upon his father's death.

While Ish-Bosheth did not enjoy the confidence of the people, he did have the support of Abner, Saul's highest ranking general. This was a relationship of convenience. Ish-Bosheth needed Abner's strength to secure for him the kingdom, and politically Abner needed Ish-Bosheth in place until he could seize the kingdom for himself.

Remember, Saul exiled David because he considered him a threat to his throne. And while no one could have been more loyal to Saul than was David, the king was thinking of his sons and future generations. Even while he was running for his life, a growing band of skilled fighters rallied around David.

In the mean time, upon hearing of Saul's death, the men of Judah proclaimed David king and he reigned in Hebron, Judah's tribal capital. David had a charisma that Ish-Bosheth lacked, and today's reading illustrates the transfer of power as a steady stream of supporters gathered around him in Hebron.

David knew the first step toward being a good leader is to be a good follower.

This week, how can you be a good follower?