Bible Reading Plan

Author: Jon Green

  • 1 Chronicles 23

    1 Chronicles 23

    Read 1 Chronicles 23

    The Levites

    23 When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

    2 He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. 3 The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. 4 David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. 5 Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”

    6 David separated the Levites into divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

    Gershonites

    7 Belonging to the Gershonites:

    Ladan and Shimei.

    8 The sons of Ladan:

    Jehiel the first, Zetham and Joel—three in all.

    9 The sons of Shimei:

    Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran—three in all.

    These were the heads of the families of Ladan.

    10 And the sons of Shimei:

    Jahath, Ziza, Jeush and Beriah.

    These were the sons of Shimei—four in all.

    11 Jahath was the first and Ziza the second, but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons; so they were counted as one family with one assignment.

    Kohathites

    12 The sons of Kohath:

    Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel—four in all.

    13 The sons of Amram:

    Aaron and Moses.

    Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the Lord, to ministerbefore him and to pronounce blessings in his name forever. 14 The sons of Moses the man of God were counted as part of the tribe of Levi.

    15 The sons of Moses:

    Gershom and Eliezer.

    16 The descendants of Gershom:

    Shubael was the first.

    17 The descendants of Eliezer:

    Rehabiah was the first.

    Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very numerous.

    18 The sons of Izhar:

    Shelomith was the first.

    19 The sons of Hebron:

    Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth.

    20 The sons of Uzziel:

    Micah the first and Ishiah the second.

    Merarites

    21 The sons of Merari:

    Mahli and Mushi.

    The sons of Mahli:

    Eleazar and Kish.

    22 Eleazar died without having sons: he had only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them.

    23 The sons of Mushi:

    Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth—three in all.

    24 These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the Lord. 25 For David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, 26 the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” 27 According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more.

    28 The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the Lord: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God. 29 They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the special flour for the grain offerings, the thin loaves made without yeast, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. 30 They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening 31 and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord on the Sabbaths, at the New Moonfeasts and at the appointed festivals. They were to serve before the Lordregularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them.

    32 And so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the tent of meeting, for the Holy Place and, under their relatives the descendants of Aaron, for the service of the temple of the Lord.

    Go Deeper

    On the surface, 1 Chronicles 23 may appear dry to read, but below the surface it is anything but that. At the time of Israel’s history, King David was aging and ill. He declared Solomon as King even though his other son Adonijah was celebrating with his men the possibility of becoming the next King. Thankfully, the transition between brothers would be peaceful, and David honored his vow to Bathsheba declaring Solomon as King. Read 1 Kings 1:24-34 for a more in-depth view of these details.  

    The key verse for historical purposes is 1 Chronicles 23:25 which says, “The Lord God of Israel has given rest to His people, He dwells in Jerusalem forever.” The nation is now in Jerusalem and the Lord has revealed to David that his son Solomon would build the temple. David is now organizing the divisions and work of the Levites. The first part of the chapter sees David dividing the work of the Levites into 6 important duties:

    1. Overseers of the work of the “House of the Levites”
    2. Officers and Judges
    3. Gatekeepers
    4. Praising the Lord with instruments used and made by David (worship)
    5. Priest duties of the Sons of Aaron, Moses, and Amran set apart for the holy duties of ministry to the Lord
    6. Assist the priests above in their works in the tent of the Tabernacle

    These divisions are sacred and civil appointments of the Levites, ordained by God through David, and now unto Solomon. The relationship seen here can be defined as “King unto Priest.” In reading this, we can see the parallel as Solomon will be building the Temple of Jerusalem with the directives and sacred organization from his father, King David. So, Jesus Christ came to build His temple within all of us with directives to follow that have sacred intent and purpose. The Levites each had important works, and so do each of us have significant purposes in the Kingdom of God.

    It is obvious in this chapter that the sons of Aaron are called to be “separate” which means holy in their work and worship. The Levites are obviously called to aid the sons of Aaron in the many and varied jobs related to the temple works, duties to the people, and duties to the priests. We might see the obvious division of being both a worker and worshiper. We now have to ask ourselves, in the modern-day church, are we just workers and not worshippers or are we just worshippers and not workers? 

    The correct answer for us is that we are both. The Lord led organization of the temple duties is eerily similar to the church today. We must see ourselves as “separate” which means we are growing in our relationship with Christ and His Holiness. Galatians 2:20 says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and this life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” The natural progression of our faith will be like the Levites of the temple in that our enduring commitment to Christ will allow us to grow in His Holiness within. Then, we are invited to participate in and experience eternal significance in what we are asked to do. Finally, it is obvious that God desired the Levites and the sons of Aaron to have unity and fellowship as they worked side by side. He desires the same for us as our life in the church should be marked by holiness, enduring faith, and joyous fellowship as we work together to further the kingdom of God. 

    Now, we can read verse 30 of this rich chapter and echo the prayers of the Levites and the sons of Aaron in their daily duties and lives, “They are to stand every morning to thank the Lord, and, likewise, every evening.” May we all embrace His joy in serving our families, others and our church every morning and every evening with thanksgiving and praise to God for what He continues to do in our own lives and the life of the church!

    Questions

    1. How do you think David felt passing on the building of the temple to his son Solomon? 
    2. As you read through the duties of the Levites in the temple, how are they similar to the modern day church?
    3. How can you better integrate being both a worker and a worshipper in your own life?

    A Quote

    Matthew Henry’s commentary from the 18th century speaks to us perfectly about this chapter. He writes, “To the spiritual man every service will yield satisfaction. He will be ever abounding in the work of the Lord; being never so happy as when employed for such a good Master, in so pleasant a service.”

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  • Rest Day + Family Guide (1 Chronicles 17-22)

    Rest Day + Family Guide (1 Chronicles 17-22)

    Rest Day

    Each Sunday is a Rest Day. There is no new Bible reading to do. Today, the goal is simple: rest in the presence of God. Maybe you need to use today to get caught up on the reading plan if you’re behind, maybe you want to journal what you’re learning so you don’t forget what God is teaching you, or maybe you want to spend time in concentrated prayer–do that. Above all, just spend time in God’s presence.

    Each Rest Day, we will have an additional element to help you dig deeper. Sometimes it will be extra resources to further your study, a video to watch, or a podcast to listen to. Sometimes we’ll have a verse to commit to memorize to help you hide God’s Word in your heart. 

    If you have kids, our Family Guide will help you discuss what you’re reading and learning with them! It’s a great opportunity for your family to read God’s Word together and review what we read the previous week!

    Keep Digging

    For a helpful explanation of 1 Chronicles and how it’s not simply a repeat of other Old Testament stories, check out this article from The Bible Project! 

    Family Guide

    Check out this week’s 1 Chronicles 17-22 Family Guide!

  • 1 Chronicles 22

    1 Chronicles 22

    Read 1 Chronicles 22

    22 Then David said, “The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”

    Preparations for the Temple

    2 So David gave orders to assemble the foreigners residing in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. 3 He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed. 4 He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David.

    5 David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.

    6 Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7 David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. 8 But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. 9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. 10 He is the one who will build a house for my Name.He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

    11 “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would. 12 May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.13 Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

    14 “I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the Lord a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. 15 You have many workers: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as those skilled in every kind of work 16 in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you.”

    17 Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.18 He said to them, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side? For he has given the inhabitants of the land into my hands, and the land is subject to the Lord and to his people.19 Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord.”

    Go Deeper

    We read in the previous chapter about David building an altar and offering sacrifices on the threshing floor of Aruanah the Jebusite. Then today we see his declaration that “The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” This was an honorable idea! He wanted a place set aside for his God and to help in any way he could to accomplish it. However, as we read, we realize this is not what the Lord has in mind. The Lord told him that his son, Solomon, would be the one who builds His temple. 

    Imagine being faithful to the Lord your God. You have gone through life described as a man after God’s own heart…out of the outpouring of God’s love for you, you want to honor Him by creating a space set apart…and God says “not you.” That could feel like rejection. That could cause confusion. But God was clear with His reason (and David still served his God faithfully)! Even though it seemed like God was telling him no, he did not pout or become passive because he did not get the glory of building God’s temple. Instead, he did all he could to set Solomon up well.

    Now, why did God tell David no? The passage says it is because David was a mighty warrior who fought intense battles for God. He was a man of war. In this next season, God wanted to show his people a man of rest. God loves Easter eggs hinting towards His son in the Old Testament. While Solomon and this temple he is building will usher in rest, he was also preparing the way for another son of rest from the line of David. Spoilers: it’s Jesus! Solomon is an imperfect man and his temple will crumble and fall just like all other things on earth, but the everlasting temple found in Jesus Christ will bring rest now and into eternity!

    Questions

    1. What stuck out to you the most the first time you read through this chapter? Why?
    2. When was a time that God has told you no before? 
    3. Why do you think he told you no? How did you react?

    Did You Know?

    We can see both are attributes of Solomon and David in the Bible’s descriptions of God?  

    • Exodus 15:3: “The Lord is a Warrior” 
    • Romans 16:20 “The God of peace” 

    These are just a couple of examples! It just shows that we are made in His image and we get to use the gifts and attributes he has given us to glorify Him here on earth. Whether that is being a mighty warrior, doing behind the scenes work so someone else can flourish (or build a temple), being a peaceful presence, and so much more.

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  • 1 Chronicles 21

    1 Chronicles 21

    Read 1 Chronicles 21

    David Counts the Fighting Men

    21 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”

    3 But Joab replied, “May the Lord multiply his troops a hundred times over.My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”

    4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. 5 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah.

    6 But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. 7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.

    8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”

    9 The Lord said to Gad, David’s seer, 10 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”

    11 So Gad went to David and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Take your choice: 12 three years of famine, three months of being swept awaybefore your enemies, with their swords overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the Lord—days of plague in the land, with the angel of the Lordravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”

    13 David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

    14 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. 15 And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

    16 David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.

    17 David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Lord my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.”

    David Builds an Altar

    18 Then the angel of the Lord ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 So David went up in obedience to the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the Lord.

    20 While Araunah was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel; his four sons who were with him hid themselves. 21 Then David approached, and when Araunah looked and saw him, he left the threshing floor and bowed down before David with his face to the ground.

    22 David said to him, “Let me have the site of your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the Lord, that the plague on the people may be stopped. Sell it to me at the full price.”

    23 Araunah said to David, “Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this.”

    24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”

    25 So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site. 26 David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.

    27 Then the Lord spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. 28 At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there.29 The tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon. 30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

    Go Deeper

    Satan hit a weak spot in David. David was a leader of God’s army, he wanted to fight for the Lord…and win. Satan knew that. He tempted David in a way that he knew would get him. It seems David was trying to figure out where he stood–looking to find security (or pride) in the size of his army. Now, let’s remember: Satan is not creative, but he has been around longer than any of us and has learned what makes humans tick. He knows how easily pride or insecurity can take us out.  

    We read as David acts on Satan’s prompting, he even loops Joab into his sin (even though Joab tries to convince him otherwise and reminds him of God’s power). After Joab followed through on the king’s command, David felt great remorse.  

    In 2 Samuel 24:10, we read: 

    David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”  

    God is gracious, but just. David deserved a consequence, but God let him pick what would be done to him. David knew his God. He knew that all of the choices were terrible, but he knew his Lord cared for him, so he chose whatever the Lord would dish out. 

    In 1 Chronicles 21:13 we see that David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” We need a reverent fear of God, but we can also know he is always the safest choice. Our God has our best interest in mind! He is our father, although he disciplines us, he does it for our good–not just for fun. Our Lord loves us more than an earthly father can and loves a repentant heart. 

    Today, let’s remember the truths laid out in Hebrews 12:9-10: 

    “Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.”

    Questions

    1. Do you believe God has your best interest in mind? Why or why not?
    2. How have you experienced God’s mercy? 
    3. Do you have a friend or Life Group member you can text to encourage them in how you’ve seen God’s mercy and ask them where they have seen it? Do it!

    Pray This

    Thank you for how you love and discipline me. Remind me of your love! Even if it’s through discipline in this season. Help me to identify Satan’s promptings and bring others into the fight with me. Give me ears to listen to wise counsel. Destroy my pride and conform me more into the image of your son.

    Thank you, Lord! Thank you for salvation and the opportunity to turn from my wicked ways and repent!

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  • 1 Chronicles 20

    1 Chronicles 20

    Read 1 Chronicles 20

    The Capture of Rabbah

    20 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. 2 David took the crown from the head of their king—its weight was found to be a talent of gold, and it was set with precious stones—and it was placed on David’s head. He took a great quantity of plunder from the city 3 and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes.David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

    War With the Philistines

    4 In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines, at Gezer. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subjugated.

    5 In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.

    6 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.

    8 These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

    Go Deeper

    First Chronicles 20 is a brief history of three wars with the surrounding enemies of Israel. In the absence of King David, Joab led Israel’s armies against the Ammonites, the Philistines, and the people of Gath. Among these enemies were descendants of giants like Goliath. Their physical size and strength were daunting. In verse 5, Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, is described as having a spear “like a weaver’s beam.” These beams are said to have weighed 17 pounds. Imagine the strength needed to effectively use this heavy spear. No matter the reasons for these wars or the strength of the opposition, the Lord blessed David and his armies with many victories keeping Israel safe, secure, and strong.

    It is worth noting that David remained in Jerusalem during the beginning of the battle at Rabbah. The sin and scandal with Bathsheba and David’s murder of her husband, Uriah, had already occurred. King David was dealing with his own personal battles within his own heart and home. (Read 2 Samuel 12:1-29 to understand the details.) David’s sin and the unrest it caused kept him from his duties as king and leader. With conviction from the prophet Nathan, David fell before God in sincere, heartfelt repentance. The Lord forgave David and restored him to his God given duties as King of Israel. Although God took the first newborn son of Bathsheba, David’s restoration included the birth of Solomon. 2 Samuel 12:24 says Bathsheba “gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. Now the Lord loved him.” Praise be to God for His grace to David as Solomon would someday be King of Israel and rebuild the temple. And God’s grace to David through Solomon extends to us as Solomon recorded the wisdom of God in the Proverbs. 

    Israel prevailed in the wars that followed David’s sin, repentance, and restoration. 1 Chronicles 20:2 details how the spoils of the victory were presented to King David even though he did not lead out his own armies. God not only forgave David, He also gave him victory through the loyalty, strength, and faith of leaders like Joab, Sibbecai, Elhanan, and Jonathan. Israel’s armies fought on David’s behalf, and even in his absence, to help accomplish what was needed for victory over their enemies. David isn’t the only man of God to slay a giant. 

    There are clear lessons for us today in this short but rich chapter. First, we are to take our sin to the Lord. God faithfully offers forgiveness and restoration when we sincerely repent. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He did it for David, and He will do it for us. Second, we all need strong Christian brothers and sisters in our lives to help us walk through life. Sometimes we are headed in the wrong direction and don’t even know it. Sometimes a battle needs to be fought, but we are too weary to fight it. Life groups, Bible studies, and prayer groups can offer us deep, faith-filled friendships. In God’s design, we aren’t meant to walk alone. Through Christ, we can enjoy godly leaders, mentors, and friends who can lead us before God into strength, hope, and victory in Christ. 

    Questions

    1. What do you think it meant for David when the army placed the crown on his head in verse 2?
    2. What feels like an overwhelming battle you are facing in your own life? What “giants” surround you? Talk to God about your situation and invite brothers or sisters in Christ to join you in prayer for victory and healing in your battles. 
    3. How can the forgiveness of God give us victory? Think of God’s loving kindness over you throughout today and thank Him for what He has done and all it means for you!

    A Quote

    George Williams, a 19th century commentary writer said, “God promises us overcoming life which gives victory. When we are forgiven, God completely forgets the sin, and omits the sin from His remembrance.”

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  • 1 Chronicles 19

    1 Chronicles 19

    Read 1 Chronicles 19

    David Defeats the Ammonites

    19 In the course of time, Nahash king of the Ammonites died, and his son succeeded him as king. 2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father.

    When David’s envoys came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to express sympathy to him, 3 the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Haven’t his envoys come to you only to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved them, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them away.

    5 When someone came and told David about the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for they were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back.”

    6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maakah and Zobah. 7 They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and charioteers, as well as the king of Maakah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites were mustered from their towns and moved out for battle.

    8 On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men.9 The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance to their city, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country.

    10 Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. 11 He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishaihis brother, and they were deployed against the Ammonites. 12 Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to rescue me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will rescue you. 13 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lordwill do what is good in his sight.”

    14 Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him. 15 When the Ammonites realized that the Arameans were fleeing, they too fled before his brother Abishai and went inside the city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.

    16 After the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they sent messengers and had Arameans brought from beyond the Euphrates River, with Shophak the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.

    17 When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan; he advanced against them and formed his battle lines opposite them. David formed his lines to meet the Arameans in battle, and they fought against him. 18 But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also killed Shophak the commander of their army.

    19 When the vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him.

    So the Arameans were not willing to help the Ammonites anymore.

    Go Deeper

    Chapter 19 begins by sharing that the Ammonite king, Nahash, has died. Traditionally, the death of a monarch presented a golden opportunity for neighboring kingdoms to pounce in an attack and take control of the territory. Chapter 18 demonstrates that David was a victorious conqueror having subdued all the other major kingdoms around Israel, so this would have been the perfect time to finish the job by conquering Ammon. 

    But verse 2 tells us something different. David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. 

    Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, Hanun’s advisors assume David has evil intentions. They convince Hanun that David sent the envoy to scout the territory in preparation for conquering it. Hanun responds by humiliating the messengers and defiantly sending them back to Israel. This leads to war between the kingdoms, with the Arameans getting involved as well.  All because Hanun made a bad assumption out of fear. He feared David would humiliate him, so he humiliated David first.

    At times, we might respond the same as Hanun. We fear someone has selfish intentions to make us look bad, so we strike first. We fear showing kindness will make us look weak, so we take a stance of power and judgment. We fear an apology is presented to “check the box” rather than to show real remorse, so we hold on to bitterness. We fear a friend or relative is avoiding us, so avoid them. The problem is that while all of these scenarios are an attempt to protect ourselves, we still suffer. We suffer from regret, pain, loneliness, and loss.

    Instead, what if we respond to these situations by assuming positive intent and showing kindness? Instead of focusing on how to protect against our fear, what if we focused on how to show our love, God’s love? First John 4:18 states “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” What if instead of assuming the worst in others we assumed the best?

    By demonstrating love and kindness, we reflect God’s love and demonstrate our trust of the situation to Him.

    Questions

    1. Has there been a time when you made an assumption and acted out of fear? What regret, pain, loneliness, or loss resulted for you and/or others?
    2. Why is assuming positive intent difficult?
    3. Which of the practical ways to assume positive intent will you enact this week?

    Keep Digging

    Wondering what kindness Nahash showed David that he references in verse 2? Learn more about Nahash from this article at GotQuestions.org.

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  • 1 Chronicles 18

    1 Chronicles 18

    Read 1 Chronicles 18

    David’s Victories

    18 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its surrounding villages from the control of the Philistines.

    2 David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to him and brought him tribute.

    3 Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah, in the vicinity of Hamath, when he went to set up his monument at the Euphrates River.4 David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

    5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 6 He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought him tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

    7 David took the gold shields carried by the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tebah and Kun, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, David took a great quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the bronze Sea, the pillars and various bronze articles.

    9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold, of silver and of bronze.

    11 King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from all these nations: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek.

    12 Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

    David’s Officials

    14 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. 15 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary; 17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.

    Go Deeper

    “David’s Victories”. The title of this chapter is truly a beautiful one. When we put our hope in the Lord and act according to His will, we will be victorious. Praise God! We will defeat our enemies with the Lord on our side. Many of us find ourselves battling something, although our own battles may look different than David’s. 

    Whether it’s a mental, physical, or emotional battle, the Lord wants us to be victorious! We may crave victory, but we will not achieve it without a carefully considered battle strategy. This chapter tells us there is only one truly infallible strategy against what we are fighting, and that way is through Jesus. 

    Verses 9-11 give us a clear picture of how to give God the glory after our victory. Once King Tou of Hamath hears of David’s victory, the king has his son seek out David to learn his battle strategy. David’s response proves his trustworthiness and his faithfulness, as he dedicates the victory and the gifts back to the Lord. Sometimes once the battle is won, we are so focused on the victory we forget who made it possible in the first place. 

    It is not our own doing, but it is the Lord through us who achieves the victory. What a way to share the gospel with those asking about our victories, whether they are small or big! This chapter stirs us to put our hope in the Lord, and reminds us of how big a role He wants to play in our lives. He wants  us to be victorious in every battle we face, and He wants to accomplish big things through us.

    Questions

    1. What battles are you facing right now?
    2. Are you relying on my own strength, or are you relying on the Lord? 
    3. What is your response to victory? Are you quick to think about the next battle without giving God the glory, or do you praise Him for getting you through the battle?

    Pray This

    God, 

    Thank you for not abandoning me in the middle of my battle. It is because of You that I am able to breathe, battle, and praise you.Open my eyes to see that the victories you have for me might look different than what I have pictured right now. Thank you for your provision and your promise of eternal victory with You in Heaven. Thank you for showing me a strategy of dependence on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I pray that my life would be full of victories and ways to share the Gospel in Your name. Amen.

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  • 1 Chronicles 17

    1 Chronicles 17

    Read 1 Chronicles 17

    God’s Promise to David

    17 After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.”

    2 Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.”

    3 But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:

    4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. 5 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another.6 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their leaders whom I commanded to shepherd my people, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’7 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. 9 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.“‘I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you: 11 When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.’”

    15 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

    David’s Prayer

    16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

    “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, LordGod, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.18 “What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, 19 Lord. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.20 “There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 21 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 22 You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.23 “And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.25 “You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. 26 You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant.27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”

    Go Deeper

    In this chapter, the Chronicler indicates a pivotal point in transforming David’s view from the physical world around him to the spiritual world God would bring after him. 

    First Chronicles 17 opens with David living in his palace while the ark of the covenant, the earthly presence of God, was housed in a tent. David recognizes this dichotomy and Nathan, his spiritual advisor, encourages him to fix it. David and Nathan can envision a beautiful building for God, but “The Lord does not look at the things people look at” (1 Samuel 16:7). God looks at things from an eternal, multi-dimensional, omnipotent view, while we see things from a limited perspective based on our personal knowledge and experiences. It’s no surprise we often come to different conclusions than God.

    God’s plans were bigger than David’s plan to construct a building. In verse 14, God declares, “I will set [the offspring of David] over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.” God doesn’t mean an earthly throne that will rust and break, but a spiritual throne that will truly oversee our connection with God forever through Jesus Christ who came hundreds of years after David. Jesus was the walking, talking, healing connection with God on earth. He built the way for us to connect with God and serve His kingdom forever. 

    David praises God for what He’s done and what He’s going to do in verses 18-27 because He gave David hope for more than he could imagine. God promised to provide a never-ending connection between God and His people, just as Jesus’s declaration that He is that never-ending connection gives us hope today.

    Questions

    1. Recall a time when you wanted to do something, but your parents or manager had other plans that turned out to be better overall. Or maybe a time when your child wanted to do something, but you knew there was a better way. Why did you and the others see things differently? What action was taken? How did the situation end? 
    2. How does this compare to David’s situation?
    3. Share this story with your Life Group. Pray to see situations through the lens of eternity.

    Pray This

    Father,

    You designed me for my good and your glory. You have led me to and through experiences that bring me closer to you. As King David proclaimed, “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” (2 Samuel 7). You can see before, beyond, and after me, God. Help me trust in your sight, rest in your vision and hope in you. You are God and I am not.

    Amen.

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  • Rest Day + Family Guide (1 Chronicles 11-15)

    Rest Day + Family Guide (1 Chronicles 11-15)

    Rest Day

    Each Sunday is a Rest Day. There is no new Bible reading to do. Today, the goal is simple: rest in the presence of God. Maybe you need to use today to get caught up on the reading plan if you’re behind, maybe you want to journal what you’re learning so you don’t forget what God is teaching you, or maybe you want to spend time in concentrated prayer–do that. Above all, just spend time in God’s presence.

    Each Rest Day, we will have an additional element to help you dig deeper. Sometimes it will be extra resources to further your study, a video to watch, or a podcast to listen to. Sometimes we’ll have a verse to commit to memorize to help you hide God’s Word in your heart. 

    If you have kids, our Family Guide will help you discuss what you’re reading and learning with them! It’s a great opportunity for your family to read God’s Word together and review what we read the previous week!

    Keep Digging

    For a helpful explanation of 1 Chronicles and how it’s not simply a repeat of other Old Testament stories, check out this article from The Bible Project! 

    Family Guide

    Check out this week’s 1 Chronicles 11-16 Family Guide!

  • 1 Chronicles 16

    1 Chronicles 16

    Read 1 Chronicles 16

    Ministering Before the Ark

    16 They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. 2 After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.3 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.

    4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

    7 That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner:

    8 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
        make known among the nations what he has done.
    9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
        tell of all his wonderful acts.
    10 Glory in his holy name;
        let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
    11 Look to the Lord and his strength;
        seek his face always.

    12 Remember the wonders he has done,
        his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
    13 you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
        his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
    14 He is the Lord our God;
        his judgments are in all the earth.

    15 He remembers his covenant forever,
        the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
    16 the covenant he made with Abraham,
        the oath he swore to Isaac.
    17 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
        to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
    18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan
        as the portion you will inherit.”

    19 When they were but few in number,
        few indeed, and strangers in it,
    20 they wandered from nation to nation,
        from one kingdom to another.
    21 He allowed no one to oppress them;
        for their sake he rebuked kings:
    22 “Do not touch my anointed ones;
        do my prophets no harm.”

    23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
        proclaim his salvation day after day.
    24 Declare his glory among the nations,
        his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

    25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
        he is to be feared above all gods.
    26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
        but the Lord made the heavens.
    27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
        strength and joy are in his dwelling place.

    28 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
        ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
    29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
        bring an offering and come before him.
    Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
    30     Tremble before him, all the earth!
        The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

    31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
        let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
    32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
        let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
    33 Let the trees of the forest sing,
        let them sing for joy before the Lord,
        for he comes to judge the earth.

    34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
        his love endures forever.
    35 Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
        gather us and deliver us from the nations,
    that we may give thanks to your holy name,
        and glory in your praise.”
    36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
        from everlasting to everlasting.

    Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”

    37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.38 He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers.

    39 David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon 40 to present burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the Lord, which he had given Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.” 42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

    43 Then all the people left, each for their own home, and David returned home to bless his family.

    Go Deeper

    To recap what we have previously read, David has just become King, and his kingdom has been highly exalted by the Lord (1 Chronicles 14:2). King David gets the idea to bring back the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. In the book of Exodus, God gave the Israelites specific instructions to build a tabernacle and how to properly move the Ark of the Covenant, which would be a place where the people would go to worship Him. 

    The tabernacle (also known as the Tent of Meeting) was split between the place where the Israelites worshiped and what was called the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, and God dwelled. The Ark of the Covenant contained a copy of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s staff, and manna. David assembled the people to bring the Ark of God from Kiriath-Jearim back to Jerusalem. However, the first attempt to bring it back was unsuccessful because David did not have the Levites to collect the Ark as he was instructed to do. The Levites brought the Ark of the Covenant successfully into Jerusalem, it was placed inside the tent, and the party began! The presence of God was with them. 

    There were shouts of joy in Israel paired with the sound of trumpets, horns, and harps playing in celebration. They offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord as an act of worship. The burnt offerings represented a consecration and complete devotion to God as well as an acknowledgement of their sin nature. The fellowship offerings were voluntary, and it symbolized peace with God. There were worship leaders that were chosen to lead the people in praise of the God of Israel. It says that David “appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel” (v. 4). There were numerous Levites that David chose to lead, and a man named Asaph was one of them. David composed a psalm of thanksgiving and delivered it to the head musician Asaph to be sung before the Ark of the Covenant. 

    David’s psalm of thanksgiving is taken from a few psalms. Verses 8-23 are taken from Psalm 105 and verses 23-33 are taken from Psalm 96. We see clearly in this passage that God had been faithful to His people, and the only right response to Him is praise. A key verse for this chapter is, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His faithful love endures forever” (v. 34). There were and there are so many reasons to give thanks to the Lord. Just as the Israelites celebrated the presence of the Lord being with them, we can celebrate as believers that we have the Spirit of God inside of us. We might not always feel like praising God, but He is always worthy. We have to constantly remind ourselves of His faithfulness towards us. In the midst of the busyness, pain, and trials in life, we need to remember His promises that are true and His Word that will never fail. We need to call to mind His goodness and love for us. 

    As we are going about our day, may we have a greater awareness of God’s presence. Would our lives be a true and proper act of worship to the King. Would we love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Would we declare to others the ways He has brought us from death to life. Would we gain perspective on the ways He has provided for us. Would we give thanks to His holy name and delight in his unchanging character! Would we rejoice in Him always, no matter what we are walking through. He is worthy of our worship, He is worthy of our praise, and He is worthy of our lives. His faithful love endures forever! 

    Questions

    1. How has God been faithful to you? Can you think of a time recently that you doubted the faithfulness of God?
    2. What are some ways that you worship the Lord? 
    3. What can you give thanks to the Lord for today? Spent time thanking Him for His faithfulness! 

    By the Way

    Psalm 105 and Psalm 96 are both cross-referenced in this passage. Read each of those psalms today and look for the overlap!

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