Hazael's disception

Continuing in chapter eight of 2 Kings, verse 7, the king of Syria asked his servant Hazael to go to the prophet Elisha.  The king was sick and he asked his servant to ask Elisha if he would ever recover.

Hazael did as he was told.  Elisha said that the king would recover from his grave illness, but the Lord told him that the king would die.  Elisha wept, for he knew the evils that the king had done to the people of Israel.

Elisha then told him that the Lord showed him that Hazael would soon be the king of Syria.

Hazael went to his king and told him that Elisha said he would recover.  He was pleased with this answer.  However, the next day the servant murdered the king and Hazael then became the new king.

It was done just as the Lord had said would happen.

How much trust do you have in the source? Who else needs to be in the conversation?

In chapter 8 from the book of 2 Kings, Elisha told the woman, who had a son who had been raised by him from the bowels of death, to go and leave with her household, for there was a famine the Lord had commanded that would last for seven long years.

Seven years later, she returned and asked the king for her land to be returned to her.  The king asked his servant to recall the great deeds Elisha the prophet had done, including what he had done with the woman's son.  Upon hearing from the servant about the truth behind the woman's son being restored back to life, he gave all the lands back to the woman, including all that her fields produced during the seven-year famine.

What I find interesting about this short passage was that the king didn't just assume the woman was telling the truth.  This could have been someone with a devious mind who just wanted her land.  Because the king trusted in his servant, who was also a man of God, to tell him the truth, he trusted what he had heard.

How many times have we assumed something to be true, maybe because a single institution or even the government put out a report on it.  In August 2015, a reporter wrote an obscure article, where he found government data classifying the best and worst places to live in the United States.  The reporter named the county that I'm currently living in, Red Lake County in Northwestern Minnesota, as the "ugliest" in America.  He received a fair amount of heat for it and was even welcomed to visit by the members of our community.  He did.  He was completely blown away by the hospitality.  So much so that a year later he moved his family here.

And has been here ever since.

Be mindful of the source.  Do they have motives for saying what they're saying?  If you want an example, look at the ongoing debate of global warming (i.e. climate change).  Again, trust the source.  Who benefits from it?

And remember, just because a government report says something doesn't mean it's true.

The missing Syrians

In the seventh chapter of 2 Kings, starting at the third verse, we find four lepers at the entrance of a city, where there was a great famine.

Since they were destined to die, they too wanted to enter the city where others were dying.

They arrived at a Syrian camp.  They expected it to be full, but no one was there.  They then heard the sound of chariots, under the awesome power of the Lord, and they fled.  They ate food and drank at the empty camp.  They even took the vast amounts of gold, silver, and clothing.

But they felt they were doing something wrong.  So they went back to the city and told what they had found.  The king of the city thought this was a trap, to lure them out so they could be ambushed.  So he had two horsemen "go and see" for themselves.

They searched.  And found no sign of the Syrians.

The doom and gloom offensiveness of social media

A month or so ago, I was listening to a sermon and the pastor regaled, over and over again, how our society was in such dire turmoil--there was a certain candidate to the highest court in the United States who was being put through the ringer, just to give you an idea as to what I'm talking about.

Although, as I looked among the pews, I saw no such doom and gloom.  At work, at home, at the store, no sign of any doom and gloom.

Now, I know what you're going to say.  "But you were in church.  Obviously everyone is going to get along there."

Although that may be true, if you jumped on any social media platform or 24/7 news media outlet, you saw it.  Doom and gloom.  A constant stream of people being offensive and cruel.  Yet day in, day out, I have witnessed people being good and kind to each other.

If you read any portion of the Holy Bible, you will see your fair share of doom and gloom, people doing bad things.  Yet God, our Heavenly Father, was there to show people the way to Him.  Even when he sent his Son Jesus to earth, there was much turmoil--especially His final hours when he was nailed to the Cross.  And there were no social media or news media outlets as we do nowadays.

Take a break from the constant offensiveness spewing from social media and the news outlets, and pick up the Bible.  You'll be amazed at what you read.

Elisha is in danger

Starting at the 24th verse of chapter 6, in the book of 2 Kings, there was a great famine in Samaria.  The king of Israel heard a woman cry out to him, asking for help.  She told him that a woman came to her, asking to eat her son.  In exchange, they would eat the woman's son the next day.  But when that day came, the woman had hid her son.

The king was devastated by this.  He then sent a messenger to behead Elisha.

But Elisha knew what was coming, thanks to the Lord, and told the elders to not open the door to the messenger.  Unfortunately they were too late.  The messenger confronted Elisha, asking why he should wait on the Lord.

Elisha told him that the Lord will provide food for them the next day.  And it was done.  Food arrived at the gates of Samaria.

Chariots of fire

In the book of 2 Kings, chapter 6, the king of Syria was warring against Israel.  He advised his servants that they will make camp at a certain place.

Armed with this knowledge, he sent word to the king of Israel about the camp and to avoid the place.  The king of Syria found out and was troubled by this.  He too wanted a man of God and went to seize Elisha.

The servant was told by Elisha to not be afraid, for an army of horses and chariots will surround the city where they resided.

And it was done as was the will of the Lord, for the raids by Syria did not come again.

A servant's greed

Starting at verse 20, chapter 5, in the book of 2 Kings, Elisha's servant Gehazi discovered that the Syrian army commander, whom Elisha had healed from leprosy, had went away without Elisha taking his gifts.

The servant lied to Naaman, telling him that two prophets had arrived and would like some of the gifts he offered Elisha.  Naaman did without question, for he was pleased to part with the gifts in exchange for healing his leprosy.

The servant hid the gifts and lied to Elisha about where he had gone.

But Elisha knew what he had done, and because of it Naaman's leprosy was upon him and his children.  Forever.

Healing the heart of the enemy

Naaman was a very admired man.  A hero.  Commander-in-chief of the Syrian army, he was successful at what he did.

Unfortunately, he was a leper.

In the book of 2 Kings, chapter 5, a girl servant in Naaman's household was from Israel (taken captive from a recent invasion) and advised them to seek out the prophet Elisha.  The Syrian king wrote a letter to the king of Israel with the request.

The Israelite king was angry at the request.  But when Elisha heard of the request, he sent for Naaman.  He told Naaman to wash himself seven times in the River Jordan and he would be healed.  But Naaman did not believe him.  He thought Elisha could just say the words and he would be healed.

But Naaman's officers reasoned with him, telling him to at least try it.  He did.  He was indeed healed.  He brought a massive load of gifts to Elisha, but Elisha refused to take them.  Naaman then asked to take from earth back to him, and promised that from that day forward all of his sacrifices will be in the name of the Lord.

Let God be in charge of your life story

I saw this sign at the doctor's office a few months ago.  Oh, how true it rang to me.

In April 2011, my wife was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  By August she was declared cancer free, and on September 1st, she underwent a bone marrow transplant.  To this day, she has remained cancer free--thanks be to God!

My wife has gone through a series of troubles since then, most of which was her loss of sight.  It's not complete blindness, but she is legally blind.  She has a Kindle, and places the screen right up to her nose just to read it.  She does an amazing job.

In the years since, life has not been easy but we trust that God has our best in mind.  God is in charge of your life.  Let Him in.

Remember, "Cancer (or anything else) is only going to be a chapter of your life, not your whole story."  Our Heavenly Father is in charge of our life story.

What will your story read?

Purifying the stew

Still in the 4th chapter of 2 Kings, starting with verse 38, Elisha came to a land where there was a great famine.  He advised them to set out a large pot and boil stew.

The servants didn't know what they were gathering out in the wild, and soon discovered that they had inadvertently put in a poisonous herb.  They cried out to the Lord and Elisha told them to bring flour, as the Lord had told him.  He poured flour in and the stew was good to eat.

Afterward, a man brought him twenty loaves of barley and fresh grain.  Elisha ordered them to give what they brought to the men, but the man was puzzled, for there was not enough.  Elisha said that the Lord told him to feed the men and there will be plenty left.

It was done.

And there was plenty.  All done as the Lord told him.

The Shunammite Woman and her son

Starting at the eighth verse of 2 Kings, chapter 4, whenever the prophet Elisha went to Shunem, a wealthy woman would invite him in to eat.

One day, this woman told her husband to make a room for him, complete with furnishings.  Elisha was grateful for her generosity and asked what he could do for her.  She was content as she was, but their servant advised him that they did not have a son.

Elisha told the woman that when he returned next year, she would have a son.  She did not believe him, but indeed it came true.

The child grew up, and one day he complained of a headache.  His mother knew of only one solution: she needed to find Elisha.  When she brought him back, the child was already dead.  That was when Elisha prayed to the Lord.

A miracle happened.  Her son soon came back to life, just as the Lord promised!

Read the Holy Bible at your own pace

There are many ways in which to read the Bible.

But if I make a suggestion.  Let the Holy Spirit fill you and lead you to read the Bible at your own pace.  Over the years, I've read single chapters over and over again in a single week--and have written about them on this blog.

Reading the Bible isn't a race.  Savor His words in His Holy Book.  It doesn't matter if it takes you years to actually finish it.  As long as you enjoy it, study it, and learn from it.  Let the words guide you in your daily walk with Christ Jesus.

Also, the Bible isn't a book to read only once.  Read it again and again.  You'd be surprised, at various points in your life, where certain passages ring through at just the right moment.  That's God speaking His Holy words in His Holy Bible.

Filling jars of oil

The 4th chapter of 2 Kings starts with a wife of a prophet's son.  She cried out to Elisha that her husband was dead and creditors were coming to take away her two children as slaves in order to pay her debts.

Elisha asked what she had in her house.  She had nothing, except a single jar of oil.

At once, Elisha ordered her to gather up as many empty vessels as she could, even borrowing them from her neighbors.  She filled each vessel until finally all were filled.  That was when there was no more oil.

Elisha then told her to sell all of the oil, and with the money she could pay her debts as well as live comfortably on the rest.

Power of the Lord's Prayer

There's no doubt about it.  The Lord's Prayer is powerful.

There are nights when my mind turns over and over again, troubled by whatever aches at me.  But there's a trick to calming my mind, and it works every single time.

The Lord's Prayer.

Say it.  Repeat it.  Slowly, if you need to.  Savor every single word.

The Lord and His Prayer brings the ultimate peace.  His Prayer is powerful.

Whenever you find yourself troubled, find a quiet place . . . and recite the Lord's Prayer.

And you too will find peace.

Turning your back to God, only to discover you need Him

In the book of 2 Kings, chapter 3, Jehoram reigned over Israel for twelve years.  He was a wicked man--but not so much as his father Ahab.  He destroyed the pillar of Baal, but he still clung to the worship of idols.

In Ahab's day, the king of Moab gave an annual tribute of lambs and wool.  Now, he refused.  Jehoram ordered the king of Judah to fight against the people of Moab, and he did as he was told.  But during their travels, they discovered lack of water for their men and horses.

The king of Judah asked for a prophet.  Elisha appeared.  But Elisha refused to help.  Judah begged and begged, and Elisha said that the Lord will fill the valley with water.

The next day, water appeared.  But the people of Moab knew of the oncoming army, fought, and was killed.  In the end, the king of Moab sacrificed his oldest son, much to the disgust of the Israeli people.

The death of Elijah

In the book of 2 Kings, chapter 2, Elijah and Elisha were on their way to Gilgal.  Elijah knew he was soon to be taken up to Heaven.

Elijah wants Elisha to leave him, but Elisha would not.  Their sons in Bethel joined them on their journey, and they too would not leave them.

They traveled on to Jordan where even more joined in their journey.  All the way they said, "As long as the Lord lives, and you live, we will not leave you."  Along the Jordan River, Elijah struck the water and it parted like Moses and the Red Sea.

On the other side, a whirlwind of fire came down from Heaven and took Elijah to his place by God.  Elisha took Elijah's cloak, tore it in two, and struck the water as Elijah did.  And for him too the waters parted.

The spirit of Elijah was in Elisha.  Those he met bowed to him in honor of the Lord.

Elijah and the power of the Lord

In the first chapter of 2 Kings, Ahaziah, the king of Samaria, was sick.  He sent messengers to inquire of the false god Baalzebub on whether he will recover or not.

An angel of the Lord told Elijah to intercept them, inquiring why they are asking of a false god instead of the Lord Himself.

The messengers returned to their king and told them what had happened.  They told him that it was Elijah who told them this.

Ahaziah sent one hundred men to the hill where Elijah was, and the captain ordered Elijah to come down from the hill.  Elijah said he was a man of God and that fire would come down from heaven and consume them.

And fire did.

This was repeated again with the same result.  When the king of Samaria sent the third group, but the captain fell on his knees, begging for their lives to be saved by the power of the Lord.  An angel of the Lord told Elijah that he could go down with the captain.  He did.  And once there, he told the king that since he sent messengers to inquire about a false god, he was to die.

And the king died.

Where to start reading the Bible?

Religious scholars of all sorts may answer this differently.  Chronological order from Genesis to Revelations?  New Testament first?  Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John first?  There are a variety of ways and forms of study Bibles.

As a layperson, I think everyone should take this individually.  Pray to discover your preferred path to reading the Holy Bible.

For me, I've always been drawn to reading the Bible from cover to cover.  Meaning, starting with Genesis and working my way through until Revelations.  This has worked for me.  I take each chapter at a time, analyzing them here on this blog or simply telling what each chapter is.

Whatever works for you is up to how God wants you to read it.

Pray on how He wants to show you.

And then commit to read.

God and the square circle

Humans are bound by logic and science.

God is not.

God is omnipotent and omniscient--all-powerful and all-knowing.  He knows every single point in everyone's life.  There are predictions in the early books of the Holy Bible that come true later on.  More specifically, the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus was born of a virgin.  How is this possible, if not by the supreme will of God?  It is beyond our own logic.  It is something we need to have faith in that it is true.

Back in college, I minored in philosophy.  In my Philosophy of Religion course, we discussed God and His properties: His omnipotence and omniscience.  These properties are beyond our understanding, but it is true.

Take the square circle.  It's impossible, right?  Beyond our own understanding.  It goes against the simple definition of both a square and a circle.

But is it impossible for God?

No.  God can create a square circle.  We, as humans, are incapable of comprehending it.  We need to have faith in its existence.

The battle for Ramoth-gilead (Ahab's downfall)

In the final chapter, 22, of 1 Kings, Syria and Israel were without war for three years.

The king of Israel met with the king of Judah and laid claim to Ramoth-gilead.  Israel asked to do battle there, and Judah asked to inquire as to the Lord's wishes.

They sought out 400 prophets who said to go do battle there.

The king of Judah wished for one other prophet for his wisdom, that of Micaiah.  He too said the Lord wished for them to battle at Ramoth-gilead.

But the king of Israel did not want to believe him, for he has said false things to him before.

The king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.  The Syrian soldiers, not noticing the king's disguise, killed him.

Naboth's tragedy

In the twenty-first chapter of the book of 1 Kings, we find a man named Naboth living beside Ahab, the king of Samaria.

Naboth had a vineyard that Ahab wanted.  But Naboth refused, telling him that the Lord God forbid him to give up the inheritance of his fathers.

Ahab's wife Jezebel noticed that this disturbed her husband.  So much so that he even refused to eat.  So she told him that, since he was the king, and that he governed the land in which they were on, the vineyard was as good as his.  She plotted with the elders of the city, and Naboth found himself falsely accused of lies and stoned to death.

The Lord God was angry by this.  He condemned Ahab and all of those within the city.  But upon hearing of what had transpired, Ahab cried out to God and repented.

In the end, God spared Ahab.

But not his sons . . .

Having God on your side

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 20, the king of Syria Ben-hadad gathered a great army together.  He surrounded Israel and ordered Ahab to hand over all of his gold and silver, as well as women and children, all for him to take.

Ahab consulted with his elders, whom advised him not to listen to the Syrian king.  He sent a message to Ben-hadad, informing him of their decision.  The Syrian king was not happy.  If it was war they wanted, it was war they'd get.

In the meantime, a prophet of the Lord presented himself to Ahab.  He advised him of the Lord's plan to defeat Syria.  Twice, Syria was defeated by Ahab, who had the incredible, awesome wisdom of God on his side.

Elijah flees

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 19, Elijah found himself afraid for his life.  Ahab threatened him for all that he had done to his prophets of Baal.

Elijah slept under a tree.  An angel of the Lord came to him and gave him food and water, then went on a journey for forty days and nights.

Elijah hid in a cave.  The Lord asked what he was doing.  Elijah said he was afraid and that since he was the only one left, he might as well be killed.  But God protected him.

The Lord then told Elijah to go to Damascus, and there he was to anoint Hazael king of Syria and Jehu king of Israel.

God vs. Baal

In the 18th chapter of 1 Kings, the Lord told Elijah to show himself to Ahab, for the Lord will send rain upon the earth, ending a severe famine.

Ahab was skeptical at first.  He called Elijah a troubler.  But Elijah told Ahab that it was Ahab who troubled Israel by abandoning the Lord's commandments.  Ahab gathered 450 prophets of Baal onto Mount Carmel.  Elijah told the Baal followers to command that their god Baal answer their prayers.  So they cried out to Baal, over and over again.

Their prayers were never answered.

Elijah built an altar to the Lord, sacrificed a bull, and drenched it with water.  Elijah prayed to the Lord and the Lord answered by showering fire onto the bull offering, licking up all of the water.

Those who saw this fell on their faces.  Then, they slaughtered the prophets of the false god Baal.

More and more evil

In chapter 16 of the book of 1 Kings, it continues with another succession of kings like chapter 15, each one more horrible than the last.  Some reign for many years.  Others, not so much.  None seem to learn from the past, to finally make right what their forefathers did wrong.

And their wrongs were done at the cost of their children.

In chapter 17, we meet Elijah.  He predicted a drought, and he followed God's word by travelling to where He told him to go without question.  He went to an area where there was water, and ravens brought him food day and night.  When the drought finally occurred, the Lord told him to seek out a widow in the town of Zarephath.

The widow was not trusting of Elijah at first, for she had a son who was dying.  She had only enough food for herself and her son.  Elijah trusted in the Lord and told her what God had said.  And it became true.

Soon, the son of the widow became ill and died.  The widow was distraught and asked Elijah to help her.  Elijah took her son and prayed to God, pleading with Him to help bring her son back to life.  And it was done.

And it was then that the widow knew Elijah was a man of God.

Honoring God in all the right places

In the 15th chapter of 1 Kings, we come a line of kings in Judah and Israel.  Some were true to God, others not so much.

And those who were true to God, were only true most of the time.  Hence a king named Asa.  He did what was right for all of the people to see, like removing idols and cult prostitutes, but in the higher places where only he and a few chosen knew about, he kept idols in place.

Remember that when you honor God, do it both in public and private.  Because even though others may see one thing, God sees all.

Jeroboam's deception and downfall

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 14, Jeroboam, son of Solomon, had a son who was sick.  He instructed his wife to travel to Shiloh and seek out the prophet Ahijah.  He wanted her to disguise herself and ask about their son.

When she arrives, the Lord had already instructed the prophet of the deception.  Because of it, the prophet spoke of the Lord's instruction, saying that their son would be dead as soon as she arrived back at their hometown.

Also, for the sins Jeroboam had set on the Lord's people, his family would be destroyed and his future family would have no place in Israel.

Speak of your sins, and the Lord will forgive

In Psalm 32 is a blessing to those who tell the Lord of their sins, and He will forgive you.

If you keep silent and do not acknowledge your transgressions, your soul will waste away like the sun drying up one's skin.

Seek out the Lord and tell him where you sin.  He will forgive you.

But first, you must tell Him where you need His help.

Jeroboam

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 13, we meet a man whom we had previous met: Jeroboam.  He ruled over the rest of Israel that was not under King Solomon's son.

In this chapter, a man of God came to the altar where Jeroboam had been standing by.  The man of God cried out and offered a prophecy, that the altar would be torn down and poured out into ashes.

Then, as Jeroboam told his guards to seize him, Jeroboam's hand dried up and the altar turned to ash, just as the man of God had said.

Jeroboam apologized and offered a meal to the man.  But the man refused, for it was against the will of God.

The man left, and was soon met by an old prophet.  By false means, the prophet offered a meal to the man and he accepted.  God was not pleased by this.  As the man went away, he was attacked and killed by a lion.

Put your problems in God's Hands

It was November and I was driving to work.  It was roughly ten or so years ago.

My wife and I were having severe financial troubles.  So much so that even after working a full-time job and a part-time job, we still had barely enough money to cover the overdrafts in our checking account.

We listened to Dave Ramsey daily on the radio, we read his books--we wish we could've afforded his Financial Peace University class at the time, but there was no way we could afford it.

I don't remember what prompted me to do this, but I clearly remember the exact spot on the road when I prayed to God.  I not only pleaded with Him to help us, I said, "God, I put all of our money problems in Your hands.  Please show us what we need to do."

Immediately, three words came to mind: property tax refund.

Living in Minnesota--I'm sure this is the same across many states--we qualified for a property tax refund.  It was a separate form that we needed to send in, after our tax forms.  I forgot to do so.  I made a note to check it out.  That night, I got the forms and sent them in.  In less than two weeks, we got our refund.

And it all came about because I placed our problems in God's Hands.

One of my wife's (and mine) favorite poem is Footprints in the Sand.  In it, where it talks about where there are only one set of prints, that was when God carried you.  I get the chills just thinking about it.  Well, in doing so, you are asking God to lift you up, to guide you, to help you.

In other words, place your troubles in God's Hands.  You'll be amazed at what could happen when you do so.

Amen.

Why are Christians so critical of other Christians?

Christians have a large enemy: Satan.

And Satan loves it when Christians fight against other Christians.

There has been a fantastic surge of great Christian movies out on the market lately.  From God's Not Dead and I Can Only Imagine to Fireproof and Christian Mingle.  And that is only the tip of the iceberg.

The other day, a relative of mine complained about the God's Not Dead franchise and how it doesn't preach about certain Christian values the way he thought they should be.  Other Christians have also complained about mega church pastors like Joel Osteen, and how his message isn't Christian enough.

Whatever your opinion is on all these, step back and imagine Satan watching all of this unfold.  He's enjoying the show.

Why do us Christians do this to other Christians?  We believe in the same God, the same Son of God Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for our sins.  So what's the problem?

Stop chastising other Christians!

Stop criticizing other Christians!

To paraphrase what it says in the book of John, chapter 8, verse 7: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Enjoy the positive movies and positive messages.  Let each one come to God in their own way, by His Holy Hands.

Amen.

Rehoboam

Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and king of what was left of his kingdom, namely the land of Judah.
In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 12, Rehoboam met with the people and they asked him if they could lighten their load, for his father laid a heavy burden on them.
He turned them away for three days as he consulted with the elders.  They gave advice, saying he should be a servant to the people and they'd do whatever he asked.  He did not like this advice, so he asked advice from younger men he had grown up with.  They said to punish the people harder than what his father did.
So that is what he did.
And in doing so divided the kingdom up even more.

My refuge in the Lord

Frequently, I find myself harboring some troubling thoughts or up against something I need God's help with.  Now, I'd like to say that I always consult with God in these matters, but we all know that would be a lie.
It's funny how, at those times, God finds a way of sneaking Himself into my life by offering either a solution or relief from whatever ails me.
That was the case a few days ago when I was reading chapter 31 in the book of Psalms.  Its opening line is: "In you, O Lord, do I take refuse; let me never be put to shame . . ."
The chapter talks about the Lord being a rock, a fortress, a refuge as one commits their spirit to Him.
This particular chapter set my whole soul at peace.
And it will yours, if you let Him.

King Solomon Shuns the Lord

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 11, we find Solomon, King of Israel, with about 700 wives from various tribes.  The Lord warned him about this, but Solomon ignored those warnings.  The gravity of so many wives and concubines turned his heart away from God, toward the false gods the Lord warned him about.
God was angry by this.  Instead of taking Solomon's kingdom away from him, he gathered adversaries against Solomon.  He also was going to give all but one tribe to others.  But He was going to wait until Solomon died.  Solomon's son, the next one in line for the title of king, would not gain the title because of his father's foolish deeds.

Queen Of Sheba

In chapter 10 from the book of 1 Kings, the queen of Sheba heard all that was said of King Solomon.  Instead of relying on second hand knowledge of Solomon's conquests and knowledge, she wanted to question him herself.
She arrived in Jerusalem with a bounty of spices, gold, and precious gems.
She also arrived with difficult questions.  And questions Solomon answered.  Nothing was hidden from her.

The Lord's Warning To Solomon

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 9, Solomon had finished building the Lord's Temple, the king's house, and all that he wanted to build.
The Lord God told Solomon that He had heard Solomon's plea, based on a promise to his father King David.
God instructed Solomon that if he or his people were to turn away from the Lord, by worshiping other gods and not keeping with His commandments, He would lay Israel into a pile of ruins.  Those who would pass by the once fabled city would say it was because they abandoned their God was the reason for their destruction.

The Ark arrives at the Temple

No, we're not talking about Indiana Jones here.
In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 8, the ark of the covenant, carrying the sacred tablets of the Ten Commandments from the days of Moses, was brought out from Zion, the city of David, to its resting place in the Temple King Solomon had built for the Lord.
Once it was in place, King Solomon gave a blessing to the Lord, and those in attendance gave much in the way of sacrifices.  Solomon prayed for the Lord God to watch over them in all that they do.
He even called for foreigners from far away lands to be blessed if they arrive in God's name.

The Lord's palace is complete

Everyone has heard of the saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day."
Well, neither has the palace that Solomon had built for the Lord.  Thirteen years it took.
In 1 Kings, chapter 7, the house dedicated to the Lord was complete.  And it was furnished with the finest.  The chapter goes into great detail on this.
The Lord deserves the best we can provide.  Solomon proved that.  What have you done lately?

Joy at what the Lord has brought you

Psalms 30 is a short but hearty psalm that is worth reading when one is feeling down.
In it, one speaks that the Lord draws you up and does not let one's enemies win.  The Lord restores one's life, even when one is feeling depressed.
In verse 11, the Lord can turn one's mourning into dancing, clothing one in gladness.
Thank the Lord forever!

Preparing for God's Temple

In the book of 1 Kings, chapters 5 and 6, Solomon is preparing to build a temple to worship God.
He first contacted Hiram, a king in Tyre, who had loved David.  We learn that David could not build such a temple--or house--to honor and worship God due to the amount of enemies that had surrounded David's kingdom.  The constant wars consumed his time and energy.
But now that David's enemies had been vanquished, it was a time for peace.  And a time to build.  The foundation took four years to build, and several more to finish building it before moving on to his own house.
These chapters showcase the commitment one needs in order to devote one's life for God.  And with God's helping hand, He will keep your enemies at bay while He helps to build your life.

Solomon's wisdom

In the 4th chapter of 1 Kings, Solomon is ruler over all of Judah and Israel.
His great wealth was obtained through great wisdom granted by God.  He organized the lands and there was peace all around.  Those who served Solomon were granted the gifts of his wisdom.  They lacked for nothing.
People came from all over to gain from his wisdom.

Gaining wealth

In the thirteenth chapter of Proverbs, much is given to wisdom and wealth.

One of the best verses is 11: "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."  It goes to show that great riches is only gained the best slowly, like the tortoise in the tale of the Tortoise and the Hare.

In verse 20, it speaks of one's companions.  Wise people hang out with wise people, while fools harm only themselves.

Verse 22 is another favorite: "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children . . ."

The Lord grants Solomon a gift

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter three, Solomon married the daughter of an Egyptian Pharaoh.  Then, he finished building his house, so he could offer sacrifices in the name of the Lord.
One night, the Lord appeared to Solomon in his dream.  He asked Solomon what he wishes the Lord to give him.
Solomon was humbled by the request.  He stated how much the Lord had given his father, David, and shown him His great love.  He asked God for great wisdom and an understanding mind to govern the Lord's people.
God was pleased by this request.  Solomon didn't ask for riches, so God gave him both riches and great wisdom.

David passes the torch to Solomon

Solomon, King David's son, had some large shoes to fill.

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter two, David gave his final instructions to his son, for her knew that he was dying.  One of the best lines, in verse 4, reads: "'If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and all of their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'"  Those were powerful words.  David gave Solomon the guide to leaving a lasting legacy in the name of God.

Upon David's death, Solomon's brother Adonijah had their mother go to Solomon, to request a woman to be his wife.  Solomon knew what Adonijah tried to do before, to take over the throne, against the wishes of the Lord, and had his brother killed.  He gave mercy to those who served his father well, and put to death those who did not.

Qualities of the Lord

In Psalms 29, there are various attributes associates with the Lord.  Many qualities ascribing His grand splendor, the power of His voice.
His voice can accomplish many things beyond our imaginations.
He can strip the forests bare and create life from nothing.
He is like a king, presiding forever.
He gives strength to His people.
He blesses His people for all time.

A New King Is Named

In the book of 1 Kings, the first chapter, there is an interesting vie for power.
At this point, King David is old and needs much help.  His servants appoint a young woman to take care of him.  She was beautiful, and cared for all of his needs.  However, given his past sins when it came to women, he did not allow himself to be aroused and have sex with her.
In another part of the kingdom, a man named Adonijah knew of David's limited time in power and proclaimed himself as king.  David knew nothing of this man nor of his intentions.  The prophet Nathan heard of this and was advised to go to David, for the Lord did not want Adonijah to be the next king.
In the end, David proclaimed his son Solomon to be the next king, as the Lord wanted.  When Adonijah heard of this (he was celebrating his own victory with a grand feast when he heard the trumpets blowing with great vigor) he discovered the Solomon was named king by David.  All of his guests were fearful and went their own way.
King Solomon, upon hearing of Adonijah's plea for mercy, told him that if he proved himself worthy, he shall be safe.
Adonijah paid homage to the new king, and was shown mercy.

God's anger with Israel and David's compromise

In the last chapter of 2 Samuel, chapter 24, I find some of the strangest passages in the Bible so far.  In fact, I had to read three different versions of the Bible to gain the proper knowledge as to what was being brought forth.
As you know throughout David's life as king of Israel, he had done some horrible things.  Now it was time for his people to pay for those events.  A census was taken, to give an exact count of the population.  Joab, David's commander-in-chief, was against it.  But he had to go with David's command.
Once the census was completed, God--speaking through the prophet Gad--gave David three choices: seven years of famine, flee the country for three months before his enemies would pursue him, or three days of a massive plague.
It was a difficult decision, but David chose the plague, for it was better to fall onto God's mercy than the mercy of men.
God ordered the death to stop at Jerusalem.  There, David set up an altar to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.  The owner of the nearby threshing floor even told David that he could have anything that he needed.  But David refused and offered to pay for whatever he used.
The Lord answered David's prayer and stopped the plague completely.

Leading in the name of God

In the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 23, it starts with a brief speech by David.  This speech brings one great comfort, and speaks of how a leader must lead: in the fear and awe of God.  David speaks of God's word on his tongue, and when he rules in the name of God it is like the morning light at dawn, the sun shining on a cloudless morning, and rain causing the grass to grow.
All things with God, one prospers.
Men who are not worthy are like thorns.
Afterward, there are thirty-plus men who are named for their heroic deeds.  And their deeds were only accomplished by worshiping and believing in God.
There is an interesting passage that one who leads should study: 2 Samuel, chapter 23, verses 15-17.  David and his men have just fought a long battle and he said that he would like water from the well of Bethlehem near the gate.  Three of his men broke through the enemy's camp, drew water from the well, and brought it to him.  David was devastated when he heard this and poured it out in the name of the Lord, for he should not drink when lives were risked.

David and the song of God's Power

In the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 22, is a very long song David sang that one should save for those days when you feel like everyone is against you and you need God's Loving Power to lift you up.

It starts with telling of how the Lord is his rock, his fortress, guiding him in all the battles that came upon him.

He prays for God to give him strength against all of his enemies, those who turns their backs to him, and to crush them like fine sand.

God's Power is awesome for those who worship him.

David makes amends

In the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 21, there is a great famine for three long years.
David blames this on Saul and for what he had done to the Gibeonites.  Instead of gold or other riches, they seek the death of seven of his people.  He chose seven sons from various families and they were hung.  They were put to death on the first days of the harvest season, and the harvest became bountiful again.
Then, a war raged between Israel and the Philistines, for whom they aligned with the descendants of giants.  One of these had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.
In the end, David and his servants slayed them.