1 Chronicles 11-14

The people said to David: you should lead, because its what you did under Saul anyway, you led the army. Leadership doesn't work effectively unless you are seen to lead.

1 Kings 5-8

(8v29) '...the place of which you have said "my name shall be there"...'
Solomon had the temple built, and it signified God dwelling among His people. Jesus is the temple, God dwelling among His people. Now our bodies are the temple, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, God dwelling among His people.

1 Kings 1-4

(3v11) '...understanding to discern what is right...' Here is the first step towards holier living, but also, in this case, the first step towards better counselling. It is good to remember to ask for wisdom from God when others ask for wisdom from us.

1 Chronicles 7-10

9.20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him.

We have quite a different picture of the priest in our modern culture (as wrong as our limp wristed angels). Phinehas, commanding officer (archbishop!), understood how to use the weapons of his warfare and knew how to kill the enemies of the Lord. Do we understand the militant calling on our lives as Kings and Priests. The New Testament is littered with military imagery. We have different weapons, but we are called to fight and to govern with more zeal than Phinehas.

2 Samuel 21-24

(22v32) 'For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?' No imitation is good enough. No forgery is close enough. There is only one genuine article.
(22v48) '...the God who gave me vengeance...' There is no doubt that vengeance is the Lord's, and yet David seems to view God's victories over David's enemies as his vengeance, not the Lord's. Samson prays 'that I may be avenged on the Philistines' (Judges 16v28). Does God carry out vengeance, or does he sometimes give it to us to carry out?...

1 Chronicles 3-6

4.10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

This has become a principle to me. Unless we are conscious of God's blessing, we do not give; if we don't have anything (in our estimation) we will not even think of ministering to others. We must therefore ask God to bless us or to open our eyes to the blessings we already have.

2 Samuel 17-20

The pressure mounts on David, as the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba continue. It's difficult to tell if David submits to the will of the Lord or simply avoids confrontation with his son. Perhaps we see an example of 'sparing the rod': David quickly forsakes his position of authority - the 'rod' or 'sceptre' - and thus Absalom attempts to rule over his father.

2 Samuel 13-16

(15v21) Ittai remains with David, depite being a 'foreigner'. He remains faithful to God's chosen king.

1 Chronicles 1-2

7 The son of Carmi was Achar,[u] the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the accursed thing.

The consequence of sin is shared.

2 Kings 24-5

Such terrible consequence for sin.

2 Samuel 9-12

After so many victories, David reveals he is human after all. No human king could ever rule over God's people infallibly. David's response when confronted by his sin is simply: 'I have sinned against the Lord.' Our first response when we recognise we have sinned is not to give excuses, but to make sincere confession.

Getting back on track - 2 Samuel 5-8

David remains faithful to the Lord and finds victory over the enemies of God. In chapter 7, we find the promise of a future king from the line of David - 'Your throne will be established for ever'. An eternal throne for an eternal king.

2 Kings 20-23

Hezekiah bared all to the Babylonian envoys; he should not for there is a place for kepng some things private. Paul, who shared his life with those he ministered to, did not share all the treasures God revealed to him.

Isaiah shared bad news with Hezekiah twice. Firstly he said he was going to die: Hezekiah's reaction was to pray with tears that God would hear him. God heeded his word and healed him.

Secondly, after the incident with the Babylonian envoys, Isaiah prophesied that all the treasures of Judah would be taken away, but after he had died. Hezekiah could have prayed and seen God overturn this verdict as He had done previously, but instead he said: “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?” Isn't that a savage indictment of his selfish shortsghtedness: he wanted the blessing of God for himself only. Is this why his son after him rejected the Lord so grossly and did every evil imaginable. Did Dad even bother to prepare him for the future, when he so obviously didn't care. How aware are we of the precedents we set for others. Do we care about the long term efficacy of the gospel in this land? How committed are we to children's work? The maxim is true: no success without a successor.

That doesn't count! 2 Kings 16-19

Israel didn't believe so God sent prophets. Who are the prophets to Great Britain today?

It is interesting that although Israel failed to declare the word of God to the nations, when Israel was exiled and other nations placed in the Land, they asked for an Israelite priest to teach them how to serve the Lord.

Nevertheless, they did not serve the Lord, but sacrificed their children and served idols; just like Israel. When you try to be like the world and there is no difference between your ways and the way of the world, then you will be carried away and the world will possess your territory.

The following description of Hezekiah deserves a selah moment:

6 For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. 7 The LORD was with him; he prospered wherever he went.

I love so much the incident between Hezekiah and Sennecharib. Hezekiah was known by his enemy to be a man that served and trusted in the Lord; it was thus the most natural thing for Hezekiah to appeal to the Lord to defend Hid reputation: they were identified with one another. A stark contrast with Israel.

beat you!

2 Kings 12-15

These chapters read like a Russian novel, with the main characters referred to by multiple names and having the same names as different characters. What is notable is the major unstability especially in Israel, with Kings regularly despatched and replaced by a Usurper who is in turn usurped. A clear example of sowing and reaping, although doubtless it was their own rebellious lifestyle against God that wreaked their destruction as much as the specific act of regicide.

What is also interesting is that God sends sickness (2 Kings 15.5). Or does He? Elsewhere in Chronicles it is clear that Azariah's (Uzziah) sickness is a direct consequence of his actions: jump in the fire and you will suffer burns, eat too much bacon and you'll get bowel cancer (according to doctors this week). So did God send it, or was it a consequence? I did set detentions for pupils as a teacher, but I was always at pains to explain that it wasn't my cruelty, but a logical and necessary consequence of their actions. I did not desire detentions for any of my pupils anymore than God desires sickness for His creation. Therefore we can pray for healing with confidence, knowing that God desires to heal, but conscious also that there may be other issues relating to the sickness. It is amazing how often people with bad backs get healed after forgiving some one they had been angry with for years. It is also obvious that praying for health for someone who does no exercise, smokes, drinks and lives on fast food may not be entirely successful. The healing ministry must be accompanied by great sensitivity to the voice of God. It is interesting to note too that Elisha, God's faithful servant who healed the sick and raised the dead, died of an illness; no obvious cause and effect is mentioned or implied.

2 Kings 8-11

Jehoshaphat was a good King who feared the Lord, but because of the company he kept, his family was led astray.

2 Kings 4-7

3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few.

Our neighbours are the empty vessels and God will fill as many as we bring to Him.

1 Kings 22- 2 Kings 3

“Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you;

Keep your eyes fixed on the master (Jesus) and receive His full inheritance.

1 Kings 18-21

Obadiah: God goes ahead and can place his servant even in the palaces of the most occult regimes on earth.

Elijah: the people answered nothing until they saw signs and wonders. Miracles challenge apathy. But for those hardened against truth (Ahab) even a notable miracle will only foment blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

1 Kings 14-17

Jereboam made the idols as a strategic rational justifiable decision... based entirely on fear. Never make a decision based on fear. "Does this step require faith?" is a good question to ask.

1 Kings 10-13

Conditional blessings.

1 Kings 6-9

480 years in the land before they begin to build the house of the Lord. Children, mortgage, career... when does the house of the Lord get built? Sol's house took twice as long to build as the temple: what proporion of our day is given consciously to God?

1 Kings 2-5

Solomon: reconstituting a loyal core.

Solomon: he asks for wisdom, and God immediately provides the opportunity to activate the gift with the problem of the two prostitutes. How many problems are answers to our prayers?

2 Samuel 22 - 1 Kings 1

"To the merciful you show mercy"

A King must be just (23v3) but David confesses he wasn't. God's mercy is crucial.

2 Samuel 18-21

David's team was relatively multicultural.

Ch21: many giants slain. Once upon a time it was a big deal to slay just one. Get the breakthrough just once and you open the way for multiple breakthroughs.

2 Samuel 14-17

Quick strategic action should be preferred over the grand "super plan" (Ahitophel's advice).

We should be like Ittai, go where our Lord is going.

Lesson from Ahitophel's death: don't live for your job.

2 Samuel 10-13

2 Samuel 10: believe the best of people unless you definitely know otherwise. Leave those beards alone

2 Samuel 1-4

David is distressed at the news of Saul's and Jonathan's deaths. On two occassions, he makes clear his belief that the men, Saul and Ish-bosheth, were to be left unharmed, and that "the Lord, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity" (4v9) would deal appropriately with them. We must use wisdom to know when to fight and when to submit.

1 Samuel 29-31

David, as God's anointed one, loses nothing as he rescues those captured by God's enemies. What God declares, always comes to pass.

1 Samuel 25-28

David meets a "woman of discretion", Abigail, and marries her. Saul continues to reject God's way. He seeks out a medium, only to hear (ironically) the word of God from Samuel.

1 Samuel 21-24

The account of David's journey fleeing from Saul. Various elements are drawn together - Samuel, Goliath's sword, Abiathar. In the end, Saul is confronted by the righteousness of God's chosen one, David, and can only confess he is in the wrong.

1 Samuel 17-20

Goliath, the enemy of God's people, is defeated by God's anointed one. The army is filled with enthusiasm when they recognise the victory.

1 Samuel 13-16

(13v14) Already, there are flaws in the kingdom, because there are flaws in the king. The Lord desires a man after His own heart.
(14v45) "So the people ransomed Jonathen, so that he did not die..."
(15v22) "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..." Saul reveals he hears the people louder than he hears God. A warning for all in authority.

2 Samuel 6-9

David's progressive understanding of God is interesting. God who breaks out, causing him to fear. God who brings prosperity (Obed-Edom). God who works his purposes out through the generations (Nathan's prophecy).

The obvious link between David's continual victories and His heart for worshipping God cannot be stressed enough.

Lastly, I was struck by another obvious point, that friendship is superior to contract: '1 Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”' Note that he wishes to show kindness for Jonathan's sake and not Saul's (who had made him promise to show kindness). We are friends of Jesus, with a much greater motive to give than an indentured servant.

2 Sam 2-5

“The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.”

We serve the God of the breakthrough!

What impresses me most in these chapters is David's expectation and receipt of specific, strategic instruction from God in all his campaigns.

1 Samuel 9-12

Hi, John, I'll try to give you a call over the next couple of days...

I was struck by the description of Saul as 'a handsome young man' (9v2). Often, God chose the unlikely people to do His will, e.g. the youngest. It seems a little strange that here God chose someone photogenic... I'll have to think about that one...

(12v24, 25) Time and again the people of God are told the same message - "Follow God and you'll be blessed. Reject God and you will lose that blessing." But time and again they turn from God, and forget what He has done for them. Even with a king, the people of God will not be perfected. Only in Christ, the perfect king, are we made the perfect people.

1 Samuel 29- 2 Samuel 1

8 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”

David recovered all. I spoke of this episode today regarding a dear brother who has been robbed by the enemy. He has been robbed of his family and his wealth and his health. The church too has been robbed of this man's ministry. I remembered Ziklag, and declared that we shall pursue like David and recover everything that has been stolen. I did not know that this was the very passage I would read this evening. I take it as confirmation of God's intention to deliver this man from the enemy's stronghold. Jesus sets the captives free. Jesus restores everything the Devil stole through his deception. Jesus won. We triumph in His Victory.

“Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”

1 Samuel 25-28

Big contrast between Nabal and Abigail. Mean, stupid, arrogant and rude versus generous, wise, humble and respectful. I am particularly impressed by how quickly Abigail acted.

In a sense Nabal was legally correct to reject David: he was a criminal, an enemy of the state. It is so important to seek and obey God's voice, and not make easy assumptions. Nabal dies because he fails to show grace; Saul dies because he fails to execute God's wrath. (1 Sam 28.18)