Pastor Billington's Blog

1 Chronicles 29:1-22; 1 Kings 1:1-53

There are a couple of remarkable things in David’s prayer that provide some guidance for us. Number one is the recognition that God is sovereign over all, and that He gives out blessings as he wills. Two, everything that we have is actually His, which means we should be careful how we use it. Three, giving to God’s causes should give us great joy. Four, life is short, so we should be careful how we live. And five, those in power need our prayers.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (WEB) “Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (WEB) “I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.”

Does it surprise you that David continued to have family trouble, even right up to before he died? There is actually commentary on the reason behind it that gives us some guidance for our own lives and families: apparently David had never disciplined Adonijah (1 Kings 1:6). Adonijah thought that he could get whatever he wanted, so why not be king! David has been very vocal and demonstrative that Solomon was to be the next king, that God had declared it, and that Solomon was to complete the temple. Perhaps David suspected what was coming!

1 Chronicles 26:1-28:21

Some thoughts:

• Chapter 26 presents some miscellaneous lists and duties for three service positions: gatekeepers, temple treasurers, and civil overseers.
• Chapter 27:1-5 lists the officers in charge of the twelve monthly divisions of the people, each having 24,000 men. The impression given is that these men were called to do military service for a month at a time.
• Chapter 27:16-24 lists the twelve tribal leaders.
• Chapter 27:25-31 lists the officials who looked after the royal estates.
• Chapter 27:32-34 lists the king’s closest counselors.
• Chapter 28 serves both as a pep talk and a royal decree. The temple will be built, and Solomon will build it. Solomon was the last king said to be chosen by God. He was chosen to sit on Yahweh’s throne (v. 5), to be his adopted son (v. 6), and to build God’s temple (v. 10).

However, we realize that Solomon was just a foreshadowing of the true Son of God who was to come!

Luke 1:30-33 (BTV) “Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.‘”

1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31

At the end of yesterday’s reading we saw how David had prepared everything for the temple. Although he wasn’t allowed to build it himself, it didn’t stop him from getting everything ready! His passion for God is something that we should emulate!

To be named here (and in our passage for tomorrow) was to be a part of something special. David/Solomon was the height of the Jewish monarchy. Priests (descendants of Aaron) were responsible for sacrifices, Levites (descendants of Levi) carried out various duties in the temple, and the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were responsible for the music.

The extensive lists of those who were responsible for worship should remind us that corporate worship is a very serious undertaking. Paul alludes to this when he says, “let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40, BTV). And we should recognize the number of people that are involved in the local church to make sure that everything is ready to go on Sunday mornings and beyond: custodians, greeters, musicians, teachers, a/v workers, ministry teams, trustees, elders, pastors, and more! And God gives different gifts and talents to make all of this possible. Corporate worship is truly marvelous and intricate, and we should thank God for all those who are involved!

2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-6; 2 Samuel 24:10-17; 1 Chronicles 21:7-17; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19

How do we reconcile 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1? God does test us. Here, He gives David an opportunity to choose to do what is right and not take a census. In his sovereignty, He knows David will fail. He knows that David will give into temptation. And Satan is right there to help! This idea is why Jesus teaches us to pray, “and lead us not into temptation” (Matthew 6:13, BTV). God doesn’t tempt us; He tests us. But we allow it to become a temptation. When we pray we should recognize our weakness and ask God not to test us when we’ll fail, knowing that the evil one is out there gunning for us.

James 1:13-15 (BTV) “No one should say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God is not tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. And when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And when sin is fully grown, it brings forth death.”

Why is the census wrong? They had been taken before (Numbers 1:1-4; Numbers 26:1-2). Normally a census was taken before going to war. God hadn’t given David any indication that this was about to happen. David presumed, and ended up being punished.

But it’s not just David! “Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel.” The punishment seems harsh when viewing it as a punishment for David. But it’s not just for him. It’s a punishment for the nation. The census becomes the final straw. Perhaps David’s impudence and presumption is symptomatic of the entire nation at the time. God also uses this to teach David an important lesson. David was unwilling to personally suffer initially, but is ultimately overwhelmed by the people’s suffering and pleads on their behalf. We can draw an interesting contrast between David and Jesus here. Jesus left glory in heaven to come to earth, live as a servant, and suffer and die for us!

Philippians 2:4-8 (BTV) “None of you should look out for your own interests, but for the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

The different numbers for the census can be explained easily enough if you take into account that one refers to the northern tribes (Israel proper), and that the other refers to Israel and Judah (all of Israel). A careful reading of the text also explains the different prices for the land. One price is for the oxen and the threshing floor, while the other represents the price for the entire region.

We also read that God “relented” of His punishment. Does God change His mind? Or is something else going on here. I think that it’s interesting to note that the relenting seems somehow tied to David and the leaders repentance. Which came first? God may simply be responding to David’s repentance, which we know that God does in His mercy. And aren’t you glad that He does?

2 Samuel 22:1-51; Psalm 18

The key to understanding why this passage is here is revealed in the first verse: “delivered him from the hand of all his enemies.” This isn’t just a song to commemorate when David was delivered from Saul, but to remember God’s intervention and salvation whenever David was saved. It’s importance is underscored by being recorded twice for us!

Why does David praise God? Because God hears him. Because God intervenes on his behalf. Because God is his savior! The language David uses here is apocalyptic. Whenever God intervenes, it is amazing and awe inspiring. Whenever we come across this type of language in the Bible we should understand that it doesn’t necessarily describe something literal and physical, but something spiritual.

2 Samuel 22:7-16 (WEB) “In my distress, I called on Yahweh. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry came into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
Smoke went up out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he was seen on the wings of the wind. He made darkness a shelter around himself: gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled. Yahweh thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice. He sent out arrows and scattered them, lightning and confused them. Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by Yahweh’s rebuke, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.”

David also reminds us that, even though we depend on God’s grace, we have a responsibility to not take that grace for granted. We need to be humble and obedient.

2 Samuel 22:21 (WEB) “Yahweh rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.”

2 Samuel 22:31 (WEB) “As for God, his way is perfect. Yahweh’s word is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.”

We have another conundrum here, because David says that he never sinned!

2 Samuel 22:24 (WEB) “I was also perfect toward him. I kept myself from my iniquity.”

How can David say that after Bathsheba? How could we ever say that? Perhaps because David had sinned, and had received forgiveness. His guilt was gone! Consequences remained, but he was a new man. Can we feel that same way?

1 John 1:9 (BTZ) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 (WEB) “It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”

2 Samuel 19:31-20:26; Psalm 7; 2 Samuel 21:1-22; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8

What do we make of the issue between Judah and Israel? There were probably some in Israel that did support the king, but this seems more like posturing, particularly with Sheba’s rebellion. However, those who were so quick to turn their backs on David are equally quick to turn on Sheba once David consolidates his power. In the midst of this rebellion, Joab reveals the depth to which a person can fall when they are consumed by envy and ambition.

Joshua made a covenant with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:15) that Saul broke. God brings it to David’s attention, and it becomes a lesson for us. A promise is binding, even from one generation to the next! Is that only true in politics? The brutality of the fix may offend us, but it does remind us that sin has consequences. The benefits of being in Saul’s family and being a part of his brutality finally catch up with the rest of them, just like it caught up with Saul.

I struggle a bit with Psalm 7 as a song of personal prayer. David starts out by asking God to examine him to see if he’s done anything wrong, but then boldly declares his innocence! Can any of us really state our innocence so vehemently? But we can certainly cry out to God for mercy, protection, and even vengeance. Perhaps the Psalm should remind us that it is only in Christ that we can be declared innocent, and that it’s only because of Christ that we can receive mercy. While we certainly can receive protection and help in this life, our ultimate enemies (death and the grave) have been defeated forever!

Note: isn’t it ironic that David begins his military career with the defeat of a giant, and ends his military career because he is almost defeated by one?

2 Samuel 17:15-29; Psalm 3, Psalm 63; 2 Samuel 18:1-19:30

Some notes:

• Why suicide? Ahithophel appears to be a man on a mission, vying to be the power behind the throne. His shame and disappointment may have led him to it. Do we perhaps see a parallel with Judas? Had his advice been demonically influenced, and was he now at the end of the line looking at defeat and dishonor? One thing is sure: despair kills. Beware! If you are depressed, seek help.
• David’s warm greeting from Shobi may have been because David had appointed him regent there. We see many showing loyalty to David during his trial. We also see many looking to turn political unrest into an opportunity for advancement and payback. Such is the way the world works. The warning for us is to be sure we are on the right side of these battles in our own time!
• David recognizes his punishment, yet still trusts that God will bring him through. Let me ask this: was there any indication when Nathan confronted David with the punishment for his sin that he would survive and continue to be king (2 Samuel 12:7-11)? Psalm 3 may be one of the best examples of David’s faith, and Psalm 63 one of the purest examples of David’s longing for God! And Psalm 63:11 is evidence of his heart: “but the king shall rejoice in God.”
• No matter how a child dies, deserved or otherwise, it is devastating.
• However, David is king, and his army has just given him a great victory! He has a responsibility to them. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. A parallel is Aaron’s need to carry on after the death of his sons for their sins (Leviticus 10:6-7).
• Shimei repents of his previous behavior (2 Samuel 16:5-14), but is it really heartfelt? Or is he just trying to save his life? David has a choice to make, and it will be one that reflects his attitude to all who were against him in the rebellion. David chooses mercy now, but Shimei will not get away with his treachery forever (1 Kings 2:8-9)!
• Why does David give half of Mephibosheth’s land to Ziba? Perhaps it was because he wasn’t sure who to believe! But Ziba did help him during his retreat, and David was grateful (2 Samuel 16:1-4). Mephibosheth seems to show his honesty and character with his response.

2 Samuel 15:1-17:14

In our reading today we see the fulfillment of God’s words to David from Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:11 (WEB): “This is what Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.'” Absalom has been working from the inside to foment rebellion, and we see the fulfillment of his plans here. But this is all a part of God’s plan; this is David’s punishment because of his sin. Even though both treachery and faithfulness are ongoing motifs in our passage, we see that God uses both those who are false and those who are faithful to accomplish His purpose!And, even in the midst of his trouble, David recognized God’s sovereignty:

2 Samuel 15:25-26 (WEB) “The king said to Zadok, ‘Carry God’s ark back into the city. If I find favor in Yahweh’s eyes, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation; but if he says, “I have no delight in you;” behold, here I am. Let him do to me as seems good to him.’”

Didn’t David contribute to his trouble by his attitude towards his children? Certainly, and God knew this as well. But just because God takes into account earthly matters doesn’t mean sovereignty is denied! God allowed the natural consequences of David’s sin and shortcomings to come to fruition in order to punish him for his actions. And, if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that there are times that God doesn’t have to do much to punish us for our sins, because the natural consequences of our behavior is often disaster. However, here’s an important reminder: when something does happen to us that we believe the Lord allows or actively causes because of our sinfulness, we need to remember that it’s because He loves us and wants us to be more like Him.

Hebrews 12:5-6 (BTV) “And you have completely forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not think lightly of the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he punishes every son he receives.’”