Proverbs 8:1-10:32

[The personification of wisdom says,] "By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity." (Proverbs 8:15-18 NIV)

"When?" and "How?" are two appropriate questions. Anyway, that's the way it appears to me. History records the stories of many wise persons who gain riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity. The historical record also demonstrates that some wise persons gained no riches, received no honor, lived in poverty, and died penniless. 

One way of reconciling this conundrum is to spiritualize the latter, that is, to speculate that some wise persons gain spiritual riches, the honor of angels, heaven's treasures, and the prosperity of a life well lived, and further to speculate that some foolish persons gain worldly riches, but not spiritual riches. They garner the honors of humanity, but none from angels. They lay up treasures on earth, but not in heaven. They prosper in the affairs of this world, but have no investment in the next one.

Let those who have ears to hear listen to what the Spirit is saying.

Proverbs 5:1-7:27

Proverbs 5 constitutes a stern warning against any involvement with an adulteress. It encourages faithfulness to "the wife of your youth." I find irony in the fact that such a proverb is attributed to Solomon, whose father, David, engaged in adultery with Bathsheba, Solomon's mother.

To be evenhanded a stern warning to women might be issued: "Don't get involved with an adulterous man. Be faithful to the husband of your youth."

Proverbs 2:1-4:27

Catching up...

The path of wisdom is marked by faithfulness, righteousness, and love. The Lord authors such wisdom. God employs such wisdom in founding and sustaining all that has been created. God gives grace to the humble.

To contrast: The path of foolishness is marked by evil, wickedness, and mockery. God rejects such foolishness. It stands under God's judgment.

1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12; 1 Kings 4:1-19; 1 Kings 4:29-34; Proverbs 1:1-33

Several of the readings over the past few days have described God's warnings to Solomon and to the people he rules. "Follow God's instructions; obey God's commands, or else." Solomon seems to get that message and says so in the words spoken by the personification of wisdom of which he writes in the form of a proverb:

[The personification of wisdom says,] "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (Proverbs 1:28-33)

God's message through Solomon rings so true to me: "Listen up, world! If we have no awe, no respect for the Lord, then we'll get not what God gives, but what we devise on our own."

We humans have originated amazing developments--everything from row crops to rocket travel. But some of those same developments have caused or contributed to pollution, violence, exploitation, greed, and all kinds of inhumanity. Eating the fruit of our own ways and filled with the harvest of our own schemes, we seem possessed by insatiable hungers, thirsts, and desires still.

Who is willing to be taught wisdom today?

1 Kings 8:62-66; 2 Chronicles 7:4-10; Psalm 132:1-18; 1 Kings 9:1-9; 2 Chronicles 7:11-22; 1 Kings 9:10-14; 2 Chronicles 8:1-3; 1 Kings 9:24; 2 Chronicles 8:11; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chronicles 8:12-16; 1 Kings 9:17-19; 2 Chronicles 8:4-6; 1 Kings 9:26-28; 2 Chronicles 8:17-18; 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21

Solomon's lavish sacrifice--22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats--initiates the temple as a functioning place of worship. (1 Kings 8:63) Israeli people from near and far feasted and celebrated. Then Solomon sent them to their homes (1 Chronicles 7:10)

[God says to Solomon,] "I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there." (2 Chronicles 7:16) God does the choosing and the consecrating, although Solomon, the workers, slaves, artisans, and supervisors have done their respective parts in building the temple.

God chooses and consecrates holy places among us. God sees in those places. God loves in those places. God often thinks of those places. Is my heart, my soul, such a place?

2 Chronicles 6:1-11; 1 Kings 8:22-61; 2 Chronicles 6:12-7:3

Catching up...

1 Kings 7:13-51; 2 Chronicles 4:1-5:1; 1 Kings 8:1-21; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14

Catching up...

1 Kings 5:13-18; 2 Chronicles 2:2; 2 Chronicles 2:17-18; 1 Kings 9:15-16; 1 Kings 9:20-23; 2 Chronicles 8:7-10; 1 Kings 6:1-38; 2 Chronicles 3:1-17; Psalm 127:1-5; 1 Kings 7:1-12

Catching up...

Song of Songs 5:1-8:14; Psalm 45:1-17; 1 Kings 5:1-12; 2 Chronicles 2:1; 2 Chronicles 2:3-16

An unnamed woman longs for her lover. She calls her lover "king" five times in Song of Songs ( 1:4, 1:12, 3:9, 3:11, 7:5). Is the lover King Solomon or another man?

At Song of Songs 7:6-9 the man propositions the woman. No wonder so many interpreters have allegorized this writing!

So Solomon marries; then he gives orders that a temple be built in Jerusalem.

Psalm 50:1-23; Song of Songs 1:1-4:16

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. (Song of Songs 2:7 & 3:5)

Romantic love, erotic love, is powerful. One of the lovers speaking in the Song of Songs gives a warning to the young women in Jerusalem concerning the passion of such love. 

How might that warning apply to those who read Song of Songs today? How may it apply to me?

1 Kings 2:13-3:15; 2 Chronicles 1:1-13; 1 Kings 3:16-28; Psalm 72:1-20

Solomon consolidates his power by eliminating threats. If he had allowed Adonijah to marry Abishag (one of the women in David's harem), then Adonijah would have had two claims to the throne: One claim is that he is the eldest son of David. Adonijah's proposed marriage to one of David's wives would have constituted the second claim.  Solomon ordered Adonijah's death.

And David was prevented from building the temple on the account that he was "a man of blood."

Solomon asks God for wisdom, and according to scripture, Solomon receives wisdom.

God, give Your wisdom to Your people today.

1 Kings 1:28-40; Psalm 25:1-22; 1 Kings 1:41-2:9; 2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Kings 2:10-11; 1 Chronicles 29:26-30; 1 Kings 2:12; 1 Chronicles 29:23-25

David makes Solomon, David's son by Bathsheba, king over Judah and Israel, although Adonijah is the eldest of David's sons and therefore the rightful heir to David's kingdom, according to customs in place at that time. This action is sure to spur conflict in the royal family.

David puts ideas of revenge or justice (?) into Solomon's mind. (1 Kings 2:5-6; 1 Kings 2:8-9) Again conflict is sure to result in the royal family.

How do I sow seeds of conflict in my family of origin and in my spiritual family?  

How can I become a peacemaker instead?

1 Chronicles 25:1-31; 1 Chronicles 6:31-53; 1 Chronicles 26:1-32

David, aided by some of his army's commanders, set aside some of the Levites for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by musical instruments. (1 Chronicles 25:1) I wonder what that was like.

1 Chronicles 23:1-23; 1 Chronicles 6:16-30; 1 Chronicles 23:24-24:31

Catching up...

2 Samuel 20:1-26; Psalm 140:1-13; 1 Chronicles 22:1-19; Psalm 29:1-11; Psalm 30:1-12

David sends Joab to eliminate his opponents--Amasa and Sheba. (2 Samuel 20) It seems the people of Judah rally around David; but the people of the northern tribes (Israel) are easily led to resist David's rule.

2 Samuel 18:19-33; Psalm 64:1-10; Psalm 70:1-5; Psalm 84:1-12; Psalm 141:1-10; Psalm 143:1-12; 2 Samuel 19:143

David is conflicted. He loves his son, Absalom. But Absalom does not return his father's love. Instead, Absalom steals the throne of David's kingdom and tries to kill his father. If he is to continue as king, David must defend his rule. Fatherly love and effective kingship are at odds in David's heart.

Kingly efficiency wins. Absalom is killed; and Absalom's army is defeated. But fatherly love overcomes David. He mourns for Absalom. (2 Samuel 19:4)

If not for Joab, David's display of bereavement might have proved to be his undoing. (2 Samuel 19:5-8a)

What are we to do when family affections conflict with our civic responsibilities?

Psalm 55:1-23; Psalm 58:1-11; Psalm 61:1-8; Psalm 62:1-12; Psalm 63:1-11; 2 Samuel 17:24-26; 1 Chronicles 2:17;2 Samuel 17:27-18:18

Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. (Psalm 62:9)

God is no respecter of the titles given by humanity. God is the giver of life, breathing into a human's nostrils the breath of life. What then is the sum of a human's life? It is the very breath of God--not a claim, but a divinely-given grace.

Psalm 28:1-9; Psalm 39:1-13; Psalm 41:1-13; Psalm 42:1-11; Psalm 43:1-5; 2 Samuel 16:16-17:23

I long for the gospel. This morning I look at the Bible I have chosen to read in order this year. I have read almost half of it, and I know that there are many more pages, chapters, and books yet to read before the text begins to disclose stories about Jesus. I know that the stories recorded in the Bible's books of Samuel and Chronicles are essential background to the New Testament's good news, but I tire of them. 

As I wrote above: I long for the gospel. 

Psalm 37:1-40; Psalm 9:1-20; Psalm 10:1-18; 2 Samuel 15:37; 2 Samuel 16:15; Psalm 27:1-14

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

If my delight is God, then my desire is for God. Here the psalmist states, in effect, that God gives God's self to those who delight in God. 

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 

Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:13-14)

David is hopeful, strong, and confident. He seems to recognize and to honor at the deep center of his living. 

I want that.

Psalm 3:1-8; Psalm 4:1-8; Psalm 11:1-7; Psalm 23:1-6; Psalm 26:1-12; 2 Samuel 16:1-14; Psalm 12:1-8; Psalm 36:1-12

David exits Jerusalem. His son, Absalom, stirs up the people. Change is in the wind. Some rally to Absalom. Some mourn with David. Where is the Lord?  

I will say this for David: He commits his cause to God.

2 Samuel 24:1-25; 1 Chronicles 21:1-30; 2 Samuel 15:7-36

There is a key difference in the two accounts of David's ordering a census of the people of Israel and Judah: In Second Samuel the text says that the Lord incited David to conduct the census (2 Samuel 24:1), but in First Chronicles the text says that Satan incited David to conduct the census.  So, which is it? Did the Lord directly motivate David? If so, then we have the problem of God's moving David to do something evil in the chronicler's judgment (1 Chronicles 21:7) for which David later feels guilty (2 Samuel 24:10) and for which both David and God's people are punished (2 Samuel 24:17).

Did Satan incite David? This is the more palatable option to me, since it takes away the problem of God's directly inciting David to pursue a foolish, if not sinful course of action. Still, if this is the case, we are left with the issue of God's permitting Satan to tempt David. And it seems that just won't go away.

Why do I sin? I refuse to believe that God directly tempts me. When I blame Satan for temptations--and I do believe that many temptations come from sources outside of my soul, such as the enemy--I am still driven back to my own culpability. I am responsible for my own actions at least to some degree. 

God, please save us humans from ourselves. Deliver us both from temptation and from sin. Forgive us and give us peace.

2 Samuel 5:13-16; 1 Chronicles 14:3-7; 1 Chronicles 3:4b-9; 2 Samuel 13:1-15:6

I'm wondering what kind of home life and what kind of parental discipline are in place in David's household, because whatever the kinds are, they lead to Amnon's raping Tamar--one of David's sons forcing himself on one of David's daughter. (2 Samuel 13:14) Something in me wants to judge the situation--to say that David should not have taken so many wives and concubines or that he should have taught all of the offspring of his many wives and concubines better than they have been taught. But then something in my soul says, "Be careful. Look after the discipline in your own home."

Dear God, bless and protect siblings in all families. May Your love, order, and discipline enter every home on Planet Earth. Please defend those who are vulnerable to abuse.

Psalm 138:1-8; Psalm 139:1-24; Psalm 145:1-21; 2 Samuel 21:1-14; 2 Samuel 9:1-13; Psalm 8:1-9;

God knows me better than I know myself. I feel blessed whenever I consider the Lord.  (Psalm 139)

The Lord is righteous in all his ways 
   and loving toward all he has made.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, 
   to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; 
   he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him, 
   but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. 
   Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
(Psalm 145:17-21)

Love is the character of God's connection with all things God creates. We who love God in response are "watched over" by God. Praises well up in me, as I recall, consider, and meditate on such miracles and mysteries.

2 Samuel 23:20b-39; 1 Chronicles 11:22b-47; 2 Samuel 8:15-18; Chronicles 18:14-17; 2 Samuel 7:1-29; 1 Chronicles 17:1-27

Isn't this the way the Lord works? David develops the desire to build a house for God, presumably a building more substantial than the Tent of Meeting, yet like the Tent of Meeting in that God would be worshiped within it. Then God makes a promise with David to this effect: "You will not build a house for me; but I will build an everlasting house (meaning a line of descendants and rulership) for you." (2 Samuel 7:16)

Somehow our deepest desires are sometimes turned around and become correlated with unexpected blessing from God.

Psalm 124:1-8; Psalm 108:1-13; Psalm 60:1-12; 2 Samuel 8:9-14; 1 Chronicles 18:9-13; Psalm 44:1-26; Psalm 20:1-9; 2 Samuel 23:18-19; 1 Chronicles 11:20-21

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. (Psalm 108:5)

Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. (Psalm 60:11)

David seems concerned with two things: He wants to worship God, and he wants to defeat all opposition to his rule within the land where the Israelites have settled.

What is the condition of our worship today?

How strong is the enemy within my rightful sphere of influence?

Psalm 51:1-19; Psalm 103:1-22; 2 Samuel 12:26-31; 1 Chronicles 20:lb-3; Psalm 21:1-13; 2 Samuel 12:24b-25; 2 Samuel 8:2; 1 Chronicles 18:2; 2 Samuel 23:20a; 1 Chronicles ll:22a; 2 Samuel 8:34; 1 Chronicles 18:34; 2 Samuel 8:7-8; 1 Chronicles 18:7-8; 2 Samuel 8:5-6; 1 Chronicles 18:5-6

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

After one's spirit breaks and after one's heart is contrite then what? Restitution and repentance?

2 Samuel 11:2-12:24a; Psalm 6:1-10; Psalm 32:1-11; Psalm 38:1-22

Catching up...

The Scriptures I Hope to Read in May

May 1 - 2 Samuel 23:8-12; 1 Chronicles 11:10-14; 2 Samuel 21:19-22; 1 Chronicles 20:5-8; 2 Samuel 10:1-19; 1 Chronicles 19:1-19; Psalm 33:1-22; 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Chronicles 20:la


May 2 - 2 Samuel ll:2-12:24a; Psalm 6:1-10; Psalm 32:1-11; Psalm 38:1-22


May 3 - Psalm 51:1-19; Psalm 103:1-22; 2 Samuel 12:26-31; 1 Chronicles 20:lb-3; Psalm 21:1-13; 2 Samuel 12:24b-25; 2 Samuel 8:2; 1 Chronicles 18:2; 2 Samuel 23:20a; 1 Chronicles ll:22a; 2 Samuel 8:34; 1 Chronicles 18:34; 2 Samuel 8:7-8; 1 Chronicles 18:7-8; 2 Samuel 8:5-6; 1 Chronicles 18:5-6


May 4 - Psalm 124:1-8; Psalm 108:1-13; Psalm 60:1-12; 2 Samuel 8:9-14; 1 Chronicles 18:9-13; Psalm 44:1-26; Psalm 20:1-9; 2 Samuel 23:18-19; 1 Chronicles 11:20-21


May 5 - 2 Samuel 23:20b-39; 1 Chronicles ll:22b-47; 2 Samuel 8:15-18; Chronicles 18:14-17; 2 Samuel 7:1-29; 1 Chronicles 17:1-27


May 6 - Psalm 138:1-8; Psalm 139:1-24; Psalm 145:1-21; 2 Samuel 21:1-14; 2 Samuel 9:1-13; Psalm 8:1-9;


May 7 - 2 Samuel 5:13-16; 1 Chronicles 14:3-7; 1 Chronicles 3:4b-9; 2 Samuel 13:1-15:6


May 8 - 2 Samuel 24:1-25; 1 Chronicles 21:1-30; 2 Samuel 15:7-36


May 9 - Psalm 3:1-8; Psalm 4:1-8; Psalm 11:1-7; Psalm 23:1-6; Psalm 26:1-12; 2 Samuel 16:1-14; Psalm 12:1-8; Psalm 36:1-12


May 10 - Psalm 37:1-40; Psalm 9:1-20; Psalm 10:1-18; 2 Samuel 15:37; 2 Samuel 16:15; Psalm 27:1-14


May 11 - Psalm 28:1-9; Psalm 39:1-13; Psalm 41:1-13; Psalm 42:1-11; Psalm 43:1-5; 2 Samuel 16:16-17:23


May 12 - Psalm 55:1-23; Psalm 58:1-11; Psalm 61:1-8; Psalm 62:1-12; Psalm 63:1-11; 2 Samuel 17:24-26; 1 Chronicles 2:17;2 Samuel 17:27-18:18


May 13 - 2 Samuel 18:19-33; Psalm 64:1-10; Psalm 70:1-5; Psalm 84:1-12; Psalm 141:1-10; Psalm 143:1-12; 2 Samuel 19:143


May 14 - 2 Samuel 20:1-26; Psalm 140:1-13; 1 Chronicles 22:1-19; Psalm 29:1-11; Psalm 30:1-12


May 15 - 1 Chronicles 23:1-23; 1 Chronicles 6:16-30; 1 Chronicles 23:24-24:31


May 16 - 1 Chronicles 25:1-31; 1 Chronicles 6:31-53; 1 Chronicles 26:1-32


May 17 - 1 Chronicles 27:1-29:22; 1 Kings 1:1-27


May 18 - 1 Kings 1:28-40; Psalm 25:1-22; 1 Kings 1:41-2:9; 2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Kings 2:10-11; 1 Chronicles 29:26-30; 1 Kings 2:12; 1 Chronicles 29:23-25


May 19 - 1 Kings 2:13-3:15; 2 Chronicles 1:1-13; 1 Kings 3:16-28; Psalm 72:1-20


May 20 - Psalm 50:1-23; Song of Songs 1:1-4:16


May 21 - Song of Songs 5:1-8:14; Psalm 45:1-17; 1 Kings 5:1-12; 2 Chronicles 2:1; 2 Chronicles 2:3-16


May 22 - 1 Kings 5:13-18; 2 Chronicles 2:2; 2 Chronicles 2:17-18; 1 Kings 9:15-16; 1 Kings 9:20-23; 2 Chronicles 8:7-10; 1 Kings 6:1-38; 2 Chronicles 3:1-17; Psalm 127:1-5; 1 Kings 7:1-12


May 23 - 1 Kings 7:13-51; 2 Chronicles 4:1-5:1; 1 Kings 8:1-21; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14


May 24 - 2 Chronicles 6:1-11; 1 Kings 8:22-61; 2 Chronicles 6:12-7:3


May 25 - 1 Kings 8:62-66; 2 Chronicles 7:4-10; Psalm 132:1-18; 1 Kings 9:1-9; 2 Chronicles 7:11-22; 1 Kings 9:10-14; 2 Chronicles 8:1-3; 1 Kings 9:24; 2 Chronicles 8:11; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chronicles 8:12-16; 1 Kings 9:17-19; 2 Chronicles 8:4-6; 1 Kings 9:26-28; 2 Chronicles 8:17-18; 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21


May 26 - 1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12; 1 Kings 4:1-19; 1 Kings 4:29-34; Proverbs 1:1-33


May 27 - Proverbs 2:1-4:27


May 28 - Proverbs 5:1-7:27


May 29 - Proverbs 8:1-10:32


May 30 - Proverbs 11:1-13:25


May 31 - Proverbs 14:1-15:33

2 Samuel 23:8-12; 1 Chronicles 11:10-14; 2 Samuel 21:19-22; 2 Samuel 10:1-19; 1 Chronicles 19:1-9;Psalm 33:1-22; 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Chronicles 20:1a

Here is the beginning of a terrible trouble: In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 11:1)