Daily reading
Today’s reading is: 1 Kgs. 2:1-12; 2 Sam. 23:1-7; 1 Chr. 29:26-30; Psa. 4-6; 8-9; 11
Video
1st Kings Chapter Two
- David issued some parting instructions for Solomon (1st Kgs. 2:1-9).
- Instruction #1: obey the Word of God (1st Kgs. 2:1-4).
- Instruction #2: execute Joab (1st Kgs. 2:5-6).
- Instruction #3: be gracious to Barzillai the Gileadite (1st Kgs. 2:7).
- Instruction #4: execute Shimei the son of Gera (1st Kgs. 2:8-9).
- Upon David’s death, Solomon’s succession was initially uncontested (1st Kgs. 2:10-12).
(Chapter Two continues on Day 144)
2nd Samuel Chapter Twenty-Three
- David’s final public address to Israel is a song of humility & praise for the Lord’s Divine message (2nd Sam. 23:1-7).
(Chapter Twenty-Three continues on Day 114)
1st Chronicles Chapter Twenty-Nine
(Outline continues from yesterday)
- David’s life and reign are summarized at his physical death (1st Chr. 29:26-30).
Psalm Four
- Psalm 4 is similar to Psalm 3 (TTB Day 123), and many believe it was written at the same time. If so, the content of Psalm 4 refers to the prayer activity of Psalm 3:4.
- The believer who is walking in the light should have every expectation of answered prayer (Ps. 4:1).
- It is the unbeliever and the carnal believer who should be trembling in anticipation of the hand of God’s Divine discipline (Ps. 4:2-3).
- The believer who is struggling to walk by faith needs to spend more time meditating upon the Word of God (Ps. 4:4-5). This text has an allusion in Eph. 4:26.
- Believers who are strong in faith need to uphold the believers who are weak in faith (Ps. 4:6-8).
Psalm Five
- Psalm 5 was written on the eve of battle against an evil, deceptive foe.
- David calls upon the Lord to pay attention to his prayer ministry, and even notifies the Lord that he will be praying once again in the morning (Ps. 5:1-3).
- David praises the Lord for His Holiness, and eagerly looks forward to a return to God’s house (the tabernacle) (Ps. 5:4-7).
- David not only asks for military victory, but for the spiritual victory of walking in righteousness (Ps. 5:8-10). This text has a citation in Rom. 3:13.
- David concludes by teaching his men to learn from his example of the faith-rest life (Ps. 5:11-12).
Psalm Six
- Psalm 6 is a penitential psalm. David recognizes that he has been under Divine discipline, and he humbles himself before the Lord in a request for grace.
- “Do not rebuke” and “do not chasten” indicates that the Lord’s rebuke and chastisement of David have accomplished the intended result—David’s repentance (Ps. 6:1).
- “Be gracious” and “heal me” indicates that David has been restored to a grace-orientation (Ps. 6:2). This text has an allusion in Jn. 12:27.
- Although we don’t know the specific incident in David’s life which prompted this psalm, the grief and adversaries of v.7 are likely references to Amnon and Absalom.
- The psalm ends with a warning to David’s enemies—David is back in fellowship, and the Lord is with him once again (Ps. 6:8-10). This text has a quotation in Matt. 7:23 & Lk. 13:7.
Psalm Eight
- David praises the Lord for being the Lord of Israel, and displaying his majesty for all to behold (Ps. 8:1).
- The Lord is so awesome that even the cry of a nursing infant praises His strength (Ps. 8:2; Matt. 21:16; 1st Cor. 1:27).
- The vast expanse of the created universe places mankind into a microscopic perspective, and places mankind’s preeminence into an unfathomable perspective (Ps. 8:3-9).
- The prophetic look to Jesus Christ will become highlighted by the Apostle Paul and the author of Hebrews (Ps. 8:4-6; 1st Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22; Heb. 2:6-8).
Psalm Nine
- David anticipates a wonderful answer to his prayers, and promises four worship activities in response (Ps. 9:1-2).
- Victories are the Lord’s, and not man’s (Ps. 9:3-6).
- The Lord’s permanence is a great comfort, in His contrast with the world’s impermanence (Ps. 9:7-10). This text has an allusion in Acts 17:31.
- Believers are called upon to respond to the Lord’s faithfulness with expressions of praise and thanksgiving (Ps. 9:11-16).
- The Kingdom of God on earth will be a clear indication for men that they are not the masters of the universe (Ps. 9:17-20).
Psalm Eleven
- David understood that his spiritual fortress was the Lord, and therefore his soul had no other place to flee to, and no need to flee (Ps. 11:1).
- Although David has physically fled from Saul, his soul was not fleeing in fear.
- The wicked plan extensively for the downfall of the righteous (Ps. 11:2).
- David chose to occupy his mind with the heavenly glory of the Lord, and the Lord’s plan for the testing of His servants (Ps. 11:4-5).
- David chose to occupy his mind with the Lord’s ultimate judgment in eternity (Ps. 11:6-7). This fire and brimstone text has NT allusions in Rev. 14:10; 20:10; 21:8.