Scripture Nugget 4.26.2016

Read 1 Kings 9:1-9, 11:1-8

“Then the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this matter, that he should not follow other gods; but he did not observe what the LORD commanded. Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, ‘Since this has been your mind and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of your father David I will not do it in your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. I will not, however, tear away the entire kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son, for the sale of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.’ Then the LORD raised an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of the royal house of Edom.” 1 Kings 11:9-14

In 9:1-9 we read again words of a covenant, familiar words of the original, if you walk before/with me and do all I have commanded, then I will establish your throne forever; if turn aside, then I will cut off your throne. If/then – the freedom to choose is a gift; what I choose, how I choose to use the gift is important as with Solomon it has eternal consequences not only for myself but for my family, for those who God appointed me to lead and their families. I don’t say that from standpoint of self-importance but eternal consequence. If/then – this language is as old as God’s relationship with Creation, especially humankind who is charged with responsibility to keep and till the whole of the rest of creation in covenant with the Creator. Solomon, given wisdom and discernment by God, was (as we all are) given an If/then situation and choice. He chose to follow his own desires, which made him feel good, edified his ego but also separated him from God. If/then – God’s promises are sure. If we love God first, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength then our neighbor and ourselves as God loves, then will be in right relationship with God, able to walk with God in righteousness. If we love ourselves first, if we misuse God’s blessings upon us, if we abuse others then we will experience God’s anger. If/then – grace and truth, sometimes the truth hurts if we take advantage of and cheapen grace.

Scripture Nugget 4.24.2016

“If they sin against you – for there is no one who does not sin – and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near; yet if they come to their senses in the land to which they have been taken captive, and repent, and plead with you in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned, and have done wrong; we have acted wickedly’; if they repent with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies, who took them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their ancestors, the city you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name; then hear in heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their plea, maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you; and grant them compassion in the sight of their captors, so that they may have compassion on them (for they are your people and heritage, which you brought out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron-smelter). Let your eyes be open to the plea of your servant, and to the plea of your people Israel, listening to them whenever they call to you.” 1 Kings 8:46-52

When we sin, we separate ourselves from relationship with God. Separated from God we are subject to spiritual evil(s) a plenty; we can be “carried away” deeper into a wilderness away from God. In the wilderness we may lose faith, hope and/or love – losing these will drive us further away. But with these we remember Creator God, Redeemer God, and forgiving God so we cry out to God. God is listening for our cries, even before we cry out, God has a plan to return us to our rightful place, so God listens, God hears and God acts. God does forgive, the price was paid in full when the Son of God allowed himself to be nailed to and hoisted up onto the cross. It’s not a question if I will sin, I will; the question is, will I recognize my sin(s), turn from them, turn to God and cry out for God’s help, for God’s forgiveness, will I return to and give myself to God. Walking in His presence, loving God first and foremost, loving others and myself the way God loves. O Lord let it always be so. Keep me out of the wilderness, help me maintain, faith, hope and love in you always.

Scripture Nugget 4.23.2016

“Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon, ‘Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes, obey my ordinances, and keep all my commandments by walking in them, then I will establish my promise with you, which I made to your father David. I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.’ So Solomon built the house, and finished it.” 1 Kings 6:11-14

Let’s focus on God’s overarching intent of his statutes, ordinances and commandments that he reminds Solomon of: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-6) And, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbors yourself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18) As we continue our journey into the story of God and his people reading about Solomon lets watch for how Solomon uses the gifts of wisdom and discernment that God has given him. There are some potentially troubling actions that have or are about to occur in regards the Temple Solomon builds for the worship of God. 1) Solomon conscripted 30,000 Israelites into forced labor, 2) Solomon will take almost twice the amount of time to build his own house as he does the Temple, it will be longer, wider and as high as the Temple, 3) the furnishings of his house were as ornate and expensive as those in the Temple, and 4) Solomon builds as separate house for his wife (Pharaoh’s daughter) which may indicate he is providing a place for her to worship her “god(s)”. Before I (we) turn to judge Solomon, let me always evaluate myself, am I attempting to do something good but forgetting to love God first and primarily and love all those God puts around me? Or am I hoping my good deed(s) will cover up my lack of love of God and others? As a good friend reminded yesterday, “there’s always hope as long as Jesus is here and Jesus isn’t going anywhere.” O that I would love God first and others the way Jesus loves me (all of us)

Scripture Nugget 4.22.2016

“Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places.”

For all the positive things we will read about Solomon, a man blessed by God with wisdom and discernment, there are some potentially troubling actions in the lifestyle Solomon will choose to live. Worship in high places often means the worship of other gods; the amassing of great wealth is not in itself sinful, especially when it seems, as with Solomon, that his wealth is a blessing from God, and the taking of a wife (wives) from foreign lands could be a further indicator of his being tempted to worship other gods (the god s of his wives). Having wisdom and discernment in worldly matters isn’t necessarily the same as in matters of holiness and righteousness. I (we) should learn a lesson here. O God that you bless me with wisdom and discernment and that with them I make good choices, choices to walk with you and not away from you. Choices have consequences, thank you for forgiveness.

Scripture Nugget 4.21.2016

“When David’s time to die drew near, he charged his son Solomon, saying: ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, be courageous, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statues, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn. Then the LORD will establish his word that he spoke concerning me: “If your heirs take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a successor on the throne of Israel.”’” 1 Kings 2:1-4

O that every father would speak powerful words of encouragement to their children; and that every son and daughter would be encouraged so positively, would hear and live the entirety of their lives in loving obedience to God. That is the ideal for sure! O that those good fathers who encourage so powerfully would do so all the time. Not as David did, shortly after when he instructs Solomon to “not let his (Joab) gray head go down to Sheol in peace” 1 Kings 2:6b. For a man forgiven by God of some horrific sins, David is not forgiving toward Joab. Solomon learns the lesson well. Shortly after being anointed king, Solomon has Adonijah killed (1 Kings 2:24-25) after requesting Abishag be given to him in marriage. (Abishag is the young virgin who served King David during his last days; she kept him warm lying in David’s bosom, but did not know him sexually) Solomon obviously saw this as a power grab by Adonijah, who had previously proclaimed himself king, which was an attempt to replace David and deny Solomon. Fathers, we must be consistent in what we say and do, as the spiritual leaders of our families. Our children’s lives everlasting are at stake! Let’s all “be strong, be courageous, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statues, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies,” every moment of every day in all our relationships. O God help me to forgive as I have been forgiven!

Scripture Nugget 4.19.2016

“David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said: ‘The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.’” 2 Samuel 22:1-3

So after a period of persecution, a time of temptation, a time where I may have separated myself from God, when I find myself delivered, returned to safety, safely in the arms of God and protected by His grace; do I celebrate my accomplishments, complain about what I just went through or do I thank God? Do I marvel at God’s might or give myself the credit for a good fight?

                         Life Application Topic – Thanksgiving

Thankfulness requires recognition that something has been bestowed upon us, sometimes undeservedly. For many of us that is problematic because it means admitting our own limitations. David realizes that his victory over his enemies has nothing to do with him. In other words, he recognizes that he receives something that is beyond his capabilities. When we compare our competence and qualifications with God’s awesome power we can see that we’ve all received something that surpasses our means. Marveling over God’s might and majesty helps us to understand that thanking God every day is in order. Wesley Study Bible pg 405.

Scripture Nugget 4.18.2016

“Now in those days the counsel of Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the oracle of God; so all the counsel of Ahithophel was esteemed, both by David and by Absalom. … Then Hushai said to Absalom, ‘This time the counsel Ahithophel has given you is not good.’ … Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.’ For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring ruin on Absalom. … When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order, and hanged himself; he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.” 2 Samuel 16:23, 17:7, 14, 23

This is a story of pride, idol worship, self-serving attitudes, power plays and political maneuvering. Absalom and his closest advisors have appointed Absalom king and are attempting to overthrow King David. Absalom receives advice from two different counselors; he disregards the respected one in favor of the one who ingratiates himself to and whose plan exalts Absalom the most. With his ego fed Absalom dismisses Ahithophel both go to their death. Absalom running from the fight he picked while Ahithophel took his own to escape punishment that surely was coming regardless of the outcome of the battle. Obedience to God, and to the leaders God anoints and appoints is demonstrated by loyalty shown to those leaders. Its not a matter of gaining position in the leaders organization but remaining obedient to God; loving God first, then others for sake of the Kingdom of God not our own sake.

Scripture Nugget 4.16.2016

“At the end of four years Absalom said to the king, ‘Please let me go to Hebron and pay the vow that I have made to the LORD. For your servant made a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram: If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’ The king said to him, ‘Go in peace.’ … The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.” 2 Samuel 15:7-9a, 12b

Absalom (David’s son) is in the early stages of an attempt to overthrow and replace the king (David, his father). This situation is the outcome of a child allowed to get away with disobedience and lack of respect for a parent. Years before Absalom’s half-brother Amnon raped Tamar, Absalom’s sister with no consequences from David (the father of all). A few years later Absalom got revenge by killing Amnon, again with no consequences. After years of living in exile, David allowed Absalom to come home to Jerusalem, but didn’t allow him to come into David’s presence. Absalom undermines David’s kingship garnering support from the people. When he feels he has enough support to take power he asks to go to Hebron to worship. On the surface Absalom’s request seems reasonable since Hebron is the place of his birth and an authorized worship center. But why would a good religious Jew absent himself from the Ark of the Covenant (which is in Jerusalem) to worship God somewhere else? The answer ultimately is that Absalom is not going to worship God, but to set himself over his father, to anoint himself king. He is in the process of gathering support to make this happen. So he is leading others to worship an idol, a self-appointed and self-anointed king. He knows no boundaries, because he has not been held accountable for his actions. He has grown bolder and bolder in his disobedience. This is a lesson for parents, this is a lesson for the church, and this is a lesson for society in general. God’s boundaries are fixed, God’s kingdom is defined by God, the entrances are small. All are invited to enter, by God’s grace. Those who attempt to storm the doors by their own might will not enter, it is only through Gods’ grace and faith in Jesus. O God that I always remember to answer to you and the “authorities” you appoint to lead me.

Scripture Nugget 4.14.2016

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house …” 2 Samuel 11:1-2b

David stays home in the capital sending the commanders of the Army to lead the soldiers into battle, no sin in that. David walks on his roof top patio in the late afternoon, probably hoping to catch a bit of breeze to cool off, no sin in that. So what’s the problem? David is out of position; as the King and with the Ark in the field with the Army (v11), he should be with them. He is bored, all the officers are in the field with the Army, and there is no one present to hold him accountable. He doesn’t know what to do with himself, he has no one to talk to, in the past during that time of year he has been out with the Army, and he doesn’t know what else to do. In his boredom he wanders around on his roof top. In boredom comes an opportunity to become very selfish, thinking only of ways to relieve the boredom. The desire to overcome the feeling of “Oh woe is me” takes precedence. Now there is no immediate harm for a man being on the rooftop patio of his home, not ordinarily. But in this case, the man is the King and his rooftop patio is the roof of the palace at the top of the hill of the capital city. From this place the entire city is visible to him. Again, no sin in that. As long as he protects himself. Bored, no one to hold him accountable, the powerful looks down from a place of power when a woman catches is eye. Not only his eye but his desire. David then puts into motion a string of activities to overcome the boredom and to satisfy his desire. Now he is in trouble, by the time the immediate story is completed he will have committed adultery, lied, ordered the murder of an officer (the husband of the woman), involved his subordinate commander in a conspiracy to commit murder, and then attempted to cover up the entire mess. This episode will affect David’s family into future generations. Oh God, that I learn a lesson from David. That I pay attention to where I should be, what I should be doing, and who I should surround myself with. Lord keep me from being out of position, protect me from selfishness and surround me with family, friends and others who care enough for me not to allow me to get singled out and picked off.

Scripture Nugget 4.13.2016

“And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have wrought all this greatness, so that your servant may know it. Therefore you are great. O LORD God; for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” 2 Samuel 7:20-22

                         Wesleyan Life Application Topic - True Greatness

True greatness is often hard to assess. Bible-believing people, however, have a measuring stick in God. Because God is the author and the epitome of greatness, and everyone and everything else must measure up to the Lord. Although we all fall short of God’s majesty and glory there is a way to live in greatness. King David was considered great because he communicated with and trusted in the Lord and God’s attributes rubbed off on him. Simply put, true greatness comes from walking with the Great One. Wesley Study Bible, page 384

There is always hope of and drawing closer to God, so as to walk with God. David was far from “perfect”, yet he is considered great. True greatness comes from God and all of us have the same opportunity to receive from God. We must trust God and be willing to go where he sends and do that which he calls us to do. “Go and make disciples”, be disciple of Christ’s, lead others to be a disciple of Christ’s; true greatness will come upon you.