2 Chronicles 3-4

not much solid to take today.  Lots of tactical plans and dimensions in these chapters.

9 The gold nails weighed fifty shekels.[f] He also overlaid the upper parts with gold.

That one caught my attention.  I can't imagine trying to hammer a gold nail.  That would be pretty soft.  But, that's real attention to detail.

6 "He then made ten"........of several things

It always amazes me how "numerical" much of the bible is.  I'm not a numerologist, but there are obvious relationships between how things are grouped.  Whether its the number of days, the number of bulls in the temple, or whatever.  I find it interesting.

tp
not much solid to take today.  Lots of tactical plans and dimensions in these chapters.

2 Chronicles 2

5 “The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. 6 But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?

This would be a daunting task, mentally.  To know the scope and importance of what you are doing.....huge!  

2 Chronicles 1

10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

I think this is a testament to the heart of Solomon, and probably David.  The fact that his one big wish....wasn't all about him, but about others really says a lot.  
I recently was asked to give a little seminar on my leadership style and my philosophies on being successful in this environment.  The biggest turning point in my career was when I decided to stop worrying about my own advancement and started trying to make sure all those around me were successful.  It's not nearly the same thing as what Solomon asked for.  But, its along the same line.
It reminds me of the Costanza theory of doing the opposite.  It seems like the wrong thing to do, to focus on others....but, it inevitably leads you to a better place than if we put ourselves first.

tp

1 Chronicles 29

9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

There were many passages that caught my attention this morning.  They were all around the idea of the people being happy to give whatever they could to the construction of the temple.  They gave willingly and rejoicingly.  I love that mindset.  It doesn't say they gave, but were really worried about how they were going to afford to fly to their destination for their next vacation.  It doesn't say they were hesitant because they were thinking about a new addition to their house, and that's really expensive.  It says they gave as their first priority and they were happy to do it.  Sometimes I get caught in my own plan.  Think about the plan of the guy sitting there in Israel.  If he chooses his own idea, how is he remembered in history?  Answer; he isn't.  But, they are remembered due to their willingness to follow God's plan over their own.
nice!

1 Chronicles 28

9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

What a great charge!  I think I should read that every morning.  But, just insert my name in there.  I can't imagine being the son of David.  He must have been a larger than life figure.  It must have been intimidating to be one of his kids.  Kind of like being Michael Jordan's kid.....only times 10!  But, David continuously points to God for all of his earthly success.  
Great model.
have a great weekend

tp

1 Chronicles 26-27

23 David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less,because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the starsin the sky. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book[e] of the annals of King David.

I kept reading this morning, until something popped.  The first thing was the casting of lots, again.  I still think its funny how they split up the assignments by throwing the die......funny.  Then I saw this at the end of 27.  It strikes me how meticulous God is, and how he wants his direction following to the letter.  If they did all that he asked, and then just a little more, he got very upset.  I wonder how often I put him in that position?  First of all, its hard for me to depend on his direction, without inserting my own plan.  Second, how many times do I add a little to his leading, to make it more palette-able for me?
Something to think about as I go through my day.

tp

1 Chronicles 25

6 All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.

Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king.

With today's chapter I got nothing and was wondering why God felt it was important to have a list of families who cast lots for their assignments.

Tom connected some dots I didn't but do appreciate his point--

One of the things I appreciate about journeying through God’s Message is the way you begin to connect the dots. The more you read it, the more things begin to connect. What casual observers and spotty readers often lament is that the Bible seems so disjointed and confusing. There is a storyline, and there are very complex connections from beginning to end, but you have to spend time journeying through the disparate parts to find the threads which connect.

In today’s chapter we learn that special worship assignments for God’s temple were given to three families. One of them, Asaph, rang a bell. Asaph was the composer of several songs in the book of Psalms. When reading Psalms you see “A Psalm of Asaph” and wonder who in the world Asaph was. You find out in the Chronicles.

Sometimes, you have to stick with a book for a while before it starts coming together for you.

Knut--via Tom

1 Chronicles 23-24

 31 They also cast lots,just as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelek, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites.

Am I reading this correctly, that they were casting lots to see what their responsibilities would be moving forward?  Seems pretty arbitrary.  They must have been counting on the fact that God would make it turn out how he wanted.  I couldn't help but think of my grandparents church in rural Michigan, that saw any form of gambling as evil.  Here, the people were doing it, and counting on the fact that God would be intricately involved.  Nuts

1 Chronicles 22

I was reading along this morning, enjoying the story of David trying to pave the way for Solomon to have success....I can understand that desire.  And then I read this line at the end of the chapter.

19 Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.

This is perhaps the greatest nugget and reminder that I've pulled out of Chronicles that I can apply to my life.  David is speaking to all the leaders of Israel.  He is saying you are living in very fortunate times.  God has granted you peace and prosperity. Now this is what you should be doing......kinda sounds like today, doesn't it?

tp

1 Chronicles 20-21

21:24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”

Well right after we praise David for being a great leader he goes out and is influenced by Satan and conducts a census against God's desire.  I'm not sure a census in and of itself is bad but in this case it clearly didn't make God happy.  It seems David is suddenly is falling into the trap of believing his power is of his own not of God--just like you pointed out yesterday.  So even a Godly man can fall into this trap.

But David quickly recognizes the error of his way and seeks to repent.   His heart appears genuinely remorseful though only God knows for sure.  But his actions are consistent with wanting to really sacrifice something from himself not from that of his people.  Can you imagine a politician in today's culture admitting he was wrong and dipping into his own reserves to repay for the error of his way.  

So it looks like David even in his weak moment demonstrates being a Godly leader by opening living out his faith and confessing his sins not only to God but visible to others.  Being transparent and humble makes for a great leader.

knut

1 Chronicles 18-19

18:14 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

So just getting back at it after the better part of a week off work.  We went to Belmond for the 4th and then to Chicago for a race--lost first round but had fun as a family.

I read two chapters today but didn't take away much.  I did note this verse of how David rules by caring for his people.  During this political time here in the US I wonder if we have any leaders that will rise up that are truly focused on doing what is right for our people?  And while neither of us are kings by any stretch, we certainly have the opportunities to lead many people whether it be at work or in roles in our church.  Putting others interests before our own and doing our humanly best effort to follow God as we lead is something we should be focused on everyday.

knut