Author: biblereadingchallenge

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30
  Romans 5:6-21
  Psalm 15:1-5
  Proverbs 19:18-19

1 Chronicles 28:2 — Notice that David was building a house for the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, but not a house for the LORD. He was building a footstool for the LORD! This is the first use of the word “footstool” in the Bible, but Isaiah emphasizes this word in Isaiah 66:1 – the entire earth is the LORD’s footstool, and Solomon will recognize that it is impossible to build a house for the LORD (2 Chronicles 2:6)!

1 Chronicles 28:5 — Notice also that the LORD forgave David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba by blessing him through his son Solomon. Yes, there were painful consequences, but God alone works all things together for good (Romans 8:28).

1 Chronicles 28:8 — Seventy-three times in the Bible it talks about keeping the Commandments. Since 200+ commandments apply to the Temple, this dedication of the preparation for the Temple occurs near the middle of the Chronicler’s work in order to remind those who lived 500 years later that the Temple they built was part of God’s eternal covenant with David (1 Chronicles 28:4, 1 Chronicles 28:7-8).

1 Chronicles 28:12 — The pattern was given (reiterated in 1 Chronicles 28:19) “… by the Spirit of God, who gave him the whole form of the temple, and all things relative to it; just as God showed to Moses the pattern of the tabernacle in the mount” (Gill’s Exposition of Scripture). See Exodus 25:9, Exodus 25:40, Exodus 26:30, Exodus 27:8. It was done that way because the plans were a copy of the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 8:5). Five hundred years later, the people addressed by the Chronicler had to rebuild the Temple after the teaching of Moses (Ezra 3:2). The new Temple was different in substance, yet of the same pattern.

1 Chronicles 29:11 — From Scott LaGraff, an operatic performance of this verse:

How great is Christ?

• He died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6)
• He died for sinners (Romans 5:8)
• He died for enemies (Romans 5:10)
• He saved us from wrath (Romans 5:9)
• He gave us righteousness (Romans 5:17)
• He offers all justification (Romans 5:18)
• He makes grace reign (Romans 5:21)

The incurable, spreading disease of death was checked by the perfect obedience of Jesus (Romans 5:19), the One who could fully keep the Ten Commandments and all the laws of the Torah. The only One who could do it! The reign of sin has ended, the reign of grace has begun!

Psalm 15:1 — As we read in Chronicles about the Temple, we see the qualifications necessary to abide in the Temple!

• Upright walk (Psalm 15:2)
• Worketh righteousness (Psalm 15:2)
• Speaks truth (Psalm 15:2)
• No backbiting (Psalm 15:3)
• No doing evil (Psalm 15:3)
• No taking up a reproach (Psalm 15:3)
• Not contemning the vile (Psalm 15:4)
• Honoring God-fearers (Psalm 15:4)
• Not breaking a vow (Psalm 15:4)
• Not loaning at usury (Psalm 15:5)
• Not taking bribes (Psalm 15:5)

As we’ve read in Romans and earlier in the Psalms, we can figure out how many people meet these stringent requirements. NONE (Romans 3:23)! Yet, through the perfect obedience of Christ (Romans 5:19) and His righteousness, we are seen to meet every one of them!

Proverbs 19:18 — The way of transgressors is hard (Proverbs 13:15) – do what you can to get your son out of the hard way, even if he whines!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34
  Romans 4:13-5:5
  Psalm 14:1-7
  Proverbs 19:17

1 Chronicles 26:20 — Ahijah and others (Zetham and Joel in 1 Chronicles 26:22, Shebuel in 1 Chronicles 26:24, Shelomith in 1 Chronicles 26:26) were appointed over the treasures of the house of God – the treasures set aside by David (1 Chronicles 26:26) and going back through Saul to Samuel (1 Chronicles 26:28). What did these men think about the treasures 500 years later?

• just five years after Solomon hands the crown to Rehoboam, the treasure is captured by Pharaoh Shishak (1 Kings 14:26). If they would have gone to the LORD first (Deuteronomy 20:1-4), they would not have had His house raided;
• just a few decades after Shishak, Asa raided the gold and silver of the Temple and paid off the Syrian King Ben-hadad (1 Kings 15:18);
• four generations after that, Jehoash paid off a different Syrian King – Hazael (2 Kings 12:18);
• Jehoash’s son Amaziah lost the treasure to the Northern Kingdom’s Jehoash in 2 Kings 14:14;
• the treasure was given away a few generations later by …
  1. Ahaz to the Assyrian Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 16:8), then by …
  2. Hezekiah to the Assyrian Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:15), then finally taken by …
  3. Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:13) to Babylon.

Interestingly, even though the treasures were raided seven times, we see that there were still vessels of gold that Solomon had made available at the time of Nebuchadnezzar (400 years later). The commentator Ellicott was surprised, but he assumed that there were secret store-chambers under the Temple. It is my contention that the heavy mandatory taxes for the nation/temple were used regularly to rebuild the treasures according to the descriptions given in Scripture. It could have possibly been similar to the refurbishing of state capitol buildings every 50 years or so. The Levites were continually refabricating the treasures dedicated to the House of the LORD (a continual reminder of the cost of not trusting the LORD).

1 Chronicles 27:6 — The Chronicler is recording the exploits of the many faithful. Not just the head coach (David), but those in his “starting lineup” (e.g. Benaiah).

1 Chronicles 27:7 — You might remember that Asahel was slain by Abner (2 Samuel 2:23). The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary suggests “This officer having been slain at the very beginning of David’s reign [2Sa 2:23], his name was probably given to this division in honor of his memory, and his son was invested with the command.”

1 Chronicles 27:24 — The Census Intrigue continues – apparently Joab also started to count those twenty and under. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary notes:

The census which David ordered did not extend to all the Israelites; for to contemplate such an enumeration would have been to attempt an impossibility (Ge 28:14), and besides would have been a daring offense to God. The limitation to a certain age was what had probably quieted David’s conscience as to the lawfulness of the measure, while its expediency was strongly pressed upon his mind by the army arrangements he had in view.

1 Chronicles 27:34 — Wisconsin publishes a similar document (a Blue Book) that contains the biographies and lists of the Governor’s Cabinet and major officials.

Romans 4:21 — What God promises, He will perform! We can stand on those promises!

Romans 4:24 — The righteousness that was imputed to Abraham can also be imputed to us if we believe in Jesus, taking us from God’s wrath (Romans 4:15) to peace with God (Romans 5:1).

Psalm 14:7 — Yes, David himself looked forward to the salvation that would come, especially knowing that all have gone astray, none seek the LORD (Psalm 14:2-3).

Proverbs 19:17 — A lender will investigate the ability of the borrower to repay, but the poor have no cosigner but the LORD who will repay any deeds done.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11
  Romans 4:1-12
  Psalm 13:1-6
  Proverbs 19:15-16

1 Chronicles 24:2 — Nadab and Abihu are mentioned together in 1 Chronicles only 3 times, the first mention of them since Numbers 26:61. Interestingly, Korah is also found in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 6:37. Apparently, Korah’s son Ebiasaph did not join his father’s company (Numbers 16:16) when they reported to Moses. As a result, he didn’t join his father’s tents (Numbers 16:24, Numbers 16:27) or suffer his father’s demise (Numbers 16:32)). Uzzah (1 Chronicles 13:10) joins Nadab and Korah among those directly slain by the LORD; the details were recorded by the Chronicler as a warning.

1 Chronicles 25:1 — This is the first time we’ve met Asaph in the chronological books, but we’ve read a dozen of his other writings: Asaph is the attributed author of Psalm 50 and Psalms 73-83. The Chronicler is showing the connection between the descendants of Asaph that came to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 2:41, Ezra 3:10, Nehemiah 7:44, Nehemiah 11:22, Nehemiah 12:45) 500 years after they served in Solomon’s Temple.

1 Chronicles 25:7-8 — The Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments says: “All that were cunning — who were so skillful that they were able to teach others.” God used both the skill they had developed and what people may call “luck” to staff the music needs. The “casting of lots” is actually a biblically prescribed method (see Leviticus 16:8, Numbers 26:55, Numbers 33:54, Numbers 34:13, Joshua 13:6, Joshua 14:2, 1 Samuel 14:41, Proverbs 16:33, and let’s not forget Jonah 1:7). God expects our best, He wants our best, and He has long lists to show His orderliness (we saw several examples of people who were killed for breaking His order).

Romans 4:2 — Surely, if anyone could have been saved by works, it was Father Abraham! God must have been impressed with his goodness to have rewarded him as a Father of Many Nations (Genesis 17:5), especially since he was recognized for even his future acts (Genesis 18:19). Keep in mind that Abraham disobeyed God’s first command to him (Genesis 12:1); he didn’t leave his father’s house but followed his father, Terah, to Haran first (Genesis 11:31). In addition, notice that at the time he was rewarded, his reward wasn’t for any past actions but actions he hadn’t done yet (Genesis 18:19). No, Abraham had nothing to glory in – he just believed God (Galatians 3:6, James 2:23). In fact, Paul will go on to show that he had not even been circumcised yet (Romans 4:10-17)!

Romans 4:7 — Paul quotes David (Psalm 32:1-2) while outlining the case for imputed righteousness. God makes us righteous not because of our works but in spite of our works. That is the blessing that causes David to shout for joy (Psalm 32:11)!

Psalm 13:5 — David rejoices in God’s salvation. This is not because of his works but because of the mercy of the LORD! And again, we see David rejoicing verbally, this time in song (Psalm 13:6).

Proverbs 19:16 — There is a teaching going around that claims that because God didn’t warn Adam and Eve specifically about the flames of hell in order to motivate their obedience, either a) God isn’t fair, or b) hell was invented in the Dark Ages in order to motivate obedience. Even though this false dichotomy is most often taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses and those who want to disconnect the Old Testament and the New Testament, many others have hopped on this train as well (see below the comments in David Kowalski’s article). Similar to the Jehovah’s Witnesses teaching, these “copycats” deny that the Jesus Christ of the New Testament is One with the God of the Old Testament. However, God’s motive for not fully explaining the doctrine of hell in Genesis 1 was not to trick us – our life as a follower of the LORD is greater than just avoiding hellfire. Throughout the Bible we have a choice between following the commands of the LORD and enjoying His fellowship and blessing, or disobeying and suffering death and judgment:

• In Genesis 2:17, Adam and Eve were given a choice – the tree of life or the tree of death;
• In Deuteronomy 30:19, the Israelites were given the choice between life and death, between obeying the LORD and experiencing His blessings, or disobeying Him and suffering His curses;
• In Daniel 12:2, we are made aware that either everlasting life or everlasting contempt will be meted out at the resurrection;
• In Matthew 25:46, Jesus makes it very clear that there are only two futures that should concern us: either enjoying eternal life or suffering eternal punishment;
• Here in Proverbs 19:16, life and death are again the options given for us to consider.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32
  Romans 3:9-31
  Psalm 12:1-8
  Proverbs 19:13-14

1 Chronicles 22:5 — Of all the mistakes that David made, he never gave God less than his best. Look at the inventory in 1 Chronicles 22:14.

1 Chronicles 23:30 — Just because this isn’t your job doesn’t mean you’re prohibited from doing this.

Romans 3:10 — Paul borrows from Psalm 14. From David’s time to Paul’s time, this truth was universal: no one is righteous. The sins are numerous: deceit (Romans 3:13), cursing (Romans 3:14), and murder (Romans 3:15), but they all are summarized in a lesson from Proverbs: we DO NOT fear the LORD. David recognized the “fear of the LORD” as essential (2 Samuel 23:3). If you need a refresher on how you are guilty, let’s go to the Law!

Romans 3:22 — Notice the contrast – righteousness to all who believe vs. no flesh shall be justified by the deeds of the Law. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned, whereas Romans 3:24 tells us that all can be justified.

Psalm 12:7 — Paul talked yesterday about the Jews as the guardians of the Law. God used them as part of His process to preserve His Word forever.

Proverbs 19:13 — Forever Be Sure wrote a song based on this verse. Enjoy! By the way … in case you wanted to know … my wife is a Proverbs 19:14 woman!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30
  Romans 2:25-3:8
  Psalm 11:1-7
  Proverbs 19:10-12

1 Chronicles 19:19 — Why were the servants of Hadarezer “put to the worse” (defeated)? Because of 1 Chronicles 19:13 – the battle was given to the LORD.

1 Chronicles 20:1 — Did the phrase “at the time that kings go out to battle” jump out at you? That was the warning phrase that something bad happened in 2 Samuel (hint … the David and Bathsheba incident). 2 Samuel 11:1 matches 1 Chronicles 20:1, but 1 Chronicles 20:2 jumps ahead to 2 Samuel 12:30.

1 Chronicles 21:7 — Why was God so angry with David for the census? Deuteronomy 17:18 says that the king was to hand copy the entire Law/Torah (Genesis – Deuteronomy). So, David should have been very familiar with all of God’s commands in the Torah, all 613 of them. In Exodus 30:12, it was clearly stated that if you take a census, everyone had to pay a ransom to the LORD for his life in order to prevent a plague. The exact reasons for David’s actions are unclear even to commentators, but David should have known it was wrong to do it improperly. The outcome here is similar to the outcome of carrying the Ark improperly – it cost Uzzah his life (2 Samuel 6:7), and the outcome of handling strange fire cost Nadab & Abihu their life (Leviticus 10:2). Dexter Penwell notes:

Each person was to provide a half shekel silver coin of redemption (Exodus 30:12). In the Bible, silver represents blood. So those half shekel coins represented that each person being counted was redeemed by blood … (Exodus 30:12-16) states that if those redemption coins were not provided, then there would be a plague among the people. So, what happened was what was stated in Exodus. As a side note, the bases (sockets) for the boards of the holy place and the holy of holies were made from the original redemption coins.

The Angel of the Lord

1 Chronicles 21:30 — God used the sword of the angel to point David to the new spot for His House. No longer would it be the altar at Gibeon but the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. Dr. Leen Ritmeyer has a great post on the location of this sacrifice:

Jewish tradition maintains that David’s altar was built (c. 980 BC) on the same place that Abraham had erected his altar in preparation for the sacrifice of Isaac, before God intervened. Based on the relationship between Herod’s Temple and the Rock inside the Dome of the Rock, the altar would have been located just east of the Dome of the Chain, as depicted in this photograph: https://www.ritmeyer.com/2014/10/27/the-temple-mount-in-jerusalem-during-the-jebusite-period/

While some claim that this was not on the “Temple Mount” but rather on the “City of David,” Dr. Leen Ritmeyer refutes that argument proposed by Dr. Ernest Martin and repeated by Bob Cornuke.

Romans 3:5 — Paul is re-orienting our thinking – to understand God we must first admit He is righteous, and of consequence, more righteous than us (Romans 3:4)!

Psalm 11:4 — The psalmist makes reference to the “temple”, and we immediately think of the building that David tried to build. Yet, the LORD cannot be contained on earth or in heaven (1 Kings 8:27)! Even though He transcends the earth, He still beholds the children of men.

Proverbs 19:11 — There are many offences that we could point to and make a stink about, yet it is our glory to pass over a wrong that someone has done to us. If we can forgive an action (intentional or unintentional), we are not just “the bigger man” – we have glory!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

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Image Credit: “The Art Bible, Comprising the Old and New Testaments – With Numerous Illustrations (1896) (14782805355) – PICRYL – Public Domain Media Search Engine Public Domain Search.” PICRYL – Public Domain Media Search Engine, 1 Apr. 2025, picryl.com/media/the-art-bible-comprising-the-old-and-new-testaments-with-numerous-illustrations-01c6be.