Day 146: The Universal Church

Today's readings: 1 Kings 4, 2 Chronicles 6, and Psalm 65.

I. 1 Kings 4 recounts the organization and prosperity of King Solomon's reign after he became king. Basically, we learn of his main officials, the peace and prosperity in Israel during his reign, and the fame his wisdom gained.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has a rather puzzling note on this:

Solomon delegates his authority by selecting twelve men to serve as leaders in Israel. As Catholics, we can see ourselves as members of the universal Church; other times, though, we might think in more territorial or "parochial" ways - "I go to St. Martin's. I would never go to St. Luke's." While we belong to our parishes, we always need to remember that we belong to a universal Church. (p. 54)

I say "puzzling" because though the statement is correct, I am unsure of how this connects to 1 Kings 4.

II. 2 Chronicles 6 takes place immediately after the completion of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. This is established as the sole place of sacrifice. We also find one of the great prayers of the Old Testament, which strongly emphasizes God’s presence, the Temple, repentance, forgiveness, and intercessory prayer.

III. Psalm 65 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A psalm of praise. The Lord is acclaimed (1) for his mercy, which he grants to worshippers in the Temple, (2) for his power, which is revealed through his mighty acts of creation and redemption, and (3) for his goodness, which is manifest in the rains that produce a bountiful harvest. Creation itself gives praise because God's sovereignty is not confined to Israel or its capital but extends to the whole earth. (p. 883)

That's it for today!

Day 145: Solomon Builds the Temple

Today's readings: 1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 4-5, and Psalm 64.

I. 1 Kings 3 recounts how Solomon asked God for wisdom rather than wealth or power, to which the Lord responded by gifting him all three. One of the most famous demonstrations of Solomon's wisdom comes from his ruling between two women who disputed the motherhood of an infant (3:16-47). However, we also get some early hints that his reign will not be without problems. The first being his marriage to Pharaoh's daughter. That meant an entangling alliance with pagan Egypt and a mother of his children who herself was raised pagan. 

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

For the first time, we begin to sense that Solomon, for all his wisdom. is going to do something unwise. The Lord has given Solomon the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong, but he does not necessarily choose what is right over what is wrong. Like Solomon, we might know the right thing to do, but this does not mean that we will always do the right thing. We need God's grace both to know the truth and choose to live it. (p. 52)

II. 2 Chronicles 4 continues the account of the construction of the Temple, concentrating not on the building itself but on the objects used in its worship and sacrifices. The sacred furnishings are completed for the worship of God and placed in the Temple.

In the next chapter, the Temple was completed, the Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies, and God made His presence known as the glory of God filled the Temple.

III. Psalm 64 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. The speaker prays for God's protection against the treachery of enemies who plot to harm him with evil words - presumably by slanderous accusations. He is confident, not only of his innocence, but that God will dole out a fitting punishment on his persecutors. Then the righteous will rejoice that justice has been served. (p. 882)

That's all for today!

Day 144: David's Last Words

 Today's readings: 1 Kings 2, 2 Chronicles 2-3, and Psalm 62.

I. 1 Kings 2 recounts the final instructions of King David to his son Solomon and the beginning of Solomon's reign. David then dies. For the latter, Solomon has Adonijah executed after the latter made a final "power-play" for his throne. He also has Joab executed for his past murders and Shimei for breaking his oath not to leave Jerusalem. He removes Abiathar the priest from the priesthood, and finally, installs a new high priest along with a new military commander.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on what will come into play shortly: 

We often hear that children pay more attention to the example we set than the advice we offer. David advises Solomon to stay close to the Lord and heed his commands, but his example to his son was that of a divided heart and a distant father. We will soon see that Solomon follows his father's example rather than his advice. (p. 50)

What I really found interesting was this one when Bathsheba went to King Solomon:

In the previous chapter, we saw Bathsheba bow in the presence of David. Here, though, King Solomon rises to meet Bathsheba and bows to her. We read that there is a throne for her to the right of his. Since the king has many wives, his mother is the queen of the kingdom. The Church on earth and in heaven is the fulfillment of the kingdom of Israel. In this new kingdom, Jesus is the king and Mary is the queen. We give Mary honor - not worship - because Jesus himself gives her honor. 

II. 2 Chronicles 2 tells about how Solomon prepares to build the Temple, including the organization of the labor to be employed.

In the next chapter, with the preparation work done, the construction of the Temple is described. What was most striking to me is that the Temple is located on Mount Moriah, where Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Isaac on the Lord's command, only to stop when told to (Gen 22). 

III. Psalm 62 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A psalm of trust that bemoans how powerful people seek security for themselves by deceiving and taking advantage of others. They are misled, the Psalmist implies, since God is the only secure basis for our trust and happiness. No confidence can be placed in wealth and unjust gain. God, after all, will judge all according to their actions. (p. 881)

That's it for today! 

Day 143: Solomon Asks for Wisdom

 Today's readings: 1 Kings 1, 2 Chronicles 1, and Psalm 43.

I. 1 Kings 1 recounts the transition from David's reign to Solomon's as king of Israel. David is old and weak. Another son, Adonijah, tried to become king in place of Solomon, but ultimately failed. Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba interceded for Solomon. David intervened to see Solomon anointed and installed as king. I must say, David had many successes in his life, except when it came to his family. His sins caught up with him in his family life.

II. 2 Chronicles 1 begins Solomon’s reign and emphasizes that his kingship is established by God. It parallels 1 Kings 3, although Chronicles gives special attention to worship at the sanctuary in Gibeon. I do like how he starts off by asking God for wisdom, something a good leader needs. Yet, as the BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

We might ask how Solomon starts out wise and later falls away from God. The problem begins when he starts amassing treasures. In direct disobedience to Deuteronomy, he collects horses from Egypt. While wisdom is a great virtue to have, obedience is more powerful. Disobedience to the Lord will be Solomon's downfall. All of us have been given gifts from God - but they mean nothing unless we use them to accomplish his will. (p. 48)

III. Psalm 43 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. It may have originally formed the second half of Ps 42. The Psalmist's prayer is twofold: he asks that God would defend him from the scheming of evil men; and he asks that God would guide his steps back to the Temple and its joyful worship. (p. 866)

That's all for today! 

Day 142: Whole and Joyful Hearts

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 29, and Psalm 30.

I. 2 Samuel 24 recounts David’s sinful census, the resulting judgment, David’s repentance, and the purchase of the threshing floor that will become the site of the Temple.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

In the book of Numbers, we see how the Lord orders a census to help save his people, but David conducts a census to assert ownership over God's people. When he recognizes his sin, David is humbled, which shows that his heart is open to being converted. In repentance, he offers sacrifice to the Lord on behalf of the people. (p. 46)

I rather like this. David knew he had messed up. Rather than ignore this or be defensive, he was humble in repenting for his sin, even offering to sacrifice for the people. We can say much about his behavior in some things, but none of us is without sin, and David gives us a good example of how to turn back to God. 

II. 1 Chronicles 29 records David’s final preparations for the Temple, the people’s generous offerings, David’s prayer, and Solomon’s accession. David dies, and his son Solomon takes over as king.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

David gives freely and wholeheartedly of his wealth - all the things he has won in battle. Because of this, the people of Israel also give freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. This brings joy to David because it brings joy to the Lord. We bring joy to the Lord when we give joyfully and without resentment. (p. 46)

III. Psalm 30 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

A thanksgiving psalm. The speaker is filled with gratitude after being healed from a near-fatal sickness. The memory of his struggle and recovery leads him to praise the Lord and to invite fellow worshippers to join him. In later Judaism, Ps 30 was sung at the Feast of Hanukkah, which commemorated the rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabaeus in 164 B.C. (1 Mac 4:36-59). Christian tradition has often read Ps 30 in reference to the Resurrection of Christ. (p. 853)

That's all for today!

Day 141: The Life of David

Today's readings: 2 Samuel 23, 1 Chronicles 28, and Psalm 42.

I. 2 Samuel 23 gives David's last recorded words and a list of his mighty warriors.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

[W]e hear the stories of David's three mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth, a Tah-chemonite; Eleazar, son of Dodo, son of Ahoi; and Shammah, son of Agee the Hararite. David recognizes that he needed those around him to accomplish what God had called him to do; he knows that he could not have done it on his own. Like David, we should give God praise in every circumstance - and also recognize those around us and praise them for what they have done. (p. 44)

II. 1 Chronicles 28 recounts David's final public charge concerning the building of the Temple. Although he desired to build it himself, God chose his son Solomon instead for that task.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

[W]e read that David hands the reigns over to Solomon. Though Solomon starts out strong, he will not end strong. Solomon starts out with great wisdom, but he will eventually waste that wisdom and turn his back on the Lord. But the Lord does not turn his back on his people. The same is true for us: when we turn our backs on the Lord, he does not abandon us. (p. 44)

III. Psalm 42 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. For reasons unstated, the Psalmist is separated from Jerusalem and unable to worship at the Lord's sanctuary. Memories of participating in Israel's sacred liturgies have brought him to tears and have fueled his desire to return to the holy city. Scholars surmise that Pss 42 and 43 originally formed one psalm... (p. 865)

Day 140: David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 22, 1 Chronicles 27, and Psalm 41.

I. 2 Samuel 22 is David's great hymn of thanksgiving after God delivered him from Saul and his other enemies, which is nearly identical to Psalm 18. He celebrates God's faithfulness, justice, and power, while acknowledging that all his victories came from the Lord alone.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

David reflects on his life and proclaims that the Lord has saved him because he loves him. He can look back on his life and rejoice, despite all of his failures... David understands his brokenness. His sins have been on full display to the people of Israel. Yet he knows that God's strength has helped him and made him great. The challenge for us is to acknowledge the truth of our lives courageously, both the good and the bad, and recognize where God has helped us with his grace to overcome our weaknesses. (p. 42)

II. 1 Chronicles 27 describes how David organized the kingdom before Solomon's reign. It highlights David's orderly administration and shows that good governance is part of faithful kingship.

III. Psalm 41 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A thanksgiving psalm for a recent healing. The Psalmist's recovery is celebrated briefly before he looks back on the trials of his sickness, when he was slandered by enemies and betrayed by a close friend. The Lord's care for the sick as well as his healing power are confirmed by the Psalmist's experience. (p. 865)

That's all for today!