In Today's Email:
An Apology
It finally happened. It took 136 days. I missed sending out this email on time. Once before I sent one out a day early, but this is the first time I have been late. I sincerely apologize to all who noticed.
I Chronicles 28 Notes
In this chapter David charges Solomon to build the Temple.
vs. 1-8 – Here we return from describing the administration of David to the narrative abandoned in I Chronicles 23:1. David charges the people to rally behind Solomon and build the Temple.
vs. 9-21 - David hands to Solomon all the plans and preparations for the Temple. We note in vs. 19 that David was given the plans for the Temple from God.
I Chronicles 29 Notes
In this chapter are David’s final public acts before his passing.
vs. 1-9 - In vs. 4, David has gathered 3,000 talents of gold ($6,350,811,589) and 7,000 talents of silver ($181,389,718). In vs. 7, the people give 5,000 talents $10,584,685,982) and 10,000 drams ($5,199,495) of gold, 10,000 talents of silver ($259,128,168), 18,000 talents of brass ($4,994,370), and 100,000 talents of iron ($317,171).
vs. 10-21 – David pronounces a blessing upon the nation. In doing so the people are caused to worship the mighty God. Thousands of sacrifices are made the following day. There simply was no “separation of church and state” in David’s kingdom.
vs. 22-25 – This parallels to I Kings 2:12. Solomon is anointed for the second time. The first he was a crown prince or co-ruler, but now he is elevated above his father (whose race is nearly run)
vs. 26-30 – This parallels to I Kings 2:10. Here is a brief overview of the life and reign of David.
Closing Thoughts
There is really not a good way to calculate or understand the investment made by David and the nation in building the Temple. I like to figure out the value by the weight of the precious metals, but our economies are so different that it really does not reflect the actual value. Frankly, whatever estimates I give are inadequate. The nation of Israel led by its king devote most of their wealth into the construction of the Temple. All was willingly and gladly given to the Lord. Compare this to our day, when we are wealthier than any other time and yet balk at giving the Lord a mite, let alone a tithe or even greater through grace giving!
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today was originally written in German in 1680 by Joachim Neander. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” was then translated into English by Catherine Winkworth in 1863. It fits well the themes of praise when David blessed the nation in chapter 29.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near,
join me in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;
sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
sent by his gracious ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriends you.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the Amen sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.