I Kings

I really enjoyed reading the book of I Kings. I especially found the section on Solomon's kingdom to be intriguing. We read of its dimensions and the incredible amount of gold (measured in tons, not ounces) used to overlay many portions of it. We read of the intricacies on the wood work and the fixtures. We read of the ornate touches that made this one of the most amazing properties that this temporal earth has ever seen. Oh, and the estimated cost to build Solomon's first temple is about $56 billion. Yup. Not million, billion.

How did a man become this powerful and this wealthy? It wasn't because he asked for it. It's because he DIDN'T ask for it. In I Kings 3, we read that God comes to Solomon in a dream and asks him what he would like. Solomon's response what that he would be granted a discerning heart to be able to judge God's people and to distinguish what is good and bad. This pleased the Father, and he says because you didn't ask for long life, or riches or for the death of your enemies, he would do for Solomon what he asked and what he didn't ask for. He gave him a wise and understanding heart and in v13 we read he gives him both riches and honor.

The Lord sees the cry of our heart. He sees where we are honest and pure before Him and he takes care of his own children. What a great God we have.

2 Samuel

We read in 2 Samuel about how God works through his servant, David. He is moved of God and used of God. The Lord speaks to David through Nathan the prophet in chapter 7. He says in verse 10 that "I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more." What a blessing. God's people historically had been a transitory group. Finally, it seems like the kingdom set apart for his people is beginning to be established. In fact, later on we read in v.16 that "Thine house and they kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: they throne shall be established for ever." In a greater sense, this speaks to the foundational aspect of the work of Christ. His kingdom will be forever. If we are in His kingdom, we shall never be moved, we shall never be defeated, for with Him is the victory.