1 Kings 1
Adonijah presumes to be king
King David was old and he could not become warm even though they cover him with blanket. His servants asked a young woman to be his caretaker. They actually went to search for a lovely young woman (quoted) to take care of him. She lied with him to keep him warm at night but they did not have sexual relations.

Adonijah (4th son of David and Haggith) went to exalt himself and say he will be king. Then he just made preparations and all. Some more went to sacrifice sheep, oxen and cattle to like throw a feast. But hes super sneaky. He didn't invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, mighty men of David and his half brother Solomon. So sneaky. Max.

So Nathan went to speak to Bathsheba, mother of Solomon and informed her about this. And he advised her to go to David and tell him about it. Think she could do so also cos David promised her that Solomon would reign after him. So she went and told David. While she was talking to him, Nathan came in and also reminded David of what he has promised Bathsheba.

David proclaims Solomon King
David called Bathsheba and David took an oath that it will be Solomon who would reign as King. David then gave instructions for Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet to anoint him as king over Israel and Judah. So they put Solomon on a mule and went to Gihon and anointed him. All the people went up after him and they played flutes and rejoiced.

Adonijah heard the noise (apparently it was described as so loud until the earth like going to split with the sound) and asked what is happening. So Jonathan, told him that David made Solomon King. (PS Solomon was only 14 years old when he was made king, can you imagine a sec 2 boy having to rule the country?) Haha so the guests who were with Adonijah becaome scared and arose and left.
Haha paisei much. So Adonijah was afraid of Solomon and he went to take hold of the horns of the altar saying "Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword."

Then Solomon said Ïf he proves himself to be a worthy man, not one hair of him hall fall to the earth." Wow. Such wisdom at 14. I am impressed.

I like this passage cos it showed me how David keeps his word to what he has said before. He was sickly and he could have not bothered about Adonijah just usurping the throne. But he remembered his promise to Bathsheba and still proclaimed Solomon as king. I would think this process of doing so would have tired him out but he still made it happened. This is something that we need to learn from. Like when we make promises to people (or to each other or to God),  we really need to keep to what we say we will do. And that we need to be responsible to whatever we have decided on. (just like David) instead of just taking the easier way out. 

1 King 2
David's instructions to Solomon
David was about to die and he charged Solomon to do these:

Now, carefully obey all the commands of the Lord your God. Carefully obey all his laws, commands, decisions, and agreements. Obey everything that is written in the Law of Moses. If you do this, you will be successful at whatever you do and wherever you go. 4 And if you obey the Lord, he will keep his promise about me. He said, ‘If your sons carefully live the way I tell them, sincerely, with all their heart, the king of Israel will always be a man from your family.’”

Again the law of Moses was repeated here. We need to remember the law of Moses too ok. That when we obey the Lord, he will prosper us and we will be successful in what we do and where we go. 

Death of David
:'( So sad! Hate reading about David dying. David reigned for 40 years over Israel. Solomon reigned for 80 years. Wa twice the number! 

Solomon executes Adonijah
Oh the haolian guy is back in the story! He asked for Abishag (the young woman that took care of David) as wife. And so Solomon executed Adonijah cos its not right for them to sleep with their father's women. 

Abiathar Exiled, Joab Executed
He exiled Abiathar the priest because he took part in the attempt to raise Adonijah as king. Joab (nephew of  David) who also swore allegiance to Adonijah heard the news and fled to the tabernacle of the Lord and held the horns of the altar and plead. (Remember Adonijah did that too? Was reading online and it said that this is a place of mercy for people) However, Joab was struck down at the horn of the altar. 

Shimei executed
Solomon called for Shimei and asked him to stay in Jerusalem. And so, Shimei did so. However, Shimei went to Gath to chase after 2 of his slaves. When Solomon was told, he executed Shimei. 

Wa, Solomon might seem very harsh hor. But i guess his first order of business when he took over the throne was to get rid of the toxic people he has in his life. I guess this is something important for us too. That we get rid of the toxic people in our lives. (think O) I think its very hard to live life with people plotting against you and what not. Its super xinku. Solomon is wise indeed. 

Psalms 37
Vs 4: Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Vs 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

Dear God, I pray that I will learn to delight myself in You. I know that when I obey You and stay close to You, You will grant me the desires of my heart. Thank You too that when I obey in You, You will delight in me. Lord, I would like You to be so real in my life. 

Psalms 71 God the Rock of Salvation

Psalms 94 God the refuge of the righteous. 

ok end.

Psalms 111
Praise to God for his faithfulness and Justice

vs 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Father Lord, help us to fear you so that we may gain wisdom. Help us to understand You more each day so that we may do your commandments. Help us Lord. 

Psalms 112
The blessed state of the Righteous

1Praise the Lord!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

Who delights greatly in His commandments.

2His descendants will be mighty on earth;

The generation of the upright will be blessed.

3Wealth and riches will be in his house,

And his righteousness endures forever.

4Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

5A good man deals graciously and lends;

He will guide his affairs with discretion.

Father Lord, help us to fear You, to know You and Your commandments, to follow all your commandments. Because Lord we know that You bless those who obey you and You are happy with them. Help us to be that light in the darkness. That even as we live our lives, help us to be Your light. To be a good testimony to Your name and who You are. Help us to be gracious, full of compassion and righteous. We are not there yet but we long to be someone who will be worthy of who You are as God. We long to be more like Jesus. It's not easy but as we become more like You, we will be more gracious in our dealings with people. Come and teach us afresh how to be more like You Lord. 

Psalms 113
The Majesty and Condescension of God

Psalms 114
The power of God in His deliverance of Israel

Psalms 115
The futility of idols and trustworthiness of God

Psalms 116
Thanksgiving for deliverance from death

Psalms 117
Let all people praise the Lord

Psalms 118
Praise to God for His everlasting mercy

vs 14 The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.

1 Chronicles 26- 29

Chapt 26: 
Duties of the Gatekeepers and Treasuries
Many names were named. One insight would be that if God deems a person important, he would have it recorded somewhere. Hope our names are recorded in one of His books!

Chapt 27: 
Military Divisions
Each division took turns every month of the year to do their military duties. And each division consist of 24 000 people. So huge! So there are 12 divisions that are headed by 12 captains! (According to the months in the year)

Leaders of the Tribes
There was also a leader over every tribe, they were called officers.
One thing I notice is that God don't like to count the armies. He made the promise that He would multiply Israel like stars in heaven but everytime someone starts a census to count the strength of the team, the wrath of God would fall upon Israel. Why ah? That's a question to ask in our heads.

Other state officials
There were people doing different roles, taking care of different things:
1. King's treasuries (Finance)
2. Storehouses of the field, cities, villages, fortresses (Logistics)
3. Work of the field
4. Vineyards
5. Produce of vineyards for the supply of wine
6. Olive trees and sycamore trees.
7. Store of oil
8. Herds
9. Camels
10. Flocks
11. Donkeys
All these were officials over King David's property.
12. Jehonathan (David's uncle) was a counselor, wise man and scribe WA SO CAPABLE
13. Jehiel was with the king's son (I suppose he teaches them something?)
14. Ahitpiel was the king's counselor
15. Hushai was the king's companion (Like the taijian)
16. Joab the general of the king's army

Wa the king's officials super organised hor. I wonder whether governments learn some of these organisation from the bible.

Chapt 28
Solomon instructed to build the temple.
David gathered all the leaders of Israel, officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions, captains of the thousands, captains of the hundreds, stewards of all substance and possession of the king and his sons, along with the officials, valiant men (brave men?) and mighty men of valor.

King David rose and told everyone that they need to build a house of rest for the ark of covenant of the Lord. Because God said to David that he is not allowed to build the house for he have been a man of war and have shed blood, even though He has chosen David's house to be the king over Israel forever. God told David that Solomon was to build the house and the courts of God. God will also establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe his commandments and judgements.
(I think the same applies for us. For God to be with us, we really need to observe his commandments and judgements.)

I like this part!
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 10Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.



Nice hor. We need to do it also ok?

So David gave Solomon the plans for everything. He also gave the gold, silver to be used for the different services in building God's temple.

This part also very nice.
And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

He also told Solomon that everyone under him will be completely at his command.

Chapt 29
Offerings for Building the Temple
David has prepared all that he can for the house of God. (David is really a man after God's heart hor, everything that he did for God, he did with all his ability and all that he can)
So he gave a speech and said what are the things he prepared. After that he asked who is willing to consecrate themself to the Lord. So all the leaders, captains and officials gave willingly for the work of God.

David's praise to God
David blessed God before all the assembly.

Solomon appointed King
After that they made sacrifices to the Lord and offered burnt offerings to the Lord.
(wonder where they have such a big place to hold such a big meeting with so many people. And without microphone. David must have a very loud voice or its a place with very good acoustics)
The Lord exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

The Close of David's Reign
David reigned in Israel for 40 years. 7 years in Hebron, 33 years in Jerusalmen. And he died in a good old age and Solomon reigned in his place.

Psalms 127
Labouring and Prospering with the Lord. 
Solomon wrote this.

Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman stays awake in vain.

2It is vain for you to rise up early,

To sit up late,

To eat the bread of sorrows;

For so He gives His beloved sleep.

3Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one’s youth.

5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;

They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate

Do you know the name Young Arrows is based on Verse 3 -5?
Really very happy to be serving the children (:

Okay abrupt end.

God is just so good. Often times when we give, we find ourselves blessed in an even deeper way. 

Psalms 84: 1 -2 , 11 
1 1How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

It is my prayer today that I'll always desire to dwell in God's presence. That our souls, hearts and flesh would cry out for God to be with us. And the promise is that God will be our sun and shield.

Thank You God for being so good to us. May we always desire for more of You to fill our lives. 
In Jesus name, amen! 

Psalm 63

This psalm really speaks of how I feel right now, at this juncture of my life.

1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; 
   my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
   in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
   my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
   and in your name I will life up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
   with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
   I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
   I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you;
   your right hand upholds me.
9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
   they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God; 
    all who swear by God's name will praise him,
    while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Without God, I have no life. Without God, I have no joy. At this point of my life, I feel empty because I have not been spending enough time with Him. Lord, I pray and ask that You help me be disciplined to spend more time with you. This is so that I have joy in my life. Thank you. In Jesus name, amen (: