17 Then Solomon said, “My father, David, wanted to build this Temple to honor the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 18 But the Lord told him, ‘You wanted to build the Temple to honor my name. Your intention is good, 19 but you are not the one to do it. One of your own sons will build the Temple to honor me.' (1 Kings 8:17-19, NLT)
I've probably written on the above verses before. I love going back and reading 1,2 Samuel, 1,2 Kings, and 1,2 Chronicles, and I find myself enjoying them more and more each time I read them.
Oddly enough, I love reading of the accounts of the kings of Isreal (and later Judah). I've never been much of a history buff, but I really do enjoy reading Biblical history. Part of it is, I really do feel that to truly understand and enjoy the New Testament, one should be well-versed in the Old. Obviously, we are sinners saved by Grace, and the New Testament plays such an important role in understanding what it means to be a Christian, part of the Church, and how to grow in our faith. However, I feel that the Old Testament is quickly dismissed as nothing more than "stories" that make up the "Children's Bibles" you see in many waiting rooms (pet peeve: People who call them "stories" instead of "accounts". Stories make them sound like myths or fables, or just plain made up. They're historical accounts and records, true in every way, inspired by the Holy Spirit. And yes, I do realize I'm preaching to the choir :) Still, it irks me when people refer to anything in the Bible as a "story". Unless, of course, it's a Parable that Jesus taught. And I'm sure calling those stories irk me as well. Now I'm just rambling).
At any rate, I love the accounts written in the Old Testament, especially the ones recorded in those 6 Books. More specifically, I enjoy the accounts of David and Solomon. David, because he made some major blunders in his life, yet God still called him a man after His own Heart. Despite his seemingly large failures, he loved God and God loved him. He had a real passion for God and a zeal that was unmatched by any other king in those days (any of the good kings of Judah that followed would often be described as "walking in the way of David their father"). To read about David is always a pleasure, from the time he put on the king's armor to battle Goliath to passing the kingdom to his son Solomon.
I also love to read the accounts of Solomon. He did many noble things in his life. His two greatest accomplishments were praying for wisdom when God offered anything he wanted and building the Temple for God. Sadly, while Solomon started out strong, he became entangled in pagan worship and allowed himself to be swayed by his many heathen wives. Towards the end of his life, however, he wrote my favorite book of the Bible, Ecclesiastes, and came to realize that there is truly nothing worth living for outside complete and total devotion to God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 doesn't get any plainer: Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
And so, not addressing the Scripture at the top, that is why I love reading about David and Solomon!
I've probably written on the above verses before. I love going back and reading 1,2 Samuel, 1,2 Kings, and 1,2 Chronicles, and I find myself enjoying them more and more each time I read them.
Oddly enough, I love reading of the accounts of the kings of Isreal (and later Judah). I've never been much of a history buff, but I really do enjoy reading Biblical history. Part of it is, I really do feel that to truly understand and enjoy the New Testament, one should be well-versed in the Old. Obviously, we are sinners saved by Grace, and the New Testament plays such an important role in understanding what it means to be a Christian, part of the Church, and how to grow in our faith. However, I feel that the Old Testament is quickly dismissed as nothing more than "stories" that make up the "Children's Bibles" you see in many waiting rooms (pet peeve: People who call them "stories" instead of "accounts". Stories make them sound like myths or fables, or just plain made up. They're historical accounts and records, true in every way, inspired by the Holy Spirit. And yes, I do realize I'm preaching to the choir :) Still, it irks me when people refer to anything in the Bible as a "story". Unless, of course, it's a Parable that Jesus taught. And I'm sure calling those stories irk me as well. Now I'm just rambling).
At any rate, I love the accounts written in the Old Testament, especially the ones recorded in those 6 Books. More specifically, I enjoy the accounts of David and Solomon. David, because he made some major blunders in his life, yet God still called him a man after His own Heart. Despite his seemingly large failures, he loved God and God loved him. He had a real passion for God and a zeal that was unmatched by any other king in those days (any of the good kings of Judah that followed would often be described as "walking in the way of David their father"). To read about David is always a pleasure, from the time he put on the king's armor to battle Goliath to passing the kingdom to his son Solomon.
I also love to read the accounts of Solomon. He did many noble things in his life. His two greatest accomplishments were praying for wisdom when God offered anything he wanted and building the Temple for God. Sadly, while Solomon started out strong, he became entangled in pagan worship and allowed himself to be swayed by his many heathen wives. Towards the end of his life, however, he wrote my favorite book of the Bible, Ecclesiastes, and came to realize that there is truly nothing worth living for outside complete and total devotion to God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 doesn't get any plainer: Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
And so, not addressing the Scripture at the top, that is why I love reading about David and Solomon!
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1 comment:
I think they are stories and accounts. I will explain person.
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