The Family Bible Journey Podcast

Solomon's house gets twelve verses of attention, but the building of the Lord's House receives four chapters of attention. This affirms the importance of the Temple for God's people, and how important it was as Solomon's legacy.

We marvel at the technology and workmanship used to build the Lord's Temple. Solomon dedicated nearly the first quarter of his reign to its construction. Beautiful though it was, it was but a foreshadowing of God's plan to dwell with His people, not it a building, but in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ.

When Jesus wept over Jerusalem, He wept not for Himself, but for all those who would reject Him. By rejecting Him, they rejected the Lord's gift of life and forgiveness.

Solomon was blessed by the Lord with both wisdom and honor. As long as Solomon honored the Lord with these gifts, the Lord promised to prosper him and his descendants. Solomon's blessing gives us a chance to reflect on the relationship between faith and the rewards for righteous living.

The historical books of the kings begins with David firmly establishing Solomon on his throne. There is a peaceful passing of power. The kingdom is secure in Solomon's hands, and poised to do great things for the Lord and His people.

Jesus welcomed those who were rejected. He Himself was rejected because of His great love for them. May we learn from Jesus to embrace sinners in grace, because we ourselves have received great forgiveness and grace from Him.

David's story closes with one last mistake and yet another chapter of the Lord showing David mercy. David's census of the army merited God's wrath. But when the Angel of the Lord descends to strike Jerusalem, David meets Him and receives mercy. David purchases the place of this angelic encounter, and it will become the place where the Temple will be built.

David praises the Lord at the end of his life. Here we see much of Psalm 18 recorded as David's last words. Despite his public sins and many personal struggles, David was greatly blessed, and mighty in faith. He became a tremendous blessing to all God's people as a powerful type and ancestor of Jesus.

Often times, the things that many put their faith in actually get in the way of faith. Burdens, on the other hand, often turn our hearts and minds towards God. We explore this paradox as Jesus teaches and performs His final miracle on His way up to Jerusalem.

The foundation for a healthy monarchy is being laid as David ages. We hear of another insurrection put down, and the Philistines being placed firmly under the thumb of Israel. Despite David's violent and passionate past, he is growing in faith and wisdom as he prepares the kingdom for transition.

David's men overwhelm Absalom's army. King David and the kingdom are saved. But David, instead of rejoicing, mourns the death of Absalom, turning the nation's triumph into sadness. General Joab rebukes the king for his foolishness. David is restored to Jerusalem, and forgives many of his enemies along the way back to Jerusalem.

Jesus teaches us to seek the Father's mercy by leaning on His goodness and kindness, instead of our persistence or personal holiness. After teaching this principle in two parables, He lifts children up as great examples of a humble faith. How nice it is to find the goodness and grace of God in Christ Jesus!

David retreats from Jerusalem, fleeing the pursuit of his own son! David's enemies gloat and plan their own conquests, at the king's expense. Absalom debases some of his father's wives and raises an army to destroy his father. 

After three years of exile, followed by another two years of estrangement from the king, Absalom conspires for the throne. He uses his charm and charisma to woo Isreal to his cause. Then, using a religious rouse, he launches his coup.

Too many people have a backwards understanding of the relationship between faith, prayer and healing. Jesus teaches the true spirit of faith. He shows through ten lepers how faith receives His blessing, simply because of His great love for us, not because of how great we are or how wonderful we think our prayers are.

Terrible lessons are learned of lust and murder in this chapter. David's son Amnon, consumed with lust, sexually assaults his half-sister Tamar. In response, Absalom, Tamar's full-blooded brother, murders Amnon. David's adultery has created fault-lines in his family line, as his family is now at war within itself.

Nathan tells David of a rich man who stole his poor neighbor's only lamb, to host a party for a traveler. Enraged by such cruelty, David ordered the man to pay four-fold for his sin. David was the man. The story was a parable telling of David's sin with Bathsheba. Cut to the heart, David repents. Forgiven, he will suffer for this sin, as will the entire nation in time.

The parable of the shrewd manager brings into question how we use our money. Do you view money as a means to godly ends or as an end in itself? We consider the challenge of being good stewards and how the use of our money reveals the intents and desires of our heart.

When he should have been at war, David instead stays in Jerusalem. He who was mighty in battle proves weak in temptation. Succumbing to the beauty of Bathsheba, he has an affair with her. Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, is the hero of this story. Loyal to the end, he is slain by the king he served, who slept with his wife, in an attempted cover-up.

David, well established and blessed by the Lord, seeks a member of Saul's family to bless. He summons Ziba, one of Saul's stewards, who tells David of Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan, who has survived. David demonstrates great mercy to Mephibosheth, giving him all the land of Saul, and making him a part of his royal court.

The "lost" parables show us the depth of God's love. The Shepherd risks his life for a lost sheep. A woman celebrates the recovery of a lost coin. A generous father receives his lost son. In each of these, we see a measure of God's love for us!

David tells Nathan the prophet that he wants to build a house for the ark of the covenant. God would not allow David to build this house. Instead, the Lord promises to build a forever house for David, by allowing one of his sons to reign forever! Receiving such an unimaginable promise from the Lord, David praises and thanks God for His untold goodness and love.

David moves his headquarters to Jerusalem. This strategic stronghold, where Judah meets Israel, becomes the military, governing and economic center of God's holy nation. In chapter six, David moves the Ark of the Convenant here, making this the spiritual capital of Israel. Largely because of David's moving the Ark to Jerusalem, it is revered as a holy city by Christians, Jews and Muslims still tod...

The true test of discipleship is the quality of our service to others. So long as we are serving ourselves, as individuals or congregations, we are less than we are called to be. Instead, we who have been perfectly served by Jesus in every way, are called, like Jesus, to empty ourselves in service to others.

Abner, offended by Ishbosheth, swears an oath to bring Israel under David's rule. This leader of a military coup makes covenant with David, who welcomes him gladly. Sadly, or gladly, both Abner and Ishbosheth meet a bloody end, as scoundrels end their lives. Here we see God use human treachery to solidify David's reign.