Weekly Guide：Week 62
March 31, 2019
Forward
We continue the reading of the Book of First Chronicles this week.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
Who were the descendants of David and Solomon?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Six sons were born to David in Hebron and thirteen sons in Jerusalem. These were sons of David besides the ones by his concubines. Tamar was their sister.
- Sons of Solomon.
- The descendants of Judah.
- The descendants of Simeon.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Here recorded Jabez’s prayer to God, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. What meaning does this special account have for me? How may I pray to God in a similar way?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was the history of Israel to the east of the Jordan river?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- The land settled by the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
- God delivered the Hagrites to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
- The two and half tribes were unfaithful to God and went into exile.
- The descendants of Levi.
- The men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest.
- Aaron and his descendants presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place.
- The locations of the settlements allotted to Aaron’s descendants as their territory.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - What was the secret to victory for Ruben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh when they were outnumbered by their enemy? Why did they later end up in exile? How do these accounts remind me? What determines our success or failure?
- Fidelity - The responsibility of Aaron’s descendants was to serve God according to Moses’ law. How does God command me to serve? Am I following His command?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Who were the descendants of the tribes to the west of Jordan river?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- The sons of Issachar.
- The descendants of Benjamin.
- Sons of Naphtali.
- The descendants of Manasseh.
- The descendants of Ephraim.
- Asher’s sons.
- The detailed genealogy of Benjamite.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - The accounts of the tribes recorded in chapter 7 were relatively simple. Is my life’s journey with or without God? Is it filled with the story of God or is there not much to talk about?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Who were the Israelites living in Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- A detailed record of the Israelite descendants who were in Jerusalem.
- The duties and responsibilities of the Levites in Jerusalem.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - This chapter recorded in detail the duties and responsibilities of the Levites because they served God. How does the record help me understand God’s attributes and my own heart? How does it help to encourage me to serve faithfully?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was the reason for Saul’s death?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- The record of Saul and his sons’ death.
- Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Saul used to pursuit David and became the pursued. God is merciful and just. Man must bear the consequences of his sin if without Jesus’ salvation. Let us thank God for His salvation so that we may receive eternal life.
- Integrity - The First Chronicles used the death of Saul as the starting point of a section in the book. What does that mean to me? Saul’s unfaithfulness to the Lord was the cause of his downfall. How does that warn me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did David become king?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- All Israel came together to David at Hebron to anoint him as king.
- David captured the fortress of Zion.
- The records of the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors-they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised.
- The fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel.
Meditation: My Story
- Community - The mighty warriors were determined in unity to make David king, and they rejoiced together. How am I serving the Lord with my fellow Christians together in one heart? How am I rejoicing with them in the Lord?
- Fidelity - David’s mighty warriors followed him because the Lord touched their hearts and they saw the David was with the Lord. Has my heart ever been touched by the Lord? How may we bring others to serve with us?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were the Israelites living in Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ A detailed account of the Israelite descendants who were in Jerusalem.
+ The duties and responsibilities of the Levites in Jerusalem.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - This chapter recorded in detail the duties and responsibilities of the Levites for they served God. How does the record help me understand God's attributes and my own heart? How does it help to encourage me to serve faithfully?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the reason for Saul's death?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The record of Saul and his sons' death.
+ Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Saul used to pursuit David and became the pursued. God is merciful and just. Man must bear the consequences of his sin if without Jesus' salvation. Let us thank God for His salvation so that we may receive eternal life.
+ **Integrity** - The First Chronicles used the death of Saul as the starting point of a section in the book. What does that mean to me? Saul's unfaithfulness to the Lord was the cause of his downfall. How does that warn me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did David become king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ All Israel came together to David at Hebron to anoint him as king.
+ David captured the fortress of Zion.
+ The records of the chiefs of David's mighty warriors-they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised.
+ The fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - The mighty warriors were determined in unity to make David king, and they rejoiced together. How am I serving the Lord with my fellow Christians together in one heart? How am I rejoicing with them in the Lord?
+ **Fidelity** - David's mighty warriors followed him because the Lord touched their hearts and they saw the David was with the Lord. Has my heart ever been touched by the Lord? How may we bring others to serve with us?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did David do soon after he became king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David conferred with each of his officers and the commanders, to bring back the ark of the Lord.
+ They moved the ark of God from Abinadab's house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord struck Uzzah down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
+ David took the ark to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. It remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.
+ In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters.
+ The Philistines went up in full force to search for David. David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Soon after David became king, he conferred with his officials and commanders to bring the ark back to Jerusalem. What was the reason he did that? (ref. 13:3) What can I learn from him?
+ **Fidelity** - What was the main reason for David's victory over the Philistines? What does it mean for my service?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the ark of the Lord brought to Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
+ David summoned the Levites to carry the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.
+ David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.
+ David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing.
+ As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
+ They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God.
+ He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel.
+ David appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord.
+ David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day's requirements.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - From David's praise: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. How is God in control of my life, present, past, and future? How should I give thanks to God?
+ **Fidelity** - Compare the two attempts David made in moving the ark (13, 15). What were the results and the causes? How do these remind me of my service to the Lord?
+ **Fidelity** - What were David's reasons for praising the Lord? (23-24, 26, 33-34) Have I overlooked any?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was God's response to David's wish to build the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David wished to build the temple for the Lord but He said: "You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in."
+ The Lord promised David that his descendant would build the temple for the Lord and the Lord would establish his descendant's throne forever.
+ David prayed humbly to the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Why did God refuse David's wish to build the temple? (17:5-6) What did God promise him? God's promise was much greater than what David asked for. Have I been refused by God? What happened afterward?
+ **Identity** - Read carefully David's prayer. What was David's attitude and knowledge of God and himself reflected in the beginning of the prayer? What can I learn from it?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the faith of the Shunammite woman?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Elisha helped the army of Israel, Judah, and Edom to receive drinking water from God and to defeat Moabites with God's help.
+ Elisha performed miracles. He helped the widow of a man from the company of prophets to pay back her debt, prevented her sons to become slaves, and left them with abundance to sustain their livelihood.
+ A Shunammite wife often received and supported Elisha. Elisha predicted a son for the couple, saw the couple had no child. The child suddenly died so Elisha prayed and brought the child back to life.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - They must first dig out ditches before the army could receive water from God; She must go around and ask for empty jars before the widow receive the oil. When I ask God for something, did I first follow His command?
+ **Walking with God** - The Shunammite wife received Elisha and was given a share in the prophet's work. She did not seek to benefit from the authorities nor did she seek to have a child and yet God gave her everything. When her son died, she said to everyone that "everything is all right" but only to show her sadness to the prophet. This was because she knew the one who gave life to her son controls his life. What do I think about her faith?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Naaman healed?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Naaman, the army commander of Israel archrival Aram, had leprosy. The girl servant he captured from Israel saw his illness and told his wife about prophet Elisha. Naaman went to Elisha and obeyed the words of the prophet after being persuaded by his servant. He washed himself seven times in Jordan and was cleansed of leprosy. Naaman vowed to worship only the Lord from then on.
+ Gehazi, Elisha's greedy servant, deceived Naaman of silver and cloths. Elisha rebuked him for profiting when he shouldn't. Gehazi contracted leprosy as result.
+ Elisha performed miracle to float a sunken iron ax for a man in the company of prophets.
+ The Aramean king sent men to capture Elisha during the war with Israel. Elisha performed miracle to lead them to Samaria and caused the Aramean to stop raiding Israel.
+ Aramean besieged Samaria. The famine in the city cause people to feed on each other's children. The king of Israel blamed Elisha and attributed it the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God protects His people. Elisha opened his servant's eyes so he could see God's protection. Have I thought about God's protection when faced with seemingly great challenges? How is scene the servant saw helping me in my current circumstance?
+ **Fidelity** - Naaman would not have gotten to know the Lord and healed if the Israelite girl servant did not put down her hatred to love the enemy. Naaman would not have gone to the next step in knowing God if not for his persuasive servant. God put us next to the unbelievers so that we may be the outlet of their blessings and bring them to God every chance we have. Are there unbelievers around me? How may I learn to love and be faithful like the Israelite girl servant to help those unbelievers to know God and receive blessings?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God help the Samarians to break out the siege?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Four men with Leprosy saw the Arameans had left their camp. They went back and reported the news.
+ Ben-Hadad the Aramean king was ill. Hazel murdered Ben-Hadad and succeeded him as king.
+ Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah. He reigned for eight years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Ahaziah son of Jehoram began his reign as king of Judah. He reigned for one year and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - How did the Lord help the Israelites to break out the siege? How has God helped me and protected me behind the scene?
+ **Integrity** - The four men with leprosy (v. 9-10) realized what they did was not right and repented immediately. What can I learn from this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jehu clean off the families of the Israelite king and Judah king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Prophet Elisha sent a man from the company of prophets to anoint Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi.
+ Jehu killed Joram king of Israel, Ahaziah king of Judah, and Jezebel.
+ The officials of Jezreel obeyed Jehu's command and killed Ahab's seventy sons.
+ Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab and the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah.
+ Jehu destroyed Baal in Israel but did not turn away from the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
+ Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-eight years.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Ahab's son Joram and grandson Ahaziah were both killed. Were they innocent or guilty? (2 Kings 3:2-3,13-14; 8:25-27) How shall I look at the fairness of God's judgment?
+ **Fidelity** - If God elected Jehu as His judge, why was Jehu later judged by God? Of my service to God, what are pleasing to Him and what are not?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Joash become king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Joash son of Ahaziah hid in the temple of the Lord for six years. Athaliah usurped the throne.
+ Jehoiada the priest anointed Joash. Athaliah was slain. In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years.
+ Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, smashed the temple of Baal. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Joash repaired whatever damage was found in the temple.
+ Joash took all the sacred objects dedicated by his predecessors and the gifts he himself had dedicated and all the gold found in the treasuries of the temple of the Lord and of the royal palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem.
+ Joash's officials assassinated him at Beth Millo, on the road down to Silla. Amaziah his son succeeded him as king.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Even though Joash did what was right in the Lord's eyes since an early age, he still stumbled. What were the reasons he strayed away from the Lord's path? How is this reminding me and what expectations shall I set for my own spiritual life?
+ **Fidelity** - Jehoiada's teaching and influence on Joash demonstrated the importance of proper education. How am I educating my children?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why had the kings of Israel from generation to generation not done what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
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### Meditation: God's Story
- Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. For a long time, the Lord kept Israel under the power of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad his son.
- Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
- Elisha died of illness and was buried. A dead man's body touched Elisha's bones and the man came to life.
- Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah became king and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Amaziah faced Jehoahaz king of Israel in battle. Judah was routed by Israel.
- Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
- **Identity** - The kings of Israel never removed the high places. Are there things in my life which displease the Lord that I fail to remove?
- **Integrity** - What was Amaziah's attitude after he had defeated the Edomites? Why did he fail afterward? What does this remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the end of Tyre that used to be prosperous?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Because Tyre boasted against Israel, the Lord was against it and would bring many nations against it.
+ From the north the Lord would bring against Tyre Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
+ All the princes of the coast would be clothed with terror and appalled at Tyre.
+ The Lord had the prophet took up a lament concerning Tyre, prophesying it would turn from great trades and wealth to become broken and no more.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Tyre, like many great cities and nations of past, no longer exists. Do I look at the great and wealthy cities of today more than God's eternal kingdom?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the result of Tyre king's pride?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The ruler of Tyre pride himself as a god. God would bring foreigner against it. They would draw their swords against its beauty and wisdom. They would bring it down to the pit and it would die in the heart of the seas.
+ The Lord commanded the prophet to take up a lament concerning Tyre, its heart became proud on account of its beauty, and the Lord would throw it to the earth.
+ The Lord commanded the prophet to prophesy against Sidon, the Lord was against Sidon, He would inflict punishment on it.
+ The Lord would gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, He would be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations, then they will live in the land which the Lord gave to Jacob.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Tyre king thought of himself as god because of his pride. Is the wealth I have today from my own work or given by God? Am I thankful for God's provision? What does the fate of Tyre king remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the fate of Egypt?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the Pharaoh king of Egypt and all Egypt, the Lord would bring sword against them, Egypt would become a desolate wasteland.
+ At the end of forty years the Lord would gather the Egyptians from the nations where they were scattered. He would bring them back from captivity and return them to Upper Egypt, the land of their ancestry. There they would be a lowly kingdom.
+ The Lord would give the land of Egypt to the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon as their reward.
+ The Lord would make a horn grow for the Israelites, and He would open Ezekiel's mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy that a sword would come against Egypt, the allies of Egypt would fall, the Lord would put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, He would destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis, no longer will there be a prince in Egypt.
+ The Lord would break the arms of Pharaoh and strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Pharaoh said, the Nile belongs to me; I mad it for myself. Therefore, God judged Egypt. What am I leaning on in my life's journey? How do I look at my own success? What does today's passage remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did the prophet wail for the people of Egypt?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Said to the Pharaoh the beauty of Assyria was given into the hand of the nations by God for it was proud of its height.
+ Prophesy against Pharaoh that he would go with Assyria down in the earth below among the killed.
+ Take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt, the sword of the king of Babylon would come against him, the pride of Egypt would shatter, and all hordes overthrown.
+ Wail for the daughters of Egypt.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Why was the tall cedar judged and cut down? What does it remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Ezekiel's responsibility as the watchman?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When the watchman sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.
+ The Lord made Ezekiel a watchman.
+ The Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.
+ If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person's former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person's former wickedness will not bring condemnation.
+ In the twelfth year of Israel's exile, in the tenth month on the fifth day, a man who had escaped from Jerusalem came to Ezekiel and said, "The city has fallen!" Ezekiel's mouth was opened in the morning and no longer silent.
+ Those who listen but do not put into practice of what the prophet says, will be punished.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Fellow Christians watch over each other like Ezekiel watched over Israel. What should I do if I know someone who offended God? How may limbs of Christ be blessed by watching over each other? How may I watch over the world?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What wrong did the shepherds of Israel do?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord commanded the prophet to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; to those shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves!
+ The Lord said, I am against the shepherds and I will remove them from tending the flock.
+ The Lord said, I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.
+ The Lord said, I will place over them one shepherd and he will tend them. I the Lord will be their God.
+ The Lord said, I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Are the strong and weak in faith helping each other in Church? How may I help those churches that are weak?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses