Weekly Guide：Week 66
April 28, 2019
Forward
We continue the reading of the Second Chronicles this week.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Abijah’s son Asa succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years. Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.
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Zerah the Cushite marched out against Judah, Asa went out to meet him and the Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah.
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Azariah exhorted to Asa, Judah, and Benjamites to obey God. Asa accepted.
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Asa removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple.
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King Asa also deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah.
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In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah. Asa sought help from Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.
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Hanani the seer rebuked Asa for relying on the king of Aram and not on the Lord. Asa was angry with the seer and brutally oppressed some of the people.
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In the forty-first year of his reign Asa died.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord by removing idols and obeying God’s laws. What idols do I need to remove from my life? What laws do I need to remind myself to obey?
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Integrity - Hanani rebuked Asa but Asa did not take it well. How may I accept the criticisms and warnings from others? Would I hate them for their criticisms and retaliate?
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Integrity - There were stages in Asa’s life. He sinned in his old age that brought about the judgment. What warning do I see in this? How may I stay on the path of Christ’s salvation, not veering left or right?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Jehoshaphat do in the third year of his reign?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel.
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In the third year of his reign he sent his officials taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord to teach people in the towns of Judah.
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The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat but paid tributes.
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Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab king of Israel by marriage.
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Ahab urged Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth Gilead together. Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel to first seek the counsel of the Lord through the prophets.
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The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah asked him to speak favorably. But Micaiah spoke only the word of the Lord to warn Ahab.
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Ahab put Micaiah in prison and made him suffer.
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The king of Israel entered the battle in disguise but was shot dead by a random arrow.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - In what stage of Jehoshaphat’s life did his ally with Ahab? What can I learn from that? How should I treat the wealth God has given me?
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Fidelity - Jehoshaphat prepared himself against Israel and obeyed God, followed His law. What can I learn from Jehoshaphat of the relationship between my own responsibilities and God’s work?
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Fidelity - Jehoshaphat motivated many of his officials to teach people with the Book of the Law of the Lord. How may I co-work by my fellow Christians to encourage all people to read Bible and to grow spiritually?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What new policies did Jehoshaphat put in place in Judah?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jehoshaphat returned safely to Jerusalem. Jehu the seer son of Hanani exhorted Jehoshaphat that he should not have helped the wicked.
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Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
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In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the Lord and to settle disputes.
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The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. Jehoshaphat stood up at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and prayed.
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Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah and told them not to be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
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Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
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The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.
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Jehoshaphat reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.
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Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. The Lord would destroy their ships.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Read again Jehoshaphat’s prayer when he faced the enemies. What can I learn from that?
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Fidelity - Jehoshaphat’s reform of his governance was to follow God’s standard. How does this inspire me? What attitude and knowledge should I have on the politics and laws of the world?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What disasters did Jehoram bring to Judah during the eight years of his reign?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jehoram succeeded Jehoshaphat as king. When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father’s kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the officials of Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
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In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah. Libnah revolted at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the Lord, the God of his ancestors.
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He had also built high places on the hills of Judah and had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.
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Jehoram received a letter from Elijah the prophet to warn him of the Lord’s judgment.
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The Philistines and of the Arabs who lived near the Cushites became hostile against Jehoram. His bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great pain.
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Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, succeeded him as king and reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother encouraged him to act wickedly.
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Ahaziah went visit Joram and was killed by Jehu.
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When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, hid Joash son of Ahaziah at the temple of God for six years.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Although Jehoram’s grew up in the house of Jehoshaphat, his father, who did right in the eyes of the Lord but Jehoram did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Do our children who grew up in Christian families truly know and seek God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why did Joash behave differently before and after Jehoiada’s death?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the heads of Israelite families from all the towns and made Joash king.
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Athaliah was slain at the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds.
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Jehoiada then made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the Lord’s people.
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Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.
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Joash decided to restore the temple of the Lord.
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After the death of Jehoiada, Joash abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.
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Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest warned the people but was stoned to death by Joash’s order.
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The army of Aram marched against Joash, killed all the leaders of the people. Joash was severely wounded and his officials conspired against and killed him in his bed.
Meditation: My Story
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Community - Why did Joash become a different person after Jehoiada’s death? Has God sent someone faithful to mentor or guide me?
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Fidelity - Jehoiada believed firmly in the Lord’s promises which gave him the strength to bring up Joash as king. How does this inspire me of my faith and servitude?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What transpired as result of Amaziah’s not being wholehearted?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Amaziah reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.
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Amaziah hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel but was stopped by a man of God.
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Amaziah led his army to the Valley of Salt, where he killed ten thousand men of Seir. He brought back the gods of the people of Seir and set them up as his own gods.
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Amaziah sent challenge to Jehoash king of Israel. Judah was routed by Israel.
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Some conspired against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
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Uzziah reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
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But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God. He had leprosy on his forehead until the day he died. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - What was Amaziah’s downfall? Where was he not wholehearted? What warning do I see in his failure?
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Integrity - Uzziah’s pride came about from his successes. How may I not fall by my successes?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What disasters did Jehoram bring to Judah during the eight years of his reign?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jehoram succeeded Jehoshaphat as king. When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father's kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the officials of Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
+ In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah. Libnah revolted at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the Lord, the God of his ancestors.
+ He had also built high places on the hills of Judah and had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.
+ Jehoram received a letter from Elijah the prophet to warn him of the Lord's judgment.
+ The Philistines and of the Arabs who lived near the Cushites became hostile against Jehoram. His bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great pain.
+ Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son, succeeded him as king and reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother encouraged him to act wickedly.
+ Ahaziah went visit Jehoram and was killed by Jehu.
+ When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, hid Joash son of Ahaziah at the temple of God for six years.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Although Jehoram's grew up in the house of Jehoshaphat, his father, who did right in the eyes of the Lord but Jehoram did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Do our children who grew up in Christian families truly know and seek God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did Joash behave differently before and after Jehoiada's death?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the heads of Israelite families from all the towns and made Joash king.
+ Athaliah was slain at the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds.
+ Jehoiada then made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the Lord's people.
+ Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.
+ Joash decided to restore the temple of the Lord.
+ After the death of Jehoiada, Joash abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.
+ Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest warned the people but was stoned to death by Joash's order.
+ The army of Aram marched against Joash, killed all the leaders of the people. Joash was severely wounded and his officials conspired against and killed him in his bed.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Why did Joash become a different person after Jehoiada's death? Has God sent someone faithful to mentor or guide me?
+ **Fidelity** - Jehoiada believed firmly in the Lord's promises which gave him the strength to bring up Joash as king. How does this inspire me of my faith and servitude?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What transpired as result of Amaziah's not being wholehearted?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Amaziah reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.
+ Amaziah hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel but was stopped by a man of God.
+ Amaziah led his army to the Valley of Salt, where he killed ten thousand men of Seir. He brought back the gods of the people of Seir and set them up as his own gods.
+ Amaziah sent challenge to Jehoash king of Israel. Judah was routed by Israel.
+ Some conspired against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
+ Uzziah reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
+ But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God. He had leprosy on his forehead until the day he died. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What was Amaziah's downfall? Where was he not wholehearted? What warning do I see in his failure?
+ **Integrity** - Uzziah's pride came about from his successes. How may I not fall by my successes?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What similarities and differences are there between king Jotham and Ahaz?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jotham reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but he did not enter the temple of the Lord. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices.
+ Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
+ The Lord his God delivered Ahaz into the hands of the king of Aram. The Arameans defeated him. He was also given into the hands of the king of Israel, who inflicted heavy casualties on him.
+ King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria for help. Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help.
+ In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jotham's strength grew because he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. What attitude should I hold toward the blessings and riches of my life? Let me count my blessings.
+ **Identity** - In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him. Why is it that we call on God when facing difficulties, but stray away from Him in other times?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the temple in Hezekiah's eyes?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Hezekiah reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done.
+ Hezekiah brought in the priests and the Levites, asked them to consecrate themselves and the temple of the Lord to remove all defilement from the sanctuary.
+ Early the next morning King Hezekiah sacrificed offerings for the sanctuary and for Judah. The king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. They sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.
+ Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. The whole assembly in Jerusalem decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month.
+ There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Hezekiah called on the priests and Levites not to be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen them to stand before Him and serve Him. How am I encouraging my fellow Christians to serve the Lord today?
+ **Integrity** - Hezekiah sent word to Israel to invite them to turn back to God and worship the Lord in the temple. How should I help those who are weak in faith and those who have sinned to turn back to the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What good and right did Hezekiah do?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israelites went out to the towns of Judah, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. They destroyed the high places and the altars.
+ Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions-each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites-to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord's dwelling.
+ The Israelites dedicated to the Lord in great amount a tithe of all that the fields produced and a tithe of their herds and flocks.
+ Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
+ Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He slandered against the Lord God and His servant Hezekiah when laying a siege to Lachish.
+ King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace and some of his sons cut him down with the sword.
+ Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor for God had given him very great riches.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Israelites had great joy when they worshiped the Lord and celebrated the festivals and their spirits were renewed, as well. What is my worship life like? How is it bring about the renewal of my spiritual life?
+ **Identity** - When the Israelites' spirits were renewed, they gave generously the tithe to the Lord. How is my spiritual situation reflected in my tithe?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did David do after his victory?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. David took the crown from the head of their king.
+ David's army defeated the Philistines three times.
+ Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. David repented so the Lord sent a plague on Israel.
+ David bought land from Araunah, built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Lord put His sword back into its sheath.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - David and his men defeated the Philistines three times along with the giants they faced. What kind of giants I need to face in my life? How may I gain strength from the Lord to defeat the giants of my life?
+ **Integrity** - What kind situation was David in when he was incited by Satan to take a census? Why wasn't God pleased with it? When am I vulnerable to the temptations?
+ **Integrity** - David was pleasing to God but still did things not pleasing to God in his old age. What warnings do I see from this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What preparations did David do for the construction of the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David provided a large amount of iron and more cedar logs than could be counted.
+ David called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord.
+ David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Even though God did not allow David to build the temple for Him but David still made preparations for the person God had chosen. How do I view the duties God placed in my hands? What would I do if I need to be a stepping stone of others?
+ **Fidelity** - Learning from the order David gave to all the leaders of Israel, what characters should I possess when leading others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the duties of the Levites?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.
+ Levites twenty years old or more were counted individually and served in the temple of the Lord.
+ The divisions of the descendants of Aaron.
+ The rest of the descendants of Levi casted lots for their duties.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - In addition to preparing the material resources for constructing the temple, David also prepared human resources. In my service at church, how may I take care of both material and human resources?
+ **Fidelity** - What were the different duties in the temple? What similarities do they compare to the duties in churches today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How were other duties in the temple assigned?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. They casted lots into twenty-four groups.
+ The gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the temple of the Lord, casted lots for each gate.
+ Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.
+ From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges over Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - We see the importance of music in worship as David assigned workers responsible for music in the temple to enable them to worship with music. How do I view music in worship?
+ **Fidelity** - David's workers served according to their gifts. Do I know what my gifts are? How may I thank the Lord for other people's gifts have and serve with them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were in charge of David's property?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Israelites served the king were on monthly duty throughout the year.
+ The leaders of the tribes of Israel.
+ The officials in charge of King David's property. David's counselors. Joab was the commander of the royal army.
+ David told the people about his wish to build a temple.
+ David gave his son Solomon the plans for the temple. He encouraged Solomon to be strong and courageous and do the work.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - David wished to build the temple but when God told him not to, he obeyed because God's will is higher than his will. Have I experienced similar situation in my journey of faith?
+ **Community** - David displayed his reliance on God in the encouragement he gave Solomon. How do I encourage my children?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did David and the entire assembly prepare the materials for constructing the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God-gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble-all of these in large quantities. David gave his personal treasures of gold and silver, as well.
+ The leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly.
+ David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly.
+ The whole assembly praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king.
+ They acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the Lord to be ruler and Zadok to be priest.
+ David died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - David encouraged the assembly to give: "Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?" What would my response be if David was encouraging me?
+ **Identity** - What was David's attitude in his prayer? How did he see himself and the Israelites? How may I pray like David?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses