April 16 - Morning
"The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said,
'Ask for whatever you want me to give you.'
Solomon answered,... 'Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?'
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this."
- First Kings 3:4-5, 9-10
Solomon answered,... 'Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?'
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this."
- First Kings 3:4-5, 9-10
The Lord Appears to Solomon at the High Place of Gibeon
Solomon’s sober evaluation of himself, his character and his ability, coupled with his understanding of the significance the people of Israel held in God’s plan for the history caused him to ask the Lord for something more than money, fame or power. The tremendous responsibility he had as their leader made him ask for wisdom to govern instead of things others might have asked for to make themselves comfortable or great.
With the destruction of the tabernacle at Shiloh in Samuel’s youth and the slaughter of the priests at Nob by Saul the sanctuary of the Lord was now at Gibeon. Any remains of the tabernacle or the priesthood’s service seem to have been located at the high place of Gibeon which is five miles north of Jerusalem. (Map. Photos and details) This sanctuary did not have the Ark of the Covenant which David had set in Jerusalem in its own tent. This sanctuary at Gibeon, or what is today called Nabi Samwil (the location of the prophet Samuel’s tomb), was in use until Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem.
Satar (Hb) – Hidden (Eng) – satar is the Hebrew word that means “to conceal,” “to hide,” “to be hidden,” and “to shelter.” Satar can mean “separation” for the purpose of being given refuge or shelter from danger. (Gen. 31:49; 1 Samuel 23:19; Jeremiah 36:26)
Satar is used 22 times in the Psalms: 10:11; 17:8; 19:12; 27:5; 119:19.
Do I ask God for things that will make me more comfortable and for things to be done my way?
Or, do I ask the Lord to empower me to be better able to serve others and fulfill the ministry he has called me to?
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Positive influence on people you encounter
Church
Humility among leaders
Nation
Illegal Drugs
World
China, PRC
A large mikveh discovered in the Western Wall Tunnels in the hall of a government building from the first century just 65 feet from the Western Wall. This mikveh was built with the finely dressed ashlar stones and decorated with the highest quality workmanship. It was clearly a place the Sanhedrin would bathe for ceremonial cleansing.
(Leen Ritmeyer's article, details.)
(Leen Ritmeyer's article, details.)
Someone to Quote
“God words do not depend upon a reader’s interpretation. Instead, the reader is to interpret the Bible according to God’s intention.”
- David A. Noebel, Understanding the Times
Something to Ponder
Sin Nature of Man – It is the corrupt nature every man inherits from Adam. This sin nature has affected every part of man’s nature: spirit, body, intellect, will, emotions, etc. In this condition man is in complete depravity which means each individual person is as bad off as they can be in God’s eyes. (This does not mean each individual man is acting as badly as he could.)
Here’s a Fact
2 Kings 3:4-5 records the revolt of Mesha, King of Moab, against Israel and King Joram (son of Ahab, Grandson of Omri). In 1886 a four foot high stone was found in ancient Moab stating:
“I, Mesha, King of Moab, made this monument to Chemosh (god of Moab) to commemorate my deliverance from Israel. Omri, king of Israel, oppressed Moab, and his son (Ahab) after him.”
“I, Mesha, King of Moab, made this monument to Chemosh (god of Moab) to commemorate my deliverance from Israel. Omri, king of Israel, oppressed Moab, and his son (Ahab) after him.”
Proverb
"When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them."
- Proverbs 16:7
- Proverbs 16:7
Coach’s Corner
You do not have to do what people want. It is OK to say “no” and to walk the other way.
Joshua 3
New International Version (NIV)
Crossing the Jordan
3 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
6 Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.
7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”
9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”
14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
New International Version (NIV)
Crossing the Jordan
3 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”
5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
6 Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.
7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”
9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”
14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
2 Samuel 9
New International Version (NIV)
David and Mephibosheth
9 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”
“At your service,” he replied.
3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”
Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
4 “Where is he?” the king asked.
Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, “Mephibosheth!”
“At your service,” he replied.
7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.
New International Version (NIV)
David and Mephibosheth
9 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”
“At your service,” he replied.
3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”
Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
4 “Where is he?” the king asked.
Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, “Mephibosheth!”
“At your service,” he replied.
7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.
Psalm 56
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 56
For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
1
Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.
2
My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4
In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
5
All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.
6
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life.
7
Because of their wickedness do not let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
8
Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll— are they not in your record?
9
Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
10
In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11
in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
12
I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
13
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
____
Psalm 120
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 120
A song of ascents.
1
I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.
2
Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.
3
What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?
4
He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.
5
Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6
Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.
7
I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 56
For the director of music. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath.
1
Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.
2
My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
3
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4
In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
5
All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin.
6
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life.
7
Because of their wickedness do not let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
8
Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll— are they not in your record?
9
Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
10
In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11
in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
12
I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
13
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
____
Psalm 120
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 120
A song of ascents.
1
I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.
2
Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.
3
What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?
4
He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.
5
Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6
Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.
7
I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.