Reflections on II Chronicles 9-12

Rehoboam becomes king, and Israel divides. Note:

Heart for God – The Northern Kingdom strayed from God, so those who set their hearts to seek the Lord left their homes and came to Judah so they might offer sacrifices to God at the temple (11:16-17). Have you set your heart to seek the Lord? Would you be willing to leave your home behind?
Evil heart – Once Rehoboam’s reign was secure, he abandoned the law of God and led Israel to do the same. He did not set his heart to seek God. Does your heart stray when your situation seems secure? Is there someone whose influence is leading you astray?

Reflections on I Kings 11-14

The kingdom splits into two, and both parts walk away from God. Observe:

Folly – Rehoboam has the opportunity to reign as king over all of Israel, but he accepts bad advice and loses most of the people. Compare the advice from his two sets of counselors. Why is one set of advice good and the other bad? How can you know good advice from bad? Where do you seek advice? Where should you seek advice? Why might you seek advice from older godly people?
Idolatry – God gives Jeroboam an opportunity to lead the northern kingdom, but Jeroboam leads the kingdom into idolatry. Judah, the southern kingdom, also enters into idolatry. Is someone leading you to live for or trust in something other than God? Are you wandering from God into idolatry? What idols are calling your name?

The temple is finished and dedicated. Note:

Praise for God’s Love – As the ark was placed in the temple, the Levitical musicians were praising and thanking God for his steadfast love (5:5). The people bowed down and worshipped God “for his steadfast love endures forever” (7:3). The priests offered sacrifices and the Levites offered praises to God – “for his steadfast love endures forever” (7:6). How has God shown his love to you? Take some time now to praise him!
Heart – God knows your heart. You should walk before him with all of your heart. When you sin, you are to turn your heart back to God. Does this describe you? What does God know about your heart?
Humble Prayer – When the people strayed, God instructed them to humbly pray to him, seeking his face, and turning from their wicked ways, and God would hear them and forgive them (7:14). How have you strayed? Will you humble yourself? Will you seek his face?

Solomon becomes king, seeks wisdom, and begins work on the temple. Observe:

Heart for Wisdom – When God told Solomon to make a request, Solomon asked for wisdom. His heart desired wisdom to do the work God had called him to do – to lead God’s people. Does your heart desire wisdom to do the work God has called you to do? Will you ask God for wisdom?
Great God – Solomon writes to the king of Tyre about his plans to build a temple for God. He describes God as greater than all other gods. The heavens cannot contain him, let alone a house. But Solomon is building a house to offer sacrifices to God. Ponder the greatness of God in Solomon’s descriptions. As God’s temple today (see I Corinthians 6:19-20), what offerings will you to make to this God?

David leaves a charge for Israel and Solomon, and prays to the Lord. Consider:

Heart – Solomon is to serve God with a whole heart. The people give to the temple with a whole heart. God searches and tests the heart – what does he see when he looks at your heart? Are you serving and giving to the Lord with a whole heart? Join David in asking God to direct your heart more to him.
Prayer of Praise – David praises God for his many glorious attributes. Reflect on the attributes of God in 29:10-13, and then offer up your own prayer of praise to God.

David prepares for building the temple and organizes the Levites. Note:

Seek the Lord – As part of his instructions to the leaders of Israel, he tells them to set their minds and hearts to seek the Lord. Have you set your mind to seek the Lord? What would that look like? Have you set your heart to seek the Lord? What would that look like?
Praise – David assigns some of the Levites to sing and play instruments in praise to the Lord. They were to praise and thank God every morning and evening. What does your “praise life” look like?

David continues to subdue his enemies, but then sins.

Trust – In II Samuel, Joab was known for his vengeful actions. Here we see him in a different light. In battle, he trusts God to do whatever seems good to the Lord (19:13). Do you have that kind of trust in the Lord?
Obedience – In chapter 21, David tells Joab to count the people – something David was not to do. Joab resists, finding the David’s sinful command to be abhorrent. Joab finally does grudgingly do it – an act of disobedience to God, but he still stands above David in this matter. Do you find sin abhorrent to you? Do you seek to obey God no matter who tells you otherwise?

God makes a covenant with David. Consider:

God Is Great – David acknowledges the greatness of God. There are none like God; indeed he is the only God. According to his greatness, God has made promises to David, and called Israel to be his people. Ponder God’s greatness, and his greatness to you!
God’s Promises – In 17:9-10, God promises to subdue their enemies that Israel might dwell in peace. In chapter 18, God fulfills his promise, giving David victory over his enemies (v6, 13). We can trust his promises; he will not fail. What promises of God do you need to cling to today?

David finishes moving the ark to Jerusalem – this time moving it the proper way.

Praise – As they moved the ark, David and the people were rejoicing before the Lord. Many of the Levites were assigned to sing praises and thanks to God. David gives them a song of praise to sing. How can David’s song help you praise God today?
Seek the Lord – Part of David’s song calls us to seek the Lord (16:10-11). We are to seek him from our hearts. We are to seek his strength and his presence. Are you seeking the Lord like this?

David becomes king and tries to move the ark to Jerusalem.

Rejoicing – As the ark was being moved, David and the people were rejoicing before the Lord. At what special event have you rejoiced before the Lord? How is rejoicing in the Lord part of your daily life?
Fear – The ark was not supposed to be carried in a cart, nor was it to be touched. When Uzzah touched it, he died on the spot. The celebration ended. David was afraid. Do you have a proper reverence for the Lord?