Read 1 Kings 6.14-38
In verses 14-36: The interior of the Temple was lavishly decorated.
The various designs of plants and fruits were likely symbols of fertility.
The cherubim (plural of cherub, vv. 23-29) were mythical griffin-like creatures whose statues often guarded the entrances to temples and palaces in the ancient Near East.
In verse 37: This verse refers to v. 1.
In verse 38: The month of Bul was in the fall (October-November).
Comments or Questions..
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Monday, June 29, 2020
Reading for July 7th
Read 1 Kings 6.1-13
In 6.1-38: the temple building.
In verse 1: The fourth year of Solomon's reign would be about 960 BCE, placing the date of the Exodus at 1440.
But the four hundred eightieth year is probably an artificial number perhaps representing twelve generations using the traditional round number of forty years for a generation.
The month of Ziv was in the spring (April-May).
In verse 2: A cubit was about eighteen inches.
In verses 3-5: The basic design of the building with its three main parts- here translated the vestibule, nave, and inner sanctuary- was typical of the style of temples in ancient Syria and Phoenicia.
In verse 7: Iron tools were forbidden for the construction of altars (Deut 25.5; Jos 8.31).
Something of this same prohibition may have been at work in the Temple building.
In verses 11-13: These verses are in typical deuteronomistic language.
They make the promise to David and Yahweh's presence among the people conditional upon Solomon's obedience.
Comments or Questions..
In 6.1-38: the temple building.
In verse 1: The fourth year of Solomon's reign would be about 960 BCE, placing the date of the Exodus at 1440.
But the four hundred eightieth year is probably an artificial number perhaps representing twelve generations using the traditional round number of forty years for a generation.
The month of Ziv was in the spring (April-May).
In verse 2: A cubit was about eighteen inches.
In verses 3-5: The basic design of the building with its three main parts- here translated the vestibule, nave, and inner sanctuary- was typical of the style of temples in ancient Syria and Phoenicia.
In verse 7: Iron tools were forbidden for the construction of altars (Deut 25.5; Jos 8.31).
Something of this same prohibition may have been at work in the Temple building.
In verses 11-13: These verses are in typical deuteronomistic language.
They make the promise to David and Yahweh's presence among the people conditional upon Solomon's obedience.
Comments or Questions..
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Reading for July 6th
Read 1 Kings 5.1-18
Solomon prepares to build the Temple.
In verse 1: Tyre was a Phoenician city-state on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel, essentially modern Lebanon.
The trees from this area were highly valued in antiquity.
King Hiram provided building materials to David for his palace in Jerusalem (2 Sam 5.11-12).
In the ancient Near east a god's house was his temple.
In verse 3: The house for the name of the Lord is the temple of Yahweh.
Since the Lord does not actually reside in the temple, it is built for his "name."
In verse 4: rest is an important theme in the deuteronomistic History (see 2 Sam 7.1).
The Lord promised the people rest when they entered the promised land and come to the "place" where he would make his name dwell (Deut 12.10-11).
With Solomon the promise of the rest is fulfilled so that the Temple can now be built in Jerusalem.
This emphasis on rest may be a play on Solomon's name, should sounds like the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning peace ( see 1 Chr 22.9).
In verse 6: The Sidonians were people from Sidon, another Phoenician city-sate.
here, however it seems to refer to Phoenicians in general.
In verse 13: Solomon's labor force was conscripted from Israel as distinguished from Judah.
It is clear from ch 12 that the use of this conscripted labor continued after the temple was completed.
In verse 18: Gebalites were people from the Phoenician city-state of Byblos (also known as Gebal).
Comments or Questions..
Solomon prepares to build the Temple.
In verse 1: Tyre was a Phoenician city-state on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel, essentially modern Lebanon.
The trees from this area were highly valued in antiquity.
King Hiram provided building materials to David for his palace in Jerusalem (2 Sam 5.11-12).
In the ancient Near east a god's house was his temple.
In verse 3: The house for the name of the Lord is the temple of Yahweh.
Since the Lord does not actually reside in the temple, it is built for his "name."
In verse 4: rest is an important theme in the deuteronomistic History (see 2 Sam 7.1).
The Lord promised the people rest when they entered the promised land and come to the "place" where he would make his name dwell (Deut 12.10-11).
With Solomon the promise of the rest is fulfilled so that the Temple can now be built in Jerusalem.
This emphasis on rest may be a play on Solomon's name, should sounds like the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning peace ( see 1 Chr 22.9).
In verse 6: The Sidonians were people from Sidon, another Phoenician city-sate.
here, however it seems to refer to Phoenicians in general.
In verse 13: Solomon's labor force was conscripted from Israel as distinguished from Judah.
It is clear from ch 12 that the use of this conscripted labor continued after the temple was completed.
In verse 18: Gebalites were people from the Phoenician city-state of Byblos (also known as Gebal).
Comments or Questions..
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Reading for July 5th
Read 1 Kings 4.22-34
In verse 22-28: A cor (v. 22) was about eleven bushels.
From Dan to Beer-sheba (v. 25) marked the traditional boundaries of Israel and Judah.
The expression all of them under the vine and fig trees was an idiom for tranquility and agricultural prosperity.
In verses 29-34: Solomon's legendary wisdom is said to exceed that of the people of the east, which is probably a reference to Mesopotamia (roughly modern Iraq), and Egypt (v. 30), the two great civilizations of the ancient Near East.
Wisdom is the sense used here involved not only wise judgement but also the composition of wisdom literature, such as proverbs, and the observation of the natural world (vv. 32-33).
Comments or Questions..
In verse 22-28: A cor (v. 22) was about eleven bushels.
From Dan to Beer-sheba (v. 25) marked the traditional boundaries of Israel and Judah.
The expression all of them under the vine and fig trees was an idiom for tranquility and agricultural prosperity.
In verses 29-34: Solomon's legendary wisdom is said to exceed that of the people of the east, which is probably a reference to Mesopotamia (roughly modern Iraq), and Egypt (v. 30), the two great civilizations of the ancient Near East.
Wisdom is the sense used here involved not only wise judgement but also the composition of wisdom literature, such as proverbs, and the observation of the natural world (vv. 32-33).
Comments or Questions..
Friday, June 26, 2020
Reading for July 4th
Read 1 Kings 4.1-21
In 4.1-34 Solomon's administration.
In verses 1-6: Similar lists are found for David's cabinet in 2 Sam 8.15-18; 20.23-26.
In verses 7-9: Solomon reorganized Israel into twelve provinces for purpose of taxation.
each province had to provide for the king one month of the year (v. 7).
Judah is listed separately (v. 19) because it was exempted from taxation as David's and Solomon's home tribe.
In verses 20-21: This is an idealized statement, as the revolt immediately after Solomon's death indicates.
The extent of his actual rule may also be exaggerated here.
Comments or Questions..
In 4.1-34 Solomon's administration.
In verses 1-6: Similar lists are found for David's cabinet in 2 Sam 8.15-18; 20.23-26.
In verses 7-9: Solomon reorganized Israel into twelve provinces for purpose of taxation.
each province had to provide for the king one month of the year (v. 7).
Judah is listed separately (v. 19) because it was exempted from taxation as David's and Solomon's home tribe.
In verses 20-21: This is an idealized statement, as the revolt immediately after Solomon's death indicates.
The extent of his actual rule may also be exaggerated here.
Comments or Questions..
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Reading for July 3rd
Read 1 Kings 3.16-28
In 3.16-28: An illustration of Solomon's wisdom.
The king served as a kind of "supreme court," and it was his responsibility to see that justice was equitably disbursed in the land.
This seemingly impossible case shows Solomon's great wisdom in judgment.
Comments or Questions...
In 3.16-28: An illustration of Solomon's wisdom.
The king served as a kind of "supreme court," and it was his responsibility to see that justice was equitably disbursed in the land.
This seemingly impossible case shows Solomon's great wisdom in judgment.
Comments or Questions...
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Reading for July 2nd.
Read 1 Kings 3.1-15
In 3.1-15: Solomon's gift of wisdom.
In verse 1: a marriage alliance was a treaty sealed with marriage, a common practice in the ancient Near East.
This verse anticipates 11.1, where foreign women prove to be Solomon's undoing.
In verses 2-4: High Places were raised platforms where worship took place.
They are usually condemned in the Bible.
But these verses explain that the use of them during Solomon's early reign, especially his use of the one at Gibeon, was permissible since the Temple had not yet been built.
Solomon's actions here may be a dream incubation-a way of seeking divine revelation through a dream by petitioning a deity and then sleeping at that god's shrine.
In verses 5-9: Solomon's reference to himself as a little child (v. 7) expresses his feelings of being overwhelmed by his responsibility as king and is not to betaken literally.
He requests an understanding mind in order to govern (lit "judge") the numerous people of Israel.
In verses 10-14: The Lord grants Solomon's request and promises him wealth as well.
Thus, Solomon's traditional wisdom and magnificence are explained as gifts from God.
Comments or Questions..
In 3.1-15: Solomon's gift of wisdom.
In verse 1: a marriage alliance was a treaty sealed with marriage, a common practice in the ancient Near East.
This verse anticipates 11.1, where foreign women prove to be Solomon's undoing.
In verses 2-4: High Places were raised platforms where worship took place.
They are usually condemned in the Bible.
But these verses explain that the use of them during Solomon's early reign, especially his use of the one at Gibeon, was permissible since the Temple had not yet been built.
Solomon's actions here may be a dream incubation-a way of seeking divine revelation through a dream by petitioning a deity and then sleeping at that god's shrine.
In verses 5-9: Solomon's reference to himself as a little child (v. 7) expresses his feelings of being overwhelmed by his responsibility as king and is not to betaken literally.
He requests an understanding mind in order to govern (lit "judge") the numerous people of Israel.
In verses 10-14: The Lord grants Solomon's request and promises him wealth as well.
Thus, Solomon's traditional wisdom and magnificence are explained as gifts from God.
Comments or Questions..
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Reading for July 1st
Read 1 Kings 2.28-46
In verses 28-35: Joab is executed, ostensibly at David's command, despite his plea for sanctuary at the horns of the altar (v. 28; see 1.50).
In verses 36-46a: Solomon confined Shimei to Jerusalem, perhaps to prevent him from causing any trouble in his home tribe of Benjamin (also Saul's tribe).
When he violated his confinement, Solomon had him executed.
In verse 46b: The kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon because all his rivals were removed.
Comments or Questions..
In verses 28-35: Joab is executed, ostensibly at David's command, despite his plea for sanctuary at the horns of the altar (v. 28; see 1.50).
In verses 36-46a: Solomon confined Shimei to Jerusalem, perhaps to prevent him from causing any trouble in his home tribe of Benjamin (also Saul's tribe).
When he violated his confinement, Solomon had him executed.
In verse 46b: The kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon because all his rivals were removed.
Comments or Questions..
Monday, June 22, 2020
Reading for June 30th
Read 1 Kings 2.26-27
Abiathar was the only supporter Adonijah had not killed, apparently because he was a priest.
He was banished instead.
The prophecy concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh is in 1 Sam 2.27-36.
This story also explains the dominance of the Zadokite priests in Jerusalem at the expense of their rivals in the line of Eli.
Comments or Questions..
Abiathar was the only supporter Adonijah had not killed, apparently because he was a priest.
He was banished instead.
The prophecy concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh is in 1 Sam 2.27-36.
This story also explains the dominance of the Zadokite priests in Jerusalem at the expense of their rivals in the line of Eli.
Comments or Questions..
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Reading for June 29th
Read 1 Kings 2.10-25
In verses 10-12: David's death and burial.
Forty years (v. 11) is often a round number for a generation in the Bible.
In verses 12-25: The story of Adonijah's request is not very believable.
To take a member of the harem, such as Abishag, would be a blatant play for the throne.
Adonijah would hardly have been foolish enough to make such a request with Solomon in power.
Besides, he could not have chosen a worse advocate than the king's own mother.
Solomon's true motive for having Adonijah killed was again political; he was removing his rival for kingship.
Comments or Questions..
In verses 10-12: David's death and burial.
Forty years (v. 11) is often a round number for a generation in the Bible.
In verses 12-25: The story of Adonijah's request is not very believable.
To take a member of the harem, such as Abishag, would be a blatant play for the throne.
Adonijah would hardly have been foolish enough to make such a request with Solomon in power.
Besides, he could not have chosen a worse advocate than the king's own mother.
Solomon's true motive for having Adonijah killed was again political; he was removing his rival for kingship.
Comments or Questions..
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Reading for June 28th
Read 1 Kings 2.1-9
In 2.1-46: Solomon deals with his rivals.
In verses 1-4: David's charge to Solomon is in deuteronomistic style and is typical of the charges that one leader gives another in the deuteronomistic History, especially Moses' charge to Joshua and the people (Deut 4.40; 32.23).
In verses 5-9: David's orders justify Solomon's actions in the rest of the chapter.
he is told to execute Joab because Joab's murders of Abner (2 Sam 3.26-30) and Amasa (2 Sam 20.4-10).
However, these murders were committed years earlier, so that punishing Joab at this point makes little sense.
Solomon's true motive for Joab's execution was political- Joab had supported Adonijah.
Sheol (v. 6) was the abode of the dead.
Barzillai had help David when he fled from Absalom (2 Sam 17.27), and David promised to take care of Barzillai's son as a reward ( 2 Sam 19.31-40).
Shimei had cursed David when he fled from Absalom (2 Sam 16.5-8) and then apologized when David returned victorious (2 Sam 19.16-23).
Comments or Questions..
In 2.1-46: Solomon deals with his rivals.
In verses 1-4: David's charge to Solomon is in deuteronomistic style and is typical of the charges that one leader gives another in the deuteronomistic History, especially Moses' charge to Joshua and the people (Deut 4.40; 32.23).
In verses 5-9: David's orders justify Solomon's actions in the rest of the chapter.
he is told to execute Joab because Joab's murders of Abner (2 Sam 3.26-30) and Amasa (2 Sam 20.4-10).
However, these murders were committed years earlier, so that punishing Joab at this point makes little sense.
Solomon's true motive for Joab's execution was political- Joab had supported Adonijah.
Sheol (v. 6) was the abode of the dead.
Barzillai had help David when he fled from Absalom (2 Sam 17.27), and David promised to take care of Barzillai's son as a reward ( 2 Sam 19.31-40).
Shimei had cursed David when he fled from Absalom (2 Sam 16.5-8) and then apologized when David returned victorious (2 Sam 19.16-23).
Comments or Questions..
Friday, June 19, 2020
Reading for June 27th
Read 1 Kings 1.38-53
In verse 38: The Cerethites and Pelethites were the royal bodyguard; they were Philistines or associated with the Philistines.
In verse 39: Anointing was a way of designating a person for some special office.
It involved dripping or smearing fine olive oil on the person's head.
In verse 50: The horns of the altar were projections from each corner of a sacrificial altar.
Since the altar was holy, grasping the horns was a way of seeking sanctuary from execution.
Comments or Questions..
In verse 38: The Cerethites and Pelethites were the royal bodyguard; they were Philistines or associated with the Philistines.
In verse 39: Anointing was a way of designating a person for some special office.
It involved dripping or smearing fine olive oil on the person's head.
In verse 50: The horns of the altar were projections from each corner of a sacrificial altar.
Since the altar was holy, grasping the horns was a way of seeking sanctuary from execution.
Comments or Questions..
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Reading for June 26th
Read 1 Kings 1.22-37
The movements of Bathsheba and Nathan are confusing and may indicate editorial work of some sort.
As it stands, the reader must assume that each of them leaves the king's presence when he interviews the other.
In verse 33: The mule was the royal mount (2 Sam 18.9).
The Gihon spring was the water source for the city of Jerusalem
Comments or Questions..
The movements of Bathsheba and Nathan are confusing and may indicate editorial work of some sort.
As it stands, the reader must assume that each of them leaves the king's presence when he interviews the other.
In verse 33: The mule was the royal mount (2 Sam 18.9).
The Gihon spring was the water source for the city of Jerusalem
Comments or Questions..
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Reading for June 25th
Read 1 Kings 1.11-21
In verse 11: It is surprising to find Nathan and Bathsheba in cahoots; when they were mentioned together previously (2 Sam 11-12).
Nathan was condemning David for his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband.
In verse 12: Nathan advises Bathsheba on how to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
The lives of Bathsheba and Solomon were in danger id Adonijah became king, since new kings customarily killed off all their potential rivals (compare v. 21).
In verse 17: The promise Bathsheba cites here is not recorded elsewhere and may be fictional.
She may be taking advantage of David's senility in order to have Solomon declared king.
Comments or Questions..
In verse 11: It is surprising to find Nathan and Bathsheba in cahoots; when they were mentioned together previously (2 Sam 11-12).
Nathan was condemning David for his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband.
In verse 12: Nathan advises Bathsheba on how to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
The lives of Bathsheba and Solomon were in danger id Adonijah became king, since new kings customarily killed off all their potential rivals (compare v. 21).
In verse 17: The promise Bathsheba cites here is not recorded elsewhere and may be fictional.
She may be taking advantage of David's senility in order to have Solomon declared king.
Comments or Questions..
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Reading for June 24th
Read 1 Kings 1.1-10
In 1.1-53 Solomon succeeds David.
In verses 1-4: The choice of Abishag (v. 3) the serve David (v. 4) is a test if his virility.
The fact that he did not know her sexually (v. 4) indicates that he is impotent and therefore no longer fit to be king.
In verse 5: Te knowledge of David's impotence spurs Adonjah to declare himself king.
The chariots and horsemen and the fifty men to run before him were trappings of kingship (2 Sam 15.1).
In verse 6: As the next after Abaslom, Adonjah was David's oldest living son (see 2 Sam 3.2-5; nothing is known about Chileab and many scholars assume he died in infancy).
Therefore, he was by all rights the heir to the throne.
In verses 7-8: The court is divided between those who support Adonjah for king (Joab and Abiathar, v. 7) and those who support Solomon (Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan among other, v. 8).
Since Adonjah was the rightful heir, it must be explained how Solomon came to succeed David.
That is the topic of the rest of the chapter.
In verses 9-10: Adonjah holds a sacrifice to celebrate his coronation.
Such sacrifices were like banquets because the meat from the sacrificed animals were eaten.
Adonjah recognized Solomon as his rival and did not invite him or those who supported him tot he sacrifice.
Comments or Questions..
In 1.1-53 Solomon succeeds David.
In verses 1-4: The choice of Abishag (v. 3) the serve David (v. 4) is a test if his virility.
The fact that he did not know her sexually (v. 4) indicates that he is impotent and therefore no longer fit to be king.
In verse 5: Te knowledge of David's impotence spurs Adonjah to declare himself king.
The chariots and horsemen and the fifty men to run before him were trappings of kingship (2 Sam 15.1).
In verse 6: As the next after Abaslom, Adonjah was David's oldest living son (see 2 Sam 3.2-5; nothing is known about Chileab and many scholars assume he died in infancy).
Therefore, he was by all rights the heir to the throne.
In verses 7-8: The court is divided between those who support Adonjah for king (Joab and Abiathar, v. 7) and those who support Solomon (Zadok, Benaiah, and Nathan among other, v. 8).
Since Adonjah was the rightful heir, it must be explained how Solomon came to succeed David.
That is the topic of the rest of the chapter.
In verses 9-10: Adonjah holds a sacrifice to celebrate his coronation.
Such sacrifices were like banquets because the meat from the sacrificed animals were eaten.
Adonjah recognized Solomon as his rival and did not invite him or those who supported him tot he sacrifice.
Comments or Questions..
Monday, June 15, 2020
Reading for June 23rd
Read Colossians 4.7-18
In 4.7-18: Epistolary closing.
A reemphasizes on the importance of maturity and commendation of persons firmly entrenched in the ethos of the new dominion.
In verses 7-10: Tychichus, Aristatchus, see Acts 20.4.
In verse 14: See Philem 23.
In verse 15: Nympha: Some manuscripts treat Nympha as a female name, others as a male name, perhaps because a scribe who did not consider the possibility of woman's owning a house, though the patronage of women in early Christianity is generally accepted.
In verse 16: The letter from Laodicea is lost, though Marcion, an early Christian writer who died around 160 CE, thought it was our letter tot he Ephesians.
In verse 17: Archippus, see Philem 2.
In verse 18: A scribe would have written the letter, with the author approving the dictation in his own hand.
Comments or Questions..
In 4.7-18: Epistolary closing.
A reemphasizes on the importance of maturity and commendation of persons firmly entrenched in the ethos of the new dominion.
In verses 7-10: Tychichus, Aristatchus, see Acts 20.4.
In verse 14: See Philem 23.
In verse 15: Nympha: Some manuscripts treat Nympha as a female name, others as a male name, perhaps because a scribe who did not consider the possibility of woman's owning a house, though the patronage of women in early Christianity is generally accepted.
In verse 16: The letter from Laodicea is lost, though Marcion, an early Christian writer who died around 160 CE, thought it was our letter tot he Ephesians.
In verse 17: Archippus, see Philem 2.
In verse 18: A scribe would have written the letter, with the author approving the dictation in his own hand.
Comments or Questions..
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Reading for June 22nd.
Read Colossians 3.12-4.6
In verse 16: See Eph 5.19.
In 3.18-4.1: House hold codes governed life within the extended family.
See Eph 5.22-6.9; 1 Tim 2.8-15; 6.1-2; Titus 2.1-10; 1 pet 2.13-3.7.
In verse 5: Making the most of time, see Eph 5.16.
In verse 6: Seasoned with salt, carefully or wisely selected.
See Mk 8.49-50; Mt 5.13.
Comments or Questions..
In verse 16: See Eph 5.19.
In 3.18-4.1: House hold codes governed life within the extended family.
See Eph 5.22-6.9; 1 Tim 2.8-15; 6.1-2; Titus 2.1-10; 1 pet 2.13-3.7.
In verse 5: Making the most of time, see Eph 5.16.
In verse 6: Seasoned with salt, carefully or wisely selected.
See Mk 8.49-50; Mt 5.13.
Comments or Questions..
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Reading for June 21st
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE HOPE
2.20-4.6 Life with Christ governs regulations about food and drink and relations with other Christian family member, and outsiders.
An initial transition (2.20-23) revels the practical implications of death with Christ.
Another transition (3.1-4) commends the life raised with Christ, followed by a vice list (3.5-11), a virtue list 12-17), and household duties 3.18-4.6)
Read Colossians 2.20-3.11
In 3.1: Right hand of God: see Ps 110.1
In verses 5-11: On the use of vice lists in Paul, see Rom 1.29-31; Gal 5.19-21.
Hellenistic teachers often used vice and virtue lists to challenge their students.
In verse 11: Barbarian, non-Greek.
Scythian, a wild person; no longer will there be different ethnic groups, nor groups and sub-groups.
The author commends ethnic and class equality but not the equality of the sexes as found in Gal. 3.28.
Comments or Questions..
2.20-4.6 Life with Christ governs regulations about food and drink and relations with other Christian family member, and outsiders.
An initial transition (2.20-23) revels the practical implications of death with Christ.
Another transition (3.1-4) commends the life raised with Christ, followed by a vice list (3.5-11), a virtue list 12-17), and household duties 3.18-4.6)
Read Colossians 2.20-3.11
In 3.1: Right hand of God: see Ps 110.1
In verses 5-11: On the use of vice lists in Paul, see Rom 1.29-31; Gal 5.19-21.
Hellenistic teachers often used vice and virtue lists to challenge their students.
In verse 11: Barbarian, non-Greek.
Scythian, a wild person; no longer will there be different ethnic groups, nor groups and sub-groups.
The author commends ethnic and class equality but not the equality of the sexes as found in Gal. 3.28.
Comments or Questions..
Friday, June 12, 2020
Reading for June 20th
Read Colossians 1.24-2.19
In 1.24-2.19: A personal witness and a warning.
An autobiographical sketch describes the church's maturation (1.24-2.5) and leads to a warning against deviating from the truth (2.6-2.19).
In verse 24: A certain amount of suffering is assumed to be necessary (see 1 Thess 3.3) before the end can arrive.
Completing .. Christ's afflictions, any suffering brings the end sooner.
In verse 26-27: The mystery is Christ in you, the image of Christ growing in you.In verse 29: Toil, struggle, the effort to bring about the community's maturity.
See 1 Thess 2.9.
In 2.6: Live your lives, "conduct" your lives; see 1.10.
In verse 8-19: The warning: Although the heresy appears as wisdom because of it ascetic and ritualistic practices, Christ's death and resurrection are sufficient to bring the believers' lives into a new dominion.
In verse *: takes you captive, false teachers are like robbers or kidnappers.
In verse 11-12: putting off, buried with him in baptism, baptismal images joined with spiritual circumcision to describe entry into the new life (see Gal 3.27).
In verse 14: Record, a note or debt.
In verse 15: Disarmed. stripped of power.
Roman emperors led captives in public triumphal processions.
In verse 17: Shadow and substance,a familiar contrast in Greek thought (see Plato's Republic 514a-518b).
In verse 18: Angels' worship, worship offered to angels or worship offered by angels, probably the later.
Comments or Questions..
In 1.24-2.19: A personal witness and a warning.
An autobiographical sketch describes the church's maturation (1.24-2.5) and leads to a warning against deviating from the truth (2.6-2.19).
In verse 24: A certain amount of suffering is assumed to be necessary (see 1 Thess 3.3) before the end can arrive.
Completing .. Christ's afflictions, any suffering brings the end sooner.
In verse 26-27: The mystery is Christ in you, the image of Christ growing in you.In verse 29: Toil, struggle, the effort to bring about the community's maturity.
See 1 Thess 2.9.
In 2.6: Live your lives, "conduct" your lives; see 1.10.
In verse 8-19: The warning: Although the heresy appears as wisdom because of it ascetic and ritualistic practices, Christ's death and resurrection are sufficient to bring the believers' lives into a new dominion.
In verse *: takes you captive, false teachers are like robbers or kidnappers.
In verse 11-12: putting off, buried with him in baptism, baptismal images joined with spiritual circumcision to describe entry into the new life (see Gal 3.27).
In verse 14: Record, a note or debt.
In verse 15: Disarmed. stripped of power.
Roman emperors led captives in public triumphal processions.
In verse 17: Shadow and substance,a familiar contrast in Greek thought (see Plato's Republic 514a-518b).
In verse 18: Angels' worship, worship offered to angels or worship offered by angels, probably the later.
Comments or Questions..
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Reading for June 19th
Read Colossians 1.15-23
In 1.15-23: A hymn to the universal Christ and comment on his redeeming work.
Christ, the cosmic agent of creation, has reconciled creation's warring elements (vv. 15-20), and the reconciled must remain faithful to their early teachings to ensure maturity (vv. 21.23).
In verses 15-20: The hymn's origin is unknown, but if not Christian it may be an adaption from a Greek mystery religion, a Jewish text about the Son of Man and the end times, or a Hellenistic Jewish wisdom text like pro 8.22-31 or Sir 24.1-22.
It easily divides into two: Christ as the agent of creation (vv. 15-18a) and Christ as an agent of redemption (vv. 18-20).
In verse 16: Christ's role in creation is like the role of Wisdom (see prov 8.22-26; Sir 24.9).
In verse 18: head of the body, see 2.19; Eph 1.22-23.
In verse 20: Reconcile, restore to friendship from enmity.
See 1.22; Rom 5.10; 1 Cor 7.11; 2 Cor 5.18-21; Eph 2.16.
A direct exhortation to the recipients: God has reconciled them and they will be blameless before God if they are steadfast.
In verse 21: Estranged, alienated or unfamiliar with something.
See Eph 2.12;4.18.
Comments or Questions..
In 1.15-23: A hymn to the universal Christ and comment on his redeeming work.
Christ, the cosmic agent of creation, has reconciled creation's warring elements (vv. 15-20), and the reconciled must remain faithful to their early teachings to ensure maturity (vv. 21.23).
In verses 15-20: The hymn's origin is unknown, but if not Christian it may be an adaption from a Greek mystery religion, a Jewish text about the Son of Man and the end times, or a Hellenistic Jewish wisdom text like pro 8.22-31 or Sir 24.1-22.
It easily divides into two: Christ as the agent of creation (vv. 15-18a) and Christ as an agent of redemption (vv. 18-20).
In verse 16: Christ's role in creation is like the role of Wisdom (see prov 8.22-26; Sir 24.9).
In verse 18: head of the body, see 2.19; Eph 1.22-23.
In verse 20: Reconcile, restore to friendship from enmity.
See 1.22; Rom 5.10; 1 Cor 7.11; 2 Cor 5.18-21; Eph 2.16.
A direct exhortation to the recipients: God has reconciled them and they will be blameless before God if they are steadfast.
In verse 21: Estranged, alienated or unfamiliar with something.
See Eph 2.12;4.18.
Comments or Questions..
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Reading for June 18th
Read Colossians 1.3-14
In 1.3-14: prayers and God's redemption.
Two prayers (vv. 3-8, 9-12) revel the basis of the community's growth in faith: God rescued the believers from the power of darkness and moved them into the kingdom of his beloved son (v. 13).
In verses 3-8: Themes of growth and learning (1.28; 2.6; 3.10; 4.12) emphasize the fruitfulness of the gospel (v. 5) in increasing the knowledge of God's will (vv. 9-10) and in building the body of Christ (2.19).
Epaphras (v. 7) taught hope linked to Christ, unlike the "heresy" which downplays Christ (see 2.18-19).
In verse 5: Hope, no longer the firm expectation of God's promise but an object already available, laid up or stored up, though it awaits revelations.
In verse 6: bearing fruit and growing describes the gospel of God's grace.
In verse 7: Epaphras, 4.12; Phile 23.
In verses 9-12: A shift from past reception of the gospel to a fuller comprehension of God's will.
In verse 9: Knowledge ... spiritual wisdom and understanding.
All three have practical implications.
Wisdom (a favorite term; see 2.3, 23; 4.5) and understanding or insight are linked in the Hebrew Scriptures or their Greek translation (see Deut 1.13, 15; 1 kings 16.18; Isa 3.3).
In verse 10: lead or conduct: see 2.6; 3.7-17; 4.5.
In verse 12: Inheritance, share or allotment.
In verse 13-14: This basic statement of belief recites what God has done.
Comments or Questions..
In 1.3-14: prayers and God's redemption.
Two prayers (vv. 3-8, 9-12) revel the basis of the community's growth in faith: God rescued the believers from the power of darkness and moved them into the kingdom of his beloved son (v. 13).
In verses 3-8: Themes of growth and learning (1.28; 2.6; 3.10; 4.12) emphasize the fruitfulness of the gospel (v. 5) in increasing the knowledge of God's will (vv. 9-10) and in building the body of Christ (2.19).
Epaphras (v. 7) taught hope linked to Christ, unlike the "heresy" which downplays Christ (see 2.18-19).
In verse 5: Hope, no longer the firm expectation of God's promise but an object already available, laid up or stored up, though it awaits revelations.
In verse 6: bearing fruit and growing describes the gospel of God's grace.
In verse 7: Epaphras, 4.12; Phile 23.
In verses 9-12: A shift from past reception of the gospel to a fuller comprehension of God's will.
In verse 9: Knowledge ... spiritual wisdom and understanding.
All three have practical implications.
Wisdom (a favorite term; see 2.3, 23; 4.5) and understanding or insight are linked in the Hebrew Scriptures or their Greek translation (see Deut 1.13, 15; 1 kings 16.18; Isa 3.3).
In verse 10: lead or conduct: see 2.6; 3.7-17; 4.5.
In verse 12: Inheritance, share or allotment.
In verse 13-14: This basic statement of belief recites what God has done.
Comments or Questions..
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Reading for June 17th
Read Colossians 1.1-2
In 1.1-2: The epistolary opening.
See 2 Cor 1.1; gal 1.1.
In verse 1: Saints, holy ones, believers (2 Cor 1.1; Rom 1.7; Phil 1.1; Eph 1.1).
Comments or Questions..
In 1.1-2: The epistolary opening.
See 2 Cor 1.1; gal 1.1.
In verse 1: Saints, holy ones, believers (2 Cor 1.1; Rom 1.7; Phil 1.1; Eph 1.1).
Comments or Questions..
Monday, June 8, 2020
Reading for June 16th
Read 2 Samuel 24.10-25
In verses 10-14: David is given a choice of three punishments.
He chooses the hand of the Lord, an idiom for plague, trusting in the Lord's mercy.
In verses 15-16: David's strategy works.
The plague is stopped after only one day.
The appointed time (v. 15) may be the time of the evening meal.
Evil (v. 16) is not moral evil but destruction.
Araunah is called Oran in 1 Chr 21.
A threshing floor was a flat high area where grain was separated from the chaff.
In the Bible, God often appears to people at threshing floors (Judg 6.11-12).
In verse 17: The sheep are the people of Jerusalem.
The image is of David, the king, as their shepherd.
In verses 18-25: These verses indicate that the plague was stopped after David built his altar and made his offerings rather than by the Lord's free will as in v. 16.
The site of David's altar is the location of the later altar of bunt offering of Solomon's Temple.
Fifty shekels (v. 24) was about one and a quarter pounds
Comment or Questions..
In verses 10-14: David is given a choice of three punishments.
He chooses the hand of the Lord, an idiom for plague, trusting in the Lord's mercy.
In verses 15-16: David's strategy works.
The plague is stopped after only one day.
The appointed time (v. 15) may be the time of the evening meal.
Evil (v. 16) is not moral evil but destruction.
Araunah is called Oran in 1 Chr 21.
A threshing floor was a flat high area where grain was separated from the chaff.
In the Bible, God often appears to people at threshing floors (Judg 6.11-12).
In verse 17: The sheep are the people of Jerusalem.
The image is of David, the king, as their shepherd.
In verses 18-25: These verses indicate that the plague was stopped after David built his altar and made his offerings rather than by the Lord's free will as in v. 16.
The site of David's altar is the location of the later altar of bunt offering of Solomon's Temple.
Fifty shekels (v. 24) was about one and a quarter pounds
Comment or Questions..
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Reading for June 15th
Read 2 Samuel 24.1-9
In 24.1-9: David's census.
In verse 1: Again implies that this story is the sequel to an earlier one, perhaps 21.1-14.
This same story is found in 1 Chr 21, where v. 1 says that Satan rather than the Lord incited David.
A census provided the basis for conscription and taxation.
The fact that a plague ensued suggests that some ritual taboo was broken.
In verse 2: From Dan to Beer-sheba were the traditional northern and southern boundaries of Israel.
In verse 9: The count is limited to men of military age.
The Hebrew word translated thousand may refer to a much smaller military unit.
Israel and Judah are numbered separately because Judah was exempted from taxation.
Comments or Questions..
In 24.1-9: David's census.
In verse 1: Again implies that this story is the sequel to an earlier one, perhaps 21.1-14.
This same story is found in 1 Chr 21, where v. 1 says that Satan rather than the Lord incited David.
A census provided the basis for conscription and taxation.
The fact that a plague ensued suggests that some ritual taboo was broken.
In verse 2: From Dan to Beer-sheba were the traditional northern and southern boundaries of Israel.
In verse 9: The count is limited to men of military age.
The Hebrew word translated thousand may refer to a much smaller military unit.
Israel and Judah are numbered separately because Judah was exempted from taxation.
Comments or Questions..
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Reading for June 14th
Read 2 Samuel 23.19-39
In verse 20: Benaiah was the commander of David's bodyguard and later of the army under Solomon.
In verse 24: It is strange to find Ashel in this list since he seems to be a young warrior aspiring to greatness at the time of his death (2.18-23).
Elhanan killed Goliath (21.19).
In verse 30: This is a different Benaiah from the one in vv. 20-23.
In verse 39: Uriah was Bathsheba's husband (ch. 11).
It is uncertain how the count of thirty-seven is achieved.
The addition of the "Three" plus Abishai and Benaiah brings the number to thirty-five.
Joab may have been counted as a member of this elite group, though his name is not specifically mentioned.
The list in vv. 24-39 has thirty names in it.
But there are textual variations where an additional name may have been read.
Comments or Questions..
In verse 20: Benaiah was the commander of David's bodyguard and later of the army under Solomon.
In verse 24: It is strange to find Ashel in this list since he seems to be a young warrior aspiring to greatness at the time of his death (2.18-23).
Elhanan killed Goliath (21.19).
In verse 30: This is a different Benaiah from the one in vv. 20-23.
In verse 39: Uriah was Bathsheba's husband (ch. 11).
It is uncertain how the count of thirty-seven is achieved.
The addition of the "Three" plus Abishai and Benaiah brings the number to thirty-five.
Joab may have been counted as a member of this elite group, though his name is not specifically mentioned.
The list in vv. 24-39 has thirty names in it.
But there are textual variations where an additional name may have been read.
Comments or Questions..
Friday, June 5, 2020
Reading for June 13th
Read 2 Samuel 23.8-18
In 23.8-39: David's heroes.
In verses 8-12: Nothing more is known about the three greatest warriors in David's army besides what is reported here.
In verses 13-17: The story in these verses is not about the three warriors just listed but about three anonymous members of the honor guard of the thirty.
At the beginning of the harvest (v. 13) the weather was hot and dry, which is why David became thirsty.
the stronghold (v. 14) was the fortress at Adullam.
Since a garrison of Philistines was then at Bethlehem, this must have been early in David's reign.
Bethlehem was David's hometown, which accounts for his fond remembrance of the water there.
In verses 16-17: Pouring out the water was a way of honoring the three men.
Water is often poured out as a libation or sacrifice to God.
Comments or Questions.
In 23.8-39: David's heroes.
In verses 8-12: Nothing more is known about the three greatest warriors in David's army besides what is reported here.
In verses 13-17: The story in these verses is not about the three warriors just listed but about three anonymous members of the honor guard of the thirty.
At the beginning of the harvest (v. 13) the weather was hot and dry, which is why David became thirsty.
the stronghold (v. 14) was the fortress at Adullam.
Since a garrison of Philistines was then at Bethlehem, this must have been early in David's reign.
Bethlehem was David's hometown, which accounts for his fond remembrance of the water there.
In verses 16-17: Pouring out the water was a way of honoring the three men.
Water is often poured out as a libation or sacrifice to God.
Comments or Questions.
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Reading for June 12th
Read 2 Samuel 23.1-7
In 23.1-7: The last words of David.
This is another poem attributed to David.
Its date is uncertain.
In verses 3-4: The image of the king as the sun was common in the ancient Near East, especially in Egypt, though it was less common in Israel.
In verse 5: The house of the king is his dynasty.
The everlasting covenant refers to the Lord's promise of an eternal dynasty for David in 2 Sam 7.
In verses 6-7: These verses continue the image of vv. 3-4.
The godless are like thorns consumed by the sun's heat.
Comments or Questions..
In 23.1-7: The last words of David.
This is another poem attributed to David.
Its date is uncertain.
In verses 3-4: The image of the king as the sun was common in the ancient Near East, especially in Egypt, though it was less common in Israel.
In verse 5: The house of the king is his dynasty.
The everlasting covenant refers to the Lord's promise of an eternal dynasty for David in 2 Sam 7.
In verses 6-7: These verses continue the image of vv. 3-4.
The godless are like thorns consumed by the sun's heat.
Comments or Questions..
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Reading for June 11th
Read 2 Samuel 22.44-51
In verse 51: Steadfast love can also mean loyalty.
Anointed was a title for the king; it is the word messiah.
The reference to David and his descendants, if original to the psalm, would indicate that it comes from royal circles in Judah.
Comments or Questions...
In verse 51: Steadfast love can also mean loyalty.
Anointed was a title for the king; it is the word messiah.
The reference to David and his descendants, if original to the psalm, would indicate that it comes from royal circles in Judah.
Comments or Questions...
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Reading for June 10th
Read 2 Samuel 22.17-43
In verse 32: This is a monotheistic claim; the Lord (Yahweh) alone if God.
In verse 33-37: The Lord equips the psalmist for battle.
Comments or Questions..
In verse 32: This is a monotheistic claim; the Lord (Yahweh) alone if God.
In verse 33-37: The Lord equips the psalmist for battle.
Comments or Questions..
Monday, June 1, 2020
Reading for June 9th
Read 2 Samuel 22.8-16
In verse 8: The Lord's appearance is accompanied by an earthquake.
In verse 9: The Lord is pictured here as a fire-breathing dragon.
In verses 11-16: The Lord is depicted here as the storm God.
A cherub (v. 11) was a mythical, griffin-like creature.
God's voice (v. 14) is thunder, and he throws lightning bolts at his enemies (v. 15).
The psalmist envisions the world as flat and is trapped in the underworld beneath the foundations of the world, which the Lord's roar uncovers (v. 16).
Comments or Questions..
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