READING FOR MAY 2, 2025: 1 CHRONICLES 11, 1 CORINTHIANS 5, PSALM 37:27-40 1 CHRONICLES 11 DAVID SETS UP HIS REIGN IN JERUSALM WITH THE HELP OF MIGHTY MEN
Recall that David began his kingly only over the tribe of Judah and was based in the city of Hebron for seven years. Saul’s only surviving son, Ishbosheth was supported by the other tribes of Israel. Then, to David’s disapproval, Ishbosheth was murdered while taking a nap. It was only after this happened that “all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh” (vs. 1). So often, people are quick to support a new leader when their previous one is no longer in power and has nothing to offer them. One can see this in American politics.
The first act of David as king of the reconciled Israel was to move his base north from Hebron to Jerusalem. It was more centrally located, defensible due to its high terrain, and, since it straddled Benjamin and Judah, not so identified only with David’s tribe of Judah.
What follows are a list of men who were both heroic and loyal to David for many years. David was by no means an overnight success and definitely not a one-man show. Likely anyone who has served the Lord meaningfully has done so having undergoing times of little noticeable fruit and with the help of many who might not have been highly visible to others. Some of the men listed here were not initially considered very valuable by others, including by Samuel: “All the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David” (1 Sam.30: 22). But David saw greatness in them, even among those who initially shied away from battle: “For as is the share of the one who goes down into the battle, so shall be the share of the one who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike” (1 Sam. 30:24). Reflect upon those who have helped you in your walk with Jesus over the years!
1 CORINTHIANS 5 Paul continues the discussion we have been having in response to Genesis 23. As a tentmaker himself, Paul compares our earthly body to a tent and our eternal home to a heavenly dwelling or a house. Maybe Jesus had this in mind when He said in John 14 that He was leaving His disciples to prepare a place for them in heaven. Paul, however, understands how those of us who are getting older feel while still on earth: groaning with ailments. Of course we want to fix this now with medical care, but the only permanent fix is to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. Paul says it’s not morbid to long for this. In fact, knowing this along with the deposit of Holy Spirit gives us courage while we are still here, groaning away.
Paul then gives us valuable information about the future: 1) upon leaving our earthly bodies we, as believers, will be present with the Lord—no delay; 2) this arrangement will be much better for us than our current status; 3) it should inspire us to focus on pleasing the Lord now; and 4) all believers will appear before Jesus to be evaluated and compensated for what we
READING FOR MAY 2, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 CORINTHIANS 5, PSALM 37:27-40 did on earth. Sounds scary for those of us who don’t enjoy performance evaluations, but we can trust in God’s great love for us. So, what does all this make Paul do? He’s dedicated to persuading others to stop living for themselves but to live for the One who died and rose again for us. Are we persuaded by Paul? Are we persuading others?
Paul reminds us that becoming a Christian is not just going to church rather than staying home, but it’s becoming new creatures, almost a different species of humans. We view life with new lens because we are reconciled with Jesus, who although always loved us, could not have had relationship with us due to our sin. This wonderful reconciling ministry was given to Paul, who calls himself God’s ambassador. Maybe the Lord wants to appoint us as well. What an honor!
Finally, Paul explains the amazing concept known as imputation. Jesus took on our sins, so that we, by grace through faith, receive His sinless righteousness in the sight of God. What a deal!
PSALM 37:27-40 Sometimes we hear scholars say there are not any references to life after physical death in the Old Testament. Yet consider these verses: “Turn from evil and do good,
so that you will dwell forever” (Psalm 37:27). Perhaps there is a way to explain this to mean the opposite of what it says. Certain biblical scholars are talented in that way.
We remember that turning from evil, meaning repenting, is also stressed by John the Baptist and Jesus. Some further context is necessary, though, to clarify that it is not just doing goodthat saves us. Psalm 37:3 had already introduced the full sequence: “Trust in the Lord and do good.” It’s faith or trust that saves us and then prompts our good works. An even fuller picture of God’s justice is presented in Romans 3:26: “He [Jesus} would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” This fantastic eternal future, though, is not available to nonbelievers: “But wrongdoers will altogether be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be eliminated” (Psalm 37:38). This refutes the currently popular belief known as universalism.
