20:1 This is the same time as 2 Samuel 11 The Chronicles account passes over the sin of David and Bathsheba and the matter of Uriah here as the Chronicler is concerned to present the kingly elements of David's reign.

21:5 Whereas David requested the whole land to be numbered Joab did not perform the task completely. 2 Samuel 24:8
21:15 Whilst we might have difficulties understanding how Yahweh could repent we have plenty of Scripture which shows that he does Genesis 6:7 Exodus 32:14 Deuteronomy 32:36 Judges 2:18 1 Samuel 15:35 2 Samuel 24:16 1 Chronicles 21:15 Psalm 135:14 Jeremiah 26:13 19 Joel 2:13 Amos 7:3 6 And some which shows that He will not Jeremiah 15:6 Zechariah 8:14.
Once we appreciate that Yahweh is full of mercy we will appreciate that he will repent of judgement that He has pronounced if He sees repentance in those who are to be judged. It is only when he has repented time and time again and the people are still stiff necked that he become 'weary of repenting' and the judgement follows.

Chronicles does not mention of the sin of David with Bathsheba. The first three verses record the battle during which Uriah the Hittite died. The battles with the Philistines are not mentioned in 2 Samuel. The recurring battles recorded here mark a contrast with the way in which David has been subduing his enemies. The record is wishing to emphasise that David's work suffered a setback after the matter of Bathsheba.

Chapter 21
:1-7 David is moved to number Israel Paralleled with 2 Samuel 24
:8 And David recognises he has sinned:
:9-13 So David has to choose between three curses from God
:14-17 The sword of the angel of the Lord slays many in Jerusalem, stopping over the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
:18-30 So David buys the threshing floor and sets up an alter because the plague is stayed.

Notice that the Chronicles account of the uprising of Absalom and Adonijah recorded in 2 Samuel 13-21. However this event provides David with the indication as to where the temple is to be built. The fact that David is barred from the tabernacle at Gibeon by the 'sword of the angel' (21:30) seems to indicate that the answer to these issues was not to be found in the tabernacle but rather in the place of God's choosing - Zion.

20:2 David's behaviour in taking the crown and putting it on his own head is quite out of keeping with the way that he had been dedicating the gold and silver to the preparation of the temple.

21:24 David's response to Ornan's generous offer is most interesting. David demonstrates what a sacrifice is - a sacrifice must cost the offerer something else it is not a sacrifice. How often do we think we are making a 'sacrifice' when we are doing something which is convenient to us?

20:3-4 Here we have a telling juxtaposition. David's behaviour was out of character with how we saw him yesterday and in contrast we see one of David's men killing a giant - reminiscent of David's Godly behaviour towards Goliath.

21:29 Here we are reminded of the location of the tabernacle. It is where David pitched it when he brought the ark to Zion (1Chron 16:39)

20:4-6 David killed Goliath and his men killed Goliath's four brothers: Sippai: Lahmi; the giant with twelve fingers and twelve toes; and Ishibibenob (2Sam 21:16,17).  That accounts for the five stones that David selected before his confrontation with Goliath (1Sam 17:40).  He did not know whether he would also have to tackle Goliath's brothers on that occasion, but he was prepared.

21:1 Yahweh tried David's faith over the matter of numbering the people (See 2Sam 24:1). David failed the test and gave in to human error.  The outcome of his decision, as leader of his (Yahweh's) people, had ramifications.  The people were subject to Yahweh's wrath (21:14).

Yahweh also tries our faith (Psa 7:9; Prov 17:3; 1Thess 2:4; 1Pet 1:7).  By the same token, we (Yahweh's people) are subject to the decisions our leader, Jesus, took.  He chose the way of perfect obedience to Yahweh and is now raised above all creation.  We are subject to the same outcome should we continue following Him faithfully.

21:15 The site of the threshing floor of Ornan (Araunah) the Jebusite is significant.  It is the site of the temple (of Solomon; Zerubbabel and Herod).  Some believe that it also gives an indication of the site of the battle of Armageddon in the end times. 

Armageddon is derived from a compilation of three Hebrew words Arema-gai-dun which mean A heap of sheaves in a valley for judgement.  There, the nations will be gathered together for war (Rev 16:16). 

They will be opposed by the Lord Jesus and the heavenly host, on the mountains of Israel (i.e. Jerusalem) as He intervenes to save His people Israel (Eze 38:8,21,23).  There He will sift them in His severe judgement (Isa 30:27,28).

20:4-7 Whereas the 2 Samuel record moves on to the uprising of Absalom after the matter of Uriah – not mentioned here – the narrative in Chronicles does not mention Absalom. Each record has it’s own focus.

21:14 The ‘pestilence’ is similar to the ‘plague –Exo 30:13 – that would come upon the nation if they did not give the half shekel when they were numbered.

21:1 Worth underscoring is the parallel verse in 2Sam 24:1. God and Satan are one and the same. 

The translators of the Bible chose to translate the original word satan by personifying it.  Hence, it is presented as a proper noun with a capital S.  But, the word satan  simply means an adversary, or one who opposes.  And so, Yahweh can and does play that role. 

However, popular theology prefers to believe that Satan (synonymous with the devil) is a fallen angel who now, still in his immortal state, roams the earth creating evil whenever and wherever he can.  That means evil, by definition, will continue for eternity, because anything immortal cannot die. 

But, Yahweh's plans are to have peace and righteousness fill the earth (Hab 2:14).  Therefore, He has avowed to destroy evil and its agents (Rev 12:9).  Who are you going to believe, the Lord God Almighty or the purveyors of false teaching? 

20:7-8 And so another giant is killed by one of David’s men – see also 20:4 – a further contrast with David who remained at home – the giant killer David was overcome but his servants overcame the giants

21:12-13 Notice that even though David knew that punishment from God was to come he preferred to leave things in the hand of God rather than choose what God was to do to him

20:1,2 At this time, Joab was warring in Rabbah while David remained in Jerusalem getting into trouble with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife. 

The captured crown, mentioned here, weighed about 120-125 lbs.  It was, obviously, not worn by the Ammonite king.  It was probably the crown taken off the Ammonite god Milcom (Molech). 

One wonders why David would use a jewel from a pagan god to adorn his own crown.  Then, of course, this was a time that David was not on his best behavior.

20:4 Sibbechai means a weaver.  As a giant-killer, Sibbechai would have been more than familiar with the dimensions of the spears held by Goliath and his brothers (20:5; 1Sam 17:7).

21:6 In the eyes of David, Joab could discount Levi from enumeration because they had no fighting men; and Benjamin because the tribe had recently been so decimated (Judg 20:46).

21:12-14 David had the options of: a fixed period of famine; a fixed period of defeat by Israel’s enemies; or pestilence without fixed period or severity.

David would rather fall into the hands of Yahweh than into the hands of men.  And, by selecting the option which did not have any fixed amount of time or intensity, David wisely chose the best opportunity which allowed for the mercy of Yahweh to be exercised.

1Chron 20:1 - like Christ in the first advent, David at this time wasn't engaged in combat as was the expectation for kings. 1Chron 20:2 - a gold crown was placed on the beloved's head and according to the NIV it weighed about 75 lbs. 1Chron 20:3 - the KJV seems to indicate captured people were massacred while the NIV seems to indicate they were put to extreme servitude (perhaps an echo of bondage to sin and death?). 1Chron 20:6-7 - the number six is thought by some to represent "man, the flesh, sinful nature" and we have this symbol of sinful nature killed.

1Chron 21:1-3;2Sam 24:1-3;Exo 30:11-16;Num 1:1-2;26:1-2 - census was permitted only when God commanded and a ransom must be paid for their lives; that David was incited to do this suggests God was angry with Israel. 1Chron 21:6 - "Joab" [(3097) means "Jah is father"], "Levi" [(3878) means "attached, joined to"], "Benjamin" [(1144) means "son of the right hand"] probably a stretch but perhaps there is an echo of Christ here who is at the right hand of his Father God, the Levites and Benjamites were not associated with any sinful numbering.  1Chron 21:17 - the beloved wants guilt/punishment to fall on him not others. 1Chron 21:10,12 - we have mentions of three with the final punishment/ransom involving three days and death but David doesn't see corruption. 1Chron 21:15 - Jerusalem is saved, "Ornan" [(771) means "strong, light was perpetuated, their fir trees"]. 1Chron 21:22-26 - the beloved paid the full price for the altar, wheat, oxen, wood and sacrifice. Christ also paid the full price.

31:1 A relation unto Pharaoh
v.3-9 of the glory of Assyria
v.10-17 and the fall thereof for pride
v.18 The like destruction of Egypt
'in the eleventh year' this is about a month before the capture of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 1:2 30:20 Jeremiah 52:5,6

V.2 Yahweh asks Egypt to consider itself in the light of Assyria.  That powerful, arrogant nation, likened to a majestic cedar of Lebanon, was brought to nought.  History tells us that after flourishing as a dominant, conquering force, Assyria was cut down.  In 614 BC, the Medes destroyed Asshur, the old Assyrian capital. 

Then a Babylonian/Medes confederacy took Nineveh after a two-month siege.  An Assyrian general tried to organize what remained of the army in Haran but when the Baylonians threatened them in 610 BC, Haran was abandoned, and Assyria ceased to exist.  The figure of Assyria's flourishing amongst the trees of Eden is apt.  Eden was located in that area (Gen 2:14) (Hiddekel = Tigris). 

31:2  So Egypt, like Tyre, had a high opinion of herself.

V.1 Considering the timelines of Ezekiel's diatribe against Egypt:  Pharaoh-hophra fell to the Babylonians in April 587 BC (Eze 30:20,21);  Ezekiel is still talking about it two months later, which is one month before the destruction of Jerusalem;  He continues his lament over Egypt one year and ten months later in 585 BC (Eze 32:1).

31:3 Assyria has passed off the scene, overtaken by Babylon who, it might have been thought, despatched the Assyrians. However Ezekiel is at pains, speaking the word of God, to point out that Assyria’s demise was ‘of God’.

31:11 In saying ‘I have therefore delivered him ...’ we see that the destruction of Egypt was because of the pride of Egypt as laid out in the previous verses.

31:11 Continuing the lesson of the destruction of Assyria the deliverance of Assyria is into the hands of the Chaldeans. This served as a warning to Egypt that ever though Egypt was a great nations – like Assyria had been – she would be overthrown, like Assyria was.

A PAGE FROM EZEKIEL'S DIARY

Most of Ezikilels prophecies have a date attacthed to them. For example, his prophecy against Egypt about the cedar in Lebanon begins like this: "In the eleventh year, in the first month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and his hordes..." (Eze 31:1-2) The dates on the prophecies that Ezekiel was told to give make the book of Ezekiel a lot like a diary.. "On the 1st of January year 11, the word of the LORD came to me..." "On the 9th of October in year 12, the word of the LORD was revealed to me..." and so on.

From these dates, Ezekiel would have been able to look back over his career as a prophet of the LORD to be motivated by the revelations God had given him and encouraged by the spiritual growth he was able to see in himself as the LORD worked through him.

Keeping a spiritual diary in this way can also help us. Keeping a record of prayers and answers to prayers, little revelations we have received from reading God's word, spiritual aims and our progress towards them, and Bible studies we have done can be a great source of strength later on if we are walking through dark times in our lives.

Let's take a page from Ezekiel's diary to begin or renew our own spiritual diary, so that we too, will be able to see the way God is working in our own lives.

V.3 Just to give some perspective of how large and magnificent the Cedars of Lebanon were:  They were evergreens that could grow up to 130 ft (40 m) tall, with a trunk up to 8 ft (2.5 m) in diameter.  Added to that, they would grow in lofty elevations of 3,300–6,600 ft (1,000-2,000 m).  The few giant cedars that are left have been estimated to be 2500 years old.

All this would pose the cedar as being a majestic tree, head and shoulders above any other.  No wonder it was picked by Yahweh as a symbol of national power.

Assyria and Egypt were not the only nations to have this symbol ascribed to them. Nebuchadnezzar (and, therefore, Babylon) was signified by a tree (Dan 4:20-22). Although not specifically described as a cedar, Nebuchadnezzar’s tree can be intimated as being a cedar by the characteristics mentioned.

31:5 The long branches of the tree which represented Assyria indicated the extent of Assyria’s influence in the Middle East.

We have information about the ecclesia at Ephesus from the time it was formed Acts 18:19 right up to the end of the first century with the letter from Jesus Revelation 2:1. The two letters to Timothy were written to him whilst he was in Ephesus along with this letter to the Ephesians. Therefore we have a lot of information covering a long period of time at Ephesus, and we are able easily to trace the development and decline of the ecclesia.
1:10 'gather together in one' marks a fundamental New Testament teaching - the unity of the ecclesia. It is mentioned so many times in the New Testament because the lack of unity was a problem in many ecclesias. This is because human nature fights against the attitudes which make for unity. If it was a problem in the first century we would be naive to think it is not a problem today.

2:6 'raised us up together' continues the theme of unity. Against the background of what the Father has done for us as outlined in the first five verses one would think that we would be eager to manifest that unity now out of gratitude to Him for all He has done. If He is willing to raise us all - no partiality here - then shouldn't we manifest that same spirit towards or brethren and sisters?

There are many quotations from the Old Testament in the letter. Here is a list.

2:4-6 Similar argument to Rom 5:8-11 'God commended His love ... while we sinners ... by whom we have now received the atonement'

1:3,20 'Heavenly places' speaks of status not location. So just as Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God we are, in prospect, in the same position of authority. So we should live as if we deserve that authority.

2:10 'walk' is introduced here as a recurring word to speak of the way that we should order our lives. Our role 'in Christ' is not passive. Look out for 'walk' elsewhere in the letter.

1:5,11 Yahweh knows the beginning and the end of all things.  He knew, in advance, the destinies of Esau and Jacob before they were born (Gen 25:23).  Likewise, He knew whom He would call to salvation before they were born. True believers in Christ have the privilege of having been called. 

But, this predestination does not mean that they are automatically assured of entering the Kingdom.  That is dependent upon their choosing to accept Jesus; being baptized into His death and resurrection; and their walk -  that is whether or not they continue in faith (John 8:31; Col 1:23). 

The notion of once saved - always saved (as those who believe in the sacrifice of Christ as a substitution) is erroneous.  A called-out person in Christ has to work for his or her salvation (Phil 2:12).  And, after all that is done, salvation is still only possible by the grace of Yahweh (2:8).

1:22  In linking ‘hath put all things under his feet’ – Psa 8:6 and ‘head over all’ – 1Chron 29:11 we see that the supremacy over creation to be seen in Jesus – prophesied in Psalm 8 is linked with the son that was to be born to David, of whom Solomon was a shadow.

2:14 Because Jesus is our "peace" having reconciled us to God we have a peace of mind (Phil 4:7) which the world cannot understand. Not a freedom from difficulties but as we are at peace with God we are not terrified of Him.

2:18 The role of Jesus as mediator is to bring the Father to us (Heb 1:3).  At the same time He brings us to the Father (1Pet 3:18).  He is the one who stands in the gap to prevent our inevitable destruction if we remain alienated from God (consider the illustration of Eze 22:29-31). Moses, who was a Christ-type, stood in the gap to prevent Yahweh's wrath on His people (Exo 32:9-14). 

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Today we start a new letter - In this letter, Paul explains the wonderful things that we have received through Christ. (even though he himself was now in a prison in Rome)
Ephesus was a most prominent city in it's time and was established in AD53. The letter to the Ephesians is a letter of encouragement, to help us stay strong "in Christ" while we live in a world bent on evil. The key word in this letter is "in Christ", which occurs 10 times. In this letter Paul describes the nature and appearance of the ecclesia, and challenges believers to function as the living body of Christ on earth. As we read this masterful description of the ecclesia, let us thank God for the diversity and unity in His family, and let us pray for our brethren & sisters across the world, and draw close to those in our ecclesia.

"Two men looked out from prison bars ... one saw the mud, the other saw stars"

2:20-21 To the Jew the concept of the people being the ‘temple’ was a new idea. Likewise for the gentile. Humankind always likes ornate buildings. God seeks a relationship with people.

2:6 does not suggest that individuals (souls) will join Jesus in heaven where He now dwells with His Father.  Paul is talking about the present spiritual status of believers on earth.  The faithful can look forward to a future of unfathomable riches (2:7).  That grace will be realized on earth when Jesus returns to judge and to set up His kingdom (Matt 16:27; Acts 1:11; 2Tim 4:1; Rev 22:12).

1:12  Again, as we saw in April, God’s salvation is offered to us so that He can be glorified.

1:11 In speaking of the ‘inheritance’ Paul is picking up words he spoke to these same brethren and sisters in Ephesus – Acts 20:32

The Covenant With Abraham  (lesson 5 of 20 from "Outline of Basic Bible Teaching" by Wes Booker).

I. Is it important to know and understand this? Eph 2:11-13

II. History of Abraham: 

     A. Called out of Ur of Chaldees 

     B. Left in faith - Heb 11:8-10 

     C. Occasion when the first promises were given - Gen 12:1-3  1.) A great nation  2.) Bless thee, make thy name great, thou shalt be a blessing  3.) Bless them that bless thee, curse them that curse thee  4.) In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (thy seed - Gen 22:18). Who is the seed? Gal 3:16;Matt 1:1  a.) In Gal 3:8 this is defined as the gospel (relates to the kingdom)  b.) Acts 3:25-26 - shows that Jews and Gentiles can be blessed (i.e. have forgiveness of sins)  c.) Relates to the kingdom - during millenial reign of Christ all nations will be blessed with hope of salavation - Psa 72:17;Hab 2:14 

      D. Second promises - Gen 13:14-17:  1.) All the land that thou seest, TO THEE will give it, and TO THY SEED FOREVER  a.) "To thee (Abraham)". Therefore Abraham must be raised to receive it - Acts 7:5;Heb 11:13,39,40  b.) "To thy seed (Christ)". Christ did not receive the land the first time. Came for a different purpose. But the second time - Psa 2:6-9;Zech 14:9  c.) "For ever". Earth is the reward of the righteous, not heaven - Isa 45:18;Psa 37:29, etc. 

     E. Promise repeated to Abraham in Gen 17:6-8     F. Twenty five years after the first promise, when Abraham is 100 and Sarah 90, Isaac is born - Gen 21:1-3     G. God  tests Abraham - Gen 22     H. Promises repeated: Gen 22:16-18  1.) I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven and the sand of the seashore  2.) thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies - Rev 3:7;1:18;Psa 110:1    I. Abraham dies Gen 25:8 was gathered to his people. Compare Josh 24:2. Abraham's people were idolaters. Therefore all went to the grave at death.    J. Promises repeated: - to Isaac  Gen 26:3-4 - to Jacob Gen 28:3-4;35:11-12 - to the nation of Israel Psa 105:6-11    K. How do we fit in? Part of Christ (Abraham's seed) through belief and baptism - Gal 3:26-29

The Covenant With David (lesson 6 of 20 from "Outline of Basic Teachings" by Wes Booker)

I. Is it important to understand it? Eph 2:11-13

II. The covenant - 2Sam 7:12-16  A. verse 12: "I will set up thy seed after thee...I will establish his kingdom" ("forever"  - v.13)  B. verse 13: "He shall build an house for my name".  C. verse 14: "I will be his father, an dhe shall be my son. Although son of David, also true he would be son of God.  D. verse 16: "Thine house and kingdom shall be established for ever BEFORE THEE" (KJV). David will be there to see it. Implies his resurrection to immortality.

III. Re-emphasized in Psa 89:26-37.  A. verse 26: "Thou art my Father, my God".  B. verse 27: "My firstborn" (in two ways)  1.) Literally God's first and only son  2.) Firstborn from the dead - Col 1:18;1Cor 15:20-23  C. verses 29,36: "his seed and throne shall endure for ever".

IV. Fulfillment in Jesus, from New Testament:  A. Matt 1:1  B. Luke 1:30-35:  1.) Jesus = "God saves" (v.31)  2.) Son of the Highest (v.32)  3.) Given THRONE of David (v.32)  4.) REIGN over house of Jacob for ever (v.33)  5.) Of his KINGDOM...no end (v.33)  6.) verse 35: tells how Jesus  would come into being (note: Holy Spirit = power of the highest)  C. Acts 2:29-31

1:16 Do we thank God for our brethren and sisters when we reflect upon their call to the gospel? Paul Did!