The One Year Chronological Bible - Week 19 Reflection Questions

Week 19 (May 4-10): II Samuel 23:1-7, I Chronicles 26:1-29:30, I Kings 1:1-2:12, Psalms 4-6, 8-9, 11-17, 19-32, 35-38

As you read through these passages of the Bible, reflect upon these questions individually, through journaling, in pairs, or in small groups...

1. In I Chronicles 28, David announced that his son, Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, would be the next king of Israel after David.  David then reminded him to follow in the ways of the Lord.  Of all of the sons of David, God chose Solomon, the son of a relationship that disappointed God and came about through sinful choices.  What does this say about God and God's people?  What might this mean for us today?
2. David was not allowed to build the temple for God because he was a warrior and had shed blood.  But David gathered materials and passed on the plans for the temple to Solomon.  What does this teach us about David as king?  What does it suggest about God and God's call on our lives?
3. Since the time of Moses, the Ark of the Covenant had been housed in a tent.  Now David gathered vast quantities of materials for Solomon to use in the building of the temple.  Compare and contrast the tent as a "house for God" and the plans for the temple.  What do each say about who God is and our relationship to God?
4. David gave much to the building of the temple; and when he invited the people of Israel to do so as well, they gave very willingly too.  Yet in this, David acknowledged that "Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." (I Chronicles 29:14b)  How does this shape our understanding of what we have?  Are we as able to give so willingly of what God has entrusted to us?  How do we grow in this understanding?
5. Once again there was a power struggle to be king of Israel.  David had made Solomon king yet Adonijah gained a following and placed himself as king.  Then once Solomon's rule was solidified, Adonijah clung to the horns of the altar until he was assured safety.  Solomon allowed him to live as long as he remained worthy.  Solomon extended grace when may would not have.  What might this suggest to us today in how we approach people with differing "agendas?"
6. In I Kings 2, David gave his final instructions to Solomon.  He began be reminding him to follow the ways of the Lord.  He ended with reminders about some unfinished business with certain people: Joab, Barzillai, and Shimei.  Are these instructions consistent with one another?  Why or why not?
7. After reading several Psalms, take time to prayerfully script your own psalm to God.
8. Choose a Psalm to read through multiple times.  After doing so, write in the margins the emotions that are expressed.
9. Read Psalm 8 our loud as a prayer to the Lord.  As you do so, involve your body in the prayer by coordinating body postures or hand gestures with the words.
10. Read Psalm 11 and then read Matthew 5:43-48. How are we to understand these two passages together?
11. Memorize Psalm 13:5-6 and incorporate it into your prayer life.
12. Choose 4-5 Psalms to graph.  As you read through a Psalm, plot a dot above a center line for positive/life-giving words and praise. Plot a dot below a center line for negative/painful words and complaining.  Connect the dots on each graph and compare them.  Are there similarities in the flow of these Psalms?
13. Memorize Psalm 19:14 and incorporate it into your prayer life.
14. Use Psalm 20 as a guide to pray for someone that the Lord puts on your heart.
15.


 May the Lord bless and shape us through our individual reading and corporate study of His word this year.