Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 2:11-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 2:11-15
"And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,
And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,
And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,
Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:"

These three chapters were the genealogies from Adam to David's descendants. There were many names I did not recognize. It was fun when I spotted names I could recall reading about. I am getting better at it this time through the Old Testament. This little section is covered in the book of Ruth.

Day 3857

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 2:17

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 2:17
"And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife."

David made Solomon king while his elder son Adonijah tried to claim it for himself. Adonijah then fears Solomon and they seem to have some sort of agreement. At first I couldn't under why Adonijah asking to take Abishag for wife was worthy of death. I had to go back and remind myself who Abishag was. She was the young virgin given to warm David in his old age. She cared for him, but he knew her not. She still would have been considered the former king's wife or concubine. Which could only be taken by a king's successor. Which was basically Adonijah plotting treason to ask to marry Abishag.

Day 3842

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 21:1, 3

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 21:1, 3
"Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?

As I read this I wondered if the sins of Saul would really fall on David and his people? Why was the famine not in Saul's time. Why would David have to atone for something Saul did? As I pondered this I read this in the Old Testament Student Manual.

"Did God Require the Sacrifice of Saul’s Sons to Alleviate the Famine in the Land?
“This terrible episode must have been done in [the] days of David’s spiritual deterioration. The law would have not permitted sons to be put to death for the guilt of a father or a forefather. It cannot have been a revelation from the Lord that either required or approved this deed done ‘to avenge the Gibeonites’—some of whom Saul had slain in spite of the ancient promise of Joshua that they might live in Israel.
“It is a pathetic picture to envision the innocent mother of innocent sons guarding their bodies from the birds and beasts; and it is repulsive to read that after all this was done ‘God was entreated for the land.’ This is apostate theology, comparable to that of the Canaanite-Baal religions.
“The text is somewhat corrupted too, and the name Michal must be a mistake for Merab, for it was Merab who married Adriel. If it is indeed Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, who is meant, this is a very bitter ending to their relationships as man and wife.” (Rasmussen, Introduction to the Old Testament, 2:40.)
(Old Testament Student Manual, "2 Samuel 13-24: The Price of Sin: Tragedy in the House of David")

"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin."
(Deuteronomy 24:16)

"So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it."
(Numbers 35:33)

Day 3840

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 18:32-33

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 18:32-33
"And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

David loved his son Absalom, even after he rebelled, sought his kingdom and his life. He asked his men to deal gently with Absalom for his sake. He didn't want to be cause of Absalom's death. Absalom rode under a great oak and his hair was caught up. The mule went out from under him and he hung there. In that vulnerable position he was killed. When I look on David's grief over his son it reminded me of forgiveness. David had a heart that could forgive. If there was no forgiveness he wouldn't have been able to mourn.

Day 3839

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 13:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 13:22-23
"And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons."

The story of Absalom, Amnon, Tamar and David is such a sad one. I wondered how did this lead Absalom to go after his father to take over the kingdom? I came back to these verses. It was hatred that festered unchecked for two years. Even it was understandable at first, this dislike of his brother after what was done to his sister, it was carried to far. After two years he plotted to have his brother killed. I pondered on how anger and hatred are never good. It will absolutely lead to a loss of the spirit and doing even worse things. It would have been far better for Absalom to speak to David about justice for his sister to settle the matter. Then to exercise forgiveness so it didn't poison his soul. Instead this part leads to destruction.

Day 3838

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 11:1
"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem."

This was the beginning of David's downfall. It was the time when kings go to battle, and David didn't go. Instead he sent someone else and remained at home. David was unable to rest, he could not sleep, and walked upon his roof. That is when he watched Bathsheba washing herself. If David had gone to battle, and been where he was suppose to be, he would have been to busy to get into trouble.

Day 3837

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 7:16

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 7:16
"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever."

In the end David sins and loses his exaltation. But, these promises of the Lord remained. David's throne would be established forever, through a descendant Jesus Christ.

"This verse is an example of a dualistic prophecy, that is, a prophecy with a double meaning. It promised that David’s lineage would continue on the throne, and unlike Saul’s lineage, would not be overthrown after his death. But it is clearly a Messianic prophecy as well. Jesus, the Messiah, was called David, He would hold the key of David, and He would sit upon the throne of David. Clearly, only one person can sit upon the throne of David (that is, rule over the house of Israel) forever and ever, and that one is Christ. He came into mortality as a descendant of David and as an heir to his throne both physically and spiritually. Elder James E. Talmage explained the significance of the genealogies of Jesus given by Matthew and Luke as establishing Jesus’ right to the throne.
“At the time of the Savior’s birth, Israel was ruled by alien monarchs. The rights of the royal Davidic family were unrecognized; and the ruler of the Jews was an appointee of Rome. Had Judah been a free and independent nation, ruled by her rightful sovereign, Joseph the carpenter would have been her crowned king; and his lawful successor to the throne would have been Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 87.)"
(Old Testament Student Manual, "2 Samuel 1-12: The Fall of King David")

Day 3836

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 1:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 1:11-12
"Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword."

I have always been impressed by David's respect for Saul as king. Calling him the Lord's anointed. Saul had wanted to kill David, yet David would not slay Saul when he had a chance. Now that the matter was over and Saul was dead, he weeps and mourns for him. That is a great man, and a great heart.

"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—"
(Mosiah 18:9)

Day 3834

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 28:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 28:7-8
"And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
And David inquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all."

The ephod was fastened to the Breastplate of Judgment. It had 12 precious stones and the Urim and Thummin. David asks the high priest to inquire of the Lord through it, and he immediately receives an answer. Saul had tried earlier and the Lord would not answer him through it.

"And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."
(1 Samuel 28:6)

Being denied Saul seeks out a women with a familiar spirit. She pretends to see Samuel and tells Saul what he says. That doesn't mean Samuel was summoned by the witch of Endor. It means Satan can tell you things that are true but its the one percent that isn't that will lead to spiritual death. In this case for Saul it also lead to physical death.

Day 3833

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 19:1, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 19:1, 6
"And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain."

I just don't understand Saul's hatred of David to the point he wants to kill him. Jonathan, seems to talk sense into him and then he turns around and is after David again. I don't think its so much a matter of revenge for anything David has done personally to him. I think it's Saul's pride, and he doesn't want anyone around that would appear better than him. David is victorious in battle and that is enough for Saul to throw a javlein at him. It is a terrible thing to have a wicked king with a very big ego, can't keep his word, and lives by revenge because he easily offended. The Lord has already rent the kingdom from Saul, but Saul is still king. Why is that? It is hard to get rid of an iniquitous king.

"And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood."
(Mosiah 29:21)

Day 3830

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 18:14-15

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 18:14-15
"And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him."

These verses reminded me of these.

"And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;
And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.
And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.
And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.
And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy."
(Doctrine and Covenants 45:66-71)

Because David behaved wisely, having a deep love and trust in God, keeping all the laws and commandments, not of a contentious nature, and people love him, the wicked (Saul) were afraid of him. Saul sought to have David die in battle, which didn't happen. It made me ponder on how Zion will look terrible to the wicked. Zion will not be at war with one another. I used to think it was physically battles all around. Now I think it more a battle of words and opinions. The only ones that are not contending will be a Zion people. We will be at peace while the world is growing ever darker. The wicked can not stand up against goodness. The wicked dig pits against others and then fall into it. They cannot stop truth and are afraid of it.
"The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
—Joseph Smith, 1842

Day 3829

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 22:5, 14, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 22:5, 14, 16

"And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.

Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee."

David wasn't allowed to build the house of the Lord, but was promised his son would. I love how David prepared many things in abundance for when his son Solomon would build it. Then he charges his son to be up and doing, and the Lord would be with him. It made me think of how many times the Lord has had people lay the foundation work for others to build upon it. The pioneers had a history of planting crops for others to harvest as they crossed the plains. Planting seeds they would never benefit from. Another example is the Salt Lake temple and the 40 years it took to build. President Brigham Young began it and it wasn't until Wilford Woodruff was prophet that it was dedicated. This made me think of another quote attributed to President Woodruff. "In a general conference address in April 1950, Elder Richard L. Evans of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “I recall a reported statement, attributed, as I remember it, to President Wilford Woodruff. Some of the brethren of his time are said to have approached him … and to have inquired of him as to when he felt the end would be—when would be the coming of the Master? These, I think, are not his exact words, but they convey the spirit of his reported reply: ‘I would live as if it were to be tomorrow—but I am still planting cherry trees!’” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Chapter 24, "Preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ")

Day 2519

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 21:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 21:1-2

"And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it."

Why was it wrong for David to number Israel? Moses was commanded to do so. The book of Numbers deals with counting people.

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them."

(Exodus 30:11-12)

Besides the difference of the Lord commanding a census, and in the other He did not, the one difference I can see is why the censuses were taken. When the Lord commanded it was during the construction of the tabernacle and to pay a ransom for the souls of people. It also happened in the dividing of inheritances for the different tribes. The censuses were to bless and redeem people. The purpose it appears for David to take a census was to see how powerful he was in the midst of battles with his enemies. Was the offense being that he was measuring his strength against other men, and not measuring their strength in relying upon the Lord to deliver them?

The Lord tells the seer Gad to go to David and have him choose between three different penalties.

"Either three years’ famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me."

(1 Chronicles 21:12)

All of them would punish the people and take lives. This is a very strong lesson to show David and even Israel, that their strength doesn't come from people, but the power of God to preserve them.

Day 2518

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 18:8

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 18:8

"Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass."

I pondered on how David didn't come upon this brass with ease. They had to battle their enemies and this was one result of it. The benefit of this brass to be used in the temple for the brasen sea didn't come during David's lifetime. It made me think that sometimes we don't know the purpose of the trial we go through until later. The benefit can be for further generations.

Day 2515

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 14:10

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 14:10

"And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand."

I pondered on how David inquired of God. He asked specific questions. Questions are good, but it's important that they are asked in faith with nothing doubting.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

(James 1:5)

It was the same when Joseph Smith, Jr. went into the sacred grove to pray.

"My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.

I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

(Joseph Smith-History 1:18-19)

I have found when I pray asking a question in faith, and not as a challenge formed from doubt, that I will receive an answer. It may not be that very second, though many times it is. Other times I will be lead to read something else and there the answer is confirmed.

Day 2511

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 11:17-19

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 11:17-19

"And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Beth-lehem, that is at the gate!

And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,

And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest."

At first I didn't understand why David who wanted a drink of water poured it out to the Lord once it was given him. As I thought about it I think he felt their act of bravery, with such great risk to their lives, was so holy an offering that it belonged to the Lord. That is why he would not drink it but poured it out to the Lord.

Day 2508

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 2:15, 21-23

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 2:15, 21-23

"And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother’s: for it was his from the LORD.

And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life."

David has died and Solomon is king. His brother Adonijah goes to Solomon's mother Bath-sheba with a request. At first I couldn't understand how Adonijah asking for Abishag the Shunammite to wife would cause Solomon to react so strongly and have him killed. Then I remembered how Absalom had tried to take the kingdom from David and took his father's concubines that had been left to keep the house. Abishag was one of David's last concubines that comforted him in his old age. Adonijah wanted to show he was the rightful successor of his father by being given one of David's concubines.

I then found this information that explains it in better detail.

“Amongst Eastern nations the wives and concubines of a deceased or dethroned king were taken by his successor [see 2 Samuel 12:8; 16:21–22]; and so Adonijah’s request for Abishag was regarded as tantamount to a claim on the throne” (Dummelow, Commentary, p. 212).

Solomon knew and understood this law, as 1 Kings 2:22 makes clear. At first it may seem puzzling that Bath-sheba would take Adonijah’s request to Solomon since she almost certainly knew and understood this law. Perhaps she, knowing how Solomon would react, recognized an opportunity to rid Solomon of the threat that Adonijah continued to be to the throne of Israel. Solomon did react quickly, for this was the second time Adonijah had attempted to take the throne by subtlety.

Solomon meant that Adonijah’s request was either treason or a plan to commit treason and was therefore worthy of death. (Note 1 Kings 2:15, which records that Adonijah knew that the Lord had given the throne to Solomon.)

(Old Testament Student Manual Kings-Malachi, 1 Kings 1-11: Man of Wisdom, Man of Foolishness, [1-9])

Day 2452

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 1:9-10, 34

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Kings 1:9-10, 34

"And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:

But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.

And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon."

It's interesting that Adonijah that exalted himself to be king, neglected to include the very brother that was to be made king, along with the priests and prophet to anoint Him. That was not a coincidence. His neglect allowed others to intercede on Solomon's behalf and remind king David of his promise and the Lord's will in the matter. David was then able to instruct them to make it so. While Adonijah was celebrating himself as king, his brother Solomon was anointed and announced with authority.

Day 2451

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 20:16, 19, 21-22

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 20:16, 19, 21-22

"Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.

I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?

The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.

Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king."

This wise woman found out what the problem was. Because she was a peaceable and faithful mother in Israel she could understand the problem. Joab was after Sheba that was fighting against king David. In her wisdom she had the solution and saved not only her city but an insurrection. She is what we should strive to be, a peacemaker.

"To have peaceful relationships, the lesson is clear: we should be willing to compromise and eliminate strife with respect to matters that do not involve righteousness. As King Benjamin taught, “Ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably.” But on conduct relating to righteousness and doctrinal imperatives, we need to remain firm and steadfast. If we want to have the peace which is the reward of the works of righteousness, we will not pitch our tents toward the world. We will pitch our tents toward the temple."

(Elder Quentin L. Cook, "Personal Peace in Challenging Times", Oct 2021 General Conference)

Day 2446

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 18:33

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 18:33

"And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

After all that David's son Absalom had done, David mourns for him. It feels even deeper than a parent mourning for their child. It's a grief of knowing where his rebellious son is going in death, with the inability to repent. It could have also been an inconsolable grief as David looks back at what he could have done differently in this family tragedy. Any parent would wish they could have died in their child's place so they would not suffer pain for the eternities. That doesn't mean they would go to hell for them, but that they would have suffered in their place to atone for them. It made me ponder of how that's exactly what the Savior, Jesus Christ did for us, but with Him there was no sin.

Day 2444