Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Esther 1 - 5

Esther 1
King Ahasuerus' Banquet
Queen Vashti's Refusal, The King's Response

Esther 2
The Search for a New Queen
Esther Finds Favor, and Becomes the Queen
Mordecai Saves the King

Esther 3
Haman's Rise (and Pride)
Mordecai's Refusal to Bow
Haman's Plot Against the Jews

Esther 4
Mordecai and Esther Learn of the Plot, and the Law
The Jews Fast, Esther Prepares to See the King

Esther 5
Esther Finds Favor with the King
Esther Gives a Banquet for the King and Haman

Monday, May 29, 2023

Nehemiah 12 - 13

Nehemiah 12
The Returning Priests & Levites
Dedication of the Wall
Temple Work Organized

Nehemiah 13
Foreigners Excluded
Tobiah Evicted from the Temple
Tithes Restored, Sabbath Observed
Mixed Marriages Forbidden

Nehemiah 10 - 11

Nehemiah 10
Signers of the Covenant
Obligations Entered Into

Nehemiah 11
The Plan: Some Stay in Jerusalem, then Spread Out in the Land

Nehemiah 8 - 9

Nehemiah 8
Ezra Reads the Torah (Book of the Law)
Ezra and the Levites Teach the People
Nehemiah and Ezra Encourage the People
Feast of Tabernacles Celebrated

Nehemiah 9
The People Confess Their Sins
The People Make a Covenant with the LORD

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Nehemiah 4 - 6

Nehemiah 4
The Work is Mocked
The Plan to Work Armed

Nehemiah 5
Charging Interest Abolished
Nehemiah's Generosity

Nehemiah 6
The Enemies' Plot: Meetings, Letter, False Prophet
The Wall is Finished

Nehemiah 1 - 3

Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah Learns about the Situation in Jerusalem
Mourning,Fasting, and Praying

Nehemiah 2
King Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Judah
Inspection of the Walls of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 3
Construction Crews

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Ezra 8 - 10

Ezra 8
A List of the Leaders Going With Ezra
Ezra Sends for Levites
The Party Prays for the LORD's Protection
Offerings Given

Ezra 9
Mixed Marriages
Ezra Confesses, Intercedes

Ezra 10
Accountability for Marriages
Reconciliation to the LORD, Guilt Offerings

Ezra 4 - 7

Ezra 4
Judah's Enemies' Plot
A Letter Sent to King Artaxerxes
Work is Stopped

Ezra 5
Haggai and Zechariah Encourage the People
Temple Rebuild Resumes
A Letter Sent to King Darius

Ezra 6
Darius Endorses the Work
Temple Completed, Dedicated
Passover Celebrated

Ezra 7
Ezra Travels to Jerusalem
The King's Decree and Support for the Work

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Ezra 1 - 3

Ezra 1
Cyrus's Proclamation
The Exiles Will Return; The Temple Will be Rebuilt
Temple Vessels Restored

Ezra 2
The Exiles Who Returned

Ezra 3
Altar Restored, Sacrifices Made
Feast of Tabernacles
Temple Work Begins

Saturday, May 20, 2023

2 Chronicles 35 - 36

2 Chronicles 35
The Passover Celebration
(and Feast of Unleavened Bread, Too)
Ill-Advised Battle with Egypt
Josiah Dies

2 Chronicles 36
Jehoahaz Reigns in Judah
Pharaoh Removes Jehoahaz, Installs Eliakim/Jehoiakim
Jehoiakim's Evil Reign in Judah
Nebuchadnezzar Removes Jehoiakim
Jehoiachin's Evil Reign in Judah
Nebuchadnezzar Removes Jehoiachin
Zedekiah's Evil Reign in Judah
Judah Rejects the LORD and His Prophets
Babylon Destroys the Temple, Sacks Jerusalem
Persia Conquers Babylon
Cyrus Commits to Rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem
    (see also 2 Kings 23-25)

2 Chronicles 32 - 34

2 Chronicles 32
Assyria Marches to War Against Judah
The Assyrian King/Generals Mock Judah and the LORD
Hezekiah and Isaiah Pray
The LORD Defeats the Assyrians
The LORD is Honored Among the Nations
    (see also 2 Kings 18-19)
Hezekiah's Sickness, Healing, Pride, Judgement, Repentance
The LORD Tests Hezekiah Regarding the Babylonian Envoys
Hezekiah Dies; His Son Manasseh Reigns

2 Chronicles 33
Manasseh's Evil Reign in Judah
Manasseh's Intentional and Expanded Idolatry
Manasseh Ignores the LORD, is Defeated and Taken to Babylon
The King Repents, the LORD Returns him to Jerusalem
A Partial Return to the LORD
Manasseh Dies; His Son Amon's Evil Reign Begins
Amon Assassinated; His Son Josiah Reigns

2 Chronicles 34
Josiah's Reign in Judah
Idol Worship Stopped; the Temple Repaired
The Book of the Law(Covenant) Discovered
Destruction Prophesied, but Delayed because of Josiah
Josiah Leads the Nation in Serving the LORD
       (see also 2 Kings 20-22)

Friday, May 19, 2023

2 Chronicles 28 - 31

2 Chronicles 28
Ahaz's Evil Reign in Judah
Judah is defeated by Aram, Israel,, Edom, Assyria
Ahaz Dies; His Son Hezekiah Reigns

2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah's Reign in Judah
Restoration of the Temple, Worship of the LORD

2 Chronicles 30
Both Kingdoms Invited to Passover
Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated
Another Seven Days of Joy
The LORD Hears their Prayers

2 Chronicles 31
Idols Destroyed & Removed
Tithes Reinstituted, Leviitcal Work Restored
    (see also 2 Kings 15-17)

Thursday, May 18, 2023

2 Chronicles 25 - 27

2 Chronicles 25
Amaziah Reigns in Judah
Judah Defeats Edom
Amaziah's Idolatry and Rejection of the Prophet
Judah defeated by King Joash of Israel; Jerusalem Sacked
Amaziah's Death
    (see also 2 Kings 12 - 14)

2 Chronicles 26
Uzziah Reigns in Judah
Uzziah Seeks the LORD, succeeds in War
Uzziah's Pride and then His Leprosy
Jotham Runs the Kingdom
Uzziah Dies, Jotham Reigns in Judah
    (see also 2 Kings 15-17)

2 Chronicles 27
Jotham Serves The LORD
Jotham defeats the Ammonites
Jotham Dies, His Son Ahaz Becomes King

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

2 Chronicles 21 - 24

2 Chronicles 21
Jehoshaphat Dies
Jehoram's Evil Reign in Judah
Edom Revolts
Elijah Sends a Prophetic Letter
Judah Defeated by the Philistines and Arabs
Jehoram Dies
    (see also 2 Kings 6-8)

2 Chronicles 22
Ahaziah Becomes King of Judah
Ahaziah's Evil Reign and Alliance with Jehoram, King of Israel
Jehu Murders Ahaziah; Athaliah Takes Control of Judah
Joash saved from Athaliah's Conspiracy
    (see alos 2 Kings 9-11)

2 Chronicles 23
Joash Made King of Judah; Athaliah put to Death
Jehoida's Reforms

2 Chronicles 24
Joash's Reign in Judah
Jehoida Dies; King Joash Falters
Zechariah Prophesies, Joash Has Him Killed
Aram Invades, Defeats Judah
Joash Falls Sick, is Assassinated
    (see also 2 Kings 12-14)

Monday, May 15, 2023

2 Chronicles 18 - 20

2 Chronicles 18
Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahab
The False Prophets Promise Victory
Micaiah Prophesies Defeat
Ahab's Defeat and Death
    (see also 1 Kings 21-22)

2 Chronicles 19
Jehu (the prophet) Rebukes Jehoshaphat
Reforms instituted in Judah

2 Chronicles 20
Judah Invaded
Jehoshaphat's Prayer, and the LORD's response through Jehaziel
The Enemy Armies Defeat Each Other; Judah Celebrates the LORD's Victory
Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahaziah

Sunday, May 14, 2023

2 Chronicles 13 - 17

2 Chronicles 13
Abijah Confronts Jeroboam in Battle
The LORD Delivers Judah, Israel is Defeated
Jeroboam Dies

2 Chronicles 14
Abijah Dies, Asa Reigns in Judah
Asa Strengthens the Defense of Judah
Ethiopia Marches Agains Judah; Asa Prays
Judah Defeats the Million-Man Ethiopian Army 

2 Chronicles 15
Azariah Warns Asa
Asa's Reforms 

2 Chronicles 16
War Between Asa and Baasha, King of Israel
Asa Relies on Aram
Hanani Prophesies Against Asa, is Imprisoned
Asa Dies 

2 Chronicles 17
Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah
Jehoshaphat's Good Reign, Rightful Worship, Peaceful Kingdom 
(See also 1 Kings 15-17)

2 Chronicles 9 - 12

2 Chronicles 9
The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
Solomon's Wealth and Power
Solomon Dies, His Son Rehoboam Reigns
(see also 1 Kings 10-11)

2 Chronicles 10
Jeroboam Represents "Israel" to the New King
Rehoboam's Folly, the Kingdom Splits 
(see also 1 Kings 12-14)

2 Chronicles 11
Civil War Averted Via the Prophet
Rehoboam builds Judean Defense Infrastructure
Levi remains loyal to Judah
Jeroboam Reigns in Israel, Establishes False Religion
Rehoboam's Family/Kingdom Established

2 Chronicles 12
Judah Abandons the LORD
Judah's War With and Servitude to Egypt
Rehoboam's Reign in Judah
Continual War with Israel
Rehoboam Dies, His Son Abijah Reigns

2 Chronicles 6 - 8

2 Chronicles 6
Solomon's Prayer

2 Chronicles 7
The Glory of God
Sacrifices, Temple Dedication
Feast of Dedication, Feast of Tabernacles
The LORD Speaks to Solomon

2 Chronicles 8
Solomon's Reign

Thursday, May 11, 2023

2 Chronicles 2 - 3

2 Chronicles 2
Solomon Plans for Labor and Materials

2 Chronicles 3
Temple Design and Construction 

2 Chronicles 4
Temple Furnishings

2 Chronicles 5
The Ark Comes to the Temple
The Glory of God

1 Chronicles 28 - 2 Chronicles 1

1 Chronicles 28
David Shares His Plans with the Leadership of Israel
David Charges Solomon

1 Chronicles 29
Offerings for the Temple
David Prays, Blesses the LORD
Solomon Made King
David's Death

2 Chronicles 1
Solomon Worships at Gibeon
Solomon Prays for Wisdom
Solomon's Wealth

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

1 Chronicles 25 - 27

1 Chronicles 25
The Musicians

1 Chronicles 26
The Gatekeepers
The Treasurers
Other Positions

1 Chronicles 27
Commanders of the Army
Tribal Leaders
Other Government Officials

1 Chronicles 22 - 24

1 Chronicles 22
David Prepares for Temple Construction
Solomon's Commission

1 Chronicles 23
The Divisions of the Levites
Revision of Levitical Work

1 Chronicles 24
The Divisions of the Priests
Levi's Family Line

Sunday, May 7, 2023

1 Chronicles 18 - 21

1 Chronicles 18
David's Kingdom Strenghtened

1 Chronicles 19
David's Messengers Humiliated
War with Ammon

1 Chronicles 20
War with Ammon (Again)
Defeat of (More) Philistine Giants

1 Chronicles 21
The Census and the Plague
The Altar at the Threshing Floor of Oman

1 Chronicles 15 - 17

1 Chronicles 15
Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, the Right Way 

1 Chronicles 16
Celebrating the Return of the Ark 

1 Chronicles 17
the LORD will Bless and Establish David's House

Saturday, May 6, 2023

1 Chronicles 12 - 14

1 Chronicles 12
David's Army Grows

1 Chronicles 13
Moving the Ark

1 Chronicles 14
David's Family
Victories over the Philistines

Thursday, May 4, 2023

1 Chronicles 9 - 11

1 Chronicles 9
Citizens of Jerusalem
Temple Personnel
Family Line of Saul

1 Chronicles 10
Death of King Saul

1 Chronicles 11
David Made King
Jerusalem is the Capital
the Mighty Men

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

1 Chronicles 7 - 8

1 Chronicles 7
Issachar's Family Line
Benjamin's Family Line
Naphtali's Family Line
Manasseh's Family Line
Ephraim's Family Line
Asher's Family Line

1 Chronicles 8
King Saul and His Descendants

1 Chronicles 6

1 Chronicles 6
Levi's Family Line

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

1 Chronicles 3 - 5

1 Chronicles 3
David's Family Line

1 Chronicles 4
Judah's Family Line
Simeon's Family Line

1 Chronicles 5
Reuben's Family Line
Gad's Family Line
Manasseh's Family Line

Ecclesiastes 1-4

  Editor's Note:  Wearied, often pessimistic observations and life lessons shared from an anonymous author  who has "been there, do...