Today our passages are 1 Kings 9:1–10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; and Proverbs 17:2-3. The readings are from the Contemporary English Version. If you find these readings helpful, please consider sending an offering directly to Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Street, Weirton, West Virginia or through PayPal by using the link below.
1 Kings 9-10:29 (Contemporary English Version)
1 Kings 9
The LORD Appears to Solomon Again
(2 Chronicles 7.11-22)
1The LORD's temple and Solomon's palace were now finished, and Solomon had built everything he wanted. 2Some time later the LORD appeared to him again in a dream, just as he had done at Gibeon. 3The LORD said: I heard your prayer and what you asked me to do. This temple you have built is where I will be worshiped forever. It belongs to me, and I will never stop watching over it.4You must obey me, as your father David did, and be honest and fair. Obey my laws and teachings, 5and I will keep my promise to David that someone from your family will always be king of Israel.
6But if you or any of your descendants disobey my commands or start worshiping foreign gods, 7I will no longer let my people Israel live in this land I gave them. I will desert this temple where I said I would be worshiped. Then people everywhere will think this nation is only a joke and will make fun of it. 8This temple will become a pile of rocks! a<="" value="[a]" >[] Everyone who walks by will be shocked, and they will ask, "Why did the LORD do such a terrible thing to his people and to this temple?" 9Then they will answer, "We know why the LORD did this. The people of Israel rejected the LORD their God, who rescued their ancestors from Egypt, and they started worshiping other gods."
Other Things Solomon Did
(2 Chronicles 8.1-18)
10It took twenty years for the LORD's temple and Solomon's palace to be built. 11Later, Solomon gave King Hiram of Tyre twenty towns in the region of Galilee to repay him for the cedar, pine, and gold he had given Solomon. 12When Hiram went to see the towns, he did not like them. 13He said, "Solomon, my friend, are these the kind of towns you want to give me?" So Hiram called the region Cabul because he thought it was worthless. [b<="">] 14He sent Solomon only five tons of gold in return. 15After Solomon's workers had finished the temple and the palace, he ordered them to fill in the land on the east side of Jerusalem, [c<="">] to build a wall around the city, and to rebuild the towns of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. 16Earlier, the king of Egypt had captured the town of Gezer; he burned it to the ground and killed the Canaanite people living there. Then he gave it to his daughter as a wedding present when she married Solomon. 17So Solomon had the town rebuilt.Solomon had his workers rebuild Lower Beth-Horon, 18Baalath, and Tamar in the desert of Judah. 19They also built towns where he could keep his supplies and his chariots and horses. Solomon had them build whatever he wanted in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and anywhere in his kingdom.
20-22Solomon did not force the Israelites to do his work. They were his soldiers, officials, leaders, commanders, chariot captains, and chariot drivers. But he did make slaves of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites who were living in Israel. These were the descendants of those foreigners the Israelites could not destroy, and they remained Israel's slaves.
23Solomon appointed five hundred fifty officers to be in charge of his workers and to watch over his building projects.
24Solomon's wife, the daughter of the king of Egypt, moved from the older part of Jerusalem [d<="">] to her new palace. Then Solomon had the land on the east side of Jerusalem filled in. [e<="">] 25Three times a year, Solomon burned incense and offered sacrifices to the LORD on the altar he had built.
Solomon had now finished building the LORD's temple.
26He also had a lot of ships at Ezion-Geber, a town in Edom near Eloth on the Red Sea. [f<="">] 27-28King Hiram let some of his experienced sailors go to the country of Ophir [g<="">] with Solomon's own sailors, and they brought back about sixteen tons of gold for Solomon.
1 Kings 10
The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
(2 Chronicles 9.1-12)
1The Queen of Sheba heard how famous Solomon was, so she went to Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions. 2She took along several of her officials, and she loaded her camels with gifts of spices, jewels, and gold. When she arrived, she and Solomon talked about everything she could think of. 3He answered every question, no matter how difficult it was. 4-5The Queen was amazed at Solomon's wisdom. She was breathless when she saw his palace, the food on his table, his officials, his servants in their uniforms, the people who served his food, and the sacrifices he offered at the LORD's temple. 6She said:Solomon, in my own country I had heard about your wisdom and all you've done. 7But I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes! And there's so much I didn't hear about. You are wiser and richer than I was told. 8Your wives [h<="">]and officials are lucky to be here where they can listen to the wise things you say. 9I praise the LORD your God. He is pleased with you and has made you king of Israel. The LORD loves Israel, so he has given them a king who will rule fairly and honestly.
10The Queen of Sheba gave Solomon almost five tons of gold, many jewels, and more spices than anyone had ever brought into Israel.
11-13In return, Solomon gave her the gifts he would have given any other ruler, but he also gave her everything else she wanted. Then she and her officials went back to their own country.
King Hiram's ships brought gold, juniper wood, and jewels from the country of Ophir. Solomon used the wood to make steps [i<="">] for the temple and palace, and harps and other stringed instruments for the musicians. It was the best juniper wood anyone in Israel had ever seen.
Solomon's Wealth
(2 Chronicles 9.13-28)
14Solomon received about twenty-five tons of gold a year. 15The merchants and traders, as well as the kings of Arabia and rulers from Israel, also gave him gold. 16Solomon made two hundred gold shields and used about seven and a half pounds of gold for each one. 17He also made three hundred smaller gold shields, using almost four pounds for each one, and he put the shields in his palace in Forest Hall.18His throne was made of ivory and covered with pure gold. 19-20The back of the throne was rounded at the top, and it had armrests on each side. There was a statue of a lion on both sides of the throne, and there was a statue of a lion at both ends of each of the six steps leading up to the throne. No other throne in the world was like Solomon's.
21Since silver was almost worthless in those days, everything was made of gold, even the cups and dishes used in Forest Hall.
22Solomon had a lot of seagoing ships. [j<="">] Every three years he sent them out with Hiram's ships to bring back gold, silver, and ivory, as well as monkeys and peacocks. [k<="">] 23He was the richest and wisest king in the world. 24People from every nation wanted to hear the wisdom God had given him. 25Year after year people came and brought gifts of silver and gold, as well as clothes, weapons, spices, horses, or mules.
26Solomon had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses that he kept in Jerusalem and other towns.
27While he was king, there was silver everywhere in Jerusalem, and cedar was as common as ordinary sycamore trees in the foothills.
28-29Solomon's merchants bought his horses and chariots in the regions of Musri and Kue. [l<="">] They paid about fifteen pounds of silver for a chariot and almost four pounds of silver for a horse. They also sold horses and chariots to the Hittite and Syrian kings.
Footnotes:
- 1 Kings 9:8 a pile of rocks: Some ancient translations; Hebrew "high."
- 1 Kings 9:13 Cabul. . . worthless: Cabul sounds like the Hebrew word for "worthless."
- 1 Kings 9:15 fill. . . Jerusalem: The Hebrew text has "build the Millo," which probably refers to a landfill to strengthen and extend the hill where the city was built.
- 1 Kings 9:24 the older. . . Jerusalem: See the note at 3.1.
- 1 Kings 9:24 the land. . . filled in: See the note at 9.15.
- 1 Kings 9:26 Red Sea: Hebrew yam suph, here referring to the Gulf of Aqaba, since the term is extended to include the northeastern arm of the Red Sea (see also the note at Exodus 13.11).
- 1 Kings 9:27 Ophir: The location of this place is not known.
- 1 Kings 10:8 wives: Two ancient translations; Hebrew "men."
- 1 Kings 10:11 steps: Or "stools" or "railings."
- 1 Kings 10:22 seagoing ships: The Hebrew text has "ships of Tarshish," which may have been a Phoenician city in Spain. "Ships of Tarshish" probably means large, seagoing ships.
- 1 Kings 10:22 peacocks: Or "baboons."
- 1 Kings 10:28 Musri and Kue: Hebrew "Egypt and Kue." Musri and Kue were regions located in what is today southeast Turkey.
Acts 8:14-40 (Contemporary English Version)
14The apostles in Jerusalem heard that some people in Samaria had accepted God's message, and they sent Peter and John. 15When the two apostles arrived, they prayed that the people would be given the Holy Spirit. 16Before this, the Holy Spirit had not been given to anyone in Samaria, though some of them had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.17Peter and John then placed their hands on everyone who had faith in the Lord, and they were given the Holy Spirit.
18Simon noticed that the Spirit was given only when the apostles placed their hands on the people. So he brought money 19and said to Peter and John, "Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit."
20Peter said to him, "You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God's gift! 21You don't have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn't right. 22Get rid of these evil thoughts and ask God to forgive you. 23I can see that you are jealous and bound by your evil ways."
24Simon said, "Please pray to the Lord, so that what you said won't happen to me."
25After Peter and John had preached about the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem. On their way they told the good news in many villages of Samaria.
31The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone helps me?" He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him.
32The man was reading the passage that said,
"He was led like a sheep
on its way to be killed.
He was silent as a lamb
whose wool
is being cut off,
and he did not say
a word.
33He was treated like a nobody
and did not receive
a fair trial.
How can he have children,
if his life
is snatched away?"
34The official said to Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or about someone else?" 35So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus.
36-37As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said, "Look! Here is some water. Why can't I be baptized?" [c<="">] 38He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way.
40Philip later appeared in Azotus. He went from town to town, all the way to Caesarea, telling people about Jesus.
2Won't you please listen
as I beg for mercy?
3If you kept record of our sins,
no one could last long.
4But you forgive us,
and so we will worship you.
5With all my heart,
I am waiting, LORD, for you!
I trust your promises.
6I wait for you more eagerly
than a soldier on guard duty
waits for the dawn.
Yes, I wait more eagerly
than a soldier on guard duty
waits for the dawn.
7Israel, trust the LORD!
He is always merciful,
and he has the power
to save you.
8Israel, the LORD will save you
from all of your sins.
18Simon noticed that the Spirit was given only when the apostles placed their hands on the people. So he brought money 19and said to Peter and John, "Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit."
20Peter said to him, "You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God's gift! 21You don't have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn't right. 22Get rid of these evil thoughts and ask God to forgive you. 23I can see that you are jealous and bound by your evil ways."
24Simon said, "Please pray to the Lord, so that what you said won't happen to me."
25After Peter and John had preached about the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem. On their way they told the good news in many villages of Samaria.
Philip and an Ethiopian Official
26The Lord's angel said to Philip, "Go south a<="" value="[a]" >[] along the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza." [b<="">] 27So Philip left. An important Ethiopian official happened to be going along that road in his chariot. He was the chief treasurer for Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. The official had gone to Jerusalem to worship 28and was now on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29The Spirit told Philip to catch up with the chariot. 30Philip ran up close and heard the man reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?"31The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone helps me?" He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him.
32The man was reading the passage that said,
"He was led like a sheep
on its way to be killed.
He was silent as a lamb
whose wool
is being cut off,
and he did not say
a word.
33He was treated like a nobody
and did not receive
a fair trial.
How can he have children,
if his life
is snatched away?"
34The official said to Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or about someone else?" 35So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus.
36-37As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said, "Look! Here is some water. Why can't I be baptized?" [c<="">] 38He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way.
40Philip later appeared in Azotus. He went from town to town, all the way to Caesarea, telling people about Jesus.
Footnotes:
- Acts 8:26 Go south: Or "About noon go."
- Acts 8:26 the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza: Or "the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza in the desert."
- Acts 8:36 Why can't I be baptized: Some manuscripts add, "Philip replied, `You can, if you believe with all your heart.' The official answered, `I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'"
Psalm 130:1-8 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 130
(A song for worship.)
Trusting the LORD in Times of Trouble
1From a sea of troubles I call out to you, LORD.2Won't you please listen
as I beg for mercy?
3If you kept record of our sins,
no one could last long.
4But you forgive us,
and so we will worship you.
5With all my heart,
I am waiting, LORD, for you!
I trust your promises.
6I wait for you more eagerly
than a soldier on guard duty
waits for the dawn.
Yes, I wait more eagerly
than a soldier on guard duty
waits for the dawn.
7Israel, trust the LORD!
He is always merciful,
and he has the power
to save you.
8Israel, the LORD will save you
from all of your sins.
Proverbs 17:2-3 (Contemporary English Version)
2A hard-working slave
will be placed in charge
of a no-good child,
and that slave will be given
the same inheritance
that each child receives.
3Silver and gold are tested
by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
by the LORD.
Verse of the Day
“[(A psalm by David for the music leader.)][The Wonders of God and the Goodness of His Law]The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next.” - Psalm 19:1-2
will be placed in charge
of a no-good child,
and that slave will be given
the same inheritance
that each child receives.
3Silver and gold are tested
by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
by the LORD.
Verse of the Day
“[(A psalm by David for the music leader.)][The Wonders of God and the Goodness of His Law]The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next.” - Psalm 19:1-2
Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.
Thought for the Day
Broad church priest of the Church of England, a university professor, social reformer, historian and novelist, Charles Kingsley wrote, “There's no use doing a kindness if you do it a day too late.”
A Joke for Today
A fisherman returned to shore with a giant marlin that was bigger and heavier than he. On the way to the cleaning shed, he ran into a second fisherman who had a stringer with a dozen baby minnows. The second fisherman looked at the marlin, turned to the first fisherman and said, " Only caught one, eh?"
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