Monday, January 5, 2015

2 Chronicles, Day 1 Readings

Solomon's First Royal Act and the Dedication of the Temple  

Today's first reading tells of Solomon becoming king after the death of his father David.  Solomon's first act is one of worship -- he travels to the tent of meeting (the Tabernacle) to worship and to ask God for wisdom.  (It is interesting to see that there are at this time two main places of worship in Israel -- one in Jerusalem, where the Ark of the Covenant is, and one at Gibeon, which seems to be where the Tabernacle was assembled in the Promised Land.

Read 2 Chronicles 1:1-13  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second selection describes some of the festivities when the Temple was dedicated.  Amid lots of music, an entire procession followed the Ark of the Covenant as it was brought into the "Holy of Holies" -- the most sacred inner room of the newly built Temple.  At the conclusion, the Temple filled with a cloud, which represents the presence of God.

Read 2 Chronicles 5:1-14  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Chronicles 1-7 today.