1 Chronicles 7 & 8: Bands Of Soldiers
Verse of the Day: (7:4) And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons. 

1. Sons (7:1-2)
And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred. (7:2)

Though God blessed the 12 sons of Israel, yet He only chose some to be His mighty soldiers in their generations to protect Israel and their families, and fight against their enemies and possess the Promised Land. From the sons of Tola, God chose 22,600 mighty soldiers to fight against their enemies. Likewise, though God bless every member of His church, yet each member has different roles in their service to Him as they have different strengths and weaknesses. While Jesus, God’s Son, is the Head of the church, He chooses the pastor as the human head of the church, and the deacons to assist him. Every member including the pastor and deacons are the sons of God and sinners saved by His grace. (John 1:12) Though some members are prominent like the hands and legs and like the mighty soldiers of Israel, yet others like the thumbs and toes though they seem insignificant are equally important like the wives and children. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) 

2. Soldiers (7:3-40)
And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Micahel, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men. (7:3)

From the sons of Uzzi, God chose 36,000 mighty soldiers to fight against their enemies. Who were their enemies? Their enemies were none other than the devil and the demons and those who rejected God and persecuted His people. Indeed, God’s greatest desire is that all mankind created in His own image, whether in the days of Chronicles, or since the beginning of time of the first couple, Adam and Eve, or even today, to believe in and worship Him so that we shall have abundant lives with Him now and forever. (2 Peter 3:9)

3. Saul (8:1-40)
And Ner Begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. (8:33)

Saul, the son of Kish, was the first king of Israel, and he was from the tribe of Benjamin. Alas, Saul failed miserably as a king, and God removed him, and replaced him with David, the son of Jesse, from the tribe of Judah, a man after His heart. Indeed, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, came from the line of David, and the tribe of Judah. (Acts 13:21-24)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am one of Your soldiers with You as my Captain.

1 Chronicles 5 & 6: God’s War
Verse of the Day: (5:22) For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.

1. War (5:1-26)
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; because they put their trust in him. (5:20)

God gave the birth right of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, to Joseph, another son of Israel, when the former committed incest with his father’s wife. Even though Joseph was the one with the birth right, yet God appointed Judah, another son of Israel, to be the chief ruler who shall be in the line of Jesus, the Son of God. (Matthew 2:6) Though we may not fully understand God’s way yet we must keep trusting Him. Though many times God allowed their enemies to attack and humble them because they had sinned against Him, yet when they trusted Him and cried to Him, He delivered them out of their captivity. In fact, God preserves a remnant of Israel until today, because they are His people, and He had promised them that one day they shall be a great nation. (Genesis 12:1-3) Indeed, let us trust God and put on His armour of salvation, righteousness, truth, faith, the gospel of peace, His Word and prayer, so that we shall prevail against the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-19) 

2. Wait (6:1-32)
And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order. (6:32)

God in His sovereignty chose the Levites, one of the 12 tribes of Israel, to wait on, serve and worship Him at His tabernacle which King Solomon had built for Him. Today, we are the Levites, the royal priests, who wait on, serve and worship God in His church by sharing the gospel, baptising the believers, teaching them to obey His Word, worshipping and praising Him, and helping the poor and the weak in the communities. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

3. Wilderness (6:33-81)
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs, (6:78)

God fulfilled His promise when He eventually helped Israel to overcome their enemies, and then allotted to the 12 tribes, except the tribe of Levites, the possessed lands from the suburbs to the wilderness. Though the Levites had no land, yet they had God as their inheritance, as they waited on and served Him at His tabernacle. Indeed, let us be rooted and grounded in God’s love as He bless us according to His power. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to put on Your whole armour to fight against the devil.

1 Chronicles 3-4: Enlarge My Coast
Verse of the Day: (4:10) And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

1. Jerusalem (3:1-24)
And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel: (3:5)

God preserves the names of all His people especially the descendants of David in Jerusalem, because Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, shall come from his line. In fact, there were 2 lines of Jesus, the legal and the blood lines, from David. The legal line of Jesus was traced from Solomon, one of David’s sons, to His birth. (Matthew 1:6-11) However, it actually stopped short at Jechonias (Coniah) as God had cursed him with no children. Jechonias then adopted Salathiel (Matthew 1:12) to continue the legal line of Solomon. (Jeremiah 22:28-30) Only Nathan, another of David’s sons, had the blood line to Jesus’ birth, because Mary, Jesus’ mother, was from his line, while Joseph, Mary’s husband, was from the line of Solomon. Jesus was hence God’s Son, and His mother was Mary, the virgin. (Luke 3:23-31) Indeed, whatever God promises, He fulfils. (Luke 1:37) 

2. Jabez (4:1-10)
And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. (4:9)

Jabez stood out among all his brothers because he was a man of prayer and believed in the God of Israel. Jabez prayed to God to enlarge his coast, that His hand be with him, and keep him from evil, and God truly answered his prayers, and bless and keep him. Indeed, let us pray to God to always enlarge our coast by sharing the gospel that Jesus saves that all may come to know Him, and make Him known to all. (Romans 1:14-17)

3. Judah (4:11-43)
And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks. (4:41)

God mentioned King Hezekiah of Judah, because he was one of the 8 good and godly kings among all the kings of Judah and Israel. Hezekiah trusted and obeyed God as he removed idolatry as well as destroyed the enemies whom God had commanded them to do so. Indeed, we can only have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, as we do what is right before Him and always abound in His work, will and Word. (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to enlarge my coast by sharing Your Gospel to all.

1 Chronicles 1 & 2: The Troubler Of Israel
Verse of the Day: (2:7) And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.

1. Adam (1:1-26)
Adam, Sheth, Enosh, (1:1)

God loves all His people created in His image, and this is why every person and name is important to Him. We may think that we are just a tiny digit in this huge world, yet God loves us. In the beginning when God created Adam and Eve, He desired that they would live forever on the earth. However, He also knew that His archangel, Lucifer or the devil, shall fall from grace because of pride, and He prepared a fiery place called Hell for him. God knew that the devil would disguise himself as a serpent to tempt Eve, and she would then be deceived and took the forbidden fruit and ate it with Adam. Not only Adam and Eve fell into sins, but the entire human race fell into sins. Nevertheless, God has a redemptive plan as He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, from heaven to live on this earth, and then to die on the cross and shed His blood for the sins of the whole world. Therefore as by one man, Adam, sin entered into the world, and death by sin, yet, by one man, Jesus, the gift of salvation is given to all who believe in Him. Indeed, let us believe in Jesus as He is the only Mediator who is able to reconcile us to God. (Romans 5:12-21)  

2. Abram (1:27-54)
Abram; the same is Abraham. (1:27)

God loved Abram as He chose him to be the Father of His nation, Israel, and His promise to him stands even until today that Israel shall be a great nation. Though today, Israel is yet to be a great nation as her people are scattered all over the world, and there are still conflicts in the Middle East region, yet one day, after the Rapture (when all Christians shall be caught up with Christ into heaven forever) and the 7 years of Great Tribulation (when Satan and his demons shall rule this earth granting the people false peace for 3 ½ years and then torturing them for the next 3 ½ years) during the Millennium, the Lord Jesus shall come from heaven reigning a thousand years on the new earth with His saints, and Jerusalem shall then be His holy city, and Israel shall be His holy nation. Indeed, let us keep trusting our God and His promises, for they shall never fail us. (Genesis 12:1-3)

3. Achar (2:1-55)
These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, (2:1)

God reminded Israel of the sins of Achan (Achar) that caused them a humiliating defeat to Ai, so that they would repent of their sins and turn to Him. (Joshua 7:1-5) Let us thus confess and repent our sins so that God shall grant us victory in our lives. (1 John 1:9-10)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love and pray for Israel and all Your precious people.

2 Kings 25: He Did Eat Bread Continually
Verse of the Day: (25:29) And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life.

1. Besiege (25:1-4)
And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. (25:2)

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged and defeated Jerusalem under King Zedekiah. They took Zedekiah, and killed his sons before him, and then blinded him and brought him to Babylon. Indeed, let us humble ourselves and draw near to God because our enemy, the devil, shall do all things to discourage and destroy our lives. (1 Peter 5:6-11)

2. Burn (25:5-26)
And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man’s house burnt he with fire. (25:9)

After their victory over Jerusalem, the Babylonians looted all the treasures and then burnt God’s house, the king’s house and all the great man’s houses of Jerusalem with fire. They then appointed Gedaliah as the ruler over the people, particularly the poor. Gedaliah was encouraged them to settle down and accept the rule of the Babylonians, and just looked to God who shall be their great Help. However, Ishmael, one of the princes, came with 10 of his men and murdered Gedaliah. The people then fled to Egypt because of the chaos and conflicts. Indeed, let us look to God, our great Help, as one day He shall save us from the destruction of this earth, and this time it shall not be the great flood as in the days of Noah, but the great fire that shall burnt the earth and all who reject God. (2 Peter 3:10-18)

3. Bread (25:27-30)
And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the day of his life. (25:30)

By God’s mercies, during the reign of King Evilmerodach of Babylon, he decided not only to release King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison, but also reinstated him as the king of Judah, and gave him a continual allowance as well to eat with him continually all the days of his life. Indeed, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Though we may not fully understand God’s plan, yet we keep trusting Him to the end as He is truly our Bread of life. As we come to the close of the history of all the kings of Israel and Judah, we can only conclude that it is God’s grace and mercy that had preserved the line of King David until the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. All throughout the time, most of the kings together with the people of Israel had rebelled and sinned against God. Indeed, let us and our families continue to love and serve God because only by loving and serving Him shall we have His greatest blessings now and forever. Christ is truly our Bread of life, and we shall never grow hungry in this life and forever! (John 6:48-51)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I believe in You, the Bread of life and shall live forever.

2 Kings 23 & 24: The Man Of God Proclaims
Verse of the Day: (23:16) And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.

1. Proclaim (23:1-20)
Then he said, What title is that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel. (23:17)

King Josiah did what was right before God as he read God’s Words before Judah, that they must obey Him. He removed and destroyed all the false priests, and also disposed all the false altars by placing them with human bones. However, he preserved the bones of a man of God, when he discovered that the latter had prophesied his name that he would be the one who removed idolatry from Judah, and made them worship the true God. (1 Kings 13:1-2) Indeed, let us proclaim that Jesus is our Saviour and Lord! (Isaiah 61:1-3)

2. Passover (23:21-37)
And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant. (23:21)

Josiah reinstituted the Passover celebration held yearly where a lamb was slaughtered and its blood applied to the homes and its meat was eaten by each family in obedience to God. (Exodus 12:21-30) However, he made a grave mistake at the end of his life when he aligned himself with Assyria which was at war with Egypt, and King Pharaohnechoh of Egypt killed him. Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, then became the king, and he did evil before God. God allowed the Egyptians to control Judah, and Pharaohnechoh removed Jehoahaz, and made Jehoiakim, another son of Josiah, the king. Jehoiakim did evil before God. Let us thus repent of our evil, and believe in Jesus Christ, our Passover. (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)

3. Poorest (24:1-20)
And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. (24:14)

When Jehoiakim died, his son, Jehoiachin became the king, and he did evil before God. Soon the Babylonians were in power, and King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated Judah, and looted all their treasures and took many including Jehoiachin as captives, except the poorest. Nebuchadnezzar then made Zedekiah, Jehoiakin’s uncle, as the king, and he did evil before God. Indeed, we may be the poorest in this world but we shall be the richest in heaven when we believe in God, and trust and obey Him. (Matthew 5:3)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always proclaim that You are my Saviour and Lord.

2 Kings 21 & 22: Wipeth A Dish
Verse of the Day: (21:13) And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.

1. Wipe (21:1-18)
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. (21:16)

King Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, of Judah, did evil before God, unlike his father who did right before Him. Manasseh provoked God when he built altars for both God and the devil, and sacrificed his sons to the devil, and even murdered countless innocent people.  God then judged Jerusalem and almost wiped them out, like we wipe a dish, but for His name’s sake, King David’s sake, and the faithful remnant, He preserved them. Let us thus believe and obey God, and one day, He shall wipe away all our tears, and there shall be no more death, as we shall dwell with Him forever in glorious heaven. (Revelation 21:1-7)

2. Worship (21:19-26)
And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: (21:21)

King Amon, the son of Manasseh, reigned in Judah after his father’s death, and he was evil before God, and worshipped the idols just like his father, and subsequently, his servants conspired and murdered him. The people of Judah then destroyed the murderers, and made Josiah, Amon’s son, to be the next King. Let us therefore flee from evil and sins, and worship God in spirit and truth, as only He deserves our worship. (John 4:19-24)

3. Words (22:1-20)
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. (22:11)

King Josiah, the son of Amon, of Judah, was 8 years old when he reigned, and he did right before God, and walked in His ways as well as King David’s ways. He began to repair God’s house. While repairing God’s house, Hilkiah, the high priest, discovered the book of the law or God’s Words, and passed it to Shaphan, the scribe, who then read them to Josiah. Josiah rent his clothes when he heard God’s Words, as he had not heard them for a long time. Huldah, the prophetess, then prophesied to Josiah that God shall send enemies to destroy Jerusalem because they forsook Him. However, God shall preserve Jerusalem because of the faithful remnant, and He will not destroy it during Josiah’s reign as he was a humble and good king. Indeed, let us study and apply God’s powerful Words into our hearts to live holy lives for His glory and praise. (Hebrews 4:12)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that one day You shall wipe away all my tears forever.

2 Kings 19 & 20: Take Root Downward
Verse of the Day: (19:30) And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 

1. Rent (19:1-19)
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. (19:1)

King Hezekiah of Judah rent his clothes and prayed to God when he received news that King Sennacherib of Assyria was planning to invade them. He then consulted Prophet Isaiah through his servants as to how they could ride over this crisis. Isaiah encouraged them never to fear or be discouraged by the provocation and blasphemy from Rabshakeh, the representative of the King of Assyria, as God shall deliver Judah from them. Indeed, let us call upon God in all our crises, and He shall deliver us for His glory. (Psalms 50:15)

2. Root (19:20-37)
And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. (19:35)

God through Isaiah rebuked Judah that they had time and again rebelled against Him. However, for God’s sake, King David’s sake, and the faithful remnant who had taken root downward in their love for Him, and bear fruit upward for His glory, He shall again deliver them from their enemies. God then sent His angels, and destroyed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, and the rest fled and dwelt at Nineveh. In Nineveh, Sennacherib was killed by his sons, and one of his sons, Esarhaddon, then became the King of Assyria. Amid this wicked world, let us be rooted in God’s love, and bear His fruit of love and peace by sharing the gospel that all may truly come to know Christ. (Ephesians 3:13-21)

3. Recover (20:1-21)
And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. (20:7)

Hezekiah again prayed to God, but this time he was praying for God’s healing as he was dying. Though God through Isaiah told Hezekiah to set his house in order, and to prepare to anoint his successor, yet He extended another 15 years to him when Hezekiah wept and prayed to Him. Isaiah took a lump of figs and put it on his boil, and he recovered. As a sign of Hezekiah’s recovery, God actually slowed down the movement of the planets and let the shadow turned backward by 10 degrees. However, it was better that Hezekiah died, as the next 15 years, he sinned against God as he aligned himself with King Berodachbaladan of Babylon who invaded and defeated Judah. Indeed, only God knows best, and let us trust Him for both our physical and spiritual recovery. (2 Timothy 2:22-26)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be rooted and grounded in Your love for others.

2 Kings 17 & 18: Israel Did Secretly
Verse of the Day: (17:9) And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

1. Secret (17:1-23)
Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. (17:19)

God allowed King Shalmaneser of Assyria to invade and defeat King Hoshea of Israel, as Israel had sold themselves to do evil before Him by offering their children as sacrifices to Baal, the Devil. Hoshea then incurred the anger of Shalmaneser as he ceased his support for him, and aligned himself with the King of Egypt. Subsequently, God judged Israel and allowed their enemies to attack and defeat them. Let us therefore submit to God who not only knows all about us and our works, but even our deepest secrets. (Romans 2:16)

2. Service (17:24-41)
So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day. (17:41)

God judged and scattered Israel until today, as they grievously rebelled and sinned against Him by serving and fearing both Him and the devil, not just their own generation, but even the generations after them, just like the unbelievers of the world. Indeed, let us and our generation after us only serve and fear God as He is the true God. (Matthew 6:24)

3. Servant (18:1-37)
Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them. (18:12)

Unlike many of the kings of Israel and Judah, King Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, of Judah, truly trusted and obeyed God, just like King David, his forefather, a man after God’s heart, and Moses, God’s faithful servant. In the 4th year of King Hezekiah and the 7th year of King Hoshea of the son of Elah of Israel, King Shalmaneser of Assyria invaded and defeated Israel. Then in the 14th year of Hezekiah, King Sennacherib, who succeeded Shalmaneser, sent his representatives, namely, Rabshakeh, to mock Hezekiah and his people, and ordered them to surrender to him. Hezekiah commanded his people to remain silent, as he prayed to God. God then delivered them out of the Assyrians. However, God eventually allowed Judah, like Israel, to fall into the hands of their enemies, primarily, because they had rebelled and sinned against Him. Indeed, let us yield ourselves as servants of righteousness trusting and obeying God now and forever. (Romans 6:12-23)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to truly live for You even in my secret moments.

2 Kings 15 & 16: Written In The Book
Verse of the Day: (15:36) Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

1. Women (15:1-31)
Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up. (15:16)

Throughout man’s history, God’s principle of sowing and reaping prevails even until today. When Shallum conspired and killed King Zachariah of Israel, he too was subsequently killed by Menahem from Tirzah. Menahem even ordered the killing of all including pregnant women who opposed him. During the time of wicked King Jeroboam of Israel, King Azariah, the son of Amaziah, of Judah, was righteous before God. However, even righteous Azariah reaped the consequences of his sins when he allowed Judah to worship idols. God afflicted him with leprosy until his death. Indeed, God shows no favouritism, and the only way to please Him is to trust and obey Him. (Galatians 6:7-8)

2. Written (15:32-38)
In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. (15:37)

King Jotham of Judah, succeeded his father, Azariah or Uzziah, and he was righteous before God. However, like his father, he allowed Judah to worship idols, and God then judged him for his sins. God knows the works of His people and through the Holy Spirit, He inspired His men to record the works of His people so that today we have His book, the Bible, to learn how to live righteously in this wicked world. Another of God’s books is the book of life which He writes the names of all who believe in Him, and in which He promises us that we shall have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. (Revelation 20:12-15)

3. Walk (16:1-20)
But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel. (16:3)

King Ahaz, the son of Jotham, of Judah, walked in the ways of all the wicked kings of Israel, and even sacrificed his son as an offering to the idols just like the unbelievers of this world. God then punished him as He sent King Rezin of Syria to besiege Judah. Ahaz then gave King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria silver and gold, and sought him to help Judah. King Tiglath-pileser consented, and defeated Syria, and killed Rezin. However, God punished Ahaz, because he did not seek Him. Indeed, let us seek God and not man, and walk in His Spirit and not our flesh, so as to receive eternal life and peace. (Romans 8:1-6)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that my name is in Your Book because I believe in You.