Commuter Bible

After staying in the house of Obed-Edom for a while, the ark of the covenant finally comes to Jerusalem with great fanfare. After King David reestablishes the tabernacle, he returns to his own home, a palace made of cedar, and thinks “Why does God dwell in a tent, while I, a mere man, dwell in a palace?” As his wheels begin to spin, he tells Nathan the prophet. Nathan tells David to go for it, but later receives a vision from the Lord. The Lord has never asked a house, but God flips the script and says, “You know what? I’m going to build a house from your family tree. A Son of David will build a house for me that will last forever.

1 Chronicles 15 - 1:14 . 

1 Chronicles 16 - 6:02 . 

1 Chronicles 17 - 12:38 . 

1 Chronicles 18 - 19:07 . 

1 Chronicles 19 - 21:46 . 

Song of Songs 4 - 25:45 . 

:::
Christian Standard Bible translation.
All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.
Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible
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There’s a lot more historical narrative in today’s reading, especially when compared to our first three episodes in 1 Chronicles. David becomes king, he intends to reinstitute the proper worship of God at his tabernacle. When the ark of the covenant almost falls in transit, one man reaches out to grab it, which is not permissible by God’s law. The Lord strikes him dead, which both angers and terrifies David. Scared to bring it to Jerusalem, he leaves it in Gath, bringing it to Jerusalem at a later date. We’ll also hear a few tales of brave men in battle and their legendary accounts of heroism and valor. These men fought alongside David and were there to help him claim kingship over Israel as the Lord had ordained.

1 Chronicles 11 - 1:11 . 

1 Chronicles 12 - 8:51 . 

1 Chronicles 13 - 16:11 . 

1 Chronicles 14 - 18:32 . 

Song of Songs 3 - 21:09 . 

:::
Christian Standard Bible translation.
All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.
Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible
facebook.com/commuterbible
instagram.com/commuter_bible
twitter.com/CommuterPod
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admin@commuterbible.org

We’re still working through a list of names, but thankfully things get a little more interesting this week as the lists are broken up by historical accounts and records of what people did and when. As someone who once worked retail and food service, I like the behind-the-scenes look at how the Levites and gatekeepers conducted the daily maintenance of the temple found in today’s reading. Later we’ll begin The Song of Songs which is about two lovers and their love. It is a book of poetry, symbolism, and innuendo; if you hear something and think, “Does that mean what I think it means?” the answer is probably, “Yup!”

1 Chronicles 8 - 1:10 . 

1 Chronicles 9 - 5:07 . 

1 Chronicles 10 - 12:27 . 

Song of Songs 1 - 15:09 . 

Song of Songs 2 - 18:05 . 

:::
Christian Standard Bible translation.
All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.
Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible
facebook.com/commuterbible
instagram.com/commuter_bible
twitter.com/CommuterPod
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admin@commuterbible.org

We’re reading through the genealogies handed down over the centuries that trace God’s people from Adam & Eve all the way through the exile to Babylon. Remember that each name represents a lifetime and a family: real people with real lives who either trusted in the Lord or who were stiff-necked and rebelled against the Lord. Reading these genealogies juxtaposed against chapters from Ecclesiastes reminds me that one day you and I may just be names on a list to those who come after us, but what the Lord accomplishes in us and through will not be forgotten by the One who formed us, redeemed us, and called us His own. How sweet it is to know that the Lord remembers His people by name.

1 Chronicles 5 - 1:06 . 

1 Chronicles 6 - 5:34 . 

1 Chronicles 7 - 15:11 . 

Ecclesiastes 11 - 21:29 . 

Ecclesiastes 12 - 23:17 . 

:::
Christian Standard Bible translation.
All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.
Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible
facebook.com/commuterbible
instagram.com/commuter_bible
twitter.com/CommuterPod
patreon.com/commuterbible
admin@commuterbible.org

Alright, real talk: this episode probably isn’t going to change your life, but there are some interesting little nuggets to be found in between the names and genealogies. For instance, there’s, “The Prayer of Jabez,” right? which, if you didn’t live through 90’s Christendom, is the title of a book that says you can be blessed with prosperity if you pray prayers like Jabez. Although the author probably lined his pockets with that book, the section on Jabez simply describes something that happened; it isn’t prescribed for all believers. You might as well say, “Pray Solomon’s prayer and you’ll be blessed with wisdom, a kingdom, and a temple!” It doesn’t quite work like that. Alright, let’s read some names, shall we?

1 Chronicles 1 - 1:07 . 

1 Chronicles 2 - 7:12 . 

1 Chronicles 3 - 13:26 . 

1 Chronicles 4 - 17:00 . 

Ecclesiastes 10 - 23:12 . 

:::
Christian Standard Bible translation.
All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.
Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible
facebook.com/commuterbible
instagram.com/commuter_bible
twitter.com/CommuterPod
patreon.com/commuterbible
admin@commuterbible.org