Author: Scott Chafee

Scott serves on staff at King’s Grant Baptist Church in Virginia Beach.

First Chronicles

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  1. The Genealogies of God’s People (1 Chronicles 1:1-9:44)
    1. From Adam Through the Descendants of David (1 Chronicles 1:1-3:24)
      1. Adam to Abraham (1 Chronicles 1:1-27)
      2. Abraham to Jacob (1 Chronicles 1:28-54)
      3. Jacob to David (1 Chronicles 2:1-55)
      4. David to the Captivity (1 Chronicles 3:1-24)
    2. Genealogies of the Twelve Tribes (1 Chronicles 4:1-8:40)
      1. Judah (1 Chronicles 4:1-23)
      2. Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:24-43)
      3. Reuben (1 Chronicles 5:1-10)
      4. Gad (1 Chronicles 5:11-22)
      5. Manasseh (1 Chronicles 5:23-26)
      6. Levi (1 Chronicles 6:1-81)
      7. Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:1-5)
      8. Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:6-12)
      9. Naphtali (1 Chronicles 7:13)
      10. Manasseh (1 Chronicles 7:14-19)
      11. Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-29)
      12. Asher (1 Chronicles 7:30-40)
      13. Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:1-40)
    3. The First Returnees After the Exile (1 Chronicles 9:1-34)
    4. The Genealogy of Saul (1 Chronicles 9:35-44)
  2. David, King of Israel (1 Chronicles 10:1-29:30)
    1. The Death of Saul (1 Chronicles 10:1-14)
    2. David is Proclaimed King (1 Chronicles 11:1-47)
      1. Ascension of David (1 Chronicles 11:1-3)
      2. Capture of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 11:4-9)
    3. David’s Warriors (1 Chronicles 11:10-12:40)
    4. The Ark is Returned (1 Chronicles 13:1-16:43)
      1. The Initial Transport of the Ark (1 Chronicles 13:1-14) Uzzah
      2. David Defeats the Philistines (1 Chronicles 14:1-17)
      3. The Ark (1 Chronicles 15:1-16:43)
        1. Brought Back to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:1-29)
        2. Celebration and Arrangement (1 Chronicles 16:1-43)
    5. God Blesses David’s House (1 Chronicles 17:1-27) Davidic Covenant
      1. God’s Promise (1 Chronicles 17:1-15)
      2. David’s Prayer (1 Chronicles 17:16-27)
    6. David’s Military Exploits (1 Chronicles 18:1-20:8)
      1. Victory After Victory (1 Chronicles 18:1-17)
      2. Defeat of the Ammonites (1 Chronicles 19:1-20:3)
      3. War with the Philistines (1 Chronicles 20:4-8)
    7. David Sins by Counting His Army (1 Chronicles 21:1-22:1)
    8. David Prepares for the Building of the Temple (1 Chronicles 22:2-23:1)
    9. The Division of Duties for the Temple (1 Chronicles 23:2-26:32)
      1. The Levites (1 Chronicles 23:1-32)
      2. The Priests (1 Chronicles 24:1-31)
      3. The Singers (1 Chronicles 25:1-31)
      4. The Gatekeepers and Other Officials (1 Chronicles 26:1-32)
    10. David’s Army and Civil Leaders (1 Chronicles 27:1-34)
    11. David’s Plans for the Temple (1 Chronicles 28:1-21)
    12. Israel Brings Gifts for the Temple (1 Chronicles 29:1-30)
      1. The King and the People Give Willingly (1 Chronicles 29:1-9)
      2. David’s Prayer (1 Chronicles 29:10-20)
      3. Solomon is Anointed, David Dies (1 Chronicles 29:21-30)

* LESSONmaker Outlines + the Ryrie Study Bible

Second Kings

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  1. The Decline of the Kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 1:1-17:41)
    1. God’s Judgment on Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:1-18) 853-852 BC
    2. The Reign of Jehoram (Joram) (2 Kings 2:1-8:15) 852-841 BC
      1. Elisha Succeeds Elijah (2 Kings 2:1-25)
        1. Elijah Taken Up to Heaven (2 Kings 2:1-18)
        2. Elisha’s Power Demonstrated (2 Kings 2:19-25)
      2. Expedition Against Moab (2 Kings 3:1-27)
      3. More Miracles of Elisha (2 Kings 4:1-8:15)
        1. Provision for a Prophet’s Widow (2 Kings 4:1-7)
        2. The Restoration of the Shunammite’s Son (2 Kings 4:8-37)
        3. The Prophets are Rescued from Poisoning (2 Kings 4:38-41) at Gilgal, There’s Death in the Pot
        4. A Hundred People are Fed (2 Kings 4:42-44)
        5. Naaman is Healed of Leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-27)
        6. The Floating Axhead (2 Kings 6:1-7)
        7. Elisha Baffles His Enemies (2 Kings 6:8-23) Syria
          1. Background (2 Kings 8:8-17)
          2. Blindness (2 Kings 8:18-23)
        8. Samaria is Besieged (2 Kings 6:24-7:20)
          1. Plight of the People (2 Kings 6:24-29)
          2. Prejudice of the King (2 Kings 6:30-33)
          3. Prophecy of Elisha (2 Kings 7:1-2)
          4. The Siege is Lifted (2 Kings 7:3-20)
        9. Justice for the Shunammite Widow (2 Kings 8:1-6)
          1. Relocation (2 Kings 8:1-2)
          2. Return (2 Kings 8:3)
          3. Restoration (2 Kings 8:4-6)
        10. Elisha Predicts the Succession in Aram (2 Kings 8:7-15)
          1. Fatal Sickness of Ben-hadad (2 Kings 8:7-10)
          2. Fearful Reign of Hazael (2 Kings 8:11-15)
    3. The Next Kings of Judah (2 Kings 8:16-29)
      1. Joram [Jehoram] (2 Kings 8:16-24) 848-841 BC
      2. Ahaziah (2 Kings 8:25-29) 841 BC
    4. Jehu Brings Down the House of Ahab in Israel (2 Kings 9:1-10:36)
      1. Jehu is Anointed by a Prophet (2 Kings 9:1-13)
        1. The Prophet (2 Kings 9:1-6)
        2. The Prophecies (2 Kings 9:7-10)
        3. The Proclamation (2 Kings 9:11-13)
      2. Jehu Kills Rivals (2 Kings 9:14-37)
        1. Joram of Israel (2 Kings 9:14-26)
        2. Ahaziah of Judah (2 Kings 9:27-29)
        3. Jezebel in Israel (2 Kings 9:30-37)
      3. Jehu Eliminates Families (2 Kings 10:1-17)
        1. Ahab (2 Kings 10:1-11, 15-17)
        2. Ahaziah (2 Kings 10:12-14)
      4. Jehu Eliminates the Priests of Baal (2 Kings 10:18-36)
        1. Deception (2 Kings 10:18-24)
        2. Destruction (2 Kings 10:25-28)
        3. Assurance to Jehu (2 Kings 10:29-30)
        4. Apostasy and End of Jehu (2 Kings 10:31-36)
    5. Joash, King of Judah (2 Kings 11:1-12:21) 835-796 BC
      1. Athaliah, Queen in Judah (2 Kings 11:1-18) 841-835 BC
        1. Evil (2 Kings 11:1-3)
        2. Executed (2 Kings 11:4-18)
      2. Joash Repairs the Temple (2 Kings 11:19-12:21)
        1. Ascension (2 Kings 11:19-21)
        2. Activities (2 Kings 12:1-18)
        3. Assassination (2 Kings 12:19-21)
    6. Two Kings of Israel Battle Aram (2 Kings 13:1-25)
      1. Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:1-9) 814-798 BC
      2. Jehoash (2 Kings 13:10-19, 22-25) 798-782 BC
      3. Elisha’s Last Prophecy and Death (2 Kings 13:14-25)
    7. Amaziah, King of Judah, is Routed by Israel (2 Kings 14:1-22) 796-767 BC
    8. God Has Pity on Israel Under Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:23-29) 794-753 BC
    9. Azariah, (Uzziah) the Leper King of Judah (2 Kings 15:1-7) 790-739 BC
    10. A Quick Succession of Kings in Israel (2 Kings 15:8-31)
      1. Zechariah (2 Kings 15:8-12) 753 BC
      2. Shallum (2 Kings 15:13-15) 752 BC
      3. Menahem (2 Kings 15:16-22) 752-742 BC
      4. Pekahliah (2 Kings 15:23-26) 742-740 BC
      5. Pekah (2 Kings 15:27-31) 752-732 BC
    11. Jotham and His Son Ahaz Rule in Judah (2 Kings 15:32-16:20)
      1. Jotham (2 Kings 15:32-38) 750-731 BC
      2. Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1-20) 731-715 BC
    12. Hoshea, the End of the Kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:1-41) 732-722 BC
      1. Defeat of Israel (2 Kings 17:1-6)
      2. Sins of Israel (2 Kings 17:7-23)
      3. Resettlement of Israel (2 Kings 17:24-41)
  2. The Decline of the Kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 18:1-25:30)
    1. Hezekiah, a Godly King (2 Kings 18:1-20:21) 715-686 BC
      1. Reforms: Hezekiah Purifies Israel’s Religion (2 Kings 18:1-16)
      2. Deliverance: The Assyrian Threat is Turned Away (2 Kings 18:17-19:37)
      3. The End of Hezekiah’s Reign (2 Kings 20:1-21)
        1. Sickness (2 Kings 20:1)
        2. Supplication (2 Kings 20:2-3)
        3. Salvation (2 Kings 20:4-7)
        4. Sign (2 Kings 20:8-11)
        5. Stupidity Before the Babylonians (2 Kings 20:12-21)
    2. Manasseh Returns to Idolatry (2 Kings 21:1-26) 696-642 BC
    3. Josiah: a Season of Repentance (2 Kings 22:1-23:30) 640-609 BC
      1. Temple Repairs (2 Kings 22:1-7)
      2. The Book of the Law is Found (2 Kings 22:8-20)
      3. Covenant Renewal (2 Kings 23:1-3)
      4. Nation is Reformed: Judgment is Postponed (2 Kings 23:4-30)
    4. The Last Kings of Judah (2 Kings 23:31-24:17)
      1. Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31-33) 609 BC
      2. Jehoiakim (Eliakim) (2 Kings 23:34-24:7) 609-587 BC
    5. Judah Falls to Babylon (2 Kings 24:18-25:30)
      1. Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:8-16) 597 BC
      2. Zedekiah (Mattaniah) (2 Kings 24:17-25:21) 597-587 BC
        1. Rebellion Against Babylon (2 Kings 24:17-25:10)
        2. Third Deportation to Babylon (2 Kings 25:11-21)
      3. Gedaliah (2 Kings 25:22-26) the Puppet Governor – 586 BC
      4. Jehoiachin’s Release in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27-30)

* LESSONmaker Outlines + the Ryrie Study Bible

First Kings

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  1. Solomon Succeeds David as King (1 Kings 1:1-11:43)
    1. Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King (1 Kings 1:1-27)
      1. The Coldness of David (1 Kings 1:1-4)
      2. The Conspiracy of Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5-10)
      3. The Counterplot by Nathan (1 Kings 1:11-27)
    2. David Names Solomon King (1 Kings 1:28-53)
      1. The Command of David (1 Kings 1:28-37)
      2. The Crowning by Zadok (1 Kings 1:38-40)
      3. The Compassion of Solomon (1 Kings 1:41-53)
    3. David’s Charge to Solomon (1 Kings 2:1-12)
      1. Reminder (1 Kings 2:1-4)
      2. Requests (1 Kings 2:5-9)
      3. Resting Place (1 Kings 2:10_12)
    4. Solomon Deals with Traitors (1 Kings 2:13-46)
      1. Adonijah (1 Kings 2:13-25)
      2. Abiathar (1 Kings 2:26-27)
      3. Joab (1 Kings 2:28-35)
      4. Shimei (1 Kings 2:36-46)
    5. Solomon Asks God for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:1-28)
      1. The Rise of Solomon (1 Kings 3:1)
      2. The Revelation of Solomon (1 Kings 3:2-28)
        1. Details (1 Kings 3:5-15)
        2. Demonstration (1 Kings 3:16-28)
    6. Solomon’s Reign (1 Kings 4:1-34)
      1. His People (1 Kings 4:1-19)
      2. His Prosperity (1 Kings 4:20)
      3. His Places (1 Kings 4:21, 24)
      4. His Provisions (1 Kings 4:22-23, 27-28)
    7. The Period of Building (1 Kings 5:1-7:51)
      1. Preparations for Building the Temple (1 Kings 5:1-18)
      2. Description and Construction of the Temple (1 Kings 6:1-38)
      3. Solomon Builds His Palace (1 Kings 7:1-12)
      4. Furnishing the Temple (1 Kings 7:13-51)
    8. The Arrival of the Ark and Dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8:1-66)
      1. Summons (1 Kings 8:1-11)
      2. Sermon (1 Kings 8:12-21)
      3. Supplication (1 Kings 8:22-53)
    9. The Lord Appears to Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-28)
      1. Warning to Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-9)
      2. Work Projects of Solomon (1 Kings 9:10-19)
      3. Workforce of Solomon (1 Kings 9:20-24)
      4. Worship by Solomon (1 Kings 9:25)
    10. Solomon’s Last Years (1 Kings 10:1-11:43)
      1. Solomon’s Wisdom: The Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-13)
      2. Solomon’s Wealth (1 Kings 10:14-29)
      3. Solomon’s Wives (1 Kings 11:1-13) His Downfall
        1. Polygamy (1 Kings 11:1-3)
        2. Paganism (1 Kings 11:4-13)
      4. Solomon’s Enemies (1 Kings 11:14-40)
        1. Adversaries (1 Kings 11:14-28)
        2. Ahijah’s Prophecy (1 Kings 11:29-40)
      5. Solomon’s Death (1 Kings 11:41-43)
  2. Israel and Judah Separate (1 Kings 12:1-22:53)
    1. Jeroboam Takes Ten Tribes (1 Kings 12:1-14:20) 931-910 BC
      1. Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:1-24)
        1. Request (1 Kings 12:1-4)
        2. Reply (1 Kings 12:5-15)
        3. Revolt (1 Kings 12:16-24)
      2. Jeroboam Sets Up Golden Calves (1 Kings 12:25-33)
      3. A Prophecy Stands, A Prophet Falls (1 Kings 13:1-34)
        1. Encountering the Man of God (1 Kings 13:1-32)
        2. Elevating non-Levites to the Priesthood (1 Kings 13:33-34)
      4. Jeroboam’s Ruin Prophesied (1 Kings 14:1-20) Ahijah
        1. Experiencing His Son’s Sickness (1 Kings 14:1-18)
        2. Expiring (1 Kings 14:19-20)
    2. Kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:21-15:24)
      1. Judah Under Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:21-31) 931-913 BC
        1. Apostasy in Judah (1 Kings 14:21-24)
        2. Attack by Shishak in Egypt (1 Kings 14:25-28)
        3. Death of Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:29-31)
      2. Judah Under Abijah (1 Kings 15:1-8) 913-911 BC
      3. Judah Under Asa (1 Kings 15:9-24) 911-870 BC
        1. Reforms (1 Kings 15:9-15)
        2. War with Baasha (1 Kings 15:16-24)
    3. Kings of Israel (1 Kings 15:25-16:34)
      1. Israel Under Nadab (1 Kings 15:25-32) 910-909 BC
      2. Israel Under Baasha (1 Kings 15:33-16:7) 909-886 BC
      3. Israel Under Elah (1 Kings 16:8-14) 886-885 BC
      4. Israel Under Zimri (1 Kings 16:15-20) 885 BC
      5. Israel Under Omri (1 Kings 16:21-28) 885-874 BC
      6. Ahab Becomes King of Israel (1 Kings 16:29-34) 874-853 BC
    4. Elijah, the Prophet and Ahab, the King (1 Kings 17:1-21:29)
      1. Drought Predicted by Elijah (1 Kings 17:1)
      2. Elijah is Fed by Ravens (1 Kings 17:2-6)
      3. The Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-24)
      4. The Prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:1-46)
        1. Elijah and Obadiah (1 Kings 18:1-15)
        2. Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16-46)
      5. Elijah Flees to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:1-18)
      6. The Call of Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21)
      7. War Against Aram (1 Kings 20:1-43) with Ben-hadad
        1. First Campaign (1 Kings 20:1-21)
        2. Second Campaign (1 Kings 20:22-43)
      8. Naboth’s Vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-29)
        1. Ahab’s Conspiracy (1 Kings 21:1-16)
        2. Ahab’s Condemnation (1 Kings 21:17-24)
        3. Ahab’s Contrition (1 Kings 21:25-29)
    5. Ahab’s Downfall (1 Kings 22:1-40)
      1. Ahab and Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:1-4)
      2. Ahab and the Prophets (1 Kings 22:5-28)
      3. Ahab and the Arameans (1 Kings 22:29-40)
    6. The Kings of the Next Generation (1 Kings 22:41-53)
      1. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah (1 Kings 22:41-50) 873-848 BC
      2. Ahaziah, King of Israel (1 Kings 22:51-53) 841 BC

* LESSONmaker Outlines + the Ryrie Study Bible

Do Science and Scripture Agree?

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This is a pretty hot question through the ages. The issue could be how data is interpreted; often conflict comes from trying to make the Bible say things it was not meant to answer. Do scientists and some Christians disagree? Yes, like Galileo, the Scopes trial of 1925 or Wilburforce and Huxley.

Well meaning Christians:

Some try to make the Bible say what it does not say. For instance James Bishop Ussher (1581-1656) calculated the genealogy back to Adam and claimed the earth was created in 4004 BC. Ussher’s notes are not part of the original text so the Bible does not really say that the earth was created in 4004 BC. Statements can be philosophic interpretations of data which do not carry the same weight of authority as the data.

When a scientist speaks:

When a scientist speaks on any subject, he is likely to be believed. He may be speaking outside of his field but gets the same respect that should be given from within his field. Carl Sagan (professor of astronomy at Cornell) speaks on the subject of science and religion. Science is his field; religion is certainly not. He makes bold statements like the universe is all there ever was or ever will be. If we must worship a power greater than ourselves, would it not make sense to worship the sun or stars? But it makes no sense to worship the product of blind chance in a pointless process.

Honest differences:

If we stick to what the Bible actually says and what the scientific facts are, the area of controversy is much smaller. There are times of honest differences among Christians: like the meaning of the word “day” in Genesis 1. We cannot condemn someone with a differing view.

Faith is suspect:

Can something that cannot be verified scientifically be dismissed as invalid or unreal? If a statement cannot be proved in a lab or confirmed by science, it cannot be accepted as reliable. There are other ways to acquire knowledge, than just in a laboratory. Consider falling in love. It cannot be confirmed in a lab yet no one would say it is unreal. The scientific method is only reliable on topics whose realities are measured in physical terms.

Scientific methods:

Faith is no detriment to reality. Science itself rest on presuppositions which must be accepted by faith before the research is possible. The universe is orderly, operates on a pattern, and we can predict it’s behavior.

The scientific method we know of today began in the sixteenth century, among Christians. They broke from the Greek polytheistic concepts that looked at the universe as in chaos and irregular. The alternative was a universe of order and there must have been an intelligent designer behind the patterns. Another improvable presupposition that must be accepted by faith is the reliability of our sense perception. One must believe that our senses are trustworthy enough to get a true picture of the universe and enable us to understand its orderliness.

Science is the only way to truth:

A Christian exercises faith and sees no incompatibility in using reason or intelligence. A scientist who is a Christian sees himself following the steps of the founders of modern science.

Science is incapable of making value judgments about the things is measures. There is nothing inherent in science that guides them in the application of the discoveries they make. Science can tell us how something works but it cannot answer why it works; whether there is any purpose for it in the universe. The Bible often tells us how, but rarely tells us why!

Is God Necessary?

Some have thought God was necessary to explain some things that could not otherwise be explained. Scientist will say that given enough time they can explain anything in the universe.

God is not only creator but the sustainer of the universe (Colossians 1:17). The universe would fall apart if it were not for God. You still need God even if you understand everything. Knowing how the universe is sustained is not the same as things as sustaining it.

Consider DNA. Is God going to be thrown from the throne since DNA can be produced in a laboratory? These advances in science only emphasize that life did not come from blind chance, but from an intelligent mind! Science does not create ex nihilo!

Three views of evolution:

Evolutionism: that the universe has been evolving forever on the basis of a natural processes, mutation and natural selection.

Microevolution: describes a continued process or development within a species. A bear is still a bear, and dog is still a dog. A species is one of seven classifications (according to the Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus) 1) Kingdom, 2) Phylum, 3) Class, 4) Order, 5) family, 6) Genus, and 7) species. Kingdom is the largest group and species is the smallest. Members of a species have a high degree of similarity and will generally interbreed only with themselves. Microevolution will allow for the creation of a new species but not the development of one species into a higher classification.

In Genesis 1:24-25, is kind the same as species? Likely not. It basically means that each kind produces offspring like itself.

Macroevolution: requires the transfer of genetic information from one species to a higher more complex classification. Factors along with chance cannot provide the information necessary to build legs on a fish. There are no missing links in paleontology; from whales to land mammals for instance.

Animal ancestors:

Christians hold to two non-negotiable facts: God supernaturally created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1), and God supernaturally created the first man and woman (Genesis 1:27). The Bible rules out the possibility of mankind evolving from a lower life form. The NT refers to Adam and Eve as historic figures (Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Timothy 2:13-14, 1 John 3:12, Jude 1:11). Genesis was not an allegory!

The age of the earth?

Was it 4004 BC or millions of years ago? Look at the Hebrew word for day. Can it mean a period or are rather than just a 24-hour period? The first humans were created on the sixth day (Genesis 2:7-22, 5:2) and he named the animals and had a wife all on a single 24-period? God’s use of the word day is not so confined (Psalm 90:4, 2 Peter 3:8). Other theologians state that God created a grown up universe, Adam at 20, trees with rings, a rock with the appearance of age, mountain ranges in place. It’s not an argument for the Christian to push since the Bible is silent on the matter. We should be agnostic as to the age of the earth.

Commentary: The same word day is used in the Ten Commandments, a 24-hour period (Exodus 20:11). Adam did not start out as an embryo. There was vegetation on day three, yet now sun until day four, so photosynthesis would not have worked if day three was more than 24 hours.

A constantly moving train:

We are always learning, yesterday’s generalization is tomorrow’s discarded hypothesis. What is to say that evolution is the last assault on our origin? If the Bible becomes embedded in today’s scientific theories, what happens when the theories change 20 years form now? In 1861 the French Academy of Science published 51 scientific facts that controverted the Word of God. Today, not one scientist would support one of these 51 facts.

Many scientists ignore these evolutionary assumptions and consider only the seventh.

  1. Non-living things gave rise to living material; spontaneous generation.
  2. Spontaneous generation happened only once.
  3. Viruses, bacteria, plants and animals are interrelated.
  4. Protozoa gave rise to metazoa.
  5. Various invertebrate phyla are interrelated.
  6. Invertebrates gave rise to vertebrates.
  7. Vertebrates and fish gave rise to amphibia, to reptiles, to birds and mammals.

Observation:

These assumptions by their nature are not capable of experimental verification. They assume a certain set of variables occurred in the past.

Does one assume there is a God or not? It either happened by chance or there is an intelligent design behind it all. If God, where does one stand on Christ?

Extremes to avoid:

That evolution has been proven and anyone with a brain should accept it.

That evolution is only a theory with little evidence for it.

The issue is interpretation of the facts; we choose to believe what we do based on our interpretation of the facts. The presuppositions one brings to the facts, rather than the facts themselves, determine one’s conclusion.

Second Samuel

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  1. David Consolidates His Kingship (2 Samuel 1:1-10:19)
    1. David Mourns Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:1-27)
      1. Report of Saul’s Death (2 Samuel 1:1-10)
      2. Reaction to Saul’s Death (2 Samuel 1:11-16)
      3. Remorse over Saul’s Death (2 Samuel 1:17-27)
    2. David is Anointed King Over Judah (2 Samuel 2:1-7)
      1. Extent of the Kingdom (Judah) (2 Samuel 2:1-7)
      2. Effort to Include other Tribes (2 Samuel 2:8-4:12)
        1. The Rival, Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 2:8-11)
        2. Abner vs. Joab (2 Samuel 2:12-32)
        3. Abner Deserts Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 3:1-21)
        4. Joab Murders Abner (2 Samuel 3:22-39)
        5. The Murder of Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 4:1-12)
    3. David is Anointed King Over Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5)
    4. The Government Established in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-25)
    5. The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-23)
    6. David is Established by God (2 Samuel 7:1-29) Davidic Covenant
      1. David’s Proposal (2 Samuel 7:1-3)
      2. God’s Proposal (2 Samuel 7:4-29)
        1. God’s Promise (2 Samuel 7:4-17)
        2. David’s Praise (2 Samuel 7:18-29)
    7. David’s Military Victories (2 Samuel 8:1-18) over Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Syria, Edom
    8. David Honors Saul’s Descendant (2 Samuel 9:1-13) Mephibosheth
    9. David Defeats the Ammonites (2 Samuel 10:1-19)
  2. Troubles Result from David’s Sin (2 Samuel 11:1-24:25)
    1. David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-27)
      1. Adultery (2 Samuel 11:1-13)
      2. Murder (2 Samuel 11:14-27)
    2. Nathan Rebukes David (2 Samuel 12:1-31) You are the Man
    3. Trouble Among David’s Sons (2 Samuel 13:1-39)
      1. The Incest of Ammon (2 Samuel 13:1-19)
        1. He Desires Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-10)
        2. He Defiles Tamar (2 Samuel 13:11-19)
      2. The Revenge of Absalom (2 Samuel 13:20-39)
    4. Absalom Conspires Against David (2 Samuel 14:1-19:43)
      1. Absalom Returns (2 Samuel 14:1-33)
      2. Absalom Revolts (2 Samuel 15:1-12)
        1. The Politics (2 Samuel 15:1-6)
        2. The Plot (2 Samuel 15:7-12)
      3. David Runs (2 Samuel 15:13-16:14)
        1. Absalom, the People are with Him (2 Samuel 15:13-16)
        2. Ittai (2 Samuel 15:17-22) Loyal to David
        3. Zadock and Abiathar (2 Samuel 15:23-29) the Ark
        4. Hushai (2 Samuel 15:30-37, 16:15-19) Loyal to David
        5. Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1-4) Rewarded by David
        6. Shimei (2 Samuel 16:5-14) Curses David
      4. Absalom Rules (2 Samuel 16:15-17:29)
        1. Profanity on the Rooftop (2 Samuel 16:15-23)
        2. Conflicting Advice (2 Samuel 17:1-14, 23)
          1. Ahithophel: Correct Advice (2 Samuel 17:1-4)
          2. Hushai: Crafty Advice (2 Samuel 17:5-14, 23)
        3. Hushai Relays Absalom’s Plans (2 Samuel 17:15-23)
        4. Absalom is Defeated (2 Samuel 17:24-29)
      5. The Death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1-18)
        1. Humanity: Deal Gently with Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1-5)
        2. Helpless: Absalom’s Hair (2 Samuel 18:6-10)
        3. Heartless: Joab’s Disobedience (2 Samuel 18:11-18)
      6. The Grieving David Resumes His Rule (2 Samuel 18:19-19:43)
        1. Report of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:19-32)
        2. Remorse Over Absalom (2 Samuel 18:33-19:4)
        3. Rebuke from Joab (2 Samuel 19:5-7)
        4. Resolution (2 Samuel 19:8-15) to Return to Jerusalem
        5. Return (2 Samuel 19:15-43)
          1. David and Shimei (2 Samuel 19:16-23)
          2. David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 19:24-30)
          3. David and Barzillai (2 Samuel 19:31-39)
          4. David and the Men of Judah (2 Samuel 19:40-43)
    5. Sheba Rebels Against David (2 Samuel 20:1-26) Worthless Fellows
      1. Sheba’s Uprising (2 Samuel 20:1-13)
      2. Sheba’s Undoing (2 Samuel 20:14-22)
      3. David’s Leaders Listed (2 Samuel 20:23-26)
    6. David Settles Some Old Accounts (2 Samuel 21:1-22)
      1. Problem: the Famine (2 Samuel 21:1-2) Why?
      2. Plan: Meeting and Mercy (2 Samuel 21:3-9)
      3. Protection: a Mourning Mom (2 Samuel 21:1-14)
      4. Personnel: Military Exploits (2 Samuel 21:15-22)
    7. David’s Song of Praise (2 Samuel 22:1-51)
      1. God’s Protection (2 Samuel 22:1-7)
      2. God’s Power (2 Samuel 22:8-16)
      3. God’s Provision (2 Samuel 22:17-25)
      4. God’s Perfect Justice (2 Samuel 22:26-28)
      5. God’s Proven Dependability (2 Samuel 22:29-51)
        1. David as Warrior (2 Samuel 22:33-46)
        2. David as Worshiper (2 Samuel 22:47-51)
    8. The Last Words of David (2 Samuel 23:1-7)
    9. David is Punished for Assessing His Strength (2 Samuel 23:8-24:25)
      1. The Deeds of David’s Mighty Men (2 Samuel 23:8-39)
      2. The Census and Plague (2 Samuel 24:1-25)

* LESSONmaker Outlines and the Ryrie Study Bible

First Samuel

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  1. Samuel’s Early Years (1 Samuel 1:1-7:17)
    1. The Birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1-2:11)
      1. Sorrow (1 Samuel 1:1-8)
      2. Supplication (1 Samuel 1:9-18)
      3. Son (1 Samuel 1:19-23)
      4. Sacrifice (1 Samuel 1:24-28)
      5. Song (1 Samuel 2:1-11)
    2. Prophecy Against the House of Eli (1 Samuel 2:12-36) at Shiloh
    3. God Calls Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-21)
      1. He Receives God’s Message (1 Samuel 3:1-14)
      2. He Repeats God’s Message (1 Samuel 3:15-18)
      3. Eli Recognizes God’s Message (1 Samuel 3:19-21)
    4. Israel at War with the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1-7:17)
      1. The Capture of the Ark (1 Samuel 4:1-11)
      2. The Death of Eli (1 Samuel 4:12-18)
      3. The Departure of Glory: Ichabod (1 Samuel 4:19-22)
      4. The Curse of the Ark (1 Samuel 5:1-12)
      5. The Return of the Ark (1 Samuel 6:1-7:2)
      6. The Philistines are Subdued (1 Samuel 7:3-17)
  2. Saul, the first King of Israel (1 Samuel 8:1-15:35)
    1. Israel Wants a King (1 Samuel 8:1-22)
    2. Samuel Anoints Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-10:27)
      1. The Choosing of Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-27)
      2. The Coronation of Saul (1 Samuel 10:1-27)
    3. Saul’s Leadership is Confirmed in Action (1 Samuel 11:1-15) the Ammonites
    4. Samuel’s Farewell Speech (1 Samuel 12:1-25)
    5. Saul’s Disobedience (1 Samuel 13:1-14:52)
      1. His Sinful Offering (1 Samuel 13:1-23)
      2. His Rash Vows (1 Samuel 14:1-52)
    6. God Rejects Saul as King (1 Samuel 15:1-35) Partial Obedience
  3. The Rise of David as King of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-31:13)
    1. David Anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1-13)
    2. David as Saul’s Servant (1 Samuel 16:14-23)
    3. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-58)
    4. Saul’s Jealousy of David (1 Samuel 18:1-20:42)
      1. David’s Friendship with Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-4)
      2. David’s Relationship with Saul (1 Samuel 18:5-16)
      3. David Protected by Jonathan (1 Samuel 19:1-10)
      4. David Protected by Michal (1 Samuel 19:11-17)
      5. David Protected by Samuel (1 Samuel 19:18-24)
      6. David Protected by Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:1-42)
    5. Saul Pursues David (1 Samuel 21:1-23:29)
      1. David Protected by Abimelech (1 Samuel 21:1-9)
      2. David Protected by Achish (1 Samuel 21:10-15)
      3. David Protected by His Mighty Men (1 Samuel 22:1-5)
      4. Saul Kills the Priests (1 Samuel 22:6-23)
      5. David Rescues Keilah from Philistines (1 Samuel 23:1-12)
      6. David in the Wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:13-29)
    6. David Spares Saul’s Life (1 Samuel 24:1-22) at Engedi
    7. David and Abigail (1 Samuel 25:1-44)
    8. David Again Spares Saul’s Life (1 Samuel 26:1-25) in Ziph
    9. David Among the Philistines (1 Samuel 27:1-28:2)
    10. Saul and the Witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:3-25)
    11. David Continues to Prosper Militarily (1 Samuel 29:1-30:31)
      1. David Dismissed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 29:1-11)
      2. David Destroys the Amelekites (1 Samuel 30:1-31)
    12. The Death of Saul (1 Samuel 31:1-13) by Philistines

* LESSONmaker Outlines + the Ryrie Study Bible

Ruth

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  1. Ruth Adopts Naomi’s People and God (Ruth 1:1-22)
    1. Her Background (Ruth 1:1-5)
    2. Her Choice (Ruth 1:6-18)
    3. Her Arrival in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19-22)
  2. Ruth Meets Boaz (Ruth 2:1-23)
    1. The Right to Glean (Ruth 2:1-3)
    2. The Result of Her Gleaning (Ruth 2:4-17)
      1. Boaz Meets Ruth (Ruth 2:4-7)
      2. Boaz Protects Ruth (Ruth 2:8-13)
      3. Boaz Provides for Ruth (Ruth 2:14-17)
    3. The Report of Her Gleaning (Ruth 2:18-23)
  3. Ruth Asks for Boaz’s Protection (Ruth 3:1-18)
    1. Suggested by Naomi (Ruth 3:1-5)
    2. Executed by Ruth (Ruth 3:6-9)
    3. Agreed to by Boaz (Ruth 3:10-18)
  4. Naomi’s Heritage is Restored Through Ruth (Ruth 4:1-22)
    1. A Husband (Ruth 4:1-12)
    2. A Son (Ruth 4:13-17)
    3. A Lineage (Ruth 4:18-22)

* LESSONmaker Outlines + the Ryrie Study Bible

Judges

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  1. God’s Command to be Separate is Ignored (Judges 1:1-3:6)
    1. Political Background (Judges 1:1-36)
    2. Spiritual Background (Judges 2:1-3:6)
  2. The Cycle of Apostasy and Repentance (Judges 3:7-16:31)
    1. Othniel, the First Judge (Judges 3:7-11) Mesopotamian Oppression
    2. Ehud (Judges 3:12-30) Moabite Oppression
    3. Shamgar (Judges 3:31) Philistine Oppression
    4. Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:1-5:31) Canaanite Oppression
      1. The Story (Judges 4:1-24)
      2. The Song (Judges 5:1-31)
    5. Gideon (Judges 6:1-8:35) Midianite Oppression
      1. Gideon is Chosen to Deliver Israel (Judges 6:1-40)
      2. Gideon Defeats the Midianites (Judges 7:1-25)
      3. Gideon Silences His Opponents (Judges 8:1-21)
        1. Criticism Against Gideon (Judges 8:1-4)
        2. Contempt for Gideon (Judges 8:5-9)
        3. Capture by Gideon (Judges 8:10-12, 19-21)
        4. Chastisement from Gideon (Judges 8:13-17)
      4. Israel Falls Away from Following God (Judges 8:22-35)
        1. Refusal of Kingship (Judges 8:22-23)
        2. Return to Idolatry (Judges 8:24-27, 33-35)
        3. Rest of Gideon’s Life (Judges 8:28-32)
    6. Abimelech’s Treachery is Punished (Judges 9:1-57)
      1. His Destruction (Judges 9:1-6)
      2. His Denouncement (Judges 9:7-21)
      3. His Difficulties (Judges 9:22-41)
      4. His Depravity (Judges 9:42-49)
      5. His Death (Judges 9:50-57)
    7. Tola (Judges 10:1-2)
    8. Jair (Judges 10:3-5)
    9. Jephthah (Judges 10:6-12:7) Ammonite Oppression
      1. The Setting for His Deeds (Judges 10:6-18)
      2. The Story of His Deeds (Judges 11:1-12:7)
        1. His Vindication (Judges 11:1-29)
        2. His Vow (Judges 11:30-31)
        3. His Victory (Judges 11:32-33)
        4. His Vexation (Judges 11:34-40)
        5. His Vengeance (Judges 12:1-7)
    10. Ibzan (Judges 12:8-10)
    11. Elon (Judges 12:11-12)
    12. Abdon (Judges 12:13-15)
    13. Samson (Judges 13:1-16:31) Philistine Oppression
      1. Damson’s Birth (Judges 13:1-25)
      2. Samson’s Marriage (Judges 14:1-20)
      3. Samson’s Vengeance on the Philistines (Judges 15:1-20)
      4. Samson and Delilah (Judges 16:1-22)
      5. The Death of Samson (Judges 16:23-31)
  3. Idolatry and Moral Decay (Judges 17:1-21:25)
    1. The Idolatry of Dan (Judges 17:1-18:31)
      1. Micah and His Private Priest (Judges 17:1-13)
      2. Danite Migration (Judges 18:1-31)
    2. The Benjamite War (Judges 19:1-21:25)
      1. The Reason for the War (Judges 19:1-20:14)
      2. The Execution of the War (Judges 20:15-48)
      3. The Remnant of Benjamin is Preserved (Judges 21:1-25)

* LESSONmaker Outlines + the Ryrie Study Bible

Joshua

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  1. Crossing the Jordan into Canaan (Joshua 1:1-5:12)
    1. Joshua Assumes Leadership of Israel (Joshua 1:1-18)
      1. God’s Commission of Joshua (Joshua 1:1-9)
      2. God’s Command to Joshua (Joshua 1:10-18)
    2. Spies Go into Jericho (Joshua 2:1-24) Rahab’s Help
    3. The Israelites Cross the Jordan (Joshua 3:1-4:24)
      1. Crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3:1-17) Parting Waters
      2. Commemoration of the Crossing (Joshua 4:1-24)
    4. The Next Generation is Circumcised (Joshua 5:1-12)
  2. Defeating the Canaanite Peoples (Joshua 5:13-12:24)
    1. The Fall of Jericho (Joshua 5:13-6:27)
      1. Captain of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5:13-15)
      2. Victory at Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27)
    2. Defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:1-26) Achin’s Sin
    3. Rebounding from Ai (Joshua 8:1-35)
      1. Victory at Ai (Joshua 8:1-29)
      2. Worship at Ebal (Joshua 8:30-35)
    4. The Gibeonite Deception (Joshua 9:1-27)
    5. God’s Miraculous Intervention (Joshua 10:1-15) Large Stones from Heaven
    6. The Defeat of the Southern and Northern Kings (Joshua 10:16-11:23)
      1. The Five Kings (Joshua 10:16-43)
      2. Conquest of Northern Canaan (Joshua 11:1-15)
      3. Summary of the Conquest (Joshua 11:16-23)
    7. The List of Defeated Kings (Joshua 12:1-24)
  3. Dividing the Land and Renewing the Covenant (Joshua 13:1-24:33)
    1. The Land is Divided Among the Tribes (Joshua 13:1-19:51)
      1. Instructions to Joshua (Joshua 13:1-7)
      2. Division of the Transjordan (Joshua 13:8-33)
      3. Division of Canaan (Joshua 14:1-19:51)
        1. Introduction (Joshua 14:1-5)
        2. Judah (Joshua 14:6-15:63)
        3. Ephriam (Joshua 16:1-10)
        4. Manasseh (Joshua 17:1-18)
        5. Surveying the Remaining Land (Joshua 18:1-10)
        6. Benjamin (Joshua 18:11-28)
        7. Simeon (Joshua 19:1-9)
        8. Zebulun (Joshua 19:10-16)
        9. Issachar (Joshua 19:17-23)
        10. Asher (Joshua 19:24-31)
        11. Naphtali (Joshua 19:32-39)
        12. Dan (Joshua 19:40-48)
        13. Special Inheritances (Joshua 19:49-51)
    2. Cities of Refuge (Joshua 20:1-9)
    3. Cities of the Levites (Joshua 21:1-45)
    4. The Eastern 2 1/2 Tribes Return to their Lands (Joshua 22:1-34)
    5. Joshua’s Farewell (Joshua 23:1-24:33)
      1. To the Rulers (Joshua 23:1-16)
      2. To the People (Joshua 24:1-28)
      3. The Death of Joshua (Joshua 24:29-33)

* LESSONmaker Outlines + the Ryrie Study Bible

How to Build and Maintain Integrity

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This week I was thinking about Craig’s comments about the honor code at the medical college and it made me consider the quality of integrity. People always talk about it but we can’t always get a handle on just what it is. John Maxwell has some wise words on the topic:

Integrity is important in building relationships: It is the foundation upon which success is built, along with respect, dignity and trust. If integrity is weak, success is impossible. I believe integrity is about the small things, often when no one is watching. Sort of like king David talking about the kind of shepherd he was when no one was looking (1 Samuel 17:34-37). We would not even have this story had David not revealed it! He was alone, and his true character was shining. It might have been too easy to say, “It’s only one sheep, why risk my life over one stinkin’ sheep?” David had integrity.

Consider these thoughts on integrity:

  1. Integrity is not determined by circumstance: like your household or your upbringing. Circumstances are as responsible for your character as a mirror is for your looks… who you see only reflects who you are.
  2. Integrity is not based on credentials: some people want to be judged not on who they really are but on some status they have achieved. These guys want to lead out of their credentials rather than the strength of their character. No title, degree, award or license can be a substitute for one’s character.
  3. Integrity is not to be confused with reputation: Solomon once said that a good name is more desirable than great riches (Proverbs 22:1). D. L Moody once said that if I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of itself. We will struggle with maintaining our integrity if we do all the right things from the outside (without a changed inner strength).

Questions to help measure your integrity:

  1. How well do I treat people if I gain nothing?
  2. Am I transparent to others?
  3. Do I role-play based on the person I’m with?
  4. Am I the same person in the spotlight as I am when I’m alone?
  5. Do I quickly admit to wrongdoing without being forced to do so?
  6. Do I put people ahead of my personal agenda?
  7. Do I have an unchanging standard for moral decisions, or do circumstances determine my choices?
  8. Do I make difficult decisions, even when they have a personal cost attached to them?
  9. When I have something to say about people, do I talk to them or about them?
  10. Am I accountable to at least one other person for what I think, say or do?

Do what you should before you do what you want: Zig Ziglar once said, “When you do the things you have to do when you have to do them, the day will come when you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them.” If you know what you stand for and act accordingly, people will trust you! Great advice from a visionary leader.