Day 144: David's Last Words

1 Kings 2:1-12 Before David died, he emphasized to Solomon the importance of fidelity to God and the Commandments. He also advised him in ways of prudence in ruling his kingdom justly. Through the gift of sanctifying grace gratuitously received in Baptism, our good works are meritorious.

Sheol: This is the Hebrew term for the place of the dead. Israel believed in an afterlife, but it was not well defined at this point in salvation history.


Slept with his fathers: This is a euphemism for death. (CCC 2025)


2 Chronicles 2:1-18 Solomon made arrangements with Huram, king of Tyre, for a shipment of cedar wood and expert artisans to craft the Temple’s finery, and he gathered his labor force from among the non-Israelites living in the Promised Land.


Ch 2:4-6 The construction and care of a suitable and inviting place of worship draws the faithful to prayerful adoration as they worship God as a community. The beauty of the building and its sacred art should elevate the hearts of the faithful to God and move them to contemplate his greatness through the humanity of his Son, Jesus Christ. (CCC 1179-1181, 1186, 2500-2503, 2513)


Ch 3-4 These chapters describe the process of building the Temple and its furnishings. The emphasis here is on the meticulous care and attention to detail on the part of the builders that gave the Temple its beauty and splendor. 


Mount Moriah: This was the site of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son Isaac; this is the only time Scripture identifies Mt. Moriah as the site of the Temple, thus connecting it with Abraham’s generosity to make the ultimate sacrifice of his son in obedience to God’s will. 


Psalm 62 The psalm speaks about an idolatry consisting of trust in the false gods of violence, injustice, and riches. The human person declines morally when God, who is the universal good, is supplanted by those deceptive gods. Such idols are illusory, promising security without actually delivering it. As St. John Paul II said, “Serving this diabolical triad, man forgets that idols are unreliable: They are, indeed, harmful...If we were more aware of our fallen nature and of the limits to which creatures are subject, we would shun the path of trust in idols and would not program our lives based on a scale of fragile and inconsistent pseudo-values...This appeal to reject misplaced trust and to choose that which leads us to God is relevant to everyone and must become our guiding star in our daily behavior, moral decisions, and lifestyle” (St. John Paul II, General Audience, November 10, 2004)


Trust in God assures us of faithful perseverance in fulfilling God’s will and consequently of the blessings of lasting joy.


If riches increase, set not your heart on them: There is no condemnation of prosperity here as much as a warning against according wealth an absolute or central importance in our lives. Christ warned his listeners along these lines when he said, “Do not lay up yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt. 6:19-21).


You repay...his work: A constant theme throughout Scripture, our faith must express itself through our actions. (CCC 1021, 1697-1698, 1815, 2044)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)



“...Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God...that the Lord may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a man on the throne of Israel’.” (1 Kgs 2:2,4)


(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins)


Your other best bet is to #askjeffcavins 😉


Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we give you praise and we do thank you. Yes, to you Lord God belongs steadfast love. To you belongs power. You love us with a love that doesn’t change. You love us with a love that is constantly dynamic and constantly activated. Lord God, you are not a God of potency, you are a God of actuality. You are not a God of dreams, you are a God of reality. And in all things we trust you. In all things we praise you. And this day, as you speak to us once again, we continue to trust in you. Please hear our prayer and please make yourself known by every one of us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Dustin's Insights 

1 Kg. 2:


2 Chron. 2:


2 Chron. 3:


My Study Color Code

Suffering, Martyrdom Places The Church, Sacraments, Divinity Horticultural Imagery People Messianic Kingship Sin, Death, Decay