11/28 Reading (1 Chronicles 28-29; Romans 13)

1 Chronicles 28: As I read the notes to this chapter I was reminded of the fact that I’m surprised that there is so much difference between Chronicles and what was in Samuel and Kings. It’s most likely because the Chronicler wants to put people like David in a better light, but that doesn’t make it right. For example, the notes for this chapter point out that in 2nd Samuel, it wasn’t entirely clear at first who would succeed David. There was even an attempt of a rebellion by Adonijah. In 1st Chronicles, David apparently made it clear that Solomon would be his successor.

David addresses the people in this chapter, telling them that Solomon would follow him and be there king when he dies. He tells the people that Solomon will build the temple for the Ark. David then gives the plans for the temple to Solomon. It’s also interesting that some of the language that David used in his communication with Solomon is very similar to how Moses addressed Joshua at the end (see sidebar on page 665 OT and note for verses 20-21 on 665 OT).

1 Chronicles 29: David addresses the people for the last time. He also says a prayer to God. The chapter ends with a quick summary of his reign and his death.

Romans 13: The notes for this chapter are interesting. Apparently this chapter has been misinterpreted over time. I can see why by just reading the first sentence: “Everyone person should place themselves under the authority of the government” (13.1). This was followed by an explanation: “There isn’t any authority unless it comes from God, and the authorities that are there have been put in place by God” (13.1). He then talks again about the importance of love and living a good life in preparation for the return of Jesus.

I would like to put the notes from the CEB study bible here:

This difficult text has received many interpretations and misinterpretations. It’s neither a full-blown treatise on church-state relations nor the only passage in Paul with political overtones. It should be read with attention to its immediate context in the letter, the letter’s overall purpose, the political and religions situation in Rome, Paul’s convictions and practices more broadly, and other biblical passages, including Revelation 13. It isn’t a call to uncritical obedience to authority, government or otherwise; for challenging power when it opposes God is part of the biblical tradition. The primary purpose of this passage is narrow: a call for the believers in Rome to pay their taxes rather than resist paying them, as some Jewish revolutionaries advocated. Such tax resistance could be understood as a form of retaliation against authorities that have been put in place by God, a reference to the OT and Jewish tradition that God has put order into the public realm for the common good (Proverbs 8.15-16).