May 7: Psalm 12 – Psalm 17; Psalm 19; Psalm 20

The Faithful Have Vanished – Psalm 12

• David's lament about liars in positions of authority.

How Long, O Lord? – Psalm 13

• David's lament when he is on the verge of despair.

The Fool Says, There Is No God – Psalm 14

• David's psalm, a community lament in which the people of God lament that people do not seek after God and they treat the people of God poorly.

Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill? – Psalm 15

• David's psalm, a hymn celebrating the ideal worshiper.

You Will Not Abandon My Soul – Psalm 16

• A Mitkam of David, proclaiming the people's confidence and contentment while in God's care.

In the Shadow of Your Wings – Psalm 17

• David's prayer, and individual lament of one being unjustly accused of wrongdoing, and a plea for vindication.

The Law of the Lord is Perfect – Psalm 19

• A psalm of David, accounting creation by our Maker and the way Mosaic law addresses the people.

Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God – Psalm 20

• David's psalm, a prayer that God will give success to the Davidic king, particularly in battle.

May 6: 1 Kings 2:1–9, 2 Samuel 23:1–7; 1 Kings 2:10–12; 1 Chronicles 29:26–30; Psalm 4; Psalm 5; Psalm 6; Psalm 8; Psalm 9; Psalm 11

David's Instructions to Solomon – 1 Kings 2:1–9

• When the time for David to die nears, he gives instructions to Solomon: to be strong and show himself a man, to keep the charge of the Lord, to take the lives of Joab and Shimei for what they did to David, and to deal loyally with Barzillai.

The Last Words of David – 2 Samuel 23:1–7

• David speaks his last words, a song praising God for establishing his house as ruler over Israel.

The Death of David – 2 Kings 1:10–12 & 1 Chronicles 29:26–30

• David dies and is buried in the city of David. He has reigned for forty years, seven years in Hebron and thirty-two years in Jerusalem. Solomon takes the throne and his kingdom is firmly established.

Answer Me When I Call – Psalm 4

• David's psalm expressing quiet trust amid troubling circumstances.

Lead Me in Your Righteousness – Psalm 5

• David's psalm, a lament and request for the downfall of his enemies.

O Lord, Deliver My Life – Psalm 6

• David's psalm, a lament for deliverance.

How Majestic Is Your Name – Psalm 8

• David's psalm, a hymn of praise.

I Will Recount Your Wonderful Deeds – Psalm 9

• David's psalm, expressing praise for how God has allowed him to defend Israel from their Gentile foes.

The Lord Is in His Holy Temple – Psalm 11

• David's psalm, expressing the confidence that the faithful can have, even in severe crisis.

May 5: 1 Chronicles 29:1–22; 1 Kings 1:1–53

Offerings for the Temple – 1 Chronicles 29

• David, because Solomon is young, provides much riches to build the temple. The people of Israel also make their donations willingly, and David rejoices.

David Prays in the Assembly

• David blesses the Lord in the presence of all the assembly, praising God for his kingdom and recognizing him as the source of wealth and strength. He prays that God will keep the people in the same purpose and frame of mind as they are that day.
• The people make Solomon the king of Israel again, and anoint him.

David in His Old Age – 1 Kings 1

• King David is very advanced in years, and even though he is covered with clothing he cannot get warm. His servants search out a young woman to lie in his arms and keep him warm, and Abigshag the Shunammite is brought to him. She is of service to the king, but he does not have sexual relations with her.

Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King

• Adonijah, David's son, determines that he will be king, and gathers chariots, horsemen, and fifty men. Joab and Abiathar follow him, but Zadok the priest, Benaiah, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, and Rei do not. He sacrifices animals at the Serpent's Stone, and invites all his brothers.

Nathan and Bathsheba Before David

• Nathan tells Bathsheba about what Adonijah is doing and has her go and tell David that Adonijah has declared himself king. She does so, and while she is speaking, Nathan comes into the room and confirms that Adonijah has declared himself king, is sacrificing animals, and has Joab, Abiathar, and others with him. Nathan informs David that he, Benaiah, Zadok the priest, and Solomon were not invited.

Solomon Anointed King

• David calls Bathsheba into his presence, and he confirms that Solomon is to be king. He then has Zadok the priest, Nathan, and Benaiah brought before him, and he instructs them to take Solomon to Gihon, anoint him king, blow the trumpet, and say "Long live King Solomon." They are then to bring him back to the palace, where he will sit on the throne.
• Adonijah and all his guests hear about this as they finish feasting. Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, brings news that Solomon has been made king. All the guests tremble in fear and leave.
• Solomon is told that Adonijah fears him, and Solomon states that if he will show himself a worthy man, not one hair will fall from his head, but if he is not, he will die. Solomon sends for Adonijah, who is brought to him, and Adonijah pays homage to him. Solomon sends him home to his house.

May 4: 1 Chronicles 26:1 – 1 Chronicles 28:21

Divisions of the Gatekeepers – 1 Chronicles 26

• The divisions of the gatekeepers are described. Included are the families of Meshelemiah, Obed-edom (a Philistine), and Hosah. They minister in the house of the Lord by guarding the north, south, east, and west gates.

Treasurers and Other Officials

• Other Levites, led by Ahijah, are in charge of the treasuries.

Military Divisions – 1 Chronicles 27

• The eleven divisions of Israel, each with 24,000 troops, are described, along with their commanders.

Leaders of Tribes 

• The leaders of the tribes are given:
• Of the tribe of Reuben, Eliezer
• Of the tribe of Simeon, Shephatiah
• Of the tribe of Levi, Hashabiah
• Of Aaron (the priests), Zadok
• Of the tribe of Judah, Elihu
• Of the tribe of Issachar, Omri
• Of the tribe of Zebulun, Ishmaiah
• Of the tribe of Naphtali, Jeremoth
• Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea
• Of the tribe of Manasseh (west), Joel
• Of the tribe of Manasseh (east), Iddo
• Of the tribe of Benjamin, Jassiel
• Of the tribe of Dan, Azarel
• Joab had started the consensus but never finished it because the wrath of God fell on Israel, and the total number was never recorded in David's records.
• The officials of the king are described.

David's Charge to Israel – 1 Chronicles 28

• David assembles all the officials and tells them that God had him instruct Solomon to build the temple and that He has chosen Solomon to be king. He exhorts them to seek the Lord and follow His commandments, that they may inhabit the land and leave it as an inheritance to their children.

David's Charge to Solomon

• David exhorts Solomon to know the Lord and serve Him. He then gives Solomon the extensive plans for every part of the temple, which God made clear to David. David encourages Solomon to be strong and courageous, knowing God is with him, and tells him all the people are at his command.

May 3: 1 Chronicles 23:1 – 1 Chronicles 25:31

David Organizes the Levites – 1 Chronicles 23

• When David is old, he makes Solomon king. He assembles all the priests and Levites, and numbers the Levites at 38,000 men. He determines that 24,000 will work in the house of the Lord, 6,000 will be officers and judges, 4,000 will be gatekeepers, and 4,000 will offer praise with instruments.
• The sons of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari are described, and the duties of the Levites (as before) are given.

David Organizes the Priests – 1 Chronicles 24

• David organizes all the priests (the sons of Aaron). Twenty-four are appointed to duty in the house of the Lord by lot.
• The rest of the sons of Levi are described.

David Organizes the Musicians – 1 Chronicles 25

• David and the chiefs of the service set apart Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals. They and their families are trained in making music before the Lord.

May 2: 2 Samuel 24:1–9; 1 Chronicles 21:1–6; 2 Samuel 24:10–17; 1 Chronicles 21:7–17; 2 Samuel 24:18–25; 1 Chronicles 21:18 – 1 Chronicles 22:19

David's Census – 2 Samuel 24:1–9 & 1 Chronicles 21:1–6

• The anger of the Lord is again kindled against Israel, and God allows Satan to tell David to go and number Judah and Israel. David instructs Joab to do this, and while Joab questions this (he knows David is not trusting God, instead wanting to know the strength of his armies), he does as he is told. After nine months and twenty days, they return to Jerusalem with word that there are 800,000 men of Israel and 500,000 men of Judah.

The Lord's Judgment of David – 2 Samuel 24:10–17 & 1 Chronicles 21:7–17

• David realizes his wrongdoing and admits his sin to God.
• The word of the Lord comes to the prophet Gad, and he goes to David with three things that God is offering David–three years of famine, three months of fleeing from his foes, or three days pestilence on the land. David responds that he is in great distress and asks that they fall into the hands of God, who is merciful, but let them not fall into the hand of man.
• God sends a pestilence on the land, with an angel of the Lord taking the lives of 70,000 men. God stops the angel from destroying Jerusalem, and David admits his wickedness to God and asks that God's hand be against him and not the "sheep" following him.

David Builds an Altar – 2 Samuel 24:18–25 & 1 Chronicles 21:18–30

• Gad returns to David and tells him to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (where the angel of the Lord last was). David goes there, and Araunah meets him and asks why he has come. David tells him he wants to buy the threshing floor from him so he can build an altar, and Araunah tries to give it to him, but David insists on paying for it.
• David buys the threshing floor and builds an altar, and the plague is averted from Israel.

David Prepares for Temple Building – 1 Chronicles 22

• David commands that resident aliens be gathered, and he has stonecutters prepare stones for building the house of God. David provides all the necessary materials.

Solomon Charged to Build the Temple

• David calls his son Solomon and charges him to build a house for the Lord. He tells Solomon that because he (David) has shed much blood, Solomon is to build the temple and God will establish his royal throne in Israel forever. He asks that God grant Solomon direction and understanding.
• David commands the leaders of Israel to help Solomon, since God has delivered them, He tells them to set their hearts and minds to seek the Lord, and build a sanctuary for the ark of the covenant.

May 1: 2 Samuel 22:1–51; Psalm 18

David's Song of Deliverance – 2 Samuel 22 & Psalm 18

• David sings a psalm of praise (which is almost identical to Psalm 18), proclaiming Him as his rock, fortress, and deliverer, and speaking of the wonderful things He has done for David. He praises God over and over.