Bishop James Walker presented the second part of the Bible Study for the CME Unity Summit on Wednesday, September 27, 2012 @ 8:00am on the Book of Chronicles. This morning, the specific focus was on King David. Below are notes that supplement the Bible Study worksheet passed out during the session:
- We are Euros, we are Westerns – a west orientation to
things. Most of the world is
not. Genealogy is important to
everyone else. It is a value - think of African griots. Faith Comes by Hearing - The Faith
project – translating the Bible for every one. John 3:16 is important to us, but others are interested in
Luke 3:16 – the genealolgy. They like to see how Jesus is hooked up – who he
is, not just what he said. Started
asking about fact because it didn’t seem to match, but they didn’t realized
that we are asking the wrong questions.
We can not interpret it through our own eyes.
- We expand and contract the genealogy – contract since family
will have children outside of marriage; it will be expanded when those secrets
come out.
Consider the Kennites – the Africans connected to Jethro (included
because they traveled with them). Based on the Kennite hypothesis – that Jethro helped Moses to see God.
- This morning, we're discussing the David of the Chronicles. It is the Primary source about David. Outside of the Bible, it’s like he never lived. Only in the Jewish literary tradition.
Joseph Telushkin discusses this in the Jewish literacy tradition. David is described more familiarly than any other person.
- David He is presented as the youngest of Jesse’s. Why does Jesse not even present the 8th
son? Because he was the youngest. This was a winner take the inheritance society. The oldest takes it all; if he was the
youngest of three, it would make a different. David lives on the “Southside of Chicago” – lives in a time
of Philistines, Giants and Israel.
He had no hopes of getting an inheritance. He was born under challenging circumstances.
The first words you hear out of the mouth of David is, "Tell me again, what happens to the
brother who kills Goliath?" Not a
shock because David stands to inherit nothing. God uses the circumstances – the disadvantage to become an
advantage for the rest of his life. “If you are born with a disadvantage, it can be turned to an
advantage for the rest of your life.
For there is nothing impossible for God.”
David understood that as a shephard he had to have many different
professions:
- was a singer (got a gig with the King – Luther Vandross of is time; made rhymn)
- was a fighter (Muhammad Ali) was an expert as using the slingshot. (Goliath was a meal ticket, inheritance, can marry up – had nothing to lose; was winning battles against lions and bears)
- Gang banger (not doing drugs, but they work with the whomever will take care of them) 1 Chronicles 11:10 - 47 - the mighty Men of David. oOe of David’s boys, Joshabeam, killed 300 men by himself. Others were just as "accomplished". They sang a song in 1 Samuel 18:7 comparing Saul and David. If you were coming to fight David, do not bring your lunch.
David does not have the good fortune of going to
seminary. But God has given him
gifts and graces. David feels he
has to be loyal to the royal in him.
“How can I bring out of me, what God has put in me?” The Pasture should your University, your college, so that
when you get a Goliath opportunity, your slingshot will be ready. It’s what we
do for ourselves.
This is the man that God uses in a special way. Even though David has the might, God has the design. God was watching over David while he
was in the pasture. Not one step
of your life was not ordered by God.
God placed you here by Divine providence. Sometimes he reverted back to what he knew.
Led one kind of life, but was given a second chance. Doesn’t go into the negativity.
Seven last words of David (see handout)
Where 1 Kings 4 paints a negative picture, Chronicles shows
David’s interests in building a temple. God holds David back on a technicality
– David was a man of war. God wouldn’t let him build the temple. If I can’t be on the board, let me help
the board. Setting up the stage
for the temple. Provide over 600 lbs of gold. Chronicles shows how he moves from being King David to being Rev. Dr. David.
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