READ THE BIBLE IN 2022: This past week, May 8 through 14, we read 1 Chronicles 23 - 2 Chronicles 17. As our reading continues we see that David remains the main character in 1 Chronicles, especially how he organized the Levites, priests, musicians, and gatekeepers in their service to the house of the Lord, as well as the treasurers and officials that either served the house of the Lord or worked in the king’s service. 2 Chronicles opens with Solomon on Israel’s throne and the Lord makes him “exceedingly great” (v. 1), because he asked the Lord for wisdom to faithfully govern God’s people. On the other hand, Solomon’s son, Rehoboam surrounded himself with foolish counselors so that only the tribes of Benjamin and Judah remained loyal to the kingdom of Judah. Rehoboam’s son Abijah is victorious in battle in 2 Chronicles 13, but is described as being rebellious like his father in 1 Kings 15. Two good kings, Asa, who reigned for 41 years, and his son Jehoshaphat, who held the throne for 25 years, complete this week’s readings. Asa removed the idols from Judah, repaired the altar and offered sacrifices to God. Jehoshaphat sent priests to the cities of Judah to teach the people the Word of God. This week (May 15 - 21) read 2 Chronicles 18 through Ezra 3.