July 8 (1 Chronicles 9–10; Psalm 7; Matthew 9)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: July 8, 2025
Scriptures Covered:

• Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 9–10
• Psalm: Psalm 7
• New Testament: Matthew 9

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1. Old Testament Reading: 1 Chronicles 9–10

Overview:
The episode commences with a detailed exploration of 1 Chronicles 9–10, focusing on the genealogies and the leadership structure of Israel during a tumultuous period. The readings delve into the organization of the Levites, the gatekeepers of the Temple, and the unfortunate demise of King Saul.

Key Points:

• Genealogical Records:
  The passage meticulously records the genealogies of the Israelites, highlighting the priests, Levites, and temple servants. This underscores the importance of lineage and duty in maintaining the religious and social fabric of Israel.

  "So all Israel was recorded in genealogies and these are written in the book of the kings of Israel..." (00:04)

• Leadership and Duties:
  The Levites are portrayed as pivotal figures responsible for the various services within the Temple, including the management of sacred utensils, the preparation of offerings, and the maintenance of temple order.

  "These were in charge of the work of the service keepers at the thresholds of the tent..." (03:36)

• The Fall of Saul:
  A significant portion narrates the downfall of King Saul, emphasizing his breach of faith and failure to adhere to God's commands. The tragic end sees Saul and his sons slain by the Philistines, marking a pivotal transition in Israel's leadership.

  "Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died." (05:37)

Insights:

• Importance of Faithfulness:
  Saul's demise serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the abandonment of divine guidance. His reliance on a medium instead of seeking counsel from the Lord exemplifies a critical lapse in leadership.

• Structured Worship:
  The detailed roles of the Levites highlight the structured approach to worship and service in ancient Israel, reflecting a society deeply invested in maintaining spiritual integrity and order.

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2. Psalm 7 Reflection

Overview:
The reading transitions to Psalm 7, a heartfelt lamentation by David, expressing his plea for divine justice against his adversaries.

Key Points:

• Seeking Refuge in God:
  David implores the Lord to protect him from his pursuers, emphasizing his trust in God's salvation.

  "O Lord, my God, in you do I take refuge. Save me from all my pursuers..." (06:42)

• Cry for Justice:
  He appeals for God to judge the wicked, reflecting a deep yearning for righteousness and the end of evil.

  "Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me." (06:11)

• Divine Retribution:
  The psalmist describes the downfall of the wicked, symbolizing the assurance that evil deeds will ultimately face consequences.

  "He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made." (07:20)

Insights:

• Personal Refuge:
  David's reliance on God during times of distress illustrates the personal relationship believers can cultivate with the divine, seeking solace and protection.

• Moral Accountability:
  The emphasis on judgment underscores the belief in a moral universe where actions are accountable, reinforcing the pursuit of integrity and righteousness.

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3. New Testament Study: Matthew 9

Overview:
The episode culminates with a reading from Matthew 9, highlighting Jesus' ministry, miracles, and teachings that emphasize compassion, faith, and the inclusivity of the Kingdom of God.

Key Points:

• Forgiveness and Healing:

  • Paralytic's Miracle:
    Jesus forgives the sins of a paralytic before healing him, demonstrating His authority to forgive and the integral connection between spiritual and physical healing.

    "Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven." (06:41)

  • Woman with Discharge:
    A woman suffering for twelve years is healed through her faith, illustrating the power of persistent belief.

    "Your faith has made you well." (07:22)

• Calling of Matthew:
  Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him, symbolizing the inclusive nature of His ministry that reaches out to society's marginalized.

  "Follow me." (07:42)

• Conflict with Pharisees:
  Jesus defends His association with sinners and tax collectors, prioritizing mercy over ritual sacrifice, and highlighting the purpose of His mission.

  "I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (07:54)

• Teaching on Fasting and Newness:
  Jesus teaches about the incompatibility of old traditions with the new gospel, using metaphors like unshrunk cloth and old wineskins to illustrate the need for renewal.

  "Neither is new wine put into old wineskins..." (08:06)

• Compassion and Mission:
  Observing the crowds, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the plentiful harvest but few laborers, emphasizing the need for earnest prayer and active participation in the mission.

  "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." (08:21)

Insights:

• Integrated Ministry:
  Jesus' miracles serve not just as demonstrations of power but as manifestations of His mission to heal and save both physically and spiritually.

• Inclusivity and Redemption:
  The calling of outcasts and sinners reflects the transformative power of grace, inviting all into the Kingdom regardless of their past.

• Urgency in Mission:
  The analogy of the harvest underscores the immediate and expansive need for believers to engage in spreading the gospel, highlighting a collective responsibility.

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Conclusion

This episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry" offers a profound journey through critical biblical passages, weaving together themes of leadership, faithfulness, divine justice, compassion, and mission. By interlinking the fall of a king with personal psalmic lament and the transformative ministry of Jesus, the episode provides a rich tapestry of lessons on integrity, redemption, and the enduring call to serve and uphold righteousness.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the parallels between Saul's downfall and the compassionate, inclusive approach of Jesus, drawing lessons on the importance of steadfast faith, active service, and the transformative power of divine grace.

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Note: The timestamps correspond to specific segments within the podcast transcript, facilitating easy reference to the discussed quotes and passages.

Transcript

[Narrator]

A reading from the book of First Chronicles.

[Reader]

So all Israel was recorded in genealogies and these are written in the book of the kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith. Now the first to dwell again in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants and some of the people of Judah. Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem. Uthai the son of Amihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani from the sons of Perez, the son of Judah and of the Shilonites Asaiah the firstborn and his sons of the sons of Zerah, Jeuel and their kinsmen 690 of the Benjaminites. Salu the son of Meshullam, son of Hodaviah, son of Hasanuah, Ibnaiah the son of Jeroam Elah the son of Uzzi, son of Mikrai and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Abnijah and their kinsmen according to their generations. All these were heads of fathers houses according to their fathers houses of the priests Jedeah, Jehoiarib, Jakin and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraoth, son of Ahitub, the chief officer of the house of God and Adaiah the son of Jeroam, son of Pashur, son of Malkijah and Maassiah the son of Adiel, son of Jazira, son of Meshullam, son of Meshilometh, son of Emmer. Besides their kinsmen, heads of their fathers houses, mighty men for the work of the service of the house of God of the Levites. Shemaiah, the son of Hashab, son of Azrekam, son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari and Batbakr, Hiresh, Galal and Mattaniah, the son of Micah, son of Zikri, son of Asaph and Obadiah the son of Shimeah, son of Galal, son of Jethen and Berechiah the son of Asa, son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. The gatekeepers were Shallum, Achab, Talmon, Ahimon and their kinsmen. Shallum was the chief until then they were in the king's gate on the east side as the gatekeepers of the camps of the Levites. Shallum the son of Kori, son of Abiasaph, son of Korah his kinsmen of his father's house, the Korah Heights, were in charge of the work of the service keepers at the thresholds of the tent, as their fathers had been in charge of the camp of the Lord. Keepers of the entrance. And Phinehas, the son of Eliezer, was the chief officer over them in time past, the Lord was with him. Zechariah, the son of Meshelemiah, was gatekeeper at the entrance of the tent of meeting. All these who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds were 212. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the Seer established them in their office of trust. So they and their sons were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent. As guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north and south. And their kinsmen who were in their villages were obligated to come in every seven days in turn to be with these. For the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted to be over the chambers and the treasures of the house of God. And they lodged around the house of God, for on them lay the duty of watching, and they had charge of opening it every morning.

[Narrator]

Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required.

[Reader]

To count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the.

[Narrator]

Furniture and over all the holy utensils.

[Reader]

Also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense and the spices. Others of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices and Mattathiah, one of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum, the Korathite, was entrusted with.

[Narrator]

Making the flat cakes.

[Reader]

Also some of their kinsmen of the Kohathites had charge of the showbread to prepare it every Sabbath. Now these the singers, the heads of fathers houses of the Levites were in the chambers of the temple, free from other service, for they were on duty day and night. These were heads of fathers houses of the Levites, according to their generations leaders. These lived in Jerusalem. In Gibeon lived the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, and the name of his wife was Maacah, and his firstborn son Abdin. Then Zur, Kish, baal, ner, Nadab, Gidor, Ahiho, Zechariah and Mikloth. And Mikloth was the father of Shamayim. And these also lived opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem. With their kinsmen. NER fathered Kish. Kish fathered Saul. Saul father Jonathan, Malkishua, Abinadab and Eshbael. And the son of Jonathan was Merabaal. And Meribaal fathered Micah, the sons of Micah, Python, Melech, Tereah, and Ahaz. And Ahaz fathered Jerah. And Jerah fathered Elimath, Asmapheth and Zimri. And Zimri fathered Moseh. Moses fathered Benaiah. And Rephaiah was his son, Eleasa, his son Azael. His son Azael had six sons, and these are their names. Azrakam, Bokaru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. These were the sons of Azael.

[Narrator]

Now the Philistines fought against Israel. And the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

[Reader]

And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons. And the Philistines struck down Jonathan and.

[Narrator]

Abinadab and Malkishua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor bearer, draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me. But his armor bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died.

[Reader]

Thus Saul died.

[Narrator]

He and his three sons and all his house died together.

[Reader]

And when all the men of Israel.

[Narrator]

Who were in the valley saw that the army had fled and and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them. The next day, when the Philistines came.

[Reader]

To strip the slain, they found Saul.

[Narrator]

And his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. And they stripped him and took his head and his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols.

[Reader]

And to the people.

[Narrator]

And they put his armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.

[Reader]

But when all Jabeshgilead heard all that.

[Narrator]

The Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and took away.

[Reader]

The body of Saul and the bodies.

[Narrator]

Of his sons and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days. So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord and also consulted a medium seeking guidance. He did not Seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David.

[Reader]

The Son of Jesse.

[Narrator]

A reading from the book of Psalms. A shigeon of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite. O Lord, my God, in you do I take refuge. Save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it. And let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.

[Reader]

Selah.

[Narrator]

Arise, O Lord. In your anger lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies. Awake from me you have appointed a judgment. Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you over it. Return on high. The Lord judges the peoples. Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. O let the evil of the wicked come to an end. And may you establish the righteous you who test the minds and hearts. O righteous God. My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation every day. If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword. He has bent and readied his bow, he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts. Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord the Most High. A reading of the Gospel according to Matthew. In getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven. And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, this man is blaspheming. But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier to say your sins are forgiven? Or to say, rise and walk, but that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins? He then said to the paralytic, rise, pick up your Bed and go home. And he rose and went home. When the crowd saw it, they were afraid. And they glorified God who had given such authority to men. As Jesus passed on from there. He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, follow me. And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, Behold, many tax collectors and sinners came. And were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? But when he heard it, he said, those who are well have no need of a physician. But those who are sick, go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, why do we and the Pharisees fast? But your disciples do not fast. And Jesus said to them, can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. For the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved. While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, my daughter has just died. But come and lay your hand on her and she will live. And Jesus rose and followed him with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for 12 years. Came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment. For she said to herself, if I only touch his garment, I will be made well. Jesus turned, and seeing her, he said, take heart, daughter. Your faith has made you well. And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house. And saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion. He said, go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping. And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand. And the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district. And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, have mercy on us, Son of David. When he entered the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus said to them, do you believe that I am able to do this. They said to him, yes, Lord. Then he touched their eyes, saying, according to your faith, let it be done to you. And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, see that no one knows about it. But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold a demon oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, never was anything like this seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said he cast out demons by the prince of demons. And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. And healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.