Kingdomtide Readings

Sun	Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day, the Fourth Commandment WCF 21, WLC 115-121, WSC 57-62
Mon	OT: 1 Chronicles 26:29-27:34 NT: 1 Thessalonians 1 Psalm 43
Tues	OT: 1 Chronicles 28 NT: 1 Thessalonians 2 Psalm 44
Wed	OT: 1 Chronicles 29 NT: 1 Thessalonians 3 Psalm 45
Thurs	NT: 1 Thessalonians 4 Psalm 46
Fri	NT: 1 Thessalonians 5 Psalm 47
Sat	Psalm 48

The Old Testament readings for this week conclude the Chronicler’s account of the reign of David.  The themes that have been interwoven throughout 1 Chronicles, namely the touchstone of David’s reign and Temple worship, come into prominent focus here.  The end of chapter 26 and all of chapter 27 flesh out the organization of David’s government, which completes the name lists for 1 and 2 Chronicles.  Chapters 28 and 29 relate David’s charge to the nation and to Solomon, his provision of the pattern and materials for the Temple, his final prayer, the transition of power to Solomon and his death account.  For the post-Exilic people, Temple worship and God’s promises to David were to be the foundation of the restored covenant community.

The New Testament readings are in 1 Thessalonians.  After Paul, Silas, and Timothy left Philippi, they then went to Thessalonica, which even then was a major administrative capital in the region.  Acts 17:3 notes that Paul only preached in the synagogue there for three Sabbath days, indicating that they were there only about a month.  Paul’s ministry there was successful in drawing people to Christ but at the same time also aroused significant opposition, forcing Paul and his team to flee, first to Berea and then to Athens.  Because they had been in Thessalonica such a short period of time, Paul was concerned about whether the church there was actually developing roots.  He describes in chapter 3 that he sent Timothy back to check on the church and was greatly encouraged by Timothy’s report regarding how well the church was doing.  Paul’s letter, then, was intended to be an encouragement to the church to continue on in the faith, hope, and love of Christ they were already experiencing.  Theologically, 1 and 2 Thessalonians are important for the insights that they give about the eschatological expectations that believers ought to have in the New Covenant.

The Psalm readings for this week cover Psalms 43-48 and the readings in the Westminster Standards focus on the Fourth Commandment and the observance of the Sabbath.