Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code and things but enough about that…

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  • Daily Bible Study

    1 Chronicles 27, Acts 16

    DateVersionReading Plan
    December 31, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

    1 Chronicles 27

    Observation & Interpretation

    1 Chron. 27:5-6 – The third commander for the third month was Benaiah, son of Jehoiada the chief priest.

    • A son of the chief priest was appointed for military responsibilities.
    • We have seen Benaiah several times already. He was the most honored of the Thirty (11:22), and he was in charge o the Philistine mercenaries (18:17). Here we see him commanding one of the twelve unite of 24,000 as well. His own son Ammizabad was second in command to him. (CSB Notes)

    1 Chron. 27:24 – Wrath came to Israel because Joab, son of Zeruiah, began to count but did not finish.

    • A potential army would have been much larger than the 288,000 mentioned here, but the Chronicler reminds us that no exact total is available because the census that David had ordered was contrary to God’s directions and was punished by the Lord. (CSB Notes)

    1 Chron. 27:32 – David’s uncle, Jonathan, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe.

    • Jonathan, David’s uncle (perhaps nephew is the meaning of the word here; cf. 2 Sam. 15:12), was a counselor and Jehiel was the tutor (?) of David’s sons (1 Chron. 27:32). (BKC)

    1 Chron. 27:1-34 – Good national administration is pleasing to God, and David provides an example of wise administration that brings benefit to all. Some hearers may be in a position to influence such administration; all are able to pray. (ESVEC – Response)

    Acts 16

    Observation & Interpretation

    v. 3, 6-7, 15, 25, 34, 40

    Acts 16:3 – Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he had Timothy circumcised because of the Jews in those places who knew that Timothy’s father was a Greek.

    • Paul circumcised Timothy not because he was caving in to pressure from “believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees” (15:5), but rather to show respect for Jewish law and identity given the fact that Timothy was half-Jewish. If Timothy had remained uncircumcised, it would seem to many Jews that he had rejected not just the Mosaic law but also his Jewish ethnicity. (CSB Notes)

    Acts 16:6-7 – The Holy Spirit was very active in directing the movements of Paul and Silas, forbidding them to speak the word in Asia (v. 6) and not allowing them to go into Bithynia (v. 7)

    • These verses are of vital importance because they show the superintendence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in the missionary strategy of the apostles. (BBC)

    Acts 16:25 – Luke includes the detail that the prisoners were listening to Paul and Silas as they were praying and singing hymns to God.

    • Rather than being depressed or plotting escape, Paul and Silas displayed confidence in what God had in store for them. This was a powerful testimony to the other prisoners. (CSB Notes)

    Acts 16:34 – The Philippian jailer rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

    • The Philippian jailer was not the only one who heard the word from Paul and Silas and were baptized (see vv. 32-33), but the rejoicing was over him.
    • …there is no support for believing that there were infants or very young children in the household who were baptized. They were all old enough to believe in God. (BBC)

    Acts 16:40 – After going out the prison, Paul and Silas visited Lydia, encouraging the brothers before departing.

    • Paul and Silas returned to Lydia where the brothers had remained while they were in prison.
    • Paul and Silas use this moment as an opportunity to strengthen the new Philippian church. (FSB)

    Acts 16:11-15 – …Luke does not always mention receiving the Spirit and baptism in every conversion story, but he never explicitly describes baptism for anyone without the Spirit. (ESVEC – Comment)

    Acts 16:1-40 – Verbal witness is primary, but if our ordinary speech, actions and choices show no connection to our proclamation, then what good is our verbal witness? Gd can and does use imperfect people who make imperfect life choices to share his Word, but we must not lean on this fact as an excuse or justification for living out a less-than-Christian witness. (ESVEC – Response)

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