John Tillman - The Park Forum

November 21, 2025November 19, 2025

The Historian’s Purpose: Freedom

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 21 Read: 1 Chronicles 16 Listen: (5:21) Read: Psalms 90 Listen: (2:03)
Nov 22 Read: 1 Chronicles 17 Listen: (4:14) Read: Psalms 91 Listen: (1:39)
Nov 23 Read: 1 Chronicles 18 Listen: (2:36) Read: Psalms 92-93 Listen: (2:09)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 16.4-9

4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

7 That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner:

8 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts.

Reflection: The Historian’s Purpose: Freedom

By John Tillman

Perhaps the most famous teller of histories known today is Ken Burns.

Burns’ documentary films, for decades, have shared stories that say something about America to Americans. His visual style became so iconic that in most video editing and presentation software there is a “Ken Burns Effect” setting that will slowly and dramatically zoom into an image or pan across it.

Burns labors long on each film. His most recent, The American Revolution, took ten years. Yet, despite being worked on for so long, his films often arrive at timely moments when their message seems purposeful.

Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles scrolls were all written by historians. But the chronicler has a distinct style, composed for a timely moment, with the purpose of telling a story about God’s people to God’s people.

Samuel and Kings’ historians focused on the rulers, court dramas, and political fallout. The chronicler focuses on moments of faith, ecclesiastical occasions, and the people who lived them, often turning his camera away from the rulers to pan across the faces of ordinary Israelites.

This is the “Ken Burns Effect.” We often get long, slow pans and zooms across lists, records, and genealogies important to the audience and the story the chronicler is telling. To us, these records seem to interrupt the story. To the chronicler, they ARE the story.

Samuel skips the scene in 1 Chronicles 16 where David sets up the levitical structure, supporting artists, and those who will oversee worship. The chronicler gives us a medley, blending Psalms 96, 105, and 106 into a sample psalm and giving us closeups of the faces of those who would sing this liturgy.

Chronicles was written to returning exiles. His purpose? Freedom through de-assimilation. Their parents and grandparents were taken in chains to foreign empires. They grew up hearing about the land they lost, living in the land that stole it from them. Chronicles helped exiles recover their lost identity and de-assimilate from the culture of their oppressors.

The message to exiles is also for us—as timely now as then. We are exiles in a world that isn’t ours, pressed into its patterns, assimilated to its thinking.

Read the chronicler’s blended psalm. Allow it to de-assimilate you from kingdoms, cultures, and forces in this world, pressing you into their mold. Regain your identity in Christ, his cross, his resurrection, and the freedom he offers to all humanity.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Hallelujah! Praise the Name of the Lord, give praise, you servants of the Lord,
You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; Sing praises to his Name, for it is lovely. — Psalm 136.1-3

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Handling God’s Presence and Word

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 20 Read: 1 Chronicles 15 Listen: (4:38) Read: Psalms 89 Listen: (5:29)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 15.11-15

11 Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13 It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” 14 So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.

Reflection: Handling God’s Presence and Word

By John Tillman

The first time he moved the ark, David failed.

David missed (or ignored) important instructions in God’s word. He moved the ark just like the Philistines did, on a cart. David treated the ark like a load of goods or an idol instead of the throne representing the presence of a real and living God. Chronicles clarifies David studied the proper procedure for moving the ark before his second attempt. David read the syllabus.

A good syllabus contributes to student success. However, professors, teachers, and students know that students often fail to thoroughly read syllabi.

Since I was in graduate school, syllabi have gone beyond simple instructions. Many syllabi are bloated documents of legal jargon meant to shield professors against complaints and campus politics. Students skip or skim syllabi for the same reasons we skip or skim the “Terms and Conditions” we consent to for digital services that dominate our lives.

Some professors go to extremes to promote reading their syllabi or to humiliate students who don’t. In a viral stunt, a music professor put fifty dollars in a locker. In his syllabus he included the locker’s number, combination, and instructions that the cash was free to the first student who claimed it. At the end of the semester, the cash was still there.

Does this prove students don’t read syllabi? Or does it prove syllabi are unreadable and unhelpful?

The Bible is not an unreadable syllabus and God is not a sneaky professor or a corrupt corporation trying to trick or make fools of his people. The instructions for carrying the ark showed respect for God’s presence, power, and person represented by the ark. There was no excuse for David carrying it before the people in an unworthy way.

We have God’s Holy Spirit in our hearts. How are we handling it?

Are we carrying God’s presence before people in an unworthy way? Are we missing (or ignoring) important instructions in God’s word? Are we treating God (or the Bible) like a mascot or idol? Does our obedience respect God’s presence, power, and person?

Moses told Israel God’s commands were not too difficult or beyond reach. (Deuteronomy 30.11-15) Moses’ encouragement is as true for us today as it was for Israel. Be a good student of God’s word, using all the tools we are blessed with today. Don’t neglect our clear instructions to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. (Micah 6.8)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me… — Psalm 101.6

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

What War Stories Reveal

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 18 Read: 1 Chronicles 11-12 Listen: (11:59) Read: Psalms 86-87 Listen: (2:26)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 11.10-11a, 15-19

10 These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised—11 this is the list of David’s mighty warriors…

15 Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19 “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.

2 Samuel 23.13-17

13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

Reflection: What War Stories Reveal

By John Tillman

JRR Tolkien’s writing is haunted by the two World Wars he witnessed. The Lord of the Rings can be enjoyed as a fantasy, but connecting it to the brutal realities Tolkien lived through yields deeper meanings. Speaking of war, through Faramir in The Two Towers, Tolkien wrote, “I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”

In 1 Chronicles 11 and 2 Samuel 23, scripture tells us many impressive “war stories” about David’s mightiest warriors. These stories are not intended to cause us to love these warriors for their glory, their arrows for swiftness, or their swords for sharpness.

The most detailed of these “war stories” makes that clear. David is homesick and thirsty in the wilderness and wishes for water from his hometown well, currently occupied by the enemy. Three warriors break the enemy’s lines to steal water from the well and bring it to David.

David seems not to have known of this mission until he was presented with the water he wished for. He does not drink it, but he does not waste it either. He treats the water as if it was the blood of a sacrifice and pours it out “to the Lord.”

These war stories tell us of the warriors’ skills but also reveal David’s value of life over glory. David realized his careless wish for comfort could have cost lives and that enjoying a luxury by risking the blood of his men would be wrong.

David made it clear that lives are too precious to be risked for trivial things. He honored their bravery but checked their recklessness. To David, the Lord, and us today, life must not lose its precious value and must not be risked or taken for trivial purposes or reasons.

What do our “war stories” reveal about our values?

In what ways do we participate in cheapening the lives of others? Do we carelessly wish for comforts or luxuries that might cost others their lives?

Do we love swords, arrows, and glory more than what those things defend? How can we honor those who risk their lives on our behalf without that honor turning to glorification of violence and death or the worship of weaponry instead of the protection and valuing of human life?

Divine Hours Prayer: Call to Prayer

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for me. — Psalm 66.14

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Complicated Feelings When Heroes Fall,

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 17 Read: 1 Chronicles 9-10 Listen: (7:43) Read: Psalms 85 Listen: (1:25)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 10.8-12

8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 They stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news among their idols and their people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of their gods and hung up his head in the temple of Dagon. 11 When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

1 Samuel 31.8-13

8 The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.

11 When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. 13 Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

Reflection: Complicated Feelings When Heroes Fall

By John Tillman

Saul’s reign was a long, slow fall from heroic heights to villainous depths.

There is a complicated mess of feelings when heroes fall. The greater their former deeds, the greater damage their fall causes. The greater your admiration, the greater your anger. The greater your love, the greater the loss. Have you watched a hero fall before? Are you seeing one fall now? Do you understand these complicated feelings? Jabesh Gilead did. And so did David.

Citizens of Jabesh Gilead were the first to see Saul’s heroism. (1 Samuel 11.1-11) He saved them from being maimed at his heroic beginning. They saved his maimed body from further humiliation after his villainous end. They did not excuse his sins or rewrite history. They simply remembered who he was before the fall. David, one of Saul’s main victims, thanked them for doing Saul this honor.

I have watched heroes and friends fall. Some fell fast, following shocking revelations. Affairs, crimes, abuse, or corruption suddenly came to light, bringing well-deserved consequences. Some were shunned, never to serve in their roles again. (This is justice, not persecution.) Sadly, some still wield influence today despite little evidence of repentance.

Some fell slowly—incrementally corrupted by wealth, power, prejudice, worldly philosophy, racial bias, political movements, or charismatic false messiahs. They lost their first loves and wedded themselves to movements. Their hearts were infected and hardened by wicked motives of greed, glory, or power. They feared one side’s slippery slope, but instead of holding the ground of truth, they fled the opposite direction, sliding down into the opposite side’s errors.

Whether a hero’s light slowly wanes or is suddenly snuffed out, we still remember and mourn the light’s absence. Be wise and careful when recalling good things from a fallen hero’s past. Beware nostalgia—it can fuel self-deception. A nostalgic heart rewrites history, minimizing and defending past sins, crimes, or damages.

When a hero falls, whether slowly or suddenly, don’t allow yourself to soften the truth with nostalgic lies. Face the truth. Feel the pain of their sins. Acknowledge the damage they caused. Face both realities—the good and the bad. Hate what is evil but cling to what is good. Don’t defend what is evil with what was good. Most of all, humble yourself and remember that if they fell, so could you.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Love the Lord, all you who worship him; the Lord protects the faithful, but repays to the full those who act haughtily.

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. — Psalm 31.23-24

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Captive Kings

Links for today’s readings:

Nov 14 Read: 1 Chronicles 3-4 Listen: (8:52) Read: Psalms 80 Listen: (1:58)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Nov 15 Read: 1 Chronicles 5-6 Listen:(12:23) Read: Psalms 81-82 Listen: (2:36)
Nov 16 Read: 1 Chronicles 7-8 Listen: (9:04)Read: Psalms 83-84 Listen: (3:20)

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 3.17a

17 The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive…

Reflection: Captive Kings

By John Tillman

The Chronicler’s opening genealogy calls Jehoiachin “the captive.”

This appellation could apply to most of Judah’s last, wicked kings. After the reformer, Josiah, the final kings were a chaotic string of failures who ended up in captivity to different empires.

Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, took three months to undo decades of faithfulness following his father’s revival. Pharoah took him to Egypt in chains, and he died there. (2 Kings 23.31-33; 2 Chronicles 36.1-4)

Jehoiakim reigned longer, eleven years, but did no better. Nebuchadnezzar took him to Babylon in chains, and he died there. (2 Kings 23.36-37; 24.1-2; 2 Chronicles 36.5-7)

Jehoiachin, like Jehoahaz, reigned only three months before being brought as a captive to Babylon. (2 Kings 24.8; 2 Chronicles 36.9)

Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, was the final king of Judah, reigning eleven years before being captured, having his sons killed in front of him, and then being blinded. (2 Kings 25.1-7; 2 Chronicles 36.11-13)

The Chronicler zeroes in on Jehoiachin in his simplified genealogy. Jehoiachin’s fate and future were different from the other captive kings.

Rabbinical tradition assumes Jehoiachin repented in captivity. After decades in prison, a Babylonian king released the captive, seated him at his table, and provided him financial support. (2 Kings 25.27-30) Jeremiah cursed Jehoiachin to be childless, (Jeremiah 22.24) yet God lifted this curse. (Haggai 2.20-25) Not only did he have children, it was through this captive king that Matthew traced the genealogy of Jesus. (Matthew 1.1-17)

These kings were captive to sin long before they became captive to empires. They became captives because they sought freedom apart from godly repentance and righteousness. They rebelled to throw off the punishment God placed them under.

Sin brings inward spiritual captivity, (John 8.34; Romans 6.5-7) but consequences of sin often lead to outward forms of captivity, whether personal or legal. The same is true for us today. The same is true for our leaders, whether familial, religious, cultural, or political.

But there is good news for us captives. (Luke 4.17-21) From this line of captive kings, comes one who sets captives free. From this line of crooked judges, comes one righteous ruler. From this line of cursed national rebels, comes the servant who blesses all nations. From this lost line of craven sinners doomed to death, comes one who conquers sin, disarms death, and restores the lost.

Cursed, captive kings can break their curse, be restored, and bless the world. We, and our communities, need that same curse lifted and we are commanded to let that same blessing flow.

The gospel frees us to free others and blesses us to bless others. Let freedom and blessing ring.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy Name and glory in your praise. — Psalm 106.47

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Author: John Tillman

The Historian’s Purpose: Freedom

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 16.4-9

Reflection: The Historian’s Purpose: Freedom

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Read more: What We Do For God

Read more: Missing the Son of David

Handling God’s Presence and Word

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 15.11-15

Reflection: Handling God’s Presence and Word

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Read more: Daughters of Saul and Sons of Moses

Read more: When Temples Fall

What War Stories Reveal

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 11.10-11a, 15-19

2 Samuel 23.13-17

Reflection: What War Stories Reveal

Divine Hours Prayer: Call to Prayer

Read more: War Machines Have No Brakes

Read more: Christ’s Body is Not God’s Army

Complicated Feelings When Heroes Fall,

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 10.8-12

1 Samuel 31.8-13

Reflection: Complicated Feelings When Heroes Fall

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Read more: A Sympathetic Villain Origin Story

Read more: Confront the Spirit of Cruelty

Captive Kings

Links for today’s readings:

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Scripture Focus: 1 Chronicles 3.17a

Reflection: Captive Kings

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Read more: Restoration Begins

Read more: Anger, Exile, and Mercy