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1 Chronicles 1-10
The Prayer of Jabez
Psalm 57:6-11 Problems, Promises, Phaith, Praise
6.They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into its midst themselves. Selah.7.My heart is steadfast/fixed, God, my heart is steadfast/fixed. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.8.Wake up, my glory! Wake up, psaltery and harp! I will wake up the dawn.9.I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.10.For your great hesed/loyal covenantal love reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the skies.11.Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth."Observation
57:6-11.Rather than panic, David prays and promises to praise God. His heart is steadfastly focused on God, and he anticipates waking up the dawn with his praise for God's deliverance/salvation. He also will give thanks among the peoples (Jews), and the nations (Gentiles) so God will be exalted in their eyes (and also trust Him). The basis of our trust in God is the covenantal loyalty (hesed) God has promised to His people. He will always be faithful to His promises, and through them reveals His glory (character and power).
Application
Fix your heart, by faith, on God's promises and the praise you'll give Him when He saves you out of your problems. Then get ready to wake up the dawn with your singing :)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thanks for Your faithful, loyal hesed that protects and prospers me; may I be faithful to sing Your praises so others can know how great You are. Amen.
Proverbs 15:16-18 Better Than Treasure and T-bones
16.“Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure and trouble.17.Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred.18.A furious man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases contention.“Observation
15:16-18.Two more “betters”, both of which go against the grain of societal values. Less is more, when accompanied by the fear of the Lord. Great treasure without caring what God thinks is trouble. But by humility and fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life (Pr 22:4). So if the treasure chest of those that fear God is a little low, it's just a matter of time before it will be overflowing. The converse is also true for the “haves”; soon they will be “have-nots” if they don't fear God. Better to be a herbivore in a home filled with love than a carnivore in a butcher shop where typical familial strife and hatred abound. A furious man (root=hot, as in hothead) intentionally (Piel = intensive, intentional stem) causes trouble, but the one who is slow to anger (patient and understanding) appeases (Hiphil = cause to be at rest) the cause of strife. The latter would explain the house of the happy herbivore.
Application
Embracing God's values yields a life worth living.
Prayer
Lord, thanks for revealing the true worth of things in life; may I only seek the peace and prosperity that You offer. Amen.
1Chronicles 1-10 The Prayer of Jabez
The Books of Chronicles cover the same history as the Books of Samuel and Kings, with about half of the content being similar. They were written after the return (next books of Ezra and Nehemiah) from the Babylonian Captivity (last post) from a priestly perspective (possibly Ezra, no one knows for sure). One can get an idea of the purpose of Chronicles by noting the differences from Samuel and Kings, and what the author emphasized. The author sought to encourage the nation returning from exile to be holy, and worship according to the covenant, by highlighting God's blessing of those who obeyed Him. These opening chapters have lots of names. I've highlighted some of the names you might recall, and ones the Chronicler makes noteworthy comments about. The Prayer of Jabez in Chapter 4 (below) is a real gem.
1 Chronicles 1 Adam to Abraham
1."Adam, Seth, Enosh,2.Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,3.Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,4.Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth10.Cush became the father of Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth.12.Casluhim (where the Philistines came from)19.To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.24.Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,25.Eber, Peleg, Reu,26.Serug, Nahor, Terah,27.Abram (the same is Abraham).28.The sons of Abraham: Isaac, and Ishmael.34.Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau, and Israel."Observations
1:10-10.Nimrod is considered by some to be the Hercules of legend.
1:19-19.
The earth being divided in Peleg's time refers to the Tower of Babel.
1 Chronicles 2 Israel to David
1."These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,2.Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.3.The sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah... Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh; and he killed him.4.Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah....7.The sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who committed a trespass in the devoted thing.12.and Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse; 13 and Jesse became the father of...15.David the seventh;"Observations
2:3-3.The first real commentary: Er erred wickedly, and Yahweh killed him; same fate befell Onan. The Davidic line continued through Perez.
2:7-7.
Achar/Achan took things from Jericho and caused Israel to suffer loss at Ai (see Joshua 7).
1 Chronicles 3 Kings of Judah
1."Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;2.the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith...4.six were born to him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years;5.and these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel;6.and Ibhar, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,7.and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,8.and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.9.All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.10.Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,11.Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,12.Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,13.Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,14.Amon his son, Josiah his son.15.The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum."1 Chronicles 4 Prayer of Jabez
1."The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.9.Jabez was more honorable than his brothers: and his mother named him Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him with sorrow."10.Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow!" God granted him that which he requested."24.The sons of Simeon:27....neither did all their family multiply like the children of Judah.33.and all their villages that were around the same cities, to Baal."Observations
4:9-10.Many people miss this gem, buried in the genealogies, the prayer of Jabez. He was more honorable than others because he called out to God to bless him. He recognized the intent of God to bless His people, asked and received. He asked for God to prosper him, by enlarging his border/territory, and protect him, by keeping him form evil, so he wouldn't experience sorrow (meaning of his name). God delights in blessing those who take Him at His word, and seek Him. (See the book by Bruce Wilkinson The Prayer of Jabez.)
4:24-27.
In contrast to Jabez, the descendants of Simeon, were cursed because of Simeon's and their own sin, and didn't get blessed.
Application
Be blessable (through obedience) then ask God to open the windows of heaven, and pour out the blessings.
Prayer
God, thanks that You have revealed Yourself to be the one who blesses; as I seek Your will, bless me, protect and prosper me, for my benefit and Your glory. Amen.
1 Chronicles 5 Blessing and Cursing
1."The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.2.For Judah prevailed above his brothers, and of him came the prince; but the birthright was Joseph’s)20.They were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them; for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them, because they put their trust in him.22.For there fell many slain, because the war was of God. They lived in their place until the captivity.23.The children of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land: they increased from Bashan,,,Mount Hermon.25.They trespassed against the God of their fathers, and played the prostitute after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God destroyed before them.26.The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river of Gozan, to this day."Observations
5:1-2.Reuben is mentioned as losing out on the blessings of the firstborn because of his bad behavior. Joseph got the double blessing instead, richly deserved. Judah was next in line after Reuben, because Simeon and Levi forfeited their privilege through sinfully breaking their covenant (Genesis 34).
5:20-20.
The tribes of Reuben and Manasseh won victory because they called out to God and He helped them.
5:23-23.
Then the tribe of Manasseh, in their prosperity failed to be loyal to God and obey Him, so He raised up Pul, AKA Tilgath Pilneser to take them away to Assyria, from where they never returned, even after Judah returned from the Babylonian captivity.
Application
It's better to obey and be blessed than disobey and be cursed.
Prayer
God, may I always enjoy You and Your blessings, and never lose sight of the fact that they come from You. Amen.
1 Chronicles 6 Levite Work and Cities
1."The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.2.The sons of Kohath: Amram...3.The children of Amram: Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.4.Eleazar became the father of Phinehas,10.and Johanan became the father of Azariah, (he it is who executed the priest’s office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem),15.Jehozadak went into captivity, when Yahweh carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.31.These are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of Yahweh, after that the ark had rest.32.They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem: and they waited on their office according to their order.48.Their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.49.But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.54.Now these are their dwelling places according to their encampments in their borders: to the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites (for theirs was the first lot),55.to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah, and its suburbs around it;56.but the fields of the city, and its villages, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.57.To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge,"1 Chronicles 7 Sons
1.Of the sons of Issachar:13.The sons of Naphtali:14.The sons of Manasseh:20.The sons of Ephraim:30.The sons of Asher..."1 Chronicles 8 Sons of Saul
1."Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn...33.Kish became the father of Saul; and Saul became the father of Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.34.The son of Jonathan was Merib Baal; and Merib Baal became the father of Micah."1 Chronicles 9 Sums of Sons
1."So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel: and Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience.2.Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the Nethinim.3.In Jerusalem lived of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh...six hundred ninety.7.Of the sons of Benjamin...nine hundred fifty-six. All these men were heads of fathers’ households by their fathers’ houses.10.Of the priests: Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, Jachin,11.and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God; (of the priests)...one thousand seven hundred sixty; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God."1 Chronicles 10 Sins of Saul
1."Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.2.The Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.3.The battle went hard against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was distressed by reason of the archers.4.Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me." But his armor bearer would not; for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it.7.When all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them.13.So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh, which he didn’t keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire,14.and didn’t inquire of Yahweh: therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse."Observation
10:13-14.The reasons for the death of Saul are given: failure to keep the word of God, and failure to inquire/seek His will. Just like lots of folks in our day. The author portrays Saul's death in detail (You already read about it in 1Sam 31, so I edited it) to provide a backdrop to David in the next chapter.
Application
If you want to live happily ever after, know and do God's word, and seek His will in the subjective areas.
Prayer
God, thanks for revealing Your will so I can know it, and do it; may I seek no other will, including my own. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God is working out a plan throughout history, in blessing individuals who seek Him, and obey Him. He keeps His promises, preserving the lines of Judah and David. He actively curses those who violate His will, sometimes immediately through death, and sometimes eventually in disgrace and death. On the other hand He responds to the prayers of those who seek and obey Him, protecting and prospering them. He delights to answer prayers to bless those who are blessable.Us in a nutshell: We will reap the consequences of our actions. We can be dishonorable and be disinherited and lose out, or we can be blessable, trusting and obeying God, and get blessed. As our blessable status changes (from seeking God to seeking other things), our blessings will change to cursings. We can be more honorable than others by asking God to bless us (and being blessable).
Where to go for more
Truthbase.net
Being Blessable is Just the Beginning