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1 Chronicles 11-16
The Returners
of the Lonely Ark
Psalm 58:1-11 God Rewards the Righteous
1.“Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?2.No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.3.The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.4.Their poison is like the poison of a snake; like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,5.which doesn’t listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skilful the charmer may be.6.Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh.7.Let them vanish as water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.8.Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away, like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun.9.Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike.10.The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;11.so that men shall say, "Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth."Observations
58:1-9.David laments the verbal attacks of his enemies, asking God to avenge and vindicate him. The wicked are those who continue in waywardness, plotting evil and speaking lies. Like the serpents (an allusion to their influence), they are unmoved by any attempts to “charm” them.
58:10-11.
The righteous (who apparently have been susceptible to “charming”) rejoice when the wicked get their just punishment. There is a reward for the righteous, given by the God who judges the earth.
Application
When exasperated by the wicked, remember: there is a reward for the righteous, given by the God who judges the earth; so leave vengeance to Him.
Prayer
God, thanks that I can look forward to Your wasting of the wicked; may I behave so as to be rewarded by You. Amen.
Proverbs 15:19-24 Which Path Are You On?
19.“The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.20.A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.21.Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.22.Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.23.Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!24.The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.“Application
Seek out wise counsel and make sure you have God's perspective on your plans, or you might spend a long time picking thorns out of sensitive spots.
Prayer
Lord, please show me where I might be straying from the path of wisdom, so I don't wind up being a fool; help me seek out wise counsel to guide my steps in Your ways. Amen.
1Chronicles 11-16 The Returners of the Lonely Ark
These chapters trace the ascension of David from his acceptance by the people as king after the death of Saul, to the relocation of the ark in Jerusalem (a major concern of the priestly chronicler). Lessons on seeking the will of God and proper worship are noted.
1 Chronicles 11 David's Mighty Men
1.Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.2.In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’"3.So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Yahweh by Samuel.4.David and all Israel went to Jerusalem5.The inhabitants of Jebus/Jerusalem said to David, "You shall not come in here." Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion/Jerusalem6.David said, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. "Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.7.David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David.8.He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.9.David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Hosts was with him.11.This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time...18.The three broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh,19.and said, "My God forbid it me, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy?" For they risked their lives to bring it”20.Abishai, the brother of Joab... lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.21.Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain... 22 Benaiah who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two sons of lions (lion-like men) of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.23.He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.24.Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did these things, and had a name among the three mighty men.25.Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the three: and David set him over his guard.41.Uriah the Hittite...
Observations
11:1-3.David was made king in Hebron (2Sam 5), in recognition of him as Yawheh's choice and Israel's shepherd. David made a covenant with them (constitution?) before the Lord. God was with David, yet battles still needed to be fought and territory won.
11:4-41.
The exploits of the mighty men demonstrate God's power in prospering David, by bringing mighty and honorable people to join in the task.
Application
We're known by the people with whom we associate. What do your friendships say about you?
Prayer
Lord, I pray that You would bring together people who value wholehearted service to You more than their lives and petty ambitions, and You would glorify Yourself through them. Amen.
1 Chronicles 12 David's Helpers
1.Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war.2.They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow: they were of Saul’s brothers of Benjamin.8.Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes on the mountains;14.These of the sons of Gad were captains of the army: he who was least was equal to one hundred, and the greatest to one thousand.16.There came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold to David.17.David went out to meet them, and answered them, "If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it."18.Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, "We are yours, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse: peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you." Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.19.Of Manasseh...21.They helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army.22.For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God.24.The children of Judah...25.Of Simeon26.Of Levi29.Of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.30.Of Ephraim31.Of Manasseh32.Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do33.Of Zebulun..who could command and were not of double heart.34.Of Naphtali35.Of the Danites36.Of Asher37.On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh38.All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.39.They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had made preparation for them.40.Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, food of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and cattle, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Israel.
Observations
12:1-22.This is a flash back to David at Ziklag, before he was made king at Hebron. God brings mighty helpers from all over Israel to help David, until they were like the army of God. Even Saul's brothers switched their allegiance to David.
12:23-40.
The unity of heart to fulfill God's plan to make David king is noteworthy.
1 Chronicles 13 Returners of the Lonely Ark
1.David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.2.David said to all the assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you, and if it is of Yahweh our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us;3.and let us bring again the ark of our God to us. For we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul."4.All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.6.David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God Yahweh that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name.8.David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.9.When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.10.The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God.11.David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzza; and he called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.12.David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?"13.So David didn’t move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.14.The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months: and Yahweh blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had.
Observations
13:1-6.David demonstrates his leadership in consulting the right people and “selling them on change.” then appealing to their values and God's will to move them in the right direction. See TOYL section on Leadership at Truthbase.net.
13:7-13.
Unless God's work is done God's way, disaster will strike. Even though they were doing the right thing, moving the ark (symbol of the presence of God) to the center of the life of the nation, they didn't do it God's way (cart instead of carry), and God was displeased (despite the song and dance). Emotional “worship” is no substitute for volitional obedience, for Biblical worship is a Response to Revelation (see post under Genesis 22 and Worship in Truth or Tradition on Truthbase.net)
13:14-14.
God blesses those who dwell close to His presence.
Application
God's will, must be done God's way (wisdom) to get God's blessing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me wisdom to do Your will, Your way, for Your glory. Amen.
1 Chronicles 14 The Will of God
1.Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.2.David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel’s sake.3.David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David became the father of more sons and daughters.4.These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,5.and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet,6.and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,7.and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.8.When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David: and David heard of it, and went out against them.9.Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.10.David inquired of God, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?" Yahweh said to him, "Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand."11.So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.12.They left their gods there; and David gave commandment, and they were burned with fire.13.The Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley.14.David inquired again of God; and God said to him, "You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.15.It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines."16.David did as God commanded him: and they struck the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.17.The fame of David went out into all lands; and Yahweh brought the fear of him on all nations.Observations
14:1-17.David recognized that God had exalted him for the benefit of His people.
14:8-17.
A commitment to doing God's will usually attracts both help and opposition. The Philistines attacked twice. Each time David dependently inquired for God's will and received different counsel from God. He did not presume to know God's will, nor determine it from circumstance, but depended upon God daily. God gave them victory over the Philistines and their gods. They named the place, “Baal Breaks.”
Application
See Determining the Will of God in post on 2 Samuel 5. You should be able to both use and explain the acrostic from memory.
Prayer
God, thanks that Your will is knowable and doable; may I know and do it today (and tomorrow and...). Amen.
1 Chronicles 15 Returners of the Lonely Ark II, the Sequel
1.David made houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.2.Then David said, "No one ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites. For Yahweh has chosen them to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him forever."3.David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Yahweh to its place, which he had prepared for it.4.David gathered together the sons of Aaron, and the Levites...12.and said to them, "You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it.13.For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God made broke out against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the ordinance."14.So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel.15.The children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of Yahweh.22.Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.
26.It happened, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, that they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.27.David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites who bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: and David had on him an ephod of linen.28.Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps.29.It happened, as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.
Observations
15:1-15.The ark arrives safely and successfully because they based their actions upon the commands of God.
15:16-21.
This is the first mention of an appointed choir.
15:22-22.
A meritocracy! David appoints a choir director on the basis of skill rather than lineage or connections.
15:29-29.
The chronicler doesn't mention Michal's lack of blessing/fruitfulness that ensued.
1 Chronicles 16 Blessing God's Hesed/Covenant Faithfulness
1.They brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.2.When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh.3.He dealt to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.4.He appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Yahweh, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel:5.sounding aloud;6.continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.8.Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make his doings known among the peoples.9.Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works.10.Glory/boast in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.11.Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more.12.Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,13.you seed of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.14.He is Yahweh our God. His judgments are in all the earth.15.Remember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,16.the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac.17.He confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,18.saying, "I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,"19.when you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners were in it.20.They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.21.He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,22."Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!"23.Sing to Yahweh, all the earth! Display his salvation from day to day.24.Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples.25.For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods.26.For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.27.honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place.28.Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!29.Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship Yahweh in holy array.30.Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it can’t be moved.31.Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, "Yahweh reigns!"32.Let the sea roar, and its fulness! Let the field exult, and all that is therein!33.Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth.34.Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever.35.Say, "Save us, God of our salvation! Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise."
36.Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, "Amen," and praised Yahweh.39.and Zadok the priest, and his brothers the priests, before the tabernacle of Yahweh in the high place that was at Gibeon,40.to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which he commanded to Israel;41.and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever.43.All the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
Observations
16:1-6.The danger of “professional praisers” is that God's people neglect their personal responsibility of seeking God and declaring His good works on their behalf.
16:7-36.
Psalms 96 and 105 have similar text see those posts for more. David bases his praise of God on His revelation, in both word (covenantal promises) and works (deeds of deliverance/salvation, protection, and prosperity). In light of God's revelation, people should respond with thanks and praise, and seeking Him all the more. The praise extends to God's future reign over the earth when He will judge and reign over all. See Digging Deeper Resources.
16:37-43.
David appointed priests to minister before the ark in Jerusalem, as well as some to offer the sacrifices in Gibeon, where the Tabernacle/Tent of Meeting was until the Temple was built.
Application
Reflecting on God's loyalty to us should result in joyful praise.
Prayer
Loyal Lord, and Lover of my soul, thanks for Your blessings; may others be drawn to You through my praise. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God blesses those who are rightly related to Him, keeping His covenantal promises. He does not tolerate ignorance of nor disobedience to His revealed will, even among those who are trying to serve Him. He brings together people who want to rally around His cause, and prospers them. He likes being praised and blessed.Us in a nutshell: We must serve God according to how He has specified, or He will not bless, but will curse instead. We need to dependently seek God's will every day, if we want His protection and prosperity. We should praise God for how He's blessed us, so others can be drawn to Him.
Where to go for more
Truthbase.net
Biblical worship is a Response to Revelation
See post under Genesis 22 and
Worship in Truth or Tradition on Truthbase.net