David Prepares Material for Temple I Chronicles 22

I Chronicles 22:1 "Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt-offering for Israel."

David's desire was to build a temple to bring the ark and the altar back together in one place. The LORD would not allow David to build the temple but said his son would, so David gathered material for the purpose. Here is the reason David could not build the house.

v8 "But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight."

That is not to say that the LORD was denouncing David for fighting the wars for Israel. It was a point of separation: David prepared the way through war, for a time of peace in which Solomon could build the temple. David was a man of war. Solomon was a man of peace.

v9 "Behold a son shall be born to thee who shall be a man of rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about, for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness not Israel in his days."

You may remember from previous studies how Solomon ask of the LORD wisdom so he could judge the people and the LORD was well pleased and also gave him wealth. David in his charge to Solomon mentioned that he should seek wisdom.

v12 "Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God."

Solomon was a man who listened and did ask the LORD for wisdom as his father David suggested.

David could not build the house but he did a lot to prepare the way by gathering building materials and precious metals. He wanted it to be a grand place and it was.

v14 "Now behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto."

I can almost envision David and Solomon going for a walk, perhaps when Solomon was a boy. They walk past piles of timber and great piles of iron nails. Then David takes his young son to the storehouse where there is gold piled on one wall and silver and brass all around. I suspect Solomon asked what it was all for and David replied that it was for the LORD's house. If it had been me, I think I would have thought that the LORD must be quite great to have such a house built for him. That's just my writer's imagination talking but I have also raised two sons.

To the others of royal blood David gave a charge also.

v19 "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God, arise therefore and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD."

Pretty good, isn't it? One generation can have an impact on the next.

Psalm 107:7 "And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation."

Keywords: David, Solomon, temple, gold, sanctuary. David instructs Solomon on building the temple.

David's Sin of Numbering I Chronicles 21

I Chronicles 21:1 "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." Reference II Samuel 24:1-9

There was a time when the LORD gave instructions to number the people. For example, when the Levites were established as the priesthood, there was an equal exchange of persons. It was, however, forbidden for anyone to just decide to number the people out of curiosity. That is basically what David was doing.

Joab gave David good advice to not number the people. He called it abominable in verse 6. But David insisted.

v5 "And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And al they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword." Joab left off Benjamin and Levi in the numbers because he felt it was wrong to count the people.

The prophet Gad came to David and told him what Joab had already tried to warn him about. The LORD was displeased. v7

v8 "And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly."

The situation is this: David and Joab have established the kingdom and defeated the enemies of Israel. I think David could have a time of peace now if he had not willfully sinned in numbering the people. It was not hard to convince him that he had sinned. I think he knew it before he sent Joab out to do the job. Now he confesses and although the LORD is quick to forgive, sin always has a price to be paid.

v10 "Go and tell David, saying Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee."

The three things were: 1)three years famine 2) three months of destruction by his enemies or 3) three days pestilence at the hand of the LORD.

v13 "And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man."

70,000 men fell in the pestilence before the angel came to Jerusalem to destroy it. The LORD did indeed show mercy then.

v15 "And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite."

David is greatly saddened. Sin hurts everyone. David stood and begged the LORD to take his own life and spare Jerusalem for it was he who sinned and not the people. v17

v18 "Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite."

Ornan had also seen the angel, verse 20, and offered to give David the property and animals to offer but David insisted on buying the property. verse 24. Ornan made a statement that we should all take to heart. v23 end "...I give it all."

So David built the altar and made sacrifices there. To me, the separation that sin causes is the saddest part of the whole thing. The LORD and David talked through the prophet and the angel because of the sin that came between them. David's sin.

Then there is verse 30 which makes a statement about David. He who loved the LORD and was a man after God's own heart, was afraid of the LORD.

v30 "But David could not go before it to enquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD." Speaking of the tabernacle that Moses made. v29.

Psalm 64:9 "And all men shall fear and shall declare the work of God: for they shall wisely consider of his doing."

Keywords: David, Joab, Ornan, threshing floor, numbering people. David sins in numbering the people.

Rabbah I Chronicles 20

I Chronicles 20:1 "And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah and destroyed it."

Ammon are the people who had a new king who got poor advice and shamed the messengers of David. I believe after the first campaign, it would have been winter then this battle took place in the spring. Correct me if I'm wrong on that.

For me the key phrases are: at the time that kings go out to battle and David tarried at Jerusalem. It marks a difference in the activity of David. Joab is the captain of the host but usually the king would lead the campaign. David tarried.

v3 "And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws and with harrows of iron and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem."

David also took of Ammon a crown made of a talent of gold inlaid with precious stones and put it on his head.

Next there was war with the Philistines. There was again a giant to deal with. One with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. David had a brother with a son named Jonathan. It was he who slew the giant of the Philistines.

v8 "These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."

At this point it appears that Ammon has been destroyed as well as the Philistines.

Psalm 107: 39 "Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow."

Keywords: David, Joab, Ammon, Philistines, Gath. Joab defeats Ammon. Another giant is killed.

Joab's Campaign I Chronicles 19

I Chronicles 19:2 "And David said I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him."

Nahash, king of Ammon has died. David wanted to show kindness in a genuine way by sending messengers to express his sympathies. The son of Nahash had some poor advisers though. They convinced the new king that David was up to some trick. They shamed the messengers by shaving half their beards and shortening their garments.

v5 "Then there went certain and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return."

The Ammon's realized they had made a grave mistake. They apparently knew that David would avenge his messengers. For in representing the king, it was as if they had shamed David himself.

v7 So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots and the king of Machah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities and came to battle."

David sent Joab to deal with them. Joab found himself surrounded and so divided his forces. The idea was that which ever division that needed help, the other would turn and help.

v12 "And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will hep thee."

It was a good plan and the enemy lost many of the hosts and fled the battlefield. The Syrians tried another maneuver but David himself, went out to battle and took on the Syrians.

v18 "But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

The Syrians made peace with Israel and would not again help Ammon.

Psalm 124:6 "Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth."

Keywords: Joab, Israel, Chronicles, David, Syrians. Joab fights for Israel as captain of the host.

David's Wars I Chronicle 18

I Chronicles 18:1 "Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines."

Up until David, the Philistines and other nations have had a pretty easy time of it, harassing Israel and taking cities and territory from them. No so, when David became king. He conducts a campaign that was victorious over many enemies.

v2 "And he smote Moab... v3 And David smote Hadarezer... v4 And David took from him a thousand chariots and seven thousand horsemen... v6 Then David put garrisons in Syria-damascus..."

David accumulated great wealth in these wars. He brought back gold, silver and brass. These things he stored up and Solomon used it in the building of the temple.

v11 "Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations, from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek."

Joab came to power during this time and was placed over the host.

v15 "And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehosphaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder." v16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe:"

I call these David's Wars because after this Joab took over on the battlefield for the most part. A king can get pretty busy with internal affairs.

v14 "So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment, and justice among all his people."

Psalm 2:3 "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us."

Keywords: David, Joab, Chronicles, Old Testament, war, Israel. David defeats his enemies.

David's Desire - Davidic Covenant I Chronicles 17

I Chronicles 17:1 "Now it came to pass as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains."

v11 "And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. v12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever."

David has just brought back the ark and placed it in a tabernacle (tent). He has set up 68 people to attend to it and commanded that songs of praise and worship be sung. After this time of rejoicing, he returned to his house of cedar and was talking with Nathan the prophet. It dawned on him that he had a fine house but the ark was out there in a tent. So he decided he would like to build a house for the LORD.

The LORD's response: v5 "For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another."

In this passage, the LORD tells David through Nathan that David is the first to mention building a house and also that the LORD had not asked for one. I think it is a touching response to David's desire to build. I take it as 'you are the first to think of that'. But David would not get to build the house (temple) but did gather some material for that purpose.

Under the great covenant of David, the LORD talks to him about where he found him as a shepherd boy and how he had made him a renown king. He told David how he had been with him every step of the way in his life. It is a wonderful exchange.

This covenant of David has far reaching implications. It reaches down through the ages to Jesus Christ who will one day sit on the throne of David.

v16 "And David the king came and sat before the LORD and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?"

David is not talking to Nathan the prophet now. He has humbled himself before the LORD and offers a long prayer to him. He recognized the promise the LORD made and in this prayer agreed and prayed that it be so established.

v27 "Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever, for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever."

A good chapter to remember. We will see this promise fulfilled when Jesus rules from Jerusalem and the throne of David.

Revelation 21:5 "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write; for these words are true and faithful. v6 And he said unto me: It is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

Keywords: David, covenant, Chronicles, ark. David wants to build the LORD's house, receives the Davidic Covenant.

After Getting the Ark I Chronicles 16

I Chronicles 16:1 "So they brought the ark of God and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it and they offered burnt-sacrifices and peace-offerings before God."

We should note that although the ark was retrieved, sacrifices were still made in the high place at Gibeon. You could say the tabernacle was divided at this point.

The chapter is one of a praise and worship mood and list the appointments David made to honor God.
-David's festival sacrifice
-David orders a choir
-Psalm of Thanksgiving
-Ministers, porters, priests and musicians to attend the ark

v4 "And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:"

Here it list the people, one of particular note is Asaph who made a sound with cymbals: It doesn't say anything about it being a pretty sound or anything but he was there making a joyful noise. Psalm 100:1. Asaph wrote many of the Psalms also including: 50 and 73-83.

David delivered a psalm to get them started:

v7-8 "Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people." See also Psalm 105.

So after a failed attempt to bring in the ark, this effort is successful and David rallies the people and restores the Levites to their ordained purpose of ministering around the ark. Next we will find David going to his house and having a conversation with Nathan the prophet.

Psalm 50:1 (A Psalm of Asaph)
"The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. v2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined."

Keywords: Chronicles, Levites, Asaph, David, Psalms, ark of God, ark of the LORD. David sets up singers and ministers for the ark.

Getting Ark the Right Way I Chronicles 15

I Chronicles 15:12 "And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it."

We saw in chapter 13 where David had good intentions to bring up the ark but did it the wrong way. Here he has either read up on the subject or sought wisdom from the elders or God. How ever he got the information, he now knows how the ark should be transported and so instructs the priest.

For reference, I Chronicles 13, Numbers 4:1-15 Numbers 4:2, Deut. 10:8, 31:9

The ark was suppose to be carried upon the shoulders of the priest and not on a cart.

v15 "And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD. "

Every man was appointed his task and singers were appointed. The ark was brought up to the tabernacle David had ready. There was great rejoicing and David danced before the LORD.

v27 "And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen."

v28 "Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with sound of the cornet and with trumpets and with cymbals making a noise with psalteries and harps."

Michal did not understand the whole event and despised David for all his dancing.

The story continues in the next chapter.

Psalm 36:7 "How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings."

Keywords: Chronicles, ark of covenant, David, Levites. David brings up the ark in the right way.

David's Kingdom Established I Chronicles 14

I Chronicles 14:2 "And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel."

And his kingdom was lifted up. We saw a couple of chapters back all the armed men he had. The Bible called them mighty men. In this chapter they go up against the bullies of the area and give them a sound whipping.

v11 "So they came up to Ball-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters; therefore they call the name of that place Baal-perazim."

See also II Samuel 5:17-21

David is settling in as king. The king of Hiram as sent materials and people to build David a house. David has married and married and had many children. He has attempted to bring up the ark but did it the wrong way. This chapter covers the happenings during this time (generally). The Philistines must have been thinking that they could not afford to loose their hold on Israel for they tried again to unseat David.

In this battle, the LORD gave David specific instructions to fight with a different battle plan. He was to come up behind the enemy and wait for the sound in the mulberry trees which would indicate that the LORD was attacking ahead of him.

v15 "And it shall be when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines."

So the Philistines were defeated and the fame of David spread throughout the land.

Psalm 132:11 "The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David, he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne."

Keywords: Chronicles, Old Testament, David, Philistines, mulberry trees. David's kingdom is established, Philistines are defeated.

David's First Attempt to Retrieve Ark of God I Chronicles 13

I Chronicles 13:6 "And David went up, and all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring u thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it."

The ark was the center of worship in the tabernacle and then the temple. It was where certain priests went into the holy of hollies to offer sacrifice to God for the sins of the people.

It had been stolen by the Philistines but returned after it caused them much heartache and body ache. But it had not been brought to the capitol of Israel. David sought to do so but in this first attempt went about it the wrong way. Back in the law the ark was to be carried a certain way and it was not on a cart. Priests were suppose to carry it on shafts put through rings.

v7 "And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Ussa and Ahio drave the cart."

For a priest to go before the ark, he must be purified and dressed a certain way. It is a dangerous thing for sinful man to go before a holy God without the blood covering.

v9 "And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Ussa put forth his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. v10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Ussa and he smote him because he put his hand to the ark, and there he died before God."

This story should stress the importance of the blood of Jesus Christ which was offered for our sin upon the cross of Calvary. His blood covers our sin in salvation so that we can stand before a holy God and not be struck down because of our sinful nature. It may be a hard thing for some to understand: Man has been sinful since the garden of Eden (we all know that story). Adam's sin has been passed down through his blood to all mankind. Jesus was sinless and so his pure blood took the place of our tainted blood. When God sees someone who has received Jesus Christ as Savior, He sees the blood of his son and not our own.

v12 "And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?"

Adam and Eve hid in the garden until they were clothed with the garment made by the LORD through the shedding of innocent blood. They were afraid and ashamed. Throughout the ministry Jesus often said 'Be not afraid.' He had come to take away the barrier between man and his Father.

In the days of this story, the law had been put aside much like the Bible has been pushed aside in our society. David did not know or ignored the instructions contained in the law as to how to transport the ark. He revived that knowledge in the next chapter as we will see. The answer was there all the time to the question of verse 12. People often asked the question these days: How can God? The answer is in the Bible.

v14 "And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had."

David left off bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem for a time. The house where it remained was blessed. I hope we do not push aside the word of God. It is our ark. It is our answer.

Why did David fail in bringing in the ark of God? He tried to do the right thing in the wrong way.

Psalm 34:12-14 "What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it. v15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry."

Keywords: Chronicles, Old Testament, David, Ark of God, Ark of Covenant, Bible study, salvation. David's first attempt at bringing in the ark of God.

King David's Army I Chronicles 12

I Chronicles 12:1 "Now these are they that 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, helpers of the war."

David was a mighty man of war but he could not do it alone. This chapter tells of his mighty men and gives numbers of how many came from the various tribes. I will use several verses to cover this chapter.

v2 "They were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin."

Perhaps the key phrase is even of Saul's brethren. Israel was behind David but Saul still reigned.

v8 "And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains."

They looked fierce in battle that did not find the weapons of war cumbersome and could move around fast and sure footed when fighting.

v22 "For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God."

They came to help David. Back in verse 1 it said the mighty men were helpers of the war.

v32 "And of the children of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment."

These were men who could advise David of the attitudes in the land and were able to tell him what was happening in the country and among the people.

v40 "Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought Bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly; for there was joy in Israel."

The morale was high among the army. These people went through the land and gathered up supplies to feed the army. As the numbers increased it must have been a daunting task to find food for all of them as we know from the story of Abigail.

Here are the numbers:
Judah: 6800
Simeon: 7100
Levi: 4600
Jehoiada (Aaronites): 3700
Zadok (a priest): 22 captains
Benjamin (Saul's kindred): 3000
Ephraim: 2800
Manasseh (half tribe) 18,000
Issachar: 200 captains plus all their brethren
Zebulum: 50,000 (could keep rank not of double heart)
Naphtali: 1,000 captains, 37,000 (with shield and spear)
Danities: 28,600
Asher: 40,000
Reubenities, Gadites, half tribe of Manasseh from other side of Jordan: 120,000
All the rest of Israel: of one heart to make David king.

David could have taken the kingdom with this army but Saul was defeated by the Philistines.

Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? v2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell."

Keywords: David, Old Testament, Chronicles, Bible Study. David gathers his mighty men.

King David I Chronicles 11

I Chronicles 11:1 "Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron saying, Behold we are thy bone and thy flesh."

David started his reign in Hebron and stayed there for seven years or so, then moved to Jerusalem where he finished his long reign of around 40 years. David went to Jerusalem but did not totally take the city at first but dwelt in a portion called Zion.

Zion has great significance both physically and spiritually. It is referred to in songs as a reference to heaven. I think of it as like a lighthouse on a hill. Zion is also called the City of David. See also Mount Hermon. Scripture references include Psalm 2:6, Isaiah 2:3, Isaiah 1:27, 2:3, 4:1-6, Joel 3:16, etc.

v6 "And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up and was chief."

The Jebusites were the strong people who lived in Jerusalem. Here Joab became the captain of David's army by his victory over them.

Next the chapter goes into the men who fought with David and made his military so great. When Saul was after David, David was hiding in a cave and all manner of people came to him. At first, he had a few hundred but then the numbers grew in a great number by the time he was made king. The Bible calls them mighty men. Here is an example:

v22 "Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab; also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day."

He also went to fight a large Egyptian who had a spear while he only had a staff. He took the spear and slew the enemy with his own spear.

We will get into those men more in the next chapter. The life of David was studied in more detail in Samuel.

Isaiah 55:1 "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye buy and eat; yea, com, buy wine and milk without money and without price."

Keywords: David, Old Testament, Chronicles, Joab, Bible Study. King David and his mighty men.

Saul Revisited I Chronicles 10

I Chronicles 10:1 "Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down slain in mount Gilboa."

We take a short look at Saul as king. The chapter picks up after Saul has served as king and become jealous of David. He has also transgressed against the LORD and gone to a witch to get advice.

v4 "Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell upon it."

If I were the armourbearer, I would not want to kill the king either. At this point Saul's sons have been killed by the Philistines and the battle is lost. This was predicted by the LORD, that Saul would loose the kingdom and his sons would not reign in his place.

The Philistines celebrated their victory in a bad way: v10 "And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon."

Regardless of Saul's transgression, he was still of Israel and the anointed of God. David would not kill him when he had opportunity and it did not go unpunished with the Philistines. Samuel records the events that followed in the false god's house.

v13 "So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD; which he kept not and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it."

You may want to follow references back to Samuel for a more complete story.

Proverbs 27:1 "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

Keywords: Chronicles, Old Testament, Saul, Philistines, Bible Study. Saul is killed by his own sword after the battle is lost.

Israelites and Levites I Chronicles 9

I Chronicles 9:1 "So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression."

This chapter covers three primary subjects: original (first Israelites) inhabitants of their possessions, jobs of Levites and Saul's generations.

Verse 2 is a general statement that these were first: Israelites, priests, Levites and Nethinims. Then narrowing to Jerusalem it lists many names: children of Judah, of Benjamin, of Ephraim, of Manasseh and so forth.

The part of this chapter that I found most interesting was that the Levites had specific jobs in and around the house of the LORD. It was not a haphazard, volunteer thing. Even the priests sons had jobs and would work their way up to the office of priests.

Particular mention is made of Phinehas (who had a story on him in previous study): v20 "And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him."

The porters, keepers of the gates, north, south, east and west.

v22 "All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office."

They also had charge of the treasures of the house of the LORD. v26

Some cared for the vessels, v28, some of the ointment of spices, v20, some of things made in pans, v31, some of the shewbread, v32, some were singers, v33. v34 "...these dwelt at Jerusalem."

It must have been a beehive of activity around the tabernacle and the temple. Everyone going about their certain tasks and no confusion about it for they knew who did which job.

With the closing verses about Saul's genealogy, we end for now the name to name verses and go into the life and death of Saul.

Psalm 104:1 "Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty."

Keywords: Old Testament, Israel, Jerusalem, Chronicles, genealogies, Bible Study, Saul, Levites, porters, shewbread. Genealogies and jobs of the Levites.

Benjamin I Chronicles 8

I Chronicles 8:40 "And the son of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers and hand many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin."

As the headings tell me in one of my study Bibles, this chapter goes from Benjamin to Saul. It gets a little confusing for me because it is broken down by who lived where. It does go to Saul in verse 33.

v33 "And Ner begat Kish and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal."

We remember these names. Saul was the first king of Israel and Jonathan was David's friend.

I Samuel chapter 14 has more narrative about these men. Again, I think the significance of this chapter is to establish the family history and the history of their possessions for even though they are in captivity. They know the promise that they will return someday.

Psalm 54:10 "The young lion do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing."

Keywords: Old Testament, Bible Study, Chronicles, Benjamin, Saul. Establishing the line of Benjamin to Saul.

Children of Jacob I Chronicles 7

Issachar

I Chronicles 7:5 "And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand."

Chapter 7 goes down a list of some of Jacob's children with their genealogy and a brief description. For the most part, this seems to be a record of the fighting men of Israel.

Benjamin

v9 "And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred."

Naphtali

v13 "The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

Manasseh

v14 "The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead;"

Ephraim

v21 "And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle."

Remember Gath was where the giants were living.

Asher

v40 "All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father's house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that went apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men."

It is not said of all, but of these it is said that they were men of valor, mighty and fighting men. Israel knew where to get an army when it was needed.

Psalm 11:4 "Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death."

Keywords: genealogies, Israel, Issacahr, Benjamin, Ephraim, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Bible Study, Old Testament, Chronicles. A list of some of the tribes with their numbers.

Levites I Chronicles 6

I Chronicles 6:1 "The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari."

The tribe of Levi was set aside to take care of the tabernacle and sacrifices.

The line goes from Levi to Kohath to Amram to Aaron. Moses was Aaron's brother. From Aaron it goes to Eleazar, Phinehas and all the way to Johozadak who was carried away in the captivity.

v49 "But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt-offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded."

This is the line that took care of the sacrifices and offerings. The line of Aaron. Others had jobs as well as told in this verse.

v48 "Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God."

Out of all the land, the tribes gave the Levites cities to dwell in, some were cities of refugee where suspected killers could run to until all the facts were known, to keep them from being killed outright.

v67 "And they gave unto them of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs, they gave also Gezer with her suburbs," and so forth.

This record is very important since when they are all carried away, they will need to know who owns what land when they return.

Psalm 36:9 "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light."

Keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Chronicles, Levi. A list of the families of Levi and their possessions and jobs.

Reuben I Chronicles 5

I Chronicles 5:1 "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

v2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's)"

From there it goes on to tell of the sons of Reuben. Judah however was the chief ruler as it says.

v9 "And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates; because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead."

They took the land from people called Hagarites when Saul was king.

Gad was their neighbor and dwelt to Bashan. These were those who choose to stay on the other side of Jordan but did fight with Israel for Canaan. They included Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. Manasseh was one of Joseph's sons who received property rights because of Reuben's transgression.

v25 "And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them."

So the kings of Assyria conquered them and took the captive.

Psalm 4:4 "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."

Keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Reuben, Chronicles, Assyria. A Short history of Reuben with his conquest, sin and captivity by Assyria.

Jabez I Chronicles 4

I Chronicles 4:9-10 "And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."

The prayer of Jabez has been nestled amongst these hard to pronounce names for thousands of years but was made famous by a book that came out a few years ago. It is a good prayer and God honored Jabez and gave him what he asked for. In light of the New Testament, it seems a very personal prayer in that he did not pray for Israel and others but for himself. Then, we should all get our own house in order so that we can be useful in the bigger picture.

It is a good witness in a nation that was prone to follow after strange gods.

I could not nail down who he descended from but I get lazy sometimes reading all those names. The chapter starts with the posterity of Judah by Caleb so I expect he did descend from that great spy and warrior.

We can note a couple of verses in this chapter:

v14 "And Meonothai begat Ophrah and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen."

So we now know where leaders went when they wanted things done that a craftsman would do.

v21 "The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecha, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen of the house of Ashbea.

When a special garment or a special hanging for the temple was needed, they probably went to this family.

v22-23 "And Jokim and the men of Chozeba and Joash and Saraph who had the dominion in Moab and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things. These were the potters and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work."

We can see that it was no mystery for leaders to know where to go to find the right people for the right job. I found the phrase these are ancient things interesting but I don't know the significance of it. Unless we are talking about talents that were discovered in this land and were known to exist before Israel arrived. Anyway, it is interesting.

The defeat of the Amalekites is covered in the balance of the chapter so the people would have pasture land.

Looking at the chapter as a whole, just about all the physical needs of the people are covered in the abilities of the people mentioned. I think these abilities were in the nature of those who did them and not just something they learned.

Proverbs 10:2 "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death."

Keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Chronicles, Jabez. Jabez prayer and talents of various people.

David's Family I Chronicles 3

I Chronicles 3:4 "These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years."

David was quite a character. Before he went to Jerusalem, which was a stronghold of the original inhabitants, he reigned in Hebron. There he had six sons by six different wives:

Michal was the wife taken away by Saul who was her father.

Ahinoam was a Jezreelitess, son Amnon
Abigail was a Carmelitess, originally married to Nabal, he would not give David food for his men but Abigail did, son Daniel (don't think it was the Daniel we know).
Maachah was daughter of king of Geshur, taken on one of David's raids, son Absalom.
Haggith, son Adonijah, killed by Solomon for seeking the throne.
Abital, son Shephatiah.
Eglah, son Ithream.

In Jerusalem he had other sons born but Solomon is the most prominent in scripture. He was born of Bathsheba, spelled Bathshua here. She was the wife of Uriah whom David conspired to kill. She and David lost the child they conceived in their transgression as a penalty for their sin.

From this line we get Asa a good king, Hezekiah a good king and Josiah who was a good king.

Psalm 84:2 "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God."

Keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Chronicles, David, Bathsheba, Solomon. The posterity of David itemized.