Archives for May 2025

OVERVIEW: 

The death of Saul and his sons; David made king over Judah; Israel anoints David king; David takes Jebus (Jerusalem) as the capital city of the kingdom; David’s first attempt to bring the ark into Jerusalem.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The seemingly endless genealogy ended in chapter 9, and now God is wanting to bring us into the reign of David as Israel’s king. To do so, however, He must make the transition from the reign of Saul. Chapter 10 makes that transition, as it gives us the record of Saul’s death. The parallel account of the death of Saul and his sons is found in 1^st Samuel 31:1–13. The reasons for Saul’s death are found in verses 13 and 14 of 1^st Chronicles 10: 

1. He was not obedient to the word of God. (1^st Samuel 13 and 15 provide the details) 
2. He consulted a medium, or witch. (1^st Samuel 28 provides the details) 

In chapter 11, David is anointed as Israel’s king in Hebron. This is a classic case of “the third time being the charm”, as this is now the third-time David has been anointed. The first anointing was done privately by Samuel (1^st Samuel 16:13), and the second was done publicly as king over Judah (2^nd Samuel 2:4).

Note the key responsibilities God gave to David as Israel’s leader in chapter 11 and verse 2: “Thou shalt FEED my people Israel, and thou shalt be RULER over my people Israel.” In simple terms, David’s responsibilities are much like those given to those who are called to provide oversight of God’s people in the church: FEED and LEAD! (See Acts 20:28; 1^st Peter 5:1–3)

The first item on David’s agenda, after being anointed king, was to secure a capital for the kingdom. Chapter 11 verses 4–9 explain how Jerusalem was taken and how that, in accordance with David’s promise for whoever was instrumental in removing the Jebusites out of Jerusalem being promoted to the captain of David’s army, Joab was installed as the commander. Verse 10 of chapter 11 begins a long list of the “mighty men” in David’s army. It is interesting to note the accomplishments of the various men who comprise this list.  

Whereas chapter 11 identifies the INDIVIDUALS who were key in David’s army, chapter 12 identifies the number of mighty men from each of the TRIBES. Chapter 12 and verse 38 lets us know why all of these men were so “mighty”, and why they were so mightily used in David’s army: “All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel.” These four qualities provide a great list for what every church should be looking for when filling positions of leadership within the church:

1. Men who understand SPIRITUAL WARFARE (“all these men of war” – 12:38a)
2. Men who understand SPIRITUAL TEAMWORK (“that could keep rank” – 12:38b)
3. Men who manifest SPIRITUAL MATURITY (“came with a perfect heart” – 12:38c)
4. Men who manifest SPIRITUAL SUBMISSION TO LEADERSHIP (“to make David king over all Israel” – 12:38d)

Chapter 13 records David’s first attempt to bring the ark back into his newly acquired capital, Jerusalem. Remember, the ark had been completely neglected during the reign of Saul; and keep in mind that the ark represented God’s presence. What is sad, is that for 20 years, nobody seemed to miss it! David, however, is zealous to see God’s presence, as it was represented in the ark, restored to its rightful place in Israel’s camp.  It is, however, a great lesson on how doing the right thing with the right motives, but done in the wrong way will always be disastrous, and in many cases, as in this one, deadly!

Notice that the ark was placed on a “new cart”. (13:7) Apparently, David wanted it to be “special” because of what it represented. But the cart hit an uneven place in the road, the ark began to fall, and when well-meaning Uzza reached out to steady it to keep it from hitting the ground, he was immediately zapped; just as Numbers 4:15 said would happen! God had specifically given Israel instruction concerning transporting the ark so that this very thing would not happen! (Exodus 25:12–14; Numbers 7:9) What began as a glorious celebration at the beginning of this chapter, ends like a funeral procession; with David very discouraged, disappointed, and somewhat, disillusioned. Again, a great reminder that God says what He means, means what He says, and no amount of good intentions override obedience to what He has specifically spoken in His word!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In DAVID, the ANOINTED KING — 1^st Chronicles 11:3 (Christ is the “Anointed of God” who will sit on the throne of David as “King of kings and Lord of lords.” – Luke 1:32; Revelation 19:16)

OVERVIEW:

A continuation of Israel’s descendants: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, Ephraim, Asher, Benjamin; those who returned from captivity; the genealogy of Saul.  

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The genealogy continues today bringing us through the remainder of the descendants of Israel: Issachar (7:1–5), Benjamin (7:6–12), Naphtali (7:13), the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan (7:14–19), Ephraim (7:20–29), Asher (7:30–40), Benjamin (Chapter 8). Chapter 9, then, gives us the record of those who returned from captivity (9:1–34), and then, the descendants of Saul. (9:35–44)

A particular phrase, that is mentioned twice in chapter 7, is well worth noting: Chapter 7 and verse 11 talks about the number of the “…soldiers FIT to go out for war and battle.” Chapter 7 and verse 40 talks about the number of the “mighty men of valour…that were apt to the WAR and to battle…” You might want to note that the word “apt” is also translated in the Bible as “prepared”; “ready”; and “willing”. You might also want to note that the New Testament is very specific in letting us know that as believers in Jesus Christ, we, too, are SOLDIERS (2^nd Timothy 2:3) who are engaged in an incredible “WAR” or “BATTLE”. (2^nd Timothy 2:4; 2^nd Corinthians 10:3) With that reality in mind, we would do well to consider: If God were making a list today of the number of New Testament “soldiers” and “mighty men and women of valour” who are “fit” and “apt to the war and to battle” like He did here in 1^st Chronicles 7, would our name be included in that number? Ephesians 6:10–18 lets us know that the number includes only those who “STAND” in the victory Christ has already won, having on “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”. Are you “FIT” and “APT” for the “WAR” we call the Christian life?

Chapter 9 and verse 2 says, “Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.” The “Nethinims” were very simply the “temple servants”. Their job was simply to do whatever needed to be done. Because of their love for the Lord, they didn’t need the limelight. They were willing to work behind the scenes so that the work of the Lord could go forward! Oh, that God could use us to be as the Nethinims! Verse 28 says of the Levites, “And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale (or, count).” Again, from an earthly standpoint, the job God entrusted to them doesn’t really seem to be all that significant. “Some”, according to verse 29 and 30 “were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices. And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.” Again, from the mind of a natural man, these responsibilities are hardly worth mentioning, but to God, each individual fulfilling their role and completing their personal assignment was well worth mentioning, because God knew that every individual was key for what He intended for the service of the tabernacle! 

Let us learn from these Old Testament servants that whatever God has called us to do in His service, however insignificant it may appear to others, and however insignificant it may sometimes even feel to us, it is extremely significant to Him! He is simply looking for us to faithfully carry out the assignment to which we have been entrusted. The way Paul said it, in Philippians 3:12, “…but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” In other words, “I’m going to live my life in constant pursuit of taking into my possession the purpose God had in taking me into His possession!” The New Testament teaches that God has given all of us a MINISTRY to fulfill in the CHURCH and a MISSION to fulfill in the WORLD. To fulfill these responsibilities according to God’s design, He has entrusted each of us with a composite of key resources to utilize in fulfilling our intended purpose. He has given each of us spiritual gifts, along with our natural, and yet, God-given talents and abilities. He has given to us our individual personality, and within our personality, has made us passionate about certain things. All along the way, through the course of our life, God has allowed us to encounter many different people and experience many different things. All these various components are not random. These are all the specific things God orchestrated, and is orchestrating, in our lives to direct us into an understanding of the specific kingdom assignment He intends us to fulfill. 

Regardless of how insignificant we may think our value to His kingdom may be, God views our responsibility as a sacred trust, and vital to His will and work in and through the body of Christ! We all must play our position! We all must fulfill our role! God has called each of us to embrace the stewardship of these incredible resources and do one thing with them: be FAITHFUL! (1^st Corinthians 4:1–2) Always keep in mind that you are as vital to the body of Christ in your local church, as any member of your physical body is to you! There are no insignificant individuals and there are no insignificant responsibilities.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:


In JERUSALEM (which means, “Foundation of peace”) — 1^st Chronicles 9:3. (Christ is the only foundation of peace upon which man can stand before God – 1^st Corinthians 3:11; John 14:27; 2^nd Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 2:14) 


OVERVIEW:

The descendants of Solomon, Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, Manasseh and Levi; temple singers and keepers appointed; the descendants of Aaron; the cities of the Levites.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we read through what seems to be a never-ending genealogy today, rejoice in the underlying message: God doesn’t view mankind as simply a mass of humanity! He is interested in each individual and knows us all by name! Hallelujah! God takes the time in these chapters to make sure that the name of every single priest and Levite, along with the family and tribe to which he belonged, was specifically registered and mentioned. (Exodus 33:17)

Of particular note in chapter 4 is this man Jabez. God stops when He gets to his name to interject an incredible statement about him. Verse 9 of chapter 4 says that he “was more honorable than his brethren”! One of the reasons he was “more honorable”, no doubt, is not only the fact THAT he prayed, but HOW he prayed. Our Lord reveals to us in this passage that Jabez had a beautiful fourfold request, and it was of such significance that God chose to record it for us in verse 10:

1) “…Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed…” 

2) “…and enlarge my coast…” 

3) “…and that thine hand might be with me…”  

4) “…and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!…”

Verse 10 concludes with this monumental statement: “…And God granted him that which he requested.” Verse 10 is not held up as a “model prayer” as such, but its content is well worth incorporating into our prayers! It is obvious that Jabez was a man who lived in pursuit of God, and that God rewarded him for it. May God strengthen us to follow his example as we continue the “365 Days of Pursuit”!

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In the CITIES OF REFUGE – 1^st Chronicles 6:57, 67, 69 (To find protection from the avenger of blood, a person had to flee to a city of refuge. Likewise, God provided His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as the Refuge to whom we must flee to find protection from His judgment against sin — John 3:14–18; 10:24–30; Galatians 2:16; 3:1-14; Hebrews 10:1–18; 1^st John 2:2; Revelation 1:5; Hebrews 6:18)