1 Chronicles 12:23-40 - Loyally Equipped to Fight the Good Fight

1 Chronicles 12:23-40

David’s Army at Hebron

23 Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD: 24 of the sons of Judah bearing shield and spear, six thousand eight hundred armed for war; 25 of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor fit for war, seven thousand one hundred; 26 of the sons of Levi four thousand six hundred; 27 Jehoiada, the leader of the Aaronites, and with him three thousand seven hundred; 28 Zadok, a young man, a valiant warrior, and from his father’s house twenty-two captains; 29 of the sons of Benjamin, relatives of Saul, three thousand (until then the greatest part of them had remained loyal to the house of Saul); 30 of the sons of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men throughout their father’s house; 31 of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were designated by name to come and make David king; 32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 33 of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who could keep ranks; 34 of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them thirty-seven thousand with shield and spear; 35 of the Danites who could keep battle formation, twenty-eight thousand six hundred; 36 of Asher, those who could go out to war, able to keep battle formation, forty thousand; 37 of the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, from the other side of the Jordan, one hundred and twenty thousand armed for battle with every kind of weapon of war.

38 All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king. 39 And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them. 40 Moreover those who were near to them, from as far away as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, were bringing food on donkeys and camels, on mules and oxen—provisions of flour and cakes of figs and cakes of raisins, wine and oil and oxen and sheep abundantly, for there was joy in Israel.

This detailed description of the army of God under king David showed that they were equipped to wage war, with loyalty turned over the kingdom of the former king Saul to him, understanding the times of the LORD in His Kingdom, and knew how to keep battle formations in war to be effective and survive to fight another day.  They knew how to handle multiple types of weapons and put them to use with a loyal heart for God and support of their king for the nation’s sake under God.  This made the army of God great again to serve their LORD and now worship their ruler, like Saul before David, as many do today still.  These understood loyalty and devotion to God above all and used the skill given them to fight (1 Timothy 6:12, Ephesians 6:10-11, 13, 14-15) the good fight, an example for us to emulate today under Christ for the gospel’s sake to honor and glorify the Lord who leads us into the fray of the battle of truth over the enemy’s lies for the deliverance of the hearts and souls of those lost without Him in their sin that we are all (Romans 3:20, 23) born in.  Are we loyally equipped and devoted to Jesus Christ to fight this good fight?  

1 Chronicles 12:1-22 - The Great Army of God

1 Chronicles 12:1-22

The Growth of David’s Army (1 Samuel 22:1, 2)

1 Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war, 2 armed with bows, using both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows with the bow. They were of Benjamin, Saul’s brethren.

3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, and Jehu the Anathothite; 4 Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite; 5 Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite; 6 Elkanah, Jisshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites; 7 and Joelah and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

8 Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: 9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13 Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbanai the eleventh. 14 These were from the sons of Gad, captains of the army; the least was over a hundred, and the greatest was over a thousand. 15 These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west.

16 Then some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold. 17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.” 18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said:

“We are yours, O David;
We are on your side, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
And peace to your helpers!
For your God helps you.”

So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.

19 And some from Manasseh defected to David when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, “He may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads.” 20 When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who were from Manasseh. 21 And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. 22 For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.

The army of God increased under the command of the future king David who was anointed by the LORD to rule where Saul who was chosen over God by the people had failed.  The men gathered to him in the wilderness stronghold where David was forced to live as a fugitive from Saul who wanted to eliminate his rival, knowing the true chosen of God would someday take his place if not stopped.  The ones who gathered to David were mighty men of brave valor, equipped and ready to fight for the right to honor God and the king who served Him.  They stood strong and firm under him on his side as the lineage of promise held him to, wishing God’s peace on him and those who helped him to serve and do battle with the LORD at the head who helped David and them win those battles.  We likewise follow the Seed of David, the Son of promise, the LORD who fights the battles (2 Chronicles 20:15, Zechariah 14:3-4, 7, 8, 9) of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:57, 1 John 5:4-5) to defeat the enemy and defend the truth, and we aim to be valiant in this fight (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Ephesians 6:10-11) for the truth of the good news that sets men free from the penalty of sin which is God’s due wrath coming due on us all (Romans 3:23, 6:23) apart from His fight on the cross of our sin (Galatians 3:13) to set us free indeed (John 8:36, Romans 8:2, 2 Corinthians 3:17) forever.  Be brave, be strong in the Lord, fight the good fight.  That is our lesson from this account to imitate as the great army (2 Timothy 2:4, 2 Corinthians 10:3) of the Lord who leads us in triumph in Christ as our King of kings and Lord of lords. 

1 Chronicles 11:10-47 - Mighty Men of God’s Word

1 Chronicles 11:10-47

The Mighty Men of David (2 Samuel 23:8–39)

10 Now these were the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.

11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite, chief of the captains; he had lifted up his spear against three hundred, killed by him at one time.

12 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David at Pasdammim. Now there the Philistines were gathered for battle, and there was a piece of ground full of barley. So the people fled from the Philistines. 14 But they stationed themselves in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory.

15 Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 17 And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 18 So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 19 And he said, “Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

20 Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of another three. He had lifted up his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three. 21 Of the three he was more honored than the other two men. Therefore he became their captain. However he did not attain to the first three.

22 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 23 And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian’s hand there was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. 24 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men. 25 Indeed he was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard.

26 Also the mighty warriors were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, 29 Sibbechai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, of the sons of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite, 32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shageh the Hararite, 35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armorbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah), 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite (a chief of the Reubenites) and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maachah, Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, 45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

This list is of the mighty men of God’s word who submitted themselves as unto the LORD under the anointed king over them by Him.  They supported his crowning as king because they trusted their God and His word to install David in that position.  Three in particular stood out as mention in the account and many others were nearly as faithful and brave in the battles for the LORD and His kingdom.  Are we like the three or at least like the others, valiant for the truth of the gospel to honor our King of kings as we have been called to in the kingdom of Jesus Christ?  Are we also willing to lay down our lives in loyalty to Him to have our names listed with our deeds in our books in heaven?  This is much to consider to be mighty men and women of God’s word. 

1 Chronicles 11:1-9 - Anointed and Chosen as King

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

David Made King over All Israel (2 Samuel 5:1–3)

1 Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. 2 Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel.’” 3 Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

The City of David (2 Samuel 5:6–10)

4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. 5 But the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). 6 Now David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief. 7 Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the City of David. 8 And he built the city around it, from the Millo to the surrounding area. Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 So David went on and became great, and the LORD of hosts was with him.

David was remembered as the one under king Saul who had led God’s people to victory over their enemies who were opposed to the LORD even when they had chosen Saul instead of God and reaped the consequences.  Now they acknowledged the one chosen and anointed by the LORD Himself, not the tall impressive man, but the short faithful youth who stopped the defiant like Goliath who blasphemed the LORD God (1 Samuel 17:10, 26) through His people and faithfully kept the honor and defense of the kingdom of God even when divided.  David made a covenant promise with the people when made king with the commitment to shepherd them as ruler for good and not selfish evil as Saul before him.  He then took and built up Jerusalem as a place for God to meet with His own there in the tabernacle which would be made into a more permanent temple under his son Solomon.  This king David became a great king only because the LORD of hosts was with him who anointed, chose, and crowned him king.  He also chooses us in Christ and anoints us with His Spirit to minister the gospel of grace as temples where He loves in our hearts in an unbreakable covenant (Hebrews 6:17-18, 19) of the lifeblood of God’s Son that guarantees us the new Jerusalem (John 14:2, Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 3:12, 21:2, 21:22) to come as our kingdom habitation forever.  Our Seed of David is the Christ who reigns forever and ever there with us to serve Him as we do now until that time in His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

1 Chronicles 10:1-14 - Results of Unfaithfulness

1 Chronicles 10:1-14

Tragic End of Saul and His Sons (1 Samuel 31:1–13)

1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2 Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. 3 The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. 5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died. 6 So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together. 7 And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; then the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

8 So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9 And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent word throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among the people. 10 Then they put his armor in the temple of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.

11 And when all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all the valiant men arose and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons; and they brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

13 So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 14 But he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

The end of king Saul resulted from his unfaithfulness against the LORD because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and consulted a medium for guidance instead of God alone who calls and leads.  He did not honor God and was (1 Samuel 2:30, 2 Chronicles 16:9) not honored himself by God as a result.  He lost the physical battle against the ungodly as a result and the kingdom was given to the seed of God’s promise, king David, a man after God’s (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22, 23) own heart.  Are we running in pursuit of pleasing God’s heart or our own?  Remember the consequences of Saul, the results of his unfaithfulness, and the exhortation from 1 John 2:15-16 that we may do God’s will according to the word (1 John 2:17) to be well pleasing children (2 Corinthians 5:9, Hebrews 13:21, 1 John 3:22, 23) of the most High God through obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word of Grace that is the gospel.  Sin will do you in forever, but gospel grace will lead you into eternity in God’s presence. 

1 Chronicles 9:14-44 - Priests and Kings to our God

1 Chronicles 9:14-44

The Levites at Jerusalem

14 Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15 Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; 16 Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

The Levite Gatekeepers

17 And the gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brethren. Shallum was the chief. 18 Until then they had been gatekeepers for the camps of the children of Levi at the King’s Gate on the east.

19 Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, from his father’s house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, gatekeepers of the tabernacle. Their fathers had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of the LORD. 20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him. 21 Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was keeper of the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

22 All those chosen as gatekeepers were two hundred and twelve. They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted office. 23 So they and their children were in charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment. 24 The gatekeepers were assigned to the four directions: the east, west, north, and south. 25 And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time for seven days. 26 For in this trusted office were four chief gatekeepers; they were Levites. And they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. 27 And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning.

Other Levite Responsibilities

28 Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count. 29 Some of them were appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices. 30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.

31 Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans. 32 And some of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites were in charge of preparing the showbread for every Sabbath.

33 These are the singers, heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night. 34 These heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites were heads throughout their generations. They dwelt at Jerusalem.

The Family of King Saul

35 Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, dwelt at Gibeon. 36 His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. 38 And Mikloth begot Shimeam. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren. 39 Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. 40 The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah. 

41 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. 42 And Ahaz begot Jarah; Jarah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza; 43 Moza begot Binea, Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

44 And Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.

Priests and kings are recognized next here, beginning with the Levites in Jerusalem as gatekeepers to the temple for meeting God and minding His house for atonement of the people.  This foreshadowing is now seen in Christ and His house by we who are called and chosen as priests to our God who are to faithfully minister the gospel of redeeming grace to those who hear and come to worship Him as part of the temple built by Him in us and not by the works of our hands.  This temple is God as Spirit in us whom we now worship by His sacrifice for us and as living sacrifices to Him here.  We mind His house, the church, and minister in service to one another as to Him as this new priesthood of believers in Jesus Christ who builds us up together into this (Ephesians 2:21, 1 Peter 2:5) holy temple suitable for His holiness and honor now.  May we follow the example of the Levitical priests in so serving and worshiping in song as well in giving glory to God.  The family of king Saul is also mentioned as a warning of placing a worldly king above the King of kings and Lord of lords.  We are kings and priests to God as ruling with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 22:5) and not in place of Him.  May we likewise be about our Father’s business in His house as faithful servants of the gospel. 

1 Chronicles 9:1-13 - Very Able Men for God’s House

1 Chronicles 9:1-13

1 So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they were inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. 2 And the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim.

Dwellers in Jerusalem

3 Now in Jerusalem the children of Judah dwelt, and some of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh: 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah. 5 Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. 6 Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren—six hundred and ninety. 7 Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah; 8 Ibneiah the son of Jeroham; Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri; Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; 9 and their brethren, according to their generations—nine hundred and fifty-six. All these men were heads of a father’s house in their fathers’ houses.

The Priests at Jerusalem

10 Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin; 11 Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the officer over the house of God; 12 Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; 13 and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

The men of Judah were taken captive to Babylon for their unfaithfulness to the LORD who had once delivered them from captivity and bondage to sin in Egypt, while many of the other tribes of Israel remained in Jerusalem as their genealogies were inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel as we have been read in the previous few chapters of this book.  These who remained were named here as of Israelites, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim, along with some of Judah still.  Their familial names are recorded here, represented by all these nine hundred and fifty-six persons.  Contrasted to these we read of one thousand seven hundred and sixty priests who outnumbered the rest, men who were very able in service to the LORD still in contrast to those unfaithful who were taken away as it will be in the day of judgment on the earth in the end.  We find a pattern and type of priests in all who are faithful to believe the gospel (1 Peter 4:19, Colossians 1:7, Revelation 17:14) and follow the Messiah Jesus Christ, the Son of God, called to be holy as He is (1 Peter 1:15) and to serve God faithfully (John 12:26) in ministering the gospel to the saints as (Romans 12:1, 2) living sacrifices offering ourselves as we minister as priests (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6) to our God, aiming to be well-pleasing and very able (2 Corinthians 5:9, Hebrews 13:21) for the work of the Lord Jesus Christ as we have been called out of bondage to sin to follow and serve Him in His house which is the assembly of all God’s people in Christ. 

1 Chronicles 8:1-40 - Faithful and Unfaithful Sons of Benjamin

1 Chronicles 8:1-40

The Family Tree of King Saul of Benjamin (Gen. 46:21)

1 Now Benjamin begot Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, 2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3 The sons of Bela were Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.

6 These are the sons of Ehud, who were the heads of the fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and who forced them to move to Manahath: 7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera who forced them to move. He begot Uzza and Ahihud.

8 Also Shaharaim had children in the country of Moab, after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives. 9 By Hodesh his wife he begot Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 10 Jeuz, Sachiah, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of their fathers’ houses.

11 And by Hushim he begot Abitub and Elpaal. 12 The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns; 13 and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of their fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath. 14 Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 16 Michael, Ispah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah. 17 Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 18 Ishmerai, Jizliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal. 19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21 Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei. 22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24 Hananiah, Elam, Antothijah, 25 Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak. 26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27 Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.

28 These were heads of the fathers’ houses by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.

29 Now the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, dwelt at Gibeon. 30 And his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, 32 and Mikloth, who begot Shimeah. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren. 33 Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. 34 The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah. 35 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. 36 And Ahaz begot Jehoaddah; Jehoaddah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza. 37 Moza begot Binea, Raphah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

38 Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. 39 And the sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

40 The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor—archers. They had many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty in all. These were all sons of Benjamin.

The sons of Benjamin to include King Saul are now recorded after the other tribes of Israel.  The lineage covers up to and beyond Saul of Benjamin to show us the line leading to that first king and his descendants as well.  It demonstrates the details of God’s story to assure us of His sovereignty and saving grace from sinful man in Eden to the Messiah through the channel of redemption of all His people.  It shows us failure and hope through good and bad, faithful men and ungodly alike.  

1 Chronicles 7:1-40 - Generational Record of God’s Calling

1 Chronicles 7:1-40

The Family of Issachar (Genesis 46:13)

1 The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron—four in all. 2 The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. The sons of Tola were mighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred. 3 The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah, and the sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. All five of them were chief men. 4 And with them, by their generations, according to their fathers’ houses, were thirty-six thousand troops ready for war; for they had many wives and sons.

5 Now their brethren among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, listed by their genealogies, eighty-seven thousand in all.

The Family of Benjamin (Genesis 46:21)

6 The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Becher, and Jediael—three in all. 7 The sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri—five in all. They were heads of their fathers’ houses, and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four mighty men of valor.

8 The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these are the sons of Becher. 9 And they were recorded by genealogy according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, twenty thousand two hundred mighty men of valor. 10 The son of Jediael was Bilhan, and the sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar.

11 All these sons of Jediael were heads of their fathers’ houses; there were seventeen thousand two hundred mighty men of valor fit to go out for war and battle. 12 Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir, and Hushim was the son of Aher.

The Family of Naphtali (Genesis 46:24)

13 The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

The Family of Manasseh (West)

14 The descendants of Manasseh: his Syrian concubine bore him Machir the father of Gilead, the father of Asriel. 15 Machir took as his wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose name was Maachah. The name of Gilead’s grandson was Zelophehad, but Zelophehad begot only daughters. 16 (Maachah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she called his name Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. 17 The son of Ulam was Bedan.) These were the descendants of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.

18 His sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.

19 And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

The Family of Ephraim

20 The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son, 21 Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in that land killed them because they came down to take away their cattle. 22 Then Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.

23 And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son; and he called his name Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house. 24 Now his daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah; 25 and Rephah was his son, as well as Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26 Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27 Nun his son, and Joshua his son.

28 Now their possessions and dwelling places were Bethel and its towns: to the east Naaran, to the west Gezer and its towns, and Shechem and its towns, as far as Ayyah and its towns; 29 and by the borders of the children of Manasseh were Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph, the son of Israel.

The Family of Asher (Genesis 46:17)

30 The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. 31 The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith. 32 And Heber begot Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua. 33 The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were the children of Japhlet. 34 The sons of Shemer were Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. 35 And the sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. 36 The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Jithran, and Beera. 38 The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara. 39 The sons of Ulla were Arah, Haniel, and Rizia.

40 All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle; their number was twenty-six thousand.

More family lines or the channel of redemption are covered here.  They are Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh (West), Ephraim, and Asher.  There were were mighty men of valor, for war and battle, numbered for posterity to remember their calling before they wandered away and proved to us that even for God’s chosen ones there is none who is righteous (Romans 3:20, 23).  Not a single one of them not among us.  The only righteousness in anyone is found in Christ alone, His righteousness (Romans 3:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9) and not our own.  We have been called to fight the good fight of the gospel (1 Timothy 6:12) in that righteous standing and wisdom of our calling and election to grace with valor and honor to glorify His name and not make one for ourselves.  That is a good lesson from Israel to us as we leave physical and spiritual generations after us (1 Corinthians 4:14, 2 Timothy 2:2, Galatians 4:19), the generational record of God’s calling on us all.  What will our spiritual legacy look like? 

1 Chronicles 6:49-81 - Pattern of Redemption in Priests and Servants

1 Chronicles 6:49-81

The Family of Aaron

49 But Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices 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. 50 Now these are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.

Dwelling Places of the Levites (Joshua 21:1–42)

54 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their settlements in their territory, for they were given by lot to the sons of Aaron, of the family of the Kohathites: 55 They gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, with its surrounding common-lands. 56 But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave one of the cities of refuge, Hebron; also Libnah with its common-lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its common-lands, 58 Hilen with its common-lands, Debir with its common-lands, 59 Ashan with its common-lands, and Beth Shemesh with its common-lands. 60 And from the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with its common-lands, Alemeth with its common-lands, and Anathoth with its common-lands. All their cities among their families were thirteen.

61 To the rest of the family of the tribe of the Kohathites they gave by lot ten cities from half the tribe of Manasseh. 62 And to the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, they gave thirteen cities from the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan. 63 To the sons of Merari, throughout their families, they gave twelve cities from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun. 64 So the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands to the Levites. 65 And they gave by lot from the tribe of the children of Judah, from the tribe of the children of Simeon, and from the tribe of the children of Benjamin these cities which are called by their names.

66 Now some of the families of the sons of Kohath were given cities as their territory from the tribe of Ephraim. 67 And they gave them one of the cities of refuge, Shechem with its common-lands, in the mountains of Ephraim, also Gezer with its common-lands, 68 Jokmeam with its common-lands, Beth Horon with its common-lands, 69 Aijalon with its common-lands, and Gath Rimmon with its common-lands. 70 And from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with its common-lands and Bileam with its common-lands, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.

71 From the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh the sons of Gershon were given Golan in Bashan with its common-lands and Ashtaroth with its common-lands. 72 And from the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its common-lands, Daberath with its common-lands, 73 Ramoth with its common-lands, and Anem with its common-lands. 74 And from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its common-lands, Abdon with its common-lands, 75 Hukok with its common-lands, and Rehob with its common-lands. 76 And from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its common-lands, Hammon with its common-lands, and Kirjathaim with its common-lands.

77 From the tribe of Zebulun the rest of the children of Merari were given Rimmon with its common-lands and Tabor with its common-lands. 78 And on the other side of the Jordan, across from Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, they were given from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its common-lands, Jahzah with its common-lands, 79 Kedemoth with its common-lands, and Mephaath with its common-lands. 80 And from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its common-lands, Mahanaim with its common-lands, 81 Heshbon with its common-lands, and Jazer with its common-lands.

The familial lines of Aaron and Levi are described as the servants of the LORD ministering in the house of God.  Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices to atone for the sins of God’s people Israel and do the work of the Most Holy Place where the high priest met with God on the mercy seat, a shadow of the mercy seat we now approach (Hebrews 4:16) freely because of the eternally unending (Hebrews 7:25, 26-27, 28, 9:8) atoning work of our great High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12, 1 Timothy 2:5), Jesus Christ now sitting on the mercy seat.  Whereas the Lord is the High Priest, all believers are now the kingdom of priests after the manner of Aaron’s lineage in a spiritual sense of inheritance through Jesus Christ.  The Levites are described here as the keepers and up keepers of the temple in which Aaron and sons served the LORD, much like present day deacons watch over the church’s daily needs to free up the servants such as the pastors and elders for the (Acts 6:2, 3-4) ministry of the new covenant which is the gospel.  The pattern of God’s redemptive work and our spiritual inheritance through the new covenant in God’s Son is clearly seen here for our understanding of God’s sovereign plan of redemption and working out His work within the roles and mission of the church as we are conformed to His image while we come to (Ephesians 4:11-12, 13, 15-16) the common knowledge and wisdom of His word to love out to one another for the world to see and turn from sin to Him. 

1 Chronicles 6:1-48 - Service to God as Priests and Singers

1 Chronicles 6:1-48

The Family of Levi (Genesis 46:11)

1 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar begot Phinehas, and Phinehas begot Abishua; 5 Abishua begot Bukki, and Bukki begot Uzzi; 6 Uzzi begot Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begot Meraioth; 7 Meraioth begot Amariah, and Amariah begot Ahitub; 8 Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Ahimaaz; 9 Ahimaaz begot Azariah, and Azariah begot Johanan; 10 Johanan begot Azariah (it was he who ministered as priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem); 11 Azariah begot Amariah, and Amariah begot Ahitub; 12 Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Shallum; 13 Shallum begot Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begot Azariah; 14 Azariah begot Seraiah, and Seraiah begot Jehozadak. 15 Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem into captivity by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

16 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 17 These are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei. 18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. Now these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers: 20 Of Gershon were Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son. 22 The sons of Kohath were Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25 The sons of Elkanah were Amasai and Ahimoth. 26 As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah were Zophai his son, Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son. 28 The sons of Samuel were Joel the firstborn, and Abijah the second. 29 The sons of Merari were Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, 30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son.

Musicians in the House of the LORD

31 Now these are the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark came to rest. 32 They were ministering with music before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they served in their office according to their order.

33 And these are the ones who ministered with their sons: Of the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, 34 the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, 35 the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, 36 the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, 37 the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, 38 the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel. 39 And his brother Asaph, who stood at his right hand, was Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea, 40 the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah, 41 the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, 42 the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, 43 the son of Jahath, the son of Gershon, the son of Levi.

44 Their brethren, the sons of Merari, on the left hand, were Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, 45 the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, 46 the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer, 47 the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.

48 And their brethren, the Levites, were appointed to every kind of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

We know of the Levitical priesthood serving the LORD God in the temple, but sometimes overlook the service to God in song in the order set in the temple as a pattern for today.  Our priests are not of a certain religious order as seen in Rome today, or of a certain tribe of ancient Israel, but the family lineage is of Christ in all believers (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6, 5:10) who serve our Lord.  This is reflected in our worship services through the corporate adoration of the Lord just as we worship in song as a congregation of priests and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ and not only a certain team standing to lead us all to honor and praise in worship.  We do, however, see the ministry of preaching and teaching of the word through chosen men qualified by God with their AUG (Approved Under God) degrees issued from heaven and accepted by we His people in our local churches and not just by each of us as priests ministering to one another (Hebrews 10:24-25) together.  We see a pattern set long ago for worship that started as a task of chosen family lines of God’s chosen people Israel in a physical temple that has become a building of chosen people that compose the temple of our worship in service to the Lord in song and mutual sharpening (Proverbs 27:17) of one another as priests given our calling by God and not by man.  We have all been appointed general roles of worship as priests and in voices of praise, and God has also appointed those to lead us in the word and song for His glory, all done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40) to grow the body of Christ in this temple of worship (1 Peter 2:4-5) as we who have been called and chosen as the lineage of Christ by faith according to the promise to Abraham fulfilled in the channel of our redemption through Israel.  Let us worship Him who alone is worthy (Jude 1:25, Revelation 4:11, 5:12) in word and song together as we meet and minister to one another and to Him.  This is our service to God as priests and singers.