1 Chronicles 16:7-36 - Everybody Sing Your Praise to the LORD!

1 Chronicles 16:7-36

David’s Song of Thanksgiving (Psalm 96:1–13; 105:1–15; 106:1, 47, 48)

7 On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the LORD:

8 Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!

10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
11 Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!

12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

14 He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.

15 Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
17 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”
19 When you were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

20 When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
21 He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
24 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

25 For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;
He is also to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.

27 Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.

28 Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Give to the LORD glory and strength.
29 Give to the LORD the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth.
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.

31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”

32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD,
For He is coming to judge the earth.

34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

35 And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.”

36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.

This song reminds me of the contemporary one based on the Psalms echoing these words, ‘sing your praise to the LORD, everybody, come on and sing hallelujah!’  After David had brought the Ark of God’s Covenant into the place of worship where the priest met with the LORD, he penned this magnificent song of praise which they all sang together under the leadership of Asaph and the singers to thank God and revel in their praise of His glory and presence.  They sang together call on His name and make His wonderful works for them known to all the people of the world who would hear.  As they talked of His wondrous deeds, they were to glory in God’s name from the heart and not just in rote words of a song; they were to pursue knowing Him in this way as they relied solely on God for their strength in fighting the good fight, valiant for the truth of His word to them to reach the world as promised to Abraham (Genesis 22:17, 18) through them as his descendants of faith which we (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:13, 16, 17, Galatians 3:8-9) are also in Christ as His people also now in Christ.  We then also as His children are to remember and speak of His works, His wonders, and judgments throughout time from the beginning of time where the fall of man showed us,our need of redemption and the people of Israel became the channel of our redemption in Christ as the Seed of Abraham by faith.  This is the gospel message from Genesis 3:15 to the last verse of the book (Revelation 22:20) where we anticipate the consummation of our eternal redemption in His presence forever and ever, amen!  The song talks of His righteous judgment on the earth that necessitates our redemption by His work in Christ alone to think about and always dwell on our new covenant foreshadowed to Israel, the covenant in His sacrificial lifeblood on the tree of our curse removed forever (Colossians 2:14, Galatians 2:20, 3:13), our everlasting covenant of God’s grace in His Son in whom we have believed (John 17:3, 1 John 5:11, 20) and entrusted with our lives.  He protected His prophets and people and now looks after we the people made one with them in Jesus Christ that we may daily proclaim this covenant of the faith of Abraham to the world that shows His glory in our salvation so the world may join us in giving glory to our Creator God in awe and wonder of all He has done and will do until the end of time.  We are also to offer ourselves as living sacrifices of worship in the beauty of holiness as we follow Him and His word by grace and commitment to Him.  Our message is a warning that the earth will be shaken but we who are in Him will not (Hebrews 12:28) be moved in the end when the world and heaven are shaken.  Yes, because He is coming to judge all the earth, we desire that all may join us in proclaiming, “the LORD reigns!”  His mercy and grace are immeasurable in saving us from the due wrath to come that He may gain the glory and praise due to Him with triumph in the air all around us in Christ.  Blessed be the LORD God and our Lord Jesus Christ!  Say amen and praise Him together; everybody sing your praise to the Lord for His work of salvation! 

1 Chronicles 16:1-6 - Offerings and Blessings

1 Chronicles 16:1-6

The Ark Placed in the Tabernacle (2 Samuel 6:17–19)

1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. 3 Then he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins.

4 And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals; 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly blew the trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God.

When David put the Ark of God’s Covenant in the tabernacle, he had the priests make offerings to the LORD for their sins and for peace with God based on His covenant promises to them as His people.  He then blessed the people further by distributing food to every single person there, giving them bread with meat and raisin-cakes to sustain them.  He then appointed Levite priests to serve the LORD before the Ark of His presence and others to sing and play instruments of praise to the LORD with harps, trumpets, and cymbals to enhance the worship and honor God with exuberant joy.  Do we worship our Lord with such feeling of joy for our salvation as we partake of the bread of life from heaven (John 6:32-33, 51) and sacrifice ourselves in worship (Romans 12:1) in His presence together in the congregation (Psalm 22:22, Hebrews 2:12-13) of His people lie we consider the peace we have in our redemption (Romans 5:1) through Jesus Christ our Lord and King?  May we continually offer thanksgiving and praise to our Lord God with lives laid down on the altar as living sacrifices because we have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20) and share in His death to sin and live to Him with thankful joy and praise for all His blessings of life with and in Him forevermore (Psalm 133:3) as we stand confident in the New Covenant in His sacrificial lifeblood.  He dwells in our tabernacles of these bodies that we might continually offer the sacrifice of praise (Psalm 107:22, Jonah 2:9, Hebrews 13:15) in living for Him in deserved holiness.  Amen! 

1 Chronicles 15:1-29 - Celebrating the Presence of God

1 Chronicles 15:1-29

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12–16)

1 David built houses for himself in the City of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.” 3 And David gathered all Israel together at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4 Then David assembled the children of Aaron and the Levites: 5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and one hundred and twenty of his brethren; 6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and two hundred and twenty of his brethren; 7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and one hundred and thirty of his brethren; 8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and two hundred of his brethren; 9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and eighty of his brethren; 10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and one hundred and twelve of his brethren.

11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. 13 For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.”

14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. 15 And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.

16 Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of their brethren, the sons of Merari, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their brethren of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers; 19 the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound the cymbals of bronze; 20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with strings according to Alamoth; 21 Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, to direct with harps on the Sheminith; 22 Chenaniah, leader of the Levites, was instructor in charge of the music, because he was skillful; 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark; 24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark.

25 So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26 And so it was, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps.

29 And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart.

King David learned from the previous mistake that only the properly assigned priests could carry the Ark of God’s covenant presence into the place of worship.  He proclaimed God’s word that only the Levites would bring it to the place prepared by him in the tabernacle tent until his son Solomon built a more permanent temple to meet the LORD in and offer acceptable sacrifices there in the presence of the Holy One on the mercy seat of propitiation between (Exodus 25:17, Leviticus 16:2, Hebrews 9:5, Romans 3:25) the angelic cherubim bowing before Him in worship as we now do in the presence of the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ seated on the throne of grace.  They brought the Ark of the Covenant rightly into the place of worship and along the way, king David led the procession with singing instruments and voices of praise, likely the Psalms he and the priests composed under divine guidance.  David celebrated the preserve of God with unreserved joy in playing music on his harp exuberantly.  Unfortunately, his wife Michal had the attitude of her father Saul to despise such worship by her husband and it corrupted her heart.  May we worship decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40), yet with overwhelming and overflowing joy expressed freely to worship in God’s presence in the New Covenant of grace in the sacrificial lifeblood of the slain Lamb of God who is also our eternal High Priest ministering salvation to we His people from the mercy seat in the heavenly places which the earthly was patterned (Hebrews 8:5, 9:23, 24-25, 26, 27-28) after where angels worship night and day where He is seated above.  May we celebrate the presence of God living in these temples (1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5) which we are who are the called and chosen people of God called to freely and wholeheartedly worship in His very presence! 

1 Chronicles 14:1-17 - Established Kingdom under God

1 Chronicles 14:1-17

David Established at Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:11–16)

1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. 2 So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel.

3 Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David begot more sons and daughters. 4 And these are the names of his children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

The Philistines Defeated (2 Samuel 5:17–25)

8 Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”

The LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.”

11 So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12 And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

13 Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. 14 Therefore David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. 15 And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. 17 Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

King David knew the kingdom was established with him as king over God’s people Israel when he looked around at how the LORD had exalted the nation and brought help and a name in both victorious battles and prosperous expansion.  But it was not for their own prosperity or gain, but for the people of God’s sake and honor in all He did for them to give the glory to His name and not their own.  The king himself prospered with many sons and daughters, though he had wandered from the original design of marriage established between one man and one woman (Genesis 1:27, 2:22, 24, 5:2) in the day of man’s creation.  The LORD then used David to defeat the ungodly who blasphemed God’s name with idolatry and immorality, beginning with the Philistines.  He did not attack them arrogantly but in humility, asking God if he should attack those seeking to kill him and invade Israel.  The LORD told him to do so because He would win the battle, handing them over to David’s hand to defeat in His name and not his own to make it clear that the battle always belongs to the LORD.  They attacked, the Philistines ran away and left their deaf and speechless idols behind for David to burn as to destroy the very idea of worship to false gods (Exodus 20:3, 34:14, Isaiah 44:6, 9, Romans 1:22-23, 1 Corinthians 12:2) of man’s own hands.  God then had David and the army of God listen to and follow His tactics to circle the enemy and wait for God to stir up the wind as a signal to attack the enemy when they were prepared for defeat.  God went before them, just as He does now in the proclamation of the gospel by preparing hearts to either hear or reject and face judgment accordingly.  We do not deliver anyone from the enemy; God as Spirit does the inner work of the battle for men’s souls as Nicodemus (John 3:3, 8, 14-15, 18) was told by the Lord.  Jesus establishes His unseen Kingdom, not an earthly one, in us (Luke 17:21, Colossians 1:27) under God through the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57) that He won on the tree of His self-sacrifice and which we receive and participate in by faith as we fight the good fight of the battle for liberty from sin’s eternal consequences.  The battle still belongs to the Lord! 

1 Chronicles 13:1-14 - Bringing God’s Presence Near

1 Chronicles 13:1-14

The Ark Brought from Kirjath Jearim (2 Samuel 6:1–11)

1 Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of the LORD our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere who are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and their common-lands, that they may gather together to us; 3 and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.” 4 Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor in Egypt to as far as the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath Jearim. 6 And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, to Kirjath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who dwells between the cherubim, where His name is proclaimed. 7 So they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8 Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.

9 And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God. 11 And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzza; therefore that place is called Perez Uzza to this day. 12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God to me?”

13 So David would not move the ark with him into the City of David, but took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.

The choice of king David to bring back the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem from from Kirjath Jearim (1 Samuel 6:21, 7:1-2), where it had been kept safe bit also safely out of reach and out of sight from God’s people, was a wise choice.  It symbolized bringing back the very presence of the LORD God to the people for that is where the covenant was represented and where the high priests met God on his mercy seat (Exodus 25:17, Leviticus 16:2) between the angels bowing (Exodus 37:6, Hebrews 9:5) over it.  He therefore gathered the people and priests to convey it home as he and they worshiped in song with all their hearts and might all along the way.  It was going well until the Ark cart seemed to be in trouble as the oxen stumbled and appeared that it might fall.  Uzza made the critical mistake of failing to trust God to keep it safe and touched it against the order that only a priest might do so carrying it with poles (Numbers 4:15, Leviticus 10:2) and met the wages of sin, death, as a result.  Sadly, the Ark was left there and God’s presence with it due to disobedience and anger at God’s righteous judgment.  How often people hear the gospel and are angry at God for holding them accountable for sin to earn death at not accepting the terms of His New Covenant in the lifeblood of His Son Jesus Christ to enter into His presence through Him (Leviticus 16:30, Hebrews 9:8-9, 12, Romans 3:25, 26) according to the work of God alone to deliver and keep them?  We who are in Christ now happily bow to Him for His work as our High Priest and worship in our forgiveness by mercy to approach for more grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:16) when we falter and fail, letting Him steady us lest we fall (1 Peter 1:5, Jude 1:24) and not attempt to do so in our own power to steady the cart of the covenant of His lifeblood that brings us into His presence as the Israelites brought His presence near in the symbolic Ark which was a shadow of the heavenly one (Hebrews 8:5) according to that pattern made by God to show us these things. 

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.