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a dysfunctional lot

1 Chronicles 3:1-24

1 Chronicles 3:1 These were David’s sons who were born to him in Hebron: Amnon was the firstborn, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; Daniel was born second, by Abigail of Carmel;
1 Chronicles 3:2 Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur, was third; Adonijah son of Haggith was fourth;
1 Chronicles 3:3 Shephatiah, by Abital, was fifth; and Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah, was sixth.
1 Chronicles 3:4 Six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years.
1 Chronicles 3:5 These sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were born to him by Bath-shua daughter of Ammiel.
1 Chronicles 3:6 David’s other sons: Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet,
1 Chronicles 3:7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
1 Chronicles 3:8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet– nine sons.
1 Chronicles 3:9 These were all David’s sons, with their sister Tamar, in addition to the sons by his concubines.
1 Chronicles 3:10 Solomon’s son was Rehoboam; his son was Abijah, his son Asa, his son Jehoshaphat,
1 Chronicles 3:11 his son Jehoram, his son Ahaziah, his son Joash,
1 Chronicles 3:12 his son Amaziah, his son Azariah, his son Jotham,
1 Chronicles 3:13 his son Ahaz, his son Hezekiah, his son Manasseh,
1 Chronicles 3:14 his son Amon, and his son Josiah.
1 Chronicles 3:15 Josiah’s sons: Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim second, Zedekiah third, and Shallum fourth.
1 Chronicles 3:16 Jehoiakim’s sons: his sons Jeconiah and Zedekiah.
1 Chronicles 3:17 The sons of Jeconiah the captive: his sons Shealtiel,
1 Chronicles 3:18 Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
1 Chronicles 3:19 Pedaiah’s sons: Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel’s sons: Meshullam and Hananiah, with their sister Shelomith;
1 Chronicles 3:20 and five others– Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed.
1 Chronicles 3:21 Hananiah’s descendants: Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shecaniah.
1 Chronicles 3:22 The son of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. Shemaiah’s sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat — six.
1 Chronicles 3:23 Neariah’s sons: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam– three.
1 Chronicles 3:24 Elioenai’s sons: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani — seven.

a dysfunctional lot

In the center of this three chapter genealogy is the line of David. Long after the demise of the Davidic monarchy, records of David’s line are kept and published. There is still hope that a man will come from Judah’s line who will bring restoration and peace to this troubled people. Every story in the Chronicles is a reminder that God is at work in the lives of these people, but they are a dysfunctional lot. The redeemer has not come yet.

So, today, there is a similar outlook with the church. Our God is at work in our lives, but there is a missing piece to the puzzle. The church is dysfunctional, but she exists. Some become disappointed with the church and separate themselves from her, but she is the bride of Christ. He is coming back for her.

LORD, give us the courage to be and stay faithful to your bride.

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