1 Chronicles 29:22 They ate and drank with great joy in Yahveh’s presence that day. Then, for a second time, they made David’s son Solomon king; they anointed him as Yahveh’s ruler, and Zadok as the priest. 1 Chronicles 29:23 Solomon sat on Yahveh’s throne as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. 1 Chronicles 29:24 All the leaders and the mighty men, and all of King David’s sons as well, pledged their allegiance to King Solomon. 1 Chronicles 29:25 Yahveh highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been bestowed on any king over Israel before him. 1 Chronicles 29:26 David, son of Jesse, was king over all Israel. 1 Chronicles 29:27 His reign over Israel was forty years; he reigned in Hebron for seven years and in Jerusalem for thirty-three. 1 Chronicles 29:28 He died at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon became king in his place. 1 Chronicles 29:29 As for the words of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, note that they are written in the Words of the Seer Samuel, the Words of the Prophet Nathan, and the Words of the Seer Gad, 1 Chronicles 29:30 along with all his reign, his might, and the incidents that affected him and Israel and all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands.
lives full of honor
After a 40 year reign, David dies “at a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor (28). Most of us would settle for either one of those legacies. Which is the most important? Without honor, a long life is a sentence, and wealth becomes another master to enslave. With honor, long life is prolonged joy, and riches become the means to helping others.
1 Chronicles 29:1 Then King David said to all the assembly, “My son Solomon — God has chosen him alone — is young and inexperienced. The task is great because the building will not be built for a human but for Yahveh God. 1 Chronicles 29:2 So to the best of my ability I’ve made provision for the house of my God: gold for the gold articles, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx, stones for mounting, antimony, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and a great quantity of marble. 1 Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the house of my God over and above all that I’ve provided for the holy house: 1 Chronicles 29:4 100 tons of gold (gold of Ophir) and 250 tons of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings, 1 Chronicles 29:5 the gold for the gold work and the silver for the silver, for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now who will volunteer to consecrate himself to Yahveh today?” 1 Chronicles 29:6 Then the leaders of the households, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. 1 Chronicles 29:7 For the service of God’s house they gave 185 tons of gold and 10,000 gold coins, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 4,000 tons of iron. 1 Chronicles 29:8 Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of Yahveh’s house under the care of Jehiel the Gershonite. 1 Chronicles 29:9 Then the people rejoiced because of their leaders’ willingness to give, for they had given to Yahveh wholeheartedly. King David also rejoiced greatly. 1 Chronicles 29:10 Then David blessed Yahveh in the sight of all the assembly. David said, may you be blessed, Yahveh God of our father Israel, from the last age to the next age. 1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on the land belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:12 Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your own hand. 1 Chronicles 29:15 For we are aliens and temporary residents in your presence as were all our ancestors. Our days on the land are like a shadow, without hope. 1 Chronicles 29:16 Lord our God, all this wealth that we’ve provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand; everything belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and that you are pleased with what is right. I have willingly given all these things with an upright heart, and now I have seen your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to you. 1 Chronicles 29:18 Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of your people, and confirm their hearts toward you. 1 Chronicles 29:19 Give my son Solomon an undivided heart to keep and to carry out all your commands, your decrees, and your statutes, and to build the building for which I have made provision. 1 Chronicles 29:20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Blessed be Yahveh your God.” So, the whole assembly praised Yahveh God of their ancestors. They knelt low and paid homage to Yahveh and the king. 1 Chronicles 29:21 The following day they offered sacrifices to Yahveh and burnt offerings to the Lord: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, along with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.
He is free to bless
Freewill giving toward the temple construction was a privilege. Seeing how much had been given, both the king and the people burst forth in praise. It was a testimony of the power and presence of the LORD among all the tribes. Bear in mind that it had not been too many years since the nation of Israel was a ragtag group of oppressed and vulnerable peoples. God had not only restored their unity through the monarchy, he had also given them untold wealth. This is not a guarantee that every follower of God will become wealthy. It is a reminder that the one who decides our fate is free to bless us extravagantly. There are no restrictions to his generosity. Because that was true of the LORD, it could be true of the Israelites.
LORD, help us to get our eyes off of our present lack and remember your eternal abundance.
1 Chronicles 28:1 David gathered all the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king’s service, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials, the fighting men, and all the best soldiers. 1 Chronicles 28:2 King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of Yahveh’s covenant and as a footstool for our God. I had prepared to build, 1 Chronicles 28:3 but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ 1 Chronicles 28:4 “Yet Yahveh God of Israel chose me out of all my father’s family to be king over Israel forever. For he chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah, my father’s family, and my father’s sons, he was pleased to make me king over all Israel. 1 Chronicles 28:5 And out of all my sons — because Yahveh has given me many sons — he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of Yahveh’s kingdom over Israel. 1 Chronicles 28:6 He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who is to build my house and my courts, because I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 1 Chronicles 28:7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he perseveres in keeping my commands and my ordinances as he is doing today.’ 1 Chronicles 28:8 “So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and follow all the commands of Yahveh your God so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9 “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, because Yahveh searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:10 Realize that Yahveh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.” 1 Chronicles 28:11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple and its buildings, treasuries, upstairs rooms, inner rooms, and a room for the mercy seat. 1 Chronicles 28:12 The plans contained everything that was in his breath for the courts of Yahveh’s house, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of God’s house, and the treasuries for what is dedicated. 1 Chronicles 28:13 Also included were plans for the divisions of the priests and the Levites; all the work of service in Yahveh’s house; all the articles of service of Yahveh’s house; 1 Chronicles 28:14 the weight of gold for all the articles for every kind of service; the weight of all the silver articles for every kind of service; 1 Chronicles 28:15 the weight of the gold lampstands and their gold lamps, including the weight of each lampstand and its lamps; the weight of each silver lampstand and its lamps, according to the service of each lampstand; 1 Chronicles 28:16 the weight of gold for each table for the rows of the Bread of the Presence and the silver for the silver tables; 1 Chronicles 28:17 the pure gold for the forks, sprinkling basins, and pitchers; the weight of each gold dish; the weight of each silver bowl; 1 Chronicles 28:18 the weight of refined gold for the altar of incense; and the plans for the chariot of the gold cherubim that spread out their wings and cover the ark of Yahveh’s covenant. 1 Chronicles 28:19 David concluded, “By Yahveh’s hand on me, he enabled me to understand everything in writing, all the details of the plan.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 David told his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for Yahveh God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or abandon you until all the work for the service of Yahveh’s house is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:21 Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing person of any skill will be at your disposal for the work, and the leaders and all the people are at your every command.”
Who makes the choices?
These are not the actions and words of a sovereign king, passing on his dominion to his son. They are the words of a servant, a steward of God’s household. David had it in his heart to build. God said no. God chose Solomon to build his temple. David’s charge to all the people is to seek out God’s commands and obey them (8). These are not the words of a totalitarian despot. David’s throne was “the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel” (5). The LORD made the choices. Who makes the choices for you?
LORD, we surrender our sovereignty to you. You make the choices, and we will carry them out.
1 Chronicles 27:1 This is the list of the Israelites, the family heads, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter with the divisions on rotated military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 in each division: 1 Chronicles 27:2 Jashobeam, son of Zabdiel, was in charge of the first division for the first month; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:3 He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army commanders for the first month. 1 Chronicles 27:4 Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:5 The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of the priest Jehoiada; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:6 This Benaiah was a mighty man among the Thirty and over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division. 1 Chronicles 27:7 The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:8 The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:9 The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:10 The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite from the descendants of Ephraim; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:11 The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:12 The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjaminite; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:13 The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:14 The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite from the descendants of Ephraim; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:15 The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel’s family; 24,000 were in his division. 1 Chronicles 27:16 The following were in charge of the tribes of Israel: For the Reubenites, Eliezer son of Zichri was the chief official; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah son of Maacah; 1 Chronicles 27:17 for the Levites, Hashabiah son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok; 1 Chronicles 27:18 for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri son of Michael; 1 Chronicles 27:19 for Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel; 1 Chronicles 27:20 for the Ephraimites, Hoshea son of Azaziah; for half the tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah; 1 Chronicles 27:21 for half the tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner; 1 Chronicles 27:22 for Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham. Those were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. 1 Chronicles 27:23 David didn’t count the men aged twenty or under, for Yahveh had said he would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky. 1 Chronicles 27:24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count them, but he didn’t complete it. There was wrath against Israel because of this census, and the number was not entered in the Historical Record of King David. 1 Chronicles 27:25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king’s storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses. 1 Chronicles 27:26 Ezri son of Chelub was in charge of those who worked in the fields tilling the soil. 1 Chronicles 27:27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars. 1 Chronicles 27:28 Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the Judean foothills. Joash oversaw the stores of olive oil. 1 Chronicles 27:29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds that grazed in Sharon, while Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys. 1 Chronicles 27:30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys. 1 Chronicles 27:31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were officials in charge of King David’s property. 1 Chronicles 27:32 David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of understanding and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. 1 Chronicles 27:33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 1 Chronicles 27:34 After Ahithophel came Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.
delegation
In addition to providing for the temple that his son would build, David also appointed military and civilian leadership for Solomon’s administration. Once the LORD had secured David’s position as king, David took advantage of the honor showed him by the Israelites to establish a solidified leadership for the people. It was wise for him to do so. This set Solomon free to pursue other matters, and lessened the chance that he would lose the respect of the people. Part of Solomon’s revered wisdom was that he knew when not to involve himself in matters that others were responsible for. He was free to say ‘no’ to some things.
LORD, give us discernment to know what our responsibility is and what problems belong to others.
1 Chronicles 26:1 The following were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph. 1 Chronicles 26:2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 1 Chronicles 26:3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh. 1 Chronicles 26:4 Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 1 Chronicles 26:5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him. 1 Chronicles 26:6 Also, to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled their ancestral families because they were strong, capable men. 1 Chronicles 26:7 Shemaiah’s sons: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semachiah were also capable men. 1 Chronicles 26:8 All of these were among the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and relatives; they were capable men with strength for the work — sixty-two from Obed-edom. 1 Chronicles 26:9 Meshelemiah also had sons and relatives who were capable men– eighteen. 1 Chronicles 26:10 Hosah, from the Merarites, also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first), 1 Chronicles 26:11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were thirteen in all. 1 Chronicles 26:12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their leading men, had duties for ministering in Yahveh’s temple, just as their relatives did. 1 Chronicles 26:13 They cast lots for each temple gate according to their ancestral families, young and old. 1 Chronicles 26:14 The lot for the east gate fell to Shelemiah. They also cast lots for his son Zechariah, an insightful counselor, and his lot came out for the north gate. 1 Chronicles 26:15 Obed-edom’s was the south gate, and his sons’ lot was for the storehouses; 1 Chronicles 26:16 it was the west gate and the gate of Shallecheth on the ascending highway for Shuppim and Hosah. There were guards stationed at every watch. 1 Chronicles 26:17 There were six Levites each day on the east, four each day on the north, four each day on the south, and two pairs at the storehouses. 1 Chronicles 26:18 As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court. 1 Chronicles 26:19 Those were the divisions of the gatekeepers from the descendants of the Korahites and Merarites. 1 Chronicles 26:20 From the Levites, Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of God’s temple and the treasuries of what had been dedicated. 1 Chronicles 26:21 From the sons of Ladan, who were the descendants of the Gershonites through Ladan and were the family heads belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 1 Chronicles 26:22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel, were in charge of the treasuries of Yahveh’s temple. 1 Chronicles 26:23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites: 1 Chronicles 26:24 Shebuel, a descendant of Moses’s son Gershom, was the officer in charge of the treasuries. 1 Chronicles 26:25 His relatives through Eliezer: his son Rehabiah, his son Jeshaiah, his son Joram, his son Zichri, and his son Shelomith. 1 Chronicles 26:26 This Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries of what had been dedicated by King David, by the family heads who were the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and by the army commanders. 1 Chronicles 26:27 They dedicated part of the plunder from their battles to repair Yahveh’s temple. 1 Chronicles 26:28 All that the seer Samuel, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah had dedicated, along with everything else that had been dedicated, were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives. 1 Chronicles 26:29 From the Izrahites: Chenaniah and his sons had duties outside the temple as officers and judges over Israel. 1 Chronicles 26:30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had assigned duties in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of Yahveh and the king’s service. 1 Chronicles 26:31 From the Hebronites: Jerijah was the head of the Hebronites, according to the family records of his ancestors. A search was made in the fortieth year of David’s reign, and strong, capable men were found among them at Jazer in Gilead. 1 Chronicles 26:32 There were among Jerijah’s relatives 2,700 capable men who were family heads. King David appointed them over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh as overseers in every matter relating to God and the king.
no secular task
Administrators and protectors of the the temple and its treasures were also appointed by David. He searched for men of great skill and proven leadership to assign. No task was left to chance. For David’s monarchy, there would be no such thing as a mere government worker. Everyone who served, served the LORD. For believers in Christ, there are no secular jobs. Everything we do, we do as to the LORD, and not for men. The call to work is a call to display integrity in matters large and small.
LORD, give us a fresh vision of the eternal significance of what we do.
1 Chronicles 25:1 David and the army officers also set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals. This is the list of the men who performed their service: 1 Chronicles 25:2 From Asaph’s sons: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, sons of Asaph, under Asaph’s authority, who prophesied under the authority of the king. 1 Chronicles 25:3 From Jeduthun: Jeduthun’s sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah– six– under the authority of their father Jeduthun, prophesying to the accompaniment of lyres, giving thanks and praise to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 25:4 From Heman: Heman’s sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 1 Chronicles 25:5 All these sons of Heman, the king’s seer, were given by the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 1 Chronicles 25:6 All these men were under their own fathers’ authority for the music in Yahveh’ stemple, with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king’s authority. 1 Chronicles 25:7 They numbered 288 together with their relatives who were all trained and skilful in music for the Lord. 1 Chronicles 25:8 They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil. 1 Chronicles 25:9 The first lot for Asaph fell to Joseph, his sons, and his relatives — 12 to Gedaliah the second: him, his relatives, and his sons — 12 1 Chronicles 25:10 the third to Zaccur, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:11 the fourth to Izri, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:14 the seventh to Jesarelah, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons, and his relatives– 12 1 Chronicles 25:16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons, and his relatives– 12 1 Chronicles 25:20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:22 the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:27 the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:28 the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons, and his relatives — 12 1 Chronicles 25:31 and the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons, and his relatives — 12.
connecting through music
The ministry of music that would accompany the offerings included songs from 288 men who were skilled and trained in singing to Yahveh. Yahveh was speaking through the musicians to the people as they prophesied. But the people were also singing to Yahveh and rendering worship to their creator. Sometimes words can have a tremendous emotional impact when accompanied by music. I was reminded of that recently when I watched a musical about the birth of Christ. Most of the songs I knew, but I found myself weeping at the reality of the incarnation. We need that. We need to connect with the Lord.
LORD, help us to connect with you on a heart-to-heart level through song.
1 Chronicles 23:1 When David was old and full of days, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel. 1 Chronicles 23:2 Then he gathered all the leaders of Israel, the priests, and the Levites. 1 Chronicles 23:3 The Levites thirty years old or more were counted; the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand by headcount. 1 Chronicles 23:4 “Of these,” David said, “twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work on Yahveh’s temple, six thousand are to be officers and judges, 1 Chronicles 23:5 four thousand are to be gatekeepers, and four thousand praise Yahveh with the instruments I have made for worship.” 1 Chronicles 23:6 David divided them into divisions according to Levi’s sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. 1 Chronicles 23:7 The Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. 1 Chronicles 23:8 Ladan’s sons: Jehiel was the first, then Zetham, and Joel — three. 1 Chronicles 23:9 Shimei’s sons: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran — three. Those were the heads of the families of Ladan. 1 Chronicles 23:10 Shimei’s sons: Jahath, Zizah, Jeush, and Beriah. Those were Shimei’s sons– four. 1 Chronicles 23:11 Jahath was the first and Zizah was the second; however, Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they became one family and received a single assignment. 1 Chronicles 23:12 Kohath’s sons: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel — four. 1 Chronicles 23:13 Amram’s sons: Aaron and Moses. Aaron, along with his descendants, was set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense in the presence of the Lord, to minister to him, and to pronounce blessings in his name forever. 1 Chronicles 23:14 As for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. 1 Chronicles 23:15 Moses’s sons: Gershom and Eliezer. 1 Chronicles 23:16 Gershom’s sons: Shebuel was first. 1 Chronicles 23:17 Eliezer’s sons were Rehabiah, first; Eliezer did not have any other sons, but Rehabiah’s sons were very numerous. 1 Chronicles 23:18 Izhar’s sons: Shelomith was first. 1 Chronicles 23:19 Hebron’s sons: Jeriah was first, Amariah second, Jahaziel third, and Jekameam fourth. 1 Chronicles 23:20 Uzziel’s sons: Micah was first, and Isshiah second. 1 Chronicles 23:21 Merari’s sons: Mahli and Mushi. Mahli’s sons: Eleazar and Kish. 1 Chronicles 23:22 Eleazar died having no sons, only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them. 1 Chronicles 23:23 Mushi’s sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth — three. 1 Chronicles 23:24 These were the descendants of Levi by their ancestral families — the family heads, according to their registration by name in the headcount– twenty years old or more, who worked in the service of Yahveh’ stemple. 1 Chronicles 23:25 David said, “Yahveh God of Israel has given rest to his people, and he has come to stay in Jerusalem forever. 1 Chronicles 23:26 Also, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the equipment for its service” — 1 Chronicles 23:27 because according to the last words of David, the Levites twenty years old or more were to be counted — 1 Chronicles 23:28 “but their duty will be to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of Yahveh’s temple, being responsible for the courts and the chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of God’s temple — 1 Chronicles 23:29 as well as the rows of the Bread of the Presence, the fine flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking, the mixing, and all measurements of volume and length. 1 Chronicles 23:30 They also stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the Lord, and likewise in the evening. 1 Chronicles 23:31 Whenever burnt offerings are offered to Yahveh on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed festivals, they are to offer them regularly in Yahveh’s presence according to the number prescribed. 1 Chronicles 23:32 They are to carry out their responsibilities for the tent of meeting, for the holy place, and for their relatives, the descendants of Aaron, in the service of Yahveh’s temple.” 1 Chronicles 24:1 The divisions of the descendants of Aaron were as follows: Aaron’s sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 1 Chronicles 24:2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and they had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. 1 Chronicles 24:3 Together with Zadok from the descendants of Eleazar and Ahimelech from the descendants of Ithamar, David divided them according to the assigned duties of their service. 1 Chronicles 24:4 Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than Ithamar’s, they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of ancestral families were from Eleazar’s descendants, and eight heads of ancestral families were from Ithamar’s. 1 Chronicles 24:5 They were assigned by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants. 1 Chronicles 24:6 The secretary, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the officers, the priest Zadok, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites. One ancestral family was taken for Eleazar, and then one for Ithamar. 1 Chronicles 24:7 The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 1 Chronicles 24:8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 1 Chronicles 24:9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 1 Chronicles 24:10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 1 Chronicles 24:11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 1 Chronicles 24:12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 1 Chronicles 24:13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 1 Chronicles 24:14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 1 Chronicles 24:15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 1 Chronicles 24:16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 1 Chronicles 24:17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 1 Chronicles 24:18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 1 Chronicles 24:19 These had their assigned duties for service when they entered Yahveh’s temple, according to their regulations, which they received from their ancestor Aaron, as Yahveh God of Israel had commanded him. 1 Chronicles 24:20 As for the rest of Levi’s sons: from Amram’s sons: Shubael; from Shubael’s sons: Jehdeiah. 1 Chronicles 24:21 From Rehabiah: from Rehabiah’s sons: Isshiah was the first. 1 Chronicles 24:22 From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from Shelomoth’s sons: Jahath. 1 Chronicles 24:23 Hebron’s sons: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 1 Chronicles 24:24 From Uzziel’s sons: Micah; from Micah’s sons: Shamir. 1 Chronicles 24:25 Micah’s brother: Isshiah; from Isshiah’s sons: Zechariah. 1 Chronicles 24:26 Merari’s sons: Mahli and Mushi, and from his sons, Jaaziah his son. 1 Chronicles 24:27 Merari’s sons, by his son Jaaziah: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 1 Chronicles 24:28 From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 1 Chronicles 24:29 From Kish, from Kish’s sons: Jerahmeel. 1 Chronicles 24:30 Mushi’s sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. Those were the descendants of the Levites according to their ancestral families. 1 Chronicles 24:31 They also cast lots the same way as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites — the family heads and their younger brothers alike.
show us our place
The Levites were a subculture in the land. Among them were chosen officers who served the temple and its services. They were part of the community but they had special tasks, and were honored by reason of their place among the people. There were no menial tasks. Each was to be performed as unto the LORD. So it is in living the Christian life. The Holy Spirit gives each believer spiritual gifts as he sees fit. Rather than seeking to be someone else, or do something else, we should seek to be ourselves in the most honorable way.
LORD, show us our place, and give us zeal to take it.
1 Chronicles 21:18 So the angel of Yahveh ordered Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar to Yahveh on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 1 Chronicles 21:19 David went up at Gad’s command spoken in the name of Yahveh. 1 Chronicles 21:20 Ornan was threshing wheat when he turned and saw the angel. His four sons, who were with him, hid. 1 Chronicles 21:21 David came to Ornan, and when Ornan looked and saw David, he left the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face to the ground. 1 Chronicles 21:22 David told Ornan, “Give me this threshing-floor plot so that I may build an altar to Yahveh. Give it to me for the full price, so the plague on the people may be stopped.” 1 Chronicles 21:23 Ornan said to David, “Take it! My lord the king may do whatever he wants. See, I give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering — I give it all.” 1 Chronicles 21:24 King David answered Ornan, “No, I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for Yahveh what belongs to you or offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 1 Chronicles 21:25 So David gave Ornan fifteen pounds of gold for the plot. 1 Chronicles 21:26 He built an altar to Yahveh and offered burnt and fellowship offerings. He called on Yahveh, and he answered him with fire from the sky on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Chronicles 21:27 Then Yahveh spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. 1 Chronicles 21:28 At that time, David offered sacrifices there when he saw that Yahveh answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 1 Chronicles 21:29 The tabernacle of Yahveh, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at the high place in Gibeon, 1 Chronicles 21:30, but David could not go before it to inquire of God because he was terrified of the sword of Yahveh’s angel. 1 Chronicles 22:1 Then David said, “This is the house of Yahveh God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” 1 Chronicles 22:2 So David gave orders to gather the resident aliens in the land of Israel, and he appointed stonecutters to cut finished stones for building God’s house. 1 Chronicles 22:3 David supplied a great deal of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the fittings, together with an immeasurable quantity of bronze, 1 Chronicles 22:4 and innumerable cedar logs because the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought many cedar logs to David. 1 Chronicles 22:5 David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for Yahveh must be exceedingly great and famous and glorious in all the lands. Therefore, I will make provision for it.” So, David made lavish preparations for it before his death. 1 Chronicles 22:6 He summoned his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for Yahveh God of Israel. 1 Chronicles 22:7 “My son,” David said to Solomon, “It was in my heart to build a house for the name of Yahveh my God, 1 Chronicles 22:8 but the word of Yahveh came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You are not to build a house for my name because you have shed so much blood on the ground before me. 1 Chronicles 22:9 But a son will be born to you; he will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies, for his name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. 1 Chronicles 22:10 He is the one who will build a house for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ 1 Chronicles 22:11 “Now, my son, may Yahveh be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of Yahveh your God, as he said about you. 1 Chronicles 22:12 Above all, may Yahveh give you insight and understanding when he puts you in charge of Israel so that you may keep the law of Yahveh your God. 1 Chronicles 22:13 You will succeed if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances Yahveh commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. 1 Chronicles 22:14 “Notice I have taken great pains to provide for the house of the Lord — 3,775 tons of gold, 37,750 tons of silver, and bronze and iron that can’t be weighed because there is so much of it. I have also provided timber and stone, but you will need to add more to them. 1 Chronicles 22:15 You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and people skilled in every kind of work 1 Chronicles 22:16 in gold, silver, bronze, and iron — beyond number. Now begin the work, and may Yahveh be with you.” 1 Chronicles 22:17 Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon: 1 Chronicles 22:18 “Yahveh your God is with you, isn’t he? And hasn’t he given you rest on every side? He has handed the land’s inhabitants over to me, and the land has been subdued before Yahveh and his people. 1 Chronicles 22:19 Now determine in your mind and heart to seek Yahveh your God. Get started building Yahveh God’s sanctuary so that you may bring the ark of Yahveh’s covenant and the holy articles of God to the temple that is to be built for the name of Yahveh.”
This is the house of Yahveh
After David had purchased the threshing floor of Ornon and averted the plague, he builds an altar there and sacrifices to God on the site. Then, he gets the idea that the site could serve as the location of the temple Solomon is to build. So, he declares “This is the house of Yahveh.” Those reading David’s words centuries later would look up and see the results of that declaration. The massive temple and all its associated grounds and buildings would remind generations that it was the LORD who had established Israel, for his purposes.
LORD, may our lives be so dedicated to you, that generations after us people will know that you lived in us.
1 Chronicles 21:1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to count the people of Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan and bring a report to me so I can know their number.” 1 Chronicles 21:3 Joab replied, “May Yahveh multiply the number of his people a hundred times over! My lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” 1 Chronicles 21:4 Yet the king’s order prevailed over Joab. So, Joab left and traveled throughout Israel and then returned to Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 21:5 Joab gave the total troop registration to David. In all Israel, there were one million one hundred thousand armed men, and in Judah itself, four hundred seventy thousand armed men. 1 Chronicles 21:6 He did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count because the king’s command was repulsive to Joab. 1 Chronicles 21:7 This command was also evil in God’s sight, so he afflicted Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:8 David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now, please take away your servant’s guilt, because I’ve been very foolish.” 1 Chronicles 21:9 Then Yahveh instructed Gad, David’s seer, 1 Chronicles 21:10 “Go and say to David, ‘This is what Yahveh says: I am offering you three choices. Choose one of them for yourself, and I will do it to you.'” 1 Chronicles 21:11 So Gad went to David and said to him, “This is what Yahveh says: ‘Take your choice: 1 Chronicles 21:12 three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes with the sword of your enemy overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the Lord — a plague on the land, the angel of Yahveh bringing destruction to the whole territory of Israel.’ Now decide what answer to return to the one who sent me.” 1 Chronicles 21:13 David answered Gad, “I’m in anguish. Please, let me fall into Yahveh’s hands because his mercies are very great, but don’t let me fall into human hands.” 1 Chronicles 21:14 So Yahveh sent a plague in Israel, and seventy thousand Israelite men died. 1 Chronicles 21:15 Then God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but when the angel was about to destroy the city, Yahveh looked, relented concerning the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough, withdraw your hand now!” The angel of Yahveh was then standing on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 1 Chronicles 21:16 When David looked up and saw the angel of Yahveh standing between the land and the sky, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David, and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown. 1 Chronicles 21:17 David said to God, “Wasn’t I the one who gave the order to count the people? I am the one who has sinned and acted very wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Lord my God, please let your hand be against me and against my father’s family, but don’t let the plague be against your people.”
run from wrong choices
The first wrong choice David made was to listen to the voice of Satan. His second wrong choice was to ignore the voice of Joab. David knew that Joab was right – that taking the census was wrong – but he decided to do what he wanted anyway. The result was that thousands paid for David’s presumption with their lives. God gave David a choice between three possible punishments. David chose to fall into the hands of God, because he knew God would be merciful. We always pay a price when we know something is wrong and yet choose to do it anyway.
LORD, give us enough sense to run from wrong choices.
1 Chronicles 18:1 After this, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its surrounding villages from Philistine control. 1 Chronicles 18:2 He also defeated the Moabites, and they became David’s subjects and brought tribute. 1 Chronicles 18:3 David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath when he went to establish his control at the Euphrates River. 1 Chronicles 18:4 David captured one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers from him, hamstrung all the horses, and kept a hundred chariots. 1 Chronicles 18:5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to assist King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand Aramean men. 1 Chronicles 18:6 Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. Yahveh made David victorious wherever he went. 1 Chronicles 18:7 David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 18:8 From Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer’s cities, David also took huge quantities of bronze, from which Solomon made the bronze basin, the pillars, and the bronze articles. 1 Chronicles 18:9 When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, 1 Chronicles 18:10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Tou and Hadadezer had fought many wars. Hadoram brought all kinds of gold, silver, and bronze items. 1 Chronicles 18:11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all the nations– from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and the Amalekites. 1 Chronicles 18:12 Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Salt Valley. 1 Chronicles 18:13 He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. Yahveh made David victorious wherever he went. 1 Chronicles 18:14 So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people. 1 Chronicles 18:15 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian; 1 Chronicles 18:16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was court secretary; 1 Chronicles 18:17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were the chief officials at the king’s side. 1 Chronicles 19:1 Some time later, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son became king in his place. 1 Chronicles 19:2 Then David said, “I’ll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So, David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. However, when David’s emissaries arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him, 1 Chronicles 19:3 the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he’s showing respect for your father? Instead, haven’t his emissaries come to scout out, overthrow, and spy on the land?” 1 Chronicles 19:4 So Hanun took David’s emissaries, shaved them, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away. 1 Chronicles 19:5 It was reported to David about his men, so he sent messengers to meet them since the men were deeply humiliated. The king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back; then return.” 1 Chronicles 19:6 When the Ammonites realized they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent thirty-eight tons of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah. 1 Chronicles 19:7 They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonites also came together from their cities for the battle. 1 Chronicles 19:8 David heard about this and sent Joab and all the elite troops. 1 Chronicles 19:9 The Ammonites marched out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city while the kings who had come were in the field by themselves. 1 Chronicles 19:10 When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some of Israel’s finest young men and lined up in formation to engage the Arameans. 1 Chronicles 19:11 He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai. They lined up in formation to engage the Ammonites. 1 Chronicles 19:12 “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you’ll be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll help you. 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong! Let’s prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May Yahveh’s will be done.” 1 Chronicles 19:14 Joab and the people with him approached the Arameans for battle, and they fled before him. 1 Chronicles 19:15 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they likewise fled before Joab’s brother Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab went to Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 19:16 When the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to summon the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates River. They were led by Shophach, the commander of Hadadezer’s army. 1 Chronicles 19:17 When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan. He came up to the Arameans and lined up against them. When David lined up to engage them, they fought against him. 1 Chronicles 19:18 But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach, commander of the army. 1 Chronicles 19:19 When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans were never willing to help the Ammonites again. 1 Chronicles 20:1 In the spring when kings march out to war, Joab led the army and destroyed the Ammonites’ land. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it. 1 Chronicles 20:2 Then David took the crown from the head of their king, and it was placed on David’s head. He found that the crown weighed seventy-five pounds of gold, and there was a precious stone in it. In addition, David took away a large quantity of plunder from the city. 1 Chronicles 20:3 He brought out the people who were in it and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 20:4 After this, a war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued. 1 Chronicles 20:5 Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath of Gath. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam. 1 Chronicles 20:6 There was still another battle at Gath where there was a man of extraordinary stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot– twenty-four in all. He, too, was descended from the giant. 1 Chronicles 20:7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of David’s brother Shimei killed him. 1 Chronicles 20:8 These were the descendants of the giant in Gath killed by David and his soldiers.
do your best
These chapters record David’s battles with and victories over the Syrians, Ammonites and Philistines during his reign as king of Israel. Times were not easy for the Israelites, but they did rise to the challenge. Joab’s instructions to his troops still stands as wisdom for us as we face the challenges of this time: do your best, and trust the LORD to do what he wills.
LORD, give us the courage to do our best, and trust you for the outcome.
Devotions 