a permanent house for Yahveh

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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a permanent house for Yahveh

1 Chronicles 17:1-27

1 Chronicles 17:1 When David had settled into his palace, he said to the prophet Nathan, “Look! I am living in a cedar house while the ark of Yahveh’s covenant is under tent curtains.”
1 Chronicles 17:2 So Nathan told David, “Do all that is on your mind, for God is with you.”
1 Chronicles 17:3 But that night the word of God came to Nathan:
1 Chronicles 17:4 “Go to David my servant and say, ‘This is what Yahveh says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.
1 Chronicles 17:5 From the time I brought Israel out of Egypt until today, I have not dwelt in a house; instead, I have moved from one tent site to another and from one tabernacle location to another.
1 Chronicles 17:6 In all my journeys throughout Israel, have I ever spoken a word to even one of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, asking: Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar? ‘
1 Chronicles 17:7 “So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what Yahveh of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.
1 Chronicles 17:8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a name for you like that of the greatest on the land.
1 Chronicles 17:9 I will designate a place for my people Israel and plant them, so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they have done
1 Chronicles 17:10 ever since the day I ordered judges to be over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. ” ‘Furthermore, I declare to you that Yahveh himself will build a house for you.
1 Chronicles 17:11 When your time comes to be with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who is one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.
1 Chronicles 17:12 He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.
1 Chronicles 17:13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not remove my faithful love from him as I removed it from the one who was before you.
1 Chronicles 17:14 I will appoint him over my house and my kingdom forever and his throne will be established forever.'”
1 Chronicles 17:15 Nathan reported all these words and this entire vision to David.
1 Chronicles 17:16 Then King David went in, sat in Yahveh’s presence, and said, Who am I, Yahveh God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far?
1 Chronicles 17:17 This was a little thing to you, God, for you have spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future. You regard me as a man of distinction, Yahveh God.
1 Chronicles 17:18 What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? You know your servant.
1 Chronicles 17:19 Yahveh, you have done this whole great thing, making known all these great promises for the sake of your servant and according to your will.
1 Chronicles 17:20 Yahveh, there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as all we have heard confirms.
1 Chronicles 17:21 And who is like your people Israel? God, you came to one nation on the land to redeem a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself through great and awesome works by driving out nations before your people you redeemed from Egypt.
1 Chronicles 17:22 You made your people Israel your own people forever, and you, Yahveh, have become their God.
1 Chronicles 17:23 Now, Yahveh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and his house be confirmed forever, and do as you have promised.
1 Chronicles 17:24 Let your name be confirmed and magnified forever in the saying, “Yahveh of Armies, the God of Israel, is God over Israel.” May the house of your servant David be established before you.
1 Chronicles 17:25 Since you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house, your servant has found courage to pray in your presence.
1 Chronicles 17:26 Yahveh, you indeed are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
1 Chronicles 17:27 So now, you have been pleased to bless your servant’s house that it may continue before you forever. For you, Yahveh, have blessed it, and it is blessed forever.

a permanent house for Yahveh

On this last day of the year, many will evaluate their year’s activities and determine that something was lacking, resolving to do something more or to stop doing something they regret.
Such thoughts were in David’s heart as he noticed that he was living in a fine cedar house, but the presence of the Yahveh (as symbolized by the ark) was residing in a tent. David wanted to build a more permanent structure for the ark. He would learn that it would not be him, but one of his sons who would build a temple. Another of David’s descendants (Jesus) would build a permanent house for God’s presence on earth. David’s desire reflected the desire of the ages.

Yahveh, build a permanent house for yourself in our hearts.

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connecting through worship

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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connecting through worship

1 Chronicles 16:4-43

1 Chronicles 16:4 David appointed some of the Levites to serve before the ark of the Lord, to celebrate Yahveh God of Israel, and to give thanks and praise to him.
1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph was the chief, and Zechariah was second to him. Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel played the harps and lyres while Asaph sounded the cymbals
1 Chronicles 16:6 and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.
1 Chronicles 16:7 On that day David decreed for the first time that thanks be given to Yahveh by Asaph and his relatives:
1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples.
1 Chronicles 16:9 Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works!
1 Chronicles 16:10 Honor his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek Yahveh rejoice.
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek Yahveh and his strength; seek his face always.
1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember the wondrous works he has done, his wonders, and the judgments he has pronounced,
1 Chronicles 16:13 you offspring of Israel his servant, Jacob’s descendants — his chosen ones.
1 Chronicles 16:14 He is Yahveh our God; his judgments govern the land.
1 Chronicles 16:15 Remember his covenant forever — the promise he ordained for a thousand generations,
1 Chronicles 16:16 the covenant he made with Abraham, swore to Isaac,
1 Chronicles 16:17 and confirmed to Jacob as a decree and to Israel as a permanent covenant:
1 Chronicles 16:18 “I will give the land of Canaan to you as your inherited portion.”
1 Chronicles 16:19 When they were few in number, very few indeed, and resident aliens in Canaan
1 Chronicles 16:20 wandering from nation to nation and from one kingdom to another,
1 Chronicles 16:21 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their behalf:
1 Chronicles 16:22 “Do not touch my anointed ones or harm my prophets.”
1 Chronicles 16:23 Let the whole land sing to the Lord. Proclaim his salvation from day to day.
1 Chronicles 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples.
1 Chronicles 16:25 Because Yahveh is great and highly praised, he is feared above all gods.
1 Chronicles 16:26 Because all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahveh made the heavens.
1 Chronicles 16:27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
1 Chronicles 16:28 Ascribe to the Lord, families of the peoples, ascribe to Yahveh glory and strength.
1 Chronicles 16:29 Ascribe to Yahveh the glory of his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship Yahveh in the splendor of his holiness;
1 Chronicles 16:30 let the whole land tremble before him. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.
1 Chronicles 16:31 Let the sky be glad and the land rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “Yahveh reigns!”
1 Chronicles 16:32 Let the sea and all that fills it resound; let the fields and everything in them exult.
1 Chronicles 16:33 The forest’s trees will shout for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the land.
1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:35 And say: “Deliver us, God of our deliverance; gather us and rescue us from the nations so that we may give thanks to your holy name and rejoice in your praise.
1 Chronicles 16:36 Blessed be Yahveh God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting.” Then everyone said, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
1 Chronicles 16:37 So David left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of Yahveh’s covenant to minister regularly before the ark according to the daily requirements.
1 Chronicles 16:38 He assigned Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom, son of Jeduthun and Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.
1 Chronicles 16:39 David left the priest Zadok and his fellow priests before the Tabernacle of Yahveh at the high place in Gibeon
1 Chronicles 16:40 to offer burnt offerings regularly, morning and evening, to Yahveh on the altar of burnt offerings and to do everything written in the law of the Lord, which he had commanded Israel to keep.
1 Chronicles 16:41 With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord — for his faithful love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:42 Heman and Jeduthun had trumpets and cymbals to play and musical instruments of God. Jeduthun’s sons were at the city gate.
1 Chronicles 16:43 All the people went home, and David returned home to bless his household.

connecting through worship

The worship that David had organized for the movement of the ark now becomes a regular daily tradition. The ark is now in Jerusalem, where David lives. The tabernacle with the altar for sacrifice is still in Gibeon. David institutionalizes regular worship in both places. The people and the king and the priests are to be constantly reminded by song of who the LORD is, what he has done, and what he is going to do.

LORD, thank you for the honor of connecting with you on a regular basis through worship.

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celebrating the presence

Posted on December 29, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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celebrating the presence

1 Chronicles 15:1-16:3

1 Chronicles 15:1 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.
1 Chronicles 15:2 Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because Yahveh has chosen them to carry the ark of Yahveh and to minister before him forever.”
1 Chronicles 15:3 David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring the ark of Yahveh to the place he had prepared for it.
1 Chronicles 15:4 Then he gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites:
1 Chronicles 15:5 From the Kohathites, Uriel the leader and 120 of his relatives;
1 Chronicles 15:6 from the Merarites, Asaiah the leader and 220 of his relatives;
1 Chronicles 15:7 from the Gershomites, Joel the leader and 130 of his relatives;
1 Chronicles 15:8 from the Elizaphanites, Shemaiah the leader and 200 of his relatives;
1 Chronicles 15:9 from the Hebronites, Eliel the leader and 80 of his relatives;
1 Chronicles 15:10 from the Uzzielites, Amminadab the leader and 112 of his relatives.
1 Chronicles 15:11 David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.
1 Chronicles 15:12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of Yahveh God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.
1 Chronicles 15:13 For Yahveh our God burst out in anger against us because you Levites were not with us the first time, for we didn’t inquire of him about the proper procedures.”
1 Chronicles 15:14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of Yahveh God of Israel.
1 Chronicles 15:15 Then the Levites carried the ark of God the way Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord: on their shoulders with the poles.
1 Chronicles 15:16 Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers and to have them raise their voices with joy accompanied by musical instruments — harps, lyres, and cymbals.
1 Chronicles 15:17 So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; and from their relatives the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah.
1 Chronicles 15:18 With them were their relatives second in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.
1 Chronicles 15:19 The singers Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals;
1 Chronicles 15:20 Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps according to Alamoth
1 Chronicles 15:21 and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to the Sheminith.
1 Chronicles 15:22 Chenaniah, the leader of the Levites in music, was to direct the music because he was skillful.
1 Chronicles 15:23 Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.
1 Chronicles 15:24 The priests, Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be gatekeepers for the ark.
1 Chronicles 15:25 David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahveh from the house of Obed-edom.
1 Chronicles 15:26 Because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, with God’s help, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.
1 Chronicles 15:27 Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the music leader of the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.
1 Chronicles 15:28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahveh with shouts, the sound of the ram’s horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and the playing of harps and lyres.
1 Chronicles 15:29 As the ark of the covenant of Yahveh was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing, and she despised him in her heart.
1 Chronicles 16:1 They brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent David had pitched for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in God’s presence.
1 Chronicles 16:2 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 16:3 Then he distributed to each and every Israelite, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

celebrating the presence

Getting it right took a great deal of cooperation and attention to detail, but David was determined to correct his former mistake. The ark of the covenant belonged in Jerusalem. Following the rules meant bringing the ark into the city with worship, rejoicing, and just lots of noise. It was not to be a mundane logistics task, but part of a celebration. David even distributed a meal to all Israel – another reason to remember the day – not because it was a solemn observance, but because it was a celebration. This is what it is like when the presence of God manifests.

LORD, make our lives acts of worship appropriate for your presence.

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trusting God for the details

Posted on December 28, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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trusting God for the details

1 Chronicles 14:1-17

1 Chronicles 14:1 King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for him.
1 Chronicles 14:2 Then David knew that Yahveh had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
1 Chronicles 14:3 David took more wives in Jerusalem, and he became the father of more sons and daughters.
1 Chronicles 14:4 These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
1 Chronicles 14:5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
1 Chronicles 14:6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
1 Chronicles 14:7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
1 Chronicles 14:8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went in search of David; when David heard of this, he went out to face them.
1 Chronicles 14:9 Now the Philistines had come and raided in the Valley of Rephaim,
1 Chronicles 14:10 so David inquired of God, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” Yahveh replied, “Attack, and I will hand them over to you.”
1 Chronicles 14:11 So the Israelites went up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated the Philistines there. Then David said, “Like a bursting flood, God has used me to burst out against my enemies.” Therefore, they named that place Yahveh Bursts Out.
1 Chronicles 14:12 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David ordered that they be burned in the fire.
1 Chronicles 14:13 Once again, the Philistines raided the valley.
1 Chronicles 14:14 So David again inquired of God, and God answered him, “Do not pursue them directly. Circle around them and attack them opposite the balsam trees.
1 Chronicles 14:15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
1 Chronicles 14:16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.
1 Chronicles 14:17 Then David’s fame spread throughout the lands, and Yahveh caused all the nations to be terrified of him.

trusting God for the details

In each of the battles described in this chapter, the Philistines made a raid in the valley, and David responded by first praying for God’s will. In each case, God’s will was the same, but the means of obeying it was different. Often when we come to the LORD seeking his will, we do not stay on our knees long enough to discover his way – the means of obeying his will. It takes faith to trust God not only for a “yes” or “no”answer, but for the details.

LORD, give us faith to trust you for the details.

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good intentions are not enough

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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good intentions are not enough

1 Chronicles 13:1-14

1 Chronicles 13:1 David consulted with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands.
1 Chronicles 13:2 Then he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is from Yahveh our God, let us spread out and send the message to the rest of our relatives in all the districts of Israel, including the priests and Levites in their cities with pasturelands, that they should gather together with us.
1 Chronicles 13:3 Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of him in Saul’s days.”
1 Chronicles 13:4 Since the proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to do it.
1 Chronicles 13:5 So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.
1 Chronicles 13:6 David and all Israel went to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah) to take from there the ark of God, which bears the name of Yahveh who is enthroned between the cherubim.
1 Chronicles 13:7 At Abinadab’s house they set the ark of God on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart.
1 Chronicles 13:8 David and all Israel were dancing with all their might before God with songs and lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
1 Chronicles 13:9 When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to hold the ark because the oxen had stumbled.
1 Chronicles 13:10 Then Yahveh’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark. So, he died there in the presence of God.
1 Chronicles 13:11 David was angry because of Yahveh’s outburst against Uzzah, so he named that place Outburst Against Uzzah, as it is still named today.
1 Chronicles 13:12 David feared God that day and said, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”
1 Chronicles 13:13 So David did not bring the ark of God home to the city of David; instead, he diverted it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.
1 Chronicles 13:14 The ark of God remained with Obed-edom’s family in his house for three months, and Yahveh blessed his family and all he had.

good intentions are not enough

It seemed like a good idea at the time. David enlisted the support of his kingdom to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. They built a new cart, got two drivers, and accompanied the procession with rejoicing and musical instruments. Then something went wrong. The oxen stumbled, Uzzah reached out to steady the ark, and ZAP — the LORD breaks out against him. One of the lessons God’s people have to keep learning is that good intentions are not enough. God is holy, and his work must be done the right way. Lack of preparation in this case cost a life, and delayed the mission for three months.

LORD, help us to take your work seriously, for you are a serious God.

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supporting God’s King

Posted on December 26, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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supporting God’s King

1 Chronicles 12:1-40

1 Chronicles 12:1 The following were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still banned from the presence of Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who helped him in battle.
1 Chronicles 12:2 They were archers who could use either the right or left hand, both to sling stones and shoot arrows from a bow. They were Saul’s relatives from Benjamin:
1 Chronicles 12:3 Their chief was Ahiezer son of Shemaah the Gibeathite. Then there was his brother Joash; Jeziel and Pelet sons of Azmaveth; Beracah, Jehu the Anathothite;
1 Chronicles 12:4 Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a warrior among the Thirty and a leader over the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite;
1 Chronicles 12:5 Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite;
1 Chronicles 12:6 Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites;
1 Chronicles 12:7 and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.
1 Chronicles 12:8 Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were valiant warriors, trained for battle, expert with shield and spear. Their faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.
1 Chronicles 12:9 Ezer was the chief, Obadiah second, Eliab third,
1 Chronicles 12:10 Mishmannah fourth, Jeremiah fifth,
1 Chronicles 12:11 Attai sixth, Eliel seventh,
1 Chronicles 12:12 Johanan eighth, Elzabad ninth,
1 Chronicles 12:13 Jeremiah tenth, and Machbannai eleventh.
1 Chronicles 12:14 These Gadites were army commanders; the least of them was a match for a hundred, and the greatest of them for a thousand.
1 Chronicles 12:15 These are the men who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks and put to flight all those in the valleys to the east and to the west.
1 Chronicles 12:16 Other Benjaminites and men from Judah also went to David at the stronghold.
1 Chronicles 12:17 David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you, but if you have come to betray me to my enemies even though my hands have done no wrong, may the God of our ancestors look on it and judge.”
1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the Breath enveloped Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: We are yours, David, we are with you, son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to him who helps you, for your God helps you. So, David welcomed them and made them leaders of his troops.
1 Chronicles 12:19 Some Manassites defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. However, they did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers sent David away after a discussion. They said, “It will be our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”
1 Chronicles 12:20 When David went to Ziklag, some men from Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh.
1 Chronicles 12:21 They helped David against the raiders, for they were all valiant warriors and commanders in the army.
1 Chronicles 12:22 At that time, men came day after day to help David until there was a great army, like an army of God.
1 Chronicles 12:23 The numbers of the armed troops who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, according to Yahveh’s word, were as follows:
1 Chronicles 12:24 From the Judahites: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears.
1 Chronicles 12:25 From the Simeonites: 7,100 valiant warriors ready for war.
1 Chronicles 12:26 From the Levites: 4,600
1 Chronicles 12:27 in addition to Jehoiada, leader of the house of Aaron, with 3,700 men;
1 Chronicles 12:28 and Zadok, a young valiant warrior, with 22 commanders from his father’s family.
1 Chronicles 12:29 From the Benjaminites, the relatives of Saul: 3,000 (up to that time the majority of the Benjaminites maintained their allegiance to the house of Saul).
1 Chronicles 12:30 From the Ephraimites: 20,800 valiant warriors who were famous men in their ancestral families.
1 Chronicles 12:31 From half the tribe of Manasseh: 18,000 designated by name to come and make David king.
1 Chronicles 12:32 From the Issacharites, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their relatives under their command.
1 Chronicles 12:33 From Zebulun: 50,000 who could serve in the army, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, with one purpose to help David.
1 Chronicles 12:34 From Naphtali: 1,000 commanders accompanied by 37,000 men with shield and spear.
1 Chronicles 12:35 From the Danites: 28,600 trained for battle.
1 Chronicles 12:36 From Asher: 40,000 who could serve in the army, trained for battle.
1 Chronicles 12:37 From across the Jordan– from the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh: 120,000 men equipped with all the military weapons of war.
1 Chronicles 12:38 All these warriors, lined up in battle formation, came to Hebron wholeheartedly determined to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of Israel was also of one mind to make David king.
1 Chronicles 12:39 They spent three days there eating and drinking with David, because their relatives had provided for them.
1 Chronicles 12:40 In addition, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came and brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen — abundant provisions of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine and oil, herds, and flocks. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.

supporting God’s King

This chapter shows the strong support David received from the tribes of Israel after it became clear that he was God’s choice for king. Thousands came to him, even from Benjamin – Saul’s tribe. It was obvious that he was the focal point of the future of Israel. Those who helped him would be helped by the LORD. The mighty men who took up the sword in the name of David were ensuring a secure future for their families. There were no guarantees that they – personally – would survive the wars with God’s enemies. There was only faith that the LORD and his people would survive, and accomplish God’s will. The mighty men had the courage to do the right thing, even if they personally would not benefit from it. The world was watching to see if they would do the right thing.

We have just celebrated the birth of Christ, who was heralded as God’s newborn king. He is God’s king. Every day you and I are given the choice to serve and support God’s king. Will we do the right thing? The world is watching.

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perseverance pays off

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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perseverance pays off

1 Chronicles 11:1-47

1 Chronicles 11:1 All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.
1 Chronicles 11:2 Even previously when Saul was king, you were leading Israel out to battle and bringing us back. The Lord your God also said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be ruler over my people Israel.'”
1 Chronicles 11:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in Yahveh’s presence, and they anointed David king over Israel, in keeping with Yahveh’s word through Samuel.
1 Chronicles 11:4 David and all Israel marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); the Jebusites who inhabited the land were there.
1 Chronicles 11:5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.
1 Chronicles 11:6 David said, “Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will become chief commander.” Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became the chief.
1 Chronicles 11:7 Then David took up residence in the stronghold; therefore, it was called the city of David.
1 Chronicles 11:8 He built up the city all the way around, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding parts, and Joab restored the rest of the city.
1 Chronicles 11:9 David steadily grew more powerful, and the Lord of Armies was with him.
1 Chronicles 11:10 The following were the chiefs of David’s warriors who, together with all Israel, strongly supported him in his reign to make him king according to Yahveh’s word about Israel.
1 Chronicles 11:11 This is the list of David’s warriors: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the Thirty; he wielded his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.
1 Chronicles 11:12 After him, Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite was one of the three warriors.
1 Chronicles 11:13 He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines had gathered there for battle. There was a portion of a field full of barley, where the troops had fled from the Philistines.
1 Chronicles 11:14 But Eleazar and David took their stand in the middle of the field and defended it. They killed the Philistines, and the Lord gave them a great victory.
1 Chronicles 11:15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while the Philistine army was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
1 Chronicles 11:16 At that time David was in the stronghold, and a Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem.
1 Chronicles 11:17 David was extremely thirsty and said, “If only someone would bring me water to drink from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem!”
1 Chronicles 11:18 So the Three broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem. They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord.
1 Chronicles 11:19 David said, “I would never do such a thing in the presence of my God! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” For they brought it at the risk of their lives. So he would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.
1 Chronicles 11:20 Abishai, Joab’s brother, was the leader of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three.
1 Chronicles 11:21 He was more honored than the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.
1 Chronicles 11:22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
1 Chronicles 11:23 He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, Benaiah went down to him with a club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear.
1 Chronicles 11:24 These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors.
1 Chronicles 11:25 He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
1 Chronicles 11:26 The best soldiers were Joab’s brother Asahel, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
1 Chronicles 11:27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
1 Chronicles 11:28 Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,
1 Chronicles 11:29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
1 Chronicles 11:30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,
1 Chronicles 11:31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
1 Chronicles 11:32 Hurai from the wadis of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
1 Chronicles 11:33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
1 Chronicles 11:34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,
1 Chronicles 11:35 Ahiam son of Sachar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur,
1 Chronicles 11:36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
1 Chronicles 11:37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai,
1 Chronicles 11:38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri,
1 Chronicles 11:39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer for Joab son of Zeruiah,
1 Chronicles 11:40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
1 Chronicles 11:41 Uriah the Hethite, Zabad son of Ahlai,
1 Chronicles 11:42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
1 Chronicles 11:43 Hanan son of Maacah, Joshaphat the Mithnite,
1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
1 Chronicles 11:45 Jediael son of Shimri and his brother Joha the Tizite,
1 Chronicles 11:46 Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite,
1 Chronicles 11:47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

perseverance pays off

David showed three signs of successful godly leadership. He had the LORD’s appointment as demonstrated by his anointing. He had the recognition of the people as demonstrated by their following him into the conquest of Jebus. He had the support of those already in leadership as demonstrated by all his Mighty Men. Of course, when David started out he had neither of these. Successful leaders stay in the race long enough to become what God has in store for them. The most crucial character trait is perseverance.

LORD, help us to trust you long enough for us to become what you want of us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Saul’s suicide

Posted on December 24, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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Saul’s suicide

1 Chronicles 10:1-14

1 Chronicles 10:1 The Philistines fought against Israel, and Israel’s men fled from them. Many were killed on Mount Gilboa.
1 Chronicles 10:2 The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons and killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.
1 Chronicles 10:3 When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers spotted him and severely wounded him.
1 Chronicles 10:4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me.” But his armor-bearer would not do it because he was terrified. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it.
1 Chronicles 10:5 When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his own sword and died.
1 Chronicles 10:6 So Saul and his three sons died — his whole family died together.
1 Chronicles 10:7 When all the men of Israel in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. So, the Philistines came and settled in them.
1 Chronicles 10:8 The next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons dead on Mount Gilboa.
1 Chronicles 10:9 They stripped Saul, cut off his head, took his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the good news to their idols and the people.
1 Chronicles 10:10 Then they put his armor in the temple of their gods and hung his skull in the temple of Dagon.
1 Chronicles 10:11 When all Jabesh-gilead heard of everything the Philistines had done to Saul,
1 Chronicles 10:12 all their brave men set out and retrieved the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted for seven days.
1 Chronicles 10:13 Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the Lord because he did not keep Yahveh’s word. He even consulted a medium for guidance,
1 Chronicles 10:14 but he did not inquire of the Lord. So, the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Saul’s suicide

Saul’s suicide brought shame to Israel and gave the Philistines a reason to gloat. What was the root cause of such a tragedy in a kingdom that God promised to bless? Perhaps knowing the answer to that question will keep the leaders who follow the LORD today from taking the wrong step — a step that could end in personal failure, and shame for the movement. Saul died for his breach of faith. Saul’s breach of faith is found in his disobedience to the command of the LORD, and in the fact that he failed to seek guidance from the LORD through prayer (13-14).

LORD, on this special day when we remember the birth of Christ, help us to keep the faith by obeying your words and seeking your guidance.

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recovery

Posted on December 23, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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recovery

1 Chronicles 9:1-44

1 Chronicles 9:1 All Israel was registered in the genealogies that are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. But Judah was exiled to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.
1 Chronicles 9:2 The first to live in their towns on their own property again were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.
1 Chronicles 9:3 These people from the descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh settled in Jerusalem:
1 Chronicles 9:4 Uthai son of Ammihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah;
1 Chronicles 9:5 from the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons;
1 Chronicles 9:6 and from the descendants of Zerah: Jeuel and their relatives — 690 in all.
1 Chronicles 9:7 The Benjaminites: Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Hodaviah, son of Hassenuah;
1 Chronicles 9:8 Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, son of Michri; Meshullam son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Ibnijah;
1 Chronicles 9:9 and their relatives according to their family records — 956 in all. All these men were heads of their ancestral families.
1 Chronicles 9:10 The priests: Jedaiah; Jehoiarib; Jachin;
1 Chronicles 9:11 Azariah son of Hilkiah, son of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub, the chief official of God’s temple;
1 Chronicles 9:12 Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah; Maasai son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer;
1 Chronicles 9:13 and their relatives, the heads of their ancestral families — 1,760 in all. They were capable men employed in the ministry of God’s temple.
1 Chronicles 9:14 The Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah of the Merarites;
1 Chronicles 9:15 Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah, son of Mica, son of Zichri, son of Asaph;
1 Chronicles 9:16 Obadiah son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, son of Elkanah who lived in the settlements of the Netophathites.
1 Chronicles 9:17 The gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was their chief;
1 Chronicles 9:18 he was previously stationed at the King’s Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites.
1 Chronicles 9:19 Shallum son of Kore, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah and his relatives from his father’s family, the Korahites, were assigned to guard the thresholds of the tent. Their ancestors had been assigned to Yahveh’scamp as guardians of the entrance.
1 Chronicles 9:20 In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar had been their leader, and the Lord was with him.
1 Chronicles 9:21 Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
1 Chronicles 9:22 The total number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their settlements. David and the seer Samuel had appointed them to their trusted positions.
1 Chronicles 9:23 So they and their sons were assigned as guards to the gates of Yahveh’s temple, which had been the tent-temple.
1 Chronicles 9:24 The gatekeepers were on the four winds: east, west, north, and south.
1 Chronicles 9:25 Their relatives came from their settlements at fixed times to be with them seven days,
1 Chronicles 9:26 but the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the rooms and the treasuries of God’s temple.
1 Chronicles 9:27 They spent the night in the vicinity of God’s temple, because they had guard duty and were in charge of opening it every morning.
1 Chronicles 9:28 Some of them were in charge of the utensils used in worship. They would count them when they brought them in and when they took them out.
1 Chronicles 9:29 Others were put in charge of the furnishings and all the utensils of the sanctuary, as well as the fine flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices.
1 Chronicles 9:30 Some of the priests’ sons mixed the spices.
1 Chronicles 9:31 A Levite called Mattithiah, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with baking the bread.
1 Chronicles 9:32 Some of the Kohathites’ relatives were responsible for preparing the rows of the Bread of the Presence every Sabbath.
1 Chronicles 9:33 The singers, the heads of the Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other tasks because they were on duty day and night.
1 Chronicles 9:34 These were the heads of the Levite families, chiefs according to their family records; they lived in Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 9:35 Jeiel fathered Gibeon and lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah.
1 Chronicles 9:36 Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,
1 Chronicles 9:37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.
1 Chronicles 9:38 Mikloth fathered Shimeam. These also lived opposite their relatives in Jerusalem with their other relatives.
1 Chronicles 9:39 Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
1 Chronicles 9:40 Jonathan’s son was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah.
1 Chronicles 9:41 Micah’s sons: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz.
1 Chronicles 9:42 Ahaz fathered Jarah; Jarah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; Zimri fathered Moza.
1 Chronicles 9:43 Moza fathered Binea. His son was Rephaiah, his son Elasah, and his son Azel.
1 Chronicles 9:44 Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were Azel’s sons.

recovery

This chapter records representative genealogies of those who returned to Jerusalem after the exile. Of particular interest to the chronicler is the maintenance and watching of the temple area. The detail in which the chronicler describes these security guards, maintenance workers and cooks tells us much about what was deemed important. As they began the process of restoring order to the city, the temple and what it represented came first. While the history of Israel did record times of neglect of the things of God, time in exile seems to have taught the people how wrong that was.

Sometimes, in our zeal to better ourselves, we focus on the wrong priorities. We think that we have to get our families and financial lives in order, and then we will be free to concentrate on fellowship and worship with other believers. But a strong relationship with God and other believers should be our first goal. Then, we will find that other kinds of recovery will come in time.

LORD, help us to focus on first things first.

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where we have been planted

Posted on December 22, 2024 by Jefferson Vann

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where we have been planted

1 Chronicles 8:1-40

1 Chronicles 8:1 Benjamin fathered Bela, his firstborn; Ashbel was born second, Aharah third,
1 Chronicles 8:2 Nohah fourth, and Rapha fifth.
1 Chronicles 8:3 Bela’s sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud,
1 Chronicles 8:4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
1 Chronicles 8:5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.
1 Chronicles 8:6 These were Ehud’s sons. These were the heads of the families living in Geba and who were deported to Manahath:
1 Chronicles 8:7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. Gera deported them and was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
1 Chronicles 8:8 Shaharaim had sons in the territory of Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara.
1 Chronicles 8:9 His sons by his wife Hodesh: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
1 Chronicles 8:10 Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, family heads.
1 Chronicles 8:11 He also had sons by Hushim: Abitub and Elpaal.
1 Chronicles 8:12 Elpaal’s sons: Eber, Misham, and Shemed who built Ono and Lod and its surrounding villages,
1 Chronicles 8:13 Beriah and Shema, who were the family heads of Aijalon’s residents and who drove out the residents of Gath,
1 Chronicles 8:14 Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth.
1 Chronicles 8:15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
1 Chronicles 8:16 Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were Beriah’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:17 Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
1 Chronicles 8:18 Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were Elpaal’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
1 Chronicles 8:20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
1 Chronicles 8:21 Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were Shimei’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
1 Chronicles 8:23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
1 Chronicles 8:24 Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
1 Chronicles 8:25 Iphdeiah, and Penuel were Shashak’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
1 Chronicles 8:27 Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were Jeroham’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:28 These were family heads, chiefs according to their family records; they lived in Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 8:29 Jeiel fathered Gibeon and lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah.
1 Chronicles 8:30 Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
1 Chronicles 8:31 Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,
1 Chronicles 8:32 and Mikloth who fathered Shimeah. These also lived opposite their relatives in Jerusalem, with their other relatives.
1 Chronicles 8:33 Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
1 Chronicles 8:34 Jonathan’s son was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah.
1 Chronicles 8:35 Micah’s sons: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
1 Chronicles 8:36 Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri fathered Moza.
1 Chronicles 8:37 Moza fathered Binea. His son was Raphah, his son Elasah, and his son Azel.
1 Chronicles 8:38 Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were Azel’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:39 His brother Eshek’s sons: Ulam was his firstborn, Jeush second, and Eliphelet third.
1 Chronicles 8:40 Ulam’s sons were valiant warriors and archers. They had many sons and sons of sons — 150 of them. All these were among Benjamin’s sons.

where we have been planted

This list adds more detail to the genealogy of Benjamin that had begun in chapter 7. It is appropriate to provide more details on this tribe, as Benjamin and Judah were the two “surviving” tribes that figured predominantly into the postexilic community. In other words, the readers who first read or heard these words were most likely from these tribes. While the whole list is their family tree, they would find themselves here.

We believers belong to an extended community of faith that incorporates all those who are in Christ. But we are also part of a local community of faith – a local church. That is not a mere accident of chance. Our LORD who brought us to himself also placed us just where he wanted us. He either wants us to take roots here, or he wants to use our local community of faith to launch us into ministry elsewhere. Either way, our local body is important.

LORD, thank you for where we have been planted. Use us for your glory.

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