365 Reflections

David calls on the assembly of Israel to donate to the construction of the temple in 1 Chronicles 29. He will also lead the giving of the assembly and the people will rejoice in their contributions to God's house.  1 Chronicles 29:2–5 (ESV) So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, besides great quantities of onyx and stones for setting, antimony, colored stones, all sorts of precious stones and marble. 3 Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God: 4 3,000 talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and 7,000 talents of refined silver, for overlaying the walls of the house, 5 and for all the work to be done by craftsmen, gold for the ...

The 28th chapter of 1 Chronicles illustrates David's final charge to his son Solomon on the precipice of building the Temple. Already the writer has been made clear in the book that David's life of war would lead to Solomon's life of peace. David who shed much blood would not be the one to build the temple. You could say through the shed blood of David, Solomon receives peace.  Now with preparations made, the words from David to Solomon are clear: there's a work to accomplish now and Solomon needs to commit! First, David makes it plain for Solomon. Solomon must understand he's been chosen to do this very thing.  1 Chronicles 28:6 (ESV)  He (God) said to me, ‘It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. On the heels of that impressive reality, David bears down: 1 Chronicles 28:9–10 (ESV) “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a wil...

The New Testament teaches us that God is a God of order. But where does that idea come from? The Old Testament. Especially in the book of 1 Chronicles. 1 Chronicles 27:1 (ESV) This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering 24,000: We learn from this chapter that order is important to David because as God's chosen king, the nation had to stand ready to defend itself and also prepare for the people a habitation to meet with God. 12 divisions of 24,000 soldiers took one month each to serve the king in this capacity.  The Bible is big on 12, 24, 7, and 3. These numbers run through the scriptures in heavy doses. It is no coincidence that these numbers are what govern our time. Consider that we eat three times a day (or regard three times of the day - morning,...

1 Chronicles 23:2–6 (ESV) David assembled all the leaders of Israel and the priests and the Levites. 3 The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were numbered, and the total was 38,000 men. 4 “Twenty-four thousand of these,” David said, “shall have charge of the work in the house of the Lord, 6,000 shall be officers and judges, 5 4,000 gatekeepers, and 4,000 shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments that I have made for praise.” 6 And David organized them in divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.  This passage comes right after David makes Solomon King in Israel.  1 Chronicles 23:1 (ESV) When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.   It’s incredible to think that upon the transfer of power for Israel David does not first take up the task of establishing a strong military. He has learned that hard lesson by God’s judgment at the time of the census. Nor does David seek to build storehouses of g...

David cannot build God's temple. Perhaps that reality is a struggle for many Bible readers because of how faithful and courageous David was for the Lord. Well, in 1 Chronicles 22 we get a LOT more clarity on that matter. Look with me: 1 Chronicles 22:7-10 (ESV) David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. 8 But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’   There are some key ideas communicated here by David. First, the reason for ...

1 Chronicles 21:1–4 (ESV) Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.” 3 But Joab said, “May the LORD add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?” 4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. This chapter picks up on a particular sin of David recorded also in 2 Samuel 24. David takes a census of the nation. The account in 2 Samuel 24 says God was the instigator of the moment. Here, it is Satan. Why the difference? It's the Bible's way of saying the same thing in two ways. Yes, Satan incited David but the Lord was ultimately in charge of the entire moment.  The narrative of...

There's a familiar refrain in 1 Chronicles to anyone who has read through the Bible from cover to cover. See if you can pick it up.  1 Chronicles 20:1–3 (ESV)  In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 2 And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 3 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. A learned Bible reader will recall the phrases that begin this chapter. Springtime is wartime and David sends the generals but remains in Jerusalem. What...

When David's kingdom is established and he has set in place the proper offerings of Israel before the Temple you would think anything this man wanted would be his. Here David has subdued Israel's enemies. He has learned his lesson concerning the Ark of the Covenant and brought in right sacrifices and leaders. Now David, the great king, and hero has it in his heart to do something noble in 1 Chronicles 17. He's going to set out to build a glorious Temple for the Lord.  At first Nathan the prophet is with him. He encourages him to do whatever is in his heart for the great history of his life is proof positive that God is with him (see verse 2). But the very next verse presents Nathan, the prophet with a complete turnabout.  1 Chronicles 17:3–4 (ESV)  But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. Could you imagine being Nathan in this moment? You have just sp...

In David's song as the Ark comes into the city of Jerusalem, there is an important point made about the reality of salvation. God's people are saved and should rejoice. But they are also in need of saving and so must repent regularly.  Look first at verse 23: 1 Chronicles 16:23 (ESV) Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. David has been recounting the wonderful works of God on behalf of the nation of Israel. He recounts their exodus and wanderings. He sings about their habitation in the land. He writes a verse that is often used by some preachers to mean no one can touch the "preacher." Notice... 1 Chronicles 16:19–22 (ESV) When you were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 20 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, 21 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” Verse 22 is often taken out of cont...

Imagine God puts someone you know to death because you and they disregarded His Word. How would you respond? Bitter and resentful toward Him? Would you doubt His goodness? Would you run from Him because you see Him as unfair? Many people respond that way every day.  Not David.  After the Uzzah incident, David was humbled and chastened. He was, at first, afraid of God.  1 Chronicles 13:12 (ESV) And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” But then his heart opened to what God was teaching him through that awful moment. He needed to listen closely to the Lord if he was going to be in charge of the Lord's people. And David did. We talked about this in previous posts. How David listened intently to God as the Philistines attacked him repeatedly. We then noted how David searched the scriptures for God's prescription on transporting the Ark and establishing proper worship in Israel.  By this chapter, all is accomplished. D...

David has had a rough go of things at the beginning of his reign as king. He lost Uzzah and he's been attacked repeatedly by his age-old nemesis, the Philistines in 1 Chronicles 13-14. But all those moments were lessons that would lead David into the best possible place, the presence of God.  We need to learn to thank God when we face difficulties that disturb us. David was disturbed by Uzzah's death at the hand of God and then no doubt was disturbed by the attacks on his kingdom by the Philistines. Now he's come around to learn the value of listening to God. In 1 Chronicles 15, he lays out clearly why things went so poorly for the kingdom up to this time. 1 Chronicles 15:1–2 (ESV) David built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever. Notice David...

Fresh off the disaster with Uzzah touching the Ark, David must have felt like a failure. After all, it was his idea to go get the Ark and bring it home. By 1 Chronicles 14, I would have been ready to listen to God more closely than ever as a result of such a horrific tragedy. This chapter sends a clear message that David learned his lesson. As soon as David is established as King of Israel, the Philistines attack not once but twice. In spite of their defeat at his hands, they keep attacking. David is diligent in NOT doing what made the mess in 1 Chronicles 13 that cost Uzzah his life. He isn't seeking anyone's approval or advice. He is seeking clear direction from the Lord.  In the first attack, David seeks God for whether or not he should fight at all.  1 Chronicles 14:9–11 (ESV) Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to hi...

One of the great misunderstood moments in all of scripture happens in 1 Chronicles 13. 1 Chronicles 13:9–10 (ESV) And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. David, seeking to bring the Ark of God back to Jerusalem from it's dormant facility in Kirath-Jearim is rejoicing and worshipping as it makes it's way back. But then tragedy strikes. Uzzah, seeking to steady the ark (we read that from 2 Samuel 6), touches the Ark and immediately is struck down by the Lord for his act of irreverence.  This is where secularists have problems with the Bible. They cannot imagine how unfair God could be in this moment. They have problems that the Lord would be so impetuous. This passage is why aggressive atheists in our world love to call the God of the Bible as a hate...

I don't know about you but I'm always distracted lately. The information and technology age combined with hyper individual products like smartphones, watches and tablets with instant access to unlimited dalliances has me often wasting time with unimportant matters.  The truth is, it's harder than ever to focus our minds.  For that reason, the passage on the men who joined David really grabbed my attention. As 1 Chronicles 12 unpacks those who came to David from Saul, it also describes some of the gifts and abilities these men brought to the table.  First, we have listed the Benjaminites who brought their substance to David's authority: 1 Chronicles 12:29 (ESV) Of the Benjaminites, the kinsmen of Saul, 3,000, of whom the majority had to that point kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. Then there is the Ephraim tribe bringing their renown: 1 Chronicles 12:30 (ESV)  Of the Ephraimites 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ houses. Then there is...

1 Chronicles 12:1 (ESV) Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he could not move about freely because of Saul the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. There are four noteworthy gatherings to David in this chapter. The first is in the darkest time of David's exile from Saul - in Ziklag and basically under house arrest as he seeks asylum from the king's threats. Yet God brings mighty men to David even when David cannot do much in himself. What is most shocking is where this group descends from: 1 Chronicles 12:2 (ESV) They were bowmen and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand; they were Benjaminites, Saul’s kinsmen. Amazingly, these were Benjaminites, the very tribe from which Saul hails. How incredible to see the familial bond break for David in this scenario. Consider that David must have wondered if anything positive would happen for him at this point. But God brings him the men he needs...

You have to wonder why the Chronicler did not spend any time discussing David's rise, victory over Goliath and the several years running from the swords and spears of Saul. The first thing to be recounted after the long genealogical account is Saul's demise, Israel's defeat, and David's anointing from 1 Chronicles 10 to 1 Chronicles 11.  1 Chronicles 10:13–11:2 (ESV)  So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. 1 Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘ You shall be shepherd of my people Israel , and you shall be prince over my people Isra...

The book of Kings opens with an ancient story about a rebellious son assuming the throne that has rightly been set apart for the beloved Son of David. Adonijah is that rebellious son and Solomon is the chosen, promised, beloved Son who will reign. The whole story provides a picture of our present reality as Christians in the Church age. Adonijah signifies for us those kings and rulers through the ages that assume Jesus' absence is their license to rule and reign on the Earth. But they are sadly mistaken and its just a matter of time. While Adonijah is feasting and celebrating his own glorification, Nathan, the true man of God and prophet who has spoken forcefully to David in the past comes up with a plan. He and Bathsheba will unite forces to awaken the king from his absence and bring about the rightful reign of Solomon. 1 Kings 1:11–12 (ESV) Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king and David our l...

Boldness is next to Godliness. Benaiah is exhibit "A." Why do we get the idea that the safer we play it, the more "Christian" we are? Where does this vision of faithfulness come from? When I read scripture, it is not those who play it safe that get mentioned but rather those who take the chances and seek to accomplish great things with God as their strength. One of those lesser-known bold men of God is mentioned among David's mighty friends: 2 Samuel 23:20–21 (ESV)   And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 21 And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. Benaiah is perhaps the Bible's best risk-taker. He never passed up an...

2 Samuel 23:14–17 (ESV)   David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. 15 And David said longingly, “Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” 16 Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the Lord 17 and said, “Far be it from me, O Lord , that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did. This passage seems to be a contradiction in terms. David at war with the enemies of Israel longs for water from his hometown. His three best men get through to get the water and David pours it on the ground. What gives? If I was one of those men I'd be pretty upset. But of course, there's more to t...

I think we wall want to be remembered for having lived well. I think we all want to live well. But I also think most of us have no clue how to get there and mismanage our path along the way. David lived well. He had his bad moments, but he ended well and brought Isreal to unprecedented heights. His last words are a testimony to his secret to living well. For David, it was his complete heartfelt devotion to the Lord. 2 Samuel 23:1–4 (ESV)  Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel: 2 “The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, 4 he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. David knew the Lor...