October 6, 2015.

Daily Reading: I Chronicles 25-29.

Background: I Chronicles 20-24.

Concepts and Connections.

Chapter 25

David organizes the musicians: Continuing on as we have seen in the previous two chapters, here we find David organizing the musicians for their service in the house of the Lord. These musicians were set up in their positions, with harps and lyres, some of whom prophesied with these instruments such as Asaph and his sons who prophesied under the direction of the king. Some were to prophesy, some were positioned as the king’s seer, some were to give thanksgiving and still others were to direct the music in the house of the Lord. In all, there were 288 men who were skilled and trained in sining to the Lord, and the latter half of the chapter records each of the family’s duties, as decided by casting lots.

Chapter 26

Gatekeepers, treasurers and other officials: As we have seen in the previous chapters, the organization for services in the house of the Lord continues in this chapter. The divisions of the gatekeepers are given first, who were to do service at the gate. Lots were cast to see which families or clans held each gate position in the house of the Lord, north, south, east or west. Then we see that the treasurers for the house of the Lord are recorded, followed by the Levites who were appointed to do other external duties for Israel, such as judges and officers. It should be noted that there was a lot of preparation that was made for service in the house of the Lord before the house was even begun to be built.

Chapter 27

Military divisions and leaders of tribes: As the organization of Israel continues, here we find the organization of the military divisions that would serve before the king each month. There were twelve divisions, one for each month, that had 24,000 soldiers in the division. Each division’s time of service is detailed here. Then the leaders of the tribes are recorded. It should be noted that it seems a census of some sort was taken, but not including anyone under the age of 20 so that the wrath of the Lord would not come upon them for taking a census (which may have been seen as a sign of distrust in the Lord) by David. Joab, however, began to count fully, it seems, and the wrath of the Lord came upon Israel and the number was not entered into the chronicles. Then leaders over various things in the country, such as treasuries and vineyards, are recorded, along with the king’s counselors and the commander of the king’s army, Joab.

Chapter 28

Davids’ charge to Israel and Solomon: After all the organization for the house of the Lord and beyond was finished, David addresses all the officials and officers of the land to charge them in the presence of God to seek out all the commandments of the Lord and do them. He recounts the story of his plans to build the house of the Lord and how the Lord had told him he was not the one to build the house, since he was a man of war, having shed blood, but rather his son Solomon was the one who was to build the house of the Lord (see II Samuel 7 and I Chronicles 17). He reminds them how the Lord has chosen the tribe of Judah and specifically the lineage of David to sit on the throne forevermore, a prophecy that has its ultimate fulfillment in Christ (see Matthew 21:9 and Revelation 5:5). Then David turns to Solomon and charges him to abide in the commands of the Lord, that He might establish his throne forever. The Lord searches the heart and knows every plan and thought, and David tells Solomon that if he seeks the Lord, He will be found. Then David gives Solomon the plan that he has laid out that details the house of the Lord that Solomon was to build. In the end, Solomon is encouraged to be strong and courageous, for the Lord is with him. Everything was set up, from the division of the priests to the willing, skillful men who were there for any kind of service. Solomon’s throne was poised for a strong establishment.

Chapter 29

David’s life comes to a close: All the preparation for the house of the Lord had been finished, and it was as though this was David’s farewell to the people and his son. Here, we find David speaking to the assembly again, encouraging them to help Solomon as he comes onto the throne. He tells why he has prepared everything for the house of the Lord, and then he sets an example before the people by giving a freewill offering to the house of the Lord out of his own treasure. He asks the assembly who else will offer willingly, and the children of Israel responded generously, giving a large offering of gold, silver, bronze and iron for the building of the house of the Lord. It is important to remember that this was a freewill offering, and was given freely by the people from their heart, not out of obligation. David rejoiced greatly in their offering, and he prays a very interesting prayer to the Lord that we can learn from. He blesses the Lord after this offering, and notes that all greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty belong to the Lord. Then he affirms that riches and honor come from the Lord, and puts the Lord in a place far above man. Then he thanks the Lord for blessing the people in such a way that they were able to give such a freewill offering to the house of the Lord, for he notes that all things come from the Lord, and that anything that was offered was already His. The people had been given it from God. David states that he and the people have given freely to the Lord, as the Lord would know their hearts. He also prays for his son Solomon, that he might have a heart that was wholly set on the Lord and His commandments, and that he might build the palace that Daivd had made the preparations for. Then David calls the whole assembly to bless the Lord, which they do, and they offer a great many sacrifices to the Lord on the next day. Solomon is anointed king again (see I Chronicles 23:1) and Zadok is anointed priest. Then the death of David is recorded, at a good age, full of days, riches and honor.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Psalm 108-110.

Be strong and courageous.

-Walter