Category: 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 29

If we were to follow verse fourteen (10-22), our families, churches, and nation would be turned around in terms of responsibility particularly in finances. If we acknowledge that we are stewards of God’s gracious gifts and what we give to Him is actually His to begin with, which is an act of mercy on His part, we would give freely as He has given freely.

1 Chronicles 29

If we were to follow verse fourteen (10-22), our families, churches, and nation would be turned around in terms of responsibility particularly in finances. If we acknowledge that we are stewards of God’s gracious gifts and what we give to Him is actually His to begin with, which is an act of mercy on His part, we would give freely as He has given freely.

Pray verses 10-22 in your own words.

David dies in 1 Chronicles; however, we will look back at his last days when we study the book of 1 Kings and the first anointing of Solomon as king. Long live the king.

1 Chronicles 28

Verse nine is a call for all of us to serve God with all our heart and mind. It is also our call to know what God has called us to do and for us to live our lives and act on that calling (10).

1 Chronicles 28

The detailed plans given to Solomon by David were given by God (19). God has also given us detailed plans for our life. Have you been reading it? As David reminded Solomon that God has a purpose and a plan for his life (20), we are reminded that He has a plan and a purpose for our life (Ephesians 2.8-10).

Verse nine is a call for all of us to serve God with all our heart and mind. It is also our call to know what God has called us to do and for us to live our lives and act on that calling (10).

1 Chronicles 27

Again, are you serving where God has called you to serve?

1 Chronicles 27

David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23) are the leaders of the 288,000 men David had in his standing army. Each month, on a rotation, 24,000 men would serve at a time (1-15). The civil leaders are listed next (16-24). The royal administrators are listed (25-31), which are followed by personal counselors (32-34).

Again, are you serving where God has called you to serve?

1 Chronicles 26

In Christ, we have met the legal requirements to enter God’s presence. They are described as able men qualified for service. First Timothy 3 and Titus 1.5-15 declares the qualifications for men to minister, do you meet these requirements?

1 Chronicles 26

The gatekeepers job was to ensure that those who entered the Temple met the legal requirements to enter the Temple (2 Chronicles 23.19). In Christ, we have met the legal requirements to enter God’s presence. They are described as able men qualified for service. First Timothy 3 and Titus 1.5-15 declares the qualifications for men to minister, do you meet these requirements?

Some Levites were gatekeepers (1-19; described in 1 Chronicles 9.22-29), some were treasurers (20-28), and others were administrators (29-32). What is your gift and are you using it for God’s glory?

These were appointed in the last year of David’s reign (31).

1 Chronicles 25

This is the concept of holiness. We have been chosen by God for a particular service by a particular gifting. When we follow His purpose for our lives, we are living in accordance with His will and holiness. When we choose to go against His purpose, we are living unholy lives. This does not negate the fact though that we are still holy, set apart for Him.

1 Chronicles 25

This chapter opens with the concept of holiness. David called the chief leaders to set aside Asaph (Psalm 50, 73-83), Heman (Psalm 88), and Jeduthun (Psalm 39, 62, 77) for service. This is the concept of holiness. We have been chosen by God for a particular service by a particular gifting. When we follow His purpose for our lives, we are living in accordance with His will and holiness. When we choose to go against His purpose, we are living unholy lives. This does not negate the fact though that we are still holy, set apart for Him.

These men were set apart to prophesy with music. This can be seen as telling forth in God’s Word with a meter in such a way that God uses it to convict and convince those who hear. It does not necessarily mean speaking a new word from God, particularly in the church of today (Hebrews 1.1-4). The meaning of the term “prophesy” here seems to mean “to proclaim” or “to praise.” The term, therefore, would cover expressing what God’s will is to those who listen, not a new word, but an expression of the known will. Paul reminds us of this in 1 Corinthians 14.3.

Some see verses 3-4 as stating that God speaks prophetically to His people, at times, without the human voice. I have not researched this enough to write on it now; however, it does intrigue me. If you desire more discussion on this, let me know.

1 Chronicles 24

This list reminds us that God uses those whom He has chosen. If you are a Christian, you have been chosen by God for a particular purpose, for a particular time, to accomplish His task. Some tasks are menial and some are great but both serve the purposes of a great God. Look at each day as an opportunity to accomplish the Great God’s grand purpose. What has He called you to accomplish today?

1 Chronicles 24

This chapter focuses on the division of the priests into twenty-four sections, sixteen from Eleazar and eight from Ithamar due to the clan size. The New Testament introduces Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, as a priest from the line of Abijah (10, cf. Luke 1.5-25). There were far too many priests for each priest to serve full-time in the Temple. At this point in history, a priest would serve seven days a year (2 Kings 11.9 and 2 Chronicles 23.8). By the time of Zechariah, the priests would serve once during their lifetime.

This list reminds us that God uses those whom He has chosen. If you are a Christian, you have been chosen by God for a particular purpose, for a particular time, to accomplish His task. Some tasks are menial and some are great but both serve the purposes of a great God. Look at each day as an opportunity to accomplish the Great God’s grand purpose. What has He called you to accomplish today?

1 Chronicles 23

Is our life such that we are attentive to the ministry God has called us to accomplish 24/7?

1 Chronicles 23

This chapter opens with a defense of the Solomonic reign. David appoints his younger son, Solomon, to be king over Adonijah as seen in the beginning chapters of 1 Kings.

David had a deep interest in the corporate worship of God, hence the psalter. This passion was so great that he is dubbed “The Sweet Psalmist of Israel.” His organization of the Levites, whom he assigned positions in the Temple to come and the Tabernacle at present, is the focus of the next four chapters of 1 Chronicles. Chapters 24-26 will be considered shortly, look for the studies to come.

This chapter is a list of those who were to serve in the Temple when Solomon built it. The need to transport, set-up and tear-down, and keep the articles belonging to the Tabernacle would no longer be necessary for the Temple would permanently house them.

In looking at the vast numbers belonging to the Levites, we surmise that corporate worship was intense. There were 38,000 Levites assigned to work in groups. There were twenty-four groups of one-thousand assigned for Temple service and 14,000 assigned for varied tasks, which included six thousand officers and judges, four thousand gatekeepers, and four thousand musicians.

Brief mention will be made of the number twenty-four. David uses this number frequently in the following chapters. It is also represented heavily in the book of Revelation to represent the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles. David has twenty-four

  • Divisions of priests (1 Chronicles 24.1–18)
  • Groups of musicians (1 Chronicles 25.7–31)
  • Gatekeepers 24 gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 26.12–19)
  • Divisions of the military (1 Chronicles 27.1–15)

Could this be for 24/7 protection, worship, order, and ministry? Is our life such that we are attentive to the ministry God has called us to accomplish 24/7?

1 Chronicles 22

David established an inheritance for Solomon, a legacy for his son to continue, and a charge to be great in God’s kingdom. What inheritance, legacy, and charge are you leaving you children (even if it is decades from now)?

1 Chronicles 22

This passage and the remainder of 1 Chronicles have no parallel accounts for us to consider.

  • Verses 1-5-David’s desire was to build the Temple. He had all the plans made up and most of the material gathered. However, God would not have him do so because of his past (8). Solomon would build the Temple.
  • Verses 6-16-God promised to give David a son who would build the Temple. That son would be a king who reigned in the peace David fought for and God granted. Solomon, whose name translated is peacefully, will be the one to rule in peace.
  • God, through David, gives Solomon his charge:
    • Verse 9-God’s peace will prevail during Solomon’s reign
    • Verse 10-God’s Temple will be built by Solomon
    • Verse 12-God’s wisdom and understanding were necessary for Solomon to rule
    • Verse 13-God’s blessing only comes to those who purpose to follow His Word.
    • Verse 13-God is with Solomon, so he need not fear
  • David, through God’s grace, provided Solomon with the needed material to build the Temple.
    • Verse 14-David provided over 40,000 tons of precious metal.
    • Verse 14-David provided the timber and stones, but not all of it
    • Verse 15-David commissioned the workers for these materials
  • Verses 17-19-David knew without wise counsel, Solomon would fail. We too will fail if we attempt to live the life God called us to live without guidance from godly men. Who do you surround yourself with? Your character will imitate their character. The major focus of each of these men was the Lord.

David established an inheritance for Solomon, a legacy for his son to continue, and a charge to be great in God’s kingdom. What inheritance, legacy, and charge are you leaving you children (even if it is decades from now)?

1 Chronicles 21

It is wise for us to listen carefully to the voices that clamor for our attention. We should be asking if the voice is from God, Satan, the world, or our own sinful desires. We then need to take every thought captive and make sure that it is from God, which is when we choose to reject or accept it (2 Corinthians 10.4-5).

1 Chronicles 21 (Cf. 2 Samuel 24 and our study)

The variations between 1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24 are few, but the few are intriguing. The outline would be the same for both chapters. God is angered at the sin of Israel (1-6), David’s realization of sin (7-17), and the telling of God to David to build the Temple (18-30). However, each section contains at least one variant in its presentation.

  • Verses 1-6-Satan is credited with leading David to count the men of fighting age. Here it is Satan, in 2 Samuel it is God, in both passages David is held responsible. This helps us to understand a few things about God’s sovereign control and man’s responsibility. God was going to judge Israel for their sin. I believe it was the continual syncretism of the nation. God allowed Satan to tempt David to do something that was against God’s will. David chose to do it. Satan cannot do anything without God’s approval. The book of Job displays this clearly (Job 1-2). We can neither blame God for our sin nor blame Satan. We are responsible for the choices we make.
  • Verses 7-17-David sees the angel who was to destroy Jerusalem and the elders prayed that God would stay His hand from destroying Jerusalem.
  • Verses 18-30-The acceptance of the sacrifice by David signified that God had accepted this as the new place of worship for Israel. This selection of Mt. Moriah as the place of worship for Israel can also be seen in the sacrifice David offered for his sin, the forgiveness God offered, and the answered prayers of the people.

The purchase in 2 Samuel of 50 shekels was for the threshing floor and the purchase in 1 Chronicles of six hundred shekels was for the entire property.

It was at this site, Mt. Moriah, that Abraham offered up Isaac (Genesis 22). Here is where the Temple will be built. It was here that Jesus would die (on the Mount not in the Temple). This will become the new center of worship for all Israel.

It is wise for us to listen carefully to the voices that clamor for our attention. We should be asking if the voice is from God, Satan, the world, or our own sinful desires. We then need to take every thought captive and make sure that it is from God, which is when we choose to reject or accept it (2 Corinthians 10.4-5).

1 Chronicles 20

When this chapter is considered, we need to see that God is still at work in the repentant David. He conquers the foes, slays the giants, and has victory in his life. As we see in the chapters that follow, the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba will haunt him all the days of his life.

1 Chronicles 20 (see our study of 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 21.15-22 [study to come])

This chapter is found within two chapters in 2 Samuel as is seen above. The purpose of the Chronicles is to present a “cleaner” version of David to promote the kingdom as the exiles return to the land. This is clearly seen in this chapter with the omission of the incident between David and Bathsheba (see our studies of this account in 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12).

As we have studied 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles differences are evident (the number of soldiers, for instance). This chapter presents a difficulty as well as we compare it to the 2 Samuel 21 passage and others. An attempt to harmonize them will be made here.

Potential discrepancies:

  • 2 Samuel has the place of battle as Gob, not Gezer.
  • 2 Samuel names the slain giant’s son as Saph, not Sippai.
  • Goliath’s slain brother, Lahmi, is not given a name in 2 Samuel.
  • Abishai’s slaying of the giant Ishbi-benob is not given in 2 Chronicles.

Possible solutions:

  • Gob was located close to Gezer and may not have existed in the time of Ezra’s writing of the Chronicles.
  • Saph and Sippai are variations of the same root name.
  • The last two discrepancies merely reflect the author’s purpose or focus. The absence or inclusion of a name or place in one does not preclude it from occurring.

When this chapter is considered, we need to see that God is still at work in the repentant David. He conquers the foes, slays the giants, and has victory in his life. As we see in the chapters that follow, the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba will haunt him all the days of his life.