Thoughts on the Old Testament
1 Chronicles 8 (Genesis 46.21, Numbers 26.38, and 1 Chronicles 7.6; cf. the study on 1 Chronicles 7)
This chapter presents a complete look at the tribe of Benjamin with a closer look at Saul and Jonathan. The purpose is to set the stage for the death of Saul and the reign of David that is presented in the rest of 1 Chronicles. The next chapter presents the reason the people were taken as captives to Babylon, their unfaithfulness to God (9.1).
For a few more days we will be looking into the Psalms. These ten psalms (Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 12, and 140-142) have to do with the time David was fleeing from Saul in 1 Samuel 21-24.
For a few more days we will be looking into the Psalms. These ten psalms (Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 12, and 140-142) have to do with the time David was fleeing from Saul in 1 Samuel 21-24.
Psalm 7 was written by David concerning a man named Cush from the tribe of Benjamin. Remember that Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. This is the only time Cush is mentioned in the Scripture. He may have been the leader of the clan who was sent by Saul to persecute David.
Verses 1-2-David appears to make a reference to the kingly line of Judah. Judah is the lion. Does he make reference to the tribe of Benjamin as usurping the throne of Judah in verse two?
Verses 3-5-David proclaims innocence of wrong doing. David felt bad for cutting the robe of Saul. Other than that, he did no wrong (1 Samuel 21-24).
Selah-David needs to pause and think about this validity of his statement, or the reader needs to consider his own innocence in matters of dealing with others. How are you treating those in your area of influence?
Verses 6-8-David calls for judgment on those who do wrong. Notice that David does not take vengeance on Cush but asks God to do so. In other places (1 Samuel 21-24), David chooses to be God’s tool of judgment on the Philistines because God called him for this purpose but chooses not to touch Saul because God called him not to harm Saul. When we feel we are in need of vindication are we walking in the purpose of God in what we do? And, as with David, can we ask God to judge us in the same breath?
Verses 9-11-The prayer of David for the wicked to end would include himself if he had done wickedly. He is not placing himself above judgment. He, in this moment, has not done wickedly. We will see a different tone of prayer after David commits adultery with Bathsheba.
Verses 12-16-These verses may have another reference to the tribe of Benjamin overstepping their role and purpose in the nation of Israel. It was already mentioned in verses 1-2 that the Benjamites attempted to overthrow Judah as the rightful ruling tribe. In these verses, they are judged for taking God’s role as Judge. God will destroy them with the arrow. The Benjamites were skilled in archery (1 Samuel 20).
Verse 17-David gives thanks to God, regardless of the outcome or even if God does nothing.
Can we thank God for doing nothing? Can we proclaim praise to the Most High God merely for who He is in His righteousness? Can we allow things to go unexplained and still fall to our knees in gratitude?
David was being pursued due to the jealous rage of a dethroned king. He did nothing. What do we do when people pursue us without cause? Or, with cause?
Chapter 9 begins innocently enough. It does not appear to be a continuation of the story from the previous chapter. Chapter 8 ends with the people clamoring for a king to lead them in battle, like the other nations (8.20). What did they think God was doing.
Chapter 9 begins innocently enough. It does not appear to be a continuation of the story from the previous chapter. Chapter 8 ends with the people clamoring for a king to lead them in battle, like the other nations (8.20). What did they think God was doing. I do realize that He did not lead them like other kings, but He led them victoriously and always. Where do we clamor for something less than God and His best? We know what He does for us and who He is and yet we seek to be like all the others.
Going back to the concept of a king, God had promised kings to Abraham from the beginning (Genesis 17.6, 16; 35.11). The people’s priority, however, was not to be placed in a king but in faithfulness to God (Deuteronomy 17.14-20). At the end of chapter 8, Samuel warns them that their decision will invite a harvest of regrets.
It is interesting what the word decide means. It comes from two words “de” and “cide.” The suffix -cide means to “kill off” as in suicide and homicide. The basic meaning of the word decide then is to kill off all other choices. The Israelites kill the other choices in their desire for a king, which means they killed off God as their choice for king.
A little more etymology for today. The word monarchy means “beginning,” as in Genesis 1.1 and John 1.1. It means “one chief,” “one ruler,” or “one sovereign.” The word arche means preeminent or first place as in archenemy, arch rivals, archangels, etc. The chief or big one. Read Colossians 1.15-23, the word is in verse 18, for God’s perspective on this word in relation to Jesus. Another meaning of the word is “one of one.” Up to this point in Israel’s history there was only one ruler and it was God.
The reason I began this entry by stating that chapter 9 and 8 seem to be disconnected is the tribe that Saul was from, Benjamin. God, through Jacob, established the royal lineage and it was not through Benjamin but through Judah. Jacob prophesied that kings would come from the tribe of Judah in Genesis 49:10. This verse is also a prophesy of the coming of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom in Christ (Shiloh would be a messianic reference).
The physical description of Saul is what appears to be the reason for choosing him to be the king. He was tall (a sign of being handsome, 9.2) and wealthy. Although God chooses Saul, 9.15-17, he is not the intended king because he is not from the tribe of Judah. He is God’s judgment on Israel. He gave them over to their sin (Romans 1) and allowed them to suffer the consequences of their choice. He would later choose the first and right king of Israel from the tribe of Judah, but that is later in the book.
God orchestrated the events to bring Saul to the town and Samuel to the same town. He let the sheep roam the country to place Saul in the right place at the right time. He allowed the people to sacrifice that day for Samuel to be there to offer the sacrifice for them.
Saul shows early promise given his physical superiority and his other attributes of modesty, being direct and to the point, as well as generous. Later, we will see that these are not based on a right relationship with God. He is trusting in his own power. When we do this, we cannot expect to see things like the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22-23) coming from us because our fellowship is not with God due to our trust in our own strength. What are we doing today that reflects our own power and not His?
By the end of the chapter Saul is still clueless as to what was happening. Over the next few days we will see his kingdom implode. As a point of interest, Saul was a Benjamite and from Gibeah. Read Judges 20 to recall what this might imply about the family of Saul (1 Samuel 10.26).
Our past does not determine our future, but our relationship with God does determine our future. Our relationship with God is either as adopted child or enemy (Romans 8.15 and Romans 5.10). If we are for Him, He is for us and our future is bright (Joshua 5). If we are not for Him that would mean we are against Him, our future is dim. Success comes in our faithfulness to Him not in our looks, abilities, talents, etc. What have we been focusing on that does not align with His work, His Word? Are we taking every thought captive to make sure it aligns with what God would have us do (2 Corinthians 10.3-6)? Or are we accepting everything we read and hear as acceptable to God?