Bible

In the Bible room today, we will read the concluding summary of 1 Chronicles with Part 3, chapters 21 through 29.

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1 Chronicles – Part 3

Chapter 21. Misguided

David makes a misguided decision to take a census:

• Joab’s task:  Count the number of Israel’s fighting men;
• Result:  One million, one hundred thousand swordsmen;
• Joab omits the Levites and Benjamites from the count;
• The Lord does not condone David taking the census;
• Israel will face punishment;
• David’s prophet tells him the Lord says he has three choices:
• 1) Three years of famine in the land;
• 2) Three months of captivity by the enemy;
• 3) Three days of plague in all of Israel;
• He takes the three days of plague as Israel’s punishment;
• Seventy thousand men fall dead of the plague;
• David prays for the Lord to punish him, not Jerusalem;
• The Lord stops the punishment;
• The prophet tells David to build an altar, offer sacrifices;
• So, David buys a parcel of land, some wood, some oxen;
• He builds an altar, offers the oxen as sacrifices;
• The Lord answers David’s prayer with fire from heaven.

Chapter 22. Plans

David starts making plans for Solomon to build the temple:

• The fire from heaven is enough for David;
• He has found the location for the temple;
• He wants to give Solomon a good start building the temple;
• Solomon is young, inexperienced, will need help;
• David wants the temple to be a magnificent edifice;
• It should be a place all the world will envy;
• He collects many building materials, foreign help;
• He tells his son why the Lord chose him to be the builder;
• David has shed so much blood, fought so many wars;
• The Lord says a man of peace will build the temple;
• David has saved a fortune in precious metals for the temple;
• He orders all the men of Israel to help Solomon succeed;
• It is a project ordained by the Lord, for the Lord.

Chapter 23. Assignments

David assembles the Levites for assignments at the temple:

• He counts their number:  38,000 total;
• 24,000 are assigned to supervise building the temple;
• 6,000 are to remain serving as officials and judges;
• 4,000 are to be guards, security officers;
• 4,000 are to be leaders of praise and worship to the Lord;
• They will use the 4,000 musical instruments provided by David;
• The Levites are divided into three groups, the sons of Levi;
• Gershonites, Kohathites, Merarites, 20 years or older;
• The Levites no longer must carry the tabernacle around;
• They now serve full-time, in worship for the people.

Chapter 24. Priests

The priesthood comes from the descendants of Aaron:

• Aaron has four sons:  Two of them died before Aaron;
• The families of Eleazar and Ithamar are the priests;
• Their schedules of duty at the tabernacle are set by lots;
• Twenty-four lots are drawn for the assignments;
• They will serve as prescribed by the Lord through Aaron;
• The rest of the Levites also serve the people;
• Their schedules are also determined by casting lots.

Chapter 25. Music

Music in the military has a long history, important to David:

• Working with his army, David selects musicians, singers;
• Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun are the primary leaders;
• They work directly for King David;
• All singers and musicians are selected for their skills;
• Lots are cast to determine their schedules for service;
• In all, 288 lots are cast, including teachers and students.

Chapter 26. Officials

Various officials are needed for public service in Jerusalem:

• Vigilance at all times is required for safety and security;
• Gatekeepers, or guards, are placed at all doors and gates;
• Guards work in teams of two, four, or six;
• Lots are cast for the assignments of each family;
• Family relatives hold various official positions in Israel;
• Plunder, donations, confiscations, pour into the treasury;
• Levite families are appointed by David as officials;
• Duties include both sacred and secular positions.

Chapter 27. Governance

Commanders, officers, overseers lead Israel under King David:

• Israel’s army is divided into twelve divisions;
• 24,000 men make up each division of the army;
• Each division serves active duty for one month of the year;
• Plunder taken by the army is generally given to the temple;
• Some divisions are assigned duties away from the temple;
• Officers for each of the twelve tribes are assigned;
• Men younger than twenty years are exempt from service;
• Overseers are assigned for various official duties;
• Storehouses in the city and in the countryside are needed;
• Farm workers in the fields need supervision;
• Crops of all kinds, various herds, all need overseers;
• Counselors, household staff have overseers;
• The army commander is Joab.

Chapter 28. Transition

David faces the time of transition coming soon:

• He calls all his leaders, officers together for a speech;
• He tells how the Lord has rejected him as temple builder;
• And how the Lord has selected Solomon to build it;
• Now, David wants to help Solomon as much as he can;
• He gives him the building plans, structural details;
• Including his plans for the interior, exterior finishes;
• Tells him about all the materials he has collected;
• He gives him instructions on how to supervise the work;
• Finally, he gives him encouragement, blessing.

Chapter 29. Finality

David continues his exhortation to those assembled:

• He urges their support for young Solomon as temple builder;
• The materials David has collected are valuable, expensive;
• The temple is a place for God, not man; it must be special;
• No expense is to be spared for men or material;
• He gives his personal fortune, 110 tons of gold alone;
• The people give all their possessions to build the temple;
• Many tons of gold, silver, bronze, iron, precious stones;
• All these gifts are given to the Lord for his temple;
• David offers a prayer of praise and thanksgiving:
• He tells the Lord they have given what he has given them;
• Everything comes from the Lord; it all belongs to him;
• He says God knows the heart, the good intentions of givers;
• He prays that his people will remain devoted, loyal;
• He prays that they will give Solomon their dedication;
• Burnt offerings are made: thousands of animal sacrifices;
• David dies, leaves a legacy of forty years as king of Israel;
• Solomon is anointed king, replacing his father, David;
• Solomon prospers as no other king before or after him.

END OF 1 CHRONICLES – PART 3 of 3