is life that complex?
1 chronicles re-tells the story of david’s life that had been recorded in 2 samuel and the start of 1 kings. the chronicler’s context was the post-exile community of israel (when ezra and nehemiah were doing their thing) in around 400BC, about five centuries after the first version of the story had been first written down. the original story is complex, full of military conquests, speeches, assassinations, a coup, and blessings and curses from God at different times for a different reasons. the chronicler restructures his telling of the story to show why things turned out the way they did. he lets us see the strings. when israel and david were faithful, the kingdom was blessed: “and David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. and the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations” (14:16). likewise, lack of faith led to judgment: “and Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith” (9:1); “so Saul died for his breach of faith”. (10:13). i wonder how our stories would read if we had the 1 chronicles re-telling of our lives in front of us? i wonder if all the confusion and mess would suddenly become straightforward and obvious? when we turn away from god, we fall out of his favor – when we turn towards him in faith, we receive his blessing.
1 chronicles re-tells the story of david’s life that had been recorded in 2 samuel and the start of 1 kings. the chronicler’s context was the post-exile community of israel (when ezra and nehemiah were doing their thing) in around 400BC, about five centuries after the first version of the story had been first written down. the original story is complex, full of military conquests, speeches, assassinations, a coup, and blessings and curses from God at different times for a different reasons. the chronicler restructures his telling of the story to show why things turned out the way they did. he lets us see the strings. when israel and david were faithful, the kingdom was blessed: “and David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. and the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations” (14:16). likewise, lack of faith led to judgment: “and Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith” (9:1); “so Saul died for his breach of faith”. (10:13). i wonder how our stories would read if we had the 1 chronicles re-telling of our lives in front of us? i wonder if all the confusion and mess would suddenly become straightforward and obvious? when we turn away from god, we fall out of his favor – when we turn towards him in faith, we receive his blessing.
get behind what god’s doing
“david had said “whoever leads the attack on the jebusites will become commander-in-chief”. joab son of zeruiah went up first, so he received the command” (11:6). joab was rewarded for being faithful to david’s vision, and having the courage to put it into action. it’s easy to not want to get behind something until we see it working successfully. but if God is behind it, you’ll want to be the first one to back what He’s doing. get behind what God’s doing.
“david had said “whoever leads the attack on the jebusites will become commander-in-chief”. joab son of zeruiah went up first, so he received the command” (11:6). joab was rewarded for being faithful to david’s vision, and having the courage to put it into action. it’s easy to not want to get behind something until we see it working successfully. but if God is behind it, you’ll want to be the first one to back what He’s doing. get behind what God’s doing.
holy spirit
“then the spirit clothed Amasai” (12:18). holy spirit not some new testament invention. he’s been at work since the dawn of time.
“then the spirit clothed Amasai” (12:18). holy spirit not some new testament invention. he’s been at work since the dawn of time.
equipped and united
“of Zebulun 50,000 seasoned troops, equipped for battle with all the weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose.” (12:33). this makes me think of the body of Christ, how each of us have a role to play in this great task, and how it’s a task we do together. we are an army with singleness of purpose.
“of Zebulun 50,000 seasoned troops, equipped for battle with all the weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose.” (12:33). this makes me think of the body of Christ, how each of us have a role to play in this great task, and how it’s a task we do together. we are an army with singleness of purpose.
improving
“then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul”. (13:3). david learns from his predecessor’s mistakes, and his own mistakes. are we just making the same mistakes over and over again, or are we learning from them?
“then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul”. (13:3). david learns from his predecessor’s mistakes, and his own mistakes. are we just making the same mistakes over and over again, or are we learning from them?
confidence
“and David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel” (14:2). i would love to have that kind of certainty before God, to that be assured in my standing with Him, that mindful of how He has blessed me and what He has given me.
“and David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel” (14:2). i would love to have that kind of certainty before God, to that be assured in my standing with Him, that mindful of how He has blessed me and what He has given me.
how to succeed at life
“seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually”. (16:11). it’s simple.
“seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually”. (16:11). it’s simple.
david’s prayer in chapter 17
“who am i, o Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”. (17:16). this is a beautifully enlightened and deeply humble prayer. this is how a servant addresses his master. read the whole thing! importantly, david prays this right after he obeys a command from God issues through the prophet nathan. this is one of many times in scripture that obedience precedes understanding. (check out luke 5:5 and 9:15 for other examples).
“who am i, o Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”. (17:16). this is a beautifully enlightened and deeply humble prayer. this is how a servant addresses his master. read the whole thing! importantly, david prays this right after he obeys a command from God issues through the prophet nathan. this is one of many times in scripture that obedience precedes understanding. (check out luke 5:5 and 9:15 for other examples).
david to build the temple?
david originally plans to build the temple for God himself. “behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent”. (17:1). note that this initiative is actually a good thing: it would give glory to God and provide the israelites with a permanent place to worship Him. and yet God tells david no. this seems odd (why would God not want david to build him a temple?), but we realise later that God had other plans: his son solomon was to build it, not david. i think we can learn from this that just because something is a good idea doesn’t mean it’s a God idea. we need to get our inspiration from the source.
david originally plans to build the temple for God himself. “behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent”. (17:1). note that this initiative is actually a good thing: it would give glory to God and provide the israelites with a permanent place to worship Him. and yet God tells david no. this seems odd (why would God not want david to build him a temple?), but we realise later that God had other plans: his son solomon was to build it, not david. i think we can learn from this that just because something is a good idea doesn’t mean it’s a God idea. we need to get our inspiration from the source.
signs of blessing
“and the Lord gave victory to david wherever he went” (18:6). “and the Lord gave victory to david wherever he went” (18:13). you know you’re onto a good thing when the blessings keep on a-comin’.
“and the Lord gave victory to david wherever he went” (18:6). “and the Lord gave victory to david wherever he went” (18:13). you know you’re onto a good thing when the blessings keep on a-comin’.
points to jesus
when david listens to satan (21:1) and conducts a census of israel even against God’s command, God gets angry. through gad the seer, God tells david that he may choose between three years of famine, three months of devastation from the swords of his enemies, or three days of the sword of the Lord. david chooses the sword of the Lord, because “his mercy is very great”. and so the judgment began. “so the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of israel fell. and God sent the angel to jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, the Lord saw and he relented from the calamity”. (21:14). God stops the punishment before it is complete. jerusalem was saved from the wrath it deserved. and then, importantly; “the angel of the Lord had commanded gad to say to david that david should go up and raise an altar to the Lord”. (21:18) – God, on his own initiative, made provisions for david’s atonement. through the altar of sacrifice, he allowed the punishment that david had been sentenced to to be diverted. this isn’t just incredible because it points to jesus, but also for the hope it gives us as christians. we don’t serve a God who just did mercy at that cross that one time; we serve the God of mercy.
when david listens to satan (21:1) and conducts a census of israel even against God’s command, God gets angry. through gad the seer, God tells david that he may choose between three years of famine, three months of devastation from the swords of his enemies, or three days of the sword of the Lord. david chooses the sword of the Lord, because “his mercy is very great”. and so the judgment began. “so the Lord sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of israel fell. and God sent the angel to jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, the Lord saw and he relented from the calamity”. (21:14). God stops the punishment before it is complete. jerusalem was saved from the wrath it deserved. and then, importantly; “the angel of the Lord had commanded gad to say to david that david should go up and raise an altar to the Lord”. (21:18) – God, on his own initiative, made provisions for david’s atonement. through the altar of sacrifice, he allowed the punishment that david had been sentenced to to be diverted. this isn’t just incredible because it points to jesus, but also for the hope it gives us as christians. we don’t serve a God who just did mercy at that cross that one time; we serve the God of mercy.
god’s commands are unchanging
david exhorts the israelites to help solomon to build the temple, saying: “is not the Lord your God with you? and has he not given you peace on every side? for he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people. now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. arise and build the sanctuary of the lord God.” (22:17-19). i think every part of that command still applies to us today. recognise God has blessed you, seek him with all your heart and mind, and build his house!
david exhorts the israelites to help solomon to build the temple, saying: “is not the Lord your God with you? and has he not given you peace on every side? for he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people. now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. arise and build the sanctuary of the lord God.” (22:17-19). i think every part of that command still applies to us today. recognise God has blessed you, seek him with all your heart and mind, and build his house!
looks good on the cv
“… Moses the man of God…” (23:14). that is a title worth aspiring to. it would be amazing to one day be known as ‘that man of God’, for that to be how people identify you. let’s strive towards that.
“… Moses the man of God…” (23:14). that is a title worth aspiring to. it would be amazing to one day be known as ‘that man of God’, for that to be how people identify you. let’s strive towards that.
names
“ hapizzez”. (24:15). i’m totally calling my kid this.
“ hapizzez”. (24:15). i’m totally calling my kid this.
receive the promised blessing
God says of Solomon; “i will establish my kingdom forever if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today”. God promise solomon a blessing with a condition. many of his blessings are like this; “trust in the lord and do good, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (psalm 37:3-4). the blessing has already been guaranteed, because God bounds himself to every word and every promise of scripture. to receive it, all we need to do is listen to what he commands of us.
God says of Solomon; “i will establish my kingdom forever if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today”. God promise solomon a blessing with a condition. many of his blessings are like this; “trust in the lord and do good, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (psalm 37:3-4). the blessing has already been guaranteed, because God bounds himself to every word and every promise of scripture. to receive it, all we need to do is listen to what he commands of us.
the heart
david advises solomon; “know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and a willing min, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought”. (28:9). the direction of our heart is of paramount importance. position yourself to be God-facing, seeking his face and growing in love for him. acts alone won’t please him, and he’ll see right through veiled intentions. it’s the heart that he searches.
david advises solomon; “know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and a willing min, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought”. (28:9). the direction of our heart is of paramount importance. position yourself to be God-facing, seeking his face and growing in love for him. acts alone won’t please him, and he’ll see right through veiled intentions. it’s the heart that he searches.
giving
when fundraising for the new temple (c3 ryde analogy anybody?), david tells the people what he will be contributing personally to its construction. he then asks; “who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord?” (29:5). the people respond by giving generously and whole-heartedly. and then, “ the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord” . (29:9). when you give freely to God, you can’t help but rejoice!
when fundraising for the new temple (c3 ryde analogy anybody?), david tells the people what he will be contributing personally to its construction. he then asks; “who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord?” (29:5). the people respond by giving generously and whole-heartedly. and then, “ the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord” . (29:9). when you give freely to God, you can’t help but rejoice!
integrity
“i know, my god, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity”. (29:17). as a last word, seek to be integrous in all that you do. God smiles upon an upright servant.
“i know, my god, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity”. (29:17). as a last word, seek to be integrous in all that you do. God smiles upon an upright servant.
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