1 Chronicles 21 “Misdirected Leadership”

So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number.” (v.2)

David’s sin in this chapter,  is of the spirit of pride and display. He boasted in the growing numbers of Israel, and credited them to himself, as the result of his own mastery. All such public displays of boasting are very despicable to God, who will not give His glory to another. Therefore, David’s misdirected leadership would cost Israel greatly. Because he had publicly shown his pride and faithlessness, God's punishment would be public as well. 

As leaders of families, businesses, churches or any position of overseer, we need to depend on God and rely on His strength and guidance – not our own. We need to give Him the glory for the gifts He has entrusted us with, not brag or put on some public display of boasting. Because in so doing, we are setting up ourselves and those around us for a fall. King David was a “shepherd” when he went astray, so it was inevitable that the nation or “sheep,” would suffer too (v.17). 

Sin will always affect those around us, like a pebble dropped into a pond, the ripples of sin go out carrying their consequences with them. Therefore, we must be careful not to publicly brag about the success of our business, our company investments and securities, nor miserly count our assets, or survey the growing treasures and power in our lives. These gifts, entrusted to our care, are to be held in gratitude, not pride - which could be gone in a moment, affecting not just us but others as well. 

The Truth

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

1 Chronicles 20 “Redeem Your Idel Time”

Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the sons of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.” (1 Chronicles 20:1)

Spring was the time when kings went out to battle (to protect and preserve their kingdoms), as the weather was favorable to man and beast. David should have been in battle with Joab, but he wasn’t. Instead, he stayed in Jerusalem, in the comforts of the palace, while all the mighty men of Israel were at war. This was the point in David’s life where he became vulnerable to his encounter with Bathsheba.

What we do with our idle time: where we go, what activities we get involved in, who we spend time with, what we choose to look at, can go a long way in either; 1) leading us to, or 2) keeping us from, a compromising situation. Had David been about his kingly duties, with the other men of valor, protecting his kingdom and its people, he would have had plenty to keep him occupied. 

The same holds true for us. Therefore, redeem your idle time my friends. Put yourselves in the service of our King, king Jesus – for there is plenty of work to be done in His service.  

The Truth: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

1 Chronicles 19 “Do Your Best, Then Commit The Rest”

“Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight.” (v.13)

What great advice this is for us to apply in our daily battles and struggles. It reminds us that we have a part to play, that we are to participate, to do our best, to fight the good fight, but that the ultimate issue of our battles must be left to God.

This also shows us that there is a balance between God’s work and ours. To believe that God will take care of everything and we don’t have to do anything is unrealistic. Conversely, believing He leaves us on our own, unaided in any way, is just as ludicrous. 

Remember we must do the very best we can in any situation, and leave the rest to the LORD.  

The Truth: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

1 Chronicles 18 "David's Victories"

Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent Hadoram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou); and Hadoram brought with him all kinds of articles of gold, silver, and bronze. King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all these nations; from Edom, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek. Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went. (vv.9-13)

Here in chapter 18 we get a general overview of all the wars David carried out victoriously against his enemies around him, to secure Israel’s rule. We also get a short statement of the results and a cataloque of David’s chief public officials. As we go through the next few chapters a more detailed account will be presented.

What continues to jump out at me in our reading today is, "The LORD preserved David wherever he went." This is the summary of this whole chapter. Every victory and every enemy subdued was a testimony to the Lord’s preserving power in the life and reign of David. And, that those who take God along with them wherever they go may expect to be preserved in all places. And, those who are focused on God, will have His focus on them. Thus you and I, like David, can be preserved wherever we go.

The Truth: "You have delivered me from the attacks of the peoples; you have preserved me as the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me.” (2 Samuel 22:44) 

1 Chronicles 17 “David’s Request Denied”

Thus says the Lord, You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in..’ (v.4”)

David, in today's reading, didn't want to live in a palace while the Ark remained in a tent. He wanted to build a proper temple for it. And this time, he didn't rush ahead as he had done previously. Instead, he consulted Nathan the prophet, showing that he had learned an important lesson about submitting all his plans, to the Lord. God's answer, however, was “no”—the honor of building a temple would go to his son, Solomon. 

When petitioning the Lord with our prayers, even with the best of motives, His answer can be “no”, as any good parent will sometimes respond. Why? Because our heavenly father knows what is best for all of us and His ways are not our ways. However, if our requests aline with HIS WILL, He will hear us (1 John 5:14) and give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). 

David was not allowed to build to the temple of the Lord because he was a man of war. However, the Lord promised to build him a house and establish his throne forever (vv.11-13), giving him abundantly more than he requested. 

I have experienced this great truth many times in my life. The closure of one door followed by the opening of an even better one. As a result, I will gladly take door number two, the door of His choosing rather than mine.

The Truth: “How great is God—beyond our understanding!” (Job 36:26)

1 Chronicles 16 “Glory to God”

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name..Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness” (v.29)

Today's reading mostly consists of a psalm David composed for the occasion of the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (parts of this song are found in Psalms 96, 105, and 106). In it, David lays out for us a blueprint for; 1) the proper recognition of God (vv.8-22), and  2) our proper response of worshiping and giving the glory due His name (vv.23-36).

Verse 29 is the key and begins with the word, “Ascribe”. It basically means to recognize the truth of something, to name it for what it is. And the truth is that all honor, and glory, and worship are “due his name.” Our response then (our worship), flows from a loving and greatful heart. We are glad, we rejoice, we give thanks, we cry out our praises, we raise our hands, we bow down, and like David we may even dance.

“The Lord reigns,” pure and simple (v. 31). And, the destiny of history is for all nations to praise Him (vv. 23-28), and eventually by all of creation (vv. 30-33). So lift up your hands you people, shout for joy and tell of the wonderous works He has done for you.  

The Truth

“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)

1 Chronicles 15 "The Ark Brought To Jerusalem In The Right Manner"

And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD. (vv.11-15)

Here in chapter 15 David was making his second attempt at moving the ark to the city of Jerusalum. During the three months it stayed at Obed-Edom's house, David had plenty of time to learn from his past mistakes. This time, the Ark was carried properly (on poles), the Priests and Levites were used more formally, and a period of consecration preceded the move.

David took a huge risk by trying it again. What if something else went wrong? But he moved ahead in faith and humility, believing that God's will would be accomplished, and even more important, that God forgives sin. This was a key lesson for David to learn, for this wouldn't be the last time he would need a second chance.

I’m sure we can all relate to the need of forgivness and second chances. Even the great apostle Peter would need a second chance. And, on the day of Pentecost, he received it (the Holy Spirit) and preached a powerful sermon that led about three thousand people to trust Christ as Savior that very day (Luke 22:54-62)

The application here is obvious, God forgives sin and gives second chances - His grace never runs out. Are you in need of His forgiveness and a second chance? If so, pray the prayer of forgiveness found to the right of this page and begin a new in Christ. God bless.

The Truth: 

“For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.” (Psalm 25:11)

1 Chronicles 14 “David Waited”

“It shall be when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” David did just as God had commanded him.” (vv.15-16)

Here is yet another reminder that, the battle is not ours, but God’s. He will deliver the Philistines in our lives to us if we wait on Him, and follow His leading. All to often we just charge ahead not realizing we could save ourselves much grief, if we just wait for Him to work in our lives.

When circumstances in our lives cause us to want to march ahead and take things into our own hands, may we all inquire of the Lord, wait on His leading, and not anticipate His will. It is useless to move forward before He has gone out before us.

The Truth:

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (Psalm 40:1-2)

1 Chronicles 13 “The Ark Of God”

“David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, the Lord who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called. They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.” (vv.6-7)

David understood the importance of the Ark of the Covenant. Having made Israel militarily more secure, he now turned his attention to putting the nation back on a sound spiritual foundation. His first priority was to recover the Ark and bring it to his new capital city of Jerusalem. At that time, the Ark had been in Kiriath Jearim for about a century. The Philistines had captured it in battle, but after plagues struck their cities, they had returned it on a new oxcart to Kiriath Jearim, where it had remained.

Many things were right about David's desires and behavior with regard to the Ark. He consulted with other leaders, he acted in a spirit of respect and worship, he celebrated before the Lord, and displayed his personal love of God for all to see. Though David's heart was in the right place, he neglected to submit his decision (in today's reading) to the Lord. The ark should never have been put on a cart. It was (at God's directive), to be carried with poles by priests and was never to be touched by anyone for any reason (Numbers 4:15).

The application for us today is to never assume we know what God wants or that He will “rubber stamp” our plans, no matter how well intended they might be. Ask for His guidance, pray over your decisions with an open mind, and see where His Spirit may lead.  

The Truth

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

1 Chronicles 12 “David’s Army”

 “All these, being men of war who could draw up in battle formation, came to Hebron with a perfect heart to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind to make David king.” (v.38)

Chapter 12 gives us a list of all the men of war who came to David from all over Israel to pledge themselves to him in defense of his kingdom. The numbers of men and divisions equipped for war the Bible likens to, “the army of God” (v.22). These were men of valor (v.30), stouthearted men who could keep ranks (v.33), armed for battle with every kind of weapon of war (v.37), and were of one mind (v.38). 

Oh that every man of God would learn to keep rank, shoulder to shoulder, in step with our brethren and with an undivided heart. That the church would center around the Son of David, Jesus Christ, and not fracture over infighting, pride or individual differences. 

The Truth

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)