1 Chronicles 11 "David Anointed King Over Israel"

“Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron…And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.” (v.3)

David had been anointed king on three different occasions. The first time as a young boy, by Samuel the prophet, at God’s direction (for a future time), in front of the sons of Jesse in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1,13). The second time was when the "men of Judah" anointed him king over "the house of Judah”, where he ruled for 7 years and 6 months (2 Samuel 2:4). This third time mentioned in our text, David was anointed king over a united people, including "all the elders of Israel." His long awaited time had now come. 

The last part of the sentence in our text is important not to skip over though. For this all happened, “according to the Word of the Lord” by the prophet Samuel. This sentence marks the complete fulfilment of what had been foreshadowed in 1 Samuel 16:12-13. What may be seen as a reflection on the part of the writer based upon the facts of scripture, nonetheless speaks to the forknowledge and council of God and that His Word can not be altered.

So it was written, and so it was accomplished.

The Truth

“My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” (Psalm 89:34-37)

1 Chronicles 10 "Sow Seeds of Mercy"

“When all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh, and they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.” (vv.11-12)

Why did the the men of Jabesh-gilead risk their lives to bring back the bodies of king Saul and his sons. Saul was not a particularly honorable man. In fact at this point, he was far from God - seeking a demonic spirit for guidance rather than God’s Spirit, which eventually lead to his death (vv.13-14). The answer lies in the first action taken by Saul when he became king. 

Years earlier, when the men of Jabesh-gilead were threatened by the Amorites, they sent word to Saul of their eminent destruction. King Saul immediately responded by marching with his troops all night in order to rescue them. Even though Saul had fallen far from this orginal act of love and mercy, the men of Jabesh-gilead never forgot it (1 Samuel 11:9-11).

What I take from this portion of scripture today is, when you sow seeds of love and mercy, they will return to you.

The Truth

“For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

1 Chronicles 9 "Order In Worship"

“Now the first who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants.” (v.2)

When the Jewish exiles returned to their homeland, in many ways they needed to start over in reorganizing their national idenity and religious life. Therefore the description, of religious duties surrounding the priests, the Levites and the temple servants, mentioned in this chapter, is very meaningful. 

While the performance of mixing spices for incense, polishing the temple furnishings, or baking showbread may seem insignificant to us, they demonstrated; the sacred dimensions of their national life were ready to begin again, and that the covenant relationship with God had been renewed. 

Additionally, each individual took to his appointed task in faithfulness to God. There was no intrusion on one another’s office, no clashing in duty, no jealousy of each other’s ministry. Weather one was opening the doors to the temple, washing the utensils used in worship, or baking the shewbread, every part was needed. 

Today's reading reminds us that; God loves order in worship because He Himself is a God of order, and that we should be content with whatever position we have been assigned to serve Him.   

The Truth

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” (James 3:16)

1 Chronicles 8 "King Saul's Family Tree"

“Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah.” (v.33-34)

In tracing the names of Saul’s sons, we can see his decline and movement away from God. In the earlier part of his reign he was perfect in his allegiance to Jehovah evidenced by the early name of his son Jonathan, meaning “Gift of Jehovah.” But as time went by he became proud and self-sufficient naming his next two sons Malchishua “the king is salvation”, and  Abinadab “the king is generous.” Finally, his movement away from God was completed when he named his last son Esh-Baal “the man of Baal”. Baal was the idol-god of Zidon and of many surrounding nations. This idol, represented the sun and its productive force, was worshipped with impure and scandalous rites.

However, praise God for Jonathan, the gift of Jehovah, who named his son Merib-Baal, “one who opposes Baal”. In this choice of his child’s name we see the deep-seated devotion of his soul, whose heart was true to God amid the darkening shadows of his father’s reign. It was this that probably drew David and him so closely together as friends.

The encouraging point found in this list of names is that no matter how far a family has strayed away from God, hope for peace in a household is only one devoted soul away. You can break the chain of generation sin and be a light in the darkness to your family. Become like Merib-Baal and do battle against the dark side.

“May the force (the Spirit) be with you.”

The Truth

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)