OVERVIEW:
The divisions of the porters (gate keepers), the treasurers and other officers; the divisions of Israel’s military; David’s challenge to the leaders of Israel to the work of the temple; David’s charge to Solomon to build the temple; David’s gifts for the temple; David’s offering of praise to the Lord; the people’s offering of praise to the Lord; Solomon’s official installation as Israel’s king; the death of David.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As we move into chapters 26 and 27 today, the major portion of these two chapters is consumed with the listing of names. In the midst of a genealogy, or lists of names such as this, when not studying the names to determine biblical time-lines and/or family connections, it is quite interesting to just observe the brief comments God inspired the writers of scripture to interject. For example, chapter 26 and verse 4 begins, “Moreover the sons of Obed-edom were…,” and the remainder of verse 4 and 5 lists their names. However, at the end of verse 5, God just drops in this little statement, “for God blessed him.” And that’s that. But do you remember why God blessed Obed-edom? Remember, he was the one who sheltered the ark after the death of Uzza back in 1st Chronicles 13. He was blessed because the presence of God (represented in the ark) was manifest in his life and in his home. (13:14) We, too, will be blessed like Obed-edom when God’s presence is manifest in and through our lives, and in our homes.
Notice also God’s commentary on Obed-edom’s sons and grandsons. Verse 6 says, “…they were mighty men of valour.” Verse 7 says, “…[they] were strong men.” Verse 8 adds, “…they [were] …able men for strength for the service.” Most pastors all over the world would tell you that what is lacking, but so desperately needed in the church in the Laodicean Period, is “strong MEN for the service”! That doesn’t mean men who are extroverts, or intimidating, cocky, dominating men, or men who are “successful” by the world’s standards. Remember, we have been called to be strong BUT(!!!) not in our own strength! Ephesians 6:10 commands us to “…be strong IN THE LORD…”! Remember, HIS “STRENGTH is made perfect in WEAKNESS.” (2nd Corinthians 12:9) Real biblical “strength,” and biblically “strong” men are paradoxical. Their “strength” is manifested through their “weakness”. We must be very discerning!
As the search was being made for “mighty men of valour”, compare the statement in 1st Chronicles 26:31, “…they were sought for, and there were found…”, with the statement made in Ezekiel 22:30, where God says, “And I SOUGHT FOR A MAN among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land that I should not destroy it: BUT I FOUND NONE.” As God is seeking “mighty men (and women) of valour” as He did in 26:31, may He find you and me!
Chapter 27 lays out the military leaders and governmental structure of the nation. Note that the army was comprised of over a quarter of a million soldiers, 288,000 to be exact, with 24,000 on duty each month. As we make our way through chapter 27 and into chapter 28 and verse 1, it is more than apparent that this was not a rag-tag band of soldiers, but a highly organized and regimented military operation. In chapter 28, verses 1–8, David addresses all of the leaders about how the whole thing had actually unfolded concerning the building of the temple, and enlists their support of Solomon and the incredible project at hand. In verses 9 and 10, David addresses Solomon himself. In doing so, David presents four things: a command, a promise, a warning, and an exhortation:
1) The COMMAND: “Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart…” (28:9a) Note that Solomon could know ABOUT God from his father David, but to KNOW HIM would require that Solomon be acquainted with God on a personal basis himself! Understanding who Solomon’s mother was, you understand why David would tell his son, “serve [the Lord] with a PERFECT heart”. (Matthew 1:6) I’m quite certain David wished he had!
2) The PROMISE: “…if thou seek him, he will be found of thee…” (28:9b) This is a reminder of the theme verse of our 365 Days of Pursuit, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)
3) The WARNING: “…but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” (28:9c)
4) The EXHORTATION: “Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.” (28:10) That was David’s admonition to his son concerning his commission. It fits perfectly with the commission we have received from the Lord (Matthew 28:18– 20): “Be strong, in the Lord, and do it!”
As we come into chapter 29, it is the record of the end of David’s life. David’s life ends just as it had begun. He is a humble man, with an incredible heart for God. In verses 1–5, he tells the people that he not only had been setting aside money from the national budget for the great work of the temple, but also from his own personal finances. He challenged all the people to do likewise. Notice their response in verses 6–9: Verse 6 says, they “offered willingly”! Verse 9 says, “Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” May that willingness to joyfully give to the Lord’s work be found in each of us.
In verses 10–19, David blessed the Lord his God, and then in verse 20, challenged the people to do the same. Note their response in verses 20–22: “…And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the Lord, and the king. And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings unto the Lord, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel: And did eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness…” Solomon is then formally installed as the new king, and 1st Chronicles ends with a brief summary of David’s reign: “And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour…” (29:28)
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
Through the TEMPLE TREASURES – 1st Chronicles 26:20–28 (Colossians 2:2–3 says of Christ: “…and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”)