Who guarded the temple treasure? Is the Gospel a wonderful treasure? How faithful are our gatekeepers in guarding the words of Jesus and the apostles? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 26.
Who were the gatekeepers, guards, janitors among the Levites?
The divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph. Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth and Eliehoenai the seventh. Obed-Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sakar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. (For God had blessed Obed-Edom.) (1 Chr 26:1-5 NIV)
Let’s continue the list of gatekeepers, guards, janitors in the temple?
Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because they were men of great ability. The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men. All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom. And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men. Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first), Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen. (1 Chr 26:6-11 NKJV)
Was guarding the gates to the temple part of the duties of these faithful men? Do we guard the gates of our hearts from those who would pervert the Gospel?
These divisions of the gatekeepers were named for their family leaders, and like the other Levites, they served at the house of the Lord. They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots. The responsibility for the east gate went to Meshelemiah and his group. The north gate was assigned to his son Zechariah, a man of unusual wisdom. The south gate went to Obed-edom, and his sons were put in charge of the storehouse. Shuppim and Hosah were assigned the west gate and the gateway leading up to the Temple. Guard duties were divided evenly. Six Levites were assigned each day to the east gate, four to the north gate, four to the south gate, and two pairs at the storehouse. Six were assigned each day to the west gate, four to the gateway leading up to the Temple, and two to the courtyard. These were the divisions of the gatekeepers from the clans of Korah and Merari. (1 Chr 26:12-19 NLT)
What were other related duties of the Levites in the temple? Is the Gospel among our treasures? Do we guard it from thieves and keep it free of junk?
Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of God’s house and over the treasures of the dedicated things. The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasures of Yahweh’s house. Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites: Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasuries. His brothers: of Eliezer, Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son. This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers’ households, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated. They dedicated some of the plunder won in battles to repair Yahweh’s house. All that Samuel the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth and of his brothers. (1 Chr 26:20-28 WEB)
What were the duties of the Ezharites and the Hebronites outside the temple? Did David mix church and state duties?
From the Izharites: Chenaniah and his family had responsibilities over Israel outside the temple as officials and judges. From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, were put in charge of Israel west of the Jordan concerning all of the Lord’s affairs and the king’s service. From the Hebronites: Jerijah was the head of the Hebronites according to the family records of their households. In the fortieth year of David’s rule, a search was made and capable men were found among them in Jazer in Gilead. Jerijah’s relatives, capable men, were 2,700 heads of households. King David put them in charge of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh concerning all of God’s and the king’s affairs. (1 Chr 26:29-32 CEB)
Do we guard the teachings of Christ and the apostles as a wonderful treasure? Do we clutter it with junk, or allow heretics to steal the Gospel?
Now follow the example of the correct teaching I gave you, and let the faith and love of Christ Jesus be your model. You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within us. (2 Tim 1:13-14 CEV)
Who guarded the temple treasure? Is the Gospel a wonderful treasure? How faithful are our gatekeepers in guarding the words of Jesus and the apostles? You decide!
Levite Music (1 Chronicles 25)
Does God value music in worship? What is an important concept about lyrics found here? Do we ever meditate on the lyrics we sing? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 25.
Was the music just vocal or also instrumental? What were the lyrics called? Were thanks and praise two main components of those prophetic lyrics?
David and the officers of the army also set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals. This is the list of the men who performed their service: From Asaph’s sons: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, sons of Asaph, under Asaph’s authority, who prophesied under the authority of the king. From Jeduthun: Jeduthun’s sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six—under the authority of their father Jeduthun, prophesying to the accompaniment of lyres, giving thanks and praise to the Lord. From Heman: Heman’s sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. All these sons of Heman, the king’s seer, were given by the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. (1 Chr 25:1-5 HCSB)
How many singers were there and were they also rostered at different times by a lottery?
They were all under their father’s supervision regarding music in the Temple of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the Temple of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under command of the king. They and their relatives who had been skillfully trained in singing to the Lord, numbered 288. Their duties, whether significant or insignificant, whether performed by teacher or pupil alike, were assigned by lottery. (1 Chr 25:6-8 ISV)
How did the worship time table of 24 look? Would that have been perhaps 2 weeks each over a 12 month period?
Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve: The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve. (1 Chr 25:9-31 KJV)
Are different genres encouraged in the church?
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19 LSB)
Apart from Psalms, what other kinds of words are encouraged? What should be in our hearts?
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16 NASB)
Does God value music in worship? What is an important concept about lyrics found here? Do we ever meditate on the lyrics we sing? You decide!
Was the music just vocal or also instrumental? What were the lyrics called? Were thanks and praise two main components of those prophetic lyrics?
David and the officers of the army also set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals. This is the list of the men who performed their service: From Asaph’s sons: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah, sons of Asaph, under Asaph’s authority, who prophesied under the authority of the king. From Jeduthun: Jeduthun’s sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six—under the authority of their father Jeduthun, prophesying to the accompaniment of lyres, giving thanks and praise to the Lord. From Heman: Heman’s sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. All these sons of Heman, the king’s seer, were given by the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. (1 Chr 25:1-5 HCSB)
How many singers were there and were they also rostered at different times by a lottery?
They were all under their father’s supervision regarding music in the Temple of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the Temple of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under command of the king. They and their relatives who had been skillfully trained in singing to the Lord, numbered 288. Their duties, whether significant or insignificant, whether performed by teacher or pupil alike, were assigned by lottery. (1 Chr 25:6-8 ISV)
How did the worship time table of 24 look? Would that have been perhaps 2 weeks each over a 12 month period?
Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve: The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve. (1 Chr 25:9-31 KJV)
Are different genres encouraged in the church?
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19 LSB)
Apart from Psalms, what other kinds of words are encouraged? What should be in our hearts?
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16 NASB)
Does God value music in worship? What is an important concept about lyrics found here? Do we ever meditate on the lyrics we sing? You decide!
Levite Rosters (1 Chronicles 24)
Have we witnessed faithful saints leave a church just exhausted? Do we divide responsibilities wisely, so that no one is overburdened? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 24.
How was it decided to divide the Levitical families into rosters for duty?
These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and they were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight. Thus they were divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar. (1 Chr 24:1-6 WEB)
How was the rotation of the priests in twenty four duty rosters decided?
The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. These were to enter the Lord’s temple according to their appointed duty and by the procedure established for them by their ancestor Aaron, just as the Lord God of Israel had instructed him. (1 Chr 24:7-19 CEB)
What were the temple duties of the rest of the tribe of Levi?
Here is a list of the other descendants of Levi: Amram was the ancestor of Shubael and Jehdeiah. Rehabiah was the ancestor of Isshiah, the oldest son in his family. Izhar was the father of Shelomoth and the grandfather of Jahath. Hebron had four sons, in the following order: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam. Uzziel was the father of Micah and the grandfather of Shamir. Isshiah, Micah's brother, was the father of Zechariah. Merari was the father of Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah. Jaaziah had three sons: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel. Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi, according to their clans. Each one was assigned his duties in the same way that their relatives the priests had been assigned their duties. David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites were the witnesses. (1 Chr 24:20-31 CEV)
Even in a house church, did one person dominate or were duties to be shared? What is an important purpose of any church assembly?
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Cor 14:26 ESV)
Have we witnessed faithful saints leave a church just exhausted? Do we divide responsibilities wisely, so that no one is overburdened? You decide!
How was it decided to divide the Levitical families into rosters for duty?
These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and they were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight. Thus they were divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar. (1 Chr 24:1-6 WEB)
How was the rotation of the priests in twenty four duty rosters decided?
The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. These were to enter the Lord’s temple according to their appointed duty and by the procedure established for them by their ancestor Aaron, just as the Lord God of Israel had instructed him. (1 Chr 24:7-19 CEB)
What were the temple duties of the rest of the tribe of Levi?
Here is a list of the other descendants of Levi: Amram was the ancestor of Shubael and Jehdeiah. Rehabiah was the ancestor of Isshiah, the oldest son in his family. Izhar was the father of Shelomoth and the grandfather of Jahath. Hebron had four sons, in the following order: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam. Uzziel was the father of Micah and the grandfather of Shamir. Isshiah, Micah's brother, was the father of Zechariah. Merari was the father of Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah. Jaaziah had three sons: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel. Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi, according to their clans. Each one was assigned his duties in the same way that their relatives the priests had been assigned their duties. David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites were the witnesses. (1 Chr 24:20-31 CEV)
Even in a house church, did one person dominate or were duties to be shared? What is an important purpose of any church assembly?
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Cor 14:26 ESV)
Have we witnessed faithful saints leave a church just exhausted? Do we divide responsibilities wisely, so that no one is overburdened? You decide!
Levite Principles (1 Chronicles 23)
What principles from the Levites’ duties can we learn in church life? Is thanking and praising the Lord every morning and evening a task just for Levites? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 23.
How did David organize the work of the Temple of the Lord? Should churches be organized?
After David had reached old age, and had completed his reign, he set his son Solomon as king over Israel. David then gathered together all of the leaders of Israel, including the priests and descendants of Levi. descendants of Levi 30 years old and above were counted for a total of 38,000. “24,000 of these,” David said, “are to be set in charge of the work of the Temple of the Lord, with 6,000 serving as officers and judges, with 4,000 gatekeepers, and with 4,000 offering praises to the Lord with the musical instruments that I have had crafted.” David divided them into divisions based on Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, Levi’s sons. (1 Chr 23:1-6 ISV)
What were the main divisions of the Gershon Levites?
Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei. The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three. The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan. And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to their father's house. (1 Chr 237-11 KJV)
What were the main divisions of the Kohath Levites?
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was separated in order to sanctify him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to offer offerings up in smoke before Yahweh, to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever. But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. The sons of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer. The son of Gershom was Shebuel the chief. The son of Eliezer was Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. The son of Izhar was Shelomith the chief. The sons of Hebron were Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth. The sons of Uzziel were Micah the first and Isshiah the second. (1 Chr 23:12-20 LSB)
What were the main divisions of the Merari Levites?
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died and had no sons, but only daughters; so their relatives, the sons of Kish, took them as wives. The sons of Mushi were three: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. (1 Chr 23:21-23 NASB)
Would some tasks change, with the sacred tent surpassed? At what age did the Levites begin service?
These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the Lord. For David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more. (1 Chr 23:24-27 NIV)
Why were there changes in service from Tabernacle to Temple?
because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God, both with the showbread and the fine flour for the grain offering, with the unleavened cakes and what is baked in the pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds of measures and sizes; to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening; and at every presentation of a burnt offering to the Lord on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the set feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the Lord; and that they should attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the Lord. (1 Chr 23:28-32 NKJV)
Are we who are reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ, and saved by His resurrection life, also priests in a sense?
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)
What principles from the Levites’ duties can we learn in church life? Is thanking and praising the Lord every morning and evening a task just for Levites? You decide!
How did David organize the work of the Temple of the Lord? Should churches be organized?
After David had reached old age, and had completed his reign, he set his son Solomon as king over Israel. David then gathered together all of the leaders of Israel, including the priests and descendants of Levi. descendants of Levi 30 years old and above were counted for a total of 38,000. “24,000 of these,” David said, “are to be set in charge of the work of the Temple of the Lord, with 6,000 serving as officers and judges, with 4,000 gatekeepers, and with 4,000 offering praises to the Lord with the musical instruments that I have had crafted.” David divided them into divisions based on Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, Levi’s sons. (1 Chr 23:1-6 ISV)
What were the main divisions of the Gershon Levites?
Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei. The sons of Laadan; the chief was Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three. The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan. And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to their father's house. (1 Chr 237-11 KJV)
What were the main divisions of the Kohath Levites?
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was separated in order to sanctify him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to offer offerings up in smoke before Yahweh, to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever. But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. The sons of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer. The son of Gershom was Shebuel the chief. The son of Eliezer was Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. The son of Izhar was Shelomith the chief. The sons of Hebron were Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth. The sons of Uzziel were Micah the first and Isshiah the second. (1 Chr 23:12-20 LSB)
What were the main divisions of the Merari Levites?
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died and had no sons, but only daughters; so their relatives, the sons of Kish, took them as wives. The sons of Mushi were three: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. (1 Chr 23:21-23 NASB)
Would some tasks change, with the sacred tent surpassed? At what age did the Levites begin service?
These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the Lord. For David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more. (1 Chr 23:24-27 NIV)
Why were there changes in service from Tabernacle to Temple?
because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God, both with the showbread and the fine flour for the grain offering, with the unleavened cakes and what is baked in the pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds of measures and sizes; to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening; and at every presentation of a burnt offering to the Lord on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the set feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the Lord; and that they should attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the Lord. (1 Chr 23:28-32 NKJV)
Are we who are reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ, and saved by His resurrection life, also priests in a sense?
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)
What principles from the Levites’ duties can we learn in church life? Is thanking and praising the Lord every morning and evening a task just for Levites? You decide!
Preparing the Temple (1 Chronicles 22)
How carefully are we building the house of God? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 22.
Were foreigners involved in preparing for Israel’s most sacred site?
Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!” So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God. David provided large amounts of iron for the nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and he gave more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David. (1 Chr 22:1-4 NLT)
Like David, does each generation prepare for what the next generation will build?
David said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David prepared abundantly before his death. Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God. But Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name; and he will be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ (1 Chr 22:5-10 WEB)
As David provided physical resources, what spiritual resources are we providing the next generation to build God’s church?
“Now, my son, may the Lord be with you so that you may successfully build the temple of the Lord your God, as he promised you. May the Lord be sure to give you insight and understanding so that when he appoints you over Israel, you will observe the Instruction from the Lord your God. Then, if you carefully follow the regulations and case laws that the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel, you’ll prosper. Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid or lose heart! With great effort I’ve now provided for the Lord’s temple one hundred thousand kikkars of gold, one million kikkars of silver, and so much bronze and iron that it can’t be weighed, as well as wood and stone, though you may add to these. You also have innumerable people to do the work: stonecutters, masons, and carpenters with every skill required for any task, whether in gold, silver, bronze, or iron. So get to work, and may the Lord be with you.” (1 Chr 22:11-16 CEB)
As a pioneering generation built a church, what must the next generations do to continue that work?
David then gave orders for the leaders of Israel to help Solomon. David said: The Lord our God has helped me defeat all the people who lived here before us, and he has given you peace from all your enemies. Now this land belongs to the Lord and his people. Obey the Lord your God with your heart and soul. Begin work on the temple to honor him, so that the sacred chest and the things used for worship can be kept there. (1 Chr 22:17-19 CEV)
What are we building? Who is the foundation? Will some of what men built on Christ be rewarded and some be burned up?
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Cor 3:10-15 ESV)
Upon what is God’s household built, church fathers, popes, councils, reformers or others? Where are the records of what the apostles, prophets and Jesus Christ taught?
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. (Eph 2:20 HCSB)
How carefully are we building the house of God? You decide!
Were foreigners involved in preparing for Israel’s most sacred site?
Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!” So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God. David provided large amounts of iron for the nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and he gave more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David. (1 Chr 22:1-4 NLT)
Like David, does each generation prepare for what the next generation will build?
David said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Yahweh must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David prepared abundantly before his death. Then he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Yahweh my God. But Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name; and he will be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ (1 Chr 22:5-10 WEB)
As David provided physical resources, what spiritual resources are we providing the next generation to build God’s church?
“Now, my son, may the Lord be with you so that you may successfully build the temple of the Lord your God, as he promised you. May the Lord be sure to give you insight and understanding so that when he appoints you over Israel, you will observe the Instruction from the Lord your God. Then, if you carefully follow the regulations and case laws that the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel, you’ll prosper. Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid or lose heart! With great effort I’ve now provided for the Lord’s temple one hundred thousand kikkars of gold, one million kikkars of silver, and so much bronze and iron that it can’t be weighed, as well as wood and stone, though you may add to these. You also have innumerable people to do the work: stonecutters, masons, and carpenters with every skill required for any task, whether in gold, silver, bronze, or iron. So get to work, and may the Lord be with you.” (1 Chr 22:11-16 CEB)
As a pioneering generation built a church, what must the next generations do to continue that work?
David then gave orders for the leaders of Israel to help Solomon. David said: The Lord our God has helped me defeat all the people who lived here before us, and he has given you peace from all your enemies. Now this land belongs to the Lord and his people. Obey the Lord your God with your heart and soul. Begin work on the temple to honor him, so that the sacred chest and the things used for worship can be kept there. (1 Chr 22:17-19 CEV)
What are we building? Who is the foundation? Will some of what men built on Christ be rewarded and some be burned up?
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Cor 3:10-15 ESV)
Upon what is God’s household built, church fathers, popes, councils, reformers or others? Where are the records of what the apostles, prophets and Jesus Christ taught?
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. (Eph 2:20 HCSB)
How carefully are we building the house of God? You decide!
A Hasty Act (1 Chronicles 21)
Do we sometimes make rash decisions that prove our faith is in our own resources rather than God? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 21.
How often do we make thoughtless choices without prayer, without making sure it’s God’s will? What did David do?
Then Satan attacked Israel by inciting David to enumerate a census of Israel. David ordered Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go take a census of Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan, and bring me a report so I can be aware of the total number.” But Joab replied, “May the Lord increase the population of his people a hundredfold! Your majesty, all of them are your majesty’s servants, aren’t they? So why should your majesty demand this? Why should he bring guilt to Israel?” But the king’s order overruled Joab, so Joab left, traveled throughout all of Israel, and then returned to Jerusalem to report the total population count to David. Throughout all of Israel there were 1,100,000 men trained for war. In Judah there were 470,000 men trained for war. Levi and Benjamin were not included in the census, because what the king had commanded was unethical to Joab. (1 Chr 21:1-6 ISV)
What did God say to David about his trust in military might rather than trust in God? Do we put our trust in our defense forces rather than God?
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. And the Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying, Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me. (1 Chr 21:7-12 KJV)
Did David choose punishment from the hands of man or God?
Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me now fall into the hand of Yahweh, for His compassions are exceedingly abundant. But do not let me fall into the hand of man.” So Yahweh sent a pestilence against Israel; and 70,000 men of Israel fell. And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; but as he was about to destroy it, Yahweh saw and relented concerning the calamity, and said to the destroying angel, “It is enough! Now relax your hand.” And the angel of Yahweh was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. Then David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces. And David said to God, “Is it not I who commanded to number the people? Indeed, I am the one who has sinned and done a great evil; but these sheep, what have they done? O Yahweh my God, please let Your hand be against me and my father’s household, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.” (1 Chr 21:13-17 LSB)
Did David honorably take all the blame and not put it on anyone else?
Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David was to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. So David went up at the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the Lord. Now Ornan turned back and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. And Ornan was threshing wheat. As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out from the threshing floor and prostrated himself to David with his face to the ground. Then David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of this threshing floor, so that I may build on it an altar to the Lord; you shall give it to me for the full price, so that the plague may be brought to a halt from the people.” But Ornan said to David, “Take it for yourself, and may my lord the king do what is good in his sight. See, I am giving the oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing sledges for wood and the wheat for the grain offering; I am giving it all.” Nevertheless, King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will certainly buy it for the full price; for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing.” (1 Chr 21:18-24 NASB)
Did David fulfill his disciplinary punishment and was the angel’s threat abated?
So David paid Araunah [Ornan] six hundred shekels of gold for the site. David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. Then the Lord spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there. The tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon. But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord. (1 Chr 21:25-30 NIV)
What should we seek first in all of our decision making?
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)
Do we sometimes make rash decisions that prove our faith is in our own resources rather than God? You decide!
How often do we make thoughtless choices without prayer, without making sure it’s God’s will? What did David do?
Then Satan attacked Israel by inciting David to enumerate a census of Israel. David ordered Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go take a census of Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan, and bring me a report so I can be aware of the total number.” But Joab replied, “May the Lord increase the population of his people a hundredfold! Your majesty, all of them are your majesty’s servants, aren’t they? So why should your majesty demand this? Why should he bring guilt to Israel?” But the king’s order overruled Joab, so Joab left, traveled throughout all of Israel, and then returned to Jerusalem to report the total population count to David. Throughout all of Israel there were 1,100,000 men trained for war. In Judah there were 470,000 men trained for war. Levi and Benjamin were not included in the census, because what the king had commanded was unethical to Joab. (1 Chr 21:1-6 ISV)
What did God say to David about his trust in military might rather than trust in God? Do we put our trust in our defense forces rather than God?
And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. And the Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying, Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me. (1 Chr 21:7-12 KJV)
Did David choose punishment from the hands of man or God?
Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me now fall into the hand of Yahweh, for His compassions are exceedingly abundant. But do not let me fall into the hand of man.” So Yahweh sent a pestilence against Israel; and 70,000 men of Israel fell. And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; but as he was about to destroy it, Yahweh saw and relented concerning the calamity, and said to the destroying angel, “It is enough! Now relax your hand.” And the angel of Yahweh was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. Then David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces. And David said to God, “Is it not I who commanded to number the people? Indeed, I am the one who has sinned and done a great evil; but these sheep, what have they done? O Yahweh my God, please let Your hand be against me and my father’s household, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.” (1 Chr 21:13-17 LSB)
Did David honorably take all the blame and not put it on anyone else?
Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David was to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. So David went up at the word of Gad, which he spoke in the name of the Lord. Now Ornan turned back and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. And Ornan was threshing wheat. As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out from the threshing floor and prostrated himself to David with his face to the ground. Then David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of this threshing floor, so that I may build on it an altar to the Lord; you shall give it to me for the full price, so that the plague may be brought to a halt from the people.” But Ornan said to David, “Take it for yourself, and may my lord the king do what is good in his sight. See, I am giving the oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing sledges for wood and the wheat for the grain offering; I am giving it all.” Nevertheless, King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will certainly buy it for the full price; for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing.” (1 Chr 21:18-24 NASB)
Did David fulfill his disciplinary punishment and was the angel’s threat abated?
So David paid Araunah [Ornan] six hundred shekels of gold for the site. David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. Then the Lord spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there. The tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon. But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord. (1 Chr 21:25-30 NIV)
What should we seek first in all of our decision making?
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)
Do we sometimes make rash decisions that prove our faith is in our own resources rather than God? You decide!
Victory in Battle (1 Chronicles 20)
Did David’s victories continue? What giants are we battling? What are our spiritual battles preparing for? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 20.
Did Joab and David continue fighting against Ammon plundering treasures in Rabbah (modern Amman, Jordan)?
The next spring, the time when kings go to war, Joab marched out in command of the Israelite army and destroyed towns all over the country of Ammon. He attacked the capital city of Rabbah and left it in ruins. But David stayed in Jerusalem. Later, David himself went to Rabbah, where he took the crown from the statue of their god Milcom. The crown was made of about 34 kilograms of gold, and there was a valuable jewel on it. David put the jewel on his crown, then carried off everything else of value. He forced the people of Rabbah to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. He also did the same thing with the people in all the other Ammonite towns. David then led Israel's army back to Jerusalem. (1 Chr 20:1-3 CEV)
Did David also defeat other giants, the Rephaim, some related to Goliath the Gittite?
And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants [Rephaim], and the Philistines were subdued. And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, struck him down. These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. (1 Chr 20:4-8 ESV)
Are we also in a battle? How can we fight spiritual battles?
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (Eph 6:10-18 HCSB)
Did David’s victories continue? What giants are we battling? What are our spiritual battles preparing for? You decide!
Did Joab and David continue fighting against Ammon plundering treasures in Rabbah (modern Amman, Jordan)?
The next spring, the time when kings go to war, Joab marched out in command of the Israelite army and destroyed towns all over the country of Ammon. He attacked the capital city of Rabbah and left it in ruins. But David stayed in Jerusalem. Later, David himself went to Rabbah, where he took the crown from the statue of their god Milcom. The crown was made of about 34 kilograms of gold, and there was a valuable jewel on it. David put the jewel on his crown, then carried off everything else of value. He forced the people of Rabbah to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. He also did the same thing with the people in all the other Ammonite towns. David then led Israel's army back to Jerusalem. (1 Chr 20:1-3 CEV)
Did David also defeat other giants, the Rephaim, some related to Goliath the Gittite?
And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants [Rephaim], and the Philistines were subdued. And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, struck him down. These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. (1 Chr 20:4-8 ESV)
Are we also in a battle? How can we fight spiritual battles?
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (Eph 6:10-18 HCSB)
Did David’s victories continue? What giants are we battling? What are our spiritual battles preparing for? You decide!
Ammon & Aram (1 Chronicles 19)
Did Ammon and Aram (Syria) understand the way of peace? Do we? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 19.
How was David’s peace delegation abused in Ammon?
Now it came about after this, that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon died, and his son became king in his place. Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon to Hanun to console him. But the commanders among the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David is honoring your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Have his servants not come to you to search, to demolish, and to spy out the land?” So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved them, and cut off their robes in the middle as far as their buttocks, and sent them away. Then certain people went and told David about the men. And he sent messengers to meet them, because the men were very humiliated. And the king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow back, then return.” (1 Chr 19:1-5 NASB)
How important is diplomacy in creating peace? Did this diplomatic disaster threaten war?
When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maakah and Zobah. They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and charioteers, as well as the king of Maakah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites were mustered from their towns and moved out for battle. On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men. The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance to their city, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country. (1 Chr 19:6-9 NIV)
Did Joab trust that the Lord would do for Israel what was good in His sight?
When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel’s best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in battle array against the people of Ammon. Then he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.” (1 Chr 19:10-13 NKJV)
After the Ammonites and Arameans (Syrians) retreated, did they send for reinforcements?
When Joab and his troops attacked, the Arameans began to run away. And when the Ammonites saw the Arameans running, they also ran from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem. The Arameans now realized that they were no match for Israel, so they sent messengers and summoned additional Aramean troops from the other side of the Euphrates River. These troops were under the command of Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer’s forces. (1 Chr 19:14-16 NLT)
When David was told about the reinforcements did God then give him victory over the Syrians or Arameans?
David was told that, so he gathered all Israel together, passed over the Jordan, came to them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrian men seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand footmen, and also killed Shophach the captain of the army. When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. The Syrians would not help the children of Ammon any more. (1 Chr 19:17-19 WEB)
Do we understand one common factor on all sides of this world’s politics?
Their feet are quick to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and they don’t know the way of peace. There is no fear of God in their view of the world. (Romans 3:15-18 CEB)
Did Ammon and Aram (Syria) understand the way of peace? Do we? You decide!
How was David’s peace delegation abused in Ammon?
Now it came about after this, that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon died, and his son became king in his place. Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the sons of Ammon to Hanun to console him. But the commanders among the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David is honoring your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Have his servants not come to you to search, to demolish, and to spy out the land?” So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved them, and cut off their robes in the middle as far as their buttocks, and sent them away. Then certain people went and told David about the men. And he sent messengers to meet them, because the men were very humiliated. And the king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow back, then return.” (1 Chr 19:1-5 NASB)
How important is diplomacy in creating peace? Did this diplomatic disaster threaten war?
When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maakah and Zobah. They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and charioteers, as well as the king of Maakah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites were mustered from their towns and moved out for battle. On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men. The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance to their city, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country. (1 Chr 19:6-9 NIV)
Did Joab trust that the Lord would do for Israel what was good in His sight?
When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel’s best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in battle array against the people of Ammon. Then he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.” (1 Chr 19:10-13 NKJV)
After the Ammonites and Arameans (Syrians) retreated, did they send for reinforcements?
When Joab and his troops attacked, the Arameans began to run away. And when the Ammonites saw the Arameans running, they also ran from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem. The Arameans now realized that they were no match for Israel, so they sent messengers and summoned additional Aramean troops from the other side of the Euphrates River. These troops were under the command of Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer’s forces. (1 Chr 19:14-16 NLT)
When David was told about the reinforcements did God then give him victory over the Syrians or Arameans?
David was told that, so he gathered all Israel together, passed over the Jordan, came to them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrian men seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand footmen, and also killed Shophach the captain of the army. When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. The Syrians would not help the children of Ammon any more. (1 Chr 19:17-19 WEB)
Do we understand one common factor on all sides of this world’s politics?
Their feet are quick to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and they don’t know the way of peace. There is no fear of God in their view of the world. (Romans 3:15-18 CEB)
Did Ammon and Aram (Syria) understand the way of peace? Do we? You decide!
Nile to Euphrates (1 Chronicles 18)
Under David did Israel finally reign from the Nile to the Euphrates as long ago promised to Abraham? Is the Gospel a far more important conquest than land? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 18.
Did David defeat the Philistines and Moab, long time enemies of Israel?
After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines. And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. (1 Chr 18:1-2 ESV)
Did David go on to extend his control towards the Euphrates River?
David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath when he went to establish his control at the Euphrates River. David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him, hamstrung all the horses, and kept 100 chariots. When the Arameans of Damascus came to assist King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Aramean men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went. David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer’s cities, David also took huge quantities of bronze, from which Solomon made the bronze reservoir, the pillars, and the bronze articles. (1 Chr 18:3-8 HCSB)
Did the Lord give victory to David wherever he went?
When King Tou of Hamath learned that David had conquered King Hadadezer of Zobah’s entire army, he sent his son Hadoram to King David to meet and congratulate him, because he had fought against and defeated Hadadezer. Since Hadadezer had often been to war against Tou, he sent all sorts of gold, silver, and bronze goods to King David, which David also dedicated to the Lord, along with silver and gold that he confiscated from all the surrounding nations, including Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. Zeruiah’s son Abishai killed 18,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. He erected garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subservient to David, while the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. (1 Chr 18:9-13 ISV)
Who were some of the leading men in David’s administration?
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people. And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder. And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe; And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king. (1 Chr 18:14-17 KJV)
Why did Jesus teach about loving our enemies? Is the Gospel and conquering men’s hearts a far more important victory than land?
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:43-44 LSB)
Under David did Israel finally reign from the Nile to the Euphrates as long ago promised to Abraham? Is the Gospel a far more important conquest than land? You decide!
Did David defeat the Philistines and Moab, long time enemies of Israel?
After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines. And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. (1 Chr 18:1-2 ESV)
Did David go on to extend his control towards the Euphrates River?
David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath when he went to establish his control at the Euphrates River. David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him, hamstrung all the horses, and kept 100 chariots. When the Arameans of Damascus came to assist King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Aramean men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went. David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer’s cities, David also took huge quantities of bronze, from which Solomon made the bronze reservoir, the pillars, and the bronze articles. (1 Chr 18:3-8 HCSB)
Did the Lord give victory to David wherever he went?
When King Tou of Hamath learned that David had conquered King Hadadezer of Zobah’s entire army, he sent his son Hadoram to King David to meet and congratulate him, because he had fought against and defeated Hadadezer. Since Hadadezer had often been to war against Tou, he sent all sorts of gold, silver, and bronze goods to King David, which David also dedicated to the Lord, along with silver and gold that he confiscated from all the surrounding nations, including Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. Zeruiah’s son Abishai killed 18,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. He erected garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subservient to David, while the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. (1 Chr 18:9-13 ISV)
Who were some of the leading men in David’s administration?
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people. And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder. And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe; And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king. (1 Chr 18:14-17 KJV)
Why did Jesus teach about loving our enemies? Is the Gospel and conquering men’s hearts a far more important victory than land?
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:43-44 LSB)
Under David did Israel finally reign from the Nile to the Euphrates as long ago promised to Abraham? Is the Gospel a far more important conquest than land? You decide!
Davidic Covenant (1 Chronicles 17)
How did David’s throne become established forever? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 17.
Do even righteous prophets sometimes say the wrong thing? How did God correct Nathan’s words to David?
And it came about, when David lived in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent curtains.” Then Nathan said to David, “Do whatever is in your heart, for God is with you.” But it happened that same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell David My servant, ‘This is what the Lord says: “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another. In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’ (1 Chr 17:1-6 NASB)
Did God promise David greatness, no more oppression and to subdue his enemies?
“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. (1 Chr 17:7-10 NIV)
Did God covenant to provide David a perpetual throne?
And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. (1 Chr 17:11-15 NKJV)
Did David act humbly or arrogantly after God’s covenant promises of a lasting dynasty?
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God! “What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like. For the sake of your servant, O Lord, and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known. “O Lord, there is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations that stood in their way. You chose Israel to be your very own people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God. (1 Chr 17:16-22 NLT)
Did David accept God’s covenant promises of a dynasty?
Now, Yahweh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken. Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David your servant is established before you.’ For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant. Now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.” (1 Chr 17:23-27 WEB)
Did Jesus, a descendant of David, fulfill this promise?
God raised Jesus from the dead, never again to be subjected to death’s decay. Therefore, God said, I will give to you the holy and firm promises I made to David. (Acts 13:34 CEB)
Was that promise that Jesus, as the Lamb of God, would be King of Kings?
These kings will go to war against the Lamb. But he will defeat them, because he is Lord over all lords and King over all kings. His followers are chosen and special and faithful. (Revelation 17:14 CEV)
How did David’s throne become established forever? You decide!
Do even righteous prophets sometimes say the wrong thing? How did God correct Nathan’s words to David?
And it came about, when David lived in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent curtains.” Then Nathan said to David, “Do whatever is in your heart, for God is with you.” But it happened that same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell David My servant, ‘This is what the Lord says: “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another. In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’ (1 Chr 17:1-6 NASB)
Did God promise David greatness, no more oppression and to subdue his enemies?
“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. (1 Chr 17:7-10 NIV)
Did God covenant to provide David a perpetual throne?
And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. (1 Chr 17:11-15 NKJV)
Did David act humbly or arrogantly after God’s covenant promises of a lasting dynasty?
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God! “What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like. For the sake of your servant, O Lord, and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known. “O Lord, there is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations that stood in their way. You chose Israel to be your very own people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God. (1 Chr 17:16-22 NLT)
Did David accept God’s covenant promises of a dynasty?
Now, Yahweh, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, be established forever, and do as you have spoken. Let your name be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel. The house of David your servant is established before you.’ For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have promised this good thing to your servant. Now it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Yahweh, have blessed, and it is blessed forever.” (1 Chr 17:23-27 WEB)
Did Jesus, a descendant of David, fulfill this promise?
God raised Jesus from the dead, never again to be subjected to death’s decay. Therefore, God said, I will give to you the holy and firm promises I made to David. (Acts 13:34 CEB)
Was that promise that Jesus, as the Lamb of God, would be King of Kings?
These kings will go to war against the Lamb. But he will defeat them, because he is Lord over all lords and King over all kings. His followers are chosen and special and faithful. (Revelation 17:14 CEV)
How did David’s throne become established forever? You decide!
Celebrating the Ark (1 Chronicles 16)
The ark of the covenant contained three things: the covenant on stone, a reminder of God’s choice as high priest, and the bread of heaven. Are these symbols of important Christian essentials? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 16.
How did Israel celebrate the arrival of the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem?
So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. Then he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. (1 Chr 16:1-3 NKJV)
Who did David appoint to lead the worship and of what did it consist?
David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship before the Ark of the Lord—to invoke his blessings, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel. Asaph, the leader of this group, sounded the cymbals. Second to him was Zechariah, followed by Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They played the harps and lyres. The priests, Benaiah and Jahaziel, played the trumpets regularly before the Ark of God’s Covenant. (1 Chr 16:4-6 NLT)
For what did David give thanks on that day? Did they sing? Did they tell of God’s works? Did they encourage rejoicing?
Then on that day David first ordained giving of thanks to Yahweh by the hand of Asaph and his brothers. Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make what he has done known among the peoples. Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works. Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, you offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (1 Chr 16:7-13 WEB)
What history was recounted? Is God a God of justice?
The Lord—he is our God. His justice is everywhere throughout the whole world. God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations, which he made with Abraham, the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac. God set it up as binding law for Jacob, as an eternal covenant for Israel, promising, “I hereby give you the land of Canaan as your allotted inheritance.” When they were few in number— insignificant, just immigrants— wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to the next, God didn’t let anyone oppress them. God punished kings for their sake: “Don’t touch my anointed ones; don’t harm my prophets!” (1 Chr 16:14-22 CEB)
Why do we worship the Lord? What traits of His are we thankful for?
Everyone on this earth, sing praises to the Lord. Day after day announce, “The Lord has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth, “The Lord is wonderful and does marvelous things! The Lord is great and deserves our greatest praise! He is the only God worthy of our worship. Other nations worship idols, but the Lord created the heavens. Give honor and praise to the Lord, whose power and beauty fill his holy temple.” Tell everyone of every nation, “Praise the glorious power of the Lord. He is wonderful! Praise him and bring an offering into his temple. Worship the Lord, majestic and holy. Everyone on earth, now tremble!” The world stands firm, never to be shaken. (1 Chr 16:23-30 CEV)
Should all creation be glad for our God? Did all the people agree?
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Say also: “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. (1 Chr 16:31-36 ESV)
Did David make sure that organized worship and thanks be given to God?
So David left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of the Lord’s covenant to minister regularly before the ark according to the daily requirements. He assigned Obed-edom and his 68 relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon to offer burnt offerings regularly, morning and evening, to the Lord on the altar of burnt offerings and to do everything that was written in the law of the Lord, which He had commanded Israel to keep. With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord—for His faithful love endures forever. Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals to play and musical instruments of God. Jeduthun’s sons were at the gate. Then all the people left for their homes, and David returned home to bless his household. (1 Chr 16:37-43 HCSB)
Is there a new covenant, not written on stone, but spiritual?
… God, who has also qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, which is not written but spiritual, because the written text brings death, but the Spirit gives life. … (2 Cor 3:5-8 ISV)
Is there a priesthood preceding Aaron that recognizes Jesus as our high priest?
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:20 KJV)
How did Jesus replace the manna, the bread from heaven?
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and also the bread which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh. (John 6:51 LSB)
The ark of the covenant contained three things: the covenant on stone, a reminder of God’s choice as high priest, and the bread of heaven. Are these symbols of important Christian essentials? You decide!
How did Israel celebrate the arrival of the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem?
So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. Then he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. (1 Chr 16:1-3 NKJV)
Who did David appoint to lead the worship and of what did it consist?
David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship before the Ark of the Lord—to invoke his blessings, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel. Asaph, the leader of this group, sounded the cymbals. Second to him was Zechariah, followed by Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They played the harps and lyres. The priests, Benaiah and Jahaziel, played the trumpets regularly before the Ark of God’s Covenant. (1 Chr 16:4-6 NLT)
For what did David give thanks on that day? Did they sing? Did they tell of God’s works? Did they encourage rejoicing?
Then on that day David first ordained giving of thanks to Yahweh by the hand of Asaph and his brothers. Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make what he has done known among the peoples. Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works. Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, you offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (1 Chr 16:7-13 WEB)
What history was recounted? Is God a God of justice?
The Lord—he is our God. His justice is everywhere throughout the whole world. God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations, which he made with Abraham, the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac. God set it up as binding law for Jacob, as an eternal covenant for Israel, promising, “I hereby give you the land of Canaan as your allotted inheritance.” When they were few in number— insignificant, just immigrants— wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to the next, God didn’t let anyone oppress them. God punished kings for their sake: “Don’t touch my anointed ones; don’t harm my prophets!” (1 Chr 16:14-22 CEB)
Why do we worship the Lord? What traits of His are we thankful for?
Everyone on this earth, sing praises to the Lord. Day after day announce, “The Lord has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth, “The Lord is wonderful and does marvelous things! The Lord is great and deserves our greatest praise! He is the only God worthy of our worship. Other nations worship idols, but the Lord created the heavens. Give honor and praise to the Lord, whose power and beauty fill his holy temple.” Tell everyone of every nation, “Praise the glorious power of the Lord. He is wonderful! Praise him and bring an offering into his temple. Worship the Lord, majestic and holy. Everyone on earth, now tremble!” The world stands firm, never to be shaken. (1 Chr 16:23-30 CEV)
Should all creation be glad for our God? Did all the people agree?
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Say also: “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. (1 Chr 16:31-36 ESV)
Did David make sure that organized worship and thanks be given to God?
So David left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of the Lord’s covenant to minister regularly before the ark according to the daily requirements. He assigned Obed-edom and his 68 relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the Lord at the high place in Gibeon to offer burnt offerings regularly, morning and evening, to the Lord on the altar of burnt offerings and to do everything that was written in the law of the Lord, which He had commanded Israel to keep. With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord—for His faithful love endures forever. Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals to play and musical instruments of God. Jeduthun’s sons were at the gate. Then all the people left for their homes, and David returned home to bless his household. (1 Chr 16:37-43 HCSB)
Is there a new covenant, not written on stone, but spiritual?
… God, who has also qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, which is not written but spiritual, because the written text brings death, but the Spirit gives life. … (2 Cor 3:5-8 ISV)
Is there a priesthood preceding Aaron that recognizes Jesus as our high priest?
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:20 KJV)
How did Jesus replace the manna, the bread from heaven?
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and also the bread which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh. (John 6:51 LSB)
The ark of the covenant contained three things: the covenant on stone, a reminder of God’s choice as high priest, and the bread of heaven. Are these symbols of important Christian essentials? You decide!
The Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15)
Was the ark of the covenant sacred because of the covenant that it contained? What things are sacred in the New Testament? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 15.
Did David finally learn who only may touch the sacred chest, the ark of the covenant?
After he had built houses for himself in David’s City, David prepared a place for God’s chest and pitched a tent for it. David said, “Only the Levites may carry God’s chest, because the Lord has chosen them to carry the Lord’s chest and to minister to him forever.” (1 Chr 15:1-2 CEB)
Was bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem cause for great celebration?
Next, David invited everyone to come to Jerusalem and watch the sacred chest being carried to the place he had set up for it. He also sent for Aaron's descendants and for the Levites. The Levites that came were: Uriel, the leader of the Kohath clan, and 120 of his relatives; Asaiah, the leader of the Merari clan, and 220 of his relatives; Joel, the leader of the Gershon clan, and 130 of his relatives; Shemaiah, the leader of the Elizaphan clan, and 200 of his relatives; Eliel, the leader of the Hebron clan, and 80 of his relatives; and Amminadab, the leader of the Uzziel clan, with 112 of his relatives. (1 Chr 15:3-10 CEV)
Did David learn about the sacred chest being carried only by Levites?
Then David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord. (1 Chr 15:11-15 ESV)
How important was the concept of having singers in such a sacred service?
Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers and to have them raise their voices with joy accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; and from their relatives the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah. With them were their relatives second in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. (1 Chr 15:16-18 HCSB)
How important was the concept of having instrumental music in such a sacred service?
The singers included Heman, Asaph, and Ethan (who played bronze cymbals). Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played harps to accompany the women singers, and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah led on lyres, sounding the octaves. Chenaniah, music leader for the descendants of Levi, served as music director, because he was expert at it. Berechiah and Elkanah served as gatekeepers for the ark. Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer the priests were appointed to sound the trumpets before the Ark of God, and Obed-edom and Jehiah were trustees for the ark. (1 Chr 15:19-24 ISV)
Were there many involved in celebrating the arrival of the ark of the covenant?
So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. (1 Chr 15:25-26 KJV)
Did David’s mode of worship and celebration bring criticism from his wife Michal? Do we criticize different worship styles, based merely on human preferences?
Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen with all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the singing with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. Thus all Israel was bringing up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with shouting, and with sound of the horn, with trumpets, with loud-sounding cymbals, with harps, and lyres. Now it happened as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and celebrating; and she despised him in her heart. (1 Chr 15:27-29 LSB)
No matter our beliefs on the bread and wine, do we treat communion as sacred?
Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28 NASB)
Do we treat Christians of other churches, who have faith in Christ as sacred to God?
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)
Was the ark of the covenant sacred because of the covenant that it contained? What things are sacred in the New Testament? You decide!
Did David finally learn who only may touch the sacred chest, the ark of the covenant?
After he had built houses for himself in David’s City, David prepared a place for God’s chest and pitched a tent for it. David said, “Only the Levites may carry God’s chest, because the Lord has chosen them to carry the Lord’s chest and to minister to him forever.” (1 Chr 15:1-2 CEB)
Was bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem cause for great celebration?
Next, David invited everyone to come to Jerusalem and watch the sacred chest being carried to the place he had set up for it. He also sent for Aaron's descendants and for the Levites. The Levites that came were: Uriel, the leader of the Kohath clan, and 120 of his relatives; Asaiah, the leader of the Merari clan, and 220 of his relatives; Joel, the leader of the Gershon clan, and 130 of his relatives; Shemaiah, the leader of the Elizaphan clan, and 200 of his relatives; Eliel, the leader of the Hebron clan, and 80 of his relatives; and Amminadab, the leader of the Uzziel clan, with 112 of his relatives. (1 Chr 15:3-10 CEV)
Did David learn about the sacred chest being carried only by Levites?
Then David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord. (1 Chr 15:11-15 ESV)
How important was the concept of having singers in such a sacred service?
Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers and to have them raise their voices with joy accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; and from their relatives the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah. With them were their relatives second in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. (1 Chr 15:16-18 HCSB)
How important was the concept of having instrumental music in such a sacred service?
The singers included Heman, Asaph, and Ethan (who played bronze cymbals). Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah played harps to accompany the women singers, and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah led on lyres, sounding the octaves. Chenaniah, music leader for the descendants of Levi, served as music director, because he was expert at it. Berechiah and Elkanah served as gatekeepers for the ark. Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer the priests were appointed to sound the trumpets before the Ark of God, and Obed-edom and Jehiah were trustees for the ark. (1 Chr 15:19-24 ISV)
Were there many involved in celebrating the arrival of the ark of the covenant?
So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the house of Obededom with joy. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. (1 Chr 15:25-26 KJV)
Did David’s mode of worship and celebration bring criticism from his wife Michal? Do we criticize different worship styles, based merely on human preferences?
Now David was clothed with a robe of fine linen with all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the singing with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. Thus all Israel was bringing up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with shouting, and with sound of the horn, with trumpets, with loud-sounding cymbals, with harps, and lyres. Now it happened as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and celebrating; and she despised him in her heart. (1 Chr 15:27-29 LSB)
No matter our beliefs on the bread and wine, do we treat communion as sacred?
Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28 NASB)
Do we treat Christians of other churches, who have faith in Christ as sacred to God?
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)
Was the ark of the covenant sacred because of the covenant that it contained? What things are sacred in the New Testament? You decide!
Faulty but Blessed (1 Chronicles 14)
Does God bless faulty but repentant people? What can we learn about God’s mercy and grace in his dealings with a very imperfect David? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 14.
Did God establish David as king over Israel and give Him a royal house?
Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and craftsmen of walls and craftsmen of wood, to build a house for him. Thus David knew that Yahweh had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was lifted up, for the sake of His people Israel. (1 Chr 14:1-2 LSB)
How could David be called a man after God’s own heart when he took multiple wives against God’s law?
Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet. (1 Chr 14:3-7 NASB)
Does God discourage us by revealing all our sins at once or wait until we are ready? Did David repent of polygamy and separate from all his wives but one in later life?
When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows. (2 Samuel 20:3 NIV)
Did David ask God’s will before attacking the raiding Philistines? Did God bless this imperfect man?
Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. (1 Chr 14:8-12 NKJV)
Did David again seek God’s will before attacking the raiding Philistines?
But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” So David did what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread everywhere, and the Lord caused all the nations to fear David. (1 Chr 14:13-17 NLT)
Who deserves all the glory, when God uses imperfect people?
For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, that no flesh should boast before God. (1 Cor 1:26-29)
Does God bless faulty but repentant people? What can we learn about God’s mercy and grace in his dealings with a very imperfect David? You decide!
Did God establish David as king over Israel and give Him a royal house?
Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and craftsmen of walls and craftsmen of wood, to build a house for him. Thus David knew that Yahweh had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was lifted up, for the sake of His people Israel. (1 Chr 14:1-2 LSB)
How could David be called a man after God’s own heart when he took multiple wives against God’s law?
Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet. (1 Chr 14:3-7 NASB)
Does God discourage us by revealing all our sins at once or wait until we are ready? Did David repent of polygamy and separate from all his wives but one in later life?
When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows. (2 Samuel 20:3 NIV)
Did David ask God’s will before attacking the raiding Philistines? Did God bless this imperfect man?
Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went out against them. Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.” So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. (1 Chr 14:8-12 NKJV)
Did David again seek God’s will before attacking the raiding Philistines?
But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” So David did what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread everywhere, and the Lord caused all the nations to fear David. (1 Chr 14:13-17 NLT)
Who deserves all the glory, when God uses imperfect people?
For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, that no flesh should boast before God. (1 Cor 1:26-29)
Does God bless faulty but repentant people? What can we learn about God’s mercy and grace in his dealings with a very imperfect David? You decide!
The Sacred Chest (1 Chronicles 13)
Do we ever get angry with God? Do we eventually conclude that God knows best even when we don’t understand? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 13.
Was it time for the sacred chest, the ark of the covenant, to be brought to Jerusalem?
Some time later, David talked with his army commanders, and then announced to the people of Israel: While Saul was king, the sacred chest was ignored. But now it's time to bring the chest to Jerusalem. We will invite everyone in Israel to come here, including the priests and the Levites in the towns surrounded by pastureland. But we will do these things only if you agree, and if the Lord our God wants us to. The people agreed this was the right thing to do. (1 Chr 13:1-4 CEV)
Was this something that interested the whole nation causing great celebration?
So David assembled all Israel from the Nile of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord who sits enthroned above the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. (1 Chr 13:5-8 ESV)
What happened to Uzzah? Were only the Levites allowed to touch the ark?
When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to hold the ark because the oxen had stumbled. Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark. So he died there in the presence of God. (1 Chr 13:9-10 HCSB)
Do we ever get angry with God, but eventually conclude that God knows best even when we don’t understand?
David flew into a rage because the Lord had killed Uzzah. As a result, that place was called Perez-uzzah to this day. But David feared God that day, and asked “How am I to bring the Ark of God to me?” As a result, David would not take the ark into the City of David for it to be in his care. Instead, he took it to the home of Obed-edom the Gittite. So the Ark of God remained in the care of Obed-edom’s household for three months, and God blessed Obed-edom’s household, along with everyone associated with it. (1 Chr 13:11-14 ISV)
Does God have a plan, including a time when all sorrows, including any reason for such sorrows, will be gone?
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4 KJV)
Do we ever get angry with God? Do we eventually conclude that God knows best even when we don’t understand? You decide!
Was it time for the sacred chest, the ark of the covenant, to be brought to Jerusalem?
Some time later, David talked with his army commanders, and then announced to the people of Israel: While Saul was king, the sacred chest was ignored. But now it's time to bring the chest to Jerusalem. We will invite everyone in Israel to come here, including the priests and the Levites in the towns surrounded by pastureland. But we will do these things only if you agree, and if the Lord our God wants us to. The people agreed this was the right thing to do. (1 Chr 13:1-4 CEV)
Was this something that interested the whole nation causing great celebration?
So David assembled all Israel from the Nile of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord who sits enthroned above the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. (1 Chr 13:5-8 ESV)
What happened to Uzzah? Were only the Levites allowed to touch the ark?
When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to hold the ark because the oxen had stumbled. Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark. So he died there in the presence of God. (1 Chr 13:9-10 HCSB)
Do we ever get angry with God, but eventually conclude that God knows best even when we don’t understand?
David flew into a rage because the Lord had killed Uzzah. As a result, that place was called Perez-uzzah to this day. But David feared God that day, and asked “How am I to bring the Ark of God to me?” As a result, David would not take the ark into the City of David for it to be in his care. Instead, he took it to the home of Obed-edom the Gittite. So the Ark of God remained in the care of Obed-edom’s household for three months, and God blessed Obed-edom’s household, along with everyone associated with it. (1 Chr 13:11-14 ISV)
Does God have a plan, including a time when all sorrows, including any reason for such sorrows, will be gone?
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4 KJV)
Do we ever get angry with God? Do we eventually conclude that God knows best even when we don’t understand? You decide!
David's Army (1 Chronicles 12)
Was loyalty in David’s army a model for us today? Are we loyal to our tribe more than to Jesus? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 12.
Did David’s army as king of all Israel also include many from Benjamin?
Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still restricted because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. They were equipped with bows, using both the right hand and the left to sling stones and to shoot arrows from the bow; they were Saul’s relatives from Benjamin. The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah and Jehu the Anathothite, and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty. Then Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the Korahites, and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. (1 Chr 12:1-7 LSB)
Did David’s army as king of all Israel also include many from Gad?
From the Gadites valiant mighty men went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness, men trained for war who could handle a large shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains. Ezer was the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbannai, the eleventh. These men from the sons of Gad were captains of the army; the one who was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest, to a thousand. These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west. (1 Chr 12:8-15 NASB)
Did David’s army as king of all Israel also include men from Benjamin and Judah?
Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.” Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands. (1 Chr 12:16-18 NIV)
Did David’s army as king of all Israel also include men from Manasseh?
And some from Manasseh defected to David when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, “He may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads.” When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who were from Manasseh. And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God. (1 Chr 12:19-22 NKJV)
How many men from various tribes did David’s army consist of?
These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as the Lord had promised. From the tribe of Judah, there were 6,800 warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Simeon, there were 7,100 brave warriors. From the tribe of Levi, there were 4,600 warriors. This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had 3,700 under his command. This also included Zadok, a brave young warrior, with members of his family who were all officers. From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s relatives, there were 3,000 warriors. Most of the men from Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul until this time. From the tribe of Ephraim, there were 20,800 brave warriors, each highly respected in his own clan. From the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, 18,000 men were designated by name to help David become king. From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. From the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David. From the tribe of Naphtali, there were 1,000 officers and 37,000 warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Dan, there were 28,600 warriors, all prepared for battle. From the tribe of Asher, there were 40,000 trained warriors, all prepared for battle. From the east side of the Jordan River—where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived—there were 120,000 troops armed with every kind of weapon. (1 Chr 12:23-37 NLT)
What attitude did the men have and what festivities did they celebrate?
All these were men of war who could order the battle array, and came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had supplied provisions for them. Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: supplies of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel. (1 Chr 12:38-40 WEB)
Are we loyal to man-made dogmas or to Jesus and commandments that He taught?
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15 CEB)
Was loyalty in David’s army a model for us today? Are we loyal to our tribe more than to Jesus? You decide!
Did David’s army as king of all Israel also include many from Benjamin?
Now these are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still restricted because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. They were equipped with bows, using both the right hand and the left to sling stones and to shoot arrows from the bow; they were Saul’s relatives from Benjamin. The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah and Jehu the Anathothite, and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty. Then Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the Korahites, and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. (1 Chr 12:1-7 LSB)
Did David’s army as king of all Israel also include many from Gad?
From the Gadites valiant mighty men went over to David at the stronghold in the wilderness, men trained for war who could handle a large shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains. Ezer was the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbannai, the eleventh. These men from the sons of Gad were captains of the army; the one who was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest, to a thousand. These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, to the east and to the west. (1 Chr 12:8-15 NASB)
Did David’s army as king of all Israel also include men from Benjamin and Judah?
Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.” Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands. (1 Chr 12:16-18 NIV)
Did David’s army as king of all Israel also include men from Manasseh?
And some from Manasseh defected to David when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, “He may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads.” When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who were from Manasseh. And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God. (1 Chr 12:19-22 NKJV)
How many men from various tribes did David’s army consist of?
These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as the Lord had promised. From the tribe of Judah, there were 6,800 warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Simeon, there were 7,100 brave warriors. From the tribe of Levi, there were 4,600 warriors. This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had 3,700 under his command. This also included Zadok, a brave young warrior, with members of his family who were all officers. From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s relatives, there were 3,000 warriors. Most of the men from Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul until this time. From the tribe of Ephraim, there were 20,800 brave warriors, each highly respected in his own clan. From the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, 18,000 men were designated by name to help David become king. From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. From the tribe of Zebulun, there were 50,000 skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David. From the tribe of Naphtali, there were 1,000 officers and 37,000 warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Dan, there were 28,600 warriors, all prepared for battle. From the tribe of Asher, there were 40,000 trained warriors, all prepared for battle. From the east side of the Jordan River—where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived—there were 120,000 troops armed with every kind of weapon. (1 Chr 12:23-37 NLT)
What attitude did the men have and what festivities did they celebrate?
All these were men of war who could order the battle array, and came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had supplied provisions for them. Moreover those who were near to them, as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: supplies of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, cattle, and sheep in abundance; for there was joy in Israel. (1 Chr 12:38-40 WEB)
Are we loyal to man-made dogmas or to Jesus and commandments that He taught?
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15 CEB)
Was loyalty in David’s army a model for us today? Are we loyal to our tribe more than to Jesus? You decide!
David's Elite (1 Chronicles 11)
Who were the mighty men loyal to David? In your church, who are the mighty men loyal to God? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 11.
What did people say to David before the elders of Israel anointed him king?
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh. They anointed David king over Israel, according to Yahweh’s word by Samuel. (1 Chronicles 11:1-3 WEB)
What did Zion become after its capture? How did Joab become commander in chief?
Then David and all Israel marched to Jerusalem, that is, Jebus, where the Jebusites lived. The people who lived in Jebus told David, “You’ll never get in here!” But David captured the mountain fortress of Zion, which became David’s City. David had said, “The first one to kill a Jebusite will become commander in chief!” Joab, Zeruiah’s son, was the first to attack and so became commander in chief. David occupied the fortress, so it was renamed David’s City. He also built up the city on all sides, including its own foundations and the surrounding areas, while Joab restored the rest of the city. David grew increasingly powerful, and the Lord of heavenly forces was with him. (1 Chronicles 11:4-9 CEB)
Who were names of note among the warriors who helped keep David’s kingdom strong?
The Lord had promised that David would become king, and so everyone in Israel gave David their support. Certain warriors also helped keep his kingdom strong. The first of these warriors was Jashobeam the son of Hachmoni, the leader of the Three Warriors. In one battle he killed 300 men with his spear. Another one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. During a battle against the Philistines at Pas-Dammim, all the Israelite soldiers ran away, except Eleazar, who stayed with David. They took their positions in a nearby barley field and defeated the Philistines! The Lord gave Israel a great victory that day. (1 Chr 11:10-14 CEV)
What is an example of the loyalty between David’s mighty men and him?
Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David at the cave of Adullam, when the army of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the Lord and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men. (1 Chr 11:15-19 ESV)
Who were some of the other names of note among David’s warriors?
Abishai, Joab’s brother, was the leader of the Three. He raised his spear against 300 men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. He was more honored than the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, Benaiah went down to him with a club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear. These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors. He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard. (1 Chr 11:20-25 HCSB)
Who were soldiers listed among the elite in David’s army?
The elite forces included Asahel (Joab’s brother), Dodo’s son Elhanan from Bethlehem, Shammoth from Haror, Helez the Pelonite, Ikkesh’s son Ira from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai from Netophah, Baanah’s son Heled from Netophah, Ribai’s son Ithai from Gibeah, controlled by the descendants of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon, Hurai from the wadis of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth from Baharum, Eliahba from Shaalbon, Hashem the Gizonite, Shagee the Hararite’s son Jonathan, Sachar the Hararite’s son Ahiam, Ur’s son Eliphal, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro from Carmel, Ezbai’s son Naarai, Joel (Nathan’s brother), Hagri’s son Mibhar, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai from Beeroth, who was the armor-bearer for Zeruiah’s son Joab, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Ahlai’s son Zabad, Shiza the Reubenite’s son Adina, a leader of the descendants of Reuben, along with thirty others with him, Maacah’s son Hanan, Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Hotham the Aroerite’s sons Shama and Jeiel, Shimri’s son Jediael and his brother Joha the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Elnaam’s sons Jeribai and Joshaviah, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite. (1 Chr 11:26-47 ISV)
Are we in the church also called to be strong in the Lord?
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10 KJV)
Who were the mighty men loyal to David? In your church, who are the mighty men loyal to God? You decide!
What did people say to David before the elders of Israel anointed him king?
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh. They anointed David king over Israel, according to Yahweh’s word by Samuel. (1 Chronicles 11:1-3 WEB)
What did Zion become after its capture? How did Joab become commander in chief?
Then David and all Israel marched to Jerusalem, that is, Jebus, where the Jebusites lived. The people who lived in Jebus told David, “You’ll never get in here!” But David captured the mountain fortress of Zion, which became David’s City. David had said, “The first one to kill a Jebusite will become commander in chief!” Joab, Zeruiah’s son, was the first to attack and so became commander in chief. David occupied the fortress, so it was renamed David’s City. He also built up the city on all sides, including its own foundations and the surrounding areas, while Joab restored the rest of the city. David grew increasingly powerful, and the Lord of heavenly forces was with him. (1 Chronicles 11:4-9 CEB)
Who were names of note among the warriors who helped keep David’s kingdom strong?
The Lord had promised that David would become king, and so everyone in Israel gave David their support. Certain warriors also helped keep his kingdom strong. The first of these warriors was Jashobeam the son of Hachmoni, the leader of the Three Warriors. In one battle he killed 300 men with his spear. Another one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. During a battle against the Philistines at Pas-Dammim, all the Israelite soldiers ran away, except Eleazar, who stayed with David. They took their positions in a nearby barley field and defeated the Philistines! The Lord gave Israel a great victory that day. (1 Chr 11:10-14 CEV)
What is an example of the loyalty between David’s mighty men and him?
Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David at the cave of Adullam, when the army of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the Lord and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men. (1 Chr 11:15-19 ESV)
Who were some of the other names of note among David’s warriors?
Abishai, Joab’s brother, was the leader of the Three. He raised his spear against 300 men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. He was more honored than the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam, Benaiah went down to him with a club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear. These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors. He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard. (1 Chr 11:20-25 HCSB)
Who were soldiers listed among the elite in David’s army?
The elite forces included Asahel (Joab’s brother), Dodo’s son Elhanan from Bethlehem, Shammoth from Haror, Helez the Pelonite, Ikkesh’s son Ira from Tekoa, Abiezer from Anathoth, Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai from Netophah, Baanah’s son Heled from Netophah, Ribai’s son Ithai from Gibeah, controlled by the descendants of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon, Hurai from the wadis of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth from Baharum, Eliahba from Shaalbon, Hashem the Gizonite, Shagee the Hararite’s son Jonathan, Sachar the Hararite’s son Ahiam, Ur’s son Eliphal, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro from Carmel, Ezbai’s son Naarai, Joel (Nathan’s brother), Hagri’s son Mibhar, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai from Beeroth, who was the armor-bearer for Zeruiah’s son Joab, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Ahlai’s son Zabad, Shiza the Reubenite’s son Adina, a leader of the descendants of Reuben, along with thirty others with him, Maacah’s son Hanan, Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Hotham the Aroerite’s sons Shama and Jeiel, Shimri’s son Jediael and his brother Joha the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Elnaam’s sons Jeribai and Joshaviah, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite. (1 Chr 11:26-47 ISV)
Are we in the church also called to be strong in the Lord?
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10 KJV)
Who were the mighty men loyal to David? In your church, who are the mighty men loyal to God? You decide!
Saul's Death (1 Chronicles 10)
Did Saul’s unfaithfulness to God cause his downfall? Is keeping the word of the Lord the most important legacy we can leave? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 10.
Though God saved Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth, did he and his sons meet a tragic end?
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers. Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. (1 Chr 10:1-4 KJV)
Did two generations of Saul’s family die in one day?
Then his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, so he also fell on his sword and died. Thus Saul died with his three sons, and all those of his house died together. Then all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead. So they forsook their cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them. (1 Chr 10:5-7 LSB)
Did Merib-Baal change his name to Mephibosheth, to disassociate himself from Baal, one of many gods the Philistines worshipped? Did they call the death of Saul good news?
It came about the next day, when the Philistines came to strip those killed, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. So they stripped him and took his head and his armor and sent messengers around the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. They put his armor in the house of their gods and impaled his head in the house of Dagon. (1 Chr 10:8-10 NASB)
Did the people bury Saul and his sons and mourn their death?
When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. (1 Chr 10:11-12 NIV)
What is the real reason that Saul died in such a tragic manner?
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. (1 Chr 10:13-14 NKJV)
Is faithfulness the kind of evidence that the Holy Spirit produces in us?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)
Did Saul’s unfaithfulness to God cause his downfall? Is keeping the word of the Lord the most important legacy we can leave? You decide!
Though God saved Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth, did he and his sons meet a tragic end?
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers. Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. (1 Chr 10:1-4 KJV)
Did two generations of Saul’s family die in one day?
Then his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, so he also fell on his sword and died. Thus Saul died with his three sons, and all those of his house died together. Then all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead. So they forsook their cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them. (1 Chr 10:5-7 LSB)
Did Merib-Baal change his name to Mephibosheth, to disassociate himself from Baal, one of many gods the Philistines worshipped? Did they call the death of Saul good news?
It came about the next day, when the Philistines came to strip those killed, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. So they stripped him and took his head and his armor and sent messengers around the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. They put his armor in the house of their gods and impaled his head in the house of Dagon. (1 Chr 10:8-10 NASB)
Did the people bury Saul and his sons and mourn their death?
When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. (1 Chr 10:11-12 NIV)
What is the real reason that Saul died in such a tragic manner?
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. (1 Chr 10:13-14 NKJV)
Is faithfulness the kind of evidence that the Holy Spirit produces in us?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)
Did Saul’s unfaithfulness to God cause his downfall? Is keeping the word of the Lord the most important legacy we can leave? You decide!
Babylon Returnees (1 Chronicles 9)
Do genealogies teach us life is temporary? What is the real legacy of a generation? Are even mundane duties important? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 9.
Which tribes settled in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity?
All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants. Those from Judah, from Benjamin, and from Ephraim and Manasseh who lived in Jerusalem were: (1 Chronicles 9:1-3 NIV)
Of the tribe of Judah, which families returned to Jerusalem?
Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah. Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren—six hundred and ninety. (1 Chronicles 9:4-6 NKJV)
Of the tribe of Benjamin, which families returned to Jerusalem?
From the tribe of Benjamin came Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Hodaviah, son of Hassenuah; Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, son of Micri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Ibnijah. These men were all leaders of clans, and they were listed in their genealogical records. In all, 956 families from the tribe of Benjamin returned. (1 Chr 9:7-9 NLT)
Among the priestly descendants of Aaron, who returned to Jerusalem?
Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; and their brothers, heads of their fathers’ houses, one thousand seven hundred sixty; they were very able men for the work of the service of God’s house. (1 Chr 9:10-13 WEB)
Among the non-priestly descendants of Levi, who returned to Jerusalem?
From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub son of Azrikam son of Hashabiah, from Merari’s family; Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica son of Zichri son of Asaph; Obadiah son of Shemaiah son of Galal son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa son of Elkanah, who lived in the settlements of the Netophathites. (1 Chr 9:14-16 CEB)
Among the descendants of Levi, who returned to Jerusalem as temple guards?
Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives were the guards at the temple gates. Shallum was the leader of this clan, and for a long time they had been the guards at the King's Gate on the east side of the city. Before that, their ancestors guarded the entrance to the Levite camp. Shallum son of Kore, as well as the other men in the Korahite clan, guarded the entrance to the temple, just as their ancestors had guarded the entrance to the sacred tent. Phinehas son of Eleazar had supervised their work because the Lord was with him. Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was also one of the guards at the temple. There was a total of 212 guards, all of them listed in the family records in their towns. Their ancestors had been chosen by King David and by Samuel the prophet to be responsible for this work, and now they guarded the temple gates. There was one full-time guard appointed to each of the four sides of the temple. Their assistants lived in the villages outside the city, and every seven days a group of them would come into the city and take their turn at guard duty. The four full-time guards were Levites, and they supervised the other guards and were responsible for the rooms in the temple and the supplies kept there. They guarded the temple day and night and opened its doors every morning. (1 Chr 9:17-27 CEV)
What other temple duties did Levites who lived in Jerusalem have?
Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices. Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices, and Mattithiah, one of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with making the flat cakes. Also some of their kinsmen of the Kohathites had charge of the showbread, to prepare it every Sabbath. Now these, the singers, the heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, were in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night. These were heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, according to their generations, leaders. These lived in Jerusalem. (1 Chr 9:28-34 ESV)
Was Saul’s family mentioned a second time to emphasize that God was merciful and did not wipe them out?
Jeiel fathered Gibeon and lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah. Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. Mikloth fathered Shimeam. These also lived opposite their relatives in Jerusalem with their other relatives. Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. Jonathan’s son was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah. Micah’s sons: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. Ahaz fathered Jarah; Jarah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; Zimri fathered Moza. Moza fathered Binea. His son was Rephaiah, his son Elasah, and his son Azel. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were Azel’s sons. (1 Chr 9:35-44 HCSB)
How quickly does a generation pass? How temporary is life?
You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14 ISV)
What is important in our generation, what is seen or what is eternal?
… we do not look for things that can be seen but for things that cannot be seen. For things that can be seen are temporary, but things that cannot be seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:18 ISV)
Do genealogies teach us life is temporary? What is the real legacy of a generation? Are even mundane duties important? You decide!
Which tribes settled in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity?
All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants. Those from Judah, from Benjamin, and from Ephraim and Manasseh who lived in Jerusalem were: (1 Chronicles 9:1-3 NIV)
Of the tribe of Judah, which families returned to Jerusalem?
Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah. Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren—six hundred and ninety. (1 Chronicles 9:4-6 NKJV)
Of the tribe of Benjamin, which families returned to Jerusalem?
From the tribe of Benjamin came Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Hodaviah, son of Hassenuah; Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, son of Micri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah, son of Reuel, son of Ibnijah. These men were all leaders of clans, and they were listed in their genealogical records. In all, 956 families from the tribe of Benjamin returned. (1 Chr 9:7-9 NLT)
Among the priestly descendants of Aaron, who returned to Jerusalem?
Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; and their brothers, heads of their fathers’ houses, one thousand seven hundred sixty; they were very able men for the work of the service of God’s house. (1 Chr 9:10-13 WEB)
Among the non-priestly descendants of Levi, who returned to Jerusalem?
From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub son of Azrikam son of Hashabiah, from Merari’s family; Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica son of Zichri son of Asaph; Obadiah son of Shemaiah son of Galal son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa son of Elkanah, who lived in the settlements of the Netophathites. (1 Chr 9:14-16 CEB)
Among the descendants of Levi, who returned to Jerusalem as temple guards?
Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives were the guards at the temple gates. Shallum was the leader of this clan, and for a long time they had been the guards at the King's Gate on the east side of the city. Before that, their ancestors guarded the entrance to the Levite camp. Shallum son of Kore, as well as the other men in the Korahite clan, guarded the entrance to the temple, just as their ancestors had guarded the entrance to the sacred tent. Phinehas son of Eleazar had supervised their work because the Lord was with him. Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was also one of the guards at the temple. There was a total of 212 guards, all of them listed in the family records in their towns. Their ancestors had been chosen by King David and by Samuel the prophet to be responsible for this work, and now they guarded the temple gates. There was one full-time guard appointed to each of the four sides of the temple. Their assistants lived in the villages outside the city, and every seven days a group of them would come into the city and take their turn at guard duty. The four full-time guards were Levites, and they supervised the other guards and were responsible for the rooms in the temple and the supplies kept there. They guarded the temple day and night and opened its doors every morning. (1 Chr 9:17-27 CEV)
What other temple duties did Levites who lived in Jerusalem have?
Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices. Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices, and Mattithiah, one of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with making the flat cakes. Also some of their kinsmen of the Kohathites had charge of the showbread, to prepare it every Sabbath. Now these, the singers, the heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, were in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night. These were heads of fathers' houses of the Levites, according to their generations, leaders. These lived in Jerusalem. (1 Chr 9:28-34 ESV)
Was Saul’s family mentioned a second time to emphasize that God was merciful and did not wipe them out?
Jeiel fathered Gibeon and lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah. Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. Mikloth fathered Shimeam. These also lived opposite their relatives in Jerusalem with their other relatives. Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. Jonathan’s son was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah. Micah’s sons: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. Ahaz fathered Jarah; Jarah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; Zimri fathered Moza. Moza fathered Binea. His son was Rephaiah, his son Elasah, and his son Azel. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were Azel’s sons. (1 Chr 9:35-44 HCSB)
How quickly does a generation pass? How temporary is life?
You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14 ISV)
What is important in our generation, what is seen or what is eternal?
… we do not look for things that can be seen but for things that cannot be seen. For things that can be seen are temporary, but things that cannot be seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:18 ISV)
Do genealogies teach us life is temporary? What is the real legacy of a generation? Are even mundane duties important? You decide!
Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8)
What can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? What can we learn from the lives of Ehud, Saul, Jonathan, Esther and Paul? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 8.
Benjamin fathered Bela his firstborn, Ashbel his second born, Aharah his third born, Nohah his fourth born, and Rapha his fifth born. Bela’s descendants included Addar, Gera, Abihud, Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. Ehud’s descendants, who were leaders of their ancestral households in Geba and who were taken into exile to Manahath, included: Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera (also known as Heglam), who fathered Uzza and Ahihud. Shaharaim fathered sons in the land of Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. By his wife Hodesh he fathered Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons and leaders of ancestral households. He also fathered his sons Abitub and Elpaal by Hushim. (1 Chr 8:1-11 ISV)
Who were the heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men, who dwelt in Jerusalem?
And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof: Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth, And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah; And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber, Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal; And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi; And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah, And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak; And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah, And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. (1 Chr 8:11-28 KJV)
Who was a part of the line that King Saul belonged to?
Now in Gibeon, Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived, and his wife’s name was Maacah; and his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, and Zecher. Mikloth became the father of Shimeah. And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their other relatives. Ner became the father of Kish, and Kish became the father of Saul, and Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal became the father of Micah. The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri became the father of Moza. Moza became the father of Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. The sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, 150 of them. All these were of the sons of Benjamin. (1 Chr 8:29-40 LSB)
At the end of human history do we see Benjamin included (Revelation 7), and Paul as one of its heroes?
I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? Far from it! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1 NASB)
What can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? What can we learn from the lives of Ehud, Saul, Jonathan, Esther and Paul? You decide!
Benjamin fathered Bela his firstborn, Ashbel his second born, Aharah his third born, Nohah his fourth born, and Rapha his fifth born. Bela’s descendants included Addar, Gera, Abihud, Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. Ehud’s descendants, who were leaders of their ancestral households in Geba and who were taken into exile to Manahath, included: Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera (also known as Heglam), who fathered Uzza and Ahihud. Shaharaim fathered sons in the land of Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. By his wife Hodesh he fathered Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons and leaders of ancestral households. He also fathered his sons Abitub and Elpaal by Hushim. (1 Chr 8:1-11 ISV)
Who were the heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men, who dwelt in Jerusalem?
And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof: Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth, And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah; And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber, Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal; And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi; And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah, And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak; And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah, And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. (1 Chr 8:11-28 KJV)
Who was a part of the line that King Saul belonged to?
Now in Gibeon, Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived, and his wife’s name was Maacah; and his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, and Zecher. Mikloth became the father of Shimeah. And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their other relatives. Ner became the father of Kish, and Kish became the father of Saul, and Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal became the father of Micah. The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri became the father of Moza. Moza became the father of Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. The sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, 150 of them. All these were of the sons of Benjamin. (1 Chr 8:29-40 LSB)
At the end of human history do we see Benjamin included (Revelation 7), and Paul as one of its heroes?
I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? Far from it! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1 NASB)
What can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? What can we learn from the lives of Ehud, Saul, Jonathan, Esther and Paul? You decide!
Missing Tribes (1 Chronicles 7)
Didn’t all Israel sin? Why are Dan and Zebulun missing? No answer is given, but one warning is clear: Let’s not neglect salvation, lest we too drift away! Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 7.
Who were the descendants of Issachar and how large was their army?
The four sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel. Each of them was the leader of an ancestral clan. At the time of King David, the total number of mighty warriors listed in the records of these clans was 22,600. The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah. These five became the leaders of clans. All of them had many wives and many sons, so the total number of men available for military service among their descendants was 36,000. The total number of mighty warriors from all the clans of the tribe of Issachar was 87,000. All of them were listed in their genealogical records. (1 Chronicles 7:1-5 NLT)
Who were the descendants of Benjamin and how large was their army?
The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three. The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor; and they were listed by genealogy twenty-two thousand thirty-four. The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher. They were listed by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand two hundred. The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand two hundred, who were able to go out in the army for war. So were Shuppim, Huppim, the sons of Ir, Hushim, and the sons of Aher. (1 Chronicles 7:6-12 WEB)
Who were the descendants of Naphtali and West Manasseh?
Naphtali’s family: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum. These were Bilhah’s family. Manasseh’s family: Asriel, to whom his Aramean secondary wife gave birth. She gave birth to Machir, Gilead’s father. Machir married Huppite and Shuppite women. His sister’s name was Maacah. The second descendant’s name was Zelophehad, who had only daughters. Machir’s wife Maacah gave birth to a son and named him Peresh. His brother’s name was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem. Ulam’s family: Bedan. This was the family of Gilead, Machir’s son and Manasseh’s grandson. His sister Hammolecheth gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, Mahlah, and Shemida. The members of Shemida’s family were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam. (1 Chr 7:13-19 CEB)
Who were the descendants of Ephraim, the other tribe of Joseph?
Ephraim was the father of Shuthelah and the ancestor of Bered, Tahath, Eleadah, Tahath, Zabad, and Shuthelah. Ephraim had two other sons, Ezer and Elead. But they were killed when they tried to steal livestock from the people who lived in the territory of Gath. Ephraim mourned for his sons a long time, and his relatives came to comfort him. Some time later his wife gave birth to another son, and Ephraim named him Beriah, because he was born during a time of misery. Ephraim's daughter was Sheerah. She built the towns of Lower Beth-Horon, Upper Beth-Horon, and Uzzen-Sheerah. Ephraim also had a son named Rephah, and his descendants included Resheph, Telah, Tahan, Ladan, Ammihud, Elishama, Nun, and Joshua. The descendants of Ephraim took over the territory as far south as Bethel, as far east as Naaran, and as far west as Gezer. Their territory included all the villages around these towns, as well as Shechem, Ayyah, and the nearby villages. The descendants of Manasseh settled in the territory that included Beth-Shan, Taanach, Megiddo, Dor, and the nearby villages. The descendants of Joseph lived in these towns and villages. (1 Chr 7:20-29 CEV)
Who were the descendants of Asher and how large was their army?
The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel, who fathered Birzaith. Heber fathered Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua. The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the sons of Japhlet. The sons of Shemer his brother: Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah. Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara. The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. All of these were men of Asher, heads of fathers' houses, approved, mighty warriors, chiefs of the princes. Their number enrolled by genealogies, for service in war, was 26,000 men. (1 Chr 7:30-40 ESV)
If we ask why two tribes are missing, do we hear a personal warning?
We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:1-3a HCSB)
Didn’t all Israel sin? Why are Dan and Zebulun missing? No answer is given, but one warning is clear: Let’s not neglect salvation, lest we too drift away! You decide!
Who were the descendants of Issachar and how large was their army?
The four sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel. Each of them was the leader of an ancestral clan. At the time of King David, the total number of mighty warriors listed in the records of these clans was 22,600. The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah. These five became the leaders of clans. All of them had many wives and many sons, so the total number of men available for military service among their descendants was 36,000. The total number of mighty warriors from all the clans of the tribe of Issachar was 87,000. All of them were listed in their genealogical records. (1 Chronicles 7:1-5 NLT)
Who were the descendants of Benjamin and how large was their army?
The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three. The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor; and they were listed by genealogy twenty-two thousand thirty-four. The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher. They were listed by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand two hundred. The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. All these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand two hundred, who were able to go out in the army for war. So were Shuppim, Huppim, the sons of Ir, Hushim, and the sons of Aher. (1 Chronicles 7:6-12 WEB)
Who were the descendants of Naphtali and West Manasseh?
Naphtali’s family: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum. These were Bilhah’s family. Manasseh’s family: Asriel, to whom his Aramean secondary wife gave birth. She gave birth to Machir, Gilead’s father. Machir married Huppite and Shuppite women. His sister’s name was Maacah. The second descendant’s name was Zelophehad, who had only daughters. Machir’s wife Maacah gave birth to a son and named him Peresh. His brother’s name was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem. Ulam’s family: Bedan. This was the family of Gilead, Machir’s son and Manasseh’s grandson. His sister Hammolecheth gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, Mahlah, and Shemida. The members of Shemida’s family were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam. (1 Chr 7:13-19 CEB)
Who were the descendants of Ephraim, the other tribe of Joseph?
Ephraim was the father of Shuthelah and the ancestor of Bered, Tahath, Eleadah, Tahath, Zabad, and Shuthelah. Ephraim had two other sons, Ezer and Elead. But they were killed when they tried to steal livestock from the people who lived in the territory of Gath. Ephraim mourned for his sons a long time, and his relatives came to comfort him. Some time later his wife gave birth to another son, and Ephraim named him Beriah, because he was born during a time of misery. Ephraim's daughter was Sheerah. She built the towns of Lower Beth-Horon, Upper Beth-Horon, and Uzzen-Sheerah. Ephraim also had a son named Rephah, and his descendants included Resheph, Telah, Tahan, Ladan, Ammihud, Elishama, Nun, and Joshua. The descendants of Ephraim took over the territory as far south as Bethel, as far east as Naaran, and as far west as Gezer. Their territory included all the villages around these towns, as well as Shechem, Ayyah, and the nearby villages. The descendants of Manasseh settled in the territory that included Beth-Shan, Taanach, Megiddo, Dor, and the nearby villages. The descendants of Joseph lived in these towns and villages. (1 Chr 7:20-29 CEV)
Who were the descendants of Asher and how large was their army?
The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber, and Malchiel, who fathered Birzaith. Heber fathered Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua. The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the sons of Japhlet. The sons of Shemer his brother: Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah. Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara. The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. All of these were men of Asher, heads of fathers' houses, approved, mighty warriors, chiefs of the princes. Their number enrolled by genealogies, for service in war, was 26,000 men. (1 Chr 7:30-40 ESV)
If we ask why two tribes are missing, do we hear a personal warning?
We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:1-3a HCSB)
Didn’t all Israel sin? Why are Dan and Zebulun missing? No answer is given, but one warning is clear: Let’s not neglect salvation, lest we too drift away! You decide!
The Priestly Tribe (1 Chronicles 6)
Were the Levites scattered throughout Israel? Who is our high priest today? Does God still work through families? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 6.
Who were the main descendants of note among the Levites? Does ministry still run in families in the church?
The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. (1 Chronicles 6:1-3 NLT)
Who were the priests descended from Levi down to the time of Solomon’s temple?
Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, Phinehas became the father of Abishua, Abishua became the father of Bukki. Bukki became the father of Uzzi. Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah. Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth. Meraioth became the father of Amariah. Amariah became the father of Ahitub. Ahitub became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz. Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah. Azariah became the father of Johanan. Johanan became the father of Azariah, who executed the priest’s office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 6:4-10 WEB)
Who were the priests descended from Levi down to the time of the exile in Babylon?
Azariah was the father of Amariah, Amariah of Ahitub, Ahitub of Zadok, Zadok of Shallum, Shallum of Hilkiah, Hilkiah of Azariah, Azariah of Seraiah, and Seraiah of Jehozadak. Jehozadak went away when the Lord caused Judah and Jerusalem to be exiled by Nebuchadnezzar. (1 Chronicles 6:11-15 CEB)
Who were the other descendants of Levi’s three sons?
Levi's three sons had sons of their own. Gershon was the father of Libni and Shimei. Kohath was the father of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Merari was the father of Mahli and Mushi. These descendants of Levi each became leaders of their own clans. Gershon's descendants included Libni, Jahath, Zimmah, Joah, Iddo, Zerah, and Jeatherai. Kohath's descendants included Amminadab, Korah, Assir, Elkanah, Ebiasaph, Assir, Tahath, Uriel, Uzziah, and Shaul. Elkanah was the father of Amasai and Ahimoth. Ahimoth's descendants included Elkanah, Zophai, Nahath, Eliab, Jeroham, and Elkanah. Samuel was the father of Joel and Abijah, born in that order. Merari's descendants included Mahli, Libni, Shimei, Uzzah, Shimea, Haggiah, and Asaiah. (1 Chr 6:16-30 CEV)
Who were the descendants of musicians and singers descended from Levi? Is music still important in church life?
These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. These are the men who served and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer the son of Joel, son of Samuel, son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah, son of Zuph, son of Elkanah, son of Mahath, son of Amasai, son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah, son of Tahath, son of Assir, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel; and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchijah, son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah, son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei, son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi. On the left hand were their brothers, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch, son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah, son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer, son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi. And their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God. (1 Chr 6:31-48 ESV)
What was the main function of Aaron and his descendants?
But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the most holy place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offerings and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. These are Aaron’s sons: his son Eleazar, his son Phinehas, his son Abishua, his son Bukki, his son Uzzi, his son Zerahiah, his son Meraioth, his son Amariah, his son Ahitub, his son Zadok, and his son Ahimaaz. (1 Chr 6:49-53 HCSB)
Where were the descendants of Kohath allotted settlements among the tribes?
These are the settlement locations allotted within their borders to Aaron’s descendants in the Kohathite clan since the lot was cast in their favor first. Hebron in the territory of Judah was allotted to them, along with its surrounding suburbs. The fields adjacent to the city and its villages were allotted to Jephunneh’s son Caleb. They allotted these cities of refuge to the descendants of Aaron: Hebron, Libnah with its surrounding suburbs, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its surrounding suburbs, Hilen with its surrounding suburbs, Debir with its surrounding suburbs, Ashan with its surrounding suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with its surrounding suburbs. From the tribe of Benjamin were allotted Geba with its surrounding suburbs, Alemeth with its surrounding suburbs, and Anathoth with its surrounding suburbs. All their towns allotted to their families totaled thirteen. Ten towns were allocated to the rest of the descendants of Kohath by lot out of the family of the tribe, that is, the half-tribe of Manasseh. (1 Chr 6:54-61 ISV)
Where were the descendants of Gershom allotted settlements among the tribes?
And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs. And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names. (1 Chr 6:62-65 KJV)
Where were the remainder of the sons of Kohath allotted places to live?
Now some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their territory from the tribe of Ephraim. And they gave to them the following cities of refuge: Shechem, with its pasture lands, in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasture lands, Jokmeam with its pasture lands, Beth-horon with its pasture lands, Aijalon with its pasture lands, and Gath-rimmon with its pasture lands; and from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with its pasture lands and Bileam with its pasture lands, for the family of the rest of the sons of Kohath. (1 Chr 6:66-70 LSB)
Where were the remainder of the sons of Gershom allotted land?
To the sons of Gershom were given, from the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan with its pasture lands and Ashtaroth with its pasture lands; and from the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its pasture lands, Daberath with its pasture lands, Ramoth with its pasture lands, and Anem with its pasture lands; and from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasture lands, Abdon with its pasture lands, Hukok with its pasture lands, and Rehob with its pasture lands; and from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its pasture lands, Hammon with its pasture lands, and Kiriathaim with its pasture lands. (1 Chr 6:71-76 NASB)
Where were the descendants of Merari allotted settlements?
The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they received Jokneam, Kartah, Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands; from the tribe of Reuben across the Jordan east of Jericho they received Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah, Kedemoth and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands; and from the tribe of Gad they received Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon and Jazer, together with their pasturelands. (1 Chr 6:77-81 NIV)
Was the priesthood changed back to the more ancient order of Melchizedek, from the order of Aaron to Christ?
Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. (Hebrews 7:11-12 NKJV)
Were the Levites scattered throughout Israel? Who is our high priest today? Does God still work through families? You decide!
Who were the main descendants of note among the Levites? Does ministry still run in families in the church?
The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. (1 Chronicles 6:1-3 NLT)
Who were the priests descended from Levi down to the time of Solomon’s temple?
Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, Phinehas became the father of Abishua, Abishua became the father of Bukki. Bukki became the father of Uzzi. Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah. Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth. Meraioth became the father of Amariah. Amariah became the father of Ahitub. Ahitub became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz. Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah. Azariah became the father of Johanan. Johanan became the father of Azariah, who executed the priest’s office in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 6:4-10 WEB)
Who were the priests descended from Levi down to the time of the exile in Babylon?
Azariah was the father of Amariah, Amariah of Ahitub, Ahitub of Zadok, Zadok of Shallum, Shallum of Hilkiah, Hilkiah of Azariah, Azariah of Seraiah, and Seraiah of Jehozadak. Jehozadak went away when the Lord caused Judah and Jerusalem to be exiled by Nebuchadnezzar. (1 Chronicles 6:11-15 CEB)
Who were the other descendants of Levi’s three sons?
Levi's three sons had sons of their own. Gershon was the father of Libni and Shimei. Kohath was the father of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Merari was the father of Mahli and Mushi. These descendants of Levi each became leaders of their own clans. Gershon's descendants included Libni, Jahath, Zimmah, Joah, Iddo, Zerah, and Jeatherai. Kohath's descendants included Amminadab, Korah, Assir, Elkanah, Ebiasaph, Assir, Tahath, Uriel, Uzziah, and Shaul. Elkanah was the father of Amasai and Ahimoth. Ahimoth's descendants included Elkanah, Zophai, Nahath, Eliab, Jeroham, and Elkanah. Samuel was the father of Joel and Abijah, born in that order. Merari's descendants included Mahli, Libni, Shimei, Uzzah, Shimea, Haggiah, and Asaiah. (1 Chr 6:16-30 CEV)
Who were the descendants of musicians and singers descended from Levi? Is music still important in church life?
These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. These are the men who served and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer the son of Joel, son of Samuel, son of Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliel, son of Toah, son of Zuph, son of Elkanah, son of Mahath, son of Amasai, son of Elkanah, son of Joel, son of Azariah, son of Zephaniah, son of Tahath, son of Assir, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel; and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, son of Michael, son of Baaseiah, son of Malchijah, son of Ethni, son of Zerah, son of Adaiah, son of Ethan, son of Zimmah, son of Shimei, son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi. On the left hand were their brothers, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch, son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah, son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer, son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi. And their brothers the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God. (1 Chr 6:31-48 ESV)
What was the main function of Aaron and his descendants?
But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the most holy place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offerings and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. These are Aaron’s sons: his son Eleazar, his son Phinehas, his son Abishua, his son Bukki, his son Uzzi, his son Zerahiah, his son Meraioth, his son Amariah, his son Ahitub, his son Zadok, and his son Ahimaaz. (1 Chr 6:49-53 HCSB)
Where were the descendants of Kohath allotted settlements among the tribes?
These are the settlement locations allotted within their borders to Aaron’s descendants in the Kohathite clan since the lot was cast in their favor first. Hebron in the territory of Judah was allotted to them, along with its surrounding suburbs. The fields adjacent to the city and its villages were allotted to Jephunneh’s son Caleb. They allotted these cities of refuge to the descendants of Aaron: Hebron, Libnah with its surrounding suburbs, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its surrounding suburbs, Hilen with its surrounding suburbs, Debir with its surrounding suburbs, Ashan with its surrounding suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with its surrounding suburbs. From the tribe of Benjamin were allotted Geba with its surrounding suburbs, Alemeth with its surrounding suburbs, and Anathoth with its surrounding suburbs. All their towns allotted to their families totaled thirteen. Ten towns were allocated to the rest of the descendants of Kohath by lot out of the family of the tribe, that is, the half-tribe of Manasseh. (1 Chr 6:54-61 ISV)
Where were the descendants of Gershom allotted settlements among the tribes?
And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs. And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names. (1 Chr 6:62-65 KJV)
Where were the remainder of the sons of Kohath allotted places to live?
Now some of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their territory from the tribe of Ephraim. And they gave to them the following cities of refuge: Shechem, with its pasture lands, in the hill country of Ephraim, and Gezer with its pasture lands, Jokmeam with its pasture lands, Beth-horon with its pasture lands, Aijalon with its pasture lands, and Gath-rimmon with its pasture lands; and from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with its pasture lands and Bileam with its pasture lands, for the family of the rest of the sons of Kohath. (1 Chr 6:66-70 LSB)
Where were the remainder of the sons of Gershom allotted land?
To the sons of Gershom were given, from the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh: Golan in Bashan with its pasture lands and Ashtaroth with its pasture lands; and from the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its pasture lands, Daberath with its pasture lands, Ramoth with its pasture lands, and Anem with its pasture lands; and from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasture lands, Abdon with its pasture lands, Hukok with its pasture lands, and Rehob with its pasture lands; and from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its pasture lands, Hammon with its pasture lands, and Kiriathaim with its pasture lands. (1 Chr 6:71-76 NASB)
Where were the descendants of Merari allotted settlements?
The Merarites (the rest of the Levites) received the following: From the tribe of Zebulun they received Jokneam, Kartah, Rimmono and Tabor, together with their pasturelands; from the tribe of Reuben across the Jordan east of Jericho they received Bezer in the wilderness, Jahzah, Kedemoth and Mephaath, together with their pasturelands; and from the tribe of Gad they received Ramoth in Gilead, Mahanaim, Heshbon and Jazer, together with their pasturelands. (1 Chr 6:77-81 NIV)
Was the priesthood changed back to the more ancient order of Melchizedek, from the order of Aaron to Christ?
Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. (Hebrews 7:11-12 NKJV)
Were the Levites scattered throughout Israel? Who is our high priest today? Does God still work through families? You decide!
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