Pride in one who is saved is just as bad - maybe worse - as pride in one who is unsaved.

1 CHRONICLES 10

The first 9 chapters are mostly a list of the families of some of the tribes of Israel, but the most important tribe was Judah. The great king was David and we learn that he was the first king of God's choice for His people Israel, and into this tribe Jesus was born about 1,000 years later. So I would suggest that we start reading today in the 10th chapter.

In Chronicles we'll see that blessing follows obedience. Each one of us needs to learn and remember this; and prove it in our life. Today, we see the opposite - the result of disobedience to God's Word.

1 Chr 10:1-6 The Lord allowed the Philistines (the most powerful of Israel's enemies) to overcome Saul and his army. Here we read the result of what was said by the Lord about Saul before this. (Read 1 Samuel 15:10-11). The Philistines can be an important lesson for us to learn. Think of them as Satan's power against the believer in Christ today. The Philistines were stronger than Israel, just as Satan is stronger than we as individuals. But whenever the Lord saw that Israel was obedient, the Philistines were immediately defeated when they attacked Israel. So too with us. "To obey is better than to sacrifice..." 1 Samuel 15:22.

1 Chr 10:8-10 The Philistines made a big display of their victory over Saul.

1 Chr 10:11-12 Brave men recovered the bodies of Saul and his sons. Notice particularly what they did for 7 days. God noticed that because He tells us.

1 Chr 10:13-14 Notice why Saul died! Notice against Whom he transgressed! Notice against what! Notice what he didn't keep! Notice what he asked help from! Notice Whom he didn't ask! Notice who was given the kingdom!

#730

We are not left here; we're sent. John 17:18

1 CHRONICLES 11

The story of God's king... David. We remember the many chapters we read in 1 Samuel of all David's troubles before he was made king. Here there is not a word about it.

1 Chr 11:1-3 For seven years David was king only in the town of Hebron and only king over Judah.

1 Chr 11:4-9 Then he was made king over all Israel in Jerusalem.

1 Chr 11:10-47 The mighty and faithful men who surrounded David. Many of the faults and failures of David are not mentioned. Grace covers our sins - Psalm 32:1-2. (Since those days, the Lord Jesus has come to earth and become our sinbearer. Now God does not see one of the believer's sins! Because they are blotted out by the blood of the Lord Jesus - Heb. 10:14 and 17, also 1 John 1:7).

1 Chr 11:17-19 Notice that though there were some very powerful men, the "three mightiest" were doing David's desire. All these men were rewarded according to their faithfulness to David. It is a good thing to remember that David is a shadow of Christ in a future day. The Lord Jesus is going to come back in power and victory to set up His kingdom. Surrounding Him will be those who were faithful to Him during the day of tribulation.

#731

The Lord didn't came to make this world a better place to live; He came to save sinners out of it.

1 CHRONICLES 12

1 Chr 12:1-7 Very interesting and instructive chapter. Many of the men who were faithful to David had been king Saul's men, who had been so jealous of David. (You and I once followed Satan, the enemy of our Lord. Now our hearts have been won by the love of Christ, and we follow Him.)

1 Chr 12:2 The bow and arrow were the very things that killed king Saul - 1 Samuel 3l:3. Now these men are strong in these very same things, because they are with David - verse 18.

1 Chr 12:8-15 The sons of Gad were famous in the use of different weapons, shield and buckler. A beautiful verse tells us that the Lord is our shield and buckler - Psalm 9l:4. The shield was defensive, the buckler was a round shield but had a centre rising out to a point. It was for attacking. Defensive and offensive. (Every believer is equipped in a different way. Eph. 6:11-17).

1 Chr 12:19-22 More turned to David.

1 Chr 12:23-40 A summary of David's faithful men. Read these verses carefully. There is much to learn from them.

1 Chr 12:38 Notice what these men could do. (It is good when believers can keep rank). They had ONE heart.

1 Chr 12:40 The result was "joy in Israel". (When there is faithfulness to Christ among the believers, we are going to be keeping rank (walking in harmony) and there surely will be joy in Him).

#732

Whenever man tampers with the Word of God and tries to make it more to his taste, something is lost.

1 CHRONICLES 13

1 Chr 13:1-8 David immediately thinks of bringing the ark (the highest picture of the presence of the Lord that we have in the Old Testament) to Jerusalem. He consults the captains and leaders. But it does not say anything about speaking to the Lord. He was full of natural enthusiasm, but more than this was necessary... obedience to the Word of GOD. (Sometimes believers are very anxious to be active for the Lord. But unless we act according to the Word of God, we are going to make mistakes).

1 Chr 13:9-14 He probably remembered what the Philistines had done when they had taken the ark. It was all right for them to put the ark on a cart. That really was faith on their part. But entirely wrong for David. (Sometimes we imitate the unsaved, and think that is perfectly all right for us. But is it according to the Word of God?)

1 Chr 13:14 But one home was blessed of God.

#733

I can't expect to lead my children any higher than I go myself.

1 CHRONICLES 14

1 Chr 14:8-17 The Philistines didn't know that God's king (David) was now on Israel's throne and that God would give him strength against them. (Isn't it strange that believers often will pray very much about things in everyday life, but when it comes to worshipping God, many say that they can decide for themselves! When we say to the Lord "where wilt Thou"? (Luke 22:9) then we get His instruction. Do you realize the importance of this?

1 Chr 14:10 & 14 David does what every believer should do daily ... inquire of the Lord before acting.

1 Chr 14:16-17 Notice what the Lord did.

#734

If the Spirit is grieved, we must not be surprised if He cannot show Himself strong on our behalf.

1 CHRONICLES 15

1 Chr 15:1-3 David hasn't forgotten the Ark.

1 Chr 15:4-15 We saw in the 13th chapter that David had disobeyed God's plain instructions about the carrying of the Ark, and the result. Now he is very careful to have the proper men appointed to do the carrying ... the Levites (see Numbers 4:4-15).

1 Chr 15:16-28 David looks after every detail. All must be according to the Word of God. If David had not made his mistake the first time, he might not have become so interested in the Levites, and their being appointed as singers. Isn't it wonderful that the Lord often brings blessing out of our failures!

#735

Holiness must always have the first priority.

1 CHRONICLES 16

1 Chr 16:1-6 David continues to appoint men to serve the Lord. Everyone had a particular place to fill. So have you and I (see Mark 13:34).

1 Chr 16:7-36 These words are also found in a number of different Psalms. But God has a purpose in putting them here and in this order. It is a song of rejoicing. It all leads up to the Lord reigning as King (verse 31). David has been set up as king. The promises made to Abraham long before, are all going to be fulfilled when Christ reigns as King. It is not so much as Priest, but as King. We have noticed in the chapters we have been reading, that the king does all the appointing. The king is the prominent person. So it shall be in the millennium. Christ the King shall lead all the praise to God.

1 Chr 16:37-43 The ark is in Jerusalem, but the altar and the priests are still at Gibbon.

1 Chr 16:39-40 God was setting that place aside because the priests had failed.

#736

There is always a danger that we would relax our attitude about evil.

1 CHRONICLES 17

David now wants to build a house - a temple for God to live in. It was a good desire to have. But it was not the time,

God had a more perfect time.

1 Chr 17:7-13 Instead, God tells David that He will build David "a house". By this was meant a family or a royal line. Notice the eleven things God says He will do. (7) I took thee etc... (8) I have been with thee... (9) I will ordain a place... will plant them. (10) I will subdue all thine enemies... will build thee an house, (11) I will raise up... I will establish (12) I will stablish. (13) I will be his father. (14) I will settle him. These are the sure mercies of David - Acts 13:34. They were sure because they didn't depend on David, only upon God. From Psalm 89:28-37 we learn that David understood that all these things would be fulfilled in Christ.

1 Chr 17:16-27 David's words in his prayer to the Lord. All the words of the Lord produce humility before God and thanksgiving and praise to Him. Do our hearts overflow with praise? We know that David's descendants failed very badly. God says nothing about the responsibilities... only all that which He would do.

#737

Hypocrisy is false holiness.

1 CHRONICLES 18

1 Chr 18:1 "Now after this"... After what? After he had prayed to the Lord! Notice the first enemy named... the one which had killed Saul.

1 Chr 18:2 And another enemy.

1 Chr 18:3 Notice "David smote... he went to establish"...

1 Chr 18:4 "David took"...David houghed (crippled) the enemy's horses.

1 Chr 18:5 David slew another enemy - the Syrians.

1 Chr 18:6 David put up defenses. Notice the last 8 words!

1 Chr 18:7-8 David brings lots of valuable things from other enemies.

1 Chr 18:9-10 Others bring all kinds of riches to David.

1 Chr 18:11 David gives all the spoil to Whom?

1 Chr 18:13 Who preserved David? Who preserves you?

1 Chr 18:14 David brings justice to how many of his people?

1 Chr 18:15 Did David forget the priests?

1 Chr 18:17 Did David's sons follow him?

#738

The hand of God will never lead us where the grace of God cannot keep us.

1 CHRONICLES 19

1 Chr 19:1-5 We have read how that David's power spread far and wide. We are reading of some who were suspicious of David's motives, and shamefully treated his messengers. This story is quite a contrast with poor crippled Mephibosheth - 2 Samuel 9.

1 Chr 19:6-19 This treatment led to defeat for these people. It helps us to understand better when we remember that all this is a shadow of the time when the Lord Jesus shall come in power and great glory at the end of the tribulation. At that time the nations shall act toward Him in different ways. One by one He will destroy them. In Psalm 18:36-45 the same facts are brought out.

#739

To pray about something and not make ourselves available is hypocrisy.

1 CHRONICLES 20

The Lord is here telling the story, as an illustration of the time when Christ shall come as the Perfect King. He comes in glory and power - see Revelation 19:11-16. He shall completely destroy His enemies (as David does in this chapter).

1 Chr 20:2 Notice David's crown. Turn to Revelation 19:12.

1 Chr 20:3 Can be a picture of the severest punishment which shall fall on the Gentile world when the Lord Jesus shall come to be King (Read those verses in Revelation 19:11-16).

#740

We don't spend our lives in the pursuit of happiness, but for meaning, found only in the will of God.

1 CHRONICLES 21

1 Chr 21:1-8 But David is exposed to temptations of Satan through his prosperity. He wants to know how strong he is, so he orders all the people to be counted. But in doing this, he forgets the strength of God. We need to learn our weakness and rely only on His strength - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

1 Chr 21:9-17 The Lord loves David too much to let this pass unnoticed. But, as usual, out of the punishment comes blessing. For us, it is ever the same. David really knew the Lord well, though for a moment he forgets. But when he gets back his understanding, he chooses to fall into the hand of the Lord, rather than to hope for any mercy from his enemies (verse 13). A grand lesson for us to learn too.

1 Chr 21:18-30 God turns our hearts to brighter things. God uses David to be the one who selects the spot for the altar. This is to be the place of Solomon's glorious temple! 2 Chronicles 3:1. This was to open a new day for Israel in their relationship with God. But notice that the foundation of all this was the offering of sacrifices (verse 26).

1 Chr 21:27 The plague is stopped immediately. (Of course you realize that this is pointing onward to Christ. The judgment for our sins fell upon Christ. But immediately the work was done, we were free from punishment - Heb. 10:14).

#741

Worship is the response of our hearts to the revelation God has given us of Himself and His counsels and purposes. God is looking for that response.

1 CHRONICLES 22

The tabernacle had lost its place and power. A whole new idea was now going to be established... the temple, and grace appearing. This is the first of five chapters which tell us of the preparation for the building of this glorious temple. David was not allowed to build it because he had been a man of war. David's son Solomon, a man of rest - verse 9 - would build it.

God had Christ before Him in writing this book. The temple is another view of Christ, in all His beauty, magnificence, solidity, permanence and power. Christ in a future day - that is, during the millennium. But David gets all the materials ready. So with Christ, all is now ready for the day of His glory on earth in the millennium.

1 Chr 22:1 In his mind's eye he could see the house!

1 Chr 22:2-5 The broad details of the immense preparations for this magnificent building.

1 Chr 22:6-16 A sweet talk between father and son. David tells Solomon that the Lord's help was first in importance.

1 Chr 22:17-19 David also gives orders to the princes. Here again, he brings the Lord prominently before them.

#742

Grace is an expression of love - not what we deserve.

1 CHRONICLES 23

Instructions to the priests and Levites. "Levite" comes from "Levi" one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Levi had three sons, Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The priests came from Kohath's family, but the three families were known as Levites. While the children of Israel walked through the wilderness for forty years, the Levites were the ones who carried the tabernacle and its furniture (Numbers 4).

But now they all have arrived in the promised land - and the Levites don't have that work any more, so here David appoints them new work in connection with the temple. Another evidence of the change under King David.

Remember that these two buildings, the tabernacle and the temple are pictures to us of our wilderness journey through this world (tabernacle), and the Lord reigning as King over the world during the 1,000 years of the millennium (temple). The tabernacle was temporary and carried from place to place, the temple was permanent. The tabernacle was in the wilderness, the temple was in the land of Canaan (Palestine, Israel), the "promised land".

#743

The apostles' doctrine makes the fellowship; prayer maintain that fellowship; and the breaking of bread express it.

1 CHRONICLES 24

Every order came from King David. And David was getting his instructions from the Lord. There were never two ways given, never a choice. And so it is for the believers today. God never gives us a choice of anything in our life. He gives one way - we either obey or disobey. If we obey we are happy - John l5:8-11 and we learn more.

We will list ten scriptures which show that this is God's will. John 7:17, Luke 8:18, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2, Acts 20:29-32. Galatians 3:28, 2 Corinthians 3:5, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Proverbs. 28:5.

Let us relate all this to our chapter. David, of course, is a picture of Christ. Of Him it is written in Hebrews 5:8, "though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered".

David's life of warfare is a picture of how Christ will act when He comes in power to reign over the earth. David was the supreme ruler - Christ shall be too. David earned this right. So did Christ. David made many changes from that given by Moses (23:24). He changed the age of service of the priests to 20 years from 30. He introduced praising the Lord (23:30).

1 Chr 24:7-18 Twenty-four groups (or shifts) took turns at this new work. Remember that all this is a picture of the coming reign of Christ.

#744

The proportion in which I know my Lord is the proportion in which I am prepared to serve Him.

1 CHRONICLES 25

1 Chr 25:1-6 Another change - the introduction of groups singing with musical instruments. Never before had this been a part of the Jewish public worship. In the days of the tabernacle, sacrifices were the main feature, but in the days of the temple (the future days of glory on earth) songs of triumph will be the main theme. However, sacrifices will be there, but they will be a memorial of Christ's death.

1 Chr 25:7 "Twelve" means administrative responsibility. These men shared responsibility with David. During the millennium, angels are not going to have this place of responsibility under the Lord, as they have today. Believers will take the place the angels have now. (Heb. 2:5). Believers during the present day of grace, who have been faithful to God will have greater rewards and responsibilities then - Luke 19:15-19. 288 is divisible by 12 (12 times 24).

1 Chr 25:8-31 All is divided into 24 (2 x 12) groups, the teachers as well as the scholars. When the Lord reigns over the earth, all shall be perfectly run.

#745

What simpler phrase is there in all of the New Testament, and what more sublime than this, "We shall be like Him"? (1 John 3:2)

1 CHRONICLES 26

1 Chr 26:1-19 The porters were the doorkeepers of the gates of the house of the Lord - verse 12. The doors were guarded continually. This shows us that King David considered this job important as well as the singers work. To get our spiritual teaching from this, we need to realize our own need to be on guard continually. In Eph. 6:10-17 we read how necessary it is for the believer to have on the whole armour of God. The only other time in Scripture where all the armour is mentioned is in Luke 11:22. That man was overcome. He is a picture of Satan. But the point is that he also was armoured (like Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:4-7). But the believers have an armour which cannot be lost - if we put it on. God tells us we need to be faithful doorkeepers.

1 Chr 26:20-28 Next, were the men in charge of the treasures. We believers have received "treasures" too. (Col. 2:2-3). The world has its treasures, but they are not worthy to be compared with our treasures in Christ (Heb. 11:26).

1 Chr 26:29-32 Another group. Those in charge of the outward affairs. A picture of us believers in our contacts each day with people. Three times it describes the type of men needed. Verse 31, they had to look for them, but they found them. Don't let Satan work on our pride to keep us from telling others about the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Chr 26:32 For every matter pertaining to God. Everything was of importance.

#746

Your best running in the past is nothing if you are slackening in the race now.

1 CHRONICLES 27

1 Chr 27:1-15 Next, the soldiers. We might have put them first, but God puts the doorkeepers far ahead of them. Read 2 Timothy 2:l-4. We need to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Now this doesn't mean literal fighting as in our chapter - but now our warfare is spiritual - Eph. 6:12 makes this very plain.

1 Chr 27:16-22 Next, the rulers over the tribes - thirteen groups mentioned.

1 Chr 27:23-24 All these men were no doubt reliable men to be in charge. One was David's own brother. David has learned not to number all the people (chapter 21).

1 Chr 27:25-3l Thirteen smaller groups. What a wonderful organization this must have been that was being set up for Solomon. A beautiful picture of the glorious day on this earth when the Lord Jesus shall rule in righteousness.

#747

Legal Christians are not generous Christians. It is grace, not law, that makes a man generous. A legal Christian can always find some good reason for not giving to his brother.

1 CHRONICLES 28

1 Chr 28:1-18 David now assembles all the men in positions of responsibility and speaks to them these beautiful words. He reviews his life and God's thoughts about him. Notice how often he refers to the Lord. If the people kept the words of the Lord they surely would be a great people.

1 Chr 28:9-10 David says to Solomon - "know the Lord!" Next, serve Him, with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. A perfect heart would mean having a heart with nothing but the Lord in it (pure milk means nothing added). Willing mind means with no will of our own. A mind surrendered to God!

1 Chr 28:11-21 David carefully commits to Solomon (1) the patterns of the temple,(2) the materials wherewith to build it, (3) the details of the holiest of all, and (4) the furniture.

1 Chr 28:19 No one part of all this came from David's mind - all came from God Himself!

1 Chr 28:20-21 May we take this final instruction to ourselves.

#748

The presence of God never makes us proud. He is too great for us to be anything before Him. It was not when Paul was in the third heaven that he was in danger of being exalted above measures, but when he came down to earth again (2 Corinthians 12).

1 CHRONICLES 29

Firstly, we'll look at the story of the chapter. Then we'll look what it is a picture of. For many years David had been collecting all the materials with which the glorious Temple of God would be built by his son Solomon. It is the summary of David's part of the great undertaking.

Now the picture. King David is a picture of the Lord Jesus Who, when He was here, did the great work of redemption. He destroyed Satan's power over death by His dying on the cross. That work is all completed. Solomon is a picture of the time when Christ shall return, with us, to reign over this world. Solomon had a reign of peace. Christ shall reign on earth for 1,000 years.

1 Chr 29:5 The invitation to volunteer to work on the building of the Temple.

1 Chr 29:6-8 The response.

1 Chr 29:9 They "all" rejoice, from the king downward.

1 Chr 29:10-12 Concludes with glory to God.

1 Chr 29:14,15 David realizes how small he is compared with God!

1 Chr 29:18 May this verse grip our heart and mind too. The unconditional promises of blessing for Israel had first been given to Abraham. David wants the people never to forget this.

1 Chr 29:20-25 Everyone is of one mind in knowing and acknowledging that God was the source of all their blessing, and therefore to Him should be all the praise and worship.

1 Chr 29:26-30 David disappears - his work completed. He has put Solomon on the throne.