SOLOMON EXPANDS HIS KINGDOM

PROCLAMATION

“The cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.  And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah, and prevailed against it.  And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities which he built in Hamath.  Also he built Beth-horon … and Baalath … and the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen …” 2 Chronicles 8:2-8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  Chapter eight documents Solomon’s expansion of his kingdom.  King Solomon spent the first twenty years of his reign building the house of The Lord and his own house.  Then he built up the surrounding cities for the children of Israel to dwell there.  He then went to war with Hamath-zobah, prevailed against it, and took the land and developed it as his own as store cities. (2 Chronicles 8:1-4)  Solomon also built the walled cities of upper and lower Beth-horon.  He also built additional store cities, and chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen.  He built up Jerusalem and Lebanon and all the cities throughout his kingdom. (2 Chronicles 8:5-6)  For laborers to complete all of this building, Solomon used the children of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites which the children of Israel had conquered but did not drive out of the land.  But the children of Israel were not servants or workers.  Solomon made them men of war, captains, and chiefs, and officers in his army and over the people. (2 Chronicles 8:7-10)  King Solomon married the daughter of Pharaoh and built a house for her so that she would not have to stay in the holy house of David where the ark of The Lord had been. (2 Chronicles 8:11)  Solomon continued to worship The Lord and he made sure that the people worshiped according to the commandments of Moses.  He appointed priests to their service and the Levites to their charges so that there was daily praise and ministry. (2 Chronicles 8:12-16)  Solomon also developed a fleet of ships which brought him jewels, and precious metals, and spices, and wood.  The sailors of his ships were sent to him by Hiram, the king of Tyre. (2 Chronicles 8:17-18)

 

APPLICATION

Sometimes we pray and ask The Lord God to bless us with more.  It is not that we do not have or lack, we just want more.  We pray as Jabez prayed, “… bless me and enlarge my territory …” (1 Chronicles 4:10)  However, we need to be careful regarding what we pray for because God may grant our request, and it may be more than we can handle.  Pray for God’s guidance.

 

THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before The Lord.  And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep; so the king and all the people dedicated the house of The God.”  2 Chronicles 7:5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  Chapter Four of The Bible Book of Second Chronicles provides the details of the furnishings of the temple which was to be the house of The Lord.  This included a description of the large bronze altar, the large ceremonial cleansing pool and the twelve large oxen that it set upon, the ten candlesticks of gold, the ten tables, one hundred golden bowls, the courts for the priests, the doors of brass, the pots, tongs, and other instruments of gold , the two large pillars at the temple entrance and the wreaths which adorned the chapiters of each pillar. (2 Chronicles 4:1-22)  After the temple was completed, chapter five records that King Solomon assembled the elders, the heads of tribes, and all the chiefs in order to bring the ark of the covenant and place it in the temple.  They placed the ark under the wings of the two cherubims.  When the priests came out of the temple, the people sang songs of praise and thanks while others played instrument, trumpets, cymbals, and harps.  Then the house of The Lord was filled with a cloud and the glory of The Lord filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:1-14)  Chapter six presents the prayer that Solomon prayed unto God for the temple and for the people of God. (2 Chronicles 6:1-42)  In chapter seven Solomon and all of the people offer sacrifices unto The Lord to consecrate and dedicate the temple.  When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifices.  All of the people saw this and bowed down and worshipped. (2 Chronicles 7:1-22)

 

APPLICATION

We need to dedicate or rededicate our temple, our bodies, and ourselves unto The Lord God.  The Lord appeared unto Solomon and said, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)  This applies to us today because we are His people, believers in Jesus, The Christ, and are called “Christians”.  So, let us confess and believe, (Romans 10:9) and praise The Lord. (Psalm 150:6)

 

THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and engraved cherubims on the walls.”  2 Chronicles 3:7 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After he had gathered the additional materials that he wanted, King Solomon began to build the house of The Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah.  He built the house of The Lord in the same place where the angel of The Lord had commanded Gad, the seer, to tell David to set up an altar unto The Lord (1 Chronicles 21:18) in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. (2 Chronicles 3:1)  The Third Chapter of The Bible Book of Second Chronicles contains the instructions for building the house of God, including the exterior measurements, the internal measurements for each room and the cherubims within the room.  It also detailed how each of them was to be overlain with gold. (2 Chronicles 3:3-17)

 

APPLICATION

In this chapter, Solomon builds a fabulous temple to be the house of The Lord.  Today, as Christians, our bodies are the house of The Lord.  “Know ye not that your body is the temple of The Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God …” (1 Corinthians 6:19)  Our bodies are members of Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:15)  We are the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:27)  We may not be made of cedar and overlaid with gold, but we are fearfully and wonderfully made marvelous works of God. (Psalm 139:14)  We all should be very careful regarding how we treat our body, the temple of Christ, including what we eat.  Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, or cardinal sins.  The Bible says that we should put a knife to our throat if we are given to gluttony. (Proverbs 23:2 NIV)  We should acknowledge The Lord God in all that we do and let Him direct our activities and behavior. (Proverbs 3:6)

 

SOLOMON PREPARES TO BUILD THE TEMPLE

PROCLAMATION

“Behold, I build an house to the name of The Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him sweet incense , and for the continual shewbread, for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on new moons, and on the solemn feasts of The Lord.  This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.  And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods.”  2 Chronicles 2:4-5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  And Solomon decided to build and temple for The Lord and a royal palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2:1)  He organized the men of Israel into groups and gave them assignments.  He contacted Huram king of Tyre to arrange for him to send him wood from the cedar trees as he had done with his father David.  Solomon was going to build The Lord God a great house.  He also asked Huram to send him men who could work with wood, with gold, with silver, with brass, with iron, as well as with purple, and crimson, and blue. (2 Chronicles 2:2-9)  In exchange for these things Solomon would give him wheat, barley, wine, and oil.  There were 153,600 men who would be working on these buildings. (2 Chronicles 2:10-18)

 

APPLICATION

When King Solomon decided to build a temple for The Lord God, he wanted the temple to be great. (2 Chronicles 2:5)  When we do things, we should do our very best.  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might …” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)  We should do all that we do as if we were doing it for God.  “What ever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for The Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)  We should give God our best.

 

SOLOMON THE WISEST AND RICHEST KING EVER

PROCLAMATION

“Wisdom and knowledge is granted thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.”  2 Chronicles 1:12 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  As Solomon began to reign as king of Israel, The Lord God was with him and magnified him exceedingly. (2 Chronicles 1:1)  The Lord God appeared to Solomon at night and said unto him, ask for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.  Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge so that he could rightly judge the people. (2 Chronicles 1:7-10)  The Lord God told Solomon that He would grant him what he asked for, and He would also give him riches, wealth, and honor.  God said that he would have more than any of the kings before him, and more than any of the kings after him. (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)  The chapter ended with a description of Solomon’s wealth which was so abundant that he had to have chariot cities scattered throughout the kingdom. (2 Chronicles 1:14-17)

 

APPLICATION

All King Solomon wished for was wisdom and knowledge so that he could rightly judge the people of God.  Because his heart was in the right place, wanting to help the people, The Lord God blessed him with that which he asked for, and then also gave him a lot more.  We need to be careful regarding what we ask God for.  The Bible says, “… Ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:2)  It also says, “Ask, and it shall be given …” (Matthew 7:7)  We need to ask, in the name of Jesus, for what we want.  “Whatsoever ye shall ask The Father in My name, He will give it you.  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23-24)  However, Jesus, The Christ, said that our requests would be granted if what we asked for would give God glory.  “And whatsoever ye ask in My name, that will I do, that The Father may be glorified in The Son.” (John 14:13)  If our prayer requests were not answered, maybe we asked for the wrong things.  “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss …” (James 4:3)  When we pray and ask for things, we need to remember “… For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required …” (Luke 12:48)

 

SOLOMON BECOMES KING

PROCLAMATION

“… And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto The Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.  Then Solomon sat on the throne of The Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.  And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.”  1 Chronicles 29:22-24 (KJV)

                                             

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  David begins Chapter 29 by telling the congregation that his son Solomon is young but the work on the temple is for The Lord God.  He tells them what he has set aside for building the temple.  Then David asked them who among them is willing to consecrate their service unto The Lord. (1 Chronicles 29:1-5)  The chiefs of the fathers, and the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the hosts, and the leaders of the king’s work all offered their services willingly and they gave more gold, silver, brass, iron, and precious stones to the effort.  Then they rejoiced at the amount that was given, and David blessed them and he prayed unto The Lord. (1 Chronicles 29:6-19)  Afterwards they had a great feast and again anointed Solomon king of Israel.  Then Solomon sat on the throne as king and all the princes and the mighty men submitted themselves unto Solomon. (1 Chronicles 29:20-24)  David reigned over Israel for forty years, seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.  He died at a good old age after having enjoyed riches and honor, and then his son Solomon reigned in his stead. (1 Chronicles 29:26-30)

 

APPLICATION

Most of us are impatient.  When thing are promised to us, we do not want to wait for them, we want them immediately.  It is almost as if we feel that if we do not get it soon, then someone else will get it.  We need to understand that The Lord God commands all of the blessings for us. (Deuteronomy 28:8)  No man can get that which God has for us.  There is in store for each of us that which The Lord has only for us. (2 Timothy 4:8)  Whatever the blessing is, it comes from The Lord God and our blessing has our name on it.  “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God … putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:6-7)  

 

BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE

PROCLAMATION

“And David said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it; fear not, nor be dismayed; for The Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee …’ ”  1 Chronicles 28:20 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  In Chapter 24 the author begins by listing the sons of Aaron.  He includes the names of Nadab and Abihu who died before Aaron (1 Chronicles 24;1-2) because they presented an unauthorized fire before The Lord (Leviticus 10:1) and did not give the proper respect to the holiness and glory of God. (Leviticus 10:2-3)  Then the author presented the order in which they served as determined by the drawing of lots. (1 Chronicles 24:4-19)  In the remainder of the chapter the author presented the sons of Levi. (1 Chronicles 24:20-31)  In Chapter 25 David with the captains of the army appointed the worship leaders.  The author then lists the names of the men and the order in which they would serve. (1 Chronicles 25:1-31)  In Chapter 26 David completes the assignments for service within the temple. (1 Chapter 26:1-32)  In Chapter 27 David presents the commanders and officers of the military (1 Chronicles 27:1-15) and the leaders of the tribes of Israel. (1 Chronicles 27:16-22)  Then he presents the other officials, like those having authority over the king’s storehouses, agriculture, and herds.  Then finally he named his advisors and counselors. (1 Chronicles 27:23-34)  Afterwards, David gave his farewell address and charged all of the leaders of Israel. (1 Chronicles 28:1)  He recounts the events around his wanting to build a temple for the ark and all of his efforts to prepare things so that Solomon could build the temple. (1 Chronicles 17:1-27 and 28:2-8)  David repeated his instructions to Solomon and his charges to the Levites and the priests. (1 Chronicles 28:9-21)

 

APPLICATION

David was a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22)  However, David was a man, and he sinned and fell short.  When he did sin, then he also confessed, prayed, and asked to be forgiven. (Psalm 51:3-12)  David was sincere in his prayers and his praise.  He gave his son Solomon good advise regarding obeying the word of God. (1 Chronicles 28:9 and 28:20)  We would do well to also heed that advice.  We ought to love and serve The Lord God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27)  We also need to be courageous and steadfast in His Holy Word.  And when we fall short, we need to confess our sins and request to be forgiven. (1 John 1:9)

 

A NEW ROLE FOR THE LEVITES

PROCLAMATION

“For by the last words of David, the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above; because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of The Lord, in the courts, in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God.”  1 Chronicles 23:27-28 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  Afterwards, when David was old, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.  Then he gathered together all of the princes of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites.  There were thirty-eight thousand Levite men over the age of thirty. (1 Chronicles 23:1-3)  David divided them into groups with each group being headed by one of the sons of Levi.  The author listed the names of the sons of Levi, and also the names of each of their sons. (1 Chronicles 23:6-24)  The Levites were responsible for the temple service and for the care and transport of the ark of The Lord. (Numbers 1:50 and Deuteronomy 10:8)  However, once the temple was built, there was no longer a need for them to carry the tabernacle or the ark. (1 Chronicles 23:26)  Now they were assigned to assist the descendants of Aaron with the services of the temple. (1 Chronicles 23:27-32)

 

APPLICATION

As time passes, things change and our roles and responsibilities also change.  “The only thing constant in this world is change.” (The Greek philosopher Heraclitus)  Some of the time we have changed due to aging and cannot perform as we once did.  Other times the world changes due to new technologies which do things better and faster, and render our old skills no longer necessary.  However, The Lord still has work for each of us to do with respect to kingdom building efforts.  Like the Levites, we can stand and publicly give praise and thanks to The Lord every morning and every evening. (1 Chronicles 23:30)  Praise The Lord, and let everything that has breath, praise The Lord. (Psalm 150:6)

DAVID PREPARED FOR SOLOMON TO BUILD THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of The Lord an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver;  and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance; timber also and stones have I prepared; and thou may add thereto.”  1 Chronicles 22:14 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After he had finished building his own house, King David wanted to build a house for The Lord, but He told him that his son would build the house of God. (1 Chronicles 17:11-12)  Then, later on after winning several wars with his enemies, David sinned against God by counting all of the people of Israel (1 Chronicles 21:7-8) and The Lord God punished for doing so. (1 Chronicles 21:9-13)  Afterwards, he set out to gather all of the materials that his son Solomon would need to build the house of God. (1 Chronicles 22:2-5)  David told Solomon that he had wanted to build the house of God then he charged him to build it. (1 Chronicles 22:6-11)  He gave him some advice regarding keeping the law of God.  Then told him what he had set aside for him in preparation for his efforts in materials and workmen. (1 Chronicles 22:11-16)  David also commanded all of the princes of Israel to help Solomon build the house of God so that they could put the ark of The Lord in that house. (1 Chronicles 22:17-19)

 

APPLICATION

There are times when our job is to help someone else do their job.  There is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes in preparation for the final production.  We may be a part of the supporting cast and not be the star of the show, but our work is important and needed.  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might …” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)  Whatever we do, we should do our very best at it as if we are working for The Lord and not working for man. (Colossians 3:23)  One day we will each have to give an account of our stewardship and all of our efforts. (Romans 14:12)  We may have different gifts, talents and abilities, but we each need to use them to the glory of God so that in the end we will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant ...” (Matthew 25:23)

 

THE LORD PUNISHES DAVID

PROCLAMATIONS

“And The Lord spoke 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.’ ”  1 Chronicles 21:9-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATIONS

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After defeating the Philistines and the giants, King David conducted a censes and counted the population of Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1-5)  The Lord God was displeased with David’s action and He punished Israel for it.  David knew that he had sinned against God and he prayed for Him to turn away His wrath from Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:6-8)  The Lord God spoke to David through his seer Gad.  He told David to choose between one of the three punishments he would receive.  He had a choice of three years of famine, or three months at the hand of his enemies, or three days being punished by The Lord.  David chose to let The Lord punish him. (1 Chronicles 21:9-13)  So The Lord sent pestilence upon Israel and seventy thousand men died.  Then God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it.   As he was destroying, The Lord beheld, and He repented of the evil he was doing, and said to the angel, “It is enough, stay now thine hand.”  And the angel stopped the destruction. (1 Chronicles 21:14-15)  David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of The Lord standing between the heaven and the earth with his sword drawn and stretched out over Jerusalem.  Then David fell upon his face and asked The Lord to punish him for his sin and not Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:16-17)  The angel of The Lord commanded Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.  David went to Ornan and told him that he wanted to buy the threshing floor to build an altar unto God.  Ornan wanted to give the land to David but he insisted upon paying full price for it.  David bought the land from Ornan, built an altar unto The Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to Him. (1 Chronicles 21:18-26)  After this, The Lord commanded the angel to put his sword back into his sheath.  David saw that The Lord had answered his prayer.  However, David did not go before The Lord for he was still afraid of the sword of the angel of The Lord. (1 Chronicles 21:28-30)

 

APPLICATIONS

The punishment of The Lord God is severe.  However, it is better to receive punishment from God than from man because great is the mercy of God.  Because of His mercy we do not get all of the punishment which we deserve.  Be thankful for God’s grace and mercy.

 

AGAIN DAVID SLEW A GIANT

PROCLAMATION

“These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.”  1 Chronicles 20:8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After a year had passed since David had defeated Syria, he sent Joab out against the army of Ammon and he defeated them.  Then he went up against Rabbah and destroyed them. (1 Chronicles 20:1)  David took the crown off of the head of the king of Rabbah and found it to weigh a talent of gold.  There were also many precious stones on it, so David kept it and put it upon his own head. (1 Chronicles 20:2)  David took all of the people of Ammon, made them his servants, and then put them to work for him. (1 Chronicles 20:3)  Later, it came to pass that the Philistines went to war against Israel at Gezer.  Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph who was one of the sons of the giant and the Philistines backed down. (1 Chronicles 20:4)  Then again there was a war with the Philistines.  This time Elhanan the son of Jair, a Beth-lehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the giant. (1 Chronicles 20:5)  And later yet again there was a war at Gath with the Philistines.  There was a giant, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, who defied Israel and was killed by Jobathan the son of Shimea, and the son of David’s brother. (1 Chronicles 20:6-7)  These were the giants that were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. (1 Chronicles 20:8)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible story of David and Goliath the giant is well known.  What may not be known is that there were many giants among the Philistines which David and his men fought.  In fact, if the truth be told, we all have our giants to fight, and they come in many forms.  Most of the “giants” which come up against us are not ones that we can fight by ourselves.  We wrestle with forces that are not flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12)  We need the armor of God to help us and to protect us (Ephesians 6:13-18) while He fights our battles. (2 Chronicles 32:8)

 

MISUNDERSTOOD INTENTIONS

PROCLAMATION

“And David said, ‘I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me’ … But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, ‘Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he sent comforters unto thee?  Are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?’ ”  1 Chronicles 19:2-3 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  When Nahash the king of Ammon died, his son Hanun reigned in his stead.  When King David learned of the death of Nahash, he wanted to show kindness unto Hanun because his father had shown kindness to him.  David sent messengers to comfort him concerning the death of his father. (1 Chronicles 19:1-2)  However, the princes of Hanun convinced him that David was up to no good, stating that he did not want to honor his father instead he wanted to search and spy out the land so that he could overthrow him.  Believing them, Hanun took the messengers of David, shaved their heads and beards, cut off their garments such that their buttock were revealed, and then sent them away.  When David was told how his men were treated, he had them reside in Jericho until their beards grew out. (1 Chronicles 19:3-5)  Hanun saw that he had made himself repulsive to David, and he hired horsemen and chariots from Mesopotamia, Syria, and Zobah and got ready to do battle with Israel.  When David heard about this, he sent Joab and the mighty men of Israel to go up against them.  Joab decided to first go up against the Syrians who fled from them.  After fleeing, then getting reinforcements and fighting, the Syrians again fled from Israel.  David pursued them and slew seven thousand Syrian men in chariots and forty thousand footmen.  The Syrians refused to come to the aid of the Ammonites anymore. (1 Chronicles 19:-19)

APPLICATION

We should do whatever we do as if we were doing it for The Lord. (Colossians 3:23)  Our actions and our intentions will not be understood by mankind.  Even when our actions are well intended and meant for the good of others, some people will not believe that we mean good for them and no harm to them.  Some people just will not trust us.  It has been said that our enemies will not be convinced of whatever we say, and our real friends don’t have to be convinced.  The Lord God knows our thoughts and our intentions.  In fact, He is the only one in whom we should put our faith and trust.  Mankind can be for us one minute and then against us in the next.  Remember how the crowd turned on Jesus, The Christ, shouting “Hosanna” one week (Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9, and John 12:13) and then shouting “Crucify Him” the next week. (Matthew 27:22-23, Mark 15:13, Luke 23:21, and John 19:6)  Do not put faith and trust in man. (Psalm 146:3)  Trust in The Lord. (Psalm 118:8)

 

KEPT BY THE LORD GOD

PROCLAMATION

“… The Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.  So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.”  1 Chronicles 18:13-14 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  Sometime after Nathan told King David that his son and not him would build the house of God, he fought and subdued the Philistines and took the town of Gath.  David also fought and defeated the Moabites and they became his servants. (1 Chronicles 18:1-2)  King David also fought and defeated Hadarezer king of Zobah (1 Chronicles 18:3-4) and the Syrians of Damascus. (1 Chronicles 18:5-6)  The Lord preserved David and kept him wherever he went. (1 Chronicles 18:6)  David also sent the army of Israel out under the leadership of his nephew Abishai and they defeated the Edomites.  David put garrisons in Edom and the Edomites also became his servants.  The Lord God blessed David in all of his efforts and preserved him wherever he went.  (1 Chronicles 18:12-14)

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God blesses us, provides for us, and preserves us day in and day out.  He watches over our going out and our coming in. (Psalm 121:8)  He protects us and keeps us safe from all hurt, harm, and danger.  We ought to be grateful and thank Him every day. (Hebrews 13:15)  In fact, we ought to thank Him multiple times each day, when we wake up, get up, move around, get dressed, traverse these dangerous streets, arrive at our several destinations, and then make it back home.  We cannot thank Him enough for all that He does for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)  O give thanks unto The Lord.

 

DAVID TOLD NOT TO BUILD GOD A HOUSE

PROCLAMATION

“Go and tell David My servant, ‘Thus saith The Lord, Thou shalt not build Me a house to dwell in.’ ”  1 Chronicles 17:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After King David had brought the ark of God to Jerusalem, he sat in his house and confessed to the prophet Nathan that he was sitting in a house of cedar while the ark of God was in a tent.  This bothered David, and Nathan told him to do what was in his heart.  However, that same night The Lord God spoke to Nathan and told him to tell David not to build Him a house. (1 Chronicles 17:1-4)  Nathan also told David that The Lord had been with him, and brought him from being a shepherd to being king of Israel.  He was with him as he defeated his enemies.  The Lord allowed him to build himself a fine house, but after he has died his son will build a house for The Lord. (1 Chronicles 17:5-15)  David prayed unto The Lord and humbly replied let that which You have spoken be done. (1 Chronicles 17:23 and 17:16-27)

 

APPLICATION

Many times what we want is not what The Lord God wants for us.  That which we see as a blessing for ourselves or for others is not in keeping with the will of God.  Even when we have good intentions, our requests can be denied because He has something else in store for us.  Sometimes the answer to our prayers is “No” because He has something better prepared for us.  Not to mention the times when we pray for things that are not in our best interest.  The Lord knows the future, and we cannot even begin to imagine the good things that He has in store for those of us who love Him. (1 Corinthians2:9)

 

O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“O give thanks unto The Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever.”  1 Chronicles 16:34 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After the people of Israel brought the ark of God to Jerusalem and set it in the midst of the tent which King David had pitched for it, they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings to God.  Then David blessed the people and gave each man and woman a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a flagon of wine.  He appointed Levites to minister before the ark and to record the events. Then on that same day David spoke unto the people the words which are recorded in Psalm 105. (1 Chronicles 16:1-36)  These are some of the words which he spoke:

Give thanks unto The Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people.  Sing unto Him sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wonderous works. (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)

Be ye mindful always of His covenant; the word which He commanded to a thousand generations. (1 Chronicles 16:15)

Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophet no harm. (1 Chronicles 16:22)

Declare His glory among the heathen; His marvelous works among all nations. (1 Chronicles 16:24)

Give unto The Lord the glory due unto His name; bring an offering, and come before Him; worship The Lord in the beauty of holiness. (1 Chronicles 16:29)

O give thanks unto The Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Afterwards he left the priests to offer burnt offerings unto The Lord morning and evening daily, and to give thanks unto The Lord because His mercy endureth forever. (1 Chronicles 16:37-41)  Gatekeepers were assigned, musical instruments were played, then every man departed to his own house. (1 Chronicles 16:42-43)

APPLICATION

We are encouraged to give thanks unto The Lord God, and not just on one day of the year.  We are also encouraged to pray to Him, to sing to Him, and to tell all the people, especially the heathens, of His marvelous works.  We are to rejoice (1 Chronicles 16:31) and make a joyful noise unto The Lord. (Psalm 66:1, 81:1, 95:1 and 2, 98:4, and 100:1)  We should not make more noise for sporting events and at musical concerts than we do for The Lord God.

 

ALL WILL NOT SHARE YOUR JOY

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of The Lord came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.”  1 Chronicles 15:29 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

After defeating the Philistines twice, David built houses for himself and prepared a place for the ark of God.  Then he decreed that only the Levites should carry the ark for they were set aside by The Lord God for ministry, and that they were to carry it using the special rods as it was directed. (1 Chronicles 15:1-2)  Again David gathered all of Israel together in Jerusalem to go and bring the ark of God to the place which he had prepared for it.  He told the Levites to sanctify themselves and said that they were to use the special poles to carry the ark.  They were not to make the same mistakes that was made the first time that they attempted to transport the ark. (1 Chronicles 15:3-15) David then instructed the Levites to appoint singers and musicians to accompany the ark.  Then David and the elders and the army of Israel went joyfully to the house of Obed-edom.  They were dressed in fine linen, and they shouted and celebrated as the brought the ark of God to Jerusalem.  As they entered the city of David, his wife Michal the daughter of Saul was looking out of a window and saw David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him. (1 Chronicles 15:16-29)

 

APPLICATION

It is sad, but the truth is that not all of the people who are with us will share in our joy and be happy for us when we are blessed and enjoying the favor of The Lord God.  They may be with us physically, within our circle of family and friends, but they do not share our mindset or our beliefs.  Therefore, they are not happy for us when God is good to us.  We should share in one another’s joys, and with tender sympathy and compassion share in each other’s burdens and sorrows.  We should pray to God for discernment so that we can tell the sheep in our circles from the wolves in sheep’s clothing.

 

KING DAVID WAS FAMOUS AND FEARED

PROCLAMATION

“David therefore did as God commanded him; and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.  And the fame of David went out into all lands; and The Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.”  1 Chronicles 14:16-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

Chapter 14 of First Chronicles, written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition, begins with Hiram the king of Tyre sending David lumber of cedars and masons and carpenters to build his house. (1 Chronicles 14:1)  It goes on to state that David took more wives in Jerusalem and then he had many more sons and daughters.  It also lists the names of his additional thirteen children. (1 Chronicles 14:3-7)  The Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel they went up against David.  When David heard that the Philistines were coming against him, he prayed and asked God if he should attack them and would he win the war.  The Lord God told David that He would deliver the Philistines into his hands and David went out and defeated them. (1 Chronicles 14:8-12)  After the Philistines retreated, they regrouped and again came up against David.  Then he again prayed to God but this time God told him not to attack them but to turn away from them and go to the forest of mulberry trees.  God told David to wait until he heard a sound coming from the tops of the trees before he attacked the Philistines.  He did as God commanded and then he defeated the Philistines a second time.  This caused David’s fame to spread to all the lands and all of the nations feared him. (1 Chronicles 14:13-17)

 

APPLICATION

David was the king but it was his obedience to God’s word that caused him to become famous and feared.  Unfortunately today many of us seek fame, fortune, and power in our own way and we leave The Lord God out of the picture.  If we would first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and obey The Word of God, all of the things that we need and want would be provided for us. (Matthew 6:33)  We ought to always pray, (Luke 18:1) about big things and small things, (Matthew 21:22) before we speak or act.  We do not need to exalt ourselves.  If we humble ourselves before God then He will exalt us. (James 4:10)  We should seek to please The Lord God and not seek glory and honor from man. (Galatians 1:10 and 1 Thessalonians 2:4)

 

DAVID SOUGHT THE ARK OF GOD

 PROCLAMATION

“And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is to Kirjath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God The Lord, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.  And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.”  1 Chronicles 13:6-7 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These two Books of The Bible, First and Second Chronicles, were written as one Bible book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although Jewish tradition suggests, and some current Bible scholars believe, that both of these books was written by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar.  After the death of King Saul, David the son of Jesse was anointed king over Israel in the city of Hebron. (1 Chronicles 11:1-3)  David had been anointed king by the prophet Samuel while he was a boy (1 Samuel 16:13) and later the people anointed king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4) before being made king of all of Israel.  In chapter twelve there is listed the men who came to and stayed with David while Saul was after him. (1 Chronicles 12:1-40)  One of the first things that David did as king was to gather all of Israel together and he said that they should bring back the ark of God. (1 Chronicles 13:1-4)  They went and got the ark of God from the house of Abinadab.  They placed the ark of God in a new cart and they left there they were singing and playing instruments and they celebrating its return. (1 Chronicles 13:5-8)  As they were transporting the ark of God to Jerusalem, one of the oxen stumbled.  Uzza reached out his hand and touched the ark to keep it from falling off of the cart.  This violated The Lord God’s instructions to not touch anything holy. (Numbers 4:15)  God was angered that Uzza had touched the ark and He struck him down and killed him right there. (1 Chronicles 13:9-10)  David was displeased with The Lord for killing Uzza, and he was afraid to take the ark to his home.  So David had them carry the ark to the home of Obed-edom, the Gittite.  The ark of God remained in the house of Obed-edom for three months and The Lord blessed his house and all that he had. (1 Chronicles 13:11-14)

 

APPLICATION

Having good intentions does not excuse our actions or give us permission to disobey The Word of God.  We sin when we do what The Lord God has said not to do.  We also sin when we do not do what He says that we should do.  We can sin by omission as well as by commission.  Jesus said, if we love Him then we will keep His commandments.