Burunche’s Blog

1 Chronicles 21:1 – 30 “David’s Military Census (2 Samuel 24:1-9)

Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.”

But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply His troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all servants of my lord? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”

Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab left and traveled throughout Israel, and then he returned to Jerusalem. And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah. But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the count, because the king’s command was detestable to him.

Judgment for David’s Sin (2 Samuel 24:10-14)

This command was also evil in the sight of God; so He struck Israel. Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. Now I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” And the LORD instructed Gad, David’s seer, “Go and tell David that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am offering you three options. Choose one of them, and I will carry it out against you.’” So Gad went and said to David, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Take your choice of either three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies and overtaken by their swords, or three days of the sword of the LORD—days of plague upon the land, with the angel of the LORD ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.” David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”

A Plague on Israel (2 Samuel 24:15-17)

So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. Then God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but as the angel was doing so the LORD saw it and relented from the calamity, and He said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand now!” At that time the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. When David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown. And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave the order to count the people? I am the one who has sinned and acted wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? O LORD my God, please let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house, but do not let this plague remain upon Your people.”

David Builds an Altar (2 Samuel 24:18-25)

Then the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David 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 that Gad had spoken in the name of the LORD.

Now Ornan was threshing wheat when he turned and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. David came to Ornan, and when Ornan looked out and saw David, he left the threshing floor and bowed facedown before David. Then David said to Ornan, “Grant me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar to the LORD. Sell it to me for the full price, so that the plague upon the people may be halted.”

Ornan said to David, “My lord the king may take whatever seems good. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering—I will give it all.”

“No,” replied King David, “I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you, or offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David paid Ornan six hundred shekels of gold for the site. And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called upon the LORD, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering. Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put his sword back into its sheath. At that time, when David saw that the LORD had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there. For the tabernacle of the LORD that Moses had made in the wilderness and the altar of burnt offering were presently at the high place in 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.”

In this day and age when censuses are commonplace, we might wonder why David was so wrong in calling for a census. In David’s time, censuses were generally used to generate additional taxes and draft more fighting men. Some teachers have suggested that David sinned by attempting to build up his power, rather than relying on God as God ordered in Deuteronomy 17:16 – 20.

“But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold. When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes. Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.”

Even Joab, who’s not exactly a spiritual giant, realizes this census is a terrible mistake and refuses to count the tribes of Levi and Benjamin. The priests wouldn’t be taxed anyway; however, omitting the tribe of Benjamin means omitting some of the best fighting men.  

The prophet Gad goes to David to rebuke him. God gives David three choices: three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies and overtaken by their swords, or three days of the sword of the LORD—days of plague upon the land, with the angel of the LORD ravaging every part of Israel. David chooses plague and 70,000 men of Israel die! We have no idea how many women and children may have died also. The angel of the Lord is standing near the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, preparing to destroy Jerusalem when God commands him to relent. David sees the angel and begs God for mercy upon his people, accurately stating that the sin is his and not that of his innocent citizens. David prays, “O LORD my God, please let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house, but do not let this plague remain upon Your people.”

The angel of the Lord then orders David to build an altar on the threshing floor belonging to Ornan the Jebusite. Ornan and his sons have seen the angel and are terrified and more than ready to give David anything he asks for. But David refuses to simply take the land, the sledges, the oxen, and the wheat, paying full price for the land. (600 shekels, or 15.1 lbs. or 6.8 lg of gold.) Notice that only after David has paid for the threshing floor and has built an altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings does God order the angel to put away his sword. Notice also that when David makes the offerings, God answers with fire from heaven. After this, David uses the threshing floor of Ornan to make sacrifices because he fears what might happen if he goes to the Tabernacle at Gibeon. David realizes that his people and he have had a very narrow escape and he doesn’t want to take any more chances.

APPLICATION: One of the key phrases in this passage is David’s assertion when Ornan, shaking in his sandals, offers to give David everything just to save his family and himself. “No,” replied King David, “I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you, or offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”David might have made mistakes, but what distinguishes David from other kings is that he receives correction from the Lord and is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to make things right. Very few other kings of Israel or Judah are this generous or this honest. David is appalled at the devastation that has resulted from his arrogance. David also begs God to let the plague fall on himself and his family but to deliver the Israelites from the results of his bad judgement. David may be a great sinner, but he is also just as great at repenting!

How much do we sacrifice when we are offering things to the Lord? Do we give of our best, or do we only give our cast – offs and things we haven’t wanted in the first place? If God asks us to get out of our comfort zones, are we willing to do it, or do we argue? One missionary friend recently posted an interesting description of a time when God demanded that she minister to rich people rather than to the poor to whom her heart was drawn. Our friend had to learn that God loves all kinds of people and that her first challenge was to love those to whom God was calling her. God forced our friend to confront her prejudices and to see them as obstructions to ministry. Only then was God able to use our friend. Our friend had to learn how to relate to those far wealthier than herself in such a way that they felt valued and not used. May God help us to hold everything in our lives lightly, so that we are willing to give back what He has given us whenever He asks for it!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives and to hold everything You have given us lightly. Help us to remember that if You ask us to give up anything, You can replace it with something far far better. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 20:1 – 8 “The Capture of Rabbah (2 Samuel 12:26-31)

In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the Ammonites. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it.

David took the crown from the head of their king. It was found to weigh a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city.

David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

Battles against the Philistines (2 Samuel 21:15-22)

Some time later, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued. And there was still another battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha, and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him. So these descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.”

If you thought Goliath was the last of the giants, think again! Anytime you read about the Rephaim or someone from Rapha, you are reading about giants. Recent archaeological digs have revealed giant skeletons, proving that these accounts were accurate and not merely the result of fevered imaginations on the part of the Israelites. The men who defeated these giants were courageous and resourceful, refusing to wimp out when faced with major challenges.

David is still waging war against the Ammonites. Hanun really messed up when he insulted David’s delegation. Had Hanun treated David’s delegation as he should have – merely as a diplomatic visit to be managed judiciously – the kingdom of the Ammonites would have remained intact. But poor stupid Hanun unnecessarily humiliated David’s peaceful delegation, little realizing that David was trying to honor Hanun’s late father Nahash. This major diplomatic blunder eventually resulted in David’s conquest of all the Ammonite cities, with the subjugation of their citizens to forced labor.    

What is missing in this account is the tragic story of David and Bathsheba. Despite the fact that it is springtime and time for David to move to the battlefield, he does not. Perhaps David is tired or has become offended by Joab – who knows? What we do know is that David’s failure to move out to head his troops results in disaster. Bored, David is wandering around the top of his palace one night when he spies Bathsheba bathing on her rooftop. Stunned by Bathsheba’s beauty, David refuses to consider that Bathsheba is the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s mighty men. David sends for Bathsheba, impregnates her, and then attempts to cover up his sin by bringing Uriah back in hopes that Uriah will have sex with Bathsheba, so that any pregnancy will be attributed to Uriah. When this ploy fails, David forces Joab to place Uriah in the hottest part of a battle, and Uriah is killed. After Uriah’s death, David takes Bathsheba as his wife.

The Bathsheba incident contaminates everyone involved in it – David, Joab, all the fighting men involved in the conspiracy against Uriah. Bathsheba is likely the most innocent party; after all, what can Bathsheba do when the king sends for her? Bathsheba has little or no choice.

Why hasn’t Ezra included the story of Bathsheba when compiling these chronicles? Certainly, everybody in Jerusalem has known that story for years. Perhaps Ezra is hoping to simply overlook the story of David’s failings while moving on to recount David’s successes.

What eventually happens to the Ammonites? Ezekiel 25 contains God’s Word against the Ammonites. In that chapter, God promises to give the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, making Rabbah a stable for camels and turning all the Ammonite cities into sheepfolds. God promises to cause the Ammonites to perish and “be lost out of the countries” through complete destruction. These events actually took place when invaders from Assyria and Babylon swooped in, destroying the Ammonites. Only recently have archaeological discoveries verified the existence of the Ammonites; for many years, they were thought not to have existed at all.

APPLICATION: How many of us face giants on a daily basis? These days, honest workers may find themselves facing the giants of lies, manipulation, poor workmanship, and corruption on the part of managers. While we are not called upon to kill giants physically with slingshots or spears, we may still face economic destruction and the loss of our reputations. When the energy giant Enron was brought to its knees, the whistle blowers suffered.  

The question each of us must face is this: are we working for men or for God? When the pressure mounts, will we continue to stand for the right, or will we cave in? We delude ourselves if we think that all these men who faced giants did so without God’s help; God helped them to defeat physical giants, and God can also help us to defeat spiritual ones. In introducing one of his songs, Ron Kenoly states that “the church today is engaged in a spiritual war and there is no demilitarized zone.” Let us take heart and continue to be faithful, knowing that God is still on the throne and that He will give us the victory. But let us not underestimate the evil we are facing; not all soldiers survive their battles. We must be willing to stand for righteousness, no matter the cost!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us are facing giants we hoped to avoid. Help us to remain steadfast and true through Your strength. Give us the determination to stand for righteousness, knowing that You are the One who keeps the records. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 19:1 – 19 “David’s Messengers Disgraced (2 Samuel 10:1-8)

Some time later, Nahash king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son. And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.”

So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him, the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Have not his servants come to you to explore the land, spy it out, and overthrow it?” So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved their beards, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away. When someone came and told David about his men, he sent messengers to meet them, since the men had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.” When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah. So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites came from their cities and marched out for battle.

On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance to the city, while the kings who had come stayed by themselves in the open country.

David Defeats Ammon and Aram (2 Samuel 10:9-19)

When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. And he placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites.

“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him. When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Joab’s brother Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.

When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.

When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, advanced toward the Arameans, and arrayed for battle against them. When David lined up to engage them in battle, they fought against him. But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty – thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.”

While David might have had his shortcomings, he was always grateful to those who had helped him during his struggles with Saul. At one point, David had to send his parents to live with Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, until things were safer. When Nahash died, it was natural for David to send a delegation to greet Hanun, Nahash’s son, and to give him David’s condolences. But Hanun was young and arrogant and his advisors were probably all young princes who gave him bad advice. The princes warned Hanun that this delegation from Israel must be a spying mission and that he should humiliate them as much as possible.

Now if a more experienced ruler were to receive a group whom he suspected of spying, he could have controlled the situation so they would have gotten minimal information. Hanun could have had his soldiers greet the delegation at the gate and escort the delegation to the palace. Then Hanun could have made a lovely meaningless speech, entertained the delegation nicely, and then have them escorted back out through the city gates to the borders of his territory. The Israelites could have carried positive messages back to David and all would have been well. But Hanun’s advisors were just as foolish as those young men who advised Solomon’s son Rehoboam to speak arrogantly to the Israelites. So Hanun didn’t even give the delegation the chance to state their mission; instead, he began accusing them and insulting them. Next, Hanun seized the Israelites, shaved their beards, and cut their garments at such a short level that their genitalia were exposed. And then he booted them out of the Ammonite territory. (Shaving the beards indicated that the Ammonites had no respect for the Israelites as men.)

David had the delegation stay in Jericho until their beards had grown back; meanwhile, he marshaled his troops to wage war on the Ammonites. Even though the Ammonites hired thirty – two thousand chariots plus the king of Maacah with all his troops, the Israelites defeated these men handily. When the Ammonites sent to king Hadadezer beyond the Euphrates for more troops, David himself took the field, killing seven thousand charioteers and forty – thousand foot soldiers, including the commander of their army. At this point, nobody wanted to help the Ammonites anymore! All that Hanun succeeded in accomplishing was making himself look ridiculous and costing his nation the lives of many fighting men plus the money he expended in hiring mercenaries.

APPLICATION: Proverbs 24:6 tells us that “Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.” But you have to be careful about the counselors! Undoubtedly, there were older Ammonite leaders who could have given Hanun excellent advice; however, he didn’t listen to them. Hanun insisted on listening to advisors who were rash and arrogant. The Ammonite nation paid dearly for Hanun’s foolishness.

Where are we getting our advice? To whom do we listen? These days, it is increasingly difficult to find news sources that are actually reporting the truth and not indulging in some form of brain washing. Had Hanun stopped and considered the possible result of his insults to the Israelites, he could have avoided the entire mess. Hanun could have had David as an ally; instead, David became an implacable enemy. May God help us so that we listen carefully to Him and do not allow ourselves to be manipulated!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to hear Your truth and not to be swerved by propaganda. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 18:1 – 17 “David’s Triumphs (2 Samuel 8:1-14; Psalm 60:1-12)

Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River. David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and various bronze articles.

When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent his son Hadoram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze, and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.

Moreover, Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

David’s Officers (2 Samuel 8:15-18)

Thus David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people: Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.”

WOW! When God gives someone victory, He doesn’t mess around! Not only does David defeat the Philistines and the Moabites, but he also defeats other kings as far away as the Euphrates River. David is fabulously successful in battle, even capturing 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and all the horses for these chariots. Wisely, David only preserves enough horses for 100 chariots, following God’s instructions that a king of Israel is not to multiply chariots or horses for himself.

When we read about King Solomon building the temple, we need to remember that much of the wealth that went into that temple actually came from David’s conquests. The bronze used to create the bronze sea, the pillars, and the various bronze articles in Solomon’s temple also comes from these conquests.

No man is an island and David is no exception to this rule. If David is phenomenally successful, it’s because God has raised up brilliant priests, scribes, administrators, and military leaders who carry out the work of the kingdom. Every one of the men mentioned in this account is a star in his own right. The proof of this assertion is that God has preserved the names of these men so that even thousands of years later, we still know about them.

APPLICATION: Sometimes we work and wonder if anybody is really watching or if anybody really cares. Does it matter if we preserve ethical standards of medical care? If we refuse to cut corners in business, does anybody notice? If we teach our students true historical facts rather than something that is politically expedient, will it really matter, especially if we might pay for our honesty with our jobs?

TAKE HEART! God is watching and God takes note of everything you are doing. None of your efforts are falling to the ground useless. Just look at this list of outstanding professionals who supported David. God could have allowed them to be forgotten; however, we recognize these names because repeatedly these men are honored for their work.

We are living in a day and age when truth is under fire and many wish to re – write history to suit their particular political views. But truth has an uncomfortable habit of rearing its defiant head, even when someone attempts to suppress it. When Jesus was standing trial before Pontius Pilate, Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” God’s Word is truth, whether we like it or not. In the end, we will be judged by our attitude towards God’s Word. If we accept God’s Word as true and righteous, if we honor God’s Word by following it, then we have nothing to fear. But if we have insisted that we can remodel God’s Word to suit ourselves, twisting it to justify our pet sins, there will come a time when our prevarications will shout loudly against us. May God help us to persistently study and honor His Word!

Galatians 6:7 – 9 tells us, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” God is still on the throne and is still watching to help us! Let us look to Him and remain faithful.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to honor Your Word and to study it. Help us to remain faithful to You wherever You have called us, even in the face of adversity. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

1 Chronicles 17:1 – 27 “God’s Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:1-17)

After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”

And Nathan replied to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build a house for Me to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up from Egypt until this day, but I have moved from tent to tent and dwelling to dwelling. In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’

Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the 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 for you a name like the greatest in the land.

And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning and have done since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies.

Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you. And when your days are fulfilled and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. And I will never remove My loving devotion from him as I removed it from your predecessor. But I will set him over My house and My kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.”

So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire vision.

David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (2 Samuel 7:18-29)

Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God, You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant and have regarded me as a man of great distinction, O LORD God. What more can David say to You for so honoring Your servant? For You know Your servant, O LORD. For the sake of Your servant and according to Your own heart, You have accomplished this great thing and revealed all Your greatness.

O LORD, there is none like You, and there is no God but You, according to everything we have heard with our own ears. And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself? You made a name for Yourself through great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt. For You have made Your people Israel Your very own forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God.

And now, O LORD, let the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house be established forever. Do as You have promised, so that Your name will be established and magnified forever when it is said, ‘The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, is God over Israel.’ And may the house of Your servant David be established before You. For You, my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build a house for him. Therefore Your servant has found the courage to pray before You. And now, O LORD, You are God! And You have promised this goodness to Your servant. So now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”

King David may have many failings, but he has always sought God and has remembered the lessons he has learned. Now that David has built a palace for himself with the help of Hiram, King of Tyre, he feels ashamed that the Ark should remain in a tent. Although the prophet Nathan initially agrees with David, God has other ideas and makes them clear. As a man of war, David is not the right person to build the temple in Jerusalem; however, God promises to establish David’s throne forever.

“Wait!” you might say. “Didn’t the Babylonians defeat the nation of Judah and carry off many of its citizens to Babylon?” Yes, you are correct. But here God is taking a much longer view. From God’s perspective, He is referring to Jesus the Messiah, who will be borne of David’s lineage and who will rule forever on the spiritual throne of David. That is how David’s house and lineage will continue forever.

 The sweetness of God’s message to David through Nathan is almost unbearable. “Go tell my servant David…” God says this not once, but several times. God knows David and has been with David for all of David’s life. Now God is promising David and Israel immense blessings. Even when both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah fall into terrible sin and are carried off into exile, God’s promises remain awaiting the time of fulfillment.

APPLICATION: Anybody familiar with the history of the modern state of Israel knows that God has had to intervene on multiple occasions to establish the state and then to preserve it. Even now, despite all attempts of surrounding countries to destroy Israel, Israel continues to flourish. God’s promises to David are still working and are still being fulfilled.

One of the most poignant parts of this chapter is David’s response to God. David goes and sits before the Lord, waiting for God to speak to him. Undoubtedly, David must have gone to God at night when things were quiet around the palace and nobody was tugging on David’s robe, demanding attention. David was by himself with nobody to witness his conversation with God. This means that later David must have recounted the story of God’s promises to someone who was keeping records.

Sometimes people complain that they can’t sleep and struggle with all kinds of sleep aids. When I can’t sleep, I assume that God wants to tell me something, and I go sit in a quiet place and wait. God has never failed to meet me; my big challenge is calming my mind so that i can hear God properly. God is always present to anyone who will call upon Him.

While there is nothing wrong with prayer meetings, there is something terribly wrong when people assume that a prayer meeting consists of standing up and praying as rapidly as possible and as loudly as possible. Newsflash: GOD IS NOT DEAF!!! One dedicated Christian friend has given up on his church prayer meetings because they have become nothing but competitions to see who can pray the loudest, the longest, or the most violently. God wants to meet with us so that He can advise us and guide us, but the Holy Spirit generally speaks very softly. There are times and places in which loud exclamatory prayers are appropriate; however, if all you do is to make noise constantly, you will never hear the Holy Spirit.

The next time you are having trouble sleeping, don’t count sheep. Go meet with the Shepherd and Guardian of your soul. Roll your problems onto Him; He can handle them far better than you can!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow King David’s example and to meet with You quietly and privately. Thank You, that Your promises are true and sure. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

A Tent for the Ark (2 Samuel 6:17-19)

1 Chronicles 16:1 – 43 “So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. Then he distributed to each and every Israelite, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals 6and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving (Psalm 96:1-13; Psalm 105:1-15; Psalm 106:1-48)

On that day David first committed to Asaph and his brothers this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:

“Give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,

O offspring of His servant Israel, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth.

Remember His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— 16the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac.

He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ‘I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.’

When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:

‘Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!’

Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Proclaim His salvation day after day.

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy fill His dwelling.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him.

Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.

The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice. Let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’

Let the sea resound, and all that fills it; let the fields exult, and all that is in them.

Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Then cry out: ‘Save us, O God of our salvation; gather and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise.’

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and “Praise the LORD!”

Worship before the Ark

So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements, 38along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.

And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon 40to regularly present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offerings, morning and evening, according to all that was written in the Law of the LORD, which He had commanded Israel to keep. With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “His loving devotion endures forever.” Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

Then all the people departed for their homes, and David returned home to bless his household.”

There is very little that needs to be said about this chapter. The description and psalm included have inspired millions of people ever since the events of this day. Undoubtedly, the dedication of the tent for the Ark was one of the highlights of David’s long reign as king. The preparations for the priests and for those who were to lead worship leaves little doubt that David was a genius when it came to organization, even though he probably got lots of advice from the priests.

APPLICATION: The best way to apply the lessons of this chapter is to read through it several times and then apply the lessons of praise. “Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Then cry out: ‘Save us, O God of our salvation; gather and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise.’

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” All that is really left for us is to say, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord!”

PRAYER:  Father God, thank you for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to praise you wherever we are and under all circumstances. Help us to remember that all nature continually praises you and that we are the ones who need to catch up with the ocean and the trees! May Your Name be praised forever! In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen

1 Chronicles 15:1 – 29 “David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

And David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it. Then he gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites: From the Kohathites, Uriel the chief and 120 of his relatives; from the Merarites, Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives; from the Gershomites, Joel the chief and 130 of his relatives; from the Elizaphanites, Shemaiah the chief and 200 of his relatives; from the Hebronites, Eliel the chief and 80 of his relatives; and from the Uzzielites, Amminadab the chief and 112 of his relatives.

David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”

The Priests and Levites Carry the Ark So the priests and 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 in accordance with the word of the LORD. David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals. Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play the harps according to Alamoth.  And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith. Chenaniah the head Levite was the director of the music because he was highly skilled.

Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark. Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark.

Moving the Ark to Jerusalem

So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres.

Michal’s Contempt for David (2 Samuel 6:16)

As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.”

When David first wanted to move the ark from the home of Obed – edom at Kiriath – jearim, his heart was in the right place but he failed to do his homework. The priests didn’t speak up either. Despite the fact that the Ark was to be carried by the priests using special poles passing through rings on the sides of the Ark, David originally loaded the Ark on a cart pulled by oxen. When the cart lurched and a man named Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark, God struck Uzzah dead.

Now David has done a lot more investigation and has informed himself of the regulations regarding the transport of the Ark. “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.” David gets the priests and Levites to properly consecrate themselves and prepare to carry the Ark. David has also prepared a place for the Ark, including a tent for the Ark. David makes sure that everything is organized, including assigning musicians with specific duties.

This time, everything goes well, and the Ark is successfully brought into Jerusalem. But there’s a sour note in the situation. When David first killed Goliath, he was given Michal, Saul’s daughter, as a wife. At one point, Michal saved David’s life by placing an image in his bed and telling Saul’s soldiers that David was sick. Later, Michal was given to another man, only for David to eventually claim her again. Michal’s second husband was very devoted and was broken – hearted when David reclaimed her. Evidently, Michal is still resentful. As David and the Ark procession comes into Jerusalem, David dances in ecstasy and joy. But Michal is embarrassed and despises David for making a spectacle of himself.  

APPLICATION: It takes a false start, but David has learned to make sure he is doing God’s work God’s way. As a leader, David has made sure that he has gotten his facts straight so that he is able to inspire the priests and Levites to carry out their duties properly. Having instructed those who are to carry the Ark and the musicians who are to accompany it, David then throws himself whole – heartedly into the celebration.

Poor Michal! Originally, Michal loved David; however, once given to another man, Michal may have found peace and a loving relationship in which she was valued for herself, rather than as a political pawn. Little wonder then, that when David demands Michal return to him, Michal herself might be miserable. Now rather than being David’s chief wife, Michal has to share David with a host of other women in the harem. So far, Michal has not given birth; some of these other women might be throwing Michal’s infertility up in her face. If Michal is already struggling, then when David disports himself in the streets of Jerusalem, Michal is ready to cut him down to size verbally. And there’s another problem: Michal’s father Saul never truly worshiped God, so Michal herself is not a God – worshiper. Michal cannot possibly understand David’s joy in the Lord because she has never known that joy.  

What is not recorded is the reactions of those in Jerusalem as the Ark returns. Those people might be just as giddy with joy as David. For all we know, there might be a whole procession of men and women dancing behind the Ark as it approaches the place David has prepared for it. With shofars and horns blowing, cymbals clashing, and all kinds of other instruments sounding, the very stones of Jerusalem might be shaking! Those living in villages close to Jerusalem might be listening and run to join the celebration when they hear the music and singing and shouting.

Over the years, Jerusalem has witnessed some amazing celebrations. There are the celebrations surrounding the opening of Solomon’s temple. There are the celebrations of Palm Sunday, when Jesus fulfills Scripture by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. But some day, there will be a final celebration. Someday, Jesus, the Messiah, will return in all His glory. On that day, not only will people be singing and shouting, but the very rocks of Mount Moriah will cry out in ecstasy. For those of us who acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord, this return will be the best celebration of all.

1 Corinthians 15:51 – 58 tells us, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives! Help us to trust You when we cannot see. And help us to remember that one day, You will return and that will be a celebration that will never end. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.   

1 Chronicles 14:1 – 17 “Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters, to build a palace for him. And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had highly exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of 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.

Two Victories over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17–25)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went out to face them.  Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”

“Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand.”

So David and his men went up to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, God has burst out against my enemies by my hand.” So they called that place Baal-perazim. There the Philistines abandoned their gods, and David ordered that they be burned in the fire. Once again the Philistines raided the valley. So David again inquired of God, who answered him, “Do not march up after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because this will mean that God has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

So David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.  And David’s fame went out into every land, and the LORD caused all nations to fear him.”

God is a God of infinite variety; He never does things quite the same way twice. If we want to succeed, we must be attuned to God’s leading. David has become king and is now in Jerusalem. God moves King Hiram of Tyre, that rich trading city on the coast, to send artisans and materials to David to build David a palace. Hiram is politically savvy and realizes that now there is a king in Israel worth acknowledging. David realizes that God is moving Hiram to do this for the sake of the nation of Israel and not merely for David’s sake. David goes on to firmly establish his dynasty by taking more wives and fathering more children.

When the Philistines realize that David has become king over Israel, they go out hunting for him. After all, when Saul was persecuting David, David actually hid with the Philistines for a time. The Philistines also remember that David is the one who killed their champion Goliath. Better to make a quick end of this upstart before he solidifies his support throughout all of Israel! But David has learned a few things all those years that Saul has chased him, and David is smart enough to ask God for advice. David meets the Philistines head – on in the Valley of Rephaim and soundly defeats them, capturing their idols and burning the idols.

The Philistines can’t believe that David has defeated them, so they raid the Valley of Rephaim a second time. Here is where David distinguishes himself from Saul. Were Saul the one facing this challenge from the Philistines, Saul would simply shrug his shoulders and meet the Philistines head – on again. After all, that strategy worked the first time, why not the second? But David inquires of the Lord, and God advises him to circle around the Philistines and meet them in front of a grove of balsam trees. Not only are the Philistines not expecting this plan, but by getting between the Philistines and the trees, David also is cutting off potential escape routes. God orders David to wait until he hears the sound of marching feet in the treetops indicating that God’s angel armies are going out ahead of David to attack the Philistines. Unlike Saul who rarely if ever followed orders, David follows God’s instructions to the letter. The result is a resounding victory that sends the Philistines westward to their five cities to lick their wounds.

APPLICATION: If you have tried a strategy and it has worked, it’s very tempting to repeat that approach without considering the possibility that circumstances may have changed. But flexibility is critically important. When we were first training as missionaries, one experienced instructor advised us, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall never be bent out of shape.” Proverbs 29:1 tells us, “A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.”

The key to David’s success is simple: he asks God for advice, he takes that advice, and he waits until God moves before he moves. We can read all the books and watch Ted Talks. We can ask friends and superiors for advice. But unless we have consulted God, we are setting ourselves up for failure.

The HMS Bounty was a replica of a famous sailing ship. October 25, 2012, this three – masted wooden ship left the safety of New London, Connecticut, bound for Saint Petersburg, Florida, despite the fact that Hurricane Sandy was making its way up the East Coast of the U.S. The captain of the Bounty foolishly assumed that this relatively small ship would be safer at sea than at anchor and sailed with a small inexperienced crew (15 rather than the 25 generally on board), poorly functioning pumps, and inadequate safety precautions.

The Bounty sank on October 29, 2012. Coast Guard helicopters rescued 14 of the 16 crew members. One sailor died and the 63-year-old captain, Robin Walbridge, was never found. In a later report, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded, “To set sail into an approaching hurricane introduced needless risk,” the safety board wrote. The probable cause of the sinking was “the captain’s reckless decision to sail the vessel into the well-forecasted path of Hurricane Sandy, which subjected the aging vessel and the inexperienced crew to conditions from which the vessel could not recover.” Had Mr. Walbridge consulted the God who controlled Hurricane Sandy, he would have stayed in port.

God is always willing to help us and to advise us. Our problem is us; we dream up approaches and then ask God to bless them without ever considering that we might be as foolish as the captain of the Bounty replica. King David was wise enough to ask God for help; let us do the same!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to always seek Your advice and then to take it, even if our common sense is telling us something quite different. Thank You for not giving up on us when we do fail to take Your advice. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 13:1 – 14 “Then David conferred with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands. And he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers in all the land of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands, so that they may join us. Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” And because this proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to it. So David assembled all Israel, from the River Shihor in Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.

Uzzah Touches the Ark (2 Samuel 6:5–11)

David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah; so he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day.

That day David feared God and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he owned.”

What happened to the Ark of the Covenant in the first place? In the days when the prophet Samuel was a boy, the Israelites insisted on carrying the Ark out to battle while they were fighting the Philistines. When the Philistines defeated the Israelites, they captured the Ark and sent it to one of their temples. The statue of Dagon in that temple fell on its face before the Ark. Then God began afflicting the Philistines with tumors, perhaps with bubonic plague, and the Philistines finally loaded the Ark, plus golden images of the tumors and the rats that had carried the plague on a cart drawn by two milk cows whose calves were still tied up. Despite the fact that the cows cried for their calves, the cows headed straight for Israel. The Ark wound up in the house of Abinadab in Kiriath – jearim, where it had stayed ever since. 

When the Ark of the Covenant was in the Tabernacle, priests would bring petitions from Israelites and would ask to know God’s will in those matters. Now for years, the Tabernacle had stood with all of its other accoutrements but missing its heart. David observed, “Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” The Ark was captured when Samuel was still young, but Saul never lifted a finger to try to re – capture the Ark, nor did Saul inquire of the Lord. Periodically, Saul would try to get advice from Samuel, but much of the time, Saul went off on his own, assuming that he didn’t need to hear from the God who had crowned him king.

David’s heart was in the right place; however, he made a major mistake. Nobody thought to check the Law of Moses to see how the Ark was supposed to be handled. Although God allowed the Philistines to load the Ark onto a cart to return it to Israel, the Ark was actually designed to be carried by the priests using poles inserted through rings on the sides of the Ark. Had David carried out the original instructions to kings and made a copy of the Law for his own study, he would have known the regulations concerning the Ark. But nobody had paid much attention to the Law of Moses for years.

David organized a wonderful celebration, loading the Ark onto a cart pulled by oxen. But when the oxen stumbled, one man named Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark and God struck him dead! At first, this punishment seems cruel and ridiculous. Wasn’t Uzzah simply trying to save the Ark? But perhaps there was more to the story than we realize. Perhaps Uzzah used the shifting of the Ark on the cart as an excuse to peek into the Ark, something that was not allowed. Uzzah may have felt that because he was a priest, he was special and therefore entitled to handle the Ark, but he was wrong. God has never been unjust, so if God struck Uzzah dead, there had to be a good reason; a wrong heart attitude would explain things.

At this point, David was shocked, horrified, and afraid. David sent the Ark to the house of Obed – edom for three months, and God blessed Obed – edom and his family. Whoever Obed – edom was, he and his family obviously feared God and handled the Ark reverently.

APPLICATION: David wanted to honor God, but he didn’t ask God for advice before making his plans. One Christian comedian and evangelist began his ministry by attempting to copy everyone else and failing miserably. When this man went to God, his first question to God was, “God what are YOU doing wrong?” God answered the man, “Well, you’re doing your will in My Name!” God had to show this man that copying other successful ministries was useless and that only God’s way would bring results. David had to learn this same lesson.

God is always doing new things in new ways; however, God can never bless something that He has not brought into existence in the first place. There are many times when we seek out programs and design outreaches with no thought to the God whom we are serving. Then we wonder why the results are so disappointing. We may even make decisions on our life’s work without consulting God and then wonder why we aren’t happier with our choices.

Eventually, David did do the right thing, but he had to learn a bitter lesson first. Before making important decisions, let us stop and ask God for guidance. We can rest assured that God will answer us in ways we can understand.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that You are the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. Help us to ask You for guidance before taking any major decisions. Thank You that You are a good Father who can communicate Your Will for Your children. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 12:1 – 40 The Mighty Men Join David at Ziklag

“Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): Ahiezer their chief and Joash, who were the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite; Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the Thirty and a leader over the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite; Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite; Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites; and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.

Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second in command, 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 Machbanai the eleventh.

These Gadites were army commanders, the least of whom was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for 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, both to the east and to the west.

Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.”

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.

Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”) When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh. They helped David against the raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and commanders in the army. For at that time men came to David day after day to help him, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

David’s Army Grows at Hebron

Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears.

From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. From Levi: 4,600, including Jehoiada, leader of the house of Aaron, with 3,700 men, and Zadok, a mighty young man of valor, with 22 commanders from his own family.

From Benjamin, the kinsmen of Saul: 3,000, most of whom had remained loyal to the house of Saul up to that time.

From Ephraim: 20,800 mighty men of valor, famous among their own clans. From the half-tribe of Manasseh: 18,000 designated by name to come and make David king. From Issachar, men who understood the times and new what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command. From Zebulun: 50,000 fit for service, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, who with one purpose were devoted to David. From Naphtali: 1,000 commanders, accompanied by 37,000 men with shield and spear. From Dan: 28,600 prepared for battle.

From Asher: 40,000 fit for service, prepared for battle. And from east of the Jordan, from Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh there: 120,000 armed with every kind of weapon of war.

All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king. They spent three days there eating and drinking with David, for their relatives had provided for them. And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.”

The longer Saul’s persecution of David continued, the more ridiculous it became and the more men deserted from Saul’s forces. Notice that many of the fiercest warriors who joined David were from Saul’s own tribe of Benjamin.  God was continuing to give David favor with the men of Israel; now look at the quality of the men joining David: archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin; They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: These Gadites were army commanders, the least of whom was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for 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, both to the east and to the west.”

Recently, the term “bad ass” has come into use in America to indicate someone or something that is powerful and performs well. These guys who were joining David were definitely all bad asses, the best of the fighting men of all Israel! And these men were not merely over – muscled lunks; “they knew times and seasons and knew the best course for Israel to take.” God was moving in the hearts of the Israelites and they recognized that it was time to crown David as king.

APPLICATION: Have you ever realized that God’s timing is split – second? C.H. Spurgeon once wrote a sermon in which he said that when it was time for the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, nobody could delay their leaving for as much as a single second beyond the time of God’s choosing. Now God has ordered David to move to Hebron and has also moved in the hearts of all these battle – hardened soldiers so that they are gathered there to crown David as king over Israel. If these men have so much perception, why haven’t they gathered around David sooner? God has allowed these men to gather gradually, but now King Saul and his sons are dead. There is nobody left to rule Israel, apart from David. It’s time to bring in the man whom God has fitted for this day.

God knows how to throw parties! Look at all the men who turned up from all parts of Israel and the people who spontaneously provided for them. These men were all “of one mind to make David king.” Through the years, there would be many more celebrations in Israel, but this one was one of the best because God was moving in people’s hearts. But some day, God is going to throw a party that will put all other celebrations in the shade.

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.

 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:51 – 58)

When Jesus returns in glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, he will come in a cloud of blinding light with warrior angels to attend him. There will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more dark nights of the soul. Those men gathered in Hebron to crown David as king had a wonderful time, but their joy will pale in comparison with the joy of Jesus on the faces of those who love Him.

The men of Issachar knew times and seasons and knew the best course for Israel to take. Do we know the best course for our lives? Now is the time to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! Now is the time for us to confess our sins and to acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We can only act in the “now;” we have no other time promised to us. If the current pandemic has taught us little else, it should have taught us that any of us can sicken and die at any time. Don’t delay! Be like the men of Issachar and make right decisions. Follow Jesus!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. We do confess that we are sinners and that nothing we can do is good enough to pay for our sins. But we thank You for sending Jesus to die for us, so that we might have eternal life in heaven with You. Let all who read these words come to a saving knowledge of Your Grace. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.