The second half of 1 Chronicles mainly outlines all of David’s preparations for Solomon to build the temple. He knows that his son is inexperienced and is trying to set him up for success as best as he can. He reorganizes the Levites into new roles serving the Lord, he gathers supplies for building the temple and challenges the rest of Israel to offer up what they have for God’s new home.
While David was known as a man after God’s own heart, he did make some poor choices. Despite the occasional bad decision, David was always first in line to worship God. He wrote songs of thanksgiving and worship, constantly praised Him, and created instruments to worship the Lord. Just like David, our hearts should be inclined to worship the Lord as our first action. Lately, I have found that in our noisy world, I crave spending time quiet time with Him. What does your heart of worship look like lately?
And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. IF you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary, be strong and do it. 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 ESV
Passage:
1 Chronicles 15-29
Discovered:
- David prepared a place for the ark and had the Levites correctly bring it before Jerusalem. David danced and celebrated, angering Michal.
- Once the ark arrived, they made burnt and peace offerings, sharing portions with all of Israel.
- David assigned Levites to invoke, praise and worship God. David has a song of thanks sung.
- Zadok and his brother priests were in charge of the tabernacle.
- David wanted to build a home for God, but God said no. Instead, I (God) will build a kingdom out of your house.
- David defeated the Philistines, Gath, King Hadadezer of Zobah-Hamath, Syrians and Edomites.
- David was going to be kind to Hanun of the Ammonites after his father, Nahash had died, since his father had been king to David. Instead the princes convinced him the delegation of mourners were spies. He had their hair cut and cut their robes so they were exposed.
- Ammonites hired Syrians and went to war with David/Israel.
- Joab split the army to fight both sides. Syrians fled followed by Ammorites.
- Syrians tried again to defeat David by calling for reinforcements. They were defeated.
- Joab & army defeated Rabbah, an Ammorite city. They took the spoil to David and put the people to work. Conquered all of the Ammorite cities.
- The Philistine giants were defeated by David and his men.
- David thought it a good idea to take a census-this displeased God. David was allowed to choose his punishment: 3 days of pestilence.
- David bought land from Ornan and built an altar. He offered burnt and peace offerings to stop the pestilence. This land is where the temple would be built.
- David had been gathering supplies for the temple that Solomon was being charged to build.
- David organized and assigned roles for the Levites: care of the temple, helping the priests, worshipping God with music, gatekeepers, treasurers and other officers. Aaron’s sons would still be priests responsible for offerings.
- Each month a division of 24,000 men served the king.
- The chiefs of tribes as well as those in charge of the King’s treasuries were listed.
- David assembles all of Israel’s leaders to announce Solomon as king and that he would be responsible for building the temple.
- David had gathered as much of the supplies as he could but also asked for free will offerings from the tribes.
- David blessed the Lord, praying before everyone, thanking God, humbling himself and worshipping Him.
- Solomon was anointed King a second time, all of David’s men pledged allegiance and Israel obeyed him.
- David ruled 40 years and died at a good age, full of days, riches and honor.
Help me to remember:
While David could make poor decisions, he never passed up an opportunity to worship the Lord.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I have a heart like David, one full of worship for You.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
examples of character to follow, such as David’s heart of worship.
