Chronological Bible Study – May 4
What I Noticed Today (1 Chronicles 13-16)
1 Chronicles 13
David attempts to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem.
In verses 1-6, the Ark of God had been in Kiriath-jearim for several decades, and David decided to bring it home to Jerusalem.
- He consulted his leaders, but not the Levites.
- They did their best to honor God by bringing the Ark on a new cart pulled by oxen preceded by a large contingent of worshippers, but this was not according to the directions God had given the people.
- Had David consulted the Levites about how to move the Ark, they could have told him it was to be carried with poles on the shoulders of the Levites (Exodus 25:12-15).
- Uzzah died when the oxen stumbled, and he reached out to steady the Ark. God struck him dead.
- The Ark was holy and was not to be touched by anything or anyone who was not also holy.
- At first, David was angry but then became fearful because of God’s anger.
- Rather than continuing with the Ark, David left the Ark in the home of Obed-edom, a Gittite.
- Obed-edom prospered for three months while the Ark was with him.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- Both Saul and David were selected and anointed by God to lead the people of Israel. David’s character was such that he was faithful to God while Saul was not. This character of David’s is what led the people from all the tribes to come together to support his reign as king.
- David’s leadership allowed others to rise and develop into strong leaders, and together they were able to take the city of Jerusalem from the Canaanites.
- David’s heart was in the right place when he decided to bring the Ark of God into Jerusalem, but he went about it the wrong way. He should have consulted with God first; then, instead of failing, he would have been successful!
1 Chronicles 14
In verses 1-2, King Hiram of Tyre sent cedar logs, stonecutters, and carpenters to build a house for David. David then realized the Lord had established him as king over Israel.
In verses 3-7, David took more wives in Jerusalem and fathered 13 sons (similar to the list in 2 Samuel 5:14-16).
Note: Polygamy was a violation of God’s law (Deuteronomy 17:17).
In verses 8-17, when the Philistines heard that David had become king, they came up against him.
- David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord said he would give the Philistines into their hands. David defeated the Philistines.
- The Philistines came up against David a second time.
- David inquired of God again, but this time, God said you do not attack them until you hear the rustling in the trees. David obeyed God and won another victory over the Philistines.
1 Chronicles 15
In verses 1-2, David had completed building houses for himself and decided it was time to bring the Ark of God into Jerusalem.
- David decided once again to bring the Ark of the Lord to the tent he had prepared in Jerusalem, but this time, he did it the way the Lord had commanded.
In verses 3-29, David assembled the Israelites to bring the Ark of God into Jerusalem
- There are four concepts revealed in the story of the Ark being brought into the city.
- The Israelites did God’s work biblically (vv. 2-15).
- The Israelites did God’s work joyfully (vv. 16-24).
- The Israelites did God’s work sacrificially (vv. 25-26).
- The Israelites did God’s work enthusiastically (vv. 27-28).
- The Levites were consecrated and carried the Ark on poles on their shoulders.
- David commanded the Levites to appoint musicians and singers to worship the Lord joyfully as the Ark was carried.
- Saul’s daughter, Michal, saw David dancing before the Lord as the Ark entered the city, and she despised David.
1 Chronicles 16
In verses 1-6, David commanded the Levites to offer burnt and peace offerings to the Lord after it had been placed in the tent.
- Finally, David appointed Levites to minister before the Lord on a continual basis.
In verses 7-36, David offered a song of thanks to God to be sung by Asaph and his brothers. There are three main sections to the song:
- 1 Chronicles 8-13 reminds the people of God’s works,
- 1 Chronicles 14-22 reminds the people of God’s words in the form of His covenant with Abraham, and
- 1 Chronicles 23-36 reminds the people of the wonders of God.
In verses 37-43, David assigned Obed-edom and his 68 relatives to be gatekeepers.
- David left Zadok, the priest, with other priests to minister before the Lord in Gibeon.
Note: There were two high priests at this time. Zadok was a high priest in Gibeon while Abiathar was the high priest in Jerusalem.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- David’s second attempt to bring the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem was successful because he followed God’s instructions exactly. David’s two battles against the Philistines were successful because he followed God’s instructions exactly.
- When we are engaged in ministry, 1) we should ensure that we are doing work that follows God’s direction and is biblically sound, 2) that we are working joyfully, and 3) that we recognize that all our worship and service to God comes through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Because of all that God has done for us, we should minister and serve the Lord with enthusiasm. If we expect to have success in any aspect of our lives, we must follow God’s directions exactly. God blesses obedience, not rebellion!
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.