1 CHRONICLES 10 - 12

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Just so you know: The writer of the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles appears to be a Jew (from the tribe of Judah) who has returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile since he has obvious knowledge of "why" Israel and Judah was exiled into Babylonian slavery (9:1), and knowledge of exactly "who" the people were who were able to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple (9:2-34)! In returning to Jerusalem, he gives us a rapid but detailed account of the geneological records of the nation of Israel and Judah leading from Adam (the first man) to King David (Israel's most Godly king). His first mission seems to be restoring Israel's and Judah's historical identity as a people group and the need for rebuilding the Temple!

The rest of 1 and 2 Chronicles give us a duplicate account of what we just finished reading in 1 and 2 Kings, however with less detail.

Here's another important note: When the writer of 1 and 2 Chronicles was writing these books, he (and other Jews) realized that God had not fulfilled the promises (of a Messiah) concerning David's son completely in Solomon's day or during any of his successors' reigns. They looked for a Messiah to appear who would be both a king and a priest. The prophets had given revelation that such a person would come someday. He would be a perfect king who would rule the whole world, not just Israel (Ps. 2; et al.). Moreover he would be a priest, not of the Aaronic order, but of the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110; et al.). David was the first king of Israel who served as a faithful priest after this order. He personally offered sacrifices and led the people in worship as well as in government. David's successors on the throne did the same things. The prophets promised that Messiah would build a house (temple) for God. He would give attention to His people's worship of God and their fellowship with God. He would be a man of peace compared to David who was a man of war (1 Chron. 22:7-9). David's rule was the kind of rule the coming King would establish. Consequently the writer of 1 and 2 Chronicles measured all of David's successors by the standard of David and his kingdom.

The 3 chapters we read today (10 - 12), tells us the details of how great warriors from Israel defected from the army of Israel and joined David's group of exiled soldiers. All of Israel was beginning to realize that David would soon be the new King of Israel. After Saul's death, they flocked to David in great numbers begging him to be the new King.

Chapter 12 is one of my favorite chapters! It describes the kind of men we need today! These were unusually brave and courageous men! The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops and the strongest could take on a thousand (12:14)! We need men like that today who will fight Heaven's battles and make a difference in this world for the cause of Christ!

It's good to note that David's power was not in himself! David was merely one man - a brave man - but only one man. Chapter 11 and 12 explain the dynamics of David's success:
1) God and His Angels fought the battles for David! 11:9 - "And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven's Armies was with him."
2) God gave David some of the bravest and most-skilled warriors on the planet! (chapter 12)

Well, that's all for now. Have a wonderful day in the Lord!