Read 1
Chronicles 14-16 & John
9:24-41
To discover:
As you read note the signs that
David’s reign was a great one.
To ponder:
We see the ideal nature of David’s
rule in the foreign king of Tyre
serving him and providing resource for his palace. David clearly sees this as
proving God had established him and exalted his kingdom. And it displays God’s
intent that his kingdom would extend beyond Israel
– a key theme in this section. It also looks to the glory of the nations
resourcing the church and being brought into the New Jerusalem (Is 60, Rev
21v26).
David’s
increase in children is probably to be read as a sign of blessing (Gen 1v28).
David’s righteousness is then displayed in enquiring of God when faced with the
“full force” of the Philistines (14v10, 14, see 13v3), and in burning their
gods. Moreover, by defeating the Philistines, God is seen to be with David,
directing his tactics and going before him in battle. The note that “all the
nations” feared David again shows God is being glorifed through him to the
world.
The
note on David’s many wives and how he prioritised his buildings (15v1) show he
was not without fault. Nevertheless, he has learnt from Uzzah’s death, ensuring
that only Levites carry the ark, according to God’s instructions and after
consecration. Indeed, he did everything according to God’s law (16v40).
David assembled
“all Israel”
for the bringing of the ark to Jerusalem,
and commanded Levites be appointed to sing “joyful songs” and make music. By
detailing the roles, the author highlights the importance of praise. David’s
concern with this exemplifies the religion of the heart. So the ark was brought
up with “rejoicing,” and the offerings seem to be given in thanks that God did
not strike down the Levites as he had Uzzah (15v26). David dressed as a priest,
and, with the Levites, wore linen, as it was the apporpriate
dress for being so close to the presence of God (Ex 28v39-43). The shouts, rams horns and
trumpets were probably just expressions of joy as the cymbals, lyres and harps
(15v28 see v16), but may have had a sense of calling the people to worship. In
despising David, Saul’s daughter is the antithesis of him, explifying the scoffing
of the unbeliever at the worship of God even today.
With
the ark settled, burnt offerings (expressing devotion) and fellowship offerings
(expressing peace with God) were made. And, acting as priest, David blessed the
people. The bread and cakes given the people highlighted the fellowship they
enjoyed with God.
We then read of
Levites appointed to pray, give thanks and praise God “before the ark;” and of
a song David committed to them. It shows he saw his kingdom as universal in
scope. Calling people to sing God’s praise it also called them to tell of his
acts to the nations. They are to always seek God and remember his judgements
that “are in all the earth” in the sense that his redemption and protection of Israel
had been witnessed by the nations. So his covenant is to be remembered, as is
his protection of Israel
as she wandered amongst nations (eg. Num 22-24). In the light of this, the
whole earth is therefore called to sing to the LORD, declare his glory, and
worship him with offerings, as the gods of the nations are idols, whereas God
made the heavens. Indeed, heaven, earth and even the trees are to rejoice that
God comes to judge the earth, whilst his people are to pray for deliverance
from the nations. This is an astonishingly ambitious perspective for David at
the start of his reign, but once more displays his heart. His desire is that
God is honoured throughout the earth, God’s ultimate goal in history. Today the
song calls the world in having also witnessed God’s great acts in Christ, to
turn from idols and worship him. And it calls his people to tell the world of
his deeds.
David left the
Levites from 16v4-6 to minister before the ark in Jerusalem,
whilst the priests would minister by making the required offerings before the
tabernacle in Gibeon; again, with people assigned to sing
of God’s love there too. It seems that before the building of the temple
God allowed Gibeon
to be a centre of worship (1 Kgs 3v2-5).
Praying it home:
Praise God that he is worthy of
gory from all he has made. Pray for world missions and that your praise would
overflow in telling others of God’s acts in Christ.
Thinking further:
None today.
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