Teaching Notes

TH1055: I CHRONICLES

As David became king over all of Israel, it seemed like nothing could stand in his way. No enemy was to big for him and his kingdom continued to grow, its boarders enlarged. But it was not the enemy from without that would defeat David, but the enemy from within. David succumbed to his flesh. And because of that he was going to have to suffer the consequences of his actions. Yes God forgave David, but the turmoil, the incest, the murder that David had to deal with from within his own family, was a heavy toll to pay. You see, David was going to have to deal with the results of his sin for the rest of his life.

I CHRONICLES 21

VERSES 1-2

1. Now understand this, the sin of David was not in numbering the people, for Moses did this in the book of Numbers, once at the beginning of their wanderings, and once at the end. What David is doing here is taking a census of his military, how many soldiers he had. The sin here is pride, for David is putting his trust in his military instead of the Lord. In Psalm 118:5-9 we see the correct attitude to have. We read "I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those whohate me. It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes."

And in Psalm 33:16-17 we read "No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength." David is going to learn this lesson the hard way, he is going to see what pride can do, for in this sin we will see 70,000 men lose their lives!

2. Something else we should point out is that here in I Chronicles it says that Satan caused David to number Israel, but in II Samuel chapter 24 it says that the Lord was angry with Israel and He caused David to number Israel, is this a contradiction? No, not at all. First of all the Bible tells us that God does not tempt us. We read in James 1:13 "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." And so what is going on here is that God steps aside and allows Satan to tempt David, and David went for it. Thus, out of this God not only dealt with David's sin, his pride, but He is also going to chasten the nation of Israel. No contradiction at all!

VERSES 3-6

1. With all the problems David had with Joab, he was right this time in telling David he was wrong in taking this census of his military might. But David does not listen to his counsel and overrules Joab and sends him to complete this task. Now Joab did not include the tribe of Levi in his total for the Levites were not to participate in the military. (Numbers 1:47-49). And the tribe of Benjamin was not counted because God's judgment came before Joab could completed this census, according to I Chronicles 27:24.

VERSES 7-8

1. This is one of those things that made David great, he saw his sin and he confessed it before the Lord and did not try to hide it or make excuses for his actions. Saul, on the other hand, tried to make all kinds of excuses why he had sinned, blaming others for his actions. Saul was never responsible for his own walk as David was. And as sorry as David was about his sin, and even though God had forgave him completely, there was still consequences related to his sin.

VERSES 9-12

1. God tells Gad, a prophet of God, to go and tell David that he has a choice of the judgment that is to come. Either 3 years of famine, or 3 months of defeat at the hands of your enemies, or 3 days of the angel of the Lord destroying the people. A tough choice for David to make.

VERSE 13

1. David rightly recognized that God was merciful, and man is not. So David requests to fall into the hands of God instead of man. As Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:22-23 "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

VERSES 14-15

1. As God pours out His judgment against Israel, 70,000 men are killed, and then it says that the Lord "relented" of what He had done. Now we are told in Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" It is difficult to describe God's actions in earthly terms, and sometimes it is misleading. God did what had to be done, and the judgment was complete and now God's mercy was coming forth.

2. We are told that the angel of the Lord stood at the threshing floor of Ornan, which was one of the highest points in Jerusalem, on a ridge of mountains called Moriah. Remember, when they would thresh their grain they needed to be high up to catch the wind to blow the chaff and allow the grain to fall to the ground.

VERSES 16-17

1. David takes the responsibility for what has happened, and he makes no excuses for his actions. David had the heart of a shepherd who loved his sheep and did not want anything to happen to them. You see, a true shepherd will stand up for his sheep, even when things get tough, and will not run away from the situation.

VERSES 18-20

1. David is instructed to build an altar unto the Lord on this threshing floor. The thing that blows me away, and I can't explain it, is this. Ornan and his four sons see this angel and his sons are hiding themselves, they were terrified. But Ornan continues on working, threshing the grain. Maybe Ornan was a work-aholic!

VERSES 21-23

1. As David approaches Ornan this man bows before David, his king, and he listens to David's request to build an altar to the Lord on this threshing floor. Ornan, without hesitating, offers to give it to David, not only the land, but the oxen and threshing implements and even the grain.

VERSE 24

1. What a great principle for us to follow. David did not want to give to the Lord that which cost him nothing. That is what true worship is all about, true sacrifice, it costs you something. David is saying to Ornan, "How can I worship the Lord with that which has cost me nothing?" Paul in Romans 12:1 says "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

VERSE 25

1. Here in I Chronicles we are told that David paid 600 shekels of gold, but in II Samuel 24:24 we are told that he paid only 50 shekels of silver, why the discrepancy? In II Samuel David paid 50 shekels for the threshing floor and the oxen. The word "threshing floor" means just that, a place where the grain was threshed from the stalk and chaff. Now in I Chronicles David paid 600 shekels of gold for the place or the whole area. This area is what we call today the temple mount with the mosque of Omar and the dome of the rock residing on this piece of property.

VERSE 26

1. David can plainly see that God accepted his sacrifice for the Lord consumed it with fire.

VERSES 27-30

1. Remember that only the ark was in Jerusalem, and the tabernacle was still in Gibeon. But that will soon change, for the sacrifice will be made in Jerusalem and no longer in Gibeon. This will now be the spot to worship God. You see, David was afraid to go to Gibeon because of the judgment of God, so God told him to offer the sacrifice right here. God, as we will see, was telling David that this is the spot in which the temple was to be built.

I CHRONICLES 22

VERSE 1

1. Some 1,000 years before this event, Abraham made a 3 day journey to Mount Moriah, and there he was willing to offer his only son as a sacrifice to the Lord. And then some 1,000 years after this event here in I Chronicles, another Father was going to offer His only Son as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. This was now the spot where the temple was to be built. Around 3 blocks from this sight, on the top of Mount Moriah, was a place we call Golgotha, or the place of the skulls, where Christ was crucified.

VERSES 2-5

1. David could have pouted because he could not build God a house. But instead, he gathers all the supplies that his son Solomon will need to build the temple. Too many times we complain and are upset over the things we can't do, the doors that God has closed, instead of walking through the ones that He has opened, as David did.

VERSES 6-11

1. Psalm 127:1 says Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain." And that is what David is saying to his son Solomon. You see, if you are doing the work of God in the flesh, then your fruit will be small and not lasting. Your work or labor will be for nothing. Be lead by God's Spirit and you will bear much fruit, lasting fruit in your life!

VERSE 12

1. The prosperity spoken of in the previous verses is seen here in our obedience to God. You see, obedience is the gateway to prosperity, both spiritual and even physical.

VERSE 13

1. I think it is important to recognize our weakness, our frailties. We should feel inadequate in doing what God has called us to do, for then we will not rest in our strength, but His. That is why Paul said in II Corinthians 12:7-10 "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Because he knew that it was not in his strength that God's work was being done, but only by God's Spirit working through his frail body. It is when we rest in our abilities, our strength, that we are walking on thin ice.

VERSES 14-16

1. Look at all the materials that David obtained for the building of the temple. He had 3,750 tons of gold and 37,500 tons of silver, and bronze and iron so abundant that they did not even count it.

VERSES 17-19

1. David calls for them to get started on the work of God, make a conscious decision. And I think the Lord is calling for us to arise and make a conscious decision to seek the Lord with all our heart. To get up early and spend time with Him. To start and end your day with Him, and in between, being guided by Him, doing the work He has called you to do. You see, there is no limit to what God can and will do through you!

I CHRONICLES 23

VERSES 1-6

1. David now begins to organize the priesthood. If you remember from the book of Numbers, chapter 4, the Levites, who were to minister before the Lord, began their service at the age of 30 and retired from service at the age of 50.

2. Verse 5 tells us that David had 4,000 on his worship team and he even made the musical instruments from which they worshipped the Lord by. David was a gifted man who loved to worship the Lord, his life reflected that relationship.

VERSES 7-23

1. The descendants of Levi were the Gershonites, the Kohathites, and the Merarites, and each had specific duties to carry out within the tabernacle. But it was only the Kohathites and specifically the line of Aaron from which the priests were to come from.

VERSES 24-32

1. Now we see David lower the age of entering the ministry to 20, as it was 30 years of age prior to this. Why did David do this? Because now the work was so great and he wants to give each man an opportunity to serve the Lord to the fullest. During their wilderness wanderings things were simple, and not as many workers were needed, but now that all has changed.

2. I see that happening today. As we get closer to the Lord's return, the work is great, and God is putting people in ministry without the several years of Bible College and internships. It is more of a on the job training you might say. I see that with my own life, that God is training me on a daily basis. I am an unlearned and uneducated man by the worlds standards, and even by the standards of some in the church. At times I am almost embarrassed to tell people that I have no schooling, no formal Bible training. And then I remember what was said of those who followed after Jesus by those who were schooled, those who were highly educated. In Acts 4:13 we read "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus." There is much work to do and so we need to get started. But we must remember that we must be in His will in all that we do. We must put His word and prayer as a priority in our life, and He will equip us. As Paul said in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Never forget that fact and you will do great things for the Lord!

I CHRONICLES 24

VERSES 1-19

1. It was the family of Aaron that was the priestly line, and from this we have 24 divisions and each was to serve for 2 weeks. At the end of their 2 week service they would return home and minister from there. Remember that the Levites were spread out in 48 cities throughout the land of Israel so that no man was more than a days journey from one of these cities.

VERSES 20-31

1. Here we see the rest of the Levites being organized in service.

I CHRONICLES 25

VERSES 1-4

1. Here we see David assemble the worship team and when it speaks of them prophesying with harps and-so-on, don't let that confuse you. They were not necessarily foretelling but forthtelling the things of God through their music. In I Corinthians 14:3 we read "But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men." Worship songs should minister to our hearts, they should build us up, they should encourage us, they should comfort us, as we focus back on the Lord. And what a joy it is when God gives you a new song as He touches your heart, and then you share that new song with us. God can and does speak to our hearts through worship!

VERSES 5-6

1. I want you to see that this was not some chaotic free for all, and everyone was doing their own thing. David was overseeing this ministry, keeping things in order and moving in the right direction. Yes, Heman was the leader, but it was David who ultimately was in charge.

2. The word "seer" is the same as a prophet and Heman would get new songs from the Lord and share them with his music.

VERSES 7-31

1. In these verses we see the rest of the worship people.

I CHRONICLES 26

VERSES 1-19

1. The gatekeepers were responsible in keeping out those that did not belong in the temple area and to allow those who did belong in. Today the pastor is a kind of gatekeeper, keeping out those false doctrines and heretical teaching that continues to blow through the church. How do they do this? By comparing what is being taught to the word of God. Some would argue that I am being to narrow minded and I should let go. I am sorry but without the word of God how do you know what is right and what is wrong? You don't!

As Paul told his young apprentice, Timothy "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work...Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching." II Timothy 3:16-17, 4:2.

VERSES 20-32

1. These men were watching over the treasures of God, the gold, silver and-so-on. And again we see today that it is the pastor who is watching over the treasures of God, but they are not gold or silver, but flesh and blood. As Paul told the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:27-28 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Tragically, many have a mentality of numbers more than of individuals. Jesus was not a numbers person but He cared for each individual need, and pastors should do the same, they should have that same kind of heart, a shepherds heart.

CHRONICLES 27

VERSES 1-15

1. David has organized the spiritual part of the kingdom and now he is working on the military part of the kingdom. And I think David has it in the right order, spiritual must always come first. You can have the best army, as the Babylonians did, and still be defeated because your heart is far from the Lord. David now divides all his military men into 12 groups or divisions, with each one having 24,000 men. These groups or divisions would serve for 1 month out of the year, unless of course you were in a war, and then you would be called to active duty.

VERSES 16-24

1. David's sin was trusting in his military might instead of the Lord, thus he numbered his soldiers. But that census was not completed by Joab, for before he finished, God's judgment came upon Israel.

VERSES 25-31

1. In these verses we see David's personal men who were watching over his wealth, his home and-so-on.

VERSES 32-34

1. Ahithophel was David's counselor until he turned against David. When David's son Absalom rebelled against David and he makes himself king, Ahithophel joins him. And if you remember, Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, and it is possible that because of David's actions against his granddaughter and son-in-law, that Ahithophel had a lot of bitterness in his heart towards David. And now the time was right for a revolt and he may have felt he was giving David his just reward. But his life ended tragically as Absalom refused to hear his wise counsel, and thus, he went and committed suicide. He saw that the reign of Absalom was coming to an end, and thus he was as good as dead anyway.

2. In the chapters we have studied tonight we have seen how David organized the nation of Israel, both spiritually and militarily. You see, God is a God of order and not chaos. He sets things in order, and He does the same in our own life when things seem to be in utter turmoil In Psalm 37:23-24 we read "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand."