1 Chronicles 12

1 Now these came to David at Ziklag from Saul’s brothers of Benjamin, while he was banned because of Saul, the son of Kish: they were among the mighty men who helped him in the war. 2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow. 3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite, 4 Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Josabad the Gederathite, 5 Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, 6 Elkanah, Jesiah, Azareel, Joezer, Jashobeam, the Korhites, 7 Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

• Saul used the army of Israel to hunt for David to try to kill him.
• Ziklag was a Philistine city that Achish, king of Gath gave David to live in.
• These people came to David when he was an outcast on the run from Saul.
• Many people gathered around king Saul for what he could do for them as king.
• Some of king Saul’s relatives saw that what Saul was doing was wrong and went to follow David.
• Like this, we need to follow God and do what is right, not follow people for what they can do for us.

8 And these from the Gadites separated themselves to David into the stronghold to the wilderness, men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains; 9 Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, 10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, 11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, 13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh. 14 These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the army: one of the least was over a hundred, and the greatest over a thousand 15 These are those that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had flowed over all his banks; and they put to flight all those of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

• Some men came to follow David from the tribe of Gad before he was exiled in Ziklag, with faces as fearsome and majestic as lions and swift as gazelles.

God’s Holy Spirit came on Amasai: He helps us

16 And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah at the hold to David. 17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be one with you: but if you have come to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look on it, and rebuke it. 18 Then the Spirit came on/clothed Amasai, who was chief of the captains and he said, We are yours, David, and on your side, son of Jesse: peace, peace be to you, and peace be to him who helps you; for your God helps you. Then David received them, and made them captains of the army.

• God not only knits His heart to us when we follow Him but dwells in our heart Ephesians 3:17-19).

• Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will feast with him, and he with me.

• Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me.

• Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

19 And some from Manasseh defected to David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they did not help them: for the lords of the Philistines, upon consultation, sent him away saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. 20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh. 21 And they helped David against the army of the raiders: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army. 22 For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.

• Raiders kidnapped all the women and children of David’s army while they were gone with Achish. These men from Manesseh helped David recover all. God’s army is great.

• 2Kings 6:15And when the servant of the man of God had risen early, and gone outside, behold, an army surrounded the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do? 16 And he answered, Do not fear: for those that are with us are more than those that are with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I ask you, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.

God gave the kingdom to David

23 And these are the numbers of the companies that were ready armed to war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD. 24 6,800 children of Judah that bore shield and spear, ready armed to the war. 25 7,100 children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war. 26 4,600 children of Levi. 27 Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were 3,700: 28 Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house twenty-two captains. 29 3,000 children of Benjamin, the relatives of Saul: until this time the greatest part of them had kept allegiance to the house of Saul. 30 22, 800 children of Ephraim, mighty men of valor, famous throughout the house of their fathers. 31 And from the half tribe of Manasseh 18,000, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king. 32 And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; their leaders were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their command. 33 50,000 of Zebulun, expert in war, with all equipment of war, who could keep rank: they were of an undivided heart. 34 And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and 37,000 with them with shield and spear. 35 And 28,600 from the Danites, expert in war. 36 And 40,000 from Asher, such as went out to battle, expert in war.

• The tribe of Asher were famous as bakers.

37 And on the other side of Jordan, 120,000 from the Reubenites, the Gadites, and from the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of equipment of war for the battle. 38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. 39 And they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brothers had prepared for them. 40 Moreover they that were near them, even to Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali, brought food on asses, on camels, on mules, and on oxen: food, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

• David’s coronation celebration became a great feast.
• King Saul had been unstable, tormented by a demon.
• He murdered a whole town of innocent priests because he thought they had helped David.
• Living under his reign was hard.
• He did not protect or lead the people rightly.
• God had prepared David to care for His flock.
• David worshipped God and would lead the people to the bread of life.

• Ezekiel 34:12 As a shepherd seek out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and on the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there they will lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick…

                                        1 Chronicles 13

1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 And David said to all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good to you, and that it is from the LORD our God, let us send abroad to our brothers everywhere that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us: 3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we did not seek Him in the days of Saul.

• The Ark of the Covenant was the box of acacia wood overlaid with gold that represented the throne of God on earth.

4 And all the congregation said that they would do this: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even to the entering of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim. 6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath-jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from their the ark of God the LORD, that dwelled between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. 7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, with singing, with harps, with psalteries, with tambourines, with cymbals, and with trumpets. 9 And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark because the oxen stumbled.

God is holy and He does not bend the rules for our mistakes, He died to pay for them

10 And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put his hand to the ark: and he died there before God. 11 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach on Uzza: therefore that place is called the Breach of Uzza to this day. 12 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How can I bring the ark of God home to me? 13 So David did not bring the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.

• Only certain people were allowed near the sacred things.
• Uzza was not a Levite or of the descendants of Aaron.
• David later learned his mistake and corrected it.
• We do not fully realize the One who is near to us is the Creator of all things, the One who rules over all the angels of the universe, the One who holds the power of life and death.
• It is better to learn reverence for God from David’s mistake rather than our own.
• Leviticus 11:45 you shall be holy, for I am holy.

                                        1 Chronicles 14

God goes before us to destroy our enemies

1 Now Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, and cedar timbers, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. 2 And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.

• Daniel 2:21 And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters. 4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpalet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphalet. 8 Now when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. 9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

• The Philistines assembled their military against the Israelites.

10 And David asked of God saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to him, Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand. 11 So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David struck them there. Then David said, God has broken out on my enemies by my hand like the breaking out of waters: so they called the name of that place Baal-perazim. 12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

• Psalm 96:5 all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

• Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and do not lean to your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.

13 And again the Philistines spread themselves abroad in the valley. 14 Therefore David asked again of God; and God said to him, Do not go up after them; turn away from them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees. 15 And when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle: for God is gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines. 16 So David did as God commanded him: and they struck the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. 17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him on all nations.

• Deuteronomy 2:25 This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of you on the nations that are under the whole heaven,

• Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you, neither forsake you: do not fear, neither be dismayed.

                                      1 Chronicles 15

1 David built himself houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, None are to carry the ark of God except the Levites: for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him forever.

• This tent was the tabernacle God described to Moses on Mount Horeb in Exodus 35—Gold, silver, and bronze furniture in an embroidered tent of blue, purple, and scarlet.
• God chose the Levitesbecause they were zealous for Him during the golden calf incident (Exodus 32, Numbers 25:11).

3 And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it. 4 David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites: 5 from the sons of Kohath; Uriel the leader, and 120 of his brothers: 6 Of the sons of Merari: Asaiah the leader, and 220 of his brothers: 7 Of the sons of Gershom: Joel the leader, and 130 of his brothers: 8 Of the sons of Elizaphan: Shemaiah the leader, and 200 of his brothers: 9 Of the sons of Hebron: Eliel the leader, and 80 of his brothers: 10 Of the sons of Uzziel: Amminadab the leader, and 112 of his brothers. 11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 And said to them, You are the leaders of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it.

• They were moving God to be near them.

• James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.

13 For because you did not do it at the first, the LORD our God broke through against us because we did not seek Him after the due order. 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. 15 And the children of the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with its poles, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.

• Exodus 25 and Numbers 4 is where God explained the procedure.

• 1Chronicles 13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

16 And David spoke to the leader of the Levites to appoint their brothers to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries, harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and from his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 And with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers. 19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass; 20 And Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth; 21 And Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah with harps on the Sheminith to excel. 22 And Chenaniah, leader of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.

• The choir and orchestra were large and orderly. The singers and musicians were skillful.

23 And Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark. 24 And Shebaniah, Jehoshaphat, Nethaneel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, blew with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed-edom and Jehiah were gatekeepers for the ark. 25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obed-edom with joy.

• Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

God helped the Levites that carried the ark

26 And when God helped the Levites that carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, so that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. 27 And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that carried the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had on himself a linen ephod. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, with trumpets, with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

• Isaiah 26:12 LORD, You will ordain peace for us: for You also have worked all our works in us.

29 And as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.

• David danced for joy of God.
• Michal, Saul’s daughter, one of David’s wives, thought it was undignified for the king to behave that way.
• Michal looked at the outward appearance.
• God looks at the heart.

• 1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

SUMMARY: 1 Chronicles 12-15

• God’s Holy Spirit came on Amasai: He helps us
• God gave the kingdom to David
• God is holy and He does not bend the rules for our mistakes, He died to pay for them
• God goes before us to destroy our enemies
• God helped the Levites that carried the ark