Gold for the heart - 1 Chronicles 27-29

1 Chronicles 27

God is not anti war

1 Now the children of Israel by their number, that is, the head fathers, captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the divisions, that came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, 24,000 were from every division. 2 Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: in his division were 24,000. 3 Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.

“Come in and go out” was the Hebrew phrase meaning war.
These were the military service rotations.
Rotations are better than a volunteer military.
All that are able are prepared and continually ready.
All share the responsibility.
All understand the necessity and gravity of war.
All develop a deeper appreciation for their nation.
Their service was one month out of every year as seen by the twelve rotations.
If needed in time of war, the whole army was called up to serve.
God has enemies on earth. God’s people have enemies on earth (Ephesians 6:10-18).
God wins; He defeats evil on earth.

Psalm 37:20 But the wicked will perish, and the enemies of the LORD will be as the fat of lambs: they will consume; into smoke will they consume away.

Romans 8:31 If God be for us, who can be against us?

4 Over the division of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the ruler: in his division were also 24,000. 5 The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: in his division were 24,000. 6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his division was his son Ammizabad. 7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and his son Zebadiah after him: in his division were 24,000. 8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: in his division were 24,000. 9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: in his division were 24,000. 10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: in his division were 24,000. 11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: in his division were 24,000. 12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: in his division were 24,000. 13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: in his division were 24,000. 14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: in his division were 24,000. 15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: in his division were 24,000.

God is orderly and fair.

All the men of fighting age and ability had responsibility for the safety of the nation of Israel.
God goes to war with His people and fights for them.
When the peoples hearts were right with God, they lost no one in battle.

Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you will hold your peace.

16 Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah: 17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok: 18 Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: 20 Of the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: 21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: 22 Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.

These men were governing authorities of the tribes of Israel.
The first list was the military leaders.
What would happen if our counsel members, mayors, congressmen, and senators had to be the leaders of the battalions and divisions of the military?

The Lord had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the heavens

23 But David did not take number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the heavens. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but he did not finish because wrath fell for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David. 25 Azmaveth, the son of Adiel, was over the king’s treasures: Jehonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles:

2 Samuel 24 records the wrath that fell for counting the people.
The king’s treasures were different from the treasures of the house of God that were discussed in 1 Chronicles 26.
To count was to doubt or check up on God’s progress, i.e., lack of faith.

Genesis 15:5 And he brought him outside and said, Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if you are able to number them: and he said to him, Your seed will be like this.

26 And over those that did the work of the field for working the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: 27 And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: 28 And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and Joash over the cellars of oil: 29 And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: 30 Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: 31 And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance that belonged to king David. 32 Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was an advisor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel, the son of Hachmoni, was with the king’s sons: 33 And Ahithophel was the king’s counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion: 34 And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: Joab was the general of the king’s army.

This was David’s staff.
It gives a thorough example of the administration of a king.
God will bring an end to all war.

Isaiah 2:4 And he will judge among the nations, and rebuke many people: they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.

Micah 4:3 And he will judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation will not lift up a sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.

Revelation 1:4-6 Grace to you and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Chronicles 28

1 David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by rotation, the captains over the thousands, captains over the hundreds, the stewards over all the substance and possessions/livestock of the king, and his sons with the officers/eunuchs, with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, to Jerusalem. 2 Then king David stood up on his feet and said, Hear me my brothers, and my people: As for me, I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and made ready for the building: 3 But God said to me, You will not build a house for my name because you have been a man of war, and have shed blood. 4 However the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever: and he has chosen Judah to be the ruler; the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he desired me to make me king over all Israel: 5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD has given me many sons,) he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.

David called a national assembly of all leaders to give instructions before his death. God chose Solomon to sit on the throne.

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

6 And he said to me, Solomon your son, he will build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is strong to do my commandments and my judgments, as today.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcomes will inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he will be my son.

God blesses obedience

8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek all the commandments of the LORD your God: that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9 And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

God searches all hearts.
He understands the imaginations of all thoughts.
He is found by seeking.
He warns that He will cast off forever if we forsake Him.

10 Take heed now; for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. 11 Then David gave to his son Solomon the pattern of the porch, of its houses, of its treasuries, of its upper chambers, of its inner parlors, of the place of the mercy seat, 12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers surrounding, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:

God’s Holy Spirit gave Solomon the blueprint for God’s house

13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD. 14 He gave gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all kinds of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments for every kind of service: 15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for its lamps: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for its lamps, according to the use of every candlestick. 16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of showbread, for every table; and also silver for the tables of silver: 17 Also pure gold for the flesh hooks, the bowls, the cups: and for the gold basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver by weight for every basin of silver: 18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern for the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

Notice the ‘chariot of the cherubims.’
God gave Moses the pattern for the tabernacle on Mt. Sinai.
God gave David the pattern for the temple that David wanted to build for God.

Psalm 18:10 And he rode on a cherub and flew: he flew on the wings of the wind.

God made David understand the patterns in writing by His hand upon him

19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern. 20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it: do not fear or be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with you; he will not fail you, or forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 21 And behold, the rotation schedules of the priests and the Levites, even they will be with you for all the service of the house of God: and every willing, skilful man will be with you for all kinds of workmanship, for any kind of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at your commandment.

God was with Him.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your manner of life be without covetousness; and be content with what you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, or forsake you.

Isaiah 26:12…you will ordain peace for us: for you have worked all our works in us.

1 Chronicles 29

1 Furthermore king David said to all the assembly, Solomon my son, the one God has chosen, is still young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. 2 Now I have prepared with all my power for the house of my God gold for things to be made of gold, silver for things of silver, bronze for things of bronze, iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, stones of antimony, and of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and alabaster stones in abundance. 3 Moreover, because I have delighted in the house of my God, I have given even more gold and silver than what I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, 4 1000 talents/112 tons of gold from Ophir, nd 262 tons of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses:

Imagine a house with the walls overlaid with gold.
This would be fitting for God alone.
A talent was the weight a man could carry, 93 pounds or 120 pounds.

5 Gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, for all the work to be made by the hands of skilled workers. Who then is willing to consecrate his service today to the LORD? 6 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly, 7 and gave for the service of the house of God 188 tons of gold, ten thousand gold coins, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and about 3,750 tons of iron. 8 And those who had precious stones gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the people rejoiced for they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they willingly offered to the LORD: David the king also rejoiced with great joy. 10 Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: David said, You are blessed, LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever.

God is exalted above all; All greatness, power, glory, and majesty belong to Him

11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you reign over all; in your hand is power and might; it is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all.

13 Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

Acts 17:25 Neither is (He) worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, because he gives to all life, and breath, and all things…

Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

14 But who am I, and what are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly like this? For all things come from you, and from your own have we given to you. 15 For we your guests, and temporary residents, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none remaining.

16 O LORD our God, all this store that we haveprepared to build you a house for your holy name comes from your hand, and is all your own.

He tests the heart and has pleasure in uprightness

17 I know also, my God, that you test the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now I have seen with joy Your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you. 18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart to you: 19 And give my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision. 20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king. 21 And they sacrificed sacrifices to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings to the LORD, on the next day after that day, even a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:

Each sacrifice was a picture of God’s love poured out for us at the cross.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

22 And ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him to the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. 23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons of king David, submitted themselves to king Solomon. 25 And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. 26 Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. 27 The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned 33 years in Jerusalem. 28 He died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and his son Solomon reigned in his place. 29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, 30 With all his reign, his power, and the things that happened to him, to Israel, and to all the kingdoms of the countries.

Notice that Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord.
It is God’s throne.
He rules over all.
Men who rule, rule in His place.

1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcomes will inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 1:6 And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

SUMMARY: 1 Chronicles 27-29

God is not anti war
The Lord had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the heavens
God blesses obedience
God’s Holy Spirit gave Solomon the blueprint for God’s house
God made David understand the patterns in writing by His hand upon him
God is exalted above all
All greatness, power, glory, and majesty belong to Him
He tests the heart and has pleasure in uprightness