1 Chronicles 8

 

1 Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, 2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3 And the sons of Bela were Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. 6 These are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath: 7 Naaman, Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud. 8 And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away: Hushim and Baara were his wives.

 

  • Benjamin was Jacob’s youngest son.
  • Rachel, his mother, Jacob’s first love, died giving birth to him.
  • This chapter lists his descendants.
  • The word ‘removed’ means to denude, to exile in disgrace.
  • These also were ‘removed.’
  • Moab was not Israel.
  • Moab was a neighboring country given by God to the descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew.

 

9 And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcham, 10 Jeuz, Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers. 11 And of Hushim he begat Abitub and Elpaal. 12 The sons of Elpaal; Eber, Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with its towns:

 

  • These men built towns.
  • Remember when Cain was driven out in Genesis 4, he built a town—Genesis 4:17.
  • Man tries many things to fill the emptiness of life without God as the center (Ecclesiastes).
  • 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.

 

Christ is the head

 

13 Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: 14 And Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth. 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Ader, 16 Michael, Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah; 17 And Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hezeki, Heber, 18 Ishmerai also, Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal; 19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20 Elienai, Zilthai, Eliel, 21 Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi; 22 And Ishpan, Heber, Eliel, 23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24 Hananiah, Elam, Antothijah, 25 Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak; 26 And Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,  27 Jaresiah, Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.

 

  • God set up systems of authority for the good of mankind.
  • The family is the basic unit.
  • The father is the head of the family.
  • These men were the next unit of authority.
  • They headed the groups of the fathers.
  • The inhabitants of Gath were Philistines.
  • God had commanded the children of Israel to destroy them because they worshipped idols and did the atrocities listed in Leviticus 18.
  • Instead of destroying them they just drove them away.
  • That was partial obedience.
  • Idolatry leads people to eternal death.
  • God is life.
  • 1Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
  • Psalm 96:5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

 

28 These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. 29 And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon whose wife’s name was Maachah: 30 And his firstborn son Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahio, and Zacher. 32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah. These also dwelt with their brothers in Jerusalem, opposite them. 33 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, Saul begat Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. 34 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah. 35 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. 36 And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, 37 And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son: 38 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. 39 And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and grandsons, 150. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

 

  • This one family had 150 grandsons.
  • They were all mighty warriors.
  • War comes from people wanting things and not asking God for them.
  • Instead, they take them from others.
  • God has plenty for all.
  • James 4:1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Do they not come from here, even from your lusts that war in your members? 2 You lust, and do not have: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you do not have, because you do not ask.
  • Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

 

 

                                        1 Chronicles 9

 

God’s listed all those taken captive for their transgressions

 

1 So all Israel were recorded by genealogies; and behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. 2 Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. 3 And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh; 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah. 5 And of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons. 6 And of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and 690 brothers. 7 And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah, 8 And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; 9 and 956 brothers, according to their generations. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.

 

  • These were leaders.
  • God keeps a meticulous record of details.
  • Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.

 

10 And of the priests; Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin, 11 And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God; 12 And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; 13 And their 1,760 brothers, heads of the house of their fathers; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

 

  • These men lifted animals onto the altar.
  • They were very strong.
  • Leaders should lead their people back to God.
  • Ezekiel 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds; Woe to the shepherds of Israel that feed themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed the flocks?

 

14 And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15 And Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; 26 And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites. 17 And the gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brothers: Shallum was the leader; 18 Who were stationed in the king’s gate eastward: they were gatekeepers in the companies of the children of Levi.

 

  • The Levites were of the tribe of Levi whereas the priests were descendants of Aaron, who was also from the tribe of Levi.
  • The priests presided over the house of God and offered the offerings of God’s people.
  • Psalm 84:10 a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.



God should be the center because He is the Source

 

19 And Shallum, the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brothers, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, gatekeepers of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the army of the LORD, were guards of the entrance.

 

  • Today’s culture is being influenced by merchants through mega media advertising and entertainment.
  • Israel’s government centered around God’s house.
  • This is fitting because God is the center and source of life.
  • He was their leader, not lawmakers and judges.
  • Notice that much more is written about the house of God, its function, orderly arrangements, and its servants than is written about creation.
  • The house of God centers on the person of God, rather than on what He has made.
  • Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.

 

The Lord was with Phinehas

 

20 And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, was the ruler over them in the past, and the Lord was with him. 21 And Zechariah, the son of Meshelemiah, was gatekeeper of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 22 All 212 were chosen to be gatekeepers in the gates. These were recorded by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer appointed in their set office. 23 So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the Lord, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by watches.

 

  • A rotation schedule was set up.
  • Imagine the LORD of all, Maker of heaven and earth.
  • Imagine His house on earth and you are its gatekeeper.
  • You would see Him, His comings and goings.
  • Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 

24 The gatekeepers were in four quarters, toward the east, west, north, and south. 25 And their brothers that were in their villages were to come after seven days from time to time with them. 26 For these Levites, the four head gatekeepers, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. 27 They lodged around the house of God, because the watch was committed to them, and they were in charge of opening it morning by morning. 28 And certain of them had the charge of the ministering articles to count them as they brought them in and out. 29 Some of them also were appointed to oversee the utensils, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense, and the spices. 30 Some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. 31 And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were baked in the pans. 32 And other of their brothers, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the showbread, to prepare it every sabbath. 33 And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. 34 These head fathers of the Levites were leaders throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.

 

  • Their only job was to sing to God day and night.
  • Psalm 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O you saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.


35 And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife’s name was Maachah: 36 And his firstborn son: Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. 38 And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brothers at Jerusalem, opposite their brothers. 39 And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. 40 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal: and Merib-baal begat Micah. 41 And the sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. 42 And Ahaz begat Jarah; Jarah begat Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza; 43 And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 44 Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel.


  • Verse 35 switches from the record of the Levites to the tribe of Benjamin, the genealogy of Israel’s first king.
  • Isaiah 41:4 Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am He.

 

                                          

                                          1 Chronicles 10

 

The LORD rules over all life and death

 

1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel ran from the Philistines, and fell down slain/pierced to death in mount Gilboa. 2 And the Philistines chased hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3 And the battle was severe against Saul; the archers hit him and he was wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it so that these uncircumcised cannot come and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not because he was very afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell on it. 5 And when his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell on the sword, and died.

 

  • Saul and his armor bearer killed themselves.
  • The previous night, Samuel had told Saul that he and his sons would be with Samuel the next day (1 Samuel 28).
  • Samuel was in paradise. So Saul’s suicide didn’t put him in hell.
  • If a person believed that God’s promised savior’s death would atone for their sins then that person was saved.
  • This scripture shows us that suicide does not condemn a person to hell.
  • However it does cause a loss of rewards.
  • Saul’s many deeds, good and bad, will be tested by fire.
  • For killing himself rather than trusting God about it, he will lose some rewards.
  • No sin is big enough to cancel God’s work of the cross.
  • 1Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work will be revealed: for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work remains that he has built, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss: but he himself will be saved; yet so as by fire.

 

6 So Saul died, and his three sons: all his house died together. 7 And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them. 8 And the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa. 9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head and his armor, and sent into the surrounding land of the Philistines to carry news to their idols, and to the people. 10 And they put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.

 

  • God desires only good for us.
  • Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

 

11 And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days. 13 So Saul died for his transgression that he committed against the LORD, against the word of the LORD, which he did not keep, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; 14 And did not ask of the LORD: so he killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

 

  • People who consult devils for their answers are leading others to eternal death.
  • If Saul had turned back to God in true repentance he would have been spared, his sons, and the nation as well.
  • Saul’s repentances were half-hearted and for the single purpose that the people not turn away from him as king rather than to live rightly before God.
  • In his relentless pursuit to kill David, Saul had actually killed a whole city of priests—innocent servants of God (2 Samuel 22:19).
  • Saul reaped what he sowed.
  • Leviticus 20:27 A man also or woman that has a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, will definitely be put to death: they are to stone them with stones: their blood will be upon them
  • Revelation 1:18 I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
  • John 10:10 I come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
  • Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you:

 

                                         1 Chronicles 11

 

1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David at Hebron saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2 And in the past, when Saul was king, you were he that led out and brought in Israel’s army: and the LORD your God said to you, You will feed my people Israel, and you will be ruler over my people Israel. 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.

 

  • It was 1063 BC when God sent Samuel to anoint David as king (1 Samuel 16).
  • Fifteen years later in 1048 BC David was made king in Hebron.
  • He had been reigning over Judah for 7 1/2 years, God is very thorough in training His children.
  • He also tells events long before they occur.
  • Bone and flesh is the closest relationship.
  • Genesis 2:22 And with the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, he made a woman, and brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she will be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

 

4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. 5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, You will not come here. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.

 

  • Jebus was the former name for Jerusalem.
  • When Israel conquered the promised land, some Jebusites remained in Jerusalem.
  • Zion was the last stronghold of the enemy in the land of Israel.
  • God fights for us.
  • Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

God was with David and made him greater and greater

 

6 And David said, Whoever strikes the Jebusites first will be chief and captain. So Joab, the son of Zeruiah, went first up, and became captain. 7 And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David. 8 And he built up the surrounding city, from Millo all around: and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 So David became greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.

 

  • Psalm 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

 

10 These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. 11 And this is the record of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam and Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred killed by him at one time. 12 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David at Pas-dammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines. 14 And they set themselves in the midst of that plot, and delivered it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.

 

  • God saves by great deliverance. Jesus has made us kings and priests to God.
  • 1Peter 1:18 you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your empty life received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
  • 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.

 

15 Now 33 captains went down to the rock to David, to the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines camped in the valley of Rephaim. 16 And David was then in the stronghold, and the Philistines’ garrison was then at Bethlehem. 17 And David longed and said, Oh that someone would give me drink of water from the well of Bethlehem that is at the gate! 18 And the three broke through the army of the Philistines, drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD, 19 And said, Far be it from me, O my God, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? For they risked their lives to bring it! Therefore he would not drink it. These three strongest did these things. 20 And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he killed them, and had honor among the three. 21 Of the three, he was more honored than the two; for he was their captain: however he was not one of the first three.

 

  • David had Joab as the top commander and then three under him. All had proved themselves by mighty feats of valor.

 

22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he killed two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day. 23 And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, seven and a half feet tall; and in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; he went down to him with a staff, plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. 24 Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, did these things, and had honor among the three mighty men. 25 Behold, he was more honored among the thirty, but not of the first three: and David set him over his guard. 26 Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abi-ezer the Antothite, 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah (from the children of Benjamin), Benaiah the Pirathonite,

 

  • These were the war heroes or Medal of Honor winners.
  • The names of these men included the lineage, country, city or town that they were from.
  • God’s way of recording information (the eternal record) pinpoints only one time, place, or person in history.

 

32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite, 35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 42 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

 

  • Some of David’s generals were not of Jewish origin.
  • Zelek was an Ammonite, a descendant of Lot.
  • Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, was a Hittite.
  • Acts 10:34… God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him.

 

42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite, 45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.



  • All these men have their names recorded in God’s eternal record, the word of God that lives and remains forever.
  • It is the only book that will remain beyond this life.
  • In light of this truth, how much attention should other books get compared to God’s Word?
  • 1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.
  • Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY: 1 Chronicles 8-11

 

  • Christ is the head
  • God’s listed all those taken captive for their transgressions
  • God should be the center because He is the Source
  • The LORD rules over all life and death
  • God was with David and made him greater and greater
  • The Lord was with Phinehas