July 18
1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34
Romans 4:13-5:5
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 19:17
1 Chronicles 26:20 – Ahijah and others (Zetham and Joel 1 Chronicles 26:22, Shebuel 1 Chronicles 26:24, Shelomith 1 Chronicles 26:26) were appointed over the treasures of the house of God – those from David (1 Chronicles 26:26) and going back thru Saul to Samuel (1 Chronicles 26:28). What did those 500 years later think about the Treasures?
Yes David had dedicated silver and gold that Solomon placed in the finished Temple (1 Kings 7:51), but just five years after Solomon hands the crown to Rehoboam,
- the treasure is captured by Pharaoh Shishak (1 Kings 14:26). If they would have gone to the LORD first (Deuteronomy 20:1-4) they would not have had His house raided. Just a few decades later –
- Asa raids the gold and silver of the temple and pays off the Syrian King Ben-hadad (1 Kings 15:18). Four generations later –
- Jehoash does the same thing to a different Syrian King (Hazael, 2 Kings 12:18), and –
- Jehoash’s son Amaziah loses the treasure to the Northern Kingdom’s Jehoash (2 Kings 14:14). The treasures were given a few generations later by –
- Ahaz to the Assyrian Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 16:8), then by –
- Hezekiah to the Assyrian Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:15), then finally taken by
- Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:13) to Babylon
Interestingly even though the treasures are raided seven times – we see that there are vessels of gold that Solomon had made at the time of Nebuchadnezzar (400 years later). Ellicott is surprised as well – assuming there were secret store-chambers, but it is my assumption that the heavy mandatory taxes for the nation/temple were used regularly to rebuild the treasures, according to the descriptions made. Possibly similar to refurbishing state Capitols every 50 years or so, the Levites were continually refabricating the treasures dedicated into the House of the LORD (a continual reminder of the cost of not trusting the LORD!).
1 Chronicles 27:6 – The Chronicler is recording the exploits of the many faithful. Not just the head coach (David), but those in his “starting lineup” (Benaiah)
1 Chronicles 27:7 – But Asahel was slain by Abner (2 Samuel 2:23)? JFB Commentary suggests “This officer having been slain at the very beginning of David’s reign [2Sa 2:23], his name was probably given to this division in honor of his memory, and his son was invested with the command.”
1 Chronicles 27:24 – The Census Intrigue continues – apparently Joab also started to count those twenty and under. JFB notes:
The census which David ordered did not extend to all the Israelites; for to contemplate such an enumeration would have been to attempt an impossibility (Ge 28:14), and besides would have been a daring offense to God. The limitation to a certain age was what had probably quieted David’s conscience as to the lawfulness of the measure, while its expediency was strongly pressed upon his mind by the army arrangements he had in view.
1 Chronicles 27:34 – Wisconsin publishes a similar document – a Blue Book – that contains the biographies and lists of the Governor’s Cabinet, and major officials.
Romans 4:21 – What God promises, He will perform! We can stand on those promises!
Romans 4:24 – The righteousness that was imputed to Abraham can also be imputed to us if we believe in Jesus, taking us from the wrath (Romans 4:15) to peace (Romans 5:1).
Psalm 14:7 – Yes, David himself looked forward to the Salvation that would come, especially knowing that all have gone away, none seek the LORD (Psalm 14:2-3).
Proverbs 19:17 – A lender will look to see the ability of the lendee to repay – the poor have no cosigner but the LORD who will repay your deeds.
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