How important are the gatekeepers of the Tabernacle and the Temple? 1 Chronicles 26 lists the men from the Korahite clan that were given this task. It was their job to restrict women and gentiles from certain areas. They also had to watch for violations of the law of being ceremonially clean before approaching Jehovah. This is different from our culture since Christ has once and forever paid for the debt of our sin. Jesus asks even the unclean to come to Him for salvation. The outward ceremony is not what Yahweh wants. He wants our constant improvement through His Spirit living in us.

I would like to mention one of these men and his family. Obed-Edom has been mentioned before. It was at his home that King David left the Ark of the Covenant when a mishap disrupted the second king’s first attempt to bring it to Jerusalem. Remember that he was blessed for the three months that he ministered to God by allowing His presence to reside with his family. How fortunate we are to have The Father’s Spirit living in us.

Even in those days, treasurers were needed to manage all the gifts brought to God by His people. As every congregation needs someone to handle finances, certain Levitical families were chosen for this important task. Some of this treasure dated back to Samuel. The Israelites on the other side of the Jordan were even assigned Levites to manage their contributions to The Lord.

The army that protected the Israelites were volunteers that were supported by the plunder they took in battle, their own families and those they defended. In 1 Chronicles 27, we are given the names that were in the twelve divisions that took turns serving each month.

The third commander is Benaiah, the son of Jehoiadah, David’s priest. This is the same man that is one of the thirty mighty men. He is a good selection for a military leader. Joab’s brother, Asahel leads those assigned the fourth month.

Each tribe had a leader. There were also overseers whose responsibilities were to manage the property of the King. One of these is Jonathan, the son of Uzziah. This might be Bathsheba’s first husband who was murdered at David’s command. The King’s counselor and confidants are also listed. Our President and each state governor have their own staff, much like David’s.

While still King of Israel in 1 Chronicles 28, David gathers all his officials and declares his intention of having Solomon, his son, succeed him. In  Second Samuel we read of some uncertainty of the order of succession. That is not shown in the Chronicles. These are written by the royal chronicler, not a religious scribe as in the books of Samuel and Kings. As I have mentioned before, the unsavory events are left out.

To confirm this selection, the plans for the Temple are handed down to the King’s chosen heir. Solomon is selected by Jehovah, not David or the people. This continues the tradition of the first and second monarch in Israel. We will discuss the problems with failing to follow His will for leadership in Second Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 29 ends with the death of King David. Before that, an offering is taken from the wealthy of Israel to have even more materials than the King has provided for the construction of the Temple. There is no question as to who the next king will be and build the Temple for his father.

Next, we have a final prayer from David. Note the name Lord that is used often. This is the name Jehovah or Yahweh. The scribes wrote Lord to indicate the name of God to avoid taking this name in vain. They were much more diligent than we are.

Solomon is once again acknowledged as the next king and David’s life ends. Tomorrow we will look at the Psalms that David wrote before we move on to the kingdom under the son of David.

Work is the topic of Psalms 127. Our efforts are not profitable if God is not the one who does the work along with us. All we do is worthless if Jehovah is not involved in it. Another topic here is that of children. Not every parent views their kids as a blessing. Don’t ask how many your quiver should hold. You might not want to know.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger