Recap

So far in 1-2 Chronicles we’ve read through the introductory genealogies and  started king David’s reign. While separate books in our Bible 1-2 Chronicles tell one story, giving a recap of the Old Testament from Adam to the Jews' return from exile.

We read through the opening chapters of the book dedicated to the genealogies of God's people. This started with Adam and followed his descendants down to Jacob. Then, from Jacob, we explored the genealogies of each of the twelve tribes focusing on Judah, the tribe of the royal family, Levi, the tribe of the priests, and Benjamin, the tribe of the first king Saul. There were genealogies of the people who returned from exile, and then the genealogy of Saul the first king.

As we moved into the section of the book focused on David, we saw the author use David as a model for what an ideal future king will look like. David was described as a shepherd of God's people, and a military ruler who led them to defeat their enemies. He claimed Zion, God's holy city, and built it up. The men in his army were from every tribe in Israel because David was able to unite God's people under himself. David sought God's will every time before he went into battle.

David brought God's presence into the city and served, in part, as a priest. David wanted to build a temple for God, but it was decided that one of David's sons would be the one to do it. God would make this future king as his own son, and would his establish his reign forever. 

We read about David's military prowess, leading the people to defeat their enemies. Through these wars, David established the peace that would allow his son to reign. The king conquers enemies and establishes peace. We also saw David and his men defeat a number of giants, representing the spiritual rebellion all the way back in Genesis 6. The Israelites were fighting spiritual warfare as well as physical warfare.

Unfortunately, we also saw David give into his pride and temptation of Satan by holding a census. This angered God and resulted in many Israelites dying. But even then David showed himself to be a true king, wanting to take the suffering on himself to spare his people. And while David gave in to the temptation of Satan, it highlights that the ideal king would resist the temptation of Satan.

1 Chronicles 22-24

David now sets his mind to prepare for God's temple. While he won't be the one to build it, he can at least prepare the designs and the materials so that Solomon, his son, has everything he needs.

This makes up most of the rest of 1 Chronicles and serves to set up a key idea. David is being compared with Israel's other great leader, Moses. It was Moses that prepared the designs for the Tabernacle and gathered the resources. It was Moses that organised the Levites and the priests, preparing them in their service. And it was Moses who came alongside Joshua and told him, "be strong and courageous ... do not fear of be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).

Now here is David doing all these things in preparation for the temple, and he encourages Solomon by saying, "Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed." (1 Chronicles 22:13).

There's lots of important imagery around Moses. Moses was the one who brought the people out of slavery. He was the one who cares for them like a shepherd and provided food for them to sustain them. He was a prophet that spoke the word of God to the people. And much more. While not all of this imagery is directly associated with David, the key takeaway is that the king is to be a Moses-like figure, leading in many of the same ways as he did.

And so David begins the preparation for the temple. He starts to get many of the resources piled up so they are ready. He charges Solomon with the responsibility of building the temple.

Next, David organises the Levites in the different roles they would serve in the temple just as Moses did. These are done by families and reestablish similar roles to those the Levites served around the Tabernacle in the wilderness. And then he organises the priests, and their different roles.

Psalm 67

This psalm isn’t attributed to anyone in particular and falls into the category of praise psalm. Psalms 65-68 are often grouped together as a mini-cluster. They are all communal praise psalms that talk about ‘we’ and ‘us’.

Some argue that this was a thanksgiving psalm recited after a bountiful harvest.

A) Psalm 67:1 - May God bless us

B) Psalm 67:2 - God’s power on earth

C) Psalm 67:3 - Let all people praise you

D) Psalm 67:4 - The nations

C) Psalm 67:5 - Let all the people praise you

B) Psalm 67:6 - God’s power on earth

A) Psalm 67:7 - May God bless us

The psalmist opens with a variation on the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:22-27. May God bless us and keep us. The psalmist then turns and speaks directly to God. The reason the psalmist asks for this blessing is that all people might see this blessing and know God’s power.

It could be that in this psalmist is taking the priestly blessing previously reserved for the Israelites and expanding to fit all people who would turn to God.

This theme continues as the psalmist calls for all people to praise God. The nations might be glad as God judges and guides them as well as Israel.

And then the psalm starts to mirror itself. Again, the psalmist calls all people to praise God. They point to the great harvest that God has blessed them with, and end with confidence that God will continue to bless them so that all people might fear and know him.

The focus of this psalm is God’s blessing, and that one day it will extend beyond Israel to encompass the whole world.