Through The Bible
13 I Chronicles
May 3 - I Chronicles 1 - 4
We have come to a new book, a new chapter, and I feel like I have also come to a new chapter. I am praising the Lord for bringing me through the cancer and chemo. The oncologist told me on Tuesday that I was finished with chemo and I can begin to get my life back to normal. I am still tired and working through the effects of the chemotherapy, but I am thankful and blessed for wonderful friends who have been praying for me.
Some of my children had to make a family history book in the 8th grade and had to trace their ancestors back as far as they could. We found some information that went back several generations, but nothing compared to the first chapter in I Chronicles. This genealogy is more than just a list of names, for we will be reminded of some of the history we have studied since the first of January. We begin with Adam, the very first man.
"1 Adam, Sheth, Enosh,
2 Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,
3 Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth." (I Chronicles 1:1-4)
Verses 8 through 16 give Ham and his descendants. Canaan was cursed by Noah (Genesis 9:20-27) and some of his sons were the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the other Canaanites who lived in the land of milk and honey that God promised to Abraham. As we read through the names, we occasionally come across a description. "And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth." (1:10) "And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother's name was Joktan." (1:19) In verse 28 we are told the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael, then in verses 32-33 the sons of Keturah are listed. Beginning with verse 43 we find a list of the early kings of Edom. Notice - when Bela was dead, Jobab reigned, when Jobab was dead, Husham reigned, when Husham was dead, Hadad reigned... and it goes on. Only one king reigned at a time, after the other one had died. If we want Jesus to reign in our lives, then we have to die out to any other. Chapter 2 begins with the sons of Israel. "These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher." (2:1-2) Verse 7 reminds us of the sin of Achan in Joshua 7:1. "And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed." (I Chronicles 1:7) Verses 11-12 tell of Boaz, Obed, and Jesse (found in the book of Ruth) and the family of David is recorded in the next verses. Our study in II Samuel and I Kings included a lot about Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, the sons of David's sister Zeruiah, and also Amasa, the son of David's sister Abigail. The genealogies continue and Chapter 3 begins with the sons of David.
"1 Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
2 The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:
3 The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife.
4 These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.
5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:
6 Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
7 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9 These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister." (3:1-9)
The next verses give the lineage of the sons of David from King Solomon, to King Zedekiah.
"10 And Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
14 Amon his son, Josiah his son.
15 And the sons of Josiah were, the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
16 And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son." (3:10-16)
Chapter 4 gives us the prayer of Jabez. "And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." (4:9-10) You may remember Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother who married Caleb's daughter and was the first judge of Israel. (4:13) We close today with the descriptions of the sons of Shelah.
"21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,
22 And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things.
23 These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work." (4:21-23)
May 4 - I Chronicles 5 - 8
Chapter 5 begins with the genealogy of Reuben. "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)" (I Chronicles 5:1-2) In addition to the family names we have a little slice of history of their faith in the Lord. "And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him." (5:20) The chapter ends with the captivity of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh by Assyria. Chapter 6 begins with Levi, and the line of priests tracing all the way to when they were carried away to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.
"1 The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
2 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
3 And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4 Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,...
15 And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar." (6:1-4&15)
We find Korah in verse 22. We also see the singers. "And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest. And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order." (6:31-32)
"48 Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
49 But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
50 And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son," (6:48-50)
The remainder of the chapter tells of their dwelling places and the cities of refuge. Chapter 7 gives the families of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Ephraim and Asher. Chapter 8 covers the family of Benjamin, and includes the lineage of King Saul and Jonathan. "And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah." (8:33-34) Meribbaal is called Mephibosheth in II Samuel 4:4 and 9:12. "And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth." (II Samuel 4:4) "And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth." (II Samuel 9:12)
May 5 - I Chronicles 9 - 12
Chapter 9 begins, "So all Israel were reckoned 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." The chapter continues with those that dwelt in Jerusalem and the priests and Levites. Verse 33 tells us that the singers "were employed in that work day and night." Chapter 10 tells that King Saul and his three sons died in battle against the Philistines. The men of Jabeshgilead took their bodies and buried them and fasted seven days. And the kingdom was turned over to David.
"1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.
3 Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to 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.
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, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.
6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
7 And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.
8 And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9 So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him." (I Chronicles 11:1-9)
The rest of Chapter 11 gives the list of David's Mighty Men, as we read in II Samuel 23:8-39. Chapter 12 begins with the names of the mighty men who helped David in Ziklag when he had to watch out for King Saul. "They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin." (12:2) David had more help from the sons of Gad. "And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;" (12:8) More and more went to help David. "For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God." (12:22) The chapter continues with the numbers of the thousands from the different tribes who went to David.
"38 All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
39 And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel." (12:38-40)
May 6 - I Chronicles 13 - 16
Life Lesson... We are reminded again that it is possible to do the right thing in the wrong way.
Chapter 13 tells how King David tried to bring the ark of the covenant on a new cart, but when Uzza put his hand to hold the ark when the oxen stumbled, he died. This is also recorded in II Samuel 6. Chapter 14 Hiram, king of Tyre, sent timber of cedars and masons and carpenters to build him a house. David took more wives and had more sons and daughters.
"4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7 And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet." (14:4-7)
The chapter continues with David's war against the Philistines. Each time he asked the Lord for guidance. "David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations." (14:16-17) In Chapter 15 David had the priests and Levites to sanctify themselves to bring the ark of the covenant back according to the way the Lord had instructed Moses. They appointed singers and musicians with psalteries, harps, cymbals, and trumpets. They also offered 7 bullocks and 7 rams.
"27 And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.
28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
29 And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart." (15:27-29)
"1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.
2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.
4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:" (16:1-4)
Asaph was the chief. There are several Psalms of Asaph. More musicians were listed, and "the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
"7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;" (16:7-12)
This begins like Psalm 105 and continues with praise to the Lord.
"23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.
34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD." (16:23-25 & 29-36)
May 7 - I Chronicles 17 - 20
Chapter 17 shows us David's desire to build the Lord a house. Nathan the prophet told David, "Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee." That night the Lord told Nathan to tell David that he could not build the Lord a house, but the Lord would build David a house. This is also found in II Samuel 7.
"7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:
8 And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.
9 Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
10 And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.
11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.
13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:
14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.
15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
16 And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
17 And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.
18 What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.
19 O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.
20 O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears." (I Chronicles 17:7-20)
Chapter 18 tells of the battles that David won and some of the treasures that he dedicated to the Lord. In verses 6 and 13 we read, "Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went." In Chapter 19 Nahash the king of Ammon died, and David send messengers to Hanun his son to comfort him. Hanun took David's servants and shaved them and cut off their garments really short and they were greatly ashamed. David sent messengers to tell them to tarry at Jericho until their beards grew back. Then Hanun hired 32,000 chariots and horsemen to fight against Israel. Joab and his men went against the Syrians and Abishai and his men went against the Ammonites.
"12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.
14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.
15 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem." (19:12-15)
Then David took men and fought against the Syrians and when they saw that they were put to the worse before Israel they made peace with David. This is also recorded in II Samuel 10. In Chapter 20 Joab won the battle against the Ammonites. King David took the crown of their king which was of gold and precious stones, and much spoil out of the city. And they killed the Ammonites. The end of the chapter tells about the war with the Philistines and how the sons of the giant of Gath were killed by David and his servants.
May 8 - I Chronicles 21 - 25
Chapter 21 begins... "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." (This is also recorded in II Samuel 24.) David told Joab to go through all Israel and number the people, and Joab didn't want to but the word of the king prevailed. And God smote the people.
"8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
9 And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying,
10 Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
12 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.
14 So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued." (I Chronicles 21:8-17)
The angel of the Lord told Gad to tell David to set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. (He is called Araunah in II Samuel 24:18-24) Ornan saw the angel and his four sons with him hid themselves.
"23 And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.
24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
27 And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof." (21:23-27)
In Chapter 22 David gathered all that was needed to build the house of the Lord.
"5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel...
11 Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
12 Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee." (22:5-6 & 11-16)
David also commanded the princes of Israel to help Solomon. In Chapter 23 David made Solomon king. The Levites were numbered, and set forward for the work of the Lord. There were 4,000 that praised the Lord with instruments. Chapter 24 gives the divisions of the sons of Aaron and other sons of Levi. In Chapter 25 the musicians were numbered and divided by lot. "And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar." (25:8)
May 9 - I Chronicles 26 - 29
In Chapter 26 the porters were divided and gates were assigned by casting lots. The Levites were also over the treasures of the house of God, and given positions of officers and judges. Chapter 27 gives the names of the captains for each month. The last part of the chapter tells the names of the officers and their position for King David. Examples include the king's treasures, working the fields, the vineyards, the olive trees, the oil cellars, the herds, camels, and flocks and concludes, "And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion: And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab." (27:33-34) We learned in II Samuel that Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba and he went with Absalom against King David. David sent Hushai back to Absalom to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. When Absalom followed the counsel of Hushai instead of the counsel of Ahithophel, he went home and put his house in order and hung himself. (II Samuel 17) In Chapter 28 David assembled all the princes and captains unto Jerusalem. He told them that God chose him, and God chose his son, Solomon. He told Solomon to serve God with a perfect heart, and Solomon started out right, but he let his foreign wives persuade him into idolatry.
"4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel:
5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall 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 for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.
8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.
9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
10 Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it." (I Chronicles 28:4-10)
David gave Solomon "the pattern of all that he had by the spirit" to build the house of the Lord. He gave him the gold and silver for all the vessels of service for the Lord. "All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern. And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD." (28:19-20) The last chapter begins with David's exhortation to the people.
"1 Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet 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 might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:
5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto 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," (29:1-6)
"10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, 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 thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." (29:10-14)
The congregation blessed the Lord God and bowed down their heads and worshiped, and sacrificed offerings to the Lord and did eat and drink with gladness. And Solomon was made king the second time and anointed and he sat on the throne. The book closes with the death of King David and the reign of King Solomon.
"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 And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.
25 And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon 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 And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
28 And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead." (29:23-28)
