I Chronicles 26 deals with the gatekeepers, who they were and what gates they were responsible for. The treasurers were also notated here. Didn’t the Israelites keep detail records of who was responsible for what?
In I Chronicles 27 we learn that there were 12 divisions of 24,000 troops who were responsible for serving a one month period each year. Tribal leaders are also named in this chapter. Did you notice that the tribe of Manasseh had two leaders, one for the half tribe located west of the Jordan and one for the half tribe located east of the Jordan. We also learn that the census David ordered that brought a plague to the land was never completed because the anger of God fell on Israel. This chapter goes into amazing detail about officials in charge of various aspects of the property of the king and the kingdom. Evne the person in charge of teaching the king’s sons is named.
It is obvious from I Chronicles 28 and 29 that David was well-prepared to turn the kingdom over to Solomon and provided what Solomon would need to buikl the temple. We also learn that David was not allowed to build the temple because he was a warrior and had a lot of blood on his hands. He makes it clear to the people that Solomon is his choice of successor and hands the throne over to him before he dies, no doubt hoping to make sure Solomon is accepted as king.
David also has some great advice for Solomon, telling him to be strong and courageous and do the work. He assures him that the Lord is with him and that God will not fail him or forsake him. The enormity of David’s offering of gold, etc. and what the people gave is incredible. He prays for Solomon and calls on the assembly to praise the Lord their God.
What a lot of blood was spilled the next day as 1000 bulls, 1000 rams and 1000 male lambs were sacrificed as burnt offerings to the Lord in honor of naming Solomon king.
I just love that we are told David “reigned for forty years and died at a ripe old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor.” And did you note that events of David’s reign were also written in the Record of Samuel the Seer, the Record of Nathan the Prophet, and the Record of Gad the Seer? We can and have read the book of Samuel, but wouldn’t you like to read the books of Nathan and Gad?
In these chapters, we learned about plans for building the Temple and the gatekeepers for that city and the divisions that were to guard it. Psalm 127 gives good advice: “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding with sentries will do no good.”
Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 111 - 118.
Until next time…
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