King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, May 04, 2024
Chapters: I Chronicles Chapters 13-16
Message: The Correct Way
Hello My Friend,
My mom was finally moved to a rehab center and was doing well, even sitting up in a wheel chair, but it is almost ninety minutes away due to all the traffic getting there so I was waiting until the weekend to come and see her. Yesterday as I got home I called them to see how she was doing only to be told that they had been trying to reach me as my mom was sent to the emergency room. She is okay, but first of all, they did not have the correct phone number so they could have called a thousand times and I still would not have known until I called. And second, life is too short and has no guarantee of tomorrow, one minute you are on top of the world and the next you are in the ground. I am sorry for the grim start, but there is some good news, Jesus Christ!
[John 3:3,14-16 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.]
That belief in Christ is not just believing that His walked the earth and died to save give life to their soul they must also believe that they will receive eternal life through their faith alone in Him, [John 3:18-21 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.]
The word wrought means work perfected or performed, meaning our faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross brings light to the glory of God within themselves as the Holy Spirit directs them. As we continue in the reading of 1 Chronicles, things are going well in Israel, it seemed like the nation was united as one under the protection of God. David, was so excited about what God was doing for him and the nation, but he felt like something was missing, the Ark of the Covenant of God. The Ark had been separated from the tabernacle for decades, it was in a city called Kirjathjearim for twenty years. David, gathered up the leaders of Israel with a proposal to bring up the ark of God to Jerusalem, that the royal city might become the holy city.
[1 Chronicles 13:1-5 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: 3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. 4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.]
[David consulted with the captains…with every leader…unto all the congregation of Israel,] Now, David could have just had the Ark brought over without any consultation, but being the diplomatic king that he was he considered the opinion of the people. A good leader is not one who dictates what religion to follow as a nation, rather gives them a choice, just as Joshua said, [Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.]
[And let us bring again the ark of our God to us:] Now, why was this so important to David when he had a good relationship with God already? The Ark of the Covenant was the symbol of God’s Spirit, while His Spirit was not in the box, it gave them a sense of His presence. The Ark of the Covenant, was more than a chest that containing the two tablets written with the first ten commandments, a bowl of manna, the rod of Aaron’s that budded, and a copy of the Law, it was symbol of Christ Himself since He is the Word of God made flesh, [John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.]
[for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.] Under Saul’s leadership, the nation was not following the Law as it was written, David, knowing this wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem as the center piece for honoring and worshiping God according to the Law. While a good leader will give their people a choice in serving God, a great leader is one who fears God and leads the people by their example, [1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:]
Now, after David had gotten the okay to bring the Ark to the city of David, there was a big parade as everyone gathered along the side of the road, there was singing, dancing, and music playing as the Ark was being carted to its new home. For the very first time, the entire nation got together in one accord to witness this once in a lifetime event. Only the parade turned from a joyful occasion to one of great sorrow and fear.
[1 Chronicles 13:6-10 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. 7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. 8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. 9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.]
[And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza,] This is a perfect example of those who play religion, and why God gave us His Word. While many are eager to worship God there is only one way to get to Him and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. This can be found in both Old and New Testaments, so, there is no excuse for anyone who seeks God to end up in hell, [2 Timothy 2:12-13 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.]
The Law states that only a Levite can carry the Ark, that was only after it had been completely covered by the priest, [Numbers 4:5-6,15 And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it: 6 And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof. 15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.]
The fact that David or any of the elders did not know this information tells you why it is important that we read and study the Bible, and not some man made version that they happen to call a holy book. Now, David, is of course, a bit fearful of God at this point so he decides it is best to hold off and moving the Ark any further he found a nearby Levite to keep it as his house while his figured out what needed to be done.
[1 Chronicles 13:12-14 And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? 13 So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.]
[the LORD blessed the house of Obededom,] While Obededom and his family were blessed, it was not because they happened to be Levites, or that the Ark was in their house it was because of their faith. They were no different in their faith whether they thought they were in the presence of God or not. You see, worshiping God is not that hard, we just need to know how to do that and to understand that He is always watching His people. That alone ought to bring us to fear Him, [1 Corinthians 3:16-18 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.]
Well, in the three months that the Ark remained in Obededom’s house, David, began building his own house, added a few more women to his harem and having more children in Jerusalem (although all of his children are listed). Then when the Philistines heard that he had become the king they were not too happy about that.
[1 Chronicles 14:1-3,8-10 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house. 2 And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel. 3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters. 8 And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. 9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 10 And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.]
[for his kingdom was lifted up on high,]We read some of this from 2 Samuel, but David understood that all of his glory and greatness as king and in the kingdom were given only to fit him, as the minister of God in order to execute the divine purpose towards His chosen people. Now, having inquired of God and exactly followed His directions, David, twice gains a complete victory over the Philistines.
[1 Chronicles 14:11-12,14-17 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim. 13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. 14 Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. 16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. 17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.]
[and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.] A respected God fearing leader brings not only the respect of the people to their nation, but other nations as well. Try that here in America right now, not only does the nation disrespect God and their leader, his is a mockery to the world as well. This could all be turned around with a good old fashioned revival, [Isaiah 1:18-20 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.]
As much as David loved God and showed affection to Him, he learned first hand how important it was to ask God what to do in every matter, especially when it pertained to Himself. Now, David knew what he had to do in order to get the Ark moved so he gathered everyone together again and instructed them on what to do.
[1 Chronicles 15:1-4,11-13 And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. 2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. 3 And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it. 4 And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites: 11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.]
[for that we sought him not after the due order.] It is kind of sad that it was David who had to instruct the Levites on what to do. This is exactly why many will stand before Jesus, thinking that they are saved by their religion or the false doctrine they received and will find out the hard way that He does not know them, [Matthew 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.]
Now, once the Levites were sanctified, God was ready to accept them, and all their efforts. David and the elders met at Obededom’s house to retrieve the Ark. With joy they followed the ark as it made its way to its tent, it was literally a parade, with music and believers or all ages, marching through the streets, singing praises to God.
[1 Chronicles 15:25-28 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy. 26 And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven 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.]
[when God helped the Levites that bare the ark] You see, we can do nothing apart from God, especially when it pertains to Him. This was the first time since Samuel died that sacrificial offerings had been offered up to God. The entire day was a revival to get them to return to worshiping God as a nation, and not to mention it was a feast that everyone was able to participate in.
[1 Chronicles 16:1-4,7 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: 7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.]
[a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.] Do you see how everyone received the same gift? Salvation is the gift of God through ones faith in His Son, period. It does not matter who we are or what we have done, that gift is offered to everyone, [Romans 10:11-13 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.]
[David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD] As David restores worship in the nation as well as the offerings, he writes this Psalm as a reminder that while God is a merciful God He is also a just God and we need to be mindful of His covenant.
[1 Chronicles 16:8-15 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; 13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;]
[Be ye mindful always of his covenant;]We all need to be mindful that while salvation is a free gift that there are consequences for unrepentant sin. Nevertheless, we need to join David in declaring just how wonderful and terrible our God is to everyone, not just His faithful.
[1 Chronicles 16:24-30 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. 26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 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.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [1 Chronicles 16:1-2 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.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for Your amazing mercy and grace to give us a way to be able to worship You without consequence. In order to worship You we must be sanctified and thanks to Your Son all we need to do to be sanctified is believe in Him and receive Him as our Saviour. Thank You Jesus, for such a sacrifice, I know that You are my only hope of salvation. Lord, Lead me and guide me, help me to learn to ask You for everything and to listen for Your voice telling me what I need to do at all times. Let me be a witness and a testimony and tell all You put on my heart to tell them they need You too. Keep me in Your Word, not only to read it, but to study it, and follow it so that Your blessings are continuous, and I do not cause a breach in our relationship. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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