Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Chronicles 10-20

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (DG) as a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟘:𝟜

"Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and abuse me." But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it."

Interesting account with so many observations. Saul was shot. His servant refused to relieve him of pain. Saul was very afraid of the Philistines' torture and abuses. He killed himself! If you want to punish Saul, is this not a great way to let him die? He himself was made to kill himself because he was unfit to be the king of Israel.

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟙:𝟚

"In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD your God said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.'"

David's responsibility was not to lord over them, abuse them, or intimidate others. It was to shepherd them!

All kinds of leaders are put into position by God for the welfare of people. Not just kings, governors, and DCs. Let's remember that!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟟

"David went out to meet them, and said to them, ‘If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.’"

David didn't intimidate him with threats or abuses. He was calling upon God to watch over the situation!

God's Name is important in all situations!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟛:𝟛

"And let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul."

It’s not a surprise why Saul wouldn't seek the ark of God! He would hate it because Saul was such an ignorant arrogant wicked fool!

Wicked people don't want to read Bible or even want to know anything about it, because it will confront them!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟜:𝟚

"And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel."

Do we see the hands of God in our life? If not all the time, at least in some particulars of life? There is, are, lots. We just need to think through it. Let's learn to count the blessings of God. Let's learn to meditate and dwell in His goodness!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟝:𝟚

"Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever."

This is not to punish the Levites, but to mean that the honor belongs exclusively to the Levites. The others are unqualified. David didn't try to share that honor for himself, unlike Uzziah! David knew the proper worship of God!

Remember not everyone can represent God in worship. It's the man with the preaching of God's word! Hear him. Even if he preaches imperfectly, God will still use that for your sanctification and growth!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟞:𝟛𝟟

"So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister regularly before the ark as each day required."

And so, we see at least 12 Psalms of Asaph are recorded in the book of Psalm. Asaph wasn't an amateur, he was chosen by none other than the great Psalmist David. And he was appointed to minister regularly before the ark! He was a dedicated man of God like David!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟞

"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, ‘Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?’"

Our prayers are often the opposite. We think we deserve this and that. We complained, grumble, get disappointed, discouraged, and even stop praying or delighting in God. David knew he didn't deserve anything. We don't deserve anything as well. Let's stop having a high view of ourselves, especially before God. Enough of self-esteem talk!

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟛

"Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went."

Edomites are the descendants of Esau. Isaac blessed Esau that his descendants will be able to break out from the yoke of his brother's descendants. David was blessed to see the victory in his lifetime but will be broken later on. God's hand upon David is exceptional! 👍

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟙𝟡:𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛

"And he said, ‘If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.’"

Look at the partnership in this battle! Look at what they say! Look at whom they put their trust upon! That's how we need to pursue sanctification in our lives too. We are on battle till we reach heaven's shore. And we must look out for one another! We can't say like Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Because we are.

Some Practical ways to look out for others:

1. Ask them if your friends are reading their Bible every day. Why and why not?

2. Ask them why they skip churches or prayer meetings.

You see, it's very practical! 👍

 

𝟙 ℂℍℝ𝕆ℕ𝕀ℂ𝕃𝔼𝕊 𝟚𝟘:𝟙

"In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it."

The writer decided to omit the sins of David.

Don't bring up past sins again. Love covers a multitude of sins. If you have forgiven, don't bring them up again to accuse them or to make them feel guilty again!