In today's section, we read about:
The death of Saul, and David installed as king
David's mighty warriors and the list of men who joined him
David moves the ark, the death of Uzzah, then finally it is brought to Jerusalem
David's song of praise to God
More victories for David
David sins by taking a census
David leaves instructions for the Temple and for the Levites' duties
Some things that stuck me:
10:9 - A warning not to quote selectively, "then they proclaimed the good news" ..... of Saul's death. Compare this with 16:23 - "each day proclaim the good news that he saves!"
11:1 where the Israelites tell David they are all his flesh and blood is a bit of a contrast with what is to come (1 Ki 12:16)
I like the style of the chronicler - he lists all these people in ch 12 and then in 12:38, he adds, "in fact, everyone did the same thing". He also does it later when listing David's victories (18:13)
The incident of the sound like marching in the tops of the trees was referred to in (2 Ki 5:24)
In 15:23 we get the explanation for why God struck down Uzzah who was only trying to stop the Ark being destroyed - they hadn't consulted God on the correct way to move the Ark, and in doing so had disobeyed two commands God gave to Moses - only Levites to move the ark, and it should be carried on poles on the Levites' shoulders
15:29 is a salutary reminder that not everyone will be happy if we whole-heartedly serve God. (BTW Jane, you wouldn't have been like Michal, would you?)
What can you say about the song of praise in 16:8-36 - Remember God, God is faithful, God keeps his promise, we have been chosen to be His special people, give Him the glory He deserves, give Him thanks. "And all the people shouted 'Amen!' and praised the Lord".
When David is told that God will not allow him to build the temple, but that his son will, his response is one of thankfulness and awe, at the amazing generosity of God towards him.
20:1 skirts very lightly round the episode with Uriah the Hittite and Bathsheba.
We get a few more insights into the relationship between David and Joab, his cousin, who was appointed as commander of the Israelite army. In 21:6, we see Joab getting so hacked off with what David has told him to do, that he didn't do it. It is reminiscent of 2 Sam 19:5-7, when Joab rebukes David, yet David too has things against Joab, as he tells Solomon from his death bed (1 Ki 2:5-6)
ch22 makes it very clear that the idea and design for the temple come from David, and Solomon is very much following that path. When Solomon leaves it, he ends up in trouble pretty soon.
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