04 May

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1 Chronicles 9-11

1 Chronicles 9

In this chapter the genealogies are completed, that is to say, they here reach the latest point in their history, and refer to the dwellers in Jerusalem after the return from captivity. They are lists of the heads of the families of Judah, Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites.

Immediately following these lists we have an account of the porters and their duties, together with those of the Levites and the priests. In the opening verses of the chapter we are told the reason for Judah being carried away into captivity, and all that follows tells the story of how, under the direction of "very able men for the service of the house of God" (1 Chronicles 9:13), an attempt was made to restore the order and worship which had been lost in the captivity.

The chronicler is now about to proceed to the story of the central epoch in this whole history, namely the reign of David. He here repeats with greater detail the important genealogy of Saul as a prelude to the story of his death, which prepares the way for the accession and reign of David.

1 Chronicles 10

Here in sublime and graphic language is recounted the story of the death of the king chosen by men. It is a terrible picture of a man of magnificent capability going down to utter ruin. Routed by his enemies, he died by his own hand in the midst of the field of defeat.

The reason for such failure is clearly declared. He trespassed against God, and then sought counsel of one who had a familiar spirit. Magnificent indeed was the ruin, but it was ruin. Saul was a man than whom no other had greater opportunities, but his failure was disastrous. Of good standing in the nation, distinctly called and commissioned by God, honored with the friendship of Samuel, surrounded by a band of men whose hearts God had touched, everything was in his favor. From the beginning he failed; step by step he declined in conduct and character, until he went out, dragging his nation into such confusion as threatened its very existence.

1 Chronicles 11

We now enter on the second section of this Book. In this section there are four movements: the story of David's crowning, the events connected with the Ark of God, the account of David's reign, and, finally, matters concerning the building of the Temple.

The chronicler passes over in silence the story of the seven years in which David reigned over Judah. There may be two reasons for this. First, this is the history of the greatness of David, and begins therefore with his crowning over the whole nation; and, second, it was in connection with that crowning that his activity concerning the Ark and the Temple commenced.

In this chapter the story is first told in simple and yet dignified language of the crowning at Hebron. So far as the people were concerned, this was based on their recognition of the divine appointment. Then comes the account of the taking of Jesus, which became the city of David's heart and the metropolis of the nation.

The chronicle of the mighty men and their deeds is full of color. It is principally interesting in view of what these men were in the days of David's exile. They had gathered to him in the mountain fastnesses, a company of men graphically described as in debt, in danger, and discontented. How wonderfully he had influenced them is seen in their remarkable devotion to him, and still more surprisingly in the heroic character they had developed.