Meditations on the First Book of Chronicles-H L Rossier

8/9/2019 Meditations on the First Book of Chronicles-H L Rossier

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Meditations on the First Book of

Chronicles

by H L Rossier

http://www.biblecentre.org

CONTENTS

Introduction

1 Chronicles 1-1 Chronicles ! "#! The $enealo%ies

1 Chronicles 1 From Adam to the Twelve Tribes

1 Chronicles 2 Judah in elation to the !ingship

1 Chronicles " The Famil# o$ %avid

1 Chronicles & 'ore about Judah. Jabe(. The Tribe o$ )imeon

1 Chronicles * The Tribes +e#ond Jordan

1 Chronicles , The Tribe o$ -evi

1 Chronicles Issachar. +enamin. 0aphtali. phraim. Asher. The %aughters o$elophehad

1 Chronicles 3 The Tribe o$ +enamin in elation to the Famil# o$ )aul.

1 Chronicles 4: 15"& The uin o$ the 6eople and the estoration o$ Judah and +enamin.The -evites

1 Chronicles ! "&-'(! The )in%shi* of +a,id ccordin% to the Co.nsels of $od

1 Chronicles 4: "*51 Chronicles 17 The uin o$ the !ingship According to the Flesh

1 Chronicles 11 stablishment o$ the !ingship According to 8od9s Counsels

1 Chronicles 12 The !ingship ecogni(ed

1 Chronicles 1" The Ar and the 0ew Cart


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1 Chronicles 1&51 Chronicles 1,: , %avid9s ;ictories. The Fruits o$ 8race in his verseers o$ the Treasures and Judges

1 Chronicles 2 The )ervice o$ the !ing

1 Chronicles '/0 '! +a,ids Last 2nstr.ctions

1 Chronicles 23 )olomon? the !ing According to the Counsels o$ 8od? and his

esponsibilit# as )uch

1 Chronicles 24 %avid9s 6ra#er. )olomon stablished !ing $or the )econd Time

33EN+24 The Order of the Tribes

2ntrod.ction

A super$icial reader ma# well thin that the boos o$ Chronicles are the supplement o$

the boos o$ )amuel and !ings. The Jews indeed have attributed this character to them

since ancient times. Christians have done the same with regard to the three s#noptic

8ospels@ the# thin that the 8ospels o$ 'ar and o$ -ue complete 'atthew9s account o$

the -ord9s li$e. In realit# the Chronicles? lie these 8ospels? present the thoughts o$ 8od$rom a completel# new aspect. The# present the ingship in a ver# important dimension?

which these pages aim to bring out. In relation to this subect? one or two preliminar#remars will be use$ul.

=e have insisted? in other 'editations? 'editations on the +oos o$ )amuel and !ings?

b#


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in them the activit# o$ the prophets. ven the Jews did not count them among the

prophetic boos? to which the maorit# o$ the boos o$ histor# belong? but rather

classi$ied them among the hol# writings headed b# the 6salms.

All the historical boos? to the end o$ !ings? recount the histor# o$ the people and o$ the

ingdom? until their $inal ruin. The# conclude with the captivit#? $irst o$ Israel? then o$Judah? and go no $urther than this period. In contrast? the Chronicles? with (ra and

0ehemiah as their immediate seDuel? go much $urther. Compare 2 Chron. ",: 2252" with(ra 1: 15"B. 'oreover? the stamp o$ being composed later? a$ter the return $rom the

+ab#lonian captivit#? is impressed on them throughout the teEt. In various portions o$

these boos we $ind proo$ o$ their relativel# recent date? a date a$ter that o$ the boo o$ 0ehemiah. Thus we see in them that the genealog# o$ %avid9s $amil# does not end with

erubbabel? the ro#al head o$ Judah returned $rom captivit#? but continues past him to the

$i$th generation? consisting o$


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with their being carried awa#? the narrative in !ings carries on eEclusivel# with the

account o$ the careers o$ the last rulers o$ Judah.

+ut the most important suggestion $or understanding Chronicles concerns the counsels o$8od. =e must consider several aspects o$ this:

The =ord views man in two wa#s: According to his responsibilit#? or according to the

position which he occupies in the counsels o$ 8od? that is to sa# in ld Testament contains the histor# o$ responsible man? given b# 8od


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angels that 8od has made


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'anasseh $or eEample? is brought to light? in order to show that grace toward man is the

onl# means o$ $ul$illing 8od9s counsels concerning him.

)umming up? Chronicles does not present the histor# o$ responsible ingship? but o$ingship according to 8od9s counsels in grace? counsels that will not be completel#

$ul$illed until the crown is set on Christ9s head. There$ore Chronicles never $ails to record8od9s wa#s in grace to remed# the $aults o$ the ings who succeed one another upon the

throne up until the appearance o$ the great !ing. This is also wh# the divine accountsilentl# passes over $aults committed as much as possible. The )pirit o$ 8od? as we have

said? omits %avid9s serious sins and their conseDuences@


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Judges and later o$ the !ings. Finall# their transgressions became such that 8od

pronounced


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Finall#? and above all? the# were indispensable in view o$ 'essiah9s ingship? $or ld Testament. 'an# names are not those o$ individuals? but o$ clans or $amilies.>thers are genealogies which we might term geographic? including? $or want o$ other

source material? the names o$ tribes? o$ districts? o$ cities. =e have mentioned this $act in

our stud# o$ (ra 2. =e $ind it again in 1 Chron. 2: 1352&? 2*5""? &25**@ 1 Chron. &: 152"?235""@ 1 Chron. *: 1151@ 1 Chron. : "5&7? etc.

It would be eas# to add other di$$iculties to this alread# long list. =hat has been said

alread# should be su$$icient to warn Christians who? when the# attempt to stud# the

genealogies? stumble over apparent contradictions at ever# step. 0ot that the subect initsel$ does not edi$#? as $or that matter the entire =ord o$ 8od does? but it is useless to


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enter upon it simpl# with one9s own intelligence? as the rationalists have so o$ten done.

'oreover? we would hasten to point out that these are not the genealogies which the

apostle warns us not to give heed to 1 Tim. 1: &@ Titus ": 4B@ he was warning against acertain philosophical s#stem that sought to establish endless degrees in a hierarch# o$

spirits.

As we approach this stud# we would again insist upon the important $act that a$ter the

captivit#? due to negligence? indi$$erence? or other causes innumerable gaps eEisted in thegenealogies? and that on this account it was o$ten impossible to recogni(e certain persons

as composing part o$ Israel? unless at the given moment a divine declaration b# the rim

and Thummim should intervene (ra 2: ,"B.

1 Chronicles 1

From Adam to the Twelve Tribes

The chapters we are about to stud# ma# at $irst glance seem devoid o$ interest. 0onetheless? we shall see that the# are $ull o$ instruction@ $urthermore? $rom their onset

the# show us the character o$ the boo o$ which the# $orm the pre$ace.

Indeed Chronicles? dealing with 8od9s counsels and nce it is a Duestion o$ the genealog# o$ Christ in the 8ospels? we see the line accordingto the $lesh contained in these chapters disappearing completel# in order to give place to


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the line through which? according to election o$ grace? 8od9s counsels respecting


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In verse "2 the sons o$ !eturah? Abraham9s concubine? are enumerated as we $ind them in

8enesis 2*: 15&. The# $ollow Ishmael9s posterit# vv. 235"1B in our chapter so as to show

that the# also are part o$ the lineage according to the $lesh. The genealog# o$ Ishmaelhimsel$ is given according to 8enesis 2*: 1251*. As $or sau vv. "*5&2B? his sons are

mentioned in abbreviated $orm? without the names o$ their mothers and the numerous

details given us in 8enesis 2,: 1514.

The ings o$ dom are enumerated neEt vv. &"5*&@ c$. 8en. ",: "15&2B. ;iolencecharacteri(es this entire race? $or not a single one o$ these ings has his son as successor.

=e believe we must mention these details as characteri(ing the aim o$ the )pirit o$ 8od

in this boo. The# are in no wa#? as rationalists claim? a ver# ineEact or will$ull# alteredcompilation o$ other documents? but a selection out o$ earlier documents o$ that which is

appropriate $or the purpose 8od has be$ore


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to us to eEamine the reasons $or this in detail. +esides here in verses 1 and 2 o$ our

chapter? we $ind this enumeration three more times in 1 Chronicles. )ee AppendiE.B

-et us return to the subect o$ our chapter:

In Chronicles the accurac# o$ genealogies depends in large measure on the importancethe Jews placed upon them during their captivit#? and the disorder the# reveal

corresponds to the state o$ the emnant as we $ind them in the boos o$ (ra and

0ehemiah. Luite a number among the people and among the priesthood could not provetheir genealog#. Though lacing heads? the# could nonetheless be recogni(ed b# the

names o$ their $amilies? groups? and cities? which in this wa# became in essence a moral

person? recogni(ed as the stem o$ their ancestr# c$. (ra 1 and here 1 Chron. 2: *7? *&5**@ 1 Chron. &: &B. In addition? the great disorder that came in eEplains? at least in part?

wh# ver# distant descendants o$ the head o$ a clan were considered as his sons. )ee $or

eEample? )hobal? the great5grandson o$ one o$ Judah9s grandsons c$. 1 Chron. 2: *7@ 1

Chron. &: 1B. This same disorder also eEplains wh# we see a $amil# head? whose name

had not been previousl# mentioned? suddenl# appearing and counted as the head o$ a clan1 Chron. 3: ""B.

Caleb9s genealog# o$$ers a striing eEample o$ this disorder and o$ how $ragmentaril# the

genealogical registers were preserved. Caleb who is not without purpose? I thin? calledChelubai in v. 4B is the son o$


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Caleb? the son o$


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we have seen o$ the character o$ Chronicles in 1 Chronicles 1. The $eatures o$ the natural

man are ust as transmissible as the $eatures o$ a man o$ $aith lie Caleb? onl# these latter

are so b# grace. %avid9s line does not descend $rom Jerahmeel? but $rom am? his#ounger brother vv. 451,B.

1 Chronicles "

The Famil# o$ %avid

In 1 Chronicles 2: 451,5in $act this is the main thrust o$ that chapter5we have met with the

genealog# o$ %avid? descended $rom Judah? and going bac through the ages down viaJacob? Isaac? Abraham? )hem? and 0oah to Adam. 1 Chronicles " presents the

descendants o$ %avid until ust a $ew generations be$ore Christ.


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;erses 17 to 2& give us )olomon9s direct descendants. The words his son which are

constantl# repeated down to edeiah accentuate the contrast between the descendants

according to grace and those according to nature? as we have seen in the histor# o$ dom1 Chron. 1: &"5*&B.

From verse 1* onward? a$ter $aith$ul Josiah9s reign? we $ind the ings at the time o$Judah9s $inal ruin@ this series $inall# culminates with erubbabel returned $rom captivit#

but no longer bearing the title o$ ing. A$ter erubbabel? Chronicles records still $ivegenerations more to n man9s side all hope o$ happiness was lost

through the $all and sorrow was his $atal portion.

Jabe( began with this conviction@ there$ore he was more honorable than his brethren.Then he called on the 8od o$ Israel? nowing that he could onl# depend on the -ord to be delivered $rom the curse o$ sin.


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This is the $irst reDuest: >h that Thou wouldest richl# bless me.... 8od had cursed man

and the earth $rom which he had been taen 8en. ": 1B.


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...dwelt with the ing $or his wor. Although ver# humble? the# were his $ellow

worers within the limits that his wor assigned to them@ on this account the ing

retained them around his person@ theirs was the great privilege? coveted in vain b# man#nobles and princes? o$ dwelling near him.M

0ote:The words And these are ancient things contradict the rather peculiar notion thatthis ing was 0ebuchadne((ar.

)o it is with us too. -et us each $ul$ill our tas@ let us beware o$ coveting a high positionamong the people o$ 8od@ let us rather be content with humble things. =hat our -ord

ass is that we carr# them out diligentl#. -et us be $aith$ul in little things as long as we

wor together in


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nce again we see here how Chronicles is consistentwith its purpose to show the divine counsels as to the ingship. Ket? ust as throughout in

these chapters? the wa#s o$ the $lesh are mentioned $irst vv. "5,B? and the# continue until

the ten tribes are taen captive b# Tilgath56ilneser c$. 2 !i. 1*: 24B. It is true that

euben9s energ# to enlarge his borders is emphasi(ed v. 17B@ but it is no longer the virtuewe have seen in Caleb? springing $rom $aith alone. The displa# o$ euben9s activit# has a

purel# human and earthl# motive: Their cattle were multiplied in the land o$ 8ilead v.

4B.

8ad vv. 1151B has greater spiritual distinction than euben. -ie the latter? he also

sought pasture land v. 1,B? but he had still other interests. It is said o$ him: All these

were reconed b# genealog# in the da#s o$ Jotham ing o$ Judah? and in the da#s o$

Jeroboam ing o$ Israel v. 1B. 8ad had a true concern about his genealog#. venthough the result o$ his (eal was annulled b# his being carried awa# captive? at least until

Jotham and Jeroboam9s da# his position in Israel was clear and well established? showing

his sincere desire to be part o$ 8od9s people and? notwithstanding all? not to den# Judah?under Jotham the center o$ the ingship.

Another matter is mentioned in verses 13522. These two and a hal$ tribes made war with

the


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spirit o$ 6ul ing o$ Ass#ria? and the spirit o$ Tilgath56ilneser ing o$ Ass#ria? and he

carried them awa#? the eubenites? and the 8adites? and the hal$ tribe o$ 'anasseh? and

brought them to


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0umbers teaches us that their service consisted o$ carr#ing the tabernacle and its utensils

through the wilderness. The most precious burden? including the ar? was entrusted to the

!ohathites. +ut here we $ind that a$ter that the ar was in rest %avid appointed men$rom among the three $amilies o$ the -evites $or the service o$ song in the house o$

Jehovah. And the# ministered be$ore the tabernacle o$ the tent o$ meeting with singing?

until )olomon had built the house o$ Jehovah in Jerusalem vv. "15"2B.

In each o$ these three $amilies one -evite stood out above the rest b# reason o$ the gi$tshe had received $rom 8od: $or the !ohathites?


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$inall#? because o$ their man# wives? 3?777 men v. *B. A second $avorable trait o$ this

tribe is that the# too care o$ their genealogies? $or we are told that all these men were

registered b# genealog# v. *B. Finall#? a third $eature is mentioned onl# in connectionwith Issachar? +enamin? and Asher: valiant men o$ might? $it to go out to war.

The tribe o$ +enamin had the same $eatures as those o$ Issachar: Care $or theirgenealogies? and might# men o$ valor? but this latter $eature was outstanding in this little

tribe? so intimatel# united to the ingdom o$ Judah at Jerusalem. Three times the# arecalled b# this name vv. ? 4? 11B. This reminds us o$ Christ9s character as waging war and

conDuering. +enamin is the prophetic t#pe o$


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sa#s the -ord? sa#ing: 1B I$ a man die? and have no son? then #e shall cause his

inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 2B And i$ he have no daughter? #e shall give his

inheritance unto his brethren. "B And i$ he have no brethren? #e shall give his inheritanceunto his $ather9s brethren. &B And i$ his $ather have no brethren? #e shall give his

inheritance to his insman that is nearest to him in his $amil#? and he shall possess it vv.

3511B. +esides the precepts set down in the law? 8od thus gives a special revelation inresponse to the desire eEpressed b# some daughters o$ Israel. This desire had


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elophehad v. 17B. The# themselves regarded the revelation which had been given them

and which answered to their particular need as a commandment o$ Jehovah.

In Joshua 1: "5&? the daughters o$ elophehad present themselves be$ore lea(ar the priest? and be$ore Joshua? the son o$ 0un? and be$ore the princes. The# had married their

uncles9 sons according to the -ord9s directions 0um. ",: 11B. 0ow the# as to receivetheir inheritance. Jehovah commanded 'oses to give us an inheritance among our

brethren? the# sa#? rel#ing on 8od9s word alone. For them? this was enough to settleever#thing? even in a case that went be#ond the usual order o$ the law. 'oreover? their

$aith and their con$idence in Jehovah9s commandment to 'oses results in the same rule

with regard to $emale descendants being adopted throughout all 'anasseh? even be#ondthe Jordan. The daughters o$ 'anasseh received an inheritance among his sons v. ,B.

Thus the rule given to a $ew became the privilege o$ all.

This histor# is o$ deep interest to us. =e should consider the privileges o$ our heavenl#

inheritance priceless. -et us not be checed b# natural? apparentl# legitimate?

considerations which would tend to hinder us $rom appropriating our blessings. -et usas 8od insistentl# that these obstacles? i$ the# eEist? be removed. %o not thin? sisters in

Christ? that #our eno#ment o$ heavenl# things must be lessened b# #our position o$seeming in$eriorit#. %o not be satis$ied until #ou have acDuired the same portion o$ the

inheritance as #our brothers. To overcome in this? remember that this is a commandment

o$ the -ord as to #ou. Kour eEample will have a blessed e$$ect on #our sisters: it willinspire them to $ollow it and to rel# upon the same promises. =hatever #our humble

condition ma# be? #our inheritance is the same as that o$ #our brothers. There is no doubt

that #ou are not called to the same con$licts? to the role o$ might# men o$ valor in battle?

but #ou are called to the same possession as the#: #ou have the same lot? the sameheavenl# blessings

1 Chronicles : 27523 speas o$ the sons o$ phraim. Their histor# as a tribe begins and

ends sadl#? although such a notable place had been reserved $or them in their relationshipwith the tribe o$ -evi 1 Chron. ,: ,,57B. At the beginning we do not now eEactl#

whenB? the# had stolen $rom the 6hilistines o$ 8ath? an act which the -ord could in no

wa# approve. )urel#? stealing $rom the Canaanites in order to enrich themselves while

leaving them still alive was not the same as destro#ing them. In )amuel 1* )aul did thever# same thing.


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di$$erent $rom Jabe(? $or whom sorrow? the conseDuence o$ sin? became the starting point

o$ his relationship with Jehovah. +ut the 8od who had blessed Joseph in his son

phraim? according to the unchanging pattern o$ Chronicles? does not stop with the evilwhich this man had merited. The account given us ends with the name o$ Joshua? the t#pe

o$ Christ in the )pirit? leading


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1 Chronicles 3 has brought us to the ingship according to the $lesh? whose ruin will be

shown us in 1 Chronicles 17@ whereas 1 Chronicles 4 shows us the $inal ruin o$ the

people: Judah was carried awa# to +ab#lon because o$ their transgression v. 1B. =ethen $ind the restoration o$ a $eeble remnant? mentioned in the boos o$ (ra and

0ehemiah? in order to await the promised 'essiah at Jerusalem. This ninth chapter

corresponds to chapter 11 o$ 0ehemiah. Ket it di$$ers signi$icantl# $rom 0ehemiah 11? both with regard to the number o$ the sons o$ Judah and +enamin who dwelt at

Jerusalem? and with regard to their names. This chapter adds collateral branches. =ith

regard to the priests and -evites? it is much closer to 0ehemiah. Finall#? it de$ines the$unctions o$ the dooreepers o$ the temple ver# eEactl#. =e learn also what 0ehemiah

does not reveal? that some o$ the children o$ phraim and 'anasseh? probabl# le$t in the

land o$ Canaan at the time o$ the captivit# o$ their tribes? came to dwell at Jerusalem v.

"B with the children o$ Judah and o$ +enamin.

-et us note #et another detail. In verse 1" the priests are termed able men $or the wor o$

the service o$ the house o$ 8od. Indeed the same strength is needed $or the service o$ the

house o$ 8od as $or combat. These $unctions are ver# di$$erent in nature? but the samespiritual energ# is necessar# $or both the one and the other.

In verses 152" we learn what the service? in part? o$ the -evites was. In these da#s o$

restoration the# were dooreepers at the gate o$ the temple? called the ing9s gate.

Formerl# the# had been eepers o$ the thresholds o$ the tent and their $athers? set overthe camp o$ Jehovah? were eepers o$ the entrance. And 6hinehas the son o$ lea(ar was

the ruler over them $ormerl#. >$ him it was said: Jehovah was with him v. 27B? and

that sa#s ever#thing. %avid and )amuel had instituted the dooreepers in their trust when

the temple? called the house o$ the tent in verse 2"? had not #et been built. +ut stillmore? these -evite dooreepers were over the chambers and over the treasuries o$ the

house o$ 8od@ $or the# sta#ed round about the house o$ 8od during the night? because thecharge was upon them? and the opening thereo$ ever# morning pertained to them vv.2,52B. Finall#? part o$ them had the charge o$ the instruments o$ service? $or b# number

the# brought them in and b# number the# brought them out. 6art o$ them also were

appointed over the vessels? and over all the hol# instruments? and over the $ine $lour? andthe wine? and the oil? and the $ranincense? and the spices vv. 23524B. >thers were in

trust over the things that were made in the pans. And some o$ the sons o$ the !ohathites?

their brethren? were over the loaves to be set in rows? to prepare them ever# sabbath.Finall#? there were the singers vv. "15""B.


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1 Chronicles 4: "* 5 2

1 Chronicles 4: "* 5 17

The uin o$ the !ingship According to the Flesh

The subect o$ the genealogies $inishes with 1 Chronicles 4: "&. ;erses "* to && againtae up the enumeration o$ )aul9s $amil# with a $ew di$$erences that initiate us into the

wa# in which the genealogies were composed. Thus? in this passage we $ind the ancestors

o$ 0er bac to 8ibeon? whereas 1 Chronicles 3: ""5"4 gives onl# the descendants o$ 0er

and add to them those o$ she? the brother o$ A(el. As ever? the )pirit o$ 8od whodirected the composition o$ Chronicles has a particular purpose. In our passage here? it is

$irst a matter o$ )aul9s ancestors who according to their tribe9s right dwelt at Jerusalem

beside their brethren o$ Judah@ then it is a matter o$ the direct line o$ descent $rom thising? avoiding the collateral branches which here have nothing to do with the purpose o$

this inspired boo.

And so we reach 1 Chronicles 17 which begins with re$erences to the accounts in the

boos o$ )amuel and !ings? but as we have so o$ten said? with the purpose o$ bringingout the counsels o$ 8od concerning Judah9s ro#al line? that ro#al line $rom which Christ

would descend.

n the one

hand? nl# a$ter n

this account we are given the detailed historical narratives $rom Joshua to the end o$

!ings. In the 0ew Testament? the epistle to the omans presents an analogous character:man9s state without the law and under the law is traced $rom the $irst chapter until that >

wretched man that I am o$ omans ? the $inal eEperience o$ man9s desperate state?even that o$ an awaened man? under the law but responsible be$ore 8od to eep it.

>n the other hand? when 8od presents the eEtent o$


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o$ Jehovah@ there$ore


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%avid9s might# men are enumerated at the beginning o$ this account vv. 175&B? while

the# are enumerated at the end in 2 )amuel 2".


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a special place in the divine annals and are more honorable than their brethren. in lie

manner? men o$ +enamin and 'anasseh oined themselves to %avid at ilag vv. 1? 4B?

and men o$ 8ad? Judah? and +enamin oined him in the stronghold in the wilderness vv.3? 1,B be$ore all the tribes hastened to him at


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In verses 1, to 13? +enamin appears $or the second time but associated with Judah to go

to %avid in the stronghold.


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)aul? whose house the# had once guarded v. 24B? had le$t this honorar# post en mass?

esteeming it as worthless? in order to occup# the true post o$ honor with %avid.

Faith alone had directed the $irst +enaminites. The eEample the# had given was $ollowed b# the rest o$ the tribe. This observation is not an unimportant one? $or it is not ever#

one9s portion to displa# the same energ# o$ $aith through the )pirit. This is wh# 6aulcould sa#: =al thus as #ou have us $or a model? and to the


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The children o$ ebulun were prepared $or battle. I$ battle would brea out? the# would

not be taen b# surprise. The# had all weapons o$ war. 'oreover? the# were supportive

o$ one another? eeping ran@ none o$ them acted in an independent manner? $or the#reali(ed that unit# was their strength. And in addition the# were without double heart5

their a$$ections were not divided. Is not a $reDuent cause o$ our de$eats a heart wavering

between the world and Christ? between our interests? our temporal advantages? and theuniDue service o$ %avid9s )on

0aphtali is a bit lie Judah: the# bear the spear? or rather the sword and shield? similarl#

to those men who had built the wall under 0ehemiah.

%an was armed $or war rather than $or battle lie ebulun. This in$ers that these menwere read# to rall# at the $irst call? once war had been declared.

Asher was $amiliar with strateg#. The Asherites could set themselves in battle arra#.

The tribes be#ond Jordan came last? as we have said? but even their position at a distance proved to their advantage. The# had all manner o$ weapons o$ war $or battle. I$ distance

created di$$iculties $or them in the matter o$ replacing their weapons? it provoed them tomae care$ul provision.

That which characteri(ed the tribes at this blessed period o$ their histor# is that all v. "3B

came to


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1 Chronicles 1"

The Ar and the 0ew Cart

The characteristic $eature o$ this chapter is omitted in 2 )amuel ,. It is %avid9s desire?

once the ingdom had been established? to reunite the entire people not around himsel$ but around the ar? the throne o$ 8od where the merc# seat was $ound.


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$aith act according to the light o$ conscience? and %avid should have nown this: $aith

alwa#s obe#s the =ord o$ 8od and is not to be separated $rom it.

This lapse o$ memor# and? more probabl# still? the lac o$ importance he accorded toever# iota o$ the )criptures had two serious conseDuences. The $irst was $or ((a? struc

down because the oEen had broen loose? prompting an unconsidered? pro$ane action onhis part@ the second was $or %avid who lost all that had $illed his heart ust a $ew

moments previousl#: con$idence? o#? and praise? and saw these replaced b# $ear?recrimination? indignation against 8od? and bitterness.

+ut the ing9s $ailure and its conseDuences $or his moral state in no wa# changed the

$ul$illment o$ 8od9s counsels. The -ord had chosen ion@


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1 Chronicles 1&: 15 corresponds to 2 )amuel *: 1751*. There we see the nations? in the

person o$


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It is %avid who not onl# orders the -evites to carr# the ar as 'oses had commanded

according to the word o$ Jehovah 1 Chron. 1*: 1*B? but who also appoints singers?

musicians? and dooreepers $or the ar whose ver# names are listed. Amid them all thename o$ >bed5edom? repeated $our times and twice more in 1 Chron. 1,: "3B? shines

above all the others.


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8od9s $aith$ulness to


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government toward


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established as ruler o$ the nations? bringing us bac to Israel9s histor# in responsibilit#. In

verses 2"5&* we $ind the deliverance $rom g#pt? the ourne# through the wilderness

under the leadership o$ 'oses and Aaron? and $inall#? the people9s entr# into Canaan?that the# might eep


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A$ter this song? we $ind in verses "5&" the provisional order o$ worship be$ore the $inal

establishment o$ the ar in )olomon9s temple.


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$allible and responsible ing: I will be his $ather? and he shall be m# son. I$ he commit

iniDuit#? I will chasten him with the rod o$ men and with the stripes o$ the sons o$ men?

etc. This is what happened to %avid himsel$ in the boo o$ )amuel? whereas Chroniclesmentions neither his $ailure nor the prolonged chastisement? the rod o$ men? which was

its conseDuence.

In verse 1& it sa#s: And I will settle him in m# house and in m# ingdom $or ever@ and

his throne shall be established $or ever. In 2 )amuel we read: And th# house and th#ingdom shall be made $irm $or ever be$ore thee: th# throne shall be established $or ever

v. 1,B.

For the same reason we read vv. 13514B: =hat can %avid sa# more to thee $or the glor#o$ th# servant thou indeed nowest th# servant. Jehovah? $or th# servant9s sae ...hast

thou done all this greatness? etc. This phrase th# servant carries our thoughts $ar

be#ond %avid? to the person o$ Christ. 2 )amuel : 21 is worded thus: For th# word9s

sae? and according to thine own heart? hast thou done all this greatness? to mae th#

servant now it.

And $inall# in verse 2: And now? let it please Thee to bless the house o$ Th# servant?

that it ma# be be$ore Thee $or ever@ $or thou? Jehovah? hast blessed it? and it shall be

blessed $or ever@ whereas 2 )amuel : 24 sa#s: For thou? -ord Jehovah? hast spoen it@and with th# blessing shall the house o$ th# servant be blessed $or ever. The $irst o$ these

passages re$ers to the unconditional promises made to Abraham 8en. 12: 2B@ the second

eEpresses a desire that could not be reali(ed b# the posterit# o$ %avid? the responsibleing? as he himsel$ sa#s in his last words: Although m# house be not so be$ore 8od.

0evertheless? trusting in the promises o$ grace? he immediatel# adds: Ket


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Thus? these chapters present the warrior ing? whereas the rest o$ the boo unrolls be$ore

our e#es the peace$ul portion o$ %avid9s reign? completel# occupied with the service o$

the ar and the preparations $or the erection o$ the temple. )till? the militar# apparatusthat $ills %avid9s reign in 2 )amuel cannot be passed over in silence in this boo? $or

Chronicles treats o$ the ingship established? its relationship to the ar? then to the

temple? and o$ the order o$ worship. 'oreover? the account o$ %avid9s victories isnecessar# in order to show us the manner in which the ingdom could be instituted? Israel

delivered $rom their enemies? and peace? righteousness? and rule over the nations

inaugurated b# )olomon. These things could onl# be brought about through a conDueringand triumphant ing whose victories are presented to us in a bloc so as not to have to

come bac to them again? since the# are not the subect o$ the boo. Christ9s dominion

will be introduced in this same wa# at the end.

In the second place? Chronicles passes over the histor# o$ 'ephibosheth recounted in 2)amuel 4 in silence? and also )aul9s crime in putting the 8ibeonites to death 2 )amuel

21: 151&B. These omissions are characteristic o$ the thought o$ our boo. ver#thing that

has to do with )aul and his house has come to an end at the beginning o$ our account.The natural man and his genealog#? the natural ing? )aul? and his posterit#? are

mentioned $irst in order immediatel# to be $orgotten? as we have seen. )uch is the histor#

o$ the old man and all that belongs to him. 8od cannot draw out


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and dethroned b# the usurper. Finall#? this boo emplo#s these same circumstances to

paint the picture o$ the precious $avors which have been occasioned b# the reection o$

the )avior.

1 Chronicles '1

0umbering the 6eople and >rnan9s Threshing Floor

=e now come to 1 Chronicles 21? so important with regard to the wa#s o$ grace toward

Israel. As we have done on other occasions? let us tr# to note the ver# instructive

di$$erences between this chapter and chapter 2& o$ the )econd +oo o$ )amuel. There ismuch to be gained b# minutel# comparing the one with the other.

-et us $irst o$ all note that here the thought o$ numbering the people is the result o$

)atan9s direct action against Israel? and not as in 2 )amuel? the result o$ the -ord9s wrath.

To this end? )atan inclines %avid9s heart to sin so that he might bring 8od9s counsels

toward


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the cit# o$ %avid@ through this eEploit he had become chie$ and captain.


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Father9s one beloved )on 'ar 12: ,B? no sacri$ice $or sin could be provided. n the mount o$ Jehovah will be provided 8en. 22: 1&B. In

t#pe? grace had $ound a wa# o$ displa#ing itsel$ in its $ullness at the altar on 'ount'oriah? where Isaac? the $ather9s son? had been o$$ered@ and not at the bra(en altar which

belonged to the order o$ )inai and which could never tae awa# sins. At 'oriah grace

met righteousness? and there 8od $ound the means


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The -ord? we have said? had seen the angel@ then %avid had seen him@ now >rnan in turn

sees him v. 27B. At this sight he and his sons hide themselves? terror5stricen. +ut >rnan

is reassured when he sees %avid v. 21B? sent b# 8od to erect an altar on the threshing$loor o$ >rnan. Indeed? what could be more reassuring than to see the -ord9s Anointed?

the one commissioned b# 8od to accomplish eEpiation and put an end to udgment

%avid bu#s the place o$ the threshing $loor? not ust the threshing $loor alone as in 2

)amuel 2&: 21? 2&. This eEplains the di$$erence in the purchase price. >rnan? $ull o$ goodwill? but ignorant? would lie to be able to contribute to this wor. %avid does not allow

him to do so@ he alone will o$$er 8od a sacri$ice which he will pa#s $or out o$ what he

has? but which will cost >rnan nothing. %avid does not wish to give to 8od that which belongs to another? but that which is his own? ust as Christ gave rnan9s threshing5sledges are not used? as he had desired? to consumethe sacri$ice: 8od consumes it with $ire $rom heaven. That is


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place and he would go there no more. All that had been instituted under the law could not

hence$orth reassure his soul? $or the law was a ministr# o$ condemnation. 8od had

revealed another place o$ approach to


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himsel$? or $rom the voluntar# o$$erings o$ the nations which sought the protection o$ the

ing o$ Israel. The cedar wood came $rom -ebanon and was brought b# the people o$

T#re and idon. >ther less precious materials also contributed to the temple9sconstruction? $or iron was needed $or the nails $or the doors o$ the gates? and $or the

oists v. "B. Iron was not onl# use$ul? but it was indispensable? despite its lesser worth. It

was one o$ the products o$ the land o$ Canaan? a land whose stones are iron %eut. 3:4B@ and it alone could serve to oin together the various pieces o$ wood in the building.

=ithout it? the doors o$ the temple could not be opened or closed? nor could the partitions

be built. Just so? even the most common materials o$ the heavenl# land are indispensableto


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'# name? $or thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in '# sight. +ehold? a son shall

be born to thee? who shall be a man o$ rest@ and I will give him rest $rom all his enemies

round about@ $or his name shall be )olomon Gpeace$ulH? and in his da#s I will give peaceand Duietness unto Israel.


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thrones? udging all the tribes o$ Israel. The new Jerusalem will have twelve $oundations

upon which will be written the names o$ the twelve apostles o$ the -amb. The# will share

in the character o$ nce the victim9sdeath has intervened? the sacri$ice becomes the basis o$ all blessing? righteousness is

satis$ied? grace has stopped udgment? and peace is made. 6eace$ul )olomon can now be

established ing over Israel b# %avid while %avid is #et reigning. The son sits with his$ather on his throne. %oes this not spea to us in a striing wa# o$ Christ9s reign

Epiation having been accomplished on the cross? Christ has sat down at the Father9s

right hand on


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In First !ings? )olomon9s having his place on the throne during his $ather9s li$etime is

presented in a wa# much less striing? but in accord with the purpose o$ this boo. The

two personalities? %avid and )olomon? are there rather united in one? so that the reign o$the second is the uninterrupted continuation o$ that o$ the $irst.

0ote:1 )ee 'editations on 1 !ings b#


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Christian Church is composed without eEception o$ ings and priests? which was not the

case with the Jewish assembl#? then the Church is not composed o$ -evites.

A certain order? a certain initiative as to the direction o$ the praise was incumbent uponthe musicians. It is the same in the assembl#: a small number have been Duali$ied $or this

o$$ice which has its importance ust lie ever#thing that relates to worship. 6raise waso$$ered with instruments made b# %avid v. *B. %avid alone was the author o$ all that had

to do with the $uture temple? even o$ the musical part o$ the worship. 0othing lie it had been instituted under the s#stem o$ the tabernacle in the wilderness. The instruments

themselves had been invented b# %avid in connection with the glorious accession o$

)olomon to the throne? a t#pe o$ the millennial reign o$ Christ upon earth. Toda# praise isin connection with


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meeting@ secondl#? to the sanctuar#@ and thirdl#? the# were servants o$ the sons o$ Aaron

their brethren.

All this is $ull o$ instruction $or an#one who wants to devote himsel$ to the service o$ the-ord? and an# such person should meditate on the details in this passage. Two $eatures

dominate all the rest here. >n the one hand? a service worth# o$ the name must berendered to the -ord@ on the other hand? the servant must tae a place o$ humilit#? o$

modest#? and o$ in$eriorit# in relation to the priestl# $amil# which? as we now? includesall believers? and must not be composed o$ men who lord it over 8od9s heritage?

regarding them as belonging to themselves 1 6eter *: "B.

1 Chronicles '#

The 6riests

In this chapter we $ind the divisions o$ the priests. First? there is that which cannot be

wanting in Chronicles: the $lesh has been completel# put aside and udged in the persono$ 0adab and Abihu. Then come lea(ar and Ithamar. >n account o$ the un$aith$ulness o$

li and his sons? Ithamar loses his preeminence under the reign o$ %avid and )olomon?and then under Christ9s millennial reign? although the priesthood is not taen awa# $rom

him v. "B. lea(ar? through ado who is descended $rom him? occupies the $irst place

on account o$ 6hinehas9 (eal.


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12B? then? in verses 2,5"1? the sons o$ 'erari? 8ershon having been counted as a single

course on account o$ its $ewness in number 1 Chron. 2": 11B. 0ote that the least among

the -evites had the same portion as the chie$ $athers in the division b# lot according tothe -ord9s $ree choice v. "1B.

1 Chronicles '5

%ooreepers? >verseers o$ the Treasures? and Judges

In verses 1521 we $ind the courses o$ the dooreepers. >bed5dom is here? as alwa#s? the

obect o$ special blessing. =hereas 'eshelemiah? the son o$ !orah? numbers eighteensons and brethren destined to this o$$ice in his $amil#? and


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until the moment when all these treasures would be emplo#ed b# )olomon. ther -evites $rom among the Ji(harites were o$$icers and udges v. 24B. Those whoremained at


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Among %avid9s numerous sons 8od had again chosen )olomon...to sit upon the throne

o$ the ingdom o$ Jehovah over Israel v. *B. 0ote this eEpression which we $ind again

in 1 Chronicles 24: 2": The ingdom o$ )olomon is the ingdom o$ Jehovah@ histhrone? Jehovah9s throne. %o not these words spea to us o$ 8od9s counsels with regard to

Christ9s $uture ingdom This is all the more striing here as 8od sa#s o$ )olomon: I

have chosen him to be '# son? and I will be his $ather v. ,@ c$. 1 Chron. 22: 17@


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in this the ing taes the $irst place: !eep and see $or all the commandments o$

Jehovah #our 8od@ that #e ma# possess the good land? and leave it as an inheritance to

#our children a$ter #ou $or ever v. 3B.

In the preceding chapters we have seen the religious and civil s#stem established b#

Jehovah b# means o$ the authorit# con$erred b#


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+ut? as %avid had alread# said 1 Chron. 22: *B? )olomon was still #oung and tender

and was not #et $ull grown so as to be able to tae up the reins o$ government. =hile

awaiting this moment? his $ather had proclaimed him ing? and as such? had seated himwith him upon his own throne 1 Chron. 2": 1B. =hat is here said speas to us o$ Christ.

It goes without sa#ing that in


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All that the ing and his people5who are nothing in the presence o$ 8od5can willingl#

o$$er


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us? our hearts are $illed with thansgiving and worship. +ut


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This order speas to us o$ man9s plans acting according to his own thoughts outside the

thoughts o$ 8od. =e see these plans with -aban9s giving his daughters to Jacob and with

achel and -eah giving Jacob their maidservants. The order indicated here is as $ollows:

& sons o$ -eah: euben? )imeon? -evi? Judah.

2 sons o$ +ilhah? achel9s maidservant: %an? 0aphtali.

2 sons o$ ilpah? -eah9s maidservant: 8ad? Asher.

2 sons o$ -eah: Issachar? ebulon.

2 sons o$ achel: Joseph? +enamin.

+. 8enesis "*: 2"

>rder o$ the sons o$ Jacob dwelling in Canaan

The $irst three sons o$ Jacob had mani$ested themselves to be murderers and incestuous.Their onl# guarantee $or entering into Canaan lies in the promise given to Abraham and

in the $ree election o$ grace. rder o$ the sons o$ Jacob at their entr# into g#pt

=e $ind the order o$ nature again here? but according to the wives. 8od has the upper

hand in all that concerns the $amil# o$ promise? but at the same time -eah and achel

each reap the $ruits o$ their own sel$5will. The order is as $ollows:

, sons o$ -eah

2 sons o$ ilpah

2 sons o$ achel

2 sons o$ +ilhah.


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%. 8enesis &4

T#pical and prophetic order o$ the sons o$ Jacob

=e will not enter into this ver# interesting subect which we have alread# dealt with

elsewhere.0ote: )ee: Jacob ou la discipline p. 32B b#


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8ad? whose role is more than once to $ill in the gaps? replaces -evi? who is absent $rom

the numbering.

rder o$ the encampment o$ the tribes

The# are arranged under $our heads: Judah? euben? phraim? and %an. -evi is at the

center? surrounding the tabernacle.

I. 0umbers

>rder o$ the princes o$ the tribes at the dedication o$ the altar

The same order as that o$ the encamping eEcept? naturall#? that -evi has disappeared.

J. 0umbers 17: 11523

'arching order o$ the tribes

The tabernacle? taen down and borne b# 8ershon and 'erari? two o$ the levitical

$amilies? goes between Judah and euben. The sanctuar#? borne b# !ohath? the third

levitical $amil#? goes between euben and phraim. The ar alone goes ahead a threeda#s9 ourne# to see out a place o$ rest $or the people.

!. 0umbers 1": *51

>rder o$ the heads o$ the tribes to sp# out the land

=hen it is a matter o$ sp#ing out the land? all the tribes are deliberatel# miEed and

mingled.

-. 0umbers 2,

0umbering a$ter the plague

This is lie the numbering $or combat? eEcept that 'anasseh here again taes his place in

relation to phraim according to the order o$ birth? whereas $or combat phraim occupies

his place according to the election o$ grace. This $act is important: it is as though 8odwere beginning anew under the high priest9s administration in grace see 1 Chron. 1B the

histor# o$ the people in responsibilit# crossing the wilderness? so that


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n 8eri(im to bless: )imeon? -evi? Judah? Issachar? Joseph? +enamin.

All are the sons o$ the legitimate wives. This list moreover contains the names o$ thosewho are t#pes o$ Christ: -evi? Judah? Joseph? +enamin.

>n bal to curse: euben? 8ad? Asher? ebulun? %an? 0aphtali.

These? with the eEception o$ euben and ebulun? are the sons o$ the maidservants.euben and ebulun are the $irstborn and lastborn o$ -eah: the# surround the sons o$

ilpah. It is as though the curse were being pronounced b# the representatives o$ theentire stoc o$ the $irst wi$e and b# all that is born o$ the $lesh.

>. %euteronom# ""

6rophetic order o$ the tribes? not according to the aspect presented b# Jacob9s prophec#?

but according to the blessings brought b# 8od9s government in grace? according to their$aith$ulness in the land and according to the $aith$ulness o$ 'oses? t#pe o$ the $uture

!ing

)imeon is omitted? $or Israel9s histor# as a people in the $lesh has been terminated $rom

the outset on with euben c$. 8en. &4: "5B. Then a$ter euben? Judah the -awgiverappears5Christ. -evi occupies a place o$ separation among the tribes: his $aith$ulness has

produced $ruit: intelligence? consecration? teaching? intercession? and praise. Joseph? also

separated $rom his brethren? has a double portion in the persons o$ phraim and'anasseh. According to the election o$ grace? phraim once again taes precedence over

his brother. Judah? -evi? and Joseph are t#pes o$ Christ. The tribes which then $ollow are

the picture o$ the blessings o$ the age to come: activit# and rest? virtue? strength? riches?

spiritual blessings? eternal rest.

6. Joshua 1*521

>rder o$ the tribes entering into possession o$ the land

This is a spiritual order. In $irst place are Judah? Joseph? and +enamin? t#pes o$ Christ@

onl# Joseph is represented b# phraim? the obect o$ the election o$ grace? and b# thehal$5tribe o$ 'anasseh? which eEcludes the order according to nature? the other hal$5tribe

having remained be#ond the Jordan. )imeon? who according to natural order should be in


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second place 1 Chron. 14: 1B does not tae his place until the spiritual order 1 Chron.

1*513B is eEhausted? so to spea. %an 1 Chron. 14: &7B occupies the last place.

L. 1 Chronicles 2: 152

Alread# cited at the beginning o$ this chapter o$ these 'editations. Instead o$ order? thereis apparent disorder? all being eDuall# the obects o$ the purposes o$ 8od in grace.

. 1 Chronicles 2: "51 Chronicles 3: "&.

The genealogical order o$ the tribes in relation to the ingship

The ingship is established according to 8od9s counsels? the character which it alwa#s

bears in Chronicles. Judah? $rom whom comes the -awgiver? is presented $irst. +ut Judahis chosen b# pure grace@ his histor# teaches us this here.


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>rder o$ the tribes according to their princes

rder o$ the tribes established on the millennial earth


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usual? a place somewhat apart see FB.

Meditations on the First Book of Chronicles-H L Rossier

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Transcript of Meditations on the First Book of Chronicles-H L Rossier