We’re spending one more week with David and his Mighty Men before we make the royal transition to Solomon. We’ll see David’s final acts as King – both good and bad – and hear his reflections in Psalms. I’m struck by David’s persistent God-centered focus and his reverent awe of the Lord’s splendor. At the beginning of his reign, Solomon gets it, too: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Indeed. The church itself is now God’s building – built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:19-20).
David understood why he became the greatest king of Israel: The Lord God blessed him. The God-centered nature of these verses is important. Here at the end of a life marked by many great feats, David gave sole glory and praise to the Lord. I hope have that kind of perspective at the end of my life. I want to be able to say “Not of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
Worship, praise, and glory is due to the Lord from all the earth and from every nation. Let us not forget that in the grand sweep of world history, we are only bit players in the King’s story of redemption. Consider God’s greatness and his power, yet also consider his gentleness as our shepherd.
What’s the deal with the census? It’s not super clear why it’s bad – but it obviously is. Joab himself takes issue with it, and he doesn’t have a sparkling history of possessing a discerning conscience. It’s interesting because the Lord was angry against Israel but used David as a “judge” of sorts – although David also recognized his guilt. And yet – the place where God’s wrath is appeased (Araunah’s threshing floor) became the place where Solomon built the Temple. The focus in 2 Samuel 24 is wrath. The focus in 1 Chron. 21 is the location. Both show us a picture of God’s glory in salvation through judgment.
Psalm 110 is very significant, so I’ll linger there today. The New Testament writers quoted this Psalm more than any other Old Testament text. Here are a few fun notes on this passage: First, Yahweh is speaking to “David’s Lord.” Jesus actually stumps the Pharisees with this passage during Holy Week. Second, Yahweh is the one who determines the recipient of the scepter (aka: who gets to rule). Third, the king is also a priest – also weird and not supposed to happen (remember what happened to Saul when he wrongly sacrificed?). Fourth, David’s Lord is at Yahweh’s right hand (clearly, he’s divine). Fifth, this person will shatter heads (this should remind you of Genesis 3:15 – the one who will crush the serpent’s head). Sixth, David’s Lord will drink from the brook by the way (clearly, he’s human). Psalm 110 is magnificent – and you can see how *many* OT threads come together in this passage that leave us looking for David’s Lord.
David had in his heart to build a house for the Lord. But, when the Lord prevented it, David set out to make all the necessary preparations in order for Solomon to begin immediately. In these chapters, David is preparing the Levites, priests, and musicians. The faithfulness of the Lord had put the Levites out of a job, so David helped modify their roles. Now, they helped the priests with the showbread, various offerings, and standing to give praise and thanks each morning and evening.
Pay attention to the references to the Lord’s name, the Lord’s word, the Lord’s work, and the Lord’s way in these Psalms. Consider how each of these fit together.
With these chapters in 1 Chronicles we conclude our readings about David’s life and transition to Solomon in Psalm 127. David puts the finishing touches on the preparations for the Temple. Then, he charges (1) Israel to remain faithful to the Lord and his covenant and (2) Solomon to follow the Lord with a whole heart and a willing mind. In context of 1 Chronicles, I love Solomon’s first line of Psalm 127 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Truer words have not been spoken. Let’s build our houses upon the rock, lest we labor in vain.