Day 135-136, Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading use your browser arrow to return): 1Chronicles 22-26; Psalms 29, 30, 1Chronicles 6:16-53 (Because of the continuing theme, this is a two-day Bible study. You may choose to read the Bible passages on May 15 and the Bible study on May 16.)
Getting Organized and Working Together
King David brings a fractured nation together by planning a magnificent project which they can all support. Now he must get everything organized for his son, Solomon, to do the work. If we need help getting organized, this lesson should help us.
Our Priority
What is our priority when starting a project—getting the materials, making a plan, or gathering the laborers? No. We must determine why we are doing the project—what do we want to accomplish? What we decide will give guidance to everything else we do. Afterward, we can plan, gather the materials and people for the tasks, and assign them responsibilities.
In today’s Bible reading, King David is once again reigning from Jerusalem. The land is at peace, free from war. David puts aside the sins of his past and leads a righteous life (Philippians 3:13), and he is influencing Judah and Israel to do the same.How does he unite them into one nation? The Bible does not tell us if this was his intention, but it helps—David orders the gathering of materials and workers for building a magnificent and glorious temple to their God (1Chronicles 22:1-19). This worthy project helps bring the two nations together, for who would wish to be left out of that?
If we have factions, sometimes people will put aside their differences when working on a project they can support with enthusiasm.
God Chooses New Leadership
King David is getting old. How will peace and prosperity continue in the kingdom after he is gone? How will the nation stay together?
It was David’s wish to build a temple, but he was a warrior and had shed too much blood. God wanted a peaceful man to make it, so God chose his son Solomon to succeed David. Solomon’s name means peace. The LORD would give the nation peace and great prosperity during his reign, and he would build a temple to Israel’s Almighty and Glorious God. However, King David would gather the materials and give him instructions on how to do it.
Sometimes new leadership from a peaceful person will bring peace.
Before he hands over the reins to Solomon, David encourages his son.
“Now, my son, the LORD be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the LORD your God, as he said you would.
May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged” (1Chronicles 22:11-13, NIV).
Next, David equips Solomon to build the temple and encourages the leaders of all the tribes to help his son. King David says to them,
I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents [That is, about 3,750 tons (about 3,450 metric tons)] of gold, a million talents [That is, about 37,500 tons (about 34,500 metric tons)] of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. You have many workmen: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work in gold and silver, bronze and iron-- craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you.
...Devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD (1Chronicles 22:14–19, NIV).
Afterward, David leads the people to praise and worship the LORD for the magnificent temple they are about to build (Psalms 29–30). He refocuses their attention from each other to God. Working together on the project honors the LORD and begins to unite the people.
If we can refocus the attention of people from each other to God, it brings unity.
Then David appoints 24,000 Levites to supervise the building of the temple. They will make sure the alien workers among them construct it as designed and worthy of their Most Holy God. The Levites are a neutral tribe, neither from Judah nor Israel, but they live among the tribes. They are recognized and well-respected.
Neutral parties, who are well-respected, can help heal factions.
Assigning Responsibilities
David leads people to worship God, even while workers build the sanctuary (temple). Musicians are assigned to lead praise to God. Every morning and evening, they pray and lead the people in songs of thanksgiving. As they listen and sing, the songs remind the people that they are building a glorious temple to their LORD—God is worthy of worship.
The Levites, which are not involved in the supervision of the building project, serve in their regular capacities. Some serve as officials and judges, while others continue to take care of the tabernacle, help with the sacrifices, performing their customary duties until the temple is complete.
Gatekeepers guard the entrance to the tabernacle court and later the storage bins and treasuries of the temple. Each Levite has important tasks to fulfill.
Doing our Part
Where has God assigned us to serve? Every position is essential in the church body. Will we do our part and continue to minister to others with joy? Let us worship the LORD in our service. Let us serve him with joy in our hearts.
Focus Verse
1Chronicles 22:19 (NIV)
“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD.”
Discussion
Why should we establish a priority before beginning a project?
How can we help to bring healing so we can work together?
What should we do to get organized and get things done?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: King David is intentional in successfully Passing the Torch of leadership to his son Solomon. How do we do this? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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