End Notes

The Life of David from a Jewish Perspective

1. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1985, page 447.

2. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 4.

3. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 23.

4. Ibid, pages 23-24.

5. Ibid, pages 23-24.

6. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 483.

7. 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Richard Patterson and Hermann Austel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 621.

8. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 484.

9. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 779.

10. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 23.

11. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, pages 24-26.

12. Ibid, pages 305-306.

Reading Isra’el’s History Books

13. The NIV Application Commentary: 1 & 2 Samuel, by Bill Arnold, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2003, pages 21-25.

14. The Big Picture, by Rosita, worldchristianfoundations.blogspot.com.

The Nature of the Psalms

15. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 779-782.

16. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 65.

The Problem of Holy War in the TaNaKh

17. On War, by Carl von Clausewitz, Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1968, page 101. Initially published in 1932 under the title of Vom Kriege.

18. Ibid, page 102.

19. The Problem of War in the Old Testament, by Peter Craigie, William Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1976, pages 46-47.

20. Christian Theology, by Millard Erickson, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985, pages 627-630.

Young David 

21. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 163.

22. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 447.

23. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 256.

24. 1st sam 16.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum

25. The NIV Application Commentary: 1 & 2 Samuel, by Bill Arnold, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2003, page 233.

26. Ibid, page 231.

27. Ibid, page 233.

28. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2001, page 104.

29. Grace for the Moment, Volume One, by Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2000, page 253.

30. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 271.

31. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 1990, pages 125-126.

32. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 174.

33. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pgs 278-279.

34. David and Goliath, by Malcolm Gladwell, Little, Brown and Company, NT, 3013, pgs 3-4.

35. Ibid, page 14.

36. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 291.

37. Ibid, page 285.

38. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 130.

39. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 283.

40. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2001, page 111.

41. David and Goliath, by Malcolm Gladwell, Little, Brown and Company, NY, 3013, page 9.

42. First and Second Samuel, by J. Carl Laney, Everyman’s Bible Commentary, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1982, page 73.

43. Manners and Customs of the Bible, by James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, New Jersey, 1972, page 136.

44. David and Goliath, by Malcolm Gladwell, Little, Brown and Company, NY, 3013, page 11.

45. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2001, page 112.

46. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1988, pages 129-130.

47. First and Second Samuel, by J. Carl Laney, Everyman’s Bible Commentary, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1982, page 60.

48. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 191.

49. Twelve Unlikely Heroes, by John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2012, pages 101-102.

50. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 191.

51. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 136.

52. Ibid, page 137.

53. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 327.

54. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2001, page 117-118.

55. Ibid, pages 115-116.

56. Ibid, page 118.

57. 1st sam18.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum

58. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 1990, pages 139-140.

59. Twelve Unlikely Heroes, by John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2012, page 102.

60. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 121.

61. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 1990, page 143.

62. Ibid, page 144.

63. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 124.

64. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 146.

65. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2001, pages 123-124.

66. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990, pages 60-63.

67. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page 437.

68. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 438-439.

69. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pgs 349-350.

70. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 134.

71. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 146-147.

72. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 135.

73. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 150.

74. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 354.

75. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 132.

76. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pgs 359-360.

David on the Run

77. Twelve Unlikely Heroes, by John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2012, pages 103-104.

78. 1st sam21.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum

79. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 214.

80. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 155.

81. First and Second Samuel, by J. Carl Laney, Everyman’s Bible Commentary, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1982, page 66.

82. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 135.

83. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page 414.

84. Grace for the Moment, Volume Two, by Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2006, page 70.

85. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, pages 457-461.

86. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page 418.

87. Psalms 1-72, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1973, pages 157-158.

88. Ibid page 158.

89. Our Daily Bread, by Tim Gustafson, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI, N-O-D, 2010.

90. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 328.

91. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1962, page 94.

92. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 136.

93. Psalms 73-150, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1975, p 509.

94. Ibid, page 511.

95. 1st sam22.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

96. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P & R Pub, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2012, page 377.

97. 1st Sam22.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

98. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 158.

99. 1st sam22.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

100. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, pages 137-138.

101. Ibid, page 140.

102. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 160-162.

103. Psalms 1-72, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1973, page 212.

104. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 440.

105. Ibid, page 443.

106. 1st Sam23.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

107. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, pages 145-146.

108. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 225.

109. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P & R Pub, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2012, page 388.

110. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 162.

111. 1st Sam23.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

112. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P & R Pub, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2012, page 391.

113. Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 1990, p 163.

114. Ibid, page 164.

115. 1st Sam23.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

116. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 144.

117. Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 1990, pg 165.

118. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 149.

119. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P & R Pub, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pages 407-408.

120. Psalms 1-72, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1973, pg 242.

121. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 489.

122. Psalms 1-72, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1973, pg 242.

123. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 489.

124. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 459-460.

125. Ibid, pages 461-462.

126. Ibid, page 402.

127. Ibid, page 403.

128. Psalms, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem VanGemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 449.

129. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 834.

130. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page 404.

131. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 231.

132. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2001, page 150.

133. Ibid, page 150.

134. 1st sam24.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

135. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 171-173.

136. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1962, page 117.

137. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page pages 419-420.

138. Psalms 1-72, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1973, pg 224.

139. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 464.

140. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 423-424.

141. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 237.

142. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 147.

143. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P & R Pub, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pages 424-425.

144. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 148-149.

145. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1962, pages 127-129.

146. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 149.

147. 1st sam25.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

148. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pgs 430-432.

149. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 249.

150. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 151.

151. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 433.

152. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 252.

153. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 153.

154. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pgs 444-445.

155. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 253.

156. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2001, page 165.

157. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 183.

158. 1st sam26.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

159. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 184.

160. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 453.

161. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 186-187.

162. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 167.

163. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 259.

164. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 187.

165. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, pgs 260-261.

166. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 156.

167. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 261.

168. 1st sam27.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

169. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 276.

170. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 165.

171. 1st sam29.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum

172. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 276.

173. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 183.

174. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 159.

175. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 194-195.

176. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pgs 479-480.

177. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 160-161.

178. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, pgs 482-483.

179. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, pages 187-188.

180. First and Second Chronicles, by J. G. McConville, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1984, page 17.

181. 1st sam31.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

182. Twelve Unlikely Heroes, by John MacArthur, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2012, pages 107-108.

183. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 293.

184. Ibid, page 293.

185. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 14-15.

186. 2nd sam1.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

187. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 298.

188. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, pages 19-20.

189. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 15-16.

190. The NIV Application Commentary: 1 & 2 Samuel, by Bill Arnold, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2003, page 414.

191. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 24.

192. Ibid, pages 25-26.

193. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 214-215.

194. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 21.

195. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 179.

196. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 22.

197. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 215-216.

198. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 181.

199. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 307.

200. Ibid, page 279.

201. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2012, pages 497-498.

202. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 166.

203. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 498.

204. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 282.

205. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 501.

206. Ibid, page 501.

207. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 202.

208. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 168-169.

209. Ibid, page 170.

210. First Samuel, by Richard Phillips, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2012, page 508.

King David

211. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 183.

212. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 32-33.

213. 2ndsam2.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

214. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 220.

215. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 35-36.

216. First and Second Chronicles, by J. G. McConville, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1984, page 32.

217. Japhet, Sara. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, pages 269-270.

218. First and Second Chronicles, by J. G. McConville, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1984, pages 34-35.

219. 2ndsam3.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

220. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2002, page 30-31.

221. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 185.

222. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 222-223.

223. Ibid, page 224.

224. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 187.

225. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 225.

226. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 324.

227. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 225.

228. Ibid, page 226.

229. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 188.

230. 2ndsam3.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

231. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 288.

232. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2002, page 37.

233. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 45.

234. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2002, pages 37-38.

235. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 331.

236. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 229.

237. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 333.

238. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 190-191.

239. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2002, page 38.

240. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 191.

241. Ibid, page 192.

242. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, CO, 2002, page 39.

243. 2nd Sam3.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

244. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 193-194.

245. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 194.

246. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 343.

247. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 65.

248. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 344.

249. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 195.

250. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 239.

251. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 202-203.

252. Ibid, pages 204-205.

253. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 347.

254. Subterranean Waterworks of Biblical Jerusalem: Adaptation of a Karst System, by Dan Gill, Science 254 [December 1991], pages 1467-1470.

255. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 349.

256. Ibid, page 352.

257. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 241.

258. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 52.

259. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 205-206.

260. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 53.

261. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, page 277.

262. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 206.

263. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, pages 54-55.

264. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 387).

265. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1988, pages 209-210.

266. Ibid, page 211.

267. 2ndsam6.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

268. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1962, page 191.

269. The Message of Chronicles, Alec Motyer Series Editor, Intervarsity Press, Nottingham, England, 1987, page 71.

270. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 388.

271. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 391.

272. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, page 318.

273. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 723.

274. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 723.

275. The Message of Chronicles, Alec Motyer Series Editor, Intervarsity Press, Nottingham, England, 1987, page 72.

276. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 393.

277. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 607.

278. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, page 324.

279. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 213.

280. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 85.

281. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, page 202.

282. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 214.

283. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 65.

284. 2ndsam7.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

285. 2ndsam7.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

286. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990, page 204.

287. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, page 205.

288. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 73-150, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1989, page 433.

289. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 926.

290. Ibid, page 927.

291. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 73-150, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1989, page 435.

292. Ibid, pages 436-437.

293. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, pages 66-67.

294. Ibid, page 67.

295. Ibid, page 67.

296. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 218.

297. Ibid, page 219.

298. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 260-261.

299. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 440-441.

300. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 477.

301. Psalms 1-72, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1973, pg 234.

302. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 478.

303. Ibid, page 479.

304. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 444-445.

305. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 399.

306. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, page 213.

307. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 220-221.

308. 2nd sam8.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

309. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, pages 216-217.

310. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 114-115.

311. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 224.

312. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 411.

313. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 225-226.

314. First and Second Samuel, by J. Carl Laney, Everyman’s Bible Commentary, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1982, page, 106.

315. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 226.

316. 2ndsam3.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

317. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 227.

318. Twelve Unlikely Heroes, by John MacArthur, Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2012, page 234.

319. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 229.

320. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 426.

321. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 271.

322. Ibid, pages 271-272.

323. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 428.

324. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, page 235.

325. Answers to Tough Questions From Every Book in the Bible, by J. Carl Laney, Wipf & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 1997, page 76.

326. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, pages 237-238.

327. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 273-274.

328. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, pages 238-240.

329. 2ndsam11.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

330. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 233.

331. 2ndsam11.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

332. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 277.

333. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 234-235.

334. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, pages 85-86.

335. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 235.

336. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, page 241.

337. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, pages 89-90.

338. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 155.

339. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1962, page 242-243.

340. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 93.

341. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 449.

342. Answers to Tough Questions From Every Book in the Bible, by J. Carl Laney, Wipf & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 1997, page 77.

343. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 93.

344. Ibid, page 94.

345. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 95.

346. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 385-386.

347. gotQuestions?org

348. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 832.

349. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page 388.

350. Ibid, pages 389-390.

351. Ibid, page 391.

352. Ibid, page 392.

353. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 833.

354. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 394.

355. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 95.

356. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 245-246.

357. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 160.

358. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 469.

359. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, page 100.

360. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 168-169.

361. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 168.

362. OT Commentary on First Samuel: Be Successful, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, pages 99-100.

363. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 289.

364. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 106.

365. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1988, page 252.

366. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 173-174.

367. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 291.

368. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 476.

369. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 253.

370. 2ndsam14.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

371. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 178.

372. Ibid, page 175.

373. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, pages 295-296.

374. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 255.

375. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 297.

376. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 256.

377. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 110.

378. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, pages 488-489.

379. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 111.

David the Ousted King

380. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 1990, page 300.

381. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990, page 256.

382. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 301.

383. 2ndsam15.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

384. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 302.

385. 2nd sam15.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

386. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 261.

387. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 122.

388. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 500.

389. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Fleming H. Revell, A Division of Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, page 258-260.

390. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 101.

391. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page 42.

392. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 103.

393. Ibid, pages 104-105.

394. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 105.

395. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 305.

396. Ibid, pages 306-307.

397. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 201.

398. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 471.

399. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 125.

400. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 505.

401. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, pages 126-127.

402. Ibid, page 127.

403. Ibid, page 127.

404. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 68-69.

405. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 129.

406. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 70-71.

407. Ibid, page 72.

408. Ibid, page 74.

409. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 132.

410. Ibid, page 134.

411. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page 75.

412. Ibid, pages 75-76.

413. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 508.

414. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 132.

415. Ibid, page 133.

416. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 511.

417. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 206.

418. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 134.

419. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, pages 512-513.

420. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 134.

421. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 212.

422. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 134.

423. Ibid, pages 134-135.

424. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 312.

425. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 267.

426. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 313.

427. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 216.

428. Ibid, page 216.

429. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 517.

430. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 136.

431. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 314.

432. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 219.

433. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 518.

434. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 219.

435. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 131.

436. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 315.

437. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1988, page 268.

438. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 221.

439. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 223.

440. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 227.

441. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 523.

442. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 318.

443. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 320.

444. 1 and 2 Samuel, Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009, page 526.

445. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 228.

446. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 321.

447. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 235.

448. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 273.

449. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 534.

David the Comeback King

450. First and Second Samuel, by J. Carl Laney, Everyman’s Bible Commentary, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1982, page 123.

451. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 536.

452. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 325.

453. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 241.

454. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 338.

455. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 543.

456. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 245.

457. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 277.

458. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 543.

459. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 329.

460. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 158.

461. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 250-251.

462. 2ndsam20.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

463. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 255-256.

464. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 283.

465. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 162.

466. 2ndsam21.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum

467. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 269.

468. 2ndsam21.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum

469. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 273-274.

470. 2nd sam 22.mp3, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

471. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 201.

472. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 805.

473. Psalms 1-72, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1973, page 108.

474. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 144-14

475. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, pages 145-146.

476. Ibid, pages 149-150.

477. Ibid, pages 151-152.

478. Ibid, pages 151-152.

479. Ibid, pages 151-154.

480. Ibid, page 155.

481. Ibid, page 183.

482. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Willem Vangemeren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008, page 239.

483. Ibid, page 240.

484. The Preacher’s Commentary Psalms 1-72, by Donald Williams, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1986, page 189.

485. Ibid, pages 189-190.

486. The Making of a Man of God, by Alan Redpath, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1962, page 275.

487. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 594.

488. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 304-305.

489. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 185.

490. First and Second Samuel, by Walter Brueggemann, John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky, 1990, page 350.

491. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 193.

492. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Coronado, 2002, page 193.

493. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, page 318.

494. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 194.

495. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 612.

496. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 296-297.

497. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 613.

498. 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Richard Patterson and Hermann Austel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 297.

499. Ibid, page 299.

500. Ibid, pages 300-301.

501. Psalms 1-72, by Derek Kidner, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1973, page 147.

502. OT Commentary on First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 16.

503. 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Richard Patterson and Hermann Austel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 643.

504. First Kings, by Philip Ryken, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2011, page 21.

505. 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Richard Patterson and Hermann Austel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 645-646.

506. OT Commentary on First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 19.

507. First Kings, by Philip Ryken, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2011, page 21.

508. OT Commentary on First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 20.

509. 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Richard Patterson and Hermann Austel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 646-647.

510. Ibid, page 645.

511. Ibid, page 649.

512. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 490.

513. 1 and 2 Kings, by Walter Brueggemann, Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary, Macon, Georgia, 2000, pages 31-32.

514. First Kings, by Philip Ryken, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2011, page 39.

515. OT Commentary on First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 202.

516. First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 203.

517. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 196.

518. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 418.

519. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, page 415.

520. Ibid, page 417.

521. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 612.

522. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 420.

523. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, page 430.

524. Ibid, page 431.

525. Ibid, page 431.

526. Ibid, page 430.

527. Ibid, page 431.

528. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, pages 421-422.

529. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, page 433-434.

530. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, pages 206-207.

531. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 387.

532. First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 208.

533. 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Richard Patterson and Hermann Austel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 430.

534. First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 208.

535. First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 209.

536. Ibid, page 209.

537. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, page 479.

538. First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 210.

539. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 436.

540. Ibid, page 435.

541. Ibid, page 436.

542. Ibid, page 437.

543. First and Second Chronicles, by Sara Japhet, Westminster John Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, 1993, page 510.

544. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4, Frank Gaebelein General Editor, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1988, page 438.

545. First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 213.

546. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 213.

547. OT Commentary on First Kings: Be Responsible, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, page 22.

548. 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Richard Patterson and Hermann Austel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 649.

549. First Kings, by Philip Ryken, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 2011, pages 51-52.

550. 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Richard Patterson and Hermann Austel, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 650.

551. First Kings, by Philip Ryken, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 2011, page 54.

552. 1 and 2 Kings, by Walter Brueggemann, Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary, Macon, Georgia, 2000, page 29.

553. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1988, pages 290-291.

554. OT Commentary on Second Samuel and First Chronicles: Be Restored, by Warren Wiersbe, David Cook Publisher, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002, pages 182-183.

555. Second Samuel by Dale Ralph Davis, Christian Focus Publications, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2002, pages 297-298.

556. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, page 291.

557. 1 and 2 Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, by Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009, page 589.

558. 1 and 2 Samuel, by Joyce Baldwin, TOTC, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1988, pages 298-299.

 

Bibliography

Arnold, Bill T. First and Second Samuel NIVAV, Zondervan, 2003.

Baldwin, Joyce. First and Second Samuel, TOTC Inter-Varsity, Downers Grove, IL, 1988

Barker, Kenneth. NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985.

Brueggemann, Walter, First and Second Samuel, Westminster John Knox, 1990.

Brueggemann, Walter, First and Second Kings, SHBC, Smyth and Helwys, 2000.

von Clausewitz, Carl. On War. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1968.

Coleman, Lyle. The Serendipity Bible. Littleton, Serendipity House, 1988.

Craigie, Peter. The Problem of War in the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978.

Davis, Dale Ralph. Second Samuel. Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2002.

Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1985.

Fee, Gordon and Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982.

Flanigan, J. M. What the Bible Teaches: Psalms. Avon, England: The Bath Press, 2001.

Freedman, Rabbi H. First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, First and Second Chronicles. London: The Soncino Press, 1949.

Fruchtenbaum, Arnold. MP3bbs – First and Second Samuel. San Antonio: Ariel Ministries, 2017.

Gaebelein, Frank, General Editor. First and Second Chronicles. Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1988.

Gill, Dan. Subterranean Waterworks of Biblical Jerusalem: Adaptation of a Karst System, Science 254, December 1991.

Gladwell, Malcolm. David and Goliath. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 2013.

Gustafson, Tim. Our Daily Bread. Grand Rapids: RBC Ministries, different years.

Gunn, David. The Fate of King Saul: An Interpretation of a Biblical Story. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series 14, Sheffield: JSOT, 1980.

Japhet, Sara. First and Second Chronicles. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1993.

JewishEncylopedia.com

Keil, C. F. The Books of Chronicles, Volume 3. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.

Kidner, D. Psalms 1-72 TOTC. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1973.

Kidner, D. Psalms 73-150 TOTC. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1975.

Laney, J. Carl. Answers to Tough Questions. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 1997.

Laney, J. Carl. Everyman’s Bible Commentary: First and Second Samuel. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute, 1982.

Lucado, Max. Grace for the Moment, Volume One. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000.

Mabie, Frederick. Chronicles – Job, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 4. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.

MacArthur, John. Twelve Unlikely Heroes, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 2012.

McConville, J. G. First and Second Chronicles. DSB. Westminster John Knox, 1984

Morris, Henry. The Bible Has the Answer. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1991.

Motyer, Alec, The Message of Chronicles. Nottingham, Inter-Varsity, 1987.

Patterson, Richard and Austel, Herman, 1 and 2 Kings, Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009.

Pink, Arthur, W. The Life of David, Volume 1. Memphis: Bottom of the Hill Publishing, 2011.

Pink, Arthur, W. The Life of David, Volume 2. Memphis: Bottom of the Hill Publishing, 2011.

Phillips, Richard. First Samuel, Reformed Expository Commentary, Westminster, 2012

Provan, I. W. First and Second Kings, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1995.

Redpath, Alan. The Making of a Man of God: Lessons from the Life of David. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990.

Ryken, Philip, First Kings, Reformed Expository Commentary, Westminster, 2011.

Stern, David. The Complete Jewish Bible. Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Pub, 1998.

Stern, David. The Jewish New Testament Commentary. Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications, 1998.

VanGemeren, William. Psalms, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 5. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.

Walvoord, John and Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1986.

Welsh, John. Chiasmus in Antiquity. Provo: Research Press, 1981.

Wiersbe, Warren. First Samuel. Colorado Springs: Published by David Cook, 2001.

Wiersbe, Warren. Second Samuel and First Chronicles. Colorado Springs: Published by David Cook, 2002.

Wiersbe, Warren. First Kings. Colorado Springs: Published by David Cook, 2002.

Wilcock, M. The Message of Chronicles: One Church, One Faith, One Lord. BST Inter-Varsity, Downers Grove, IL, 1987.

Williams, Donald. Psalms 1-72, The Preacher’s Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1986.

Williams, Donald. Psalms 73-150, The Preacher’s Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1989.

worldchristianfoundations.blogspot.com

Youngblood, Ronald. First and Second Samuel, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 3. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.

Glossary

Abba: an affectionate way to say Father, hence dear Father, or even Daddy, Papa.

Adar: the twelfth month of the Jewish biblical calendar.

Adonai: literally, my Lord, a word the TaNaKh uses to refer to God.

ADONAI: the Tetragrammaton, meaning the four-letter name of YHVH. Both ADONAI and Ha’Shem are substitute names for YHVH. ADONAI, however, is more of an affectionate name like daddy.

ADONAI Elohei-Tzva’ot: the LORD God of heaven’s angelic armies.

ADONAI Eloheinu: LORD our God.

ADONAI Nissi: the LORD my Banner.

ADONAI Shalom: the LORD of Peace.

ADONAI Tzidkenu: the LORD our Righteousness.

ADONAI-Tzva’ot: The LORD of heaven’s angelic armies.

Adversary, the: Satan, the devil, and the old dragon.

Amen: “It is true,” or “So be it,” or “May it become true.”

Ariel: lion of God, fireplace on God’s altar.

Aviv: the first month of the biblical year, corresponding to the modern Jewish month of Nisan.

Avraham: Abraham.

Azazel: a scapegoat or goat demon.

Ba’al: the chief male god of the Phoenicians and Canaanites. The word means lord or master.

Beit-Lechem: Bethlehem, birthplace of David and Yeshua, meaning house of bread.

B’rit Chadashah: The New Covenant, New Testament.

Diaspora, the Dispersion: the scattering of the Jewish people in exile. Today over 6 million Jews live in Isra’el, and over 8 million Jews live in the Diaspora.

El ‘Elyon: God Most High.

El Gibbor: Mighty God.

El Shaddai: God Almighty.

Goyim: the Nations, non-Jews, Gentiles.

Ha’Shem: the Tetragrammaton, meaning the four-letter name of YHVH. Both ADONAI and Ha’Shem are substitute names for YHVH. While ADONAI is more of an affectionate name like daddy, while Ha’Shem is a more formal name like sir.

Kefa: Peter, Cephas.

LORD: the Tetragrammaton, meaning the four-letter name of YHVH. ADONAI, Ha’Shem and the LORD are substitute names for YHVH.

Messiah: Christ, the Anointed One.

Midrash: allegorical interpretation or application of a text. The hearer is expected to understand that the maker of the midrash is not expounding the plain meaning of the text, but introducing his own ideas.

Mikveh: a bath o pool with a flow of fresh water; used in Orthodox Judaism to this day for ritual purification.

Mitzvah: literally command or commandment; more broadly, a general principle for living.

Moshe: Moses.

Negev: the south, the southern desert of Israel.

Nisan: the first month of the biblical year, the seventh month of the modern Jewish year in March-April.

Pesach: Passover. It is one of the three “pilgrim festivals” that all able bodied Jews were expected to celebrate before YHVH in Yerushalayim.

Righteous of the TaNaKh, the: Old Testament believers.

Ruach: Holy Spirit, or spirit

Ruach ha-Kodesh: The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

Sukkot: the festival of Booths or Tabernacles, celebrating the forty years when the people of Isra’el lived in booths, tens, shacks, in the desert between Egypt and the land of Isra’el. It is one of the three “pilgrim festivals” that all able bodied Jews were expected to celebrate before YHVH in Yerushalayim.

Shavu’ot: the festival of Weeks, since it comes seven weeks after Pesach; also called Pentecost, from the Greek word for fifty because one counts fifty days after Passover. It is one of the three “pilgrim festivals” that all able bodied Jews were expected to celebrate before YHVH in Yerushalayim.

Sinai: the mountain in the desert between Egypt and the land of Isra’el.

Shuwb: turn, turning. The big idea of Jeremiah.

TaNaKh: The Hebrew word TaNaKh is an acronym, based on the letters T (for “Torah”), N (for “Nevi’im,” or the Prophets), and K (for “Ketuv’im,” or the Sacred Writings). It is the collection of the teachings of God to human beings in document form. This term is used instead of the phrase, “the Old Testament.”

Torah: literally, means teaching. It can be used for the five books of Moshe, or the whole TaNaKh (John 10:34). Uncapitalized, torah can be understood generally as a law or principle (Romans 7:21-8:2).

Tziyon: Zion, Mount Zion, was originally the City of David, south of the modern Old City of Yerushalayim. Later the name Tziyon came to refer metaphorically to the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, or the people of Isra’el. The hill now called Mount Tziyon was given its name in the fourth century AD.

Yeshua: Jesus, and is a masculine form, and a word play on yeshu’ah (salvation).

Yerushalayim: Jerusalem.

Y’hudah: Judah.

YHVH: the Tetragrammaton, meaning the Name, the four-letter name of God. Therefore, God does not have many names, He has only one name – YHVH (Yud Hay Vav Hay). All the other names in the Bible describe His characteristics and His attributes.

Yirmeyahu: Jeremiah

Yisra’el: Isra’el.

Yochanan: John.

Y’honatan: Jonathan

Yom Kippur: the Day of Atonement.

David’s Death
First Kings 2:10-11
and First Chronicles 29:26-30

David’s death DIG: How many years did David rule in Hebron over Judah? How many years did he rule all together? Who succeeded him? Was there an official ceremony? Why not? In what sense was David a man after God’s own heart?

REFLECT: If you’ve lived long enough, there are important people in your life that have passed away: father’s, mother’s, sisters, brothers, children, friends. I am sure David was looking forward to see his God, the son that he lost after his sin with Bathsheba, and his friend Y’honatan. Who do you look forward to seeing, and why? What are the most important things you have learned from your study of the Life of David? What will you do in response to what you’ve learned?

970 BC David 70

Then David, son of Jesse was king over all Isra’el, rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. He had made extensive preparations for a successful reign for his son, particularly with regard to the plans and materials for the Temple. Now, having reigned forty years over Isra’el – seven years in Hebron over Judah alone – and thirty-three in Jerusalem, David died at a good old age, knowing that the kingdom was in good hands, having enjoyed a long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. Solomon was already king and his throne was secure, so there was no need for any official decisions or ceremonies. Shavu’ot is the traditional date on which King David died, a point to be remembered when reading Acts 2:25-32 (see the commentary on Acts, to see link click An – Peter Speaks to the Shavu’ot Crowd).

As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, there are written in the records of Samuel the seer, the records of Nathan the prophet and the records of Gad the seer, together with the details of his reign and power, and the circumstances that surrounded him and Isra’el and the kingdoms of all the other lands (First Chronicles 29:26-30).

The Bible paints a grand picture of David. He was an outstanding person, courageous, generous, warm-hearted, outgoing and appreciative of others. He was a warrior, poet, musician, military genius, and administrator. He was, moreover, a man who inspired loyalty, and with the help of his supporters, accomplished much: the establishment of Jerusalem as Isra’el’s capital, and the uniting of the twelve tribes into a nation that could hold its own in the international scene. Isra’el’s cities had their defenses strengthened, and by the end of David’s reign preparations were in hand for the building of the Temple in Tziyon. All this accounts, in part, for David’s greatness.

In what sense, however, was he a man after God’s own heart (First Samuel 13:14)? He is depicted in the Bible as entirely human, hampered by weaknesses that were the counterpart of his strengths. He had a problem with lust and he was indulgent towards his sons, both of those issues caused him enormous problems. But unlike Sha’ul, when David received a rebuke he humbly admitted his faults; when Nathan or Gad delivered a message of judgment, the prophet’s condemnation was accepted as the word of God. In other words, ADONAI was King; David was merely His proxy, exercising delegated power.

David’s successors, who for the most part failed to conform to this role, were pointed back to him, for whose sake the dynasty was permitted to continue until the kingdom was swept away by the Babylonians (see the commentary on Jeremiah, to see link click Gu – Seventy Years of Imperial Babylonian Rule). Even then, hopes were kept alive by the promise of Nathan to David, “Your house (dynasty) and your Kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever” (First Samuel 7:16). The B’rit Chadashah takes up the theme when Yeshua is introduced as a descendant of David; indeed the very first verse of Mattityahu’s Gospel makes the point: This is the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, son of David, son of Abraham (Mattityahu 1:1 CJB).⁵⁵⁸

David’s Last Words
Second Samuel 23: 1-7

David’s last words DIG: Which of his idealized terms in verses 1-4 apply to David? Which of these images are more fully realized in David’s greater descendant Jesus, the ideal theocratic Ruler to come? In these last words, how does David underscore the divine inspiration of all his recorded words? How does David know all is firm, or right, within his house? How do the ungodly compare with him? How would you summarize David’s legacy?

REFLECT: What qualities do you look for in a leader? What happens if a leader lacks integrity and a true fear of YHVH? The fact of divine inspiration begs the question – how? How does God’s Word translate into human words? Who inspires you? Can ADONAI speak to you this week? How is that like or unlike divine inspiration to people in the Bible or to the human authors of Scripture?

970 BC

These are the last words of David, summarizing his final literary legacy to Isra’el (Second Samuel 23:1a). This oracle of David indicates that he was speaking as a prophet, and uttering a Divine word. This is expressly stated in verses 2-3ab. The theme is the rule of the righteous king, and the LORD’s covenant with David.⁵⁵³

A David speaks in the third person about himself: David describes himself not in terms of human achievement, but in relation to his God, who caused him to become king. The oracle of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob to be king over all Isra’el. ADONAI spent thirty years training David, first with the sheep in the fields, then with Sha’ul in the Israelite army, and finally with his own fighting men in the Judean wilderness. Great leaders are trained in private before they go to work in public. But the Ruach not only empowered David for battle, He also inspired him to write beautiful psalms that still minister to our hearts. When you think of all the trials David had to endure in order to give us these psalms, it makes you appreciate them even more. He was Isra’el’s singer of songs (Second Samuel 23:1b-e). Of the 150 Psalms in the scroll of Psalms, 73 were said to be written by David. However, David made it clear that he was writing the Word of God, not just religious poetry.⁵⁵⁴

B David speaks in the first person: As the Spirit of God came upon Balaam and enabled him to utter the words of God (Numbers 24:2), so also the Spirit of ADONAI spoke through me (First Samuel 16:12-13), His word was on my tongue, meaning verbal inspiration. That David spoke by the Ruach on another occasion is affirmed by Jesus Himself (Matthew 22:43). The God of Isra’el spoke to him, and David would repeat nothing but what the Rock of Isra’el’s people had declared (Second Samuel 23:2-3ab). David wants us to understand unmistakably that what he announces is not his guess but God’s actual words, not a piece of human insight, but a morsel of Divine decree. And if it’s YHVH’s word, then it is a sure word and can be depended upon.

How welcome this note of certainty should be for God’s people. One could not look at the highs and lows of history and come to the conclusion that a righteous Ruler over mankind is coming to reign. Our world seems to be plunging to chaos rather than rising to civilization, wallowing in oppression rather than finding justice. And many of ADONAI’s own people walk through their personal lives riddled with uncertainties, wondering how their apparently senseless circumstances can find a slice of Divine wisdom. We could never infer Kingdom hope from personal experience. David, however, tells us it is a matter of Divine revelation. Therefore, in one sense, the kingdom of God is here now. Yeshua said: The kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21). But in another sense, the messianic Kingdom has not come yet. In other words, the Kingdom is now, but not yet. It is not a political proposal but a Divine certainty. God’s people in this world seldom have certainty in their circumstances, but we do have certainty in God’s Kingdom.⁵⁵⁵

C ADONAI speaks: A ruler over people must be righteous (Hebrew: tzaddik), ruling in the fear of God and under Divine authority. Such a ruler is to be compared with three wonderful experiences common to everyone everywhere. A good ruler must be like the morning light at sunrise on a cloudless day that makes the grass on the earth sparkle after a rain (Second Samuel 23:3cd-4 CJB). All three elements are necessary for healthy growth of plants, without which all would die. And for society the righteous ruler has an equally vital part to play: May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth, says the psalmist, and may he live forever (Psalm 72:8 and 15). Lasting peace and security, as well as conservation of natural resources, depend on long-term justice and mercy exercised by godly leaders. They find their resources in God and in His Son, who indeed reign forever (Revelation 11:15).⁵⁵⁶ By placing the Divine description of the righteous king in the middle of the poem, David’s last words give ADONAI the central – and therefore final – word.⁵⁵⁷

B David speaks in the first person: David, meditating on the Divine word, see it in the light of Nathan’s prophecy. For my house (family, throne and dynasty) stands firm with God. This house had been made secure because of an everlasting, unconditional covenant with me (to see link click Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David). Because this unconditional covenant depends on the Word of God, it cannot fail. The LORD had made similar unconditional covenants with Noah (Genesis 9:16); Abraham (Genesis 15:9-21); Phinehas (Numbers 25:13), and would make a new unconditional Covenant with Isra’el (Jeremiah 31:31-34). It follows that, since David sought to align his will with God’s will, all his desires would bear good spiritual fruit (Second Samuel 23:5). After rejoicing in the fact that every detail of the LORD’s covenant with him was secure, David expressed his belief that his salvation was also secure (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Ms – The Eternal Security of the Believer).

A David speaks in the third person about the ungodly: Not everyone, however, wants the Kingdom to come. Some want no part of a righteous Ruler’s reign. These are the ungodly of every age. If the messianic King is light, they are like thorn bushes to be pushed aside, every one of them. He brings life, they bring death. They cannot be taken in one’s hand – they are untouchable; to touch them one needs to use a pitchfork or the shaft of a spear, and then only to burn them where they lie (Second Samuel 23:6-7). The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of this Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:41-42). This teaching is not very popular today. Universalism is not true; everyone isn’t going to heaven. There are only two families on this earth, the family of God and the family of Satan. The Bible is not ambiguous about this. Listen to David. Listen to Jesus. They convey the same message; the godless will stand condemned. Even at the end of the B’rit Chadashah, Yochanan refuses to budge on this point. The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 21:8). This is the second death (see the commentary on Revelation Fp – The Lake of Fire is the Second Death).

Thus David’s last words come to an end.

David’s Last Charge to Solomon
First Kings 2:1-9

David’s last charge to Solomon DIG: What kind of king does David want Solomon to be? What does this say about David? When was David given the promise referred to in verse 4 (Second Samuel 7:12-13 and 16)? Why does he want it fulfilled? What kind of advice does David give in verses 5-9? What divisions always plagued him (see Second Samuel 2:4, 10-17, 5:3-5, 15:13-14)? Why did Joab kill Abner (see Second Samuel 17:24-26, 19:10-13)? Is David really against vengeance? Why did Shim’i curse David (Second Samuel 16:5-8)? How will David set aside Shim’i’s curse?

REFLECT: When you face tough situations in your life, where do you turn? Only one person at a time can sit on the throne of your heart? Who’s on your throne? You? Or Jesus? Do you find it hard to “forgive and forget?” Do you hold grudges? How does the desire for vengeance, even if justified, affect your life? What factions do you find at your place of worship? Are political games played? Does unity mean conformity?

970 BC

David served God’s purpose in his own generation (Acts 13:36), but he was also concerned about Solomon and the next generation. David had his enemies, some of whom were in his own household and inner circle, and he wanted to be certain that the new king didn’t inherit old problems. During his long reign of forty years, David had unified the nation, defeated their enemies, successfully organized kingdom affairs, and made more than adequate preparation for the building of the Temple.⁵⁴⁷

There can be no doubt that much of Solomon’s early spiritual vitality and dedication to YHVH may be attributed to David’s deep personal relationship with ADONAI and a desire to honor Him. So David’s legacy to Solomon was therefore much more than a great kingdom with secure borders, tributary nations, and considerable wealth and prestige. Far more importantly, he installed in Solomon a love for God and His Word.

David’s last, private, instructions to Solomon came in two parts. The first had to do with Solomon’s spiritual life in verses 2-4, where the king summarized the message of Deuteronomy and reminded his son of God’s promise and exhortation: When your days come to an end and you sleep with your ancestors, I will establish one of your descendants to succeed you, one of your own flesh and blood; and I will set up his rulership. He will build a house for My name, and I will establish his royal throne forever. I will be a father for him, and he will be a son for Me. If he gets punished: nevertheless, my grace will not leave him, as I took it away from Sha’ul, whom I removed before you. (2 Sam 7:12-16 CJB). The second gives instruction concerning the nature of unfinished business pertaining to Joab, to Shim’i, and to the sons of Barzillai in verses 5-9.⁵⁴⁸

When the time drew near for David to die, he gave his last charge to Solomon his son (First Kings 2:1). The TaNaKh records the last words of Jacob (Genesis 49); Moses (Deuteronomy 33); Joshua (Joshua 23:1-24:27) and David.

Solomon’s spiritual life: The old king was on his deathbed, and he knew it, saying: I am about to go the way of all the earth. Then he proceeds to give his last will and testament. Solomon was a young man who had lived a sheltered life, so David knew he needed this instruction, “Be strong, and act like a godly man. Observe the charge of ADONAI your God to go in His ways and keep His regulations, mitzvot, rulings and instructions in accordance with what is written in the Torah of Moshe” (First Kings 2:2-3a CJB). In his famous last words, David used seven different terms to describe the Word of God (charge, ways, regulations, mitzvot, rulings, instructions, and the Torah). Each of these terms comes from the Word of God itself (Deut. 4:29, 6:1-2, 8:6, 11:1 and 29:9). Each term has a slightly different emphasis. But David’s main point in using all these different words is that his son should live by every word that comes from the mouth of ADONAI.

There was not one situation Solomon would face in his life as a man or the ruler of his kingdom that the Bible would not address in some practical way. The same is true for us. God’s Word teaches us how to think, how to speak, and how to live. It tells us what to love and what to hate. It shows us how to glorify God forever. When we use the Bible as our “owner’s manual,” it will help make us the godly men and godly women were created to be.

If Solomon kept God’s charge, ways, regulations, mitzvot, rulings, instructions and Torah, God promised that he would succeed spiritually in all he did, wherever he went. David knew what he was talking about. If we want to have God’s blessing, we must walk in God’s ways. The same principle holds true for us, especially if we define success in biblical terms. This doesn’t mean then we won’t ever suffer, or that every difficulty we face in life is the direct result of our own personal sin. But it does mean that obedience has God’s blessing. We may experience this blessing in our relationships, as the Word of God teaches us how to love. We may experience this blessing in our homes as the Word of God teaches us how to take care of our family. We may experience His blessing in our daily lives, as the Word of God teaches us how to work hard and pursue excellence. But whether we have success in the workplace or not, we will certainly be successful spiritually. Obeying the Word of God will keep us close to the Holy Spirit; it will help us bring more people to Messiah, and it will show us more of the glory of God.⁵⁴⁹

David also reminded his son of the special covenant Ha’Shem had made with his family (to see link click Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David). ADONAI would fulfill what He promised to David when He said: If your children pay attention to how they live (Wow, did David ever learn that lesson the hard way.), conducting themselves before me honestly with all their heart and being, you will never lack a man on the throne of Isra’el (First Kings 2:3b-4 CJB). The covenant was unconditional with respect to its ultimate goal of bringing the Messiah from the line of David, but each individual king needed to live in obedience to God’s Word in order to experience the blessing of ADONAI.⁵⁵⁰ In other words, the king would be disciplined if he lived in disobedience to the Torah, but would always be loved. The subsequent history of the nation then seems to confirm the promise. By the end of Kings the monarchy is no more, and both the northern kingdom of Isra’el and the southern kingdom of Judah were in exile (as Deuteronomy 4:25-28 had foretold).

So what kind of promise did Ha’Shem really give to David? Was it conditional or unconditional? Did the establishment of David’s throne depend on Solomon keeping the covenant or not? These questions are answered for us in the gospel of Yeshua Messiah, who is the final Son (descendant) of David. The sad truth about Solomon is that, like his father David, he did not fully obey God’s Word. Solomon started well, but he declined into idolatry, greed and immorality. And to one degree or another, the same was true of every last king in Isra’el. They all failed to walk in God’s ways and to keep God’s Torah.

All except Jesus, that is. Jesus of Nazareth was the only Son (descendant) of David who was faithful to God’s covenant, keeping all 613 of His charges, ways, regulations, mitzvot, rulings, instructions and Torah (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Dg – The Completion of the Torah). This is why God’s promises to David were both conditional and unconditional. They were conditional because the king was required to be obedient to God’s Word; but they were unconditional because YHVH knew that one day a King would come and fulfill His rulings perfectly. The dynasty would be established on the basis of the full and perfect obedience of Yeshua, and thus God’s absolute promise would not fail.

At the end of His perfect, promise-fulfilling life, Jesus had some famous last words of His own – words that offered forgiveness to His enemies and promised paradise to anyone who trusted in Him. Then Messiah finished his saving work by dying on the cross, suffering the violence and death that we deserve for our sins. This was not the end, however, because Yeshua rose from the dead to take His eternal throne.⁵⁵¹

Unfinished Business: David knew that there was danger lurking in the shadows of the kingdom, and he warned Solomon to act immediately and deal with two dangerous men. Men like Joab and Shim’i would continue to be a menace to the young king and to the peace of the country. Joab, the commander of David’s army was the first to be named. Now you yourself know what Joab did to me (see Dz – Joab Kills Absalom), and what he did to the two commanders of Isra’el’s armies, Abner (see Ck – Joab Murders Abner) and Amasa (see Ee – Sheba Rebels Against David: The Murder of Amasa). He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. The murders were committed when peace reigned in the Land; or by treachery under the mask of friendship. And all that might have been forgiven, but when Joab supported Adonijah in his quest for the throne (see En – Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King), that could not be forgiven. David knew that Joab would be a threat to Solomon. So he advised: Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his grey head go down to Sh’ol or die a natural death (First Kings 2:5-6).

The second dangerous man was Shim’i. He was a Benjamite, a relative of Sha’ul who wanted Sha’ul’s line restored to the throne. And remember Shim’i who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim (see Ds – Shim’i Curses David). Later, when David returned to power, Shim’i humbled himself before the king and David forgave him. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD, “I will not put you to death by the sword.” The threat of Shim’i to Solomon was twofold. First, David doubtless made this promise in a moment of profound relief that the kingdom had been restored to him. But must have later realized that Shim’i’s “repentance” was not sincere and that he could a potential threat to the young king. But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. But more importantly, Shim’i embodied the continuing threat of Benjamin and the ten northern tribes Isra’el that David was never quite sure how deep their loyalty was. Shim’i’s seemingly out-of-control act was a gesture that had powerful political forces behind it. Therefore, David counseled his son, “Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood “ (First Kings 2:8-9).⁵⁵²

David not only remembered dangerous men like Joab and Shim’i, but he also remembered faithful men like Barzillai. Barzillai, a wealthy landowner, who stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom (see Ed – David Returns to Yerushalayim: Barzillai the Gileadite). Solomon was obligated to continue to pay what the royal family owed this man who intervened on David’s behalf at a poignant and dangerous moment. David had wanted to reward Barzillai with a place at his table, but the old man preferred to die in his own hometown. Barzillai asked David to give the honor to his son Khimham, but now David instructed Solomon to care for Khimham’s sons. But show kindness to the grandchildren of Barzillai and let them be among those who eat at your table (First Kings 2:7).

Solomon Acknowledged as King
a Third Time
First Chronicles 29:21-25

Solomon Acknowledged as king a third time DIG: The chronicler says volumes by what is omitted here. What signs of joy and sadness do you see? Submission and aspiration? Pride and humility? Blessing and bounty? What signs of national unity and total support does the chronicler portray here? Why has he neglected Adonijah’s rebellion, which led aides and sons of the king to openly rebel (First Kings 1:9, 19 and 25)? Is that why the chronicler refers to a second time? If so, when was the “first time?” What future unity between the royal and priestly offices is anticipated here (Zechariah 4:14 and 6:13; Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7)?

REFLECT: How could Isra’el’s economy afford these nationwide celebrations, involving thousands of animals and oil sacrifices, plus tons of food and drink for everyone? What objections might such extravagant offerings provoke today where you live? In comparison, how did you celebrate the inauguration or coronation of your most recent national leader? How about for a new boss, spouse or child? During these types of celebrations, do you “get into the swing of things?” Or fade into the shadows? Why?

970 BC

The next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and presented burnt offerings to Him (see the commentary on Exodus Fe – The Burnt Offering): a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their fellowship offerings (see the commentary on Exodus Fg – The Peace Offering), and other sacrifices in abundance for all Isra’el. A part of each sacrifice was used for a fellowship meal (First Chronicles 29:21). It was a joyous occasion and climaxed the coronation of Solomon.

Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king for the third time (see below), anointing him before ADONAI to be ruler and Zadok to be priest (First Chronicles 29:22). This suggests that Abiathar had already been set aside, in conjunction with Adonijah’s attempted coup (to see link click En – Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King). According to First Kings 2:35, Solomon appointed Zadok in place of Abiathar whom he had deposed. So Solomon ascended to the throne of the LORD and sat as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him (First Chronicles 29:23). All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon (First Chronicles 29:24). It was very important that the representatives of all Isra’el agree that Solomon was God’s appointed king; otherwise, he could never have led them in the building of the Temple.⁵⁴⁶

Both David and Solomon had a three-step process to the throne. Samuel first anointed David (see Ah – Samuel Anoints David) privately at a family gathering; then David was anointed king over Judah with a much larger group at Hebron (see Ce – David Anointed King Over Y’hudah); and finally David was anointed king over all Isra’el (see Cm – David Anointed King Over All Isra’el).

Solomon’s ascension to the throne was also a three-step process. Once again, one of God’s prophets (this time Nathan), privately acknowledged that one of David’s own sons, Solomon, would be established on the throne after him (see Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David); then Solomon was anointed king with a much larger group (see Er – The Levites), and finally Solomon was anointed king over all Isra’el with a huge coronation and fellowship meal. Then the LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Isra’el and bestowed on him royal splendor such as no king over Isra’el ever had before (First Chronicles 29:21-25).

David’s Prayer
First Chronicles 29:10-20

David’s prayer DIG: As David neared the end of his life, what three things are uppermost in his mind? What fears lurk behind those priorities? What is David’s view of how a nation prospers? Who actually leads a nation? What seems to be his formula for “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?” How did David view YHVH: Privately, as his own savior? Corporately, as Isra’el’s deliverer and provider? Cosmically, as LORD of the universe? Or something else? By what gesture, rare today, did the people respond to his prayer?

REFLECT: What can we learn about God and life from David’s prayer? What aspects of this prayer are useful to believers today? What parts seem outdated, like bowing low and falling prostrate? Paraphrase this prayer your own language and concerns. How closely does David’s prayer follow the script you might use at the end of your life? Would you say it any differently? In what is your hope?

970 BC

David had summoned all the officials of Isra’el to assemble at Jerusalem. Then David reviewed the history of his own attempts to build the Temple (First Chronicles 28:1-8), gave Solomon charge to build the Temple (First Chronicles 28:9-21), described his providing the finances to build the Temple and encouraged the people to also give liberally (First Chronicles 29:1-9), and then, after the almost spontaneous reaction of generosity by the people, David turned to God in prayer.

David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying: Praise be to You, ADONAI, the God of our father Isra’el, from everlasting to everlasting. David spoke of God’s attributes: Yours, YHVH, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom. This verse supplies the conclusion to the Lord’s prayer (see the commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click Dp – When You Pray, Go Into Your Room and Close the Door). The stress on God’s reign in the precise context of David’s transfer of the kingdom to Solomon is significant. This was the right time to affirm that sovereignty is God’s, while the human king was His chosen regent.⁵⁴³ You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. Then David acknowledged Him as the One able to provide for the needs of the people. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name (1 Chron. 29:10-13). These verses have been incorporated in the morning service of the Jewish liturgy.

In contrast to the eternal God, David declared that he – the king – was just like any other human, an alien and a stranger on the earth. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Then David confessed that even the gifts that had just been given were possible only because the LORD was the original giver (James 1:17). Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand. This is the foundation of the doctrine of stewardship: since our property is His (Psalm 24:1), and since we only hold it temporarily in trust (First Chronicles 29:15-16), it should be therefore used for Him (Luke 17:10).⁵⁴⁴ We are foreigners and strangers in Your sight, as were all our ancestors (First Chronicles 29:14-15a). As aliens are dependent upon the goodwill of the ruler of the land in which they live temporarily, so the people of Isra’el must rely upon God’s bounty and protection. Such a close relationship of God and king in the act of worship is not found elsewhere in the Bible.

Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope without You. God is eternal, but human life is brief and nobody can prevent the inevitable hour of death (here David sounds like Moshe in Psalm 90). Since all things come from ADONAI, and life is brief, the wisest thing we can do is give back to YHVH what He gives to us and make an investment in the eternal.⁵⁴⁵ LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a Temple for Your Holy Name comes from Your hand and all of it belongs to You. I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly Your people who are here have given to You (First Chronicles 29:15b-17).

Finally, referring to Him as ADONAI, the God of our fathers, the One who had made a covenant in the past with the nation’s ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Isra’el, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of Your people forever, David prayed that God would keep the hearts of the people loyal to You. And like any godly father, David closed his prayer by interceding for his son, “Give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep Your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the Temple for which I have provided.” The ceremony ended when David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the LORD your God.” And the people’s response is explicitly mentioned: So they all praised ADONAI, the God of their fathers. Then they bowed down, prostrating themselves before YHVH and the king (First Chronicles 29:18-20).

What Godly plans are you leaving for your children to follow? Are you praying for your family/children to be great in serving God?

David Provided the Resources
for Building the Temple
First Chronicles 29:1-9

David provided the resources for building the Temple DIG: How does David’s use of money become a model of loyalty? To what three things is David most loyal? To what top priorities are the people loyal? Do their hearts follow their money? Or vice-versa? Why? As Solomon was still young and inexperienced, where is David placing his faith and gifts: In missions? Bricks and mortar? People? Worship? Education? Something else?

REFLECT: How does David’s fundraising strategy rate against all the financial appeals you receive? If outside auditors were to look over your check-book, what would they conclude about your top loyalties? How would you like to change that?

970 BC

David had summoned all the officials of Isra’el to assemble at Jerusalem (First Chronicles 28:1). The opening words are actually a continuation of the previous address, and therefore, the subject of building the Temple is implicitly understood. Then turning to the assembled crowd, King David said: My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for ADONAI, God. Therefore, it was the duty of the people to erect an edifice that in its splendor would be worthy of Him. With all my resources I have provided for the Temple of my God – gold for the gold work, silver for the silver work, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble – all of these in large quantities (First Chronicles 29:1-2).

David announced that, in addition to the materials he had collected for the Temple from his conquest of other nations, and from various other sources, he was donating a substantial part of his own fortune, because of his love for God and His house. Besides, in my devotion to the Temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the Temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy Temple: three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the LORD today” (First Chronicles 29:3-5)?

Then the leaders of families, the officials of the tribes of Isra’el, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the Temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics (a Persian gold coin) of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the Temple of YHVH in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite (to see link click Ez – Treasurers and Judges of the Temple). The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they have given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly (1 Chron 29:6-9).

It’s time to remember Rabbi Sha’ul’s words: And now brothers and sisters, we must tell you about the grace God has given to the congregations in Macedonia. Despite severe trials, and even though they are desperately poor, their joy has overflowed in a wealth of generosity. I tell you they have not merely given according to their means, but of their own free will they have given beyond their means. They begged and pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service for God’s people. Also, they didn’t do this in the way we have expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord, which means, by God’s will, to us. Here’s the point, everyone should give according to what they have decided in their heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (Second Corinthians 8:1-5 and 9:7).

David’s Charge to Solomon
Regarding the Temple
First Chronicles 28: 9-21

David’s charge to Solomon regarding the Temple DIG: From clues in just this section, what kind of a king was David? What kind of a father was he? How are the two roles related? How is this account of David and Solomon like and unlike the one in First Chronicles 22? Which one is private? Public? Enlightening, as well, is the comparison between the version here and the one in First Kings 1-2. They present contrasting portraits of David’s transition to retirement and Solomon’s succession to power. Which one is peaceful and smooth? Uncertain and rocky? Where do you see cynical realism? Or cautious optimism? Bittersweet sorrow? Bloodless coup attempt and blood rebel purge? What picture of God is drawn here? To whom does the Temple belong? And the people? And the Kingdom? What difference should that make to Solomon? To Mr. and Mrs. Fig-Farmer? To the remnant of Isra’el, who first read the chronicler’s book?

REFLECT: What parenting model and ministry motivation do you see in this chapter? What can you do to become a “David” to some “Solomon” whom YHVH has chosen to receive blessing through you? How might you apply God’s powerful promise of verse 20 to your life’s ministry? Without the assets and assistants Solomon had, what help can you count on to make the promises real? God blesses whom He will, apart from human merit or happenstance of birth (verses 4-7). His blessing is unfailing and all-sufficient (verses 20-21). Can that same blessing be forfeited (verses 8-10)? If not, why?

970 BC

In describing David’s plans for building the Temple, the Chronicler has paid special attention to portray David as a second Moshe and Solomon as a second Joshua. In spite of many achievements by both Moses and David, neither one finished the task. Moshe didn’t lead the people into the Promised Land, nor did David build the Temple. Not only that, but in both cases it was YHVH who stopped them from completing the work. Since the task fell on their successors, the chronicler pictures Solomon as a second Joshua by noting several similarities between the two. First, both were chosen privately and declared the support of all the people; secondly, both received the support of all the people without resistance or opposition; thirdly, God blessed both; fourthly, both led ADONAI’s people into “rest.”

Aside from these similarities, the language used in describing those events is striking. Fifthly, both were told: Be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6; First Chronicles 22:13 and 28:20a); sixthly, the LORD your God goes with you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, 23; Joshua 1:5 and 9; First Chronicles 22:11 and 16); and seventh: He will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8; Joshua 1:5; First Chronicles 28:20). These similarities show Joshua and Solomon as the ones chosen by God to finish the great work of their predecessors.⁵⁴⁰

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for ADONAI searches every heart and understands every thought. If you seek Him, you will find him (Jeremiah 29:13); but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work (First Chronicles 29:9-10).

The Ruach ha-Kodesh was not a permanent indwelling in the days before the resurrection. In the B’rit Chadashah, Rabbi Sha’ul tells the church at Ephesus: You who heard the message of truth, the Good News offering you deliverance, and put your trust in the Messiah were sealed by Him with the promised Ruach ha-Kodesh, who guarantees our inheritance until we come into possession of it and thus bring Him praise commensurate with His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14 CJB). This is a great promise that Paul records concerning the Holy Spirit, that a believer in Jesus has eternal security (see the commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click Ms – The Eternal Security of the Believer) because God’s Spirit sealed that person, and has also acted as a down payment of the future promises to come. So the Ruach ha-Kodesh actually indwells believers after resurrection.

However, the Spirit of God functioned differently with people before the resurrection. The Ruach ha-Kodesh did not indwell the righteous of the TaNaKh. Instead, the Holy Spirit came to specific people to accomplish specific tasks commissioned by YHVH. For instance, the Holy Spirit came to Bezalel and Oholiab (see the commentary on Exodus Ew – The Appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab) and filled them with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze to cut and set stones, to work in all kinds of crafts to build the Tabernacle. The Ruach assisted Joshua in Numbers 27:18 in order to lead the people. Finally, the Spirit gave instructions and guidance to the kings of Isra’el.

However, through disobedience, the Ruach ha-Kodesh could be taken away. King Sha’ul experienced this. Because of his sin the Spirit of God was taken from him. Also, when King David repented because of his sin with Bathsheba, he cried out: Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me (Psalm 51:11). The word sealed is never found in the TaNaKh. But God’s grace is always the same (Exodus 34:6-7).

Then, in a most remarkable declaration, David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the Temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of the atonement (see the commentary on Exodus Fr – The Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place: Christ at the Throne of Grace). He gave him the plans of all that the Ruach ha-Kodesh had put in his mind for the courts of the Temple of YHVH and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the Temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated holy articles (First Chronicles 28:11-12). The major pieces of its furnishings were symbolic of the great truths of God’s salvation.

This also included the instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the Temple of the LORD, as well as for all the holy articles to be used in its service (First Chronicles 28:13). He designated the weight of gold for all the gold articles to be used in various kinds of service: the weight of gold for the gold lampstands and their lamps, with the weight for each lampstand (see the commentary on Exodus Fn – The Lampstand in the Sanctuary: Christ, the Light of the World) and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand (First Chronicles 28:14-15); the weight of gold for each table (the chronicler referred to each table because, in contrast to the single table of the bread of the Presence in portable Tabernacle made for the wilderness experience, Solomon’s Temple would have ten of them as seen in Second Chronicles 4:8) for the bread of the Presence (see the commentary on Exodus Fo – The Bread of the Presence in the Sanctuary: Christ, the Bread of Life); the weight of silver for the silver tables (First Chronicles 28:16); the weight of pure gold for the forks, sprinkling bowls and pitchers; the weight of gold for each gold dish; the weight of silver for each silver dish (First Chronicles 28:17); and the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense (see the commentary on Exodus Fp – The Altar of Incense in the Sanctuary: Christ, Our Advocate with the Father).

David also gave Solomon the plan for the chariot (Hebrew: merkabah), that is, the cherubim of gold that spread their wings and overshadow the ark of the Covenant of ADONAI (First Chronicles 28:18). Since the LORD could poetically be said to ride on the cherubim as on a chariot (Psalm 18:10; Ezeki’el 1:1-28), they are here designated simply as the chariot. The Chronicler’s reference is probably not to the small golden cherubim that formed part of the Ark’s holy cover which had been made long before, but rather to the two larger wooden but gold-plated cherub-angels of the inner Temple, built independently of the Ark (First Kings 6:23-28), which were to shelter the Ark as a whole (Second Chronicles 3:10-13). They emphasized the real presence of God in the Temple.⁵⁴¹

“All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the LORD’s hand on me, and He enabled me to understand all the details of this plan” (First Chronicles 28:19). David was saying that not only were the Temple plans revealed by God in verse 12, but that they were given to him in written form from YHVH, to be handed to Solomon – the ultimate testimony to their divine character. Such a blueprint goes beyond the verbal instructions and vision shown to Moshe for the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:40 and 40:2).⁵⁴²

And like Moshe said to Joshua, David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged for ADONAI, God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or abandon you until all the work for the service of the Temple of the LORD is finished. The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the Temple of God, and every willing person skilled in any craft (see the commentary on Exodus Ew – The Appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab) will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command (First Chronicles 28:20-21). The emphasis here is that not only God, but also the people, will stand with Solomon, to help him in his endeavor.

Treasurers and Judges of the Temple
First Chronicles 26: 20-32

Treasurers and judges of the Temple DIG: What special service do the Levites offer here? What are these treasuries? What do the other officials do? How do these “last of the Levites” sustain their enthusiasm at a duller task, while others did more colorful pageantry? What job pressures do you think faced Shuba’el when he got to work each day? What character qualities and job skills would be required for excellence in his field? How many officials and judges were required to administer justice outside Jerusalem (First Chronicles 26:27-32 and 23:4)? If these people had lost their genealogical records how would they know who did what?

REFLECT: Did David’s method of hiding his stash give you any hints about what to do with your own jar of coins or boils? What view of the future promotes long-term financial planning by your messianic synagogue or church? What viewpoint retards such interest? What ideas about the future seem to lie behind David’s planning?

David started making the appointments of the Temple officials and judges
several years before the end of his life.

As for the Levites, Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of the house of God (especially the spoils of war) and the treasuries for the dedicated things (First Chronicles 26:20). The treasuries consisted of the revenues from tithes, offerings, and other sources that were presented to ADONAI by His people (see the commentary on The Life of Christ, to see this link click Je – The Widow’s Offering).

The management of the treasuries of the LORD was the responsibility of the Levites who descended from Gershon (see Es – The Gershonites), the son of Levi, through the line of Ladan (also spelled Libni in Exodus 6:17 and First Chronicles 6:17) and led by the family of Jehieli. His descendants, who were heads of their families, were Jehieli, his sons, Zetham and his brother Joel (First Chronicles 26:21-22).

The Gershonites are followed by the four Kohathite families: the Amramites the Izharites, and Hebronites and the Uzzielites (First Chronicles 26:23). The four names of this verse would seem to stand collectively for that of their father Kohath. One might, under these circumstances, have looked for the name of some member of each of these sub-families to appear in the number of the treasure-keepers just about to be mentioned; but did not happen. Yet among other officials, and before the end of the general subject, the Izharites (verse 29) and the Hebronites (verses 30-31) do appear. This may possibly explain the mapping out thus of the Kohath family.

Shuba’el, then, the Amramite representative through Gershom the elder son of Moses, was the official in charge of the treasuries. Next, through Eliezer, the second son of Moshe, and through Rehabiah, son of Eliezer, we are brought to the four: Jeshaiah, Joram, Zikri and Shelomith, who were four brothers, each a son of Rehabiah (First Chronicles 23:17 and 26:24-25).

A portion of the treasury that had been accumulated through military plunder, and the other special offerings were under the jurisdiction of Shelomith, a descendant of Moshe’s second son Eliezer. He and his four brothers above were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders. They opposed anyone who wrongly attempted to enter the Sanctuary and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended daily upon the altar: flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, beside the lamps; quantities were kept on hand, besides the sacred vessels and utensils. Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the Temple of the LORD. And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer and by Sha’ul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives (First Chronicles 26:26-28). It is perhaps somewhat remarkable that, although the sacred history suggests numerous occasions of these dedications, we have no biblical record of them.

From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the Temple and even west of the Jordan, as officials and judges over Isra’el. From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives – seventeen hundred able men – were responsible in Isra’el west of the Jordan for all the work of YHVH and for the king’s service (First Chronicles 26:30). As for the Hebronites, Jeriah was their chief according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth year of David’s reign a search was made in the records, and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead (First Chronicles 26:29-31).

Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of keeping in touch with the affairs of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God, that is, the all-important religious events of the nation, and for the affairs of the king (First Kings 26:32). Separated from the other tribes, the trans-Jordan Israelites might easily grow carless about observing the annual feasts of even the weekly Shabbats. This is why these officers are listed among the Temple workers. It’s also likely that these officers were responsible for collecting taxes (First Chronicles 26:31).⁵³²

David’s Plans for the Temple
First Chronicles 28: 1-8

David’s plans for the Temple DIG: What preparations had David made for Solomon to build the Temple? How has David’s life and faith enriched us today? What parallels can be drawn between the building of the Temple and the buildings of the church or messianic synagogue?

REFLECT: Ultimately, serving ADONAI is what’s important, and an organized building project is valuable only to the extent that it contributes to the LORD’s service. How can you contribute to your place of worship for God’s glory?

970 BC

No amount of human effort and organization can take the place of heartfelt approval of ADONAI. David was going to die soon. An inexperienced son would follow him, and the construction of the Temple was a task far beyond any one man or group of men. Apart from the blessing of the LORD, the people couldn’t possibly hope to succeed. Leaders come and leaders go, but YHVH remains forever, and we serve an audience of One.⁵³⁸

David had already communicated to Isra’el’s leaders his desire to construct the Temple of ADONAI. In fact, he had already started collecting the building materials (to see link click Ep – David Makes Preparations for the Temple). Now, with the end of his life imminent, David summoned all the officials of Isra’el (already mentioned in First Chronicles Chapters 23-27) to assemble at Jerusalem: the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of the thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the warriors and all the brave fighting men (First Chronicles 28:1).

It’s good for people to know the heart of their leader and how God has worked in his or her life. Then David reviewed the history of his own attempts to build the Temple. King David rose to his feet and said: Listen to me, my fellow Israelites, my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the Covenant of YHVH (see Cu – ADONAI Swore an Oath to David), for the footstool of our God (see the commentary on Exodus Fs – The Mercy Seat in the Most Holy Place: Christ at the Throne of Grace), and I made plans to build it. But God said to me, “You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood” (First Chronicles 28:2-3). David’s public announcement corresponded to what he had already told Solomon privately (First Chronicles 22:7-16).

He emphasized that it was the LORD who chose and anointed him, and who chose Solomon to be his successor. Yet ADONAI, the God of Isra’el, chose me from my whole family to be king over Isra’el forever. He chose Judah as leader and from the tribe of Judah he chose my family, and from my father’s sons he was pleased to make me king over Isra’el. Of all my sons – and YHVH has given me many – He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Isra’el. He said to me, “Solomon your son is the one who will build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. He reminded the leaders of God’s gracious Covenant with the house of David (see Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David), and their responsibility to obey the Torah. God declared: I will establish his kingdom forever if he uses his strength to obey my mitzvot and abide by my rulings, as [he is doing] currently. If Isra’el kept the terms of the Covenant and obeyed Ha’Shem, He would keep His promises and bless the nation. They would possess the Land and enjoy its blessings. Then David concluded his remarks: Now therefore, in the sight of all Isra’el, the community of ADONAI, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the mitzvot of ADONAI your God, so that you may continue to possess this good Land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants after you forever (First Chronicles 28:4-8 CJB).

Unfortunately, Solomon eventually failed to live up to God’s high standard (First Kings 11:1-11). Between God’s words to Solomon . . . will build my house, and I have chosen him to be My son, the full prophecy of Nathan had originally included an intervening statement that shifted the point of reference beyond Solomon to the more distant future when the prophet said: I will establish his throne forever. I will be His Father and He will be my Son. I will never take my love away from Him, as I took it way from [Sha’ul]. I will set Him over My house and My Kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever (First Chronicles 17:12-14). That is, Solomon did not achieve the fulfillment of true sonship to God the Father, it was an ideal that could only be seen in Yeshua Messiah.⁵³⁹

The Appointment of Military, Tribal Leaders,
Stewards and Counselors
First Chronicles 27:1-34

The appointment of military, tribal leaders, stewards and counselors DIG: What monthly duties are parceled out here? What advantage might this rotation of commanders have for David? For the privates and corporals? Who among the commanders was already known for his bravery? For foolhardy pursuit of personal enemies? For killing 300 enemy with a spear in one battle? Who appears by lineage to be a clergy-under-arms? Who also is listed among the roll call of David’s mighty warriors? What two tribes, normally included in the roll call of “all Isra’el” are absent here? How many are present? What can you infer from verses 23-24 about the kind of work these officers tried to do? What new insight into David’s sin in taking a census is provided here? Why would this man after God’s own heart need a professional friend or personal spiritual advisor (see First Kings 2 for the sorry end to this group)?

REFLECT: In listing the physically powerful jobs last (Chapter 27) and the artistic and liturgical jobs first (Chapters 24-26), what does that suggest to young Israelites who need heroes and role models? How satisfied are you with today’s role models for children? For teenagers? For young adults? How does your messianic synagogue or church “guard the faith?” What qualities common to soldiers does your place of worship educational system try to develop? Like David’s ill-fated census, what projects have you unwisely started and wisely terminated? The civil officials began their careers entrusted with royal resources. Where did you begin your career? Where has it led you? Anything like these men? Who is your “friend,” counselor or protector?

David started making the appointments of the military and civil authorities
several years before the end of his life

Having outlined David’s religious organization in Chapters 23-26, the Chronicler added David’s military and civil organization. Isra’el was ascending to the climax of her military and political power, and her splendor would be a far cry from the impoverished condition of the Israelites during Ezra’s day (Haggai 2:16-17; Zechariah 14:10). But even though it would have little organizational relevance for the returned exiles (see the commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah, to see link click Ag – The First Return in 538 BC), and even less for us today, this rehearsal of past glories must have thrilled Ezra’s discouraged people with the truth that tangible results are included in God’s decree for His faithful servants.⁵³³

For Solomon to be able to build the Temple, David knew that Isra’el had to remain a strong nation and, at the same time, at peace with her neighbors. And because Solomon wasn’t a military genius like him, David felt it was necessary to organize the army, the tribal leaders, the officials and counselors who served the king personally.⁵³⁴

The army divisions: This is the list of the Israelites – heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men (First Chronicles 27:1). This was not an excessively large standing army, but if an emergency arose, the entire army could be called up. Each monthly military division was under the leadership of one of David’s mighty men (see Ej – David’s Mighty Warriors).

In charge of the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. There were 24,000 men in his division. He was a descendant of Perez, the fourth son of Judah and founder of its major clan, and chief of all the army officers for the first month (First Chronicles 27:2-3).

In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, who was the father of Eleazar, the second of the Three (see Ej – David’s Mighty Warriors). Mikloth was the leader of his division, or, as we might say, his executive officer. There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:4).

The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division. This was the Benaiah who was a mighty warrior among the Thirty and was over the Thirty (see Ej – David’s Mighty Warriors). His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division. This last clause would indicate that Benaiah’s position was merely honorary and it was really his son, Ammizabad, who was really in charge of the division (First Chronicles 27:5-6).

The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab (see Ej – David’s Mighty Warriors). His son Zebadiah was his successor due to his untimely death at the hands of Abner (see Cg – War Between the Houses of David and Sha’ul). There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:7).

The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. This defining adjective really means of Zerah, the other leading clan of Judah. His name appears among the Thirty (see Ej – David’s Mighty Warriors). There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:8).

The remaining seven generals, from the sixth to the twelfth month, were selected from among the next nine members of the Thirty (see Ej – David’s Mighty Warriors). The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:9).

The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:10).

The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:11).

The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:12).

The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:13).

The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephramite. There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:14).

The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel, the first of the Hebrew Judges (Judges 1:13 and 3:9-11). There were 24,000 men in his division (First Chronicles 27:15).

Joab was the commander of the royal army (First Chronicles 27:34).

Leaders of the tribes of Isra’el: Each of the tribes had a leader, and they were broken down into smaller units (tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands) in Exodus 18:17-23. For some reason the tribes of Gad and Asher are not mentioned in this list, but to reach the number twelve, Levi is included along with the tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh). The king could summon twelve men and through them communicate with the whole nation.⁵³⁵

Over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zikri.

Over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maakah.

Over Levi: Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron: Zadok. While the tribes of Isra’el had one outstanding person chosen to be the leader, two men were appointed for Levi; the high priest Zadok to represent the descendants of Aaron, or the priestly branch, and Hashabiah for the rest.

Over Judah: Elihu, called Eliab in First Samuel 16:6, David’s oldest brother.

Over Issachar: Omri son of Michael.

Over Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah.

Over Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel.

Over the half-tribe of Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah.

Over the half tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah. Manasseh also had two officers, corresponding to its two regional halves, west and east of the Jordan.

Over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner, commanded the troops of his nephew King Sha’ul had been the power behind Sha’ul’s son Ish-bosheth.

Over Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Isra’el (First Chronicles 27:16-22).

David did not take the number of the men twenty years or less, because the LORD had promised to make Isra’el as numerous as the stars in the sky. Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God’s wrath came on Isra’el on account of this numbering (see Ek – David Counts the Fighting Men), and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David (First Chronicles 27:23-24).

Stewards of the King’s private property: During Sha’ul’s reign there was some kind of tax structure (First Samuel 17:25), but this is not mentioned in the records of David’s reign. Under Solomon, the taxes became intolerable (First Kings 4:7 and 26-28, 12:1-24). David owned royal farms, orchards, vineyards, flocks, and herds, and from these he met the needs of the palace personnel. David had storehouses for his produce, and since his tastes weren’t as expensive as Solomon’s, what David received from the LORD went much further.⁵³⁶

Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers (First Chronicles 27:25).

Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land (First Chronicles 27:26).

Shim’i the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats (First Chronicles 27:27).

Ba’al-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the western foothills. Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil (First Chronicles 27:28).

Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys (First Chronicles 27:29).

Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronomthite was in charge of the donkeys (First Chronicles 27:30).

Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property (First Chronicles 27:31).

The King’s Counselors: All leaders need an inner circle of counselors who will advise them, who will force them to examine their own decisions and motives, and help them seek the mind of ADONAI. Jonathan, David’s uncle, was described as a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. It is uncertain whether he should be identified with the son of Shimeah, David’s brother who killed a huge man (Second Samuel 21:21; First Chronicles 20:7), or with some other Jonathan of David’s family, such as the brother of Jonadab, who is described as a very wise man (Second Samuel 13:3).⁵³⁷ Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons in some fashion (First Chronicles 27:32).

Ahithophel used to be his father’s trusted counselor and friend. But he sided with Absalom in the rebellion and hung himself when Absalom rejected his counsel because he knew he was doomed (see Dx – Ahithophel Commits Suicide). Jehoiada succeeded Ahithophel. Jehoiada was the son of Benaiah, David’s trusted head of the royal bodyguard [Abimelek] son of Abiathar and Zadok’s peer (First Chronicles 18:16, 24:3 and 6), was also a trusted counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the man whose counsel was accepted by Absalom (see Du – The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai), which led to the defeat of the rebel army (see Dz – Joab Kills Absalom), so he continued to be the king’s confidant (First Chronicles 27:33). Joab was excluded from this inner circle because David didn’t trust him and advised Solomon what to do about it (First Kings 2:5-6).

The Levitical Gatekeepers for the Temple
First Chronicles 26: 1-19

The Levitical gatekeepers for the Temple DIG: What is this third most important function in Hebrew Temple worship (What were the other two)? What specifically did a gatekeeper do (First Chronicles 26:12 and 9:22-29)? What was the total number of gatekeepers (compare First Chronicles 26:6-11 and 23:5)? Why the vast difference in numbers? Genealogies are loaded with name changes. What variation in Meshelemiah’s name occurs in this very section? Likewise, in Ebiasaph’s name (First Chronicles 6:23 and 9:19)? What do you remember about Obed-Edom (Second Samuel 6:11)? Though not officially a Levite, how might his being “faithful in little” qualify him for adoption into this honored Levitical duty of full-time service? What do you think these guards were like? How did they avoid petty jealousies, like who got the duty at the south gate (the one most often used by the king)?

REFLECT: What security measures do your rabbi or pastor, messianic synagogue or church officers, treasurer, and janitor take that are like the functions of these gatekeepers? Whose responsibility is it to guard the property? To guard organization and constitutional concerns? To guard the Gospel itself? What does your messianic synagogue or church look for in hiring someone to fill one of these “gatekeeper” duties?

David started making the appointments of the Levitical Gatekeepers
for the Temple several years before the end of his life.

The gatekeepers were evidently closely related to the musicians in function since they too were affiliated with Asaph. The divisions of the gatekeepers:

From the Korahites (to see link click Et – The Korahites): Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Ebiasaph, which is the spelling given in First Chronicles 9:19. So Asaph appears to be a shorter form of Ebiasaph. The first division of the Korahites was that of Meshelemiah, whose seven sons are said to be Korahites, that is, descendants of Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi (Exodus 6:16, 18, 21). Meshelemiah had seven sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth and Eliehoenai the seventh. Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, who were able men – 18 in all (First Chronicles 26:1-3 and 9).

The second division of the Korahites was that of Obed-Edom. He was a gatekeeper (First Chronicles 26:4), but in recognition of his faithful care of the Ark for three months after David’s first failed attempt to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem, he was honored with a place among the harp players (see Cr – The Ark Brought to Yerushalayim).⁵³¹ He was the son of Jeduthun (First Chronicles 16:38), one of the three gifted leaders of the Levitical music in the Temple (see Ex – The Musicians for Ministry in the Temple). Obed-Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sakar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth, for YHVH had blessed Obed-Edom (First Chronicles 26:4-5).

The third division of the Korahite gatekeepers consisted of a subdivision of the family of Obed-Edom headed by Shemaiah. He also had sons, who were leaders in their father’s family because they were very capable men. The third generation from Obed-edom, the sons of Shemaiah: Othnai, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semakai were also able men. All these were descendants of Obed-Edom; they and their sons and their relatives were capable men with the strength to do the work – descendants of Obed-Edom, 62 in all. (First Chronicles 26:6-8).

Hosah the Merarite (see Eu – The Merarites) had sons: Shim’i the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him the first), Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 in all (First Chronicles 26:10-11).

These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the Temple of ADONAI, just as their relatives had. Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike (First Chronicles 26:12-13).

The lot for East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast (see the commentary on Exodus Gb – The Urim and Thummim: The Means of Making Decisions) for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah (First Chronicles 26:14-16a).

Each guard was stationed alongside of another guard: There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse. As for the court to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court itself. So there were twenty-two gatekeepers in all at any one time. They were rotated, but their time as a guard was very special because there were four thousand gatekeepers altogether (First Chronicles 23:5). These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari (First Chronicles 26:16b-19). There were three Korahite divisions and one of Merari. The father’s houses of gatekeepers numbered twenty-four: seven of Meshelemiah, thirteen of Obed-Edom and four of Hosah. Therefore, the system of gatekeepers paralleled that of the priests (descendants of Aaron), the Levites (descendants of Levi), the musicians.

The Musicians for Ministry in the Temple
First Chronicles 25: 1-31

The musicians for ministry in the Temple DIG: David is often portrayed as a hero without equal. Whom did David regularly depend on to get God’s work accomplished? What three families are set apart by the King? Of these three families, who appears to be “more equal” than the others? What instruments are designated here for special use? How might music serve as prophesy? Why would the music be of interest to army commanders? To David? To the people? Might this place the ministry of the musicians on a par with the Hebrew prophets? Why or why not? What skills in music for YHVH were required in this Temple service? What training was likely given young Hebrews in preparation for such Temple music? Who likely did the teaching? What method of assigning roles and duties did David use? What problems did this avoid? What risks did this entail?

REFLECT: The prophesy of musicians in ancient Isra’el was key to certain military decisions. How does this compare to the relative importance attached to the music program of your school or place of worship? What advantages or disadvantages do you suppose a Minister of Music in David’s era would have over today’s music ministry? What would your place of worship do with David’s 288 trained singers? Are you able to let go with voice and heart in joyful worship? Or do you feel bashful, uncomfortable and out of tune?

David started making the appointments of the musicians
for the Temple ministry several years before the end of his life.

Apart from the ritual of blowing the trumpets (Numbers 10), nowhere in the Torah is there any mention of music in connection with Jewish worship; yet the chronicler describes an elaborate organization of the four thousand Levites into twenty-four divisions of singers (see the commentary on  and musicians that correspond to those of the priests and Temple Levites (First Chronicles 15:27). David was a writer of psalms and a gifted musician and the music in the Temple came as a result of his leadership, and the LORD approved of those innovations.⁵³⁰

David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart three gifted Levites, Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman, for ministry of prophesying (which no doubt meant a sort of musical proclamation of divine revelation and expressions of praise and worship put to song), accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. These were Levites: Here is the list of the men who performed this service (First Chronicles 25:1):

From the sons of Asaph (who wrote at least twelve psalms and played the cymbals): Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision (First Chronicles 25:2). The sons of Asaph made up four of the twenty-four divisions.

As for Jeduthun (which is related to the name Judah and means praise, a good name for a choir director), from his sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shim’i, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising ADONAI (First Chronicles 25:3). The sons of Jeduthun make up six of the twenty-four divisions.

As for Heman (also called the king’s seer, which suggests that he had a special gift of discerning God’s will), from his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt Him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters and all his children were musicians (First Chronicles 25:4-5). The sons of Heman made up fourteen of the twenty-four divisions.

All these men were under the supervision of their respective fathers for the music of the Temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Along with their relatives – all of them trained and skilled in music for YHVH – they numbered 288, or the total of the twenty-four divisions in verses 9-31. The twenty-four divisions of the Levites corresponded to the number of priestly courses in First Chronicles 24:7-18 (First Chronicles 25:6-7). Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots (see the commentary on Exodus, to see link click Gb – The Urim and Thummim: The Means of Making Decisions) for their duties (First Chronicles 25:8).

As far as the syntax goes, this whole passage is one long sentence, governed by its opening line: The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:9a),

the second lot fell to Gedaliah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:9b),

the third lot fell to Zakkur, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:10),

the fourth lot fell to Izri (spelled Zeri in verse 3), and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:11),

the fifth lot fell to Nethaniah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:12),

the sixth lot fell to Bukkiah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:13),

the seventh lot fell to Jesarelah (spelled Asarelah in verse 2), and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:14),

the eighth lot fell to Jeshaiah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:15),

the ninth lot fell to Mattaniah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:16),

the tenth lot fell to Shim’i, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:17),

the eleventh lot fell to Azarel (a variant of Uzziel in verse 4), and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:18),

the twelfth lot fell on Hashabiah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:19),

the thirteenth lot fell to Shubael, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:20),

the fourteenth lot fell to Mattithiah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:21),

the fifteenth lot fell to Jerimoth, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:22),

the sixteenth lot fell to Hananiah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:23),

the seventeenth lot fell to Joshbekashah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:24),

the eighteenth lot fell to Hanani, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:25),

the nineteenth lot fell to Mallothi, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:26),

the twentieth lot fell to Eliathah, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:27),

the twenty-first lot fell to Hothir, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:28),

the twenty-second lot fell to Giddalti, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:29),

the twenty-third lot fell to Mahazioth, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:30),

the twenty-fourth lot fell to Romamti-Ezer, and 12 of his sons and relatives (First Chronicles 25:31).

The Rest of the Levites
First Chronicles 24: 20-31

The rest of the Levites DIG: Why do you suppose the chronicler was so concerned that no one should feel excluded, and even repeated the lists within the same book? Where have you seen these names before? How many generations separate Amram from Shubael? Who was Shubael’s famous grandfather? Was Eleazar childless? Why is he listed next to Kish? What means is again used to ensure fairness and minimize power plays and party politics? Why all the witnesses?

REFLECT: By what means does your messianic synagogue or church distribute privileges or chores “evenly” among the congregation?

David started making the arrangements for Temple services
several years before the end of his life.

The original purpose of the list was probably to update the previous one. As for the rest of the descendants of Levi, the bulk of whom were not descendants of Aaron, and therefore, not priests. They were divided into ministering groups and assisted the priests in the ministry of the Temple.

First the chronicler listed the line of the Kohathites. There were nine divisions that arose from Levi’s second son Kohath through his four sons:

From the descendants of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah (First Chronicles 24:20). As for Rehabiah, from his sons: Ishiah served as the division leader (First Chronicles 24:21).

From the descendants of Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath (First Chronicles 24:22).

The descendants of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth (First Chronicles 24:23).

The descendants of Uzziel: Micah; from the sons of Micah: Shamir (First Chronicles 24:24). The brother of Micah: Ishiah; from the sons of Ishiah: Zechariah (First Chronicles 24:25).

The chronicler next listed four divisions from the line of the Merarites. There were now seven divisions that arose from Levi’s third son Merari. Originally the two sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushil.

From the descendants of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons, only daughters. From Kish: the son of Kish: Jerahmeel served as the division leader, representing in David’s day the Mahlite group of Eleazar and Kish, which had been consolidated into one (First Chronicles 24:28-29).

And the descendants of Mushi: another descendant named Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth (First Chronicles 24:30a).

An interesting phenomenon is exhibited in the list of the Merarites. Contrary to all other Levitical genealogies, both in the Pentateuch and Chronicles, Merari is depicted as having a third son, Jaaziah. It should be clear that the phenomenon couldn’t be explained in mere biological terms. It is hardly possible that a new “son” had suddenly been born to Merari. We can only conclude that in the interval between the first list (see Eu – The Merarites) and this one was that the structure of the Merarites had undergone far-reaching changes, and perhaps the house of Jaaziah was chosen as a “son” to replace the house of Eleazar who bore no sons. Therefore, the house of Eleazar, son of Mahli, was completely abolished; the house of Mushi remained unchanged, but three new houses were established.⁵²⁹ The sons of Jaaziah his “son” (Hebrew: beno meaning his son) – that is, the descendants of Merari belonging to Jaaziah his “son” were Shoham, Zakkur and Ibri (First Chronicles 24:26-27, the Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers).

Although not listed for some unknown reason, one may conjecture that the missing Gershonites composed the remaining eight divisions, bringing the total to twenty-four. There were twenty-four divisions of Levites, the descendants of Levi, just as there were twenty-four divisions of priests, the descendants of Aaron.

These were the Levites, according to their families (First Chronicles 24:30b). They also cast lots (see the commentary on Exodus, to see link click Gb – The Urim and Thummim: The Means of Making Decisions), just as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelek, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites. The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest (First Chronicles 24:31).

The Divisions of Priests
First Chronicles 24: 1-19

The divisions of Priests DIG: In the family line of Aaron, what courses are evident? On the basis what moral, inherited, and impartial grounds were these men selected? What is the story behind the two sons who were executed on moral grounds? Who is given the lion’s share of the ministerial appointments in verses 3-4? On what grounds? By what means are the further courses made, so as to balance out the natural advantage enjoyed by the more fruitful Eleazar? What might be the purpose of 24 evenly divided divisions? What rotation of duty would that allow them to follow? What petty jealousies or party politics might this strategy avert? What might someone chosen first, second or last or second to last feel? What authorities stood behind this appointment process? How might that authority assure its credibility? How might that authority assure its precision, control rumors and squelch any rebellion against these priestly divisions?

REFLECT: How do you try to achieve fairness in distributing recognition within your own domain? Whether you were elected, appointed, or inherited your present position what difference does it make in your job security? In your incentive to excel at your position? What difference does it make knowing God was in that selection process? Once on the job, whom do you work for (Colossians 3:23)?

David started making the arrangements for Temple services
several years before the end of his life.

The Levites’ principle tasks were to assist the priests (Aaron’s descendants) in the maintenance of the Temple grounds, to sing the Psalms during Temple services, to prepare the bread of the Presence and grain offerings, and to thank and praise God at times of burnt offerings. They also served as judges and maintaining cities of refuge. The scroll of Ezra reports that the Levites were responsible for the construction of the Second Temple, and also translated and explained the Torah when it was read publically.

These were the divisions of Levites, the sons of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abidu, Elezar and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abidu died before their father did (Lev 10:1-3), and they had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the high priests in David’s day. With the help of Zadok (a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar) and Ahimelek (the son of Abiathar, who was a descendant of Ithamar), David separated the priests into 24 divisions for their scheduled time of service for ministering (First Chronicles 24:1-3). The rest of the time they would be in the priestly cities instructing the people.

A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar’s descendants. They divided them impartially by casting lots (see the commentary on Exodus, to see link click Gb – The Urim and Thummim: The Means of Making Decisions), and they were called officials of the sanctuary and officials of God (to distinguish them from civil officials) from among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar (First Chronicles 24:4-5). Since there were more descendants of Eleazar than of Ithamar, the result of the apportionment was 16 divisions of Eleazar and 8 of Ithamar. By having 24 divisions, each would serve about two weeks a year. Gradually, then, their service would move around the calendar.

The scribe Shemaiah, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of King David and his officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelek son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites – one family being alternately taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar (First Chronicles 24:6). Some of the names deserve special attention.

The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, headed the division that later produced the Maccabees (First Maccabees 2:1 and 14:29).

The second to Jedaiah, was from an ancient priestly family. The sons of Jedaiah are mentioned as the first priestly family in the list of returnees from Babylon (Ezra 2:36 and Nehemiah 7:39). His name appears in all the relevant lists in Ezra-Nehemiah except those who set their seal to the binding agreement (Nehemiah 9:38). This omission could reflect a political stance rather than translation error.

The third to Harim, both Harim and Immer (the sixteenth division) were among the four priestly families of the returnees (Ezra 2:37 and 39). They may be regarded as the founders of the priesthood in Jerusalem. The two names are repeated in all the relevant lists in Nehemiah.⁵²³

The fourth to Seorim,

The fifth to Malkijah,

The sixth to Mijamin,

The seventh to Hakkoz, his family is referred to as the descendants of Hakkoz who searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean (Ezra 2:62), but they were still considered Levites. Among those who participated in the building of the wall of Jerusalem and repaired another section, was Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz (Nehemiah 3: 4 and 21), and the priest who received and weighed the money brought by Ezra from Babylon is called Meremoth son of Uriah (Ezra 8:33), very likely the same man. Therefore, in spite of its uncertain beginnings, the family of Hakkoz had gradually assumed recognition and power.⁵²⁴

The eighth to Abijah, was the one which Zechariah the father of John the Baptist performed his priestly ministry (Luke 1:5).

The ninth to Jeshua, which is a similar name to Joshua (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 8:17; Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 3:1), and to the Greek name Jesus, which means YHVH is salvation. Joshua and Eliashib were two distinguished priest of the period: Joshua was the son of Jehozadak, the high priest carried into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar (First Chronicles 6:15) and the grandson of Seraiah, the high priest put to death by Nebuchadnezzar (Second Kings 25:18-21).⁵²⁵

The tenth to Shekaniah,

The eleventh to Eliashib, served as high priest during the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:1).

The twelfth to Jakim,

The thirteenth to Huppah,

The fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

The fifteenth to Bilgah,

The sixteenth to Immer, both Immer and Harim (the sixteenth division) were among the four priestly families of the returnees (Ezra 2:37 and 39). They may be regarded as the founders of the priesthood in Jerusalem. The two names are repeated in all the relevant lists in Nehemiah.⁵²⁶

The seventeenth to Hezir, is found only once in the Bible (Nehemiah 10:20) as one of the leaders of the people, but is also familiar from the inscription of the “tomb of the sons of Hezir” found in the Valley of the Kidron.⁵²⁷

The eighteenth to Happizzez,

The nineteenth to Pethahiah,

The twentieth to Jehezkel,

The twenty-first to Jakin,

The twenty-second to Gamul,

The twenty-third to Delaiah,

The twenty-fourth to Maaziah (First Chronicles 24:7-18).

This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the Temple of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, and ADONAI, the God of Isra’el, had commanded him (First Chronicles 24:19).

With the passage of time, however, some of the priestly divisions that were created by David, Zadok and Ahimelek died out or had to be consolidated with others, and new ones were formed to take their places during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.⁵²⁸

The Merarites
First Chronicles 23: 21-32

David started making the arrangements for Temple services
several years before the end of his life.

The Levites fulfilled the priestly roles in Isra’el and bore the responsibility of caring for the Tabernacle. The Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites each had specific roles within the Levitical culture. The Merarites had the task of maintaining and carrying from place to place the pillars, bases, frames, pegs, and cords that created the structure of the Tabernacle (see the commentary on Numbers, to see link click Au – The Clan of Merari). Since the Israelites were often on the move, the Tabernacle often had to be taken up and moved. The Merarites were given ox carts to help with the transport of their items. They received four carts and eight oxen (Numbers 7:6-8).

Representatives of the Merarites participated in David’s move of the Ark to Jerusalem (First Chronicles 15:6), served as Tabernacle musicians (First Chronicles 15:17 and 19) and gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 26:10 and 19) shared in Hezekiah’s (Second Chronicles 29:12) and Josiah’s (SecondChronicles 34:12) reforms, and returned from exile to assist in the new Temple (Ezra 8:19). Their place in the wilderness was on the northern side of the Tabernacle (see the commentary on Exodus Ep – The Camp of the Twelve Tribes of Isra’el).

As Levites, the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites did not receive a specific territory in the Promised Land. Rather, they were given cities and pasturelands from among the territories of the other tribes by the command of ADONAI. The Merarites received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Zebulun. The distribution of the cities was decided by the drawing of lots (Joshua 21:1–8), and six of the Levitical cities were designated as cities of refuge.

As for Levi’s third son, Merari, he had two sons, Mahli and Mushi. The descendants of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died without having sons; he had only daughers. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them. The descendants of Kish were Mahli (not Merari’s son), Eder and Jerimoth (First Chronicles 23:21-23). Although the daughters of Eleazar were married to their kinsmen of the family of Kish, this did not effect a merging of the fathers’ houses of Kish and Eleazar into one house of Mahli. Rather, following the law of inheritance, the daughters maintained an independent house of Eleazar.⁵²⁰ So with Mahli’s two descendents (Eleazar and Kush), and Mushi’s three descendants (another man name Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth), the total of twenty-four divisions is reached.

The Chronicler concluded the lists by reiterating David’s purposes in allocating the Levites’ assignments. These were the descendants of Levi by their families – the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the Temple of ADONAI. For David had said: Since the LORD, the God of Isra’el, has granted rest to His people and has come to dwell in Yerushalayim forever, the Levites no longer need to carry the Tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service. Since their duties included a much larger burden, David lowered the age of Levitical service to twenty from the previously designated age of thirty. According to the last instructions of David the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more (First Chronicles 23:24-27). This permitted many more men to minister.⁵²¹

The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the Temple of YHVH; to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the Tabernacle (First Chronicles 23:28).

They were in charge of the bread of the Presence set out on the Table (see the commentary on Exodus Fo – The Bread of the Presence in the Sanctuary: Christ, the Bread of Life), the special flour for the grain offerings, the thin loaves made without yeast, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size (First Chronicles 23:29).

The daily services of praise by the Levites accompanied the regular sacrifices that were fixed for every morning and evening, and were offered up by the priests (Exodus 29:38-39; Numbers 28:3-8).⁵²² They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise ADONAI. They were to do the same in the evening and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the LORD on the Shabbat’s at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals. They were to serve before the LORD regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them (First Chronicles 23:30-31).

And so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the Tabernacle (see the commentary on Exodus Eq – Christ in the Tabernacle) for the Holy Place (see the commentary on Exodus Fj – The Outer Veil of the Sanctuary) and, under their relatives and descendants of Aaron, for the service of the Temple of YHVH (First Chronicles 23:32).

The Kohathites
First Chronicles 23: 12-20

David started making the arrangements for Temple services
several years before the end of his life.

Kohath was the second of Levi’s three sons and ancestor of Moshe and Aaron (Genesis 46:11; Exodus 6:16-20; Numbers 3:17; First Chronicles 6:1). Few personal details are recorded about him. Being invariably listed between his brothers Gershon and Merari, he lived for 133 years and had four sons. The information about his descendants is more detailed, since the Kohathites were among the most important Levitical clans. The Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites each had specific roles within the Levitical culture. The Kohathites were charged with carrying the most holy furniture associated with the Tabernacle (see the commentary on Numbers, to see link click At – The Clan of Kohath). They carried the holy things, the ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, the lampstand, the altars, the table for the bread of the Presence, and all the other sacred utensils of the Sanctuary (Numbers 4:4-14, 10:21; First Chronicles 9:32). The Sanctuary objects that the Kohathites transported were to be carried on their shoulders with poles made for that purpose (Numbers 7:9; Exodus 25:26–28).

In the Chronicler’s account of the period of the monarchy, the Kohathites are mentioned in connection with four kings: David, Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat, and Josiah, always in relation to service in the Tabernacle or Temple. According to Chronicles, it was during David’s reign, that the family of Heman the Kohathite was among the Levites assigned to direct the singing in the Tabernacle (First Chronicles 6:16-23; Psalm 88:1). Led by Uriel, the leader, 120 Kohathites participated in the installation of the Ark in Jerusalem (First Chronicles 15:5), and the family is again listed in their courses (First Chronicles 23:1-6, 12). Another tradition in Chronicles reports that in the days of King Jehoshaphat, during the invasion of Judah by the Moabites and Ammonites, it was the Kohathites who led the congregation in praise of God at the service of intercession (Second Chronicles 20:19), and two of their men supervised the work of renovation of the Temple undertaken by King Josiah (Second Chronicles 34:12). In the era of the return to Yerushalayim, the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, when functions were being decided for ministry in the Temple, several of the sons of Kohath were put in charge of the changing of the bread of the Presence (First Chronicles 9:32). The only negative episode in the Bible relating to the Kohathites was the rebellion of Korah, grandson of Kohath, against the leadership of Moses and Aaron (see the commentary on Jude Aq – They Have Taken the Way of Cain, Rushed into Balaam’s Error, and have been Destroyed by Korah’s Rebellion).

As Levites, Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites did not receive a specific territory in the Promised Land. Rather, they were given cities and pasturelands from among the territories of the other tribes by the command of ADONAI. The Kohathites received thirteen cities from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Simeon and ten cities from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Dan. The distribution of the cities was decided by the drawing of lots (Joshua 21:1–8), and six of the Levites’ cities were designated as cities of refuge.

The descendants of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel – four in all. So the Kohathites consisted of four families, the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites. Their place in the wilderness was on the southern side of the Tabernacle (see the commentary on Exodus Ep – The Camp of the Twelve Tribes of Isra’el). One of Kohath’s descendants, Amram, fathered Aaron and Moshe (First Chronicles 23:12-13). The role of these verses is to make clear the differentiation, within the tribe of Levi, between the lines of Aaron’s two sons. Aaron, of course, was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the LORD, to minister before Him and to pronounce blessings in His name forever. But the descendants of Moses were limited to lesser Levitical duties even though they were counted as part of the tribe of Levi. Through Moshe’s two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, there arose descendants who were leaders such as Shubael and Rehabiah.

Although it is not explicitly stated, the whole tribe of Levi is considered as holy, while the priests are considered most holy. This is a unique phrase. For although the Most Holy Place is descriptive of several holy instruments, the ark of the Covenant (see the commentary on Exodus Fs – The Mercy Seat in the Most Holy Place: Christ at the Throne of Grace), and the mercy seat (see the commentary on Exodus Fr – The Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place: Christ at the Throne of Grace), it is never applied to humans. In Exodus, YHVH instructed Moshe to prepare a sacred anointing oil with which to anoint the Tabernacle and all its vessels on the one hand, and Aaron and his sons, on the other (see the commentary on Exodus Gf – Dedicate Aaron and His Sons So They May Serve Me as Priests). Therefore, just as the Tabernacle and its sacred utensils became most holy through the anointing of oil, so also Aaron and his descendants are most holy.⁵¹⁹

A second descendant of Kohath, Izhar, was the source of the line that produced the leader Shelomith.

A third descendant of Kohath, Hebron, was the father of four Levitical leaders: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam.

Kohath’s last descendant, Uzziel, fathered the line of Micah and Isaiah. Thus, with the descendants of Kohath, ten more divisions are derived for a total of nineteen.

 

The Gershonites
First Chronicles 23: 7-11

David started making the arrangements for Temple services
several years before the end of his life

Gershon was the firstborn of Levi’s three sons (Exodus 6:16; Numbers 3:17; First Chronicles 6:1, 16 and 23:6). The Levites fulfilled the priestly roles in Isra’el and bore the responsibility of caring for the Tabernacle. The Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites each had specific roles within the Levitical culture. The Gershonites were charged with the carrying of the curtains, coverings, screens, hangings, cords and instruments of the Tabernacle (see the commentary on Exodus, to see link click Au – The Clan of Gershon) on the journeys in the wilderness, under the supervision of Ithamar the son of Aaron. The Gershonites were given two wagons with four oxen-half to help them transport their items (Numbers 7:7).

Among the Gershonites who achieved distinction in later biblical times was the family of Asaph, the singers from the time of David to the days of the Second Temple (First Chronicles 6:31-47, 9:15, 25:1-7; Second Chronicles 25:15; Ezra 2:41; Nehemiah 11:17, 12:35). Other Gershonites named, are the heads of the fathers’ houses in the days of David in connection with the dividing of the Levites into divisions (First Chronicles 23:7-11); the superintendents of the treasuries of the house of the LORD of the same time (First Chronicles 26:21-22, 29:8); and finally, Gershonites are mentioned among those who cleansed the Temple in the days of Hezekiah (Second Chronicles 29:12-13).

As Levites, the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites did not receive a specific territory in the Promised Land. Rather, they were given cities and pasturelands from among the territories of the other tribes by the command of ADONAI. The Gershonites received thirteen cities from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh. The distribution of the cities was decided by the drawing of lots (Joshua 21:1–8), and six of the Levitical cities were designated as cities of refuge.

The list of the Gershonites began with the sons of Gershon, Libni, also known as Ladan (First Chronicles 23:7 and 26:21), and Shim’i (Exodus 6:17; Numbers 3:18; First Chronicles 6:17 and 20). Therefore, there were two groups, the descendants of Ladan and the descendants of Shim’i, enumerated in the census taken in the wilderness of Sinai (Numbers 3:21) and in the plains of Mo’ab (Numbers 26:57).

The names that follow were not the immediate children of Gershon, but men in David’s day who came from these two branches and became leaders of the Gershonites. The descendants of Ladan were Jehiel, Zetham and Joel – three in all. And the sons of Shim’i (not the same Shim’i as below) were Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran – three in all. These were the leaders of the families of Ladan. The line of Ladan, then, produced a total of six leaders. Jehiel, Zetham and Joel were traced directly to Ladan, and Shelomoth, Haziel and Haran were traced through a descendant of Ladan, Shim’i.

Shim’i, son of Gershon, produced four descendants who became Levitical leaders, Jahath, Ziza, (Jeush and Beriah). But because (Jeush and Beriah) did not have many sons they were counted as one family with one ministry assignment. The line of Shim’i, then, produced a total of four leaders. Thus, David secured ten Levitical divisions organized out of the clan of Gershon, six from Ladan and four from Shim’i.