Day 145. Reading 1 Chronicles 23-25

Day 146.  Reading Psalms 131, 138, 139, 142, 143, 144, 145.

“When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.”

• (Okay, there is more to tell on that story – including another son Adonijah trying to stage a coup against Solomon. It takes some really tricky conniving to thwart it. But for now, toward the end of 1 Chronicles, David is shown mostly concerned about the Temple that Solomon will build, and in organizing all the Temple services and worship.  You can see David’s heart so yearning to be there when it happens.)

The Levites.

The duties of the three divisions of Levites will be much different. With a permanent Temple, there would no longer be the necessity of breaking down the Tabernacle, moving it, and setting it up again.  Those who did those chores would have an easier life. “The LORD has give His people rest, for He dwells in Jerusalem forever.”

David numbered those 30 years of age** and up to minister.  Some of their NEW duties would be as officers and judges, gatekeepers, and musicians

** Note: The age David chose at first was that set by Moses in Numbers 4. Later he changed that to 20 years old and up (as in the general population census.)

They were to assist the priests in the service of the house of the LORD, having the care of the courts and chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any other work needed. They were to assist in the showbread, the offerings of bread and oil, and all measures.  They were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the LORD, and likewise at evening and whenever burnt offerings were made. Also on the Sabbaths, new moons, and feast days … regularly before the LORD.

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1 Chronicles 24.

The Priests.

David next organized the actual priests (from the two sons of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar).

With the help of the priests, Zadok and Ahimelech (son of Abiathar), David appointed them their duties.  The 16 heads of houses in Eleazar and the 8 heads of houses in Ithamar, were divided by lot as to their service schedule.  David had his scribe (secretary) record them in the presence of the king and the two priests.  Lots were drawn for the 24 slots of duty in the Temple, TWO WEEKS EACH. 

• (NOTE: This order continued even into Jesus’s day.  Remember old Zachariah, so excited for it to be HIS TURN in the Temple, was terrified when an angel appeared and said he and Elizabeth would be having a son, a forerunner of the Messiah.  Read Luke 1:6-9.)

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1 Chronicles 25.

The Musicians.

The heads of the musicians and songwriters were from each of the three clans of Levi.  Heman from Kohath, Asaph from Gershom, and Ethan (then Jeduthun) from  Merari.  Under these heads, their sons are listed.  Each was under the direction of his “father” in the music for the house of the LORD, but the three heads of music were “under the order of the king.  There were 24 orders of these musicians, just as there were 24 priestly families.  They served for two weeks in a year.

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DAY 146.

Psalm 131. By David.

• O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
• But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

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Psalm 138.  By David

• I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your Name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word.
• All the kings of the earth shall give You thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of Your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.

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Psalm 139.  By David.

This is such a wonderful psalm of David’s relationship with God, Who searched him and KNOWS him, wherever he is, in how he feels, in whatever he’s thinking or doing.  “The knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”  (Have you ever felt like that???)

David realizes that he can never go out of God’s presence.  (HOW AMAZING!!)

He tells how God formed him in his mother’s womb, each part known and lovingly and intricately made. (WOW!!!)

• How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!  If I could count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (SO WONDERFUL!)

And then the classic prayer (in Psalm 51 as well) …

• “Search me, O God, and know my heart!
• Try me and know my thoughts! 
• And see if there be any grievous way in me,
• and lead me in the way everlasting.”

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Psalm  141.  By David

• Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds.

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Psalm 143.  By David

• I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that You have done; I ponder the work of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
• Teach me to do your will, for You are my God!  Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

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Psalm 144.  By David.

• O LORD, what is man that You regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?  Man is a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
• May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace.
• Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!

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Psalm 145.  By David.

• I will extol You, my God and King, and bless Your name forever and ever.  Every day I will bless you and praise Your name forever and ever.  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
• On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate.
• The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that he has made.
• The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works!  The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
• The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.
• The LORD preserves all who love him…