SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
1 Chronicles 18:1 through 26:32

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“Is not the Lord your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand; and the land is subdued before the Lord, and before his people. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 22:18-19)

BACKGROUND

The author of 1 and 2 Chronicles clearly believed that direction for his nation could be found in the history of his people—a history about which they needed to be reminded. In his focus on King David, little mention is made of David’s failures. Instead, the author highlighted David’s strengths and victories, perhaps to encourage the exiles who were rebuilding Jerusalem after their seventy-year captivity in Babylon. He wanted the returning Jews to remember that obedience results in God’s blessing, to make the Temple and priesthood a priority, and to believe God’s unconditional promises to the descendants of David. 

Since Israel was under the control of the Medo-Persian Empire when Chronicles was written, a king from David’s line no longer ruled Israel; Jewish political and social power at that point resided in appointed governors and religious leaders. However, God had promised that a future King would rise from David’s descendants, so the author of Chronicles retold Israel’s history through a priestly and kingly lens to prepare the people for their coming Messiah. 

Today’s text from 1 Chronicles can be divided into three parts. Chapters 18-20 summarize the military victories of David, and the resulting enhancement of David’s reputation in Israel and its neighboring nations. Chapter 21 describes David’s sin in taking a census of Israel and the tragic consequences. Bible scholars suggest this event was included because the land David purchased to make an offering to halt the plague that was God’s judgment eventually became the site of the new Temple. Chapters 22-26 record the arrangements David made for the building of the Temple and his organization of those who would serve there in various capacities.

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QUESTIONS

1. God’s covenant with David included the promise that the Israelites’ enemies would be overcome (see 1 Chronicles 17:9). Chapter 18 shows how God fulfilled that promise by helping David defeat the opposing nations that surrounded Israel. The spoil and tribute from the conquered nations resulted in immense wealth for Israel. What did David do with the wealth acquired in this manner? 1 Chronicles 18:8,11
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2. Verse 14 of chapter 18 states that David “executed judgment and justice among all his people.” How would you explain that statement? What are some of the ways a leader could execute judgment and justice in our day?
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3. Chapter 19 describes the rash act by the king of Ammon that led to David’s battle with the Ammonites. When King Nahash of the Ammonites died, David sent messengers to extend sympathy to Hanun, Nahash’s son and heir. Hanun treated David’s men with contempt. His demeaning actions were equivalent to declaring war, so David sent out his “army of mighty men” to confront the Ammonite forces. Prior to the battle, Joab, the commander-in-chief of David’s army, made a short but significant speech to the Israelite forces. What did he say to encourage them, and what was the outcome of the battle? 1 Chronicles 19:13, 15, 18-19
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4. Chapter 21 describes David’s sin in taking a census of Israel. In verse 3, Joab warned the king that doing so was both unnecessary and “a cause of trespass” (inviting trouble) for Israel. The parallel account in 2 Samuel 24:4 states that the captains of the army also warned David against taking such a step. However, David went ahead with the census, and his action had dire consequences. Since verse 1 indicates that Satan incited David into taking the census, why do you think David was held responsible?
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5. God was displeased with David’s numbering of Israel, and punishment would come. At God’s direction, Gad the seer told David to choose from three judgments. What were the three options Gad presented to David? 1 Chronicles 21:10-12
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6. The prophet Gad instructed David to set up an altar and sacrifice to the Lord on the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. This location had both a rich history and a significant future. According to Jewish tradition, it was the spot where Abraham offered Isaac. Soon it would become the site of the Temple (see 2 Chronicles 3:1). Chapter 22 of 1 Chronicles records David’s preparations for building the Temple. What natural materials did King David gather for this purpose? 1 Chronicles 22:3-4, 14
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7. Chapter 23 opens by stating that David was old and made Solomon the king. Then he called together the princes, priests, and Levites, and defined how worship was to be conducted and by whom it was to be administrated. The Levites were to care for the Temple and its grounds (verse 28) and help prepare the offerings (verse 29). They were also to participate in the musical part of the worship. In verse 30, David instructed them to “stand [be present] every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even.” What do you think is implied by that instruction?
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8. In chapter 24, David appointed the descendants of Aaron, the first priest of Israel, to serve as priests in the Temple. They were then separated into twenty-four groups that participated on a rotational basis, serving two-week shifts in Jerusalem and the remainder of the year in their hometowns. What phrase in verse 19 stands out to you as being especially significant, and why?
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9. Chapter 25 describes King David’s organization of the Levites to provide music as part of the Temple worship. Individuals from the families of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were appointed to lead twenty-four teams of musicians who participated on a rotating basis. The order in which the various teams served was determined by casting lots (verse 8). Why do you think this method of selection was used?
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10. Verses 1-12 of chapter 26 gives a list of the porters, who also could be called gatekeepers or doorkeepers. Their duties included opening and closing the Temple doors, making sure those who entered were ceremonially clean (see 2 Chronicles 23:19), and confirming that items and equipment were not removed from the area. Other Scriptures indicate they also stored, ordered, and maintained food supplies for Temple workers, cared for the furniture in the house of God, mixed the incense that was used on a daily basis, and accounted for the gifts and sacrifices that were brought by the people. What phrase in verse 12 sums up their duties?
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CONCLUSION

These chapters in 1 Chronicles reminded thereturned exiles of the importance of making properworship a priority, and encouraged them to believethat God’s promises to the descendants of Davidwould one day be fulfilled.