1Ch 14:1 | KingComments | STEP | In 2 Samuel 6 after the failure of David in retrieving the ark ( ) directly the story follows that he brings the ark in the right way to Jerusalem ( ). The chronicler does not do that. Before continuing with the description of the upbringing of the ark in 1 Chronicles 15, he mentions in this chapter some events that have already taken place. It seems that he wants to encourage the remnant with this. He wants to tell them that David has not been declared useless by the LORD, but remains the man of His pleasure. To this end, this chapter describes events and messages which make this clear, regardless of the chronological order. It is a chapter full of blessings that are the part of David. Just as David by his unfaithfulness has not been declared useless by the LORD, so may the returned remnant, for whom the books of the Chronicles are written, know that they also have not been declared useless by the LORD. They are a remnant blessed by the LORD. In the fight against the Philistines in the second part of this chapter we see another aspect. There we see that David is exercised to learn to consult the LORD. The blessed results of this, the two victories, are meant to give David courage to bring up the ark to Jerusalem. This will also happen in the next chapter. The encouraging remarks begin with the mention of the friendship statements of Hiram, the king of Tyre. These expressions of friendship consist of sending materials and people to build a house for David. In what Hiram does, we see the fulfillment of God’s promises that He will bless His people by also making the nations subservient to His people ( ). Such kindness is also experienced by the remnant returned from Babylonian exile ( ). David’s reputation is gaining wide recognition. He owes this not to himself, but to the LORD. He gives him that great name. He does not do this primarily for David, the man after His heart, but “for the sake of His people Israel”. Through David He blesses His people. Here we see the great love of God for His people. Something similar we hear from the mouth of the queen of Sheba about Solomon. She says that the LORD has appointed Solomon king over Israel “because the LORD loved Israel forever” ( ). In the same way, the church is the object of the love of God, a love which He proves by even giving His Son as Head over all things to the church ( ). Christ is the Man according to God’s heart, through Whom He gives all blessings to each of His own individually and to His people as a whole. We too should be a blessing to each member of the church individually and to the church as a whole. In a broader sense, we must be a blessing for all people, that is to say, we pass on the blessing we ourselves have received from the Lord. God wants us to be channels of His blessing in every respect.

‏ 1 Chronicles 14:1

Introduction

In 2 Samuel 6 after the failure of David in retrieving the ark (2Sam 6:1-11) directly the story follows that he brings the ark in the right way to Jerusalem (2Sam 6:12-19). The chronicler does not do that. Before continuing with the description of the upbringing of the ark in 1 Chronicles 15, he mentions in this chapter some events that have already taken place. It seems that he wants to encourage the remnant with this. He wants to tell them that David has not been declared useless by the LORD, but remains the man of His pleasure.

To this end, this chapter describes events and messages which make this clear, regardless of the chronological order. It is a chapter full of blessings that are the part of David. Just as David by his unfaithfulness has not been declared useless by the LORD, so may the returned remnant, for whom the books of the Chronicles are written, know that they also have not been declared useless by the LORD. They are a remnant blessed by the LORD.

In the fight against the Philistines in the second part of this chapter we see another aspect. There we see that David is exercised to learn to consult the LORD. The blessed results of this, the two victories, are meant to give David courage to bring up the ark to Jerusalem. This will also happen in the next chapter.

The Kingship of David Established

The encouraging remarks begin with the mention of the friendship statements of Hiram, the king of Tyre. These expressions of friendship consist of sending materials and people to build a house for David. In what Hiram does, we see the fulfillment of God’s promises that He will bless His people by also making the nations subservient to His people (Isa 60:5 ; Isa 61:6). Such kindness is also experienced by the remnant returned from Babylonian exile (Ezra 1:1-4 ; Ezra 6:8).

David’s reputation is gaining wide recognition. He owes this not to himself, but to the LORD. He gives him that great name. He does not do this primarily for David, the man after His heart, but “for the sake of His people Israel”. Through David He blesses His people. Here we see the great love of God for His people. Something similar we hear from the mouth of the queen of Sheba about Solomon. She says that the LORD has appointed Solomon king over Israel “because the LORD loved Israel forever” (1Kgs 10:9).

In the same way, the church is the object of the love of God, a love which He proves by even giving His Son as Head over all things to the church (Eph 1:22-23). Christ is the Man according to God’s heart, through Whom He gives all blessings to each of His own individually and to His people as a whole.

We too should be a blessing to each member of the church individually and to the church as a whole. In a broader sense, we must be a blessing for all people, that is to say, we pass on the blessing we ourselves have received from the Lord. God wants us to be channels of His blessing in every respect.