Nuggets in A Lists

By Mary Vee
I Chronicles 1-9

From the Genealogies in Chronicles

*Once Nehemiah cleaned up the problems in Jerusalem a meeting was called to make a list. A genealogy from Adam to the current generation. Proof had to be given of Jewish heritage. In the list recorded in I Chronicles some amazing nuggets, kinda like: did you knowisms could be found. Here are some:

Photo Courtesy Nimrod the mighty hunter

Nimrod grew to be a mighty warrior.

Eber had two sons. One was named Peleg because in his time the earth was divided. (Possibly this is when the continents drifted.)

Bela and other kings reigned in Edom before any Israelite kings reigned.

Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the Lord's sight. The Lord put him to death. Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. 

Achar brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

Ge Harashim was given this name because his people were craftsmen.

These records are from ancient times. Er, Laadah, Jokim, and Josh were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah. They stayed there and work for the king.

The men listed above by name were leaders of their clans. They had large families and went to the outskirts of Gedor to the east of the valley in search of pasture for their flocks. They found rich, good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful and quiet. Some Hamites had lives there formerly. The same men came to Judah in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites in their dwellings and also the Meunites who were there and completely destroyed them. They settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks. Five hundred of these Simonites invaded the hill country of Seir. They killed the remaining Amalekites who had escaped and moved into the land.

Jehozadak was deported when the Lord sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile.

The Levites were assigned to most duties in the tabernacle, the house of God. But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense and all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel as Moses the servant of God had commanded.

Ezer and Elead were killed by the native-born men of Gath when they went down to seize their livestock. Their father Ephraim mourned for them many days, and his relatives came to comfort him.

All the named descendants of Asher were heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders.

All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. 

As for Judah and Jerusalem, these people were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness to God. The first to resettle back on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants. The list of their family names follows.

The gatekeepers were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the Tent just as their fathers had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel. Their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord and guarded the four sides: east, west, north, and south. Their brothers in their villages had to come from time tot time and share the duties for a seven-day period.

But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God. They had charge of the key for opening it each morning.

A Levite named Mattihiah, the firstborn son of Shallum was entrusted with the responsibility for baking the offering bread.

Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night.

The more we read the Bible and become interested in connections, the more important the list given in I Chronicles becomes.

Come back next time, because interesting events happen in Jerusalem in days to come.
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sources: New International Version, New King James Version

David-Some Worshipped, Some Mocked

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 6, I Chronicles 16:7-37

From Asaph's Journal

Recently king David transported the Ark of God from Obed-Edom's home to the city. I wish you could have seen the celebration and praises offered to God along the way.

David's enthusiastic songs and dance before God inspired everyone along the road to join in the praises and walk with the cart which carried the Ark to Jerusalem.

As we approached the city, David's wife, Michael came out to meet him. She stomped toward her husband and yelled, "Well, husband, you certainly look like a fool. Imagine, the great king of Israel without his royal clothing, dressed as no more than a commoner in the sight of slave girls. What an embarrassment to the crown and to me, your wife. How could you do this to us?"

He answered as I expected. With a soft, but firm voice. "I didn't dress this way for anyone but the Lord. It was for Him I danced and sang to praise and honor Him. He chose me over your father to follow His commands, and I will do so. If He asks, I will do anything He says even if it means utter humiliation. As for the slave girls you mentioned, they know why I did these things and will have nothing but honor for me."

God rewarded David's faithfulness to Him but He punished Michal by not giving her any children.

Once the ark rested in the Tabernacle, king David gave me a song of thanks to use in our worship. As a Levite I had been appointed to sing praises to God and to lead the people in musical praises. 

Here are the words (unfortunately you can't hear the music):

 Thank God! Call out his Name!
      Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done!
   Sing to him! Play songs for him!
      Broadcast all his wonders!
   Revel in his holy Name,
      God-seekers, be jubilant!
   Study God and his strength,
      seek his presence day and night;
   Remember all the wonders he performed,
      the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth.
   Seed of Israel his servant!
      Children of Jacob, his first choice!
   He is God, our God;
      wherever you go you come on his judgments and decisions.
   He keeps his commitments across thousands
      of generations, the covenant he commanded,
   The same one he made with Abraham,
      the very one he swore to Isaac;
   He posted it in big block letters to Jacob,
      this eternal covenant with Israel:
   "I give you the land of Canaan,
      this is your inheritance;
   Even though you're not much to look at,
      a few straggling strangers."
   They wandered from country to country,
      camped out in one kingdom after another;
   But he didn't let anyone push them around,
      he stood up for them against bully-kings:
   "Don't you dare touch my anointed ones,
      don't lay a hand on my prophets."
   Sing to God, everyone and everything!
      Get out his salvation news every day!
   Publish his glory among the godless nations,
      his wonders to all races and religions.
   And why? Because God is great—well worth praising!
      No god or goddess comes close in honor.
   All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense,
      but God made the cosmos!
   Splendor and majesty flow out of him,
      strength and joy fill his place.
   Shout Bravo! to God, families of the peoples,
      in awe of the Glory, in awe of the Strength: Bravo!
   Shout Bravo! to his famous Name,
      lift high an offering and enter his presence!
   Stand resplendent in his robes of holiness!
   God is serious business, take him seriously;
      he's put the earth in place and it's not moving.
   So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant,
      and pass the word among the nations, "God reigns!"
   Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow,
      let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters;
   Then the trees in the forest will add their applause
      to all who are pleased and present before God
      —he's on his way to set things right!
    Give thanks to God—he is good
      and his love never quits.
   Say, "Save us, Savior God,
      round us up and get us out of these godless places,
   So we can give thanks to your holy Name,
      and bask in your life of praise."
   Blessed be God, the God of Israel,
      from everlasting to everlasting.

When the song ended all the people cheered "Amen!" and "Praise the Lord."

Oh, if only you could have seen or heard it.

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photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.org
Messenger translation used

1. Who is Michal?
2. Why did she yell at king David?
3. Did David listen to her? If not, who did David listen to?
4. Once the ark was placed in the tabernacle what did David give Asaph?
5. Who is Asaph?
6. What did the people do at the end of the song?
7. Would you like to have been there? Why?