1 Chronicles 23 & 24: Solomon His Son
Verse of the Day: (23:1) So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel. 

1. Son (23:1-11)
And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. (23:2)

We are not indispensable, as one day, we shall die, and God shall judge us for our belief, and for everything we have done on this earth. (Hebrews 9:27-28) David chose Solomon, one of his sons, as God had not only named him as his successor but also the one who shall build His house. (1 Chronicles 22:9-10) David then gathered all his people throughout Israel, and announced his successor so that they shall fully support and pray for him. Indeed, let us prepare and pray for our successor, especially our children, that they shall be trained and guided to trust and obey God in their lifetime. (Proverbs 22:1-6)

2. Sanctify (23:12-32)
The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever. (23:13)

God impressed upon David’s heart to specially prepare the sons of Amram, namely, Aaron and Moses, from the tribe of Levi, as they were instrumental in the spiritual training and development of the people of Israel. God had chosen and separated Aaron and his descendants to be His priests to minister at His sanctuary, and Moses, whom God called him as His man, and his descendants, shall assist Aaron and his priests at His sanctuary. These priests assisted by the Levites shall prepare the showbread, the fine flour for meat offering and the unleavened cakes, and offer all burnt sacrifices during the sabbaths, new moons and set feasts, and standing, thanking and praising Him every morning and evening. Indeed, all who believe in God must be sanctified and separated for His service before we can truly worship and serve Him in His holiness. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

3. Service (24:1-31)
And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. (24:3)

God commanded David to organise the tribe of Levi, and in particular, Aaron and his descendants or the priests, in an orderly manner of service so that they shall bring glory to His name. God reminded Israel of how He struck Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, dead as they had offered strange fire before Him and thus defiled His sanctuary. (Leviticus 10:1-7) Indeed, let us serve God decently because He is the God of peace, and everything must be done according to His way and for His glory. (1 Corinthians 14:33-40)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to prepare and pray for my successor for Your glory.

1 Chronicles 21 & 22: The Full Price
Verse of the Day: (21:24) And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. 

1. Provocation (21:1-19)
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. (21:1)

David became proud and self-sufficient as he failed to pray to God whether he should number his people, but instead sinned against Him when he numbered Israel as Satan had provoked him to do. Consequently, God through Prophet Gad gave him 3 choices as to how he and also Israel shall be punished. The first was 3 years’ famine, the second was that his enemies shall destroy Israel for 3 months and the last was that God’s angel and a deadly disease shall destroy them for 3 days. David chose the chastisement of God, and He sent the disease, and destroyed 70,000 people. David then pleaded with God, and He commanded him to build an altar at the threshingfloor of Ornan, the Jebusite, to offer sacrifices to atone his sins and stop His wrath. Indeed, let us resist the devil, and humble ourselves before God, and seek His will and direction in everything we do. (James 4:6-10)

2. Price (21:20-30)
And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof. (21:27)

When Ornan wanted to give the portion of the land of his threshingfloor, David insisted that he must pay the full price. Indeed, nothing is free, and though our salvation is free, yet it costs the precious life and blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. For without His blood, there is no atonement and the forgiveness of the sins of the world. (Hebrews 9:11-28)

3. Preparation (22:1-19)
And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. (22:5)

David was very thankful to God that he was chosen to be the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. Though God chose Solomon, David’s young and inexperienced son, instead of him, to build His house, that shall be the most magnificent and majestic palace throughout the world, yet David gladly accepted His choice and prepared all the materials for Solomon to construct it. David knew that God had denied him of building His house as he was a man of war and had shed much blood from the battles he fought against the enemies of Israel. (1 Chronicles 28:3) Indeed, let us be thankful to God knowing that He knows what is best for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You paid full price, Your Life and Blood, to atone me.

1 Chronicles 19 & 20: Be Of Good Courage
Verse of the Day: (19:13) Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight. 

1. Comfort (19:1-5)
And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. (19:2)

King David was kind to Hanun, the son of King Nahash of Ammon, when he sent his messengers to comfort him after the death of Nahash, who had been kind to him. However, Hanun, upon the advice of his princes, shamed David’s messengers by shaving their beard and cutting off their garments. They had thought the worst of David that he had sent spies to check out their land before launching an attack, and instead of being comforted, Hanun was suspicious of David’s motive. Let us thus comfort one another knowing that the best comforter is our God who knows our sorrows. (2 Corinthians 1-4)

2. Courage (19:6-19)
Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blesses, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever. (17:27)

David sent Joab and his army to battle against the Ammonites as Hanun hired the army of Syria to strengthen his army as they launched an attack against Israel. When Israel was surrounded by the armies of the Ammonites and the Syrians, Joab commanded Abishai, his brother, to split into two forces so that they could help each other depending on the outcome of their battle. Eventually, Joab and Abishai won the battle against their enemies because of their courage and teamwork, and above all, the God of Israel was with them. Indeed, let us be courageous and put on the whole armour of God in order to have victory over the devil and to yield ourselves as His servants of righteousness. (Ephesians 6:10-19)  

3. Crown (20:1-8)
And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon David’s head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city. (20:2)

The crown of a king is a symbol of his authority and power. After the defeat of the Ammonites, David took the crown of their king and put it on his head signifying that he was now their ruler. However, the best crown for all who believe in Jesus is the crown of righteousness that one day He shall bless us with, as we look forward to His appearing when we shall be with Him forever in His home in glorious heaven. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please grant me the courage to overcome the devil for Your glory.

1 Chronicles 17 & 18: Who Am I?
Verse of the Day: (17:16) And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

1. Word (17:1-15)
And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, (17:3)

Initially Prophet Nathan endorsed King David’s heart desire to build God’s house, instead of just pitching a tabernacle to house His ark, however, in the same night, the Word of God came to Nathan, and told him that David shall only prepare the materials for the construction, and only Solomon, his son, shall build His house. The reason was that David was a man of war and had shed much blood from the many battles that he had fought against the enemies of Israel. (1 Chronicles 28:1-8) Though God refused David to build His house, the latter humbly accepted it as he knew it was God who took him from a shepherd boy to be the ruler of Israel. He was thankful and grateful to God for granting him the wisdom and power to defeat all the enemies of Israel, especially, Goliath, the giant Philistine. (1 Samuel 17) Indeed, let us not use our own understanding, but pray and seek God and His Word and will as we do His great and mighty work. (Proverbs 3:5-10)

2. Who (17:16-27)
Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blesses, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever. (17:27)

David was overwhelmed that God had chosen his family to be the lineage of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Indeed, what a privilege to be called God’s children, joint-heirs with His Son, Jesus Christ, and more than conquerors through Him who loves us when we truly believe and trust in Him. (Romans 8) Let us therefore humble ourselves before God to know that we are only sinners saved by His amazing grace. (James 4:6-10)

3. Welfare (18:1-17)
He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass. (18:10)

After David’s victory over many of his enemies, King Tou of Hamath, sent Hadoram, his son, to congratulate him and asking him of his welfare, because David had defeated Hadarezer, King Tou’s enemy. Indeed, if God is for us, who can be against us? Let us fully trust and obey God, and He shall surely provide for our welfare, and grant us wisdom, power and victory over our sins, death and the devil. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for saving my soul when I am a sinner bound for hell.

1 Chronicles 15 & 16: Thanking The LORD
Verse of the Day: (16:7) Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

1. Trumpets (15:1-29)
And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark. (15:24)

David was called a man after God’s heart because he truly repented his sins, and learned never to repeat it. This time David was determined to bring God’s ark the right way as he chose only the Levites to carry God’s ark on their shoulders from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem. When the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves, and finally brought God’s ark to Jerusalem, David and his people rejoiced and celebrated the return of it. David appointed singers and musicians to sing and play the musical instruments such as the trumpets, cornets, cymbals, psalteries and harps in great celebration of the return of God’s ark. However, the sad truth was that Michal, Saul’s daughter, David’s first wife, was the only one who despised David’s celebration and the return of God’s ark. Subsequently, God disciplined her unbelief, and she became childless. Indeed, let us believe in God and rejoice in Him knowing that He is good all the time. (Philippians 4:4)

2. Thanksgiving (16:1-36)
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. (16:34)

David appointed Asaph and his brethren to lead in the worship of God as he sang and thanked God for who He is, and what He had done for him and Israel, and shall continue to do for them as they trusted Him. Indeed, let us be thankful to God for who He is, and what He had done, what He is doing and what He shall do for us! (Colossians 3:15-17)

3. Tabernacle (16:37-43)
And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, (16:39)

David built a tabernacle in preparation of the arrival of God’s ark. He also appointed Zadok, the high priest, and his brothers, the priests, to take charge of all the services of the tabernacle. When the ark arrived, the people offered their burnt and peace offerings or animal sacrifices at the tabernacle confessing their sins and committing themselves to obey God and His Word. Today, we are God’s priests when we truly believe in Jesus. Now we no longer go to the church to offer animal sacrifices as we are God’s priests as well as His living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1-2) Indeed, let us boldly go to God seeking for His forgiveness, and asking Him to help us in our needs as we trust Him. (Hebrews 4:16)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, as long as I live I shall thank You for all that You have done for me.

1 Chronicles 13 & 14: The Ark Of Our God
Verse of the Day: (13:3) And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.

1. Ark (13:1-14)
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. (13:10)

Time and again God forgave David even though he sinned against Him, and in fact, God even commended him as a man after His heart. (Acts 13:22) One of David’s sins was when he consulted with his leaders as to whether he should bring God’s ark to Israel when he should have just brought it in as God had commanded Moses to build His ark so that He shall dwell among Israel and they shall worship Him. (Exodus 25:8-22) Another of David’s sins was when he allowed his people to put God’s ark on a wagon pulled by an oxen instead of carrying it on their shoulders. God’s command was that only the sons of Kohath should carry His ark on their shoulders, and that they must never touch it. This was why God struck Uzza dead when he held His ark after the oxen had stumbled along the way. (Numbers 4:15) After that, David left God’s ark in the house of Obed-edom as he feared to bring it to Jerusalem. Indeed, let us be holy, as God’s ark, the Holy Spirit, resides within us when we truly believe in Jesus, the Son of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) 

2. Anointing (14:1-8)
And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. (14:8)

Though David was anointed as king over Israel, yet he sinned against God by marrying many wives when at the beginning God’s command to man was that he must have only one wife. God gave the first man, Adam, only one wife, Eve, the first woman. (Genesis 2:20-25). However, when David truly repented his sins, and prayed, God forgave him and answered his prayers, by granting him victory over the Philistines. Soon, all the nations feared him. Indeed, let us call upon God, and He shall surely answer us. (Jeremiah 33:3)

3. Again (14:9-17)
Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. (14:14)

Amid David’s failures, God used him in great and mighty ways to lead Israel to overcome their enemies and possessed their Promised Land. Time and again David prayed, and God answered him his requests. Indeed, let us cast all our care upon God, and He shall answer us again and again, because He truly loves and cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your Ark, the Holy Spirit, is in me, as I believe in You.

1 Chronicles 11 & 12: Lives In Jeopardy
Verse of the Day: (11:19) And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest. 

1. Jerusalem (11:1-9)
And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. (11:4)

God ordained David, a shepherd, to be the next king replacing Saul, the first king, as the latter had disobeyed Him. (Acts 13:21-24) King David then challenged Israel that whoever be the first to kill the Jebusites, their enemies who dwelt in Jerusalem, would be his captain. Joab was appointed as David’s captain as he was the first to kill the Jebusites. Israel defeated the Jebusites and claimed Jerusalem, the city which God’s house shall be built, and one day, it shall be the new Jerusalem, the holy city of God. (Revelation 21:1-4) Indeed, let us boldly claim God’s promises as we are His conquerors. (Romans 8:37-39) 

2. Jeopardy (11:10-47)
And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Beth-lehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD, (11:18)

David could never be a godly king without God and his mighty men. 3 of his mighty men loved David so much that they jeopardised their lives by intruding into the camp of the Philistines to take the water of the well of Beth-lehem which he longed for it. When they successfully got the water and gave it to David, the latter poured it as an offering to God thanking Him for blessing him with such mighty men. All Israel then pledged their allegiance to David. Indeed, godliness, loyalty and teamwork are vital ingredients for the success of the family and church, where Jesus Christ is our Head and Chief. (Psalms 127)

3. Joy (12:1-40)
Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel. (12:40)

Almost all from the 12 tribes of Israel and from all walks of lives such as the mighty soldiers and the wise men to the ordinary and common folks came to Hebron with joy and unity to make David the king over all Israel. They brought food and drinks with them and celebrated with David for 3 days. Indeed, let us be leaders who truly follow God and His Word so that our people shall joyfully and faithfully follow us. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to live for You and even in jeopardy if it is Your will.

1 Chronicles 9 & 10: Service At God’s House
Verse of the Day: (9:13) And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God. 

1. Service (9:1-32)
All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office. (9:22)

One of the most important reasons why God, the Holy Spirit, inspired the author of 1 Chronicles to pen down in detail of the names of the 12 tribes of Israel was because Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Saviour shall come from this lineage, and from the tribe of Judah. (Matthew 1:1-17) Since the beginning of time of the first couple, Adam and Eve, and during the time of the kings of Israel and Judah, and even today, God has called His people to serve Him in different ways, but with one aim which is to please Him. God called King David and Prophet Samuel to ordain 1,760 strong men to serve Him, while another 212 men as gatekeepers at His sanctuary, and all were from the tribe of Levi. Today, God calls His Christians who believe in Him to serve Him in His church with whatever talents He has blessed us with. Some are called to be pastors, missionaries and teachers, while others are called to be administrators, worship leaders and choir members. Indeed, let us truly thank God that we have the privilege to give our time, talents, tithes, treasures and above all, ourselves, to Him for His glory and praise. (Ephesians 4:11-16) 

2. Singers (9:33-44)
And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. (9:33)

God called the singers, from the tribe of Levi, to sing and praise Him day and night at His sanctuary for His glory. Today, we sing to praise and thank God for who He is, and what He has done for us as we hear God’s Word from our pastor. Indeed, one day we shall also sing praises in heaven thanking and worshipping God forever more! (Revelation 15:1-3)

3. Saul (10:1-14)
So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together. (10:6)

Alas, the first king of Israel, Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, disobeyed and rebelled against God. God then removed Saul from his throne, and replaced him with David, the son of Jesse, from the tribe of Judah. God severely punished Saul, as the latter and his 3 sons and his family died together during the battle with their enemies, the Philistines. Indeed, let us trust and obey God so that He shall open the windows of heaven and pour His blessings upon our lives and that of our families forever more! (1 Samuel 15:20-23)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love and serve You in Your church for Your glory.

1 Chronicles 7 & 8: Bands Of Soldiers
Verse of the Day: (7:4) And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons. 

1. Sons (7:1-2)
And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred. (7:2)

Though God blessed the 12 sons of Israel, yet He only chose some to be His mighty soldiers in their generations to protect Israel and their families, and fight against their enemies and possess the Promised Land. From the sons of Tola, God chose 22,600 mighty soldiers to fight against their enemies. Likewise, though God bless every member of His church, yet each member has different roles in their service to Him as they have different strengths and weaknesses. While Jesus, God’s Son, is the Head of the church, He chooses the pastor as the human head of the church, and the deacons to assist him. Every member including the pastor and deacons are the sons of God and sinners saved by His grace. (John 1:12) Though some members are prominent like the hands and legs and like the mighty soldiers of Israel, yet others like the thumbs and toes though they seem insignificant are equally important like the wives and children. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) 

2. Soldiers (7:3-40)
And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Micahel, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men. (7:3)

From the sons of Uzzi, God chose 36,000 mighty soldiers to fight against their enemies. Who were their enemies? Their enemies were none other than the devil and the demons and those who rejected God and persecuted His people. Indeed, God’s greatest desire is that all mankind created in His own image, whether in the days of Chronicles, or since the beginning of time of the first couple, Adam and Eve, or even today, to believe in and worship Him so that we shall have abundant lives with Him now and forever. (2 Peter 3:9)

3. Saul (8:1-40)
And Ner Begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. (8:33)

Saul, the son of Kish, was the first king of Israel, and he was from the tribe of Benjamin. Alas, Saul failed miserably as a king, and God removed him, and replaced him with David, the son of Jesse, from the tribe of Judah, a man after His heart. Indeed, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, came from the line of David, and the tribe of Judah. (Acts 13:21-24)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am one of Your soldiers with You as my Captain.

1 Chronicles 5 & 6: God’s War
Verse of the Day: (5:22) For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.

1. War (5:1-26)
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; because they put their trust in him. (5:20)

God gave the birth right of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, to Joseph, another son of Israel, when the former committed incest with his father’s wife. Even though Joseph was the one with the birth right, yet God appointed Judah, another son of Israel, to be the chief ruler who shall be in the line of Jesus, the Son of God. (Matthew 2:6) Though we may not fully understand God’s way yet we must keep trusting Him. Though many times God allowed their enemies to attack and humble them because they had sinned against Him, yet when they trusted Him and cried to Him, He delivered them out of their captivity. In fact, God preserves a remnant of Israel until today, because they are His people, and He had promised them that one day they shall be a great nation. (Genesis 12:1-3) Indeed, let us trust God and put on His armour of salvation, righteousness, truth, faith, the gospel of peace, His Word and prayer, so that we shall prevail against the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-19) 

2. Wait (6:1-32)
And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order. (6:32)

God in His sovereignty chose the Levites, one of the 12 tribes of Israel, to wait on, serve and worship Him at His tabernacle which King Solomon had built for Him. Today, we are the Levites, the royal priests, who wait on, serve and worship God in His church by sharing the gospel, baptising the believers, teaching them to obey His Word, worshipping and praising Him, and helping the poor and the weak in the communities. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

3. Wilderness (6:33-81)
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs, (6:78)

God fulfilled His promise when He eventually helped Israel to overcome their enemies, and then allotted to the 12 tribes, except the tribe of Levites, the possessed lands from the suburbs to the wilderness. Though the Levites had no land, yet they had God as their inheritance, as they waited on and served Him at His tabernacle. Indeed, let us be rooted and grounded in God’s love as He bless us according to His power. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to put on Your whole armour to fight against the devil.