This is an interesting chapter to read. Interesting, in that it’s the final chapter of David’s life, as well as the final chapter of 1 Chronicles. It caught my attention the other day, probably because I pay closer attention to “end of life” or “late in life” passages than I used to. I wonder why?
One thing about David is that I have heard
more than one sermon in the last couple of years where preachers have tried to
put David “in his place,” so to speak.
The line I heard more than once was something like this: “Sure, he was a
man after God’s own heart, but …” For
example, he was hammered by one man for fleeing to Gath during the time of his
running from Saul. The assumption was
that, if he really trusted God, he would not have joined the enemy. The story of how Abigail saved David from
acting in anger and revenge was another opportunity to criticize David. He was generally painted, not just as being
involved in wars, but being more of a “war-mongering” man. Even in the story of Goliath he was seen as
more looking for a fight than trusting God.
I probably should not have raised these
matters, because I’m not going to say anything more about them. Except to say that I don’t see the need to denigrate
David in such a way. He was a
sinner. The details of his major sins
are displayed for all to see. And yet
there was something about him by which God would say that David was the man
after His heart, the one He chose to replace Saul and to become the template
for King Jesus!
Nevertheless, can we not agree that this
chapter reveals some very powerful things about David at the end of his life. When you read the Kings and Chronicles you
know there were several of his descendents who were righteous kings, but who
stumbled at the end of their lives (Solomon, Asa, Hezekiah). So did David, for that matter, in the census
(1 Chron. 21). It is a wonderful thing
to see a chapter where, in the course of leaving behind something of value to
his son and his nation, we see that David was a truly mature man of God. I have noted some things that caught my
attention; I suspect you can find more.
·
29:1: David knew that holiness, setting
God apart, acknowledging His holiness, was a great life-work. Compare what David says here with 1 Chron.
22:5: Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built
for the LORD must be exceeding magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all
countries. In 29:1 we see why the
temple must be so magnificent; it is because the temple is not for man but
for the LORD God. This is a lesson Solomon
heard and repeated: The temple which I build will be great, for our God is
greater than all gods (2 Chron. 2:5).
This is a truth I must recognize as well. My body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit. To make it fitting for my Lord
is a great work as well. Both body and
soul must glorify God (1 Cor. 6:19-20). It
is a great work and it is a life-long work, maintaining it is purity and
dedication, a living sacrifice.
·
29:5: David knew that we must give ourselves
to God first, before our money. Paul
saw the same thing in the churches of Macedonia (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Jesus taught the principle often (e.g. Mt.
5:23-24). The instructions were that, if
you want to give willingly, first consecrate yourself. It is not enough for giving to be willing; it
must be directed by the Lord. So first
we give ourselves!
·
29:9: David knew the joy of giving willingly. We might tend to think of giving in the OT
days as prescribed, involving a tithe and that sort of thing. That might sound more like paying your taxes,
and sometimes it was like that. Who
rejoices over his taxes? But the OT is
full of opportunities for God’s people to give according to their own will, to make
a decision as to the amount of their giving.
That is pure, unlimited joy!
Do I know these things to be true? Am I leaving this legacy for my family?
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