#BAM #InYoFaceDevil Bible Study - 1 Chronicles 12-16

12 David lives in Ziklag to escape Saul, and is even helped by the Banjamites, Saul’s tribal relatives. David’s leaders named, numbered, described – his army seems to be organised into groups of 30. There is three days of feasting after David is anointed king. 13 David gathers Israel together, and brings the ark from the house of Abinadab at Kirjath Jearim, where it had remained since the days of Saul. Uzza touches ark, and is killed by God. The ark stays at the house of Obed-Edom for three months on its way to Jerusalem. 14 The king of Tyre sends David cedar wood and other resources to build a royal house. God blesses David’s kingdom. David takes more wives, and has more children. The Philistines battle against David; David asks for God’s advice, and God personally assures him that victory is his. (Nathan does not appear as an intermediary in this section of Chronicles.) David wins at Baal Perazim, saying God has broken through his enemies like a breakthrough of water. God also gives David strategic military advice. 15 David builds a house for himself, and a tent for the ark. He stipulates that only the Levites (who are listed) can carry the ark. David wants no failures of cultic protocol, as before. The musicians are listed. God helps the Levites carry the ark. Israel celebrates, and David dances. Michal despises David for his dancing. 16 David offers sacrifices before God, and gives everyone in Israel food to celebrate. Levites are appointed to lead the congregation in celebration and music. David writes a psalm of thanksgiving – the covenant remembered in the psalm is the Abrahamic one about land, not the Davidic one about monarchy! Israel and nature praises God in the psalm. The appointed Levites maintain the temple with offerings every morning and evening. The people return home.