1 Chronicles 24

1 Chronicles 24:1

Genealogy of the Gibeonites

In 1 Chronicles 9:35, the historical part of the book begins, and it again begins with mentioning Saul’s genealogy (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:29-40). This is done to show the contrast with David. This is another illustration of the principle that the natural comes first and then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). We find this throughout the Bible. Thus we also read that God “takes away the first in order to establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9b).

Saul is the king according to the taste of the people; David is the king according to the heart of God. We can already see a great difference in the activities of both persons at the time of their calling. Saul is searching for donkeys when he is promised the kingship (1 Samuel 9:3; 19-20; 1 Samuel 10:1); David is taken from behind the sheep to be anointed king (1 Samuel 16:10-13). God is angry with His people when He gives Saul and even angrier when He takes him away (Hosea 13:11).

The kingship itself is according to God’s thoughts (Deuteronomy 17:14-20), but that is a kingship according to the wishes of His own heart. God is the King of His people. He wants to give it form in a human being. This man is the Man of His pleasure, His only begotten Son, Who became Man. It is the kingdom of God, but the government over it is laid in the hands of a Man.

1 Chronicles 24:2

Genealogy of the Gibeonites

In 1 Chronicles 9:35, the historical part of the book begins, and it again begins with mentioning Saul’s genealogy (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:29-40). This is done to show the contrast with David. This is another illustration of the principle that the natural comes first and then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). We find this throughout the Bible. Thus we also read that God “takes away the first in order to establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9b).

Saul is the king according to the taste of the people; David is the king according to the heart of God. We can already see a great difference in the activities of both persons at the time of their calling. Saul is searching for donkeys when he is promised the kingship (1 Samuel 9:3; 19-20; 1 Samuel 10:1); David is taken from behind the sheep to be anointed king (1 Samuel 16:10-13). God is angry with His people when He gives Saul and even angrier when He takes him away (Hosea 13:11).

The kingship itself is according to God’s thoughts (Deuteronomy 17:14-20), but that is a kingship according to the wishes of His own heart. God is the King of His people. He wants to give it form in a human being. This man is the Man of His pleasure, His only begotten Son, Who became Man. It is the kingdom of God, but the government over it is laid in the hands of a Man.

1 Chronicles 24:3

Genealogy of the Gibeonites

In 1 Chronicles 9:35, the historical part of the book begins, and it again begins with mentioning Saul’s genealogy (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:29-40). This is done to show the contrast with David. This is another illustration of the principle that the natural comes first and then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). We find this throughout the Bible. Thus we also read that God “takes away the first in order to establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9b).

Saul is the king according to the taste of the people; David is the king according to the heart of God. We can already see a great difference in the activities of both persons at the time of their calling. Saul is searching for donkeys when he is promised the kingship (1 Samuel 9:3; 19-20; 1 Samuel 10:1); David is taken from behind the sheep to be anointed king (1 Samuel 16:10-13). God is angry with His people when He gives Saul and even angrier when He takes him away (Hosea 13:11).

The kingship itself is according to God’s thoughts (Deuteronomy 17:14-20), but that is a kingship according to the wishes of His own heart. God is the King of His people. He wants to give it form in a human being. This man is the Man of His pleasure, His only begotten Son, Who became Man. It is the kingdom of God, but the government over it is laid in the hands of a Man.

1 Chronicles 24:4

Genealogy of the Gibeonites

In 1 Chronicles 9:35, the historical part of the book begins, and it again begins with mentioning Saul’s genealogy (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:29-40). This is done to show the contrast with David. This is another illustration of the principle that the natural comes first and then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). We find this throughout the Bible. Thus we also read that God “takes away the first in order to establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9b).

Saul is the king according to the taste of the people; David is the king according to the heart of God. We can already see a great difference in the activities of both persons at the time of their calling. Saul is searching for donkeys when he is promised the kingship (1 Samuel 9:3; 19-20; 1 Samuel 10:1); David is taken from behind the sheep to be anointed king (1 Samuel 16:10-13). God is angry with His people when He gives Saul and even angrier when He takes him away (Hosea 13:11).

The kingship itself is according to God’s thoughts (Deuteronomy 17:14-20), but that is a kingship according to the wishes of His own heart. God is the King of His people. He wants to give it form in a human being. This man is the Man of His pleasure, His only begotten Son, Who became Man. It is the kingdom of God, but the government over it is laid in the hands of a Man.

1 Chronicles 24:5

Genealogy of the Gibeonites

In 1 Chronicles 9:35, the historical part of the book begins, and it again begins with mentioning Saul’s genealogy (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:29-40). This is done to show the contrast with David. This is another illustration of the principle that the natural comes first and then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). We find this throughout the Bible. Thus we also read that God “takes away the first in order to establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9b).

Saul is the king according to the taste of the people; David is the king according to the heart of God. We can already see a great difference in the activities of both persons at the time of their calling. Saul is searching for donkeys when he is promised the kingship (1 Samuel 9:3; 19-20; 1 Samuel 10:1); David is taken from behind the sheep to be anointed king (1 Samuel 16:10-13). God is angry with His people when He gives Saul and even angrier when He takes him away (Hosea 13:11).

The kingship itself is according to God’s thoughts (Deuteronomy 17:14-20), but that is a kingship according to the wishes of His own heart. God is the King of His people. He wants to give it form in a human being. This man is the Man of His pleasure, His only begotten Son, Who became Man. It is the kingdom of God, but the government over it is laid in the hands of a Man.

1 Chronicles 24:6

Genealogy of the Gibeonites

In 1 Chronicles 9:35, the historical part of the book begins, and it again begins with mentioning Saul’s genealogy (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:29-40). This is done to show the contrast with David. This is another illustration of the principle that the natural comes first and then the spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46). We find this throughout the Bible. Thus we also read that God “takes away the first in order to establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9b).

Saul is the king according to the taste of the people; David is the king according to the heart of God. We can already see a great difference in the activities of both persons at the time of their calling. Saul is searching for donkeys when he is promised the kingship (1 Samuel 9:3; 19-20; 1 Samuel 10:1); David is taken from behind the sheep to be anointed king (1 Samuel 16:10-13). God is angry with His people when He gives Saul and even angrier when He takes him away (Hosea 13:11).

The kingship itself is according to God’s thoughts (Deuteronomy 17:14-20), but that is a kingship according to the wishes of His own heart. God is the King of His people. He wants to give it form in a human being. This man is the Man of His pleasure, His only begotten Son, Who became Man. It is the kingdom of God, but the government over it is laid in the hands of a Man.

1 Chronicles 24:8

Introduction

It is not the purpose of the first book of the Chronicles to present the life of Saul in detail because it contributes little to the subject of this Bible book: the house of God. The particularities of Saul’s life are given in the first book of Samuel. It is presumed that the reader knows this. In the first book of Samuel the failure of man in his responsibility is presented. Then God starts to work on the fulfillment of His counsels by giving the kingdom to David (cf. Acts 13:21-22). The man the heart of the people wanted, is set aside by God. Man according to the flesh must disappear to make room for the man according to God’s heart.

The Death of Saul and His Three Sons

Because the purpose of the chronicler is to describe David’s life, there is only one moment in Saul’s life that interests him, and that is his death. The opening words of 1 Chronicles 10:1 point to the connection with the previous history of Saul, described in the first book of Samuel.

The history of Saul’s death is described in almost equal terms in 1 Samuel 31 (1 Samuel 31:1-6). When the Philistines fight against Israel, Saul sees his men fleeing and being killed. He sees that his end is approaching. Yet there is no crying to God. The only thing he still wants is to prevent falling alive into the hands of the Philistines. He will have known from the life of Samson what that means (Judges 16:21-25).

Saul calls the Philistines “uncircumcised”. But even though Saul has been circumcised outwardly, and thus outwardly is a member of the people of God, he is uncircumcised of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision is a picture of the judgment of the sinful flesh, the acknowledgment that God had to judge it in Christ (Colossians 2:11). Saul maintains the outer separation between him as an Israelite and the Philistines, without realizing that inwardly he himself is a Philistine.

Saul asks his armor bearer to kill him, but his armor bearer is afraid to do it. Then Saul commits suicide. It is the first suicide we find in the Bible. According to Samuel’s word, Saul and his sons die in one day (1 Samuel 28:19). They fall by the hand of the enemies they had to fight and exterminate. Saul did not succeed because he himself had no inner relationship with God. That is why he is powerless in his fight against the Philistines, who for the same reason are supreme.

Three of Saul’s sons died with him, including Jonathan. David’s heroes have chosen David’s side when he is still rejected. Jonathan is not among them. He gave everything to David, except his shoes, so to speak (cf. 1 Samuel 18:4). He thought he could serve David by staying with his father Saul. At the critical moment, when it is clear that David must flee, he does not follow him, but returns to the city (1 Samuel 20:42b).

The chronicler passes by a fourth son of Saul, Ish-bosheth, who was made king by Abner instead of his father Saul. Because Ish-bosheth was made king totally without God’s will, he does not count. This is why the chronicler says of “Saul” that he “died with his three sons, and all [those] of his house died together” (1 Chronicles 10:6). With this the house of Saul has reached the end of its existence and the way is free to introduce David.

1 Chronicles 24:9

Introduction

It is not the purpose of the first book of the Chronicles to present the life of Saul in detail because it contributes little to the subject of this Bible book: the house of God. The particularities of Saul’s life are given in the first book of Samuel. It is presumed that the reader knows this. In the first book of Samuel the failure of man in his responsibility is presented. Then God starts to work on the fulfillment of His counsels by giving the kingdom to David (cf. Acts 13:21-22). The man the heart of the people wanted, is set aside by God. Man according to the flesh must disappear to make room for the man according to God’s heart.

The Death of Saul and His Three Sons

Because the purpose of the chronicler is to describe David’s life, there is only one moment in Saul’s life that interests him, and that is his death. The opening words of 1 Chronicles 10:1 point to the connection with the previous history of Saul, described in the first book of Samuel.

The history of Saul’s death is described in almost equal terms in 1 Samuel 31 (1 Samuel 31:1-6). When the Philistines fight against Israel, Saul sees his men fleeing and being killed. He sees that his end is approaching. Yet there is no crying to God. The only thing he still wants is to prevent falling alive into the hands of the Philistines. He will have known from the life of Samson what that means (Judges 16:21-25).

Saul calls the Philistines “uncircumcised”. But even though Saul has been circumcised outwardly, and thus outwardly is a member of the people of God, he is uncircumcised of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision is a picture of the judgment of the sinful flesh, the acknowledgment that God had to judge it in Christ (Colossians 2:11). Saul maintains the outer separation between him as an Israelite and the Philistines, without realizing that inwardly he himself is a Philistine.

Saul asks his armor bearer to kill him, but his armor bearer is afraid to do it. Then Saul commits suicide. It is the first suicide we find in the Bible. According to Samuel’s word, Saul and his sons die in one day (1 Samuel 28:19). They fall by the hand of the enemies they had to fight and exterminate. Saul did not succeed because he himself had no inner relationship with God. That is why he is powerless in his fight against the Philistines, who for the same reason are supreme.

Three of Saul’s sons died with him, including Jonathan. David’s heroes have chosen David’s side when he is still rejected. Jonathan is not among them. He gave everything to David, except his shoes, so to speak (cf. 1 Samuel 18:4). He thought he could serve David by staying with his father Saul. At the critical moment, when it is clear that David must flee, he does not follow him, but returns to the city (1 Samuel 20:42b).

The chronicler passes by a fourth son of Saul, Ish-bosheth, who was made king by Abner instead of his father Saul. Because Ish-bosheth was made king totally without God’s will, he does not count. This is why the chronicler says of “Saul” that he “died with his three sons, and all [those] of his house died together” (1 Chronicles 10:6). With this the house of Saul has reached the end of its existence and the way is free to introduce David.

1 Chronicles 24:10

Introduction

It is not the purpose of the first book of the Chronicles to present the life of Saul in detail because it contributes little to the subject of this Bible book: the house of God. The particularities of Saul’s life are given in the first book of Samuel. It is presumed that the reader knows this. In the first book of Samuel the failure of man in his responsibility is presented. Then God starts to work on the fulfillment of His counsels by giving the kingdom to David (cf. Acts 13:21-22). The man the heart of the people wanted, is set aside by God. Man according to the flesh must disappear to make room for the man according to God’s heart.

The Death of Saul and His Three Sons

Because the purpose of the chronicler is to describe David’s life, there is only one moment in Saul’s life that interests him, and that is his death. The opening words of 1 Chronicles 10:1 point to the connection with the previous history of Saul, described in the first book of Samuel.

The history of Saul’s death is described in almost equal terms in 1 Samuel 31 (1 Samuel 31:1-6). When the Philistines fight against Israel, Saul sees his men fleeing and being killed. He sees that his end is approaching. Yet there is no crying to God. The only thing he still wants is to prevent falling alive into the hands of the Philistines. He will have known from the life of Samson what that means (Judges 16:21-25).

Saul calls the Philistines “uncircumcised”. But even though Saul has been circumcised outwardly, and thus outwardly is a member of the people of God, he is uncircumcised of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision is a picture of the judgment of the sinful flesh, the acknowledgment that God had to judge it in Christ (Colossians 2:11). Saul maintains the outer separation between him as an Israelite and the Philistines, without realizing that inwardly he himself is a Philistine.

Saul asks his armor bearer to kill him, but his armor bearer is afraid to do it. Then Saul commits suicide. It is the first suicide we find in the Bible. According to Samuel’s word, Saul and his sons die in one day (1 Samuel 28:19). They fall by the hand of the enemies they had to fight and exterminate. Saul did not succeed because he himself had no inner relationship with God. That is why he is powerless in his fight against the Philistines, who for the same reason are supreme.

Three of Saul’s sons died with him, including Jonathan. David’s heroes have chosen David’s side when he is still rejected. Jonathan is not among them. He gave everything to David, except his shoes, so to speak (cf. 1 Samuel 18:4). He thought he could serve David by staying with his father Saul. At the critical moment, when it is clear that David must flee, he does not follow him, but returns to the city (1 Samuel 20:42b).

The chronicler passes by a fourth son of Saul, Ish-bosheth, who was made king by Abner instead of his father Saul. Because Ish-bosheth was made king totally without God’s will, he does not count. This is why the chronicler says of “Saul” that he “died with his three sons, and all [those] of his house died together” (1 Chronicles 10:6). With this the house of Saul has reached the end of its existence and the way is free to introduce David.

1 Chronicles 24:11

Introduction

It is not the purpose of the first book of the Chronicles to present the life of Saul in detail because it contributes little to the subject of this Bible book: the house of God. The particularities of Saul’s life are given in the first book of Samuel. It is presumed that the reader knows this. In the first book of Samuel the failure of man in his responsibility is presented. Then God starts to work on the fulfillment of His counsels by giving the kingdom to David (cf. Acts 13:21-22). The man the heart of the people wanted, is set aside by God. Man according to the flesh must disappear to make room for the man according to God’s heart.

The Death of Saul and His Three Sons

Because the purpose of the chronicler is to describe David’s life, there is only one moment in Saul’s life that interests him, and that is his death. The opening words of 1 Chronicles 10:1 point to the connection with the previous history of Saul, described in the first book of Samuel.

The history of Saul’s death is described in almost equal terms in 1 Samuel 31 (1 Samuel 31:1-6). When the Philistines fight against Israel, Saul sees his men fleeing and being killed. He sees that his end is approaching. Yet there is no crying to God. The only thing he still wants is to prevent falling alive into the hands of the Philistines. He will have known from the life of Samson what that means (Judges 16:21-25).

Saul calls the Philistines “uncircumcised”. But even though Saul has been circumcised outwardly, and thus outwardly is a member of the people of God, he is uncircumcised of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision is a picture of the judgment of the sinful flesh, the acknowledgment that God had to judge it in Christ (Colossians 2:11). Saul maintains the outer separation between him as an Israelite and the Philistines, without realizing that inwardly he himself is a Philistine.

Saul asks his armor bearer to kill him, but his armor bearer is afraid to do it. Then Saul commits suicide. It is the first suicide we find in the Bible. According to Samuel’s word, Saul and his sons die in one day (1 Samuel 28:19). They fall by the hand of the enemies they had to fight and exterminate. Saul did not succeed because he himself had no inner relationship with God. That is why he is powerless in his fight against the Philistines, who for the same reason are supreme.

Three of Saul’s sons died with him, including Jonathan. David’s heroes have chosen David’s side when he is still rejected. Jonathan is not among them. He gave everything to David, except his shoes, so to speak (cf. 1 Samuel 18:4). He thought he could serve David by staying with his father Saul. At the critical moment, when it is clear that David must flee, he does not follow him, but returns to the city (1 Samuel 20:42b).

The chronicler passes by a fourth son of Saul, Ish-bosheth, who was made king by Abner instead of his father Saul. Because Ish-bosheth was made king totally without God’s will, he does not count. This is why the chronicler says of “Saul” that he “died with his three sons, and all [those] of his house died together” (1 Chronicles 10:6). With this the house of Saul has reached the end of its existence and the way is free to introduce David.

1 Chronicles 24:12

Introduction

It is not the purpose of the first book of the Chronicles to present the life of Saul in detail because it contributes little to the subject of this Bible book: the house of God. The particularities of Saul’s life are given in the first book of Samuel. It is presumed that the reader knows this. In the first book of Samuel the failure of man in his responsibility is presented. Then God starts to work on the fulfillment of His counsels by giving the kingdom to David (cf. Acts 13:21-22). The man the heart of the people wanted, is set aside by God. Man according to the flesh must disappear to make room for the man according to God’s heart.

The Death of Saul and His Three Sons

Because the purpose of the chronicler is to describe David’s life, there is only one moment in Saul’s life that interests him, and that is his death. The opening words of 1 Chronicles 10:1 point to the connection with the previous history of Saul, described in the first book of Samuel.

The history of Saul’s death is described in almost equal terms in 1 Samuel 31 (1 Samuel 31:1-6). When the Philistines fight against Israel, Saul sees his men fleeing and being killed. He sees that his end is approaching. Yet there is no crying to God. The only thing he still wants is to prevent falling alive into the hands of the Philistines. He will have known from the life of Samson what that means (Judges 16:21-25).

Saul calls the Philistines “uncircumcised”. But even though Saul has been circumcised outwardly, and thus outwardly is a member of the people of God, he is uncircumcised of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision is a picture of the judgment of the sinful flesh, the acknowledgment that God had to judge it in Christ (Colossians 2:11). Saul maintains the outer separation between him as an Israelite and the Philistines, without realizing that inwardly he himself is a Philistine.

Saul asks his armor bearer to kill him, but his armor bearer is afraid to do it. Then Saul commits suicide. It is the first suicide we find in the Bible. According to Samuel’s word, Saul and his sons die in one day (1 Samuel 28:19). They fall by the hand of the enemies they had to fight and exterminate. Saul did not succeed because he himself had no inner relationship with God. That is why he is powerless in his fight against the Philistines, who for the same reason are supreme.

Three of Saul’s sons died with him, including Jonathan. David’s heroes have chosen David’s side when he is still rejected. Jonathan is not among them. He gave everything to David, except his shoes, so to speak (cf. 1 Samuel 18:4). He thought he could serve David by staying with his father Saul. At the critical moment, when it is clear that David must flee, he does not follow him, but returns to the city (1 Samuel 20:42b).

The chronicler passes by a fourth son of Saul, Ish-bosheth, who was made king by Abner instead of his father Saul. Because Ish-bosheth was made king totally without God’s will, he does not count. This is why the chronicler says of “Saul” that he “died with his three sons, and all [those] of his house died together” (1 Chronicles 10:6). With this the house of Saul has reached the end of its existence and the way is free to introduce David.

1 Chronicles 24:13

Introduction

It is not the purpose of the first book of the Chronicles to present the life of Saul in detail because it contributes little to the subject of this Bible book: the house of God. The particularities of Saul’s life are given in the first book of Samuel. It is presumed that the reader knows this. In the first book of Samuel the failure of man in his responsibility is presented. Then God starts to work on the fulfillment of His counsels by giving the kingdom to David (cf. Acts 13:21-22). The man the heart of the people wanted, is set aside by God. Man according to the flesh must disappear to make room for the man according to God’s heart.

The Death of Saul and His Three Sons

Because the purpose of the chronicler is to describe David’s life, there is only one moment in Saul’s life that interests him, and that is his death. The opening words of 1 Chronicles 10:1 point to the connection with the previous history of Saul, described in the first book of Samuel.

The history of Saul’s death is described in almost equal terms in 1 Samuel 31 (1 Samuel 31:1-6). When the Philistines fight against Israel, Saul sees his men fleeing and being killed. He sees that his end is approaching. Yet there is no crying to God. The only thing he still wants is to prevent falling alive into the hands of the Philistines. He will have known from the life of Samson what that means (Judges 16:21-25).

Saul calls the Philistines “uncircumcised”. But even though Saul has been circumcised outwardly, and thus outwardly is a member of the people of God, he is uncircumcised of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Circumcision is a picture of the judgment of the sinful flesh, the acknowledgment that God had to judge it in Christ (Colossians 2:11). Saul maintains the outer separation between him as an Israelite and the Philistines, without realizing that inwardly he himself is a Philistine.

Saul asks his armor bearer to kill him, but his armor bearer is afraid to do it. Then Saul commits suicide. It is the first suicide we find in the Bible. According to Samuel’s word, Saul and his sons die in one day (1 Samuel 28:19). They fall by the hand of the enemies they had to fight and exterminate. Saul did not succeed because he himself had no inner relationship with God. That is why he is powerless in his fight against the Philistines, who for the same reason are supreme.

Three of Saul’s sons died with him, including Jonathan. David’s heroes have chosen David’s side when he is still rejected. Jonathan is not among them. He gave everything to David, except his shoes, so to speak (cf. 1 Samuel 18:4). He thought he could serve David by staying with his father Saul. At the critical moment, when it is clear that David must flee, he does not follow him, but returns to the city (1 Samuel 20:42b).

The chronicler passes by a fourth son of Saul, Ish-bosheth, who was made king by Abner instead of his father Saul. Because Ish-bosheth was made king totally without God’s will, he does not count. This is why the chronicler says of “Saul” that he “died with his three sons, and all [those] of his house died together” (1 Chronicles 10:6). With this the house of Saul has reached the end of its existence and the way is free to introduce David.

1 Chronicles 24:14

The Philistines Dishonor Saul

Saul did not fulfill his task of delivering the land of the Philistines. On the contrary, when he has died, the Philistines come and live in the cities abandoned by the Israelites (1 Samuel 31:7). And of which Saul has been afraid, that he would be mocked, does happen. When the Philistines find him and his sons, they strip him of his armor and his head.

The Philistines send Saul’s head and armor around their land. They do so to bring the message of their victory to their idols and to the people. It shows the folly of their idols. Their idols do not know what happened and must be informed. Then Saul’s armor is placed in the idol’s house as a tribute to their god. The head of Saul may be placed in the house of their idols (1 Samuel 31:8-10; cf. 1 Samuel 17:54; 57).

1 Chronicles 24:15

The Philistines Dishonor Saul

Saul did not fulfill his task of delivering the land of the Philistines. On the contrary, when he has died, the Philistines come and live in the cities abandoned by the Israelites (1 Samuel 31:7). And of which Saul has been afraid, that he would be mocked, does happen. When the Philistines find him and his sons, they strip him of his armor and his head.

The Philistines send Saul’s head and armor around their land. They do so to bring the message of their victory to their idols and to the people. It shows the folly of their idols. Their idols do not know what happened and must be informed. Then Saul’s armor is placed in the idol’s house as a tribute to their god. The head of Saul may be placed in the house of their idols (1 Samuel 31:8-10; cf. 1 Samuel 17:54; 57).

1 Chronicles 24:16

The Philistines Dishonor Saul

Saul did not fulfill his task of delivering the land of the Philistines. On the contrary, when he has died, the Philistines come and live in the cities abandoned by the Israelites (1 Samuel 31:7). And of which Saul has been afraid, that he would be mocked, does happen. When the Philistines find him and his sons, they strip him of his armor and his head.

The Philistines send Saul’s head and armor around their land. They do so to bring the message of their victory to their idols and to the people. It shows the folly of their idols. Their idols do not know what happened and must be informed. Then Saul’s armor is placed in the idol’s house as a tribute to their god. The head of Saul may be placed in the house of their idols (1 Samuel 31:8-10; cf. 1 Samuel 17:54; 57).

1 Chronicles 24:17

The Philistines Dishonor Saul

Saul did not fulfill his task of delivering the land of the Philistines. On the contrary, when he has died, the Philistines come and live in the cities abandoned by the Israelites (1 Samuel 31:7). And of which Saul has been afraid, that he would be mocked, does happen. When the Philistines find him and his sons, they strip him of his armor and his head.

The Philistines send Saul’s head and armor around their land. They do so to bring the message of their victory to their idols and to the people. It shows the folly of their idols. Their idols do not know what happened and must be informed. Then Saul’s armor is placed in the idol’s house as a tribute to their god. The head of Saul may be placed in the house of their idols (1 Samuel 31:8-10; cf. 1 Samuel 17:54; 57).

1 Chronicles 24:18

Jabesh Pays Tribute to Saul

There are still people in Israel for whom this humiliation goes too far. The men from Jabesh are mentioned honorably. They act with the anointed of the LORD as David has respected him. They sacrifice their night’s rest to pick up Saul’s body and the bodies of his sons and bury them. Then they fast for seven days (1 Samuel 31:11-13). They understand something of the reproach that has been laid upon Israel.

1 Chronicles 24:19

Jabesh Pays Tribute to Saul

There are still people in Israel for whom this humiliation goes too far. The men from Jabesh are mentioned honorably. They act with the anointed of the LORD as David has respected him. They sacrifice their night’s rest to pick up Saul’s body and the bodies of his sons and bury them. Then they fast for seven days (1 Samuel 31:11-13). They understand something of the reproach that has been laid upon Israel.

1 Chronicles 24:20

Why Saul Died

The reasons for Saul’s rejection are given:

1. He did not keep “the word of the LORD” (1 Samuel 13:8-14; 1 Samuel 15:1-3; 9-11; 26). The fact that he did not keep what God said means that he did not keep it in order to preserve, guard and secure it. He has not taken that word as a guideline for his actions. It shows its negative attitude toward what is good.

2. He asked counsel of a medium, to inquire the spirit of a dead person (1 Samuel 28:7-13), literally that he ‘has asked’ an evil spirit ‘to seek’, rather than consulting the LORD. Here we see that he takes a positive attitude toward evil. Where the former is not present, there will be room for the latter.

Saul is not killed by the hand of the Philistines, nor by his own hand, but by the hand of the LORD. The time of Saul is over. God’s time has come for the introduction of the man after His Own heart: David.

1 Chronicles 24:21

Why Saul Died

The reasons for Saul’s rejection are given:

1. He did not keep “the word of the LORD” (1 Samuel 13:8-14; 1 Samuel 15:1-3; 9-11; 26). The fact that he did not keep what God said means that he did not keep it in order to preserve, guard and secure it. He has not taken that word as a guideline for his actions. It shows its negative attitude toward what is good.

2. He asked counsel of a medium, to inquire the spirit of a dead person (1 Samuel 28:7-13), literally that he ‘has asked’ an evil spirit ‘to seek’, rather than consulting the LORD. Here we see that he takes a positive attitude toward evil. Where the former is not present, there will be room for the latter.

Saul is not killed by the hand of the Philistines, nor by his own hand, but by the hand of the LORD. The time of Saul is over. God’s time has come for the introduction of the man after His Own heart: David.

1 Chronicles 24:23

Introduction

The events in 1 Chronicles 11-20 take place in the period from 1003-995 BC. In that time David grows to the height of his power. All that has happened before the people come to David in Hebron is passed over tacitly. The faults and suffering of David are not mentioned. History begins by presenting what constitutes the power and glory of the kingdom of David. We can connect these histories with the future establishment of the power of Christ, the Son of David, on earth.

David Anointed King Over Israel

Here all Israel comes to anoint David king and not, as is described in 2 Samuel, first the two tribes and then all the tribes (2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:1). From now until the end of this book (1 Chronicles 11-29) it is about David. The whole people know that they are his bones and his flesh. In this we can recognize what the New Testament people of God, the church, can say to Christ in the awareness of their close union with Him. In Hebrews 2 this union is expressed by the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:11-14). Our union with Him is made possible because He “partook of blood and flesh” (Hebrews 2:14), but “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

There is a reminder of what David did for the people before, when Saul was king over them (1 Chronicles 11:2). We see here a picture of what the Lord Jesus did in our life in the past. He has made sure that we have not perished under the rule of satan and the flesh, of which Saul is a picture. When Saul reigned, the true blessing came in reality from David.

David was the one who “led out and brought in” the people. This reminds us of the words of the Lord Jesus which He pronounces as the good Shepherd (John 10:9). Therefore it is also good to see that the LORD, the God of David, wants David in the first place to be a shepherd for His people. Then and thereby he can also be king. This applies fully to the true David, the Lord Jesus (Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24).

First and foremost is the care of God’s people, and then comes the reign. Be shepherd first, then become king. This is also the case in the life of the Lord Jesus. He is now the good Shepherd, while He will soon openly accept His kingship. For us it coincides. We will gladly acknowledge His dominion over our lives now because He has given His life for us as the good Shepherd and also cares for us every day as the chief Shepherd. Surely there is no one we would rather submit to than to Someone Who has given Himself so for us and Who takes care of us every day, is there?

There is also much to be learned from this by all those who have a certain authority over others. We can think of the husband’s attitude toward his wife and the attitude of parents toward their children. It is also important for the acknowledgment of authority in the church of God. If God has given persons a place of authority, they can only exercise that authority properly if they know for themselves what it is to serve, to be the least and to care for those entrusted to them. Such persons show the image of the Lord Jesus.

Subservience to someone who cares about you, who cares for you with love is much easier, than to someone who only wants to play the boss over you and abuses his position of authority for that. In God’s sight, authority is never separated from care and love, and this has become perfectly visible in the Lord Jesus.

After the declaration of all people, the elders come to David as the representatives of all Israel (1 Chronicles 11:3). David makes with them “a covenant … before the LORD”. He will have committed himself to be a good king for his people and to reign in accordance with God’s law for the king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; cf. 1 Samuel 10:25). In so doing, he was aware that he was taking on a task for which God would ask him to account. He will also realize that he depends on Him to perform his task.

The reaction is that the elders anoint David king over all Israel. By this he becomes a person dedicated to the LORD, through which he can act in His Name, with His authority. It is not an act of his own, but “according to the word of the LORD through Samuel”.

Here David is anointed for the third time in his life (Elisha is anointed once, Aaron twice and David three times):

The first time, David was anointed in his father’s house, in humiliation and among his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13). We can connect this with the anointing of the Lord Jesus with the Spirit, also in the midst of His brothers, in the Jordan in humiliation (Matthew 3:16).

The second time, immediately after Saul died, David is anointed by the two tribes (2 Samuel 2:4). He is not yet king over all Israel, but only over Judah. This refers to the time when the Lord Jesus returns to earth. Then He will first come in connection with Judah, that is the remnant of the two tribes that are in the land at that moment. They will receive Him with joy as the promised Messiah.

The third time is described here, when he becomes king over all of Israel (1 Chronicles 11:3). This looks forward to the time when the Lord Jesus returns and openly accepts His kingship over Israel, visible to all.

1 Chronicles 24:24

Introduction

The events in 1 Chronicles 11-20 take place in the period from 1003-995 BC. In that time David grows to the height of his power. All that has happened before the people come to David in Hebron is passed over tacitly. The faults and suffering of David are not mentioned. History begins by presenting what constitutes the power and glory of the kingdom of David. We can connect these histories with the future establishment of the power of Christ, the Son of David, on earth.

David Anointed King Over Israel

Here all Israel comes to anoint David king and not, as is described in 2 Samuel, first the two tribes and then all the tribes (2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:1). From now until the end of this book (1 Chronicles 11-29) it is about David. The whole people know that they are his bones and his flesh. In this we can recognize what the New Testament people of God, the church, can say to Christ in the awareness of their close union with Him. In Hebrews 2 this union is expressed by the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:11-14). Our union with Him is made possible because He “partook of blood and flesh” (Hebrews 2:14), but “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

There is a reminder of what David did for the people before, when Saul was king over them (1 Chronicles 11:2). We see here a picture of what the Lord Jesus did in our life in the past. He has made sure that we have not perished under the rule of satan and the flesh, of which Saul is a picture. When Saul reigned, the true blessing came in reality from David.

David was the one who “led out and brought in” the people. This reminds us of the words of the Lord Jesus which He pronounces as the good Shepherd (John 10:9). Therefore it is also good to see that the LORD, the God of David, wants David in the first place to be a shepherd for His people. Then and thereby he can also be king. This applies fully to the true David, the Lord Jesus (Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24).

First and foremost is the care of God’s people, and then comes the reign. Be shepherd first, then become king. This is also the case in the life of the Lord Jesus. He is now the good Shepherd, while He will soon openly accept His kingship. For us it coincides. We will gladly acknowledge His dominion over our lives now because He has given His life for us as the good Shepherd and also cares for us every day as the chief Shepherd. Surely there is no one we would rather submit to than to Someone Who has given Himself so for us and Who takes care of us every day, is there?

There is also much to be learned from this by all those who have a certain authority over others. We can think of the husband’s attitude toward his wife and the attitude of parents toward their children. It is also important for the acknowledgment of authority in the church of God. If God has given persons a place of authority, they can only exercise that authority properly if they know for themselves what it is to serve, to be the least and to care for those entrusted to them. Such persons show the image of the Lord Jesus.

Subservience to someone who cares about you, who cares for you with love is much easier, than to someone who only wants to play the boss over you and abuses his position of authority for that. In God’s sight, authority is never separated from care and love, and this has become perfectly visible in the Lord Jesus.

After the declaration of all people, the elders come to David as the representatives of all Israel (1 Chronicles 11:3). David makes with them “a covenant … before the LORD”. He will have committed himself to be a good king for his people and to reign in accordance with God’s law for the king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; cf. 1 Samuel 10:25). In so doing, he was aware that he was taking on a task for which God would ask him to account. He will also realize that he depends on Him to perform his task.

The reaction is that the elders anoint David king over all Israel. By this he becomes a person dedicated to the LORD, through which he can act in His Name, with His authority. It is not an act of his own, but “according to the word of the LORD through Samuel”.

Here David is anointed for the third time in his life (Elisha is anointed once, Aaron twice and David three times):

The first time, David was anointed in his father’s house, in humiliation and among his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13). We can connect this with the anointing of the Lord Jesus with the Spirit, also in the midst of His brothers, in the Jordan in humiliation (Matthew 3:16).

The second time, immediately after Saul died, David is anointed by the two tribes (2 Samuel 2:4). He is not yet king over all Israel, but only over Judah. This refers to the time when the Lord Jesus returns to earth. Then He will first come in connection with Judah, that is the remnant of the two tribes that are in the land at that moment. They will receive Him with joy as the promised Messiah.

The third time is described here, when he becomes king over all of Israel (1 Chronicles 11:3). This looks forward to the time when the Lord Jesus returns and openly accepts His kingship over Israel, visible to all.

1 Chronicles 24:25

Introduction

The events in 1 Chronicles 11-20 take place in the period from 1003-995 BC. In that time David grows to the height of his power. All that has happened before the people come to David in Hebron is passed over tacitly. The faults and suffering of David are not mentioned. History begins by presenting what constitutes the power and glory of the kingdom of David. We can connect these histories with the future establishment of the power of Christ, the Son of David, on earth.

David Anointed King Over Israel

Here all Israel comes to anoint David king and not, as is described in 2 Samuel, first the two tribes and then all the tribes (2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:1). From now until the end of this book (1 Chronicles 11-29) it is about David. The whole people know that they are his bones and his flesh. In this we can recognize what the New Testament people of God, the church, can say to Christ in the awareness of their close union with Him. In Hebrews 2 this union is expressed by the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 2:11-14). Our union with Him is made possible because He “partook of blood and flesh” (Hebrews 2:14), but “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

There is a reminder of what David did for the people before, when Saul was king over them (1 Chronicles 11:2). We see here a picture of what the Lord Jesus did in our life in the past. He has made sure that we have not perished under the rule of satan and the flesh, of which Saul is a picture. When Saul reigned, the true blessing came in reality from David.

David was the one who “led out and brought in” the people. This reminds us of the words of the Lord Jesus which He pronounces as the good Shepherd (John 10:9). Therefore it is also good to see that the LORD, the God of David, wants David in the first place to be a shepherd for His people. Then and thereby he can also be king. This applies fully to the true David, the Lord Jesus (Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24).

First and foremost is the care of God’s people, and then comes the reign. Be shepherd first, then become king. This is also the case in the life of the Lord Jesus. He is now the good Shepherd, while He will soon openly accept His kingship. For us it coincides. We will gladly acknowledge His dominion over our lives now because He has given His life for us as the good Shepherd and also cares for us every day as the chief Shepherd. Surely there is no one we would rather submit to than to Someone Who has given Himself so for us and Who takes care of us every day, is there?

There is also much to be learned from this by all those who have a certain authority over others. We can think of the husband’s attitude toward his wife and the attitude of parents toward their children. It is also important for the acknowledgment of authority in the church of God. If God has given persons a place of authority, they can only exercise that authority properly if they know for themselves what it is to serve, to be the least and to care for those entrusted to them. Such persons show the image of the Lord Jesus.

Subservience to someone who cares about you, who cares for you with love is much easier, than to someone who only wants to play the boss over you and abuses his position of authority for that. In God’s sight, authority is never separated from care and love, and this has become perfectly visible in the Lord Jesus.

After the declaration of all people, the elders come to David as the representatives of all Israel (1 Chronicles 11:3). David makes with them “a covenant … before the LORD”. He will have committed himself to be a good king for his people and to reign in accordance with God’s law for the king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; cf. 1 Samuel 10:25). In so doing, he was aware that he was taking on a task for which God would ask him to account. He will also realize that he depends on Him to perform his task.

The reaction is that the elders anoint David king over all Israel. By this he becomes a person dedicated to the LORD, through which he can act in His Name, with His authority. It is not an act of his own, but “according to the word of the LORD through Samuel”.

Here David is anointed for the third time in his life (Elisha is anointed once, Aaron twice and David three times):

The first time, David was anointed in his father’s house, in humiliation and among his brothers (1 Samuel 16:13). We can connect this with the anointing of the Lord Jesus with the Spirit, also in the midst of His brothers, in the Jordan in humiliation (Matthew 3:16).

The second time, immediately after Saul died, David is anointed by the two tribes (2 Samuel 2:4). He is not yet king over all Israel, but only over Judah. This refers to the time when the Lord Jesus returns to earth. Then He will first come in connection with Judah, that is the remnant of the two tribes that are in the land at that moment. They will receive Him with joy as the promised Messiah.

The third time is described here, when he becomes king over all of Israel (1 Chronicles 11:3). This looks forward to the time when the Lord Jesus returns and openly accepts His kingship over Israel, visible to all.

1 Chronicles 24:26

David Captures Jerusalem

The first action mentioned here of David is that he goes from Hebron to Jebus to capture that city. The new king chooses this city as his new capital. The choice of this city is also of strategic importance, because Jerusalem is much more central in the land and is also situated on a mountain, which makes it difficult for enemies to capture the city. However, the first consideration is not the strategic importance. David’s choice of this city as a royal city is in keeping with the choice of God. It is the place He has chosen to make His Name dwell there.

David makes the capture of Jebus a matter of honor for his leaders. Joab turns out to be the man who takes up the challenge and wins and becomes the new chief and commander of David’s army. Joab is mentioned here in a positive sense and not negative as in the second book of Samuel. This is about the establishment of the kingdom of David; everything is done with an eye on him, on him all attention is focused.

After this capture David takes authority over the city. He is going to live there. Therefore the city can now be called “the city of David”. Such a change of authority takes place in the lives of every newly converted person. At the moment of his conversion he passes from the power of satan to God and acknowledges the dominion of the Lord Jesus over his life. The Lord Jesus comes to dwell in the life of such a person and has access to it.

1 Chronicles 24:27

David Captures Jerusalem

The first action mentioned here of David is that he goes from Hebron to Jebus to capture that city. The new king chooses this city as his new capital. The choice of this city is also of strategic importance, because Jerusalem is much more central in the land and is also situated on a mountain, which makes it difficult for enemies to capture the city. However, the first consideration is not the strategic importance. David’s choice of this city as a royal city is in keeping with the choice of God. It is the place He has chosen to make His Name dwell there.

David makes the capture of Jebus a matter of honor for his leaders. Joab turns out to be the man who takes up the challenge and wins and becomes the new chief and commander of David’s army. Joab is mentioned here in a positive sense and not negative as in the second book of Samuel. This is about the establishment of the kingdom of David; everything is done with an eye on him, on him all attention is focused.

After this capture David takes authority over the city. He is going to live there. Therefore the city can now be called “the city of David”. Such a change of authority takes place in the lives of every newly converted person. At the moment of his conversion he passes from the power of satan to God and acknowledges the dominion of the Lord Jesus over his life. The Lord Jesus comes to dwell in the life of such a person and has access to it.

1 Chronicles 24:28

David Captures Jerusalem

The first action mentioned here of David is that he goes from Hebron to Jebus to capture that city. The new king chooses this city as his new capital. The choice of this city is also of strategic importance, because Jerusalem is much more central in the land and is also situated on a mountain, which makes it difficult for enemies to capture the city. However, the first consideration is not the strategic importance. David’s choice of this city as a royal city is in keeping with the choice of God. It is the place He has chosen to make His Name dwell there.

David makes the capture of Jebus a matter of honor for his leaders. Joab turns out to be the man who takes up the challenge and wins and becomes the new chief and commander of David’s army. Joab is mentioned here in a positive sense and not negative as in the second book of Samuel. This is about the establishment of the kingdom of David; everything is done with an eye on him, on him all attention is focused.

After this capture David takes authority over the city. He is going to live there. Therefore the city can now be called “the city of David”. Such a change of authority takes place in the lives of every newly converted person. At the moment of his conversion he passes from the power of satan to God and acknowledges the dominion of the Lord Jesus over his life. The Lord Jesus comes to dwell in the life of such a person and has access to it.

1 Chronicles 24:29

David Captures Jerusalem

The first action mentioned here of David is that he goes from Hebron to Jebus to capture that city. The new king chooses this city as his new capital. The choice of this city is also of strategic importance, because Jerusalem is much more central in the land and is also situated on a mountain, which makes it difficult for enemies to capture the city. However, the first consideration is not the strategic importance. David’s choice of this city as a royal city is in keeping with the choice of God. It is the place He has chosen to make His Name dwell there.

David makes the capture of Jebus a matter of honor for his leaders. Joab turns out to be the man who takes up the challenge and wins and becomes the new chief and commander of David’s army. Joab is mentioned here in a positive sense and not negative as in the second book of Samuel. This is about the establishment of the kingdom of David; everything is done with an eye on him, on him all attention is focused.

After this capture David takes authority over the city. He is going to live there. Therefore the city can now be called “the city of David”. Such a change of authority takes place in the lives of every newly converted person. At the moment of his conversion he passes from the power of satan to God and acknowledges the dominion of the Lord Jesus over his life. The Lord Jesus comes to dwell in the life of such a person and has access to it.

1 Chronicles 24:30

David Captures Jerusalem

The first action mentioned here of David is that he goes from Hebron to Jebus to capture that city. The new king chooses this city as his new capital. The choice of this city is also of strategic importance, because Jerusalem is much more central in the land and is also situated on a mountain, which makes it difficult for enemies to capture the city. However, the first consideration is not the strategic importance. David’s choice of this city as a royal city is in keeping with the choice of God. It is the place He has chosen to make His Name dwell there.

David makes the capture of Jebus a matter of honor for his leaders. Joab turns out to be the man who takes up the challenge and wins and becomes the new chief and commander of David’s army. Joab is mentioned here in a positive sense and not negative as in the second book of Samuel. This is about the establishment of the kingdom of David; everything is done with an eye on him, on him all attention is focused.

After this capture David takes authority over the city. He is going to live there. Therefore the city can now be called “the city of David”. Such a change of authority takes place in the lives of every newly converted person. At the moment of his conversion he passes from the power of satan to God and acknowledges the dominion of the Lord Jesus over his life. The Lord Jesus comes to dwell in the life of such a person and has access to it.

1 Chronicles 24:31

The Heroes of David

David now dwells in Jerusalem and grows in stature (1 Chronicles 11:9). That the LORD of hosts is with him, is evident from the list of mighty men. David grows in stature because of the great men around him, his heroes. Above all, he grows in stature, because the LORD of hosts is with him. The men of valor are led by the LORD to David. They followed him in the time of his being rejected and have become heroes. By the LORD of hosts, to which also the army of David belongs, they are mentioned as men who helped David to acquire his kingship and the conquest of the royal city.

These men owe their stature to him (1 Chronicles 11:10). By strengthening him they strengthened themselves and their own interests. They have given “him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel”. His prosperity is their prosperity. Through their connection with David they share in all that is his part. So it is with us in our connection with the Lord Jesus. What we do to promote the kingdom of the Son of David will be for our profit. What makes someone great is the good he does. This greatness cannot be obtained without work and danger for one’s own life. It is about the good fight of faith in the Lord Jesus.

Hereafter follows the list of the names of David’s heroes (1 Chronicles 11:11-47). This list is also in the second book of Samuel (2 Samuel 23:8-39). In 2 Samuel 23 this list is given at the end of David’s life, while here the heroes are mentioned at the beginning of his reign. The heroes and their actions are remembered here in relation to the time when David was not yet king.

From this we can learn the lesson that we are heroes if we already live up to the reign of the Lord Jesus in our lives. He will remember and appreciate this when we are with Him later. Nothing of what is done for the Lord in the time of His rejection is forgotten by Him (cf. Luke 22:28-30).

The heroes are mentioned in connection with their actions in three areas. They have fought 1. with the enemies, 2. for the land and 3. for David. The deeds of heroism reflect David’s great heroic deed in defeating Goliath.

The LORD has made David king, but here is seen the commitment of David’s followers to make him king. Their lives show us the kind of people who helped David to acquire the kingship. We see what spirit has inspired them and what has led them to their intense personal dedication.

We can also apply this to ourselves. Partly through our faithfulness, commitment and dedication, the way is paved for the Lord Jesus to establish His kingship here on earth. As soon as the last person has been added to the church of God, the Lord Jesus comes. As far as our responsibility is concerned, we can help to ensure that this happens quickly. Through our faithfulness, commitment and dedication we can hasten the dawn of God’s day, that is, let it begin sooner (2 Peter 3:12). The day of God is the day when God will “be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28) and all things will answer to Whom He is.