And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. 1 Chronicles 14:3 (ESV)
As mentioned in the note on 1 Chronicles 3:5, God never intended any man to practice polygamy (having multiple wives) and specifically instructed kings against this abuse of power in Deuteronomy 17:17.
David’s disobedience to this command has a terrible affect on his children as a brother rapes a sister, that brother is killed by another brother who eventually usurps David.
As Christians we must defend and uphold the biblical model and mandate for Marriage for life between one man and one woman.
And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 1 Chronicles 14:11 (ESV)
David did not just go up to fight, he asked God first and God answered him, not just in a spiritual sense but in the actual battle, God allowed them to defeat their enemies.
God is the God of breakthrough for our lives too, if we seek him he will show us how to get breakthrough and see our enemies defeated. 2 Corinthians 10:4
Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever. 1 Chronicles 15:2 (ESV)
One of the things we love about David’s example to us is that we see a real man with a real life full of mistakes who does not sit in the mess of his mistakes in pride forever but seeks God in repentance.
Like David we must be quick to repent when we make mistakes and seek to live in accordance with God’s word as David now seeks to minister in line with God’s law. Acts 17:30
Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 1 Chronicles 15:13 (ESV)
God is the Lord of the Breakthrough in two ways, he will empower us to overcome our enemies but he will himself breakthrough against our flesh in loving discipline so we can learn to walk according to his word.
Jesus reminds us in John 15:2 that “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. 1 Chronicles 15:18 (ESV)
Obed-edom’s name comes us a few times in todays reading, he is serving all over God’s house because he loves Gods presence.
Loving God’s presence can not be disassociated with loving God himself. Serving God should not be done or even considered apart from loving the Lord too.
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:2 (ESV)
Thank God today for the grace, mercy and peace that come from God. These are three wonderful graces we should think about and be thankful for today, here are some short definitions.
Grace: In Christian doctrine, this term refers to unmerited divine favor. In summary form, the Christian message is “the gospel of God’s grace”
Mercy: Compassion or leniency shown to another, especially an offender.
Peace: Safety, prosperity, well-being; intactness, wholeness; peace can have a focus of security, safety which can bring feelings of satisfaction, well-being, and contentment
Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD. Psalm 83:16 (ESV)
This is a strategy we can use in prayer
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