1 Chronicles - Odessacofchrist.org

18 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Chronicles 2007 Editionagain have ritual access to God. They had not had this during Saul's reign when thePhilistines held the ark captive or when the Israelites kept it in a private residence (13:3).God blessed David and his kingdom in many ways for bringing the ark into Jerusalem.David's desire to honor Yahweh as Israel's Head served as a model for the postexiliccommunity. The Chronicler related the ark's movement to Jerusalem in stagesundoubtedly to heighten anticipation in the reader.1. The removal of the ark from Kiriath-jearim ch. 13The lesson the writer intended this incident to teach the readers is that Yahweh is holyand His people should not take His presence among them lightly (cf. Lev. 10:1-11; Num.16). God's presence is real, and His people must deal with it harmoniously with Hischaracter (cf. Exod. 25—31). It would have been tempting to regard the rituals andphysical objects used in worship as common. The writer warned his readers not to makethis fatal mistake."In a real sense Yahweh was wherever His Ark was. It crystallized Hisimmanence, bearing witness to both His nearness and His sovereignty." 55Even though there was much joy and worship as the people transported the ark, they didnot obey God's orders for its proper treatment (vv. 7, 9; cf. Num. 4:15). Worship cannever replace obedience to God's revealed will (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22-23). Where God'spresence abode, there was power, as always (v. 14).2. Restoring fellowship with Yahweh ch. 14God blessed David and his kingdom because David had honored God by seeking to bringthe ark into Jerusalem. The Chronicler recorded three instances of divine blessing in thischapter.First, God gave David favor in the eyes of his neighbor allies. This resulted in hiskingdom experiencing great honor in the ancient Near East (vv. 1-2).Second, God increased David's personal fertility by giving him many children (vv. 3-7).A problem that bothers many students of David's life is this. In view of the high moralstandards that God requires for qualification as an elder in the church, why did God blessDavid as He did since he had many wives (v. 3)? First, an appreciation of the HolySpirit's ministry in the Old Testament is crucial to understanding this apparentinconsistency. References to the Holy Spirit's ministry to select Old Testament saintsconnect with His enabling them to gain military victories to deliver His people from theirenemies (e.g., Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 14:6, 19; 1 Sam. 11:6; et al.). The Spirit'sindwelling ministry to every Christian after the day of Pentecost focuses on thetransformation of the believer's character into Christ's image (e.g., Gal. 5:16-24; et al.).Second, an appreciation of God's different purposes in Israel and the church is helpful. In55 Merrill, "A Theology . . .," p. 174.