1 Chronicles - Odessacofchrist.org

24 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Chronicles 2007 EditionThe writer portrayed David as having acted decisively to rid his kingdom of internal andexternal threats. He set up garrisons in Israel's neighbor states by which he extended hisinfluence beyond his own borders (18:6, 13). God's blessing of Israel paralleled Hisblessing of David. Both nation and king had begun in humility with lowly origins but hadexpanded because of God's grace and David's appropriate trust and obedience to thatgrace (cf. 17:7).These chapters also help explain why David did not build the temple himself. He was aman of war who had shed much blood, and his reign was not a period of "rest," whichwas necessary for the establishment of a central sanctuary. Also these chapters show theeconomic prosperity that would have been needed for temple building. 71God's provision of a place for Israel ch. 21Chapter 21 records the fulfillment of God's second personal promise to David, namely,that He would appoint a place where Israel could dwell securely (17:9). This was apromise of peace for Israel, but as the verses following 17:9 make clear God had morethan this in mind. He intended to dwell among His people in the house Solomon wouldbuild (17:11-12). God's presence was the real source of Israel's security. By giving Israela place, God would provide for Himself a place where He would dwell, specifically thetemple. Chapter 21 records God's choice of the place where He would dwell, the site ofthe temple. There David's successor would build a temple for Yahweh (17:12)."It may also be said that having empowered Israel to defeat their humanfoes, God provided a place of atonement and divine manifestationwhereby they could defeat (or hold at bay) their nonhuman enemy,Satan." 72The writer gave much attention to detail and background events because of theimportance of the temple site. All these events point to God's ultimate purpose for thetemple, that it would draw the Israelites and the Gentiles to Himself."Here, by divine command, is to be the site of the temple. It is a gift notfrom Ornan but from God. The grace of God, in giving this to His peopleas the place where ark and altar are to be brought together, is a thing to bewondered at." 73Apparently David's lack of faith in God's ability to save His people led him to number thepeople (vv. 1-7). God did not approve of this attitude, and even though David confessedhis sin and God removed his guilt, the consequences of his sin followed (vv. 8-12).David's words to Gad again model a proper response to God (v. 13). David volunteered tobear God's judgment in place of the innocent Israelites (vv. 16-17). However, Godinstructed him to build an altar at the place of God's judgment and to offer the sacrifice71 Williamson, pp. 137-38.72 Thompson, p. 160.73 Wilcock, p. 95.