Day 98 · Part 7: The Kingdom
King of Judah, King of Israel (2 of 2)
In the Story
In context
Chronicles, whose last verses tell of Cyrus of Persia letting the exiles go home (2 Chronicles 36:22–23), tells David’s story again with details of its own. Today’s reading opens with what yesterday’s last chapter told: all Israel anoints David at Hebron “according to Yahweh’s word by Samuel,” and he takes Zion (1 Chronicles 11:1–9).
It names David’s mighty men. Three broke through the Philistine army to bring him water from the well by Bethlehem’s gate, and David poured it out to the Lord rather than drink “the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy” (11:15–19). The list includes Asahel; Uriah the Hittite, whose name comes back later (2 Samuel 11:3); and men from other peoples, such as Zelek the Ammonite and Ithmah the Moabite (11:26–47).
Chapter 12 counts those who came over to David, beginning at Ziklag with some of Saul’s own relatives from Benjamin (12:1–2), until “there was a great army, like God’s army” (12:22). At Hebron they feasted three days, “for there was joy in Israel” (12:38–40).
See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that came down on the edge of his robes, like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion; for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forever more.
Psalms 133:1–3 · Chronicles says all Israel was “of one heart to make David king”; David’s song of ascents sings of brothers living “together in unity.”
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
1 Chronicles 11
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1 Chronicles 12
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A hymn for today
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name · words by Edward Perronet
- All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name!Let angels prostrate fall;Bring forth the royal diadem,And crown Him Lord of all.
- Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre,And, as they tune it, fallBefore His face who tunes their choir,And crown Him Lord of all.
- Crown Him, ye morning stars of light,Who fixed this floating ball;Now hail the strength of Israel's might,And crown Him Lord of all.
- Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God,Who from His altar call;Extol the Stem of Jesse's rod,And crown Him Lord of all.
- Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,Ye ransomed from the fall,Hail Him who saves you by His grace,And crown Him Lord of all.
- Hail Him, ye heirs of David's line,Whom David Lord did call,The God incarnate, Man divine,And crown Him Lord of all.
- Sinners, whose love can ne'er forgetThe wormwood and the gall,Go spread your trophies at His feet,And crown Him Lord of all.
- Let every tribe and every tongueThat bound creation's call,Now shout in universal songThe crownèd Lord of all.