1 Chronicles 2:18–4:4
The primary lineage the Chronicler provides at this point is that of David, king of Israel. The king’s lineage however, goes beyond the book of 2 Kings and even through the time of the exile, thus demonstrating the importance of these records to the Jews. Eventually the Bible traces Jesus, the King of kings through this very lineage of David.
Hezron’s lineage is the emphasis of 1 Chronicles 2:18-24. Hezron was the son of Perez and grandson of Judah. He is listed in the genealogies of Christ (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33).
Jerahmeel’s lineage is the emphasis of 1 Chronicles 2:25-41. Jerahmeel was one of the three sons of Hezron through whom the genealogy of Judah is traced.
Caleb’s lineage is the emphasis of 1 Chronicles 2:42-55. This is not the same Caleb we saw in the book of Joshua. This Caleb is another son of Hezron, descendant of Judah.
In Chronicles 3:1-8 we have the family of David, King of Israel, followed by his son Solomon – and the subsequent kings (1 Chronicles 3:10-16). 2 Kings ends with King Jehoiachin and King Zedekiah (Jehoicahin’s uncle). 1 Chronicles lists the descendants of Jehoiachin (also known as Jechoniah). Jechoniah is mentioned in the kingly lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1:11-12.
After establishing the royal lineage, the book of Chronicles now begins to list the genealogies of the various tribes of Israel, beginning with Judah (1 Chronicles 4).
Below is the complete picture of David’s family from the Bible Knowledge commentary.
Acts 24:1-27
Paul now stands before Felix, Governor of Judea as the charges are brought before him in a public setting, led by an orator named Tertullus, the High Priest, and the Jewish elders. Tertullus might be compared to a high profile, modern-day slick attorney.
Warren Wiersbe comments, “Tertullus started with flattery (vv. 2–4), knowing that many people in high places are susceptible to it (Acts 12:20–24). Flattery appeals to our pride.”
The charges against Paul are condensed in:
Acts 24:5 (NKJV) “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.”
Of course, Paul wasn’t a plague, he was a prophet. He wasn’t a creator of dissension among the Jews, he loved them and brought the message of reconciliation to Jews and Gentiles. Paul WAS guilty of the third charge, he was a ringleader of those who followed Jesus the Nazarene – the Greek word translated “ringleader” refers to one who stands in the front rank; a leader, a chief, a champion.
Paul defends himself, by simply saying they have no proof that he’s a plague, or a rebel against Rome. He admits to the third charge however in:
Acts 24:14 (NKJV) “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.”
Governor Felix procrastinates and decides to wait for Commander Lysias to come down, in order to get his side of the story before he makes a decision. In the meantime, Felix and his wife Drusilla (who’s Jewish) call for Paul and hear him concerning faith in Christ, but (at least on the surface) it doesn’t seem to go too well. Paul was bold:
Acts 24:25 (NKJV) “Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’”
Don’t you just love the boldness of Paul? Warren Wiersbe said soemthing interesting, “Actually, Felix was the prisoner, and Paul was the prosecutor. Felix knew he was guilty; but instead of accepting Christ, he delayed. The convenient time to be saved is now (2 Corinthians 6:1–2; see also Isaiah 55:6–7).”
Perhaps Felix’s main motive was to get a bribe from Paul and his friends.
Jesus had predicted such opportunities:
Matthew 10:18 (NKJV) “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”
Psalm 4:1-8
David was not a perfect man, by any means, but He was a true believer. I love his words in:
Psalm 4:3 (NKJV) “But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.”
As believers with a heart to obey, we are set apart for God (holy) – and He hears us when we call to Him. So let’s keep calling! David was in distress (Psalm 4:1). David was being attacked, and even in danger (Psalm 4:2, 8). David was probably angry (Psalm 4:4) but he did not want to be controlled by that anger.
Psalm 4:4a is an important lesson for me. It’s okay – even right to be angry at times, but it’s not right to allow that anger to lead me to sin. Paul the Apostle referenced this in Ephesians 4:26.
There were some who were questioning God’s care for David (Psalm 4:4) “Who will show us any good?”
But David was able to end the Psalm with peace…and great gladness in his heart (Psalm 4:7-8). Praise God!
When we find ourselves struggling, let’s do what David did, let’s look up to the Lord, pray, sing, write, believe. He meets us there with His care and willingness to carry us through every trial.
Proverbs 18:16-18
V. 16 – This can either refer to the to the gifts we give, such as presents given in wisdom and generosity – or the gifts we’ve been born with (and) born-again with.
Most commentators seem to believe it refers to the gifts we give, fore example, when David’s father sent him with food for the army; Abigail gifts for David; Jacob’s gifts for Esau.
There are those who bribe, but there are also those who give generously, liberally, and honestly.
If it is referring to the gifts we have, I think of the likes of Joseph who interpreted dreams, or Paul the Apostle before kings and the emperor, even Billy Graham with that amazing gift as an evangelist. Billy Graham was given an audience with every president from Harry Truman in 1945 to Barack Obama; he even met with Donald Trump who attended Billy Graham’s 95th birthday party in 2013, before he became president.
V. 17 – Proverbs 18:17 (NLT) “The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.”
This is the third warning in this chapter, not to speak hastily or make hasty decisions (2, 13). We must wait until we hear all the facts before we even begin to formulate opinions. There are always two sides to a story. The Rabbi’s would listen with one ear covered, if both parties were not present – I like that.
V. 18 – Casting lots causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart.
When my kids were younger and we couldn’t agree on where to eat– Panda Express, or Subway – how cool it was to just flip a coin.
(Let God decide – Proverbs 16:33)
Back in the Old Testament – lots were used to make big decisions, they even divided the land by lot (Numbers 33:54). But now in the New Testament, we have the full counsel of God, the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, believers are indwelt with and can be filled with Spirit. We have other Christians to ask counsel of…and then after bathing it all in prayer, we can make those big decisions.
Sometimes a disagreement over fast-food can get testy, so flipping that coin keeps it fair (avoiding WWIII). But nowadays, on more serious matters, let’s listen to the Spirit of God, the Word of God, and wait faithfully for the wisdom of God.
If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you as we grow forward in 2021.