October 25, 2025

David was anointed king and took over Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel. At the time, Jerusalem was called Jebus and was the home of the Jebusites. David told his men that whoever strikes and removes the Jebusites first will become the chief and captain. Joab was successful in taking over the location; it became the City of David, Jerusalem. David lived in the castles, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 

David had some courageous men in his army, and Ezra lists some of their accomplishments in 1 Chronicles 11. One notable warrior was Benaiah, who not only slayed two lion-like men who were champions of Moab, but also an actual lion in a pit on a snowy day. The Bible doesn’t expand on the significance of the snow, but because snow is only mentioned here and a couple of times in Proverbs, I would say it was unusual and may have made it more challenging for Benaiah. He then became chief and captain, after David, during Solomon’s reign as king.

What we can glean from this is that when God has His hand in a situation, we can count on success. It takes courage to be a champion for God, and sometimes you may be required to take chances and depend on your faith in Him to conquer all that the enemy has put in your way. God’s warriors are not weak and cowardly. 

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day. 1 Chronicles 11:22

October 24, 2025

Saul’s sons were slain in battle against the Philistines, and an archer wounded him. He ordered his armor bearer to run him through with the sword so a gentile wouldn’t kill him, but his armor bearer was too afraid, so Saul fell on his sword, taking his own life. Then the Philistines found his body, cut off his head, and placed it in the temple of Dagon, their false god. Some valiant men found his body and the bodies of his sons and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh. It was unfortunate that Saul’s son Jonathan, David’s best friend, also fell under God’s punishment of Saul for his transgressions against God. Here’s where things get concerning for those who have sought the counsel of fortune tellers, taro card readers, necromancers, or other sorcerers; God saw it and didn’t like it one bit! We are to seek the counsel of God and not those who deal in the devil’s work. I would also warn you about the way you conduct yourself during the Halloween season. Many of the things people embrace during this season, which seem harmless, are in direct conflict with God. Conduct yourself in a way that is pleasing to God, and let go of your fleshly desires, especially when they are in opposition to Him.

So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

October 23, 2025

Ezra accounted for those who were employed in taking care of the temple and the duties thereof, after their release from captivity in Babylon. To fulfill all the requirements, they camped close to the temple, ensuring they were readily available to perform their duties. It makes sense that they would stay close because, when they were released, King Cyrus sent them back with all the items taken from the temple that were meant for the daily rituals, and because they were valuable, it was likely that they needed to be guarded against theft, but also, so they were close to perform their duties in the morning hours. 

And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them. 1 Chronicles 9:27

Spiritually, we also need to stay on guard so our temple, which is our body, and the valuables within it, are not squandered or even stolen. It is imperative that we keep our minds clear and clean and avoid unrighteous behavior to preserve our most valuable asset: the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

October 22, 2025

Although many great names are listed in the genealogies of the chronicles, I can’t help but notice that some of them were named after Baal. You wonder how this happens and how the people strayed so far from God that they began naming their children after idols. It seems so common in the Old Testament that it makes me think that maybe there was a physical being enticing them to follow this heinous, child-sacrificing religion. Then again, if you look at your own family, many of whom were brought up to love and have faith in Jesus, yet still they go their own way, which leads them away from him. You can’t make your children believe the way you do, even though we have many testimonies of how instrumental God has been in our lives and that we wouldn’t be where we are now if it weren’t for Him. The best we can do is set them in the right direction while they are young and hope and pray that they come back to believe in what we taught them. Please don’t name your children after idols or fake gods because you’ll have people like me evaluating your character well after you’re dead. Here is an example: And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, 1 Chronicles 8:30

There is not much history mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8, except for the valiant men of Ulam, who were archers and must have been quite skilled at it, as they were the only ones given historical significance in the lineage of Saul. 

And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin. 1 Chronicles 8:40

October 21, 2025

It’s not often you hear of a valiant woman in our current life, yet even more rare is hearing of them in the Bible. It isn’t that these women were nonexistent, but that the choice of writers is often heroic men, and I can’t blame them because there are more stories of them to glean from. However, a passage in 1 Chronicles 7 tells us of a resourceful woman who was not ignored.  We’ve always been taught to believe women should stay in the shadows, likely so our opinions and ideas would not be taken seriously. God had a different idea and showed that women are capable, and with the help of strong men as our partners, we can accomplish great things. A daughter named Sherah, from the tribe of Ephraim, built some cities and even had one named after her, Uzzensherah. Joshua, son of Nun, came from the same tribe and led the Israelites into the promised land. We must remember that God has a plan and a purpose for everyone, and when He reveals that purpose to you, you should walk it out to the best of your ability. Sherah did just that and was accomplished in her endeavor to build cities for the Ephraimites. 

(And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzensherah.) 1 Chronicles 7:24

October 20, 2025

The writer of the Chronicles, by Jewish tradition, was Ezra. He didn’t play any games or hold back the truth when accounting for the tribes of Israel. Ruben, Israel’s firstborn, by tradition would have been the matriarch. Remember, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Here is where things get interesting. Ruben slept with his father’s concubine, which exempted him from the most powerful position in the family. Because of this transgression, Jacob, before he died, handed the birthright to Joseph’s sons, but gave the position of power to Judah. Can you imagine the burn those brothers felt when they were all passed over and the birthright given to Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery?

To break this down into terms for today, we can see that during the lifetime of this family, God made sure justice was served. Joseph may have forgiven his brothers because his circumstances improved after he was imprisoned, but God remembered all the trouble they caused because of their anger about the dream Joseph shared with them about the entire family bowing down to him. Not only did they end up bowing to him, but they also lost their position and birthright because of what they did to him. If things are tough for you right now, and you have been doing things in a godly way, you can expect that God hasn’t forgotten and will reward you for your faithfulness. Wait for it; it will surely come.

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 1 Chronicles 5:1

October 19, 2025

You can overcome your name. Jabez was so named because his mother had a lot of trouble when giving birth to him, though all women face sorrow giving birth, she may have come close to death, but it doesn’t expand on what caused her to give him a name that means grief and sorrow. Jabez opened his heart and prayed that God would increase his territory, that His hand would be with him and keep him from evil, so that he wouldn’t be grieved. God heard Jabez’s prayer and answered it. What is also notable is that his prayer wasn’t only for prosperity, but was also spiritual because he didn’t want to live up to the curse of his name. 

We are called by the name of Christ, which is very honorable, but because we have standards of behavior to honor the name of Jesus, it is sometimes considered a derogatory name. People who do not share our way of living will want us to accept their way, even though we find it unacceptable and sinful, so they disparage us because of our beliefs. If God blessed Jabez, whose name means grief, I believe He will also bless us and increase us, who are called by the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Pray the prayer of Jabez and watch as God increases your territory. I prayed that prayer years ago, and God has blessed me beyond what I could ever ask or imagine. 

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10