1CH 26-29Mamma. Obededom and his eight sons are mentioned among the porters, for God blessed him because the ark was in his house.
They were all mightymen, strong, and able to serve in the house of the Lord. These porters, or gate keepers, cast lots to know which gate the Lord would appoint each family to keep, and some were set at the east gate, some at the north, some at the south, and some at the west. Some of the Levites were also appointed to take care of the treasures of the Lord's house. And one of the descendants of Moses was ruler of the treasures.
Sophy. What were the treasures?
M. They were the precious things that were given to the house of the Lord. David and his captains dedicated treasures of silver and gold from the spoils taken from the nations whom he conquered.
S. What does dedicated mean?
M. It means set apart for some special purpose. In Joshua 6:1919But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord. (Joshua 6:19), we read that the children of Israel were to bring all the silver and gold and brass and iron, they might get from their enemies, when they conquered them, into the Lord's treasury. You remember how Achan kept a piece of gold for himself, and what terrible judgment came upon him for this sin. All the gifts that Samuel had given, or Saul, or Joab, or that every one in Israel gave to the Lord, were all kept as the treasures of the house of the Lord, You must remember this, for you will hear afterward how wickedly some of these kings used and gave away these treasures. And David sought out all the men of valor to give them something to do in the kingdom. Even those who had chosen to live on the other side of Jordan were not forgotten by David, they also had to serve God and the king.
S. Were the children of Israel very many at that time?
M. Yes. But David would not count those who were younger than twenty years old; because the Lord had said that He would make Israel as many as the stars in the heavens. And those that David did count were not written down in God's account, because it was not for God that David numbered the people; but to shew his own greatness. And the king appointed men to take care of all his treasures, and his storehouses, his vineyards, and his olive-trees. He also put men over his herds, his camels, his asses, and his flocks.
Then David called together all the princes and captains of Jerusalem; and he stood up before them all, and told them, how he had wished to build a house of rest for the ark of the Lord; and how God had told him that he must not do it, because David was a man of war; but that his son Solomon should be the chosen one, for David had a great many other sons. But God chose Solomon to be His son, and God said He would be a Father to him. Then David turned to Solomon, before all the people, and told him how everything would depend on the way that he continued to serve God with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. Then David gave Solomon the pattern of the things that he should make: the porch and the house and the mercy-seat, and the treasuries and the ordering of the priests.
S. Did God shew David things in heaven as He did to Moses?
M. Not in the same way. Moses was taken up into the mountain away from every one, where he was alone with God; and there, in secret, God showed him the pattern of things, by which man could draw near to God. Moses stayed in the mount for forty days, until he had learned the pattern and form of the heavenly things. But God taught David by the Spirit. He says, The Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, all the works of His pattern. He gave to Solomon, his son, the exact weight in gold for all the vessels of gold, and the weight-in silver for all the vessels of silver. And David said: Be strong and of good courage and do it; fear not nor be dismayed.
S. That is what the Lord said to Joshua when he was going up to conquer the land.
M. Yes; and it is repeated to Solomon; for all now depended on the king. God had set up His people in blessing in the promised land. He was going to dwell among them—a people at rest from their enemies. And David says, "my God" will be with thee. David thus encouraged Solomon to walk with God.
Everything was at his command in great abundance. David had made preparations with all his Might; for he had set his affection upon the house of his God. He had given of his own wealth to that house. The priests and the Levites, the princes and the people were to be wholly at the command of Solomon. And David said; Who is willing to give as I have given? Then all the people offered willingly.
S. What did they give?
M. Whatever they had. Those who had gold, gave gold; those who had precious stones, gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord. The people were very happy, because they offered willingly, with a perfect heart. David also rejoiced with great joy, and he blessed the Lord before all the congregation and said Blessed be the Lord God of Israel our Father, forever and ever.
His heart was always full of praise. And now, before the whole congregation, I suppose for the last time, they hear him proclaim, that greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty all are the Lord's; riches and honor, every good thing comes from God; and even Solomon in all his glory had nothing of himself or from himself—it was but the overflowing of God's goodness to; him. David owns this, and repeats with delight that it was, all God's own. He says, Who are we that we should offer willingly after this sort? For all things come of Thee, of Thine own have we given Thee.
S. Was that praise?
M. Yes; the purest praise, because it was the heart overflowing with the sense of what God is; the nothingness of the creature rejoicing in the fullness of God. Now David prays to God to keep His people and to keep Solomon; then he calls upon the people to bless the Lord. They bow their heads and worship the Lord and the king. They offer sacrifices in abundance, and eat and drink before the Lord with gladness. Then Solomon is anointed king a second time, and he sits on the throne of David, all Israel being subject to him, even the rest of David's sons. And the Lord magnified Solomon in the sight all Israel.
S. Do, we hear no more of David?
M. No. In Kings we read bout his last days; but here we lose sight of him praising God in the midst of the congregation of Israel, and at the same time interceding for them.
David reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem; he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.