April 12, 2024 - 1 Chronicles 23-29

“When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel” (23:1).  As the days transitioned to a new ruler, there was much work to be done:  instructions for the Levites and their families, organization of the priests, setting apart of the musicians who would serve in the temple yet to be built, ordering of the gatekeepers (who were to safeguard the sanctuary from trespass by unauthorized persons and from idolatrous practices), and the establishment of other officers (treasures, judges, and officers of various kinds),  And, of course, David, being the great warrior, took special care to order the military well along with the naming of leaders among the tribes.

Perhaps most importantly of all, David gave instructions to Solomon for building the temple, and he prayed, “Now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.  But who am I, and what is my people . . . O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own” (29:13-16).  David acknowledged, as we must do, also, that all the good we have or are able to accomplish is because of his great blessings upon us.  Our God, indeed, is a wonderfully faithful heavenly father to us!

We give thee but thine own,

whate'er the gift may be;

all that we have is thine alone,

a trust, O Lord, from thee.

May we thy bounties thus

as stewards true receive

and gladly, as thou blessest us,

to thee our first fruits give.   --William Walsham How (1858)