CHAPTER 16 * w14 1/15 pp par. 14 Worship Jehovah, the King of Eternity *

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Laura Dalton
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1 Chronicles 16-20 Jehovah s Word Is Alive Highlights From the Book of 1 Chronicles CHAPTER 16 *** w14 1/15 pp. 10-11 par.

1 1 Chronicles Jehovah s Word Is Alive Highlights From the Book of 1 Chronicles CHAPTER 16 *** w14 1/15 pp par. 14 Worship Jehovah, the King of Eternity *** 14 David brought the sacred ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. During this joyous occasion, the Levites sang a song of praise that contained a noteworthy statement, recorded at 1 Chronicles 16:31: Declare among the nations: Jehovah has become King! One might wonder, Since Jehovah is the King of eternity, how is it that he became King at that time? Jehovah becomes King when he expresses his rulership or establishes an agency to represent him at a certain time or to deal with a specific situation. *** w12 11/15 pp. 3-4 par. 4 Teach Me to Do Your Will *** 4 Confronting Goliath, young David declared: You are coming to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I am coming to you with the name of Jehovah of armies, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have taunted. (1 Sam. 17:45) Relying on the true God, David brought down the Philistine champion with a single slingstone. Not only on that occasion but throughout his life, David trusted in Jehovah and held the divine name in the highest esteem. Indeed, David urged fellow Israelites to boast in Jehovah s holy name. Read 1 Chronicles 16:8-10. *** w08 4/15 pp. 3-4 par. 5 Repudiate Valueless Things *** 5 It is interesting that in most Bible verses where the word valueless appears, it is applied to false gods. For example, Jehovah said to Israel: You must not make valueless gods for yourselves, and you must not set up a carved image or a sacred pillar for yourselves, and you must not put a stone as a showpiece in your land in order to bow down toward it. (Lev. 26:1) King David wrote: Jehovah is great and very much to be praised, and he is to be feared more than all other gods. For all the gods of the peoples are valueless gods. As for Jehovah, he made the heavens. 1 Chron. 16:25, 26. *** w05 10/1 p. 10 par. 7-p. 11 par. 4 Highlights From the Book of First Chronicles *** 16:30 What is the meaning of severe pains on account of Jehovah? The expression pains is here used figuratively to denote reverential fear of and high regard for Jehovah. 16:1, 37-40; 21:29, 30; 22:19 What arrangement for worship remained operative in Israel from the time the Ark was brought to Jerusalem until the temple was built? When David brought the Ark to Jerusalem and placed it inside the tent he had made, the Ark had not been in the tabernacle for many years. After the move, the Ark remained in that tent in Jerusalem. The tabernacle was in Gibeon, where High Priest Zadok and his brothers carried out sacrifices prescribed in the Law. This arrangement continued until the completion of the temple in Jerusalem. When the temple was ready, the tabernacle was brought from Gibeon to Jerusalem, and the Ark was housed in the Most Holy of the temple. 1 Kings 8:4, 6.

2 16: Jehovah s worship should be our first concern in life. *** w04 8/15 p. 30 Do You Remember? *** Why did David allow his wife Michal to have a teraphim image? When King Saul plotted to kill David, Michal helped him to escape, putting on the couch an image that was perhaps in the shape of a man. She may have had a teraphim because her heart was not complete toward God. David either did not know about it or tolerated it because she was the daughter of King Saul. (1 Chronicles 16:25, 26) 6/1, page 29. *** w99 5/15 p. 16 par. 3 Keep On Walking in Jehovah s Way *** 3 Israel was a small nation surrounded by unfriendly neighbors who engaged in licentious ceremonies in the worship of idol gods. (1 Chronicles 16:26) Only Israel served the one true and invisible God, Jehovah, and he required that they maintain high moral standards. (Deuteronomy 6:4) Similarly today, only a few million humans worship Jehovah, and they live in a world of almost six billion people whose standards and religious outlook are very different from theirs. If we are among those few million, we must be on guard against being influenced in a wrong way. How? Loyalty to Jehovah God, faith in him, and a firm trust that he will fulfill his promises will help. (Hebrews 11:6) This will keep us from putting our trust in the things the world hopes in. Proverbs 20:22; 1 Timothy 6:17. *** w95 3/15 p. 31 Jehovah Will Save the Earth *** The existence of global warming is still debated among scientists. However, we can be assured that environmental problems will not block God s purpose. The productive land is firmly established, states the Bible. Never will it be made to totter. (1 Chronicles 16:30) Jehovah has control over the earth s environment, and we can rejoice that he will soon save both earth and mankind from ruin. Psalm 24:1, 2; 135:6; 2 Peter 3:13. *** w94 5/1 p. 10 par. 7 Sing Praises to Jehovah *** 7 At 1 Chronicles 16:1, 4-36, we read that Jehovah was praised by singing and by the playing of musical instruments when David brought the Ark to Jerusalem. That was a truly joyous occasion. There was also a singing of praise to Jehovah accompanied by instrumental music at the time King Solomon dedicated the temple at Jerusalem. *** w94 9/1 p. 18 par. 17 Rejoice in Jehovah! *** 17 What a joy it is to find sheeplike persons willing to learn about Jehovah! Indeed, those serving with the right motive will always find Kingdom service to be a source of joy. This is because the main reason for being a Witness of Jehovah is to praise His name and to uphold His position as Sovereign Ruler. (1 Chronicles 16:31) The person who recognizes this fact will rejoice even when people unwisely reject the good news he brings. He knows that preaching to unbelievers will one day come to an end; praising Jehovah s name will go on forever.

3 *** w89 6/1 p. 29 Enjoying Music What Is the Key? *** Music is also an integral part of our worship of Jehovah. In ancient Israel, Asaph and his brothers sang: Give thanks to Jehovah, you people; call upon his name, make his deeds known among the peoples! Sing to him, make melody to him, concern yourselves with all his wonderful acts. Yes, music can praise God and please him. 1 Chronicles 16:8, 9. *** w74 3/15 p. 190 Consider What Jehovah Has Done for You *** How very fitting, therefore, that God s Word should repeatedly instruct us to praise and thank God for all his goodness toward us. Literally hundreds of times it tells us to do this, as, for example, at 1 Chronicles 16:8: Give thanks to Jehovah, you people; call upon his name, make his deeds known among the peoples! Do you ever give thought to heeding this command? Have you ever made it a point to tell other people what you know about Jehovah s deeds? *** g00 3/8 p. 11 Modern Slavery Its End Is Near! *** Consider an educational program that has been carried out worldwide by the Christian community of Jehovah s Witnesses. This program has successfully taught honesthearted individuals not to tolerate or condone inhumane exploitation. Through it, millions of people in more than 230 lands have been taught to treat all their fellowmen with dignity. Why is this program successful? Because it is based on the Bible, a book inspired by the Creator of man. It is a book that upholds human dignity. People instructed in the Bible through the educational program of Jehovah s Witnesses learn that our Creator, Jehovah, is himself a God of dignity. (1 Chronicles 16:27) He confers dignity upon all his creation. This includes both men and women, from all races, social backgrounds, and economic conditions. See the box Human Freedom and Dignity From What Source? *** km 5/04 p. 1 pars. 1-2 Music That Refreshes *** 1 Singing and music are an integral part of true worship. In ancient Israel, Asaph and his brothers sang: Give thanks to Jehovah, you people.... Sing to him, make melody to him, concern yourselves with all his wonderful acts. (1 Chron. 16:8, 9) Today we raise our voices in song to Jehovah at our weekly congregation meetings. (Eph. 5:19) What a marvelous opportunity this is to give praise to his name! Ps. 69:30. 2 Listening to Kingdom Melodies, orchestral arrangements of Kingdom songs, can fill our mind with spiritual thoughts. As the melodies are played, I hear the words in my mind, explained one sister. What a fine way to keep Jehovah in my thoughts while enjoying music! Phil. 4:8.

*** km 12/10 p. 3 Theocratic Ministry School Review *** What can we learn from the Levite singers expression of praise recorded at 1 Chronicles 16:34? [w02 1/15 p. 11 pars.

4 *** km 12/10 p. 3 Theocratic Ministry School Review *** What can we learn from the Levite singers expression of praise recorded at 1 Chronicles 16:34? [w02 1/15 p. 11 pars. 6-7] 6 King David of ancient Israel acknowledged God s goodness and sought His guidance. Good and upright is Jehovah, said David. That is why he instructs sinners in the way. (Psalm 25:8) Divine instruction given to the Israelites included ten important laws the Ten Commandments written on two stone tablets and kept in a sacred chest called the ark of the covenant. After David had the Ark brought to Israel s capital city, Jerusalem, Levites sang a song that included this expression: Give thanks to Jehovah, you people, for he is good, for to time indefinite is his loving-kindness. (1 Chronicles 16:34, 37-41) How delightful it must have been to hear those words from the lips of Levite singers! 7 The same words of praise were given prominence during the dedication of Jehovah s temple built by David s son Solomon. After the ark of the covenant had been placed in the Most Holy of the newly built temple, the Levites began praising Jehovah, for he is good, for to time indefinite is his loving-kindness. On that occasion the temple was miraculously filled with a cloud symbolizing Jehovah s glorious presence. (2 Chronicles 5:13, 14) Following Solomon s dedication prayer, fire itself came down from the heavens and proceeded to consume the burnt offering and the sacrifices. At the sight of this, all the sons of Israel... immediately bowed low with their faces to the earth upon the pavement and prostrated themselves and thanked Jehovah, for he is good, for his loving-kindness is to time indefinite. (2 Chronicles 7:1-3) After a 14-day festival, the Israelites returned to their homes joyful and feeling good at heart over the goodness that Jehovah had performed toward David and toward Solomon and toward Israel his people. 2 Chronicles 7:10. *** km 8/93 p. 5 Theocratic Ministry School Review *** David s words at 1 Chronicles 16:31 illustrate that although Jehovah s rulership dates from the beginning of creation, he has at times made specific expressions of his rulership that allow for his being spoken of as becoming King at a particular time. [Weekly Bible reading; see w85 12/15 p. 11.] CHAPTER 17 *** w06 7/15 p. 19 par. 2 Focus on the Goodness of Jehovah s Organization *** 2 David was not permitted to supervise the construction of Jehovah s house. Instead, that privilege was reserved for his son Solomon. David did not murmur because someone else was granted the privilege that he himself so earnestly desired. What was most important to him was that the temple be built. He wholeheartedly supported the project by passing on to Solomon the architectural plans that he had received from Jehovah. Moreover, David organized thousands of Levites into divisions of service and donated a large amount of gold and silver for temple construction. 1 Chronicles 17:1, 4, 11, 12; 23:3-6; 28:11, 12; 29:1-5.

CHAPTER 18 *** w13 12/1 p. 13 Out of the Mountains You Will Mine Copper *** King Solomon used a vast quantity of copper in furnishing the temple in Jerusalem.

5 CHAPTER 18 *** w13 12/1 p. 13 Out of the Mountains You Will Mine Copper *** King Solomon used a vast quantity of copper in furnishing the temple in Jerusalem. Much of it was obtained by his father, David, from his Syrian conquests. (1 Chronicles 18:6-8). *** w05 10/1 p. 11 par. 5 Highlights From the Book of First Chronicles *** 18:3. Jehovah is the Fulfiller of his promises. Through David, he carried out his promise to give Abraham s seed the entire land of Canaan, extending from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates. Genesis 15:18; 1 Chronicles 13:5. *** w79 6/15 p. 31 Questions From Readers *** Second Samuel 8:13 states that David struck down the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, but 1 Chronicles 18:12 attributes this accomplishment to Abishai, and the superscription of Psalm 60 says that Joab administered the defeat. Why is this? The three accounts evidently present the defeat of the Edomites from different viewpoints. In 2 Samuel, the victory is ascribed to David because he was the king, the commander-in-chief of the Israelite army and the one who authorized the battle engagement. Since Joab was the principal general, he is credited with the triumph in the superscription of Psalm 60. Abishai served as a divisional commander under Joab and doubtless had a prominent share in the military campaign. This would explain why the victory is attributed to him in the Chronicles account. Thus there is no contradiction. Even today it is customary to ascribe a particular deed to the person who authorized it or to the one who had a prominent share in its being carried out successfully. CHAPTER 19 *** w01 4/1 p. 21 Do You Feel Misunderstood? *** When Nahash, king of Ammon, died, David sent messengers to console his son Hanun, who had begun to rule in his father s place. However, the messengers visit was misinterpreted as a hostile spying out of Ammonite territory, moving Hanun first to humiliate the messengers and then to make war on Israel. As a result, at least 47,000 people died all because of a misunderstanding of good intentions. 1 Chronicles 19:1-19. In most cases, lives will not be at stake if you fail to grasp someone else s real intentions, but friendships might be. So if you feel that someone has acted improperly toward you, are you sure that you understand things the way they really are, or are you misinterpreting them? What were the other person s motives? Ask him. Do you feel misunderstood? Talk about it. Do not allow pride to get in the way.

6 CHAPTER 20 POINT TMS Did David treat his captives savagely, as some conclude from 1 Chronicles 20:3? [Nov. 2, w05 2/15 p. 27] No. David merely consigned the Ammonite captives to forced labor. David s actions have been misunderstood because of the way some Bible translations render these verses. Describing the treatment meted out to the Ammonites, those Bible versions portray David as barbaric and cruel. For example, 2 Samuel 12:31, according to the King James Version, reads: He brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. The account at 1 Chronicles 20:3 is rendered similarly. However, as noted by Bible scholar Samuel Rolles Driver, cruelty is alien to all that we know of the personal character and temper of David. Thus, a comment in The Anchor Bible states: David is setting up work crews of captives for the economic exploitation of the conquered territory, evidently standard practice for victorious kings. Along the same line, Adam Clarke comments: The meaning therefore is, He made the people slaves, and employed them in sawing, making iron harrows, or mining,... and in hewing of wood, and making of brick. Sawing asunder, hacking, chopping, and hewing human beings, have no place in this text, no more than they had in David s conduct towards the Ammonites. Reflecting this more accurate understanding, various modern translations make it clear that David should not be charged with inhumane treatment. Note the rendering of the New English Translation (2003): He removed the people who were in it and made them do hard labor with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, putting them to work at the brick kiln. This was his policy with all the Ammonite cities. (2 Samuel 12:31) He took the city s residents and made them work with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did this to all the cities of the Ammonites. (1 Chronicles 20:3) The rendering of the New World Translation is also in keeping with the latest scholarship: The people that were in it, he brought out that he might put them at sawing stones and at sharp instruments of iron and at axes of iron, and he made them serve at brickmaking. (2 Samuel 12:31) The people that were in it he brought out, and he kept them employed at sawing stones and at sharp instruments of iron and at axes; and that was the way David proceeded to do to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. 1 Chronicles 20:3. David did not subject the defeated Ammonites to barbarous torture and gruesome massacres. He did not copy the sadistic and brutal war customs of his day. [Footnote] By a difference of one letter, the Hebrew text can read he put them into the saw or he cut (sawed) them in pieces. Moreover, the word for brick kiln can also mean brick mold. Such a mold would be too narrow for anyone to pass through.

David Expands the Kingdom with Victories over Israel s Enemies

David Expands the Kingdom with Victories over Israel s Enemies 2 Samuel 8 After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines and subdued them. And David took Metheg Ammah from the hand of the