1 Chronicles 12
by Pastor David Groendyk
One fun fact you may not know about 1–2 Chronicles is that they are actually the very last books of the Hebrew Old Testament. In other words, if Jesus were reading his Bible while on earth, 2 Chronicles would’ve been at the very end of the Old Testament before turning to Matthew. There’s a reason it was last. These two books cover the entirety of human history from the creation of Adam at the beginning of time to the return of exiled Judah in 538 BC. It summarizes all of Israel’s history, but it has a particular focus. There is a disproportionate focus on the southern kingdom of Judah, King David, and the priesthood. According to Richard Pratt, whoever authored 1–2 Chronicles was writing to get the newly-returned exiles to reconsider what they had long believed about God, God’s people, God’s kingdom, and God’s Messiah in light of Jesus’ first coming. God’s salvation and his kingdom was to be ushered into this world by Jesus, who would be the greater King David, greater priest, and descendant of the line of Judah.
1 Chronicles 12 wraps up a mini-section of chapters 10–12 that detail the transfer of the kingdom from wicked Saul to godly David. Verses 1–22 detail many of the people from different tribes of Israel who helped David while he was on the run from Saul who was trying to kill him. In fact, the word “help” appears six times in these verses (vv. 1, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22). However, this shows more than just a human support for David. All of these supporters also demonstrate God’s provision and protection for the true king. Even while Saul is still sitting on the throne, it’s clear that he is not the king that God himself had chosen to reign and rule after his own heart. Verses 23–37 flash forward to the coronation ceremony of King David after the death of Saul. These verses are filled with the troops who defected from Saul’s regime to David’s. It shows, not just that David has garnered support generally, but that every square inch of Israel and every tribe is giving their allegiance to him. David truly is the man after God’s own heart, and he is being crowned king “according to the word of the Lord” (v. 23). Verses 38–40 show the result of God’s people submitting themselves to the one true king. There’s celebration (v. 39), unity and peace (v. 40a), prosperity and abundance (v. 40b), and joy (v. 40c) in the kingdom under David’s leadership. God blessed his people through the reign of the Davidic king.
As we transition from reading this highly-intentional chapter of 1 Chronicles to the New Testament, we see that it’s meant to point us to an even greater King. This is but a foretaste and shadowy picture of what God’s people experience when they worship and submit to Jesus as King. He promises abundance and prosperity, joy inexpressible and the richest of feasts in heaven, unity, refuge, and protection for all eternity. Putting your trust in Jesus Christ is the only way to experience fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psa. 16:11).