Follow God not Man
Today's Scripture: 1 Chronicles 27
1Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.
2Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
3Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
4And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.
5The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
6This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
7The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
8The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
16Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
17Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:
18Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
19Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:
20Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
21Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
22Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.
23But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.
25And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:
26And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
27And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
28And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:
29And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
30Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
31And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.
32Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:
33And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:
34And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.
Today's Scripture Meaning:
David's military force. (1-15) Princes and officers. (16-34)
Verses 1-15: In the kingdoms of this world readiness for war forms a security for peace; in like manner, nothing so much encourages Satan's assaults as to be unwatchful. So long as we stand armed with the whole armour of God, in the exercise of faith, and preparation of heart for the conflict, we shall certainly be safe, and probably enjoy inward peace.
Verses 16-34: The officers of the court, or the rulers of the king's substance, had the oversight and charge of the king's tillage, his vineyards, his herds, his flocks, which formed the wealth of eastern kings. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry, and common persons show it in the choice of their advisers. David, though he had all these about him, preferred the word of God before them all. Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.
Today's Scripture Application
Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of 1 Chronicles with Chapter 27 and we see the Commanders of the Army, the Offices of the tribe, and the Administrators of the kingdom. What catches my eye is when Absalom rebelled against David we see Hudhai pretending to be Absalom's friend deceived into his downfall. In making application we see the importance of following the Lord's Word verses following man. Many will deceive you to follow their own agenda leaving you to gain advantage. Simply trust the Lord. How about you? Do you follow the advice of Man or God? Let us learn from our text today to make sure we are careful to follow God's Word verses man's advice.
