THE HOLY SPIRIT IN 1ST CHRONICLES
Brethren,
Apart from the detailed genealogies of the twelve tribes of Israel, 1st and 2nd Chronicles records the history of Israel with the same themes as 1st and 2nd Kings.So, who can find the Holy Spirit in these two books? You’ll be surprised. He’s everywhere where God is at work. Look at 1 Chron. 12:18 “Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said: “We are yours, O David; We are on your side, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, And peace to your helpers! For your God helps you.” So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.
Amasai had been a captain of Saul’s army in Judah and Benjamin. He was a high-ranking officer. Saul was seeking to kill David. But many in Judah knew that David was God’s choice and anointed to be king of Judah and Israel. Evil spirits were controlling Saul at this time. So many of his own officers from his tribe of Benjamin were defecting and joining David at his stronghold. David wasn’t sure who was for him and who could have been sent by Saul to kill him. It was a tense moment. You can imagine the defections that take place in politics. If a senior person in the ruling party with the majority defected to the minority opposition party, they’d be some suspicions.
Suddenly the Spirit of God came upon this army captain and strengthened him to give David his allegiance. He said: “God helps you.” The Spirit of God was drawing many of these men to join David.Did you know when we pray in the Spirit for those who are in authority, and especially during heated political campaigns, that the Spirit of God is involved in the alliances that form our government? The Holy Spirit literally protected David’s inner circle by closely connecting him with the right people.
After Saul’s death, many mighty men who were equipped for war came to David (who had now returned to Hebron in Judah) to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him. The Bible says: “All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king.” 1 Chr.12:38 The Spirit of God was drawing them together from all over Israel now.
Among them were these men: 1 Chr. 12:32…of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command. How did these men know what Israel ought to do? How do you understand the times in which you live and what you ought to be doing at this time? Well, you know by the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit bearing witness in your heart what you ought to do. (Romans 8:12) It must have been by the Holy Spirit that these sons of Issachar came to know that they should stand with David. At that time, it was not written anywhere that David would be king. They didn’t have a Bible like we do. Yet they were known as men who had an understanding OF THE TIMES.
Brethren, the more you pray in the Spirit and listen to Him, the more you know that we live in the last of the last days, that it is harvest time and you know what you ought to be doing about the harvest in preparation for the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ. You’ll never be caught of guard or unaware of His soon return because the greater One in you will guide you to be at the right place, doing the right thing at the right time. Thank God for the Holy Ghost!
