1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 12: All Israel comes to David

Begin in prayer

Before we turn to the men who came to David from every tribe, let us stop and pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that He brings people to the king He chose, and to lead us to Jesus.

Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!

Psalm 32:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You brought all Israel to David, the king You chose, and show us Jesus the King. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Chapter 12 tells of the men who came to David while he was hiding from Saul at Ziklag (verse 1). They were skilled with bows and slings, and they came from Benjamin, Gad, Manasseh and other tribes. When men of Judah and Benjamin came, David asked if they came in peace (verses 16 and 17). The Spirit came on Amasai, who said, “your God helps you” (verse 18). Men kept coming from day to day, until David had a great army, like God's army (verse 22). All Israel was of one heart to make David king, and they feasted for three days (verses 38 to 40).

As you read 1 Chronicles 12, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God brought all Israel to David, the king He chose.

David was hiding from Saul at Ziklag when men began to come to him (verse 1). They came from Saul's own tribe of Benjamin, and from Gad, Manasseh and others (verses 2, 8 and 19). When men of Judah and Benjamin came, the Spirit came on Amasai, and he said, “your God helps you” (verse 18). Men kept coming day by day, until David had a great army, like God's army (verse 22). The chapter says why they came. They came to turn Saul's kingdom to David, according to the LORD's word (verse 23). This matters, because it shows that God gathers people to the king He has chosen. It shows God as the One who keeps His word and turns the hearts of many to one purpose. Jesus said that all the Father gives Him will come to Him (John 6 verse 37).

How does 1 Chronicles 12 show us that God brought all Israel to David, the king He chose?

Men came to David while he was hiding from Saul.

These men joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul (verse 1). Some were of Saul's own tribe of Benjamin (verse 2). They could use bows and slings with the right hand or the left (verse 2). Men from Gad and Manasseh also joined him (verses 8 and 19).

The Spirit came on Amasai, and he said God helps David.

Some men of Judah and Benjamin came to David's stronghold (verse 16). David asked if they came in peace (verse 17). Then the Spirit came on Amasai, and he said, “your God helps you” (verse 18). David received them and made them captains (verse 18).

Jesus draws people to Himself.

Jesus said that all the Father gives Him will come to Him (John 6 verse 37). He said that when He was lifted up, He would draw all people to Himself (John 12 verse 32). David's men came to a king hiding in a stronghold. Jesus is the greater King, who calls all people to repent and trust Him.

Memorise

For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like God’s army.

1 Chronicles 12:22

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, have I come to Jesus the King, and will I follow Him?

When Amasai said, “your God helps you,” David received the men who came. From day to day more men came, until there was “a great army, like God’s army.” Jesus is the greater King, and He calls everyone to come to Him.

Jesus came as the King who saves. On the cross He bore the punishment for His people's sin, and His death fully paid for it. He was buried, and the Father raised Him to life. Now He calls people from every nation to come to Him.

Jesus calls you to come, as the men came to David. Turn from your sin and trust Him. Those who trust Him are forgiven, and they join the people He is gathering from every nation.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God brought all Israel to David, and that Jesus the greater King calls everyone to Himself. Parents, this chapter has long lists of warriors, so please read verses 16 to 18 and 38 aloud. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He brought all Israel to David, the king He chose, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Save, Yahweh! Let the King answer us when we call!

Psalm 20:9

Lord God, thank You that You brought all Israel to David, the king You chose. Please turn each of us from sin to come to Jesus, the greater King. Help us to follow Him this week. Amen.