1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 23: A place for every servant

Begin in prayer

Before we look at how David set the Levites in order, let us turn to the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that He gave His people rest, and to lead us to Jesus, who gives rest to the weary.

He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You gave Your people rest and dwell among them, and show us Jesus, who gives rest. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David was old and full of days, and he made Solomon his son king over Israel (verse 1). He gathered Israel's leaders, and the Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward (verses 2 and 3). David gave the Levites four kinds of work, oversight, judging, keeping the doors and praising the LORD (verses 4 and 5). He divided them by the sons of Levi, Gershon, Kohath and Merari, and the families are named (verses 6 to 23). David said the LORD had given His people rest, so the Levites no longer needed to carry the tabernacle (verse 25). The Levites helped the sons of Aaron, and stood every morning and evening to thank and praise the LORD (verse 30).

As you read 1 Chronicles 23, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gave His people rest and dwells in Jerusalem, so His servants serve Him in order.

David was old, so he made Solomon king and put the work of God's house in order (verses 1 to 6). He counted the Levites and gave them four kinds of work, from oversight to praise (verses 3 to 5). The reason is in verse 25, that the LORD had given His people rest and dwells in Jerusalem forever. The tabernacle no longer had to be carried, so the Levites could serve in a settled house (verse 26). This teaches that service in God's house rests on His gifts, His rest and His presence. It matters because people who are at rest in God can serve Him in order and with joy. It shows God as a God of order, who dwells with His people (1 Corinthians 14 verse 33). Jesus invites weary people to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11 verse 28). In Him God made His home among us (John 1 verse 14).

How does 1 Chronicles 23 show us that God gave His people rest and dwells in Jerusalem, so His servants serve Him in order?

David counted the Levites and gave each group its work.

The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward (verse 3). Some oversaw the house, some were officers and judges, some were doorkeepers, and some praised the LORD (verse 4). David divided them by the sons of Levi, Gershon, Kohath and Merari (verse 6).

The LORD gave His people rest and dwells in Jerusalem forever.

David said that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given rest to His people (verse 25). He said that the LORD dwells in Jerusalem forever (verse 25). So the Levites no longer needed to carry the tabernacle and its vessels (verse 26). They could serve in a house that stayed in one place.

Jesus gives rest, and in Him God made His home among us.

The Levites stood every morning and every evening to thank and praise the LORD (verse 30). Jesus invites weary people to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11 verse 28). John says the Word became flesh and lived among us (John 1 verse 14). In Jesus, God Himself came to live with His people.

Memorise

Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people; and he dwells in Jerusalem forever.

1 Chronicles 23:25

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, have I come to Jesus for rest, and will I serve Him?

David said, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people; and he dwells in Jerusalem forever.” So the Levites served in order, every morning and every evening. Jesus calls weary people to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11 verse 28). In Him God came to live among us (John 1 verse 14).

Our sin has put us far from God's house, and no work of ours can bring us in. Jesus came to carry His people's sin. On the cross He bore the punishment for it, and by His one death He paid what they owed, once for all. On the third day He rose, and now He lives for ever.

So come to Jesus, you who are weary. Turn from your sin and trust Him. The sins of those who trust Him are forgiven, and they find rest for their souls.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God gave His people rest, and that Jesus gives rest to those who come to Him. Parents, this chapter is mostly lists of Levite families, so please read verses 1 to 6 and 25 to 30 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 gave His people rest, and that Jesus gives rest to the weary, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For I have satiated the weary soul, and every sorrowful soul I have replenished.”

Jeremiah 31:25

Lord God, thank You that You gave Your people rest, and that Jesus gives rest to the weary. Please turn each of us from sin to come to Him. Help us to serve You in the place You give us this week. Amen.