1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 27: God's people are like the stars

Begin in prayer

Before we read how David set his army and officers in order, let us ask the LORD for help together. Ask Him to show us that He promised a people as many as the stars, and to lead us to Jesus, who gathers them.

He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.

Psalm 147:4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You promised a people as many as the stars, and show us Jesus, who gathers them from every nation. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Twelve divisions of twenty-four thousand men took turns serving the king, one for each month (verses 1 to 15). Each tribe also had a leader (verses 16 to 22). David did not count the young men, because the LORD had promised Israel would be as many as the stars (verse 23). Joab began a census but did not finish, because wrath came on Israel for it (verse 24). The number was not put into the record of King David (verse 24). The chapter ends with the officers over the king's treasures, fields, herds and flocks, and with his counselors (verses 25 to 34).

As you read 1 Chronicles 27, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God promised to make His people as many as the stars of the sky.

David's army served in twelve divisions, one for each month of the year, with twenty-four thousand men in each (verse 1). Each tribe had a leader, and the officers over the king's fields, herds and treasures are named too (verses 16 to 31). David did not count the young men, because the LORD had promised Israel would be as many as the stars (verse 23). God had made this promise to Abraham, telling him to look at the stars (Genesis 15 verse 5). Joab began a census but did not finish it, and wrath came on Israel for this (verse 24). This teaches that God's promise to increase His people is larger than any count. It matters because God's people can rest on His promise, and they need no count to be sure of it. It shows God as faithful to a promise made to Abraham long before, and as the One who increases His people. John saw a great crowd that no one could count, standing before Jesus the Lamb (Revelation 7 verse 9).

How does 1 Chronicles 27 show us that God promised to make His people as many as the stars of the sky?

David's army and officers were set in order.

David's army served in twelve divisions, one for each month (verse 1). Each division had twenty-four thousand men (verse 1). Each tribe had a leader (verses 16 to 22). The king also had officers over his treasures, fields, herds and flocks (verses 25 to 31).

David did not count the young men, because of God's promise.

David did not count the men under twenty (verse 23). The reason is that the LORD had said He would increase Israel like the stars of the sky (verse 23). Joab began a census, but he did not finish it, and wrath came on Israel for this (verse 24). The number was not put into the record (verse 24).

Jesus gathers a people from every nation, too many to count.

God promised Abraham that his offspring would be like the stars (Genesis 15 verse 5). Paul says that those who belong to Christ are Abraham's offspring (Galatians 3 verse 29). John saw a great crowd that no one could count, from every nation (Revelation 7 verse 9). They stood before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7 verse 9).

Memorise

But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.

1 Chronicles 27:23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I belong to Jesus, who is gathering a people no one can count?

David did not count the young men, “because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.” Paul says that all who belong to Christ are the offspring of Abraham (Galatians 3 verse 29). John saw a great crowd that no one could count, standing before the Lamb, who is Jesus (Revelation 7 verse 9).

Everyone in that crowd was a sinner who needed a Savior. Jesus carried their sin. On the cross He bore the punishment for His people's sin, and the price He paid is enough for a crowd no one can count. He rose on the third day.

So come to Jesus, and join those who are His. Turn from your sin and trust Him. When you trust Him, your sins are forgiven, and you are counted among His people, whom no one can number.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God promised His people would be as many as the stars, and that Jesus gathers them. Parents, please read verses 23 and 24 aloud, and remind them of the census in chapter 21. 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 promised to make His people as many as the stars, and that Jesus gathers them, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 12:3

Lord God, thank You that You promised a people as many as the stars, and that Jesus gathers them from every nation. Please call each of us away from sin to trust Him. Help us to remember Your promise this week. Amen.