Here are my thoughts and highlights from I Chronicles as I continue my journey through the Bible:

  • I think it’s safe to say that genealogy will never be one of my hobbies.
  • In the middle of outlining all these family trees, the writer stops for a five-sentence story about Jabez. Why?
  • There’s a precedence for meeting in non-permanent facilities for worship services. These folks gathered in a tent.
  • "Singlehandedly he killed three hundred men, killed them all in one skirmish." His name was Jashobeam and that’s translated to "Jack Bauer" in English.
  • Benaiah climbed own into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day. Someone should write a book about that.
  • The mighty men of the military included Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, Ira the Tekoite, Ilai the Ahohite, Hezro the Carmelite and Tony the Grangerite… (OK. I just added that last one.)
  • "Study God and his strength, seek his presence day and night."
  • One of the warriors at Gath was a giant that had twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and foot. His mommy had a tough time playing This Little Piggy with him.
  • From these early days, God seems to desire planning prior to worship, because he made the Levites "responsible for everything that had to do with worship: the place and times and ordering of worship."
  • Jeduthun used to preach while accompanying himself with the zither. I’ve always said the world needs more preaching zither players.
  • "God examines every heart and sees through every motive. If you seek him, he’ll make sure you find him."
  • "Take charge! Take heart! Don’t be anxious or get discouraged. God, my God is with you in this; he won’t walk off and leave you in the lurch. He’s at your side until every last detail is completed for conducting the worship of God." I need that type of encouragement.
  • "Joash was in charge of the olive oil." His friends nicknamed him Popeye.
  • As a leader, I need to model generosity and faithfulness in giving to the ministry and to others.
  • Generosity in giving is a reflection of my heart condition. "I know, dear God, that you care nothing for the surface–you want us, our true selves–and so I have given from the heart, honestly and happily."