1 Chronicles 26

David organized, priests, temple servants, and musicians for the Lord's good purposes. All of that organizing is useless unless people make themselves available. On the other end of all the organizing were people who were willing to be led. They were trusting that the king was God's man. They were willing to follow him.

We live in a world of danger. Anything of worth needs to be protected. Preparing for the future temple and the city of Jerusalem included identifying men of ability who would be available in a very special way. They needed to be ready to put their lives on the line to protect the Lord's possessions. These men were called gatekeepers and treasurers.

God blessed certain leading men with many sons and brothers who were able to answer this call. They were “qualified for the service.” They were men of “great ability.” Each one had their duties, just as all had special responsibilities in the Lord's kingdom. Wherever the hand of God was needed in order to determine a matter of timing or location, the lot was cast by those in charge, and the decision was made by the Lord.

There would be much in the temple treasuries and among the dedicated gifts of the people of Israel that would have been desirable to thieves. Men were required to guard these valuable items to ensure that they were used for God's purposes and not to enrich corrupt and greedy people.

Some of the wealth that had been dedicated to the worship of the God of Israel had come through the free gifts of Israel's leading men. Much was given to Israel through the defeat of her enemies. All of this wealth required the careful oversight of honest men of ability. The gatekeepers and treasurers were joined by officers, judges, managers, and administrators. All these men served the king and the king's God.

Why did the Chronicler record these details so many centuries after the reign of David? In every era of the history of Israel, men of valor were needed to provide honest and capable protection for the work of the Lord and the careful administration of what others have dedicated to God. In the days of the Chronicler this was an especially important task, since the people of Israel could have easily been overwhelmed by enemies in the land. Who would be ready to give his life to stand against the enemy? Perhaps the right men would be more ready to serve when they read of how their ancestors had done their part in an earlier time of blessing.

We have a great King over a new house of God. Much of His great work He had to do alone. We did not help with His cross. We added nothing to His resurrection. Those saving events happened long before we were born. We are beneficiaries of much hard work that we receive today as His gift to us. Since we have received such a great kingdom, is it too much to ask that men would be ready to serve when our King calls us forward? Is it too much to ask that we would be available to follow Him? Are we ready to give our lives as He would direct?