Today's Readings and Stuff -- Saturday, 27 June2020

Finishing up an "interesting" week.  Way too much "peopling" for me, or for Wife.  Had a yard full of nephew-in-law's wife's family to have the previously postponed 13th birthday "do" for their son.  His grandmother (wife's sister) was present, which is ok.  And his great-grandfather, the father of that grandmother's one-time husband, now well into early dementia, but his current wife likes to ensure that the grand and great-grands get to see him  Not much mirth, what with the birthday boy's mother's cancer, and NONE of his school friends made an appearance.  But he got some more gifts, ones his mother can't return for cash, and they ran around and had fun. 
Glad it's over. 

.....

quite a bit going on here.  Like moving the Ark, but in a way contrary to the Lord's very specific instructions as to the "how" of the process.  Which led to problems.  Disobedience will do that.
And then we see David's conduct.  Remember the instructions the Lord had handed down back in the time of Moses about not having a stack of wives (and arrangements less formal)?  David ignored that, had a small army of wives and a bevy of concubines.  And, therefore, a medium size regiment of offspring. Which led to centuries of problems.  Ignoring the Lord's will does that, pretty consistently in fact.

1st Chronicles 13

1And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.

2And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:

3And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.

4And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath–jearim.

6And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjath–jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the Lord, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.

7And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

8And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

9And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

10And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

11And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez–uzza to this day.

12And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

13So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed–edom the Gittite.

14And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed–edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed–edom, and all that he had.

1st Chronicles 14

1Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

2And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.

3And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.

4Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

5And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,

6And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

7And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

8And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.

9And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

10And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.

11So they came up to Baal–perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal–perazim.

12And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

13And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.

14Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

15And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

16David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

17And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.