1 Chronicles 13-15 | Sunday June 21st, 2026 Short review and then today we will compare chapters 13 to 15 and talk about what happened in between 1 Chronicles 13:1–4 (NASB95) 1 Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds, even with every leader. 2 David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is from the Lord our God, let us send everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel, also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands, that they may meet with us; 3 and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” 4 Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. David and the people had an idea (to bring the Ark to Jerusalem) born out of good motives - they had neglected fellowship with God, His presence with them (the Ark), and wanted to get right. But they failed tremendously. They failed because they let their own thinking guide them. And this is how we found hope in a book that is meant to give hope. God got David and therefore the nation right where He wanted them, dependent on Him for guidance to move forward. They stopped doing, stopped assuming, and instead asked “how?” 1 Chronicles 15:1–3 (NASB95) 1 Now David built houses for himself in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.” 3 And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to its place which he had prepared for it. 1 Chronicles 15:11–15 (NASB95) 11 Then David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves both you and your relatives, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 “Because you did not carry it at the first, the Lord our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance.” 14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. 15 The sons of the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord. David gives clear instructions according to God’s clear commands in Exodus and Numbers. 1 Chronicles 15:16 (NASB95) 16 Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. 1 Chronicles 15:25 (NASB95) 25 So it was David, with the elders of Israel and the captains over thousands, who went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-edom with joy. 1 Chronicles 15:28 (NASB95) 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, and with sound of the horn, with trumpets, with loud-sounding cymbals, with harps and lyres. Compare/Contrast: 13 and 15. 13 - right motive, united people, passion/celebration/all kinds of instruments, David dancing, new cart and failure 15 - we still have right motive, united people, passion/celebration/all kinds of instruments, no cart, Levites are carrying the Ark A successful transport gives people hope but we need to take a deeper dive because there’s bigger message of hope. 2 Samuel 6:2–3 (NASB95) 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim. 3 They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. 2 Samuel 6:11–12 (NASB95) 11 Thus the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household. 12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. In Chronicles there is a chapter in between, Ch14 and it is critical for us to get the message of hope. Ch14 demonstrates the grace of walking with God over time. God gives David 3 months between the 2 transports and in these 3 months David gets to practice the “How” 1 Chronicles 14:1–2 (NASB95) 1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons and carpenters, to build a house for him. 2 And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel. In Chapter 13 David is angry and afraid. Fear changes things. In this case it led to a great question. We think fear is bad. But the Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. (not saying David’s fear was) Proverbs 9:10 (NASB95) 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 14:2 (NASB95) 2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is devious in his ways despises Him. What does it mean to fear the Lord? Looking up to God, seeing Him for who He really is, in all His glory, and then responding with the proper respect and awe for His position. 1 Chronicles 14:1–2 (NASB95) 1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons and carpenters, to build a house for him. 2 And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel. Now if you were “trying to fellowship with God” and then He clearly shut it down, wouldn’t that leave you with some questions? Might you think/feel as is God has withdrawn from you? But… God is still with David - messengers from a foreign land arrive to build David a house. God assures David, He has not left him and assures him of who he is, his Identity. He was God’s chosen king. Identity from Outside-In or Inside-Out. Both are problematic because things are always changing, so your life will be chaotic. God is the one who defines life (yours and mine) When you see God for who He is, in all His glory, and respond with the proper respect, you end up with a Top-Down ID – God defines your life. Ephesians 2:4–6 (NASB95) 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Gospel Hebrews 11:13–16 (NASB95) 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. That’s the first bit of hope– God did not leave David and David could be sure of who he was based on God’s truth (ID). You see the next bit in these verses. 1 Chronicles 14:8–16 (NASB95) 8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of David; and David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10 David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You give them into my hand?” Then the Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will give them into your hand.” 11 So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there; and David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore they named that place Baal-perazim. 12 They abandoned their gods there; so David gave the order and they were burned with fire. 13 The Philistines made yet another raid in the valley. 14 David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees. 15 “It shall be when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 16 David did just as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even as far as Gezer. Look at God’s grace! In Ch13 David had a good idea but did it his own way. In Ch14 God gives David a chance to ask “how” “David inquired of God.” God gives David the grace of practicing a walk/relationship with Him over time. Our biblical expectation – hope – is that God allows for growth over time! For David the Philistines were a trial – something “out here” that pressed on him and revealed what’s “in here” (heart) an opportunity to for the “proving of his faith”. When you fear God, know that He is with you, are informed of vertical ID and then ask “how”, it will not lead to nothingness or idleness, it will lead to practiced dependence, as God provides opportunity. Where are you getting this same chance? What are you doing with it? In Chapters 11-12 we found hope seeing from an eternal perspective- God has a perfect plan but just b/c we know that doesn’t mean we are perfect. We still will go at life based on our own thinking. But God is at work; God’s grace is so good that He gives you opportunity and room to grow. Romans 5:1–5 (NASB95) 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Identity – trial/practice – hope David did not know how much time would pass between the 1 st and 2 nd transports of the Ark, but the assurance that God was with Him (ID) did not lead to nothingness or idleness; it led to practiced dependence, as God provided opportunity. This led to David’s growth in obedience. He did not in one day figure it out, you in one day are not going to change every wrong way of thinking/acting. But if you get the day, you have the chance. Ephesians 5:15–17 (NASB95) 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. God is the giver of time. You have zero capability to get more or less of it. Don’t try to acquire it, instead make the most of it! And the only way you are going to make the most of it is to do this life in fellowship with God. 1 Timothy 4:4–8 (NASB95) 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. 6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Thessalonians 5:14–21 (NASB95) 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; As part of the body of Christ, admonish, encourage, help, be patient. Rejoice with, pray for, give thanks, examine and hold onto that which is good. That’s how you will make the most of your time! Hebrews 12:12–13 (NASB95) 12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Therefore, strengthen hands that are weak and knees that are feeble. – be healed. Experience the refreshing, the healing, life lived in relationship with God. (not perfect, but purposeful) How did we get from chapter 13 to 15? David’s thinking changed which led to a change in the how – the doing. But this did not happen in isolation – it was fleshed out over time as God gave David opportunity to turn to Him, depend on Him and respond in faith/obedience. It is God’s grace that gives you time to practice living out His Word. God wants what’s best for you – a sanctifying walk with Him! If you get today – and you have it – that is God’s grace towards you. Given so that you will live in fellowship with Him. Thinking according to His word, remembering the bigger picture, acting in faith toward Him. This is the hope of Chronicles; God gave David time to trust Him and go up before he transported the Ark again. Today you have time, put your faith in God and go up!