Year 9, Day 285: 1 Chronicles 12

Theological Commentary: Click Here

1 Chronicles 12 continues the report of David’s forces.  The prior chapter was mostly regarding his kin; this chapter shows people from the other tribes coming to his assistance.  What is neat is that we are reminded on several occasions that this was to fulfill the word of the Lord.  The Chronicler is trying to remind the exiles returning to rebuild Jerusalem that things happen because God desires it.

What is really neat about this chapter is that we hear the Chronicler speak about the support of David in terms of deserting Saul in support of David.  Remember that as Saul’s rebellion grew in his heart, God sent a troubling spirit to him.  Saul’s grasp of sanity left him more and more.  The more Saul loses touch with reality, the more people look to David as the rightful king.

There is a lesson for leaders in this passage.  Sane people will seek sane leaders.  Logical people will seek leaders who have agendas that meet up with reasonable goals.  When the leadership goes off the deep end, sane people quit listening.

I find this an intriguing critique on the political scene in America over the last decade or two.  Out politicians have gone further and further afield.  We now have politicians who no longer blush at swearing in public (on both sides, remember).  We have politicians who are so stuck on their side of the line that they’ve lost focus completely on what government is supposed do: work on behalf of the people.  I am not surprised by how few people I meet in a normal day to day life who simply don’t care about our government and its politics anymore.  As I said, when leadership loses its grip on sanity, sane people find new leaders to follow.

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