1 Chronicles 12 Devotional

Gathered to the Chosen King

“For at that time men came to David day after day to help him, until he had a great army, like the army of God.”1 Chronicles 12:22 (BSB)

Chapter 12 is a list of people choosing sides. Archers from Saul's own tribe of Benjamin come to David while he is still banished (12:1-2). Gadites cross the Jordan at flood stage to join him (12:8, 12:15). When more men arrive, David meets them warily, and the Spirit comes on Amasai, who declares that they belong to David, because David's God helps him (12:17-18). Day after day men keep coming, until the army is like the army of God (12:22).

It ends at Hebron, with tens of thousands of one mind to make David king, three days of feasting, and joy in Israel (12:38-40). The turning of all these hearts was not David's achievement. It happened in accordance with the word of the LORD (12:23). God was gathering his people to the king he had chosen. Jesus said that when he was lifted up from the earth, he would draw everyone to himself (John 12:32). Wherever you came from on the way to him, it was his drawing that brought you.

To think about: When you look back on how you came to trust Christ, where can you see God's hand drawing you?