Hi John. Just on the matter in 2 Samuel & 1 Chronicles.
Even though the numbers differ greatly, there should be no reason to assume error or textual corruption. Joab undertook the work unwillingly & therefore performed it imperfectly. According to 1Chronicles 21:6, he refused altogether to number the tribes Levi and Benjamin; & according to 1 Chronicles 27:24 "he finished not," and no official record was made of the result: "neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David."
I think that the numbers were, in part, mere estimates. Here (2 Samuel), Israel is said to be 8 hundred thousand, in 1 Chronicles, 1.1 million; but the latter probably includes an estimate (i.e. not an included number) of the omitted tribes of Benjamin and Levi, and perhaps of portions of other tribes.
On the other hand, Judah in 2 Samuel is numbered 500,000 (a round number like all the rest), and in 1 Chronicles, 470,000. The difference is due perhaps to an estimate of the officiating priests and Levities accounted to Judah.
Another possibility, (from 1 Chronicles 27), is that the regular army of 288,000 (twelve divisions of 24,000 each) is included in Israel in one case and excluded in the other. And that in the same way in regard to Judah, "the thirty" may have had command of a special body of 30,000. Possibly in one case, the descendants of the old Canaanites were reckoned (since it appears from 2 Chronicles 2:17, that David "had numbered them"), and in the other, they were excluded. There is no reason to doubt the general reliability of the numbers since we're not given all the considerations/calculations used in numbering them. In any case, it appears that a probable total population of five or six million is in order.
I think you might be referring to 2 Chronicles 2:7: "Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide." And there are other verses in similar vein about "purple", e.g. Exodus 35:35.
The word "cunning" is an archaic word for 'skilled'. You could also use words such as 'being adept in performance or having manual dexterity'. And these men were selected for their ability to work with fabric, producing high quality workmanship.
In this chapter, we see how commendable Solomon's perception towards God used to be before his death. He made a temple not hoping to contain God, but as a place to cherish Him and maybe receive blessings from Him as well. He also decides not to be prideful and ask for help from neighboring nations. People nowadays can be very prideful, and not ask for help when they are trying to reach a goal. Where does this fear come from? We should be a community, and aim to improve each other just as Hiram and Solomon did.
This seems to mirror Solomon's special interest and intent. Just as God's promise to David was everlasting, so did Solomon mean to introduce his lasting of order to decree this sacred space forever.
To me, the meaning behind this verse in Chronicles is the dedication to the LORD, of the temple space that was build for Solomon and shows an offering.
It's know that Hiram, King of Tyre existed at the same time period and was on close terms with both David and Solomon. Maybe Hiram was able to see the perfection of the work being done to this temple for Solomon as Hiram was known to be the Grand Master of Masons.
In this verse, I see that Solomon sends the men to get materials and chop with tools for the royal palace of the Lord while being overseen by other men or workers. This is a beautiful passage in all.
I love this passage. It's interesting that David was only allowed to plan, prepare and purchase the land and the work and completion of building had to be done by Solomon. Solomon was determined and would not be discouraged in his work. I always wonder though, was the duty of building the temple reserved for Solomon before his birth?
People with special talents are always needed in the house of the Lord. what is that talent that God has endowed you with? make it available for God's use and you will be blessed.
It would be a great blessing if everyone would bring their special talent to help in building up the work of the Lord. God gave us special talents to serve him and his people.
This verse has been a Motto To people who discipline into maturity and let God guide them so they can identify their purpose in life.. We are all part of building His KINGDOM.. Everyone is precious in the sight of God. His house will be great and a glorious one.
Here we see the WISDOM that GOD gave Solomon at work. He has summoned Huram, King of TYRE in helping to build not only the Temple to GOD but a place for himself. How we can all use this exammple in living in harmony without manipulation, jealousy, envy, and strife. But in love and devotion to the work and will of GOD. I pray this for us on earth in JESUS name. AMEN.
Actually, concerning the 'ereb boqer (evenings, mornings) of verse 14, the Adventists are not in error on this point. It's all in the word order. "Evening and morning" is the Biblical language used for meaning one day. This principle is set forth in the book of Genesis:
"So the evening and the morning were the first day." (1:5)
"So the evening and the morning were the second day." (1:8)
"So the evening and the morning were the third day." (1:13)
And so forth. In the Bible, days begin in the evening. Hence the reason the Lord said "from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath" ( Leviticus 23:32). The morning, then, would be the second part of the day.
However, with regards to sacrifices, this order is reversed. Instead of evening and morning, the language use for offerings is morning and evening. This is made plain in the following examples:
Exodus 29:39
One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight ['ereb].
Numbers 28:4
The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, the other lamb you shall offer in the evening.
2 Kings 16:15
On the great new altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering...
1 Chronicles 16:40
to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening...
2 Chronicles 2:4
...for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set feasts of the LORD our God...
2 Chronicles 13:11
And they burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense...
Thus the phrase "morning" and "evening" became the staple for signifying sacrificial offerings all throughout Scripture. As Siegfried Schwantes points out, this expression perpetuated into the post-Old Testament when the Apocrypha came about. 1 Esdras 5:50 says, "and they offered sacrifices according to the time, and burnt offerings to the Lord both morning and evening."
Now, if the text in Daniel 8:14 had stated 2300 mornings and evenings, then a case could be made that the passage was, indeed, talking about sacrifices (though, I think, it would still seem that each morning and evening would stand for a day). However, the text doesn't use that order. Rather, it says "evenings and mornings" which, as indicated above, is the language used for a day. So, the KJV rendering of 'ereb boqer as meaning "days" may be a bit interpretive, but it is by no means inaccurate. The translators knew what they were doing in this case. So, understanding that the expression means 2300 days and applying the year-day principle to this text (which had also been done from time to time prior to the Millerite movement), the doctrine that this is a 2300 year prophecy stands upon firm ground.
How wonderful the word of''GOD'' is in showing his people how to live, and treat one another with kindness. We don't have to know one another to love one another. We are connected by the spirit of ''GOD''.
Dave, if you read a little closer you will see that the birds fly in heaven everyday. So sending a man a little further up in to heaven is no big deal. In facts if you study the Bible you will find out that there are multiple heavens mentioned.
2 Chronicles 2:6 But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
You see God is not waiting in outer space for men to reach Him, He has already come down to men.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
He came to give you life if you will receive it.
Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
It comes by faith when you turn from your pride and turn to God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
"Father" was lineage, "great great._._._ Grand Father) 2 Chronicles 2:12,
You can also do a name, word, phrase search, top left, when reading
James 1:5,
Hopefully these are helpful
I can finally breath without inhaling particles from the wildfires. For however long.
We had the most amazing sky over our city it was beautiful. Praise The Lord!
2 Chronicles 2:14
* Psalms 139,
Genesis 3:8, Genesis 4:16, Jonah 1:3, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Psalms 95:2, Psalms 16:11,
Deuteronomy 11:10-13, Leviticus 22:3, Psalms 114:7, Psalms 68:8, Psalms 97:5, Romans 8:16, 1 Kings 9:3, 2 Chronicles 2:16-19, Job 10:4, Psalms 11:4, Psalms 34:15, Psalms 145:14-16, Proverbs 5:21, Proverbs 15:3, Hebrews 4:11-14, 1 Peter 3:12, Ecclesiasticus 15:19, Ecclesiasticus 17:15,19, Ecclesiasticus 34:16, Ecclesiasticus 39:19,
Hebrews 9:24,
Jude 1:24,
Revelation 19:6,
1. to observe a Sabbath: you really have to plan
2 someone has to prepare beforehand
3. Shop for things beforehand
4. It opened my understanding of the scripture & GOD's compassion
Here are multiple scriptures on the Sabbath :
Genesis 2:2,3 (set Sabbath apart), Exodus 16:19-30 (significant differece on Sabbath) , * Exodus 23:11, Exodus 20:11 (blessed & set apart), * Exodus 23:12, Exodus 31:15, Exodus 34:21, Exodus 35:2, Leviticus 16:29-34 (atonement), Leviticus 23:1-10, (seventh day & Passover), * Leviticus 23:21-22, Leviticus 23:27-29 (atonement), Leviticus 23:28-32, * Deuteronomy 5:14, 2 Chronicles 2:4 (forever to Israel), * Isaiah 1:11-18, * Isaiah 56:1-8, * Isaiah 58:6-14,
Jesus observed Matthew 12:8, Mark 1:21, Mark 6:2, Mark 15:42, Luke 4:16,
Jesus set examples on Sabbath * Matthew 12, * Mark 2, * Mark 3, * Luke 6, & many more.
* please note the (*s) these were scriptures that showed compassion & the importance to GOD. (Opposite: Luke 11:42-46 hypocrisy)
By observing the Sabbath do we= Matthew 25:31-46,
Who incited David to count the fighting men of Israel?
God did ( 2 Samuel 24: 1)
Satan did ( I Chronicles 2 1:1)
In that count how many fighting men were found in Israel?
Eight hundred thousand ( 2 Samuel 24:9)
One million, one hundred thousand ( I Chronicles 21:5)
How many fighting men were found in Judah?
Five hundred thousand ( 2 Samuel 24:9)
Four hundred and seventy thousand ( I Chronicles 21:5)
God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine?
Seven ( 2 Samuel 24:13)
Three ( I Chronicles 21:12)
How old was Ahaziah when he began to rule over Jerusalem?
Twenty-two ( 2 Kings 8:26)
Forty-two ( 2 Chronicles 22:2)
How old was Jehoiachin when he became king of Jerusalem?
Eighteen ( 2 Kings 24:8)
Eight ( 2 Chronicles 36:9)
How long did he rule over Jerusalem?
Three months ( 2 Kings 24:8)
Three months and ten days ( 2 Chronicles 36:9)
The chief of the mighty men of David lifted up his spear and killed how many men at one time?
Eight hundred ( 2 Samuel 23:8)
Three hundred ( I Chronicles 11: 11)
When did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? Before defeating the Philistines or after?
After ( 2 Samuel 5 and 6)
Before ( I Chronicles 13 and 14)
How many pairs of clean animals did God tell Noah to take into the Ark?
Two ( Genesis 6:19, 20)
Seven ( Genesis 7:2). But despite this last instruction only two pairs went into the ark ( Genesis 7:8-9)
When David defeated the King of Zobah, how many horsemen did he capture?
One thousand and seven hundred ( 2 Samuel 8:4)
Seven thousand ( I Chronicles 18:4)
How many overseers did Solomon appoint for the work of building the temple?
Three thousand six hundred ( 2 Chronicles 2:2)
Three thousand three hundred ( I Kings 5:16)
The list is practically endless.
Even though the numbers differ greatly, there should be no reason to assume error or textual corruption. Joab undertook the work unwillingly & therefore performed it imperfectly. According to 1Chronicles 21:6, he refused altogether to number the tribes Levi and Benjamin; & according to 1 Chronicles 27:24 "he finished not," and no official record was made of the result: "neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David."
I think that the numbers were, in part, mere estimates. Here (2 Samuel), Israel is said to be 8 hundred thousand, in 1 Chronicles, 1.1 million; but the latter probably includes an estimate (i.e. not an included number) of the omitted tribes of Benjamin and Levi, and perhaps of portions of other tribes.
On the other hand, Judah in 2 Samuel is numbered 500,000 (a round number like all the rest), and in 1 Chronicles, 470,000. The difference is due perhaps to an estimate of the officiating priests and Levities accounted to Judah.
Another possibility, (from 1 Chronicles 27), is that the regular army of 288,000 (twelve divisions of 24,000 each) is included in Israel in one case and excluded in the other. And that in the same way in regard to Judah, "the thirty" may have had command of a special body of 30,000. Possibly in one case, the descendants of the old Canaanites were reckoned (since it appears from 2 Chronicles 2:17, that David "had numbered them"), and in the other, they were excluded. There is no reason to doubt the general reliability of the numbers since we're not given all the considerations/calculations used in numbering them. In any case, it appears that a probable total population of five or six million is in order.
The word "cunning" is an archaic word for 'skilled'. You could also use words such as 'being adept in performance or having manual dexterity'. And these men were selected for their ability to work with fabric, producing high quality workmanship.
"So the evening and the morning were the first day." (1:5)
"So the evening and the morning were the second day." (1:8)
"So the evening and the morning were the third day." (1:13)
And so forth. In the Bible, days begin in the evening. Hence the reason the Lord said "from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath" ( Leviticus 23:32). The morning, then, would be the second part of the day.
However, with regards to sacrifices, this order is reversed. Instead of evening and morning, the language use for offerings is morning and evening. This is made plain in the following examples:
Exodus 29:39
One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight ['ereb].
Numbers 28:4
The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, the other lamb you shall offer in the evening.
2 Kings 16:15
On the great new altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering...
1 Chronicles 16:40
to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening...
2 Chronicles 2:4
...for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set feasts of the LORD our God...
2 Chronicles 13:11
And they burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense...
Thus the phrase "morning" and "evening" became the staple for signifying sacrificial offerings all throughout Scripture. As Siegfried Schwantes points out, this expression perpetuated into the post-Old Testament when the Apocrypha came about. 1 Esdras 5:50 says, "and they offered sacrifices according to the time, and burnt offerings to the Lord both morning and evening."
Now, if the text in Daniel 8:14 had stated 2300 mornings and evenings, then a case could be made that the passage was, indeed, talking about sacrifices (though, I think, it would still seem that each morning and evening would stand for a day). However, the text doesn't use that order. Rather, it says "evenings and mornings" which, as indicated above, is the language used for a day. So, the KJV rendering of 'ereb boqer as meaning "days" may be a bit interpretive, but it is by no means inaccurate. The translators knew what they were doing in this case. So, understanding that the expression means 2300 days and applying the year-day principle to this text (which had also been done from time to time prior to the Millerite movement), the doctrine that this is a 2300 year prophecy stands upon firm ground.
2 Chronicles 2:6 But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
You see God is not waiting in outer space for men to reach Him, He has already come down to men.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
He came to give you life if you will receive it.
Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
It comes by faith when you turn from your pride and turn to God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Please Sign In or Register to post comments...
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?