1 Chr 23

It seems like David was obsessed with counting people. This chapter which takes place in the twilight of his years both as a ruler and in life focuses on the Levites and the males that were 30 years and older. The number was 38,000 and they were assigned their tasks as follows: 24, 000 were to direct the work of the Lord's temple, 6,000 would be officers and judges, 4,000 would be guards at the temple and 4,000 would be praise and worship leaders and musicians. He also divided them by basically 3 clans. These clans are the families of Levi’s three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. David's last order was to count the Levites who were 20 years and older who had to serve in the temple. Their jobs were delineated and their responsibilities to the other rooms as well as the preparation of the breads were listed as well. To me, the key verse was v. 30 where they daily came in and praised God from morning to night. Per the commentary:

Moses lowered the age for the work of the *LORD’s tent to 25. But the Levites did not work after the age of 50 (Numbers 8:24-25). Originally, David decided that the Levites would start to work in the temple at 30 years old. The work in the temple would not be as heavy as the work for the tent. The Levites had to carry the tent and all that was in it, including the altar and the ark. Both of these would now remain in the temple at Jerusalem. But for some reason, David now lowered the age for the count to 20.

This past weekend, I suffered a bout of tendinitis in my left knee that I haven't experienced in nearly 20 years. Still pains me to walk, go up/down stairs and to put pressure on it. Needless to say, the gym is off-limits. Yesterday after a meeting, I went to the Mets game in the afternoon. I was in true pain walking around and climbing the stairs in that environment. Still a good game and was able to talk to the people on the side of me from Austin, TX and told them about my friend, Randy Phillips' church in his town and that he and his family should check it out.  Good thing it's my left one so I can still drive. Had to cancel tonight's game after work but still had to do what I had to do...

Praise for today: The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. Psalm 85: 12-13.