The LORD Has Given Rest to His People

1 Chronicles 23-26 appears to be another list of names and Levitical duties. How interesting could that be?

But since 1 Chronicles 23-26 changes the law of God it is anything but boring. And there is no hint here that David received any prophetic revelation to do this. He does it on his own authority.

Israel had failed to be all that God had called them to be – so God established his covenant with David, calling David and his seed to succeed where Israel had failed – to succeed where Adam had failed.

With the coming of the king, the place and function of the Levites changes. If the king is supposed to succeed where Israel failed, then we should expect to see the Levitical priests taking on a new role
in relationship to the king (similar to their relationship to Israel in the Mosaic covenant).

Where there is a change in the covenant, there is also a change in the law. Hebrews 7:12 says “When there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.”

Hebrews is thinking about the far more radical changes that came in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but the principle also applies to the far more subdued changes that came in the days of David.

As we go through this passage, I want you to see the big picture: what the Chronicler is talking about is the careful organization of worship and music, of church finance and discipline – all under the rule of the LORD's Anointed.