The period of history covered in the two books of Chronicles is parallel with that in 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. It’s like the four gospels which are parallel accounts of the life of Jesus. There are theories that Chronicles was written to fill out the records in Samuel and Kings which could be true. Among the Jews there is a tradition that the Chronicles were written by Ezra and the Book of Ezra, which comes at the end of Chronicles, begins as though it is a continuation of Chronicles.

We particularly noticed in today’s chapter 11 that most of it is about the mighty men that served David; it lists those “who gave him strong support in his kingdom” (verse 10). It details some of the valiant acts that they did. They were valuable and faithful friends to David in his 40 years reign as King. Many of these men are not recorded elsewhere and it is testing to read these chapters with so many unpronounceable words!

The thought struck us that David’s greater son will also require an untold number of “mighty ones” to go “into battle” for him in the age to come. The weapons of their warfare in that time will be spiritual, like the Holy Spirit was used in the First Century and which are described as “the powers of the age to come” (Hebrews 6:5). In a sense we can apply the words of 2 Corinthians 10:4; Paul said, “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds”.

The work of those serving Christ, as King of the world, will be to administer the Law that will go forth into all nations from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4). We note that it says, “He shall judge between nations and shall decide disputes …”. The work Christ will perform is further described in Isaiah 11:2-5,9. If we genuinely become part of Christ now, how awesome our tasks may be at that time!

Thinking again of David; we have no clear idea of how these mighty men came to know about David, but it seems that he was able to inspire others and he began to do this from the time he killed Goliath. Worthy men responded to his leadership and became an essential part of the strength of his kingship. In the same way the Lord Jesus should inspire us. Those who are inspired and faithful, he will support and will make them to “reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).