1 Chronicles 26:28 – “And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse highlights that items dedicated to the temple by key figures in Israel’s history—Samuel, Saul, Abner, Joab, and others—were placed in the care of Shelomith and his relatives. These items were likely spoils from military victories or personal contributions made by these leaders for the upkeep of the temple and the worship of God. Shelomith and his family were entrusted with the responsibility of managing and overseeing these sacred resources.
Samuel, as a prophet and leader of Israel, had great spiritual authority, while Saul, Israel’s first king, and military leaders like Abner and Joab were instrumental in Israel’s defense and expansion. The mention of these leaders emphasizes the significance of the contributions, demonstrating that even national leaders dedicated their resources to God’s temple. Shelomith and his family were responsible for the stewardship of these dedicated items, showing their trustworthiness and important role in temple service.
Historical Context
The time of Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab was a foundational period in Israel’s history, marked by the establishment of the monarchy, numerous battles, and the expansion of Israel’s territory. Samuel was the last judge of Israel and an influential prophet who helped transition Israel into a monarchy by anointing Saul and later David as kings. Saul, as Israel’s first king, fought many battles, often dedicating spoils to the Lord, and Abner and Joab were key military commanders who led Israel’s armies.
By the time of 1 Chronicles, the temple had become the center of worship in Jerusalem, and the resources needed to maintain it had been collected from the leadership of Israel throughout its history. These leaders recognized the importance of dedicating their victories and blessings to God’s service, reinforcing the idea that all success came from Him. The Levites, including Shelomith and his family, were tasked with managing these offerings, underscoring their critical role in maintaining the temple and its worship.
Theological Implications
This verse reflects the idea of dedication and stewardship in God’s kingdom. The leaders of Israel, including both spiritual and military figures, recognized that everything they had—whether wealth from victories or resources they owned—ultimately belonged to God. Their act of dedicating these items to the temple reflects a heart of gratitude and acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty.
The Levites, including Shelomith, were called to be stewards of what had been entrusted to them. This teaches us the importance of faithfully managing the resources and blessings God has given us. God’s people are not only to give back to Him from what they receive but are also responsible for caring for those gifts with integrity and wisdom.
Literary Analysis
This verse is structured to highlight the continuity of Israel’s leadership and their contributions to God’s temple. The mention of figures like Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab adds historical weight to the passage, showing that over time, various leaders from different walks of life dedicated resources to the temple. The phrase “in the care of Shelomith and his relatives” draws attention to the role of the Levites in faithfully managing what had been given to God, reinforcing the importance of stewardship.
The use of names in this verse serves to connect Israel’s spiritual and military history with its worship of God. It shows that the dedication of resources to God’s temple was not limited to priests and prophets but included kings and military leaders as well.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Samuel 7:12: “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’” Samuel, as a leader, regularly acknowledged God’s help and dedicated items to Him, like the memorial stone at Ebenezer.
- 2 Samuel 8:11: “King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued.” This reflects the ongoing practice of dedicating spoils of war to God, a tradition carried on from leaders like Samuel and Saul.
- Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This teaching of Jesus emphasizes the importance of dedicating our resources to God, just as Israel’s leaders did in the Old Testament.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder that everything we have comes from God, and we are called to dedicate a portion of what we receive back to Him. Whether it is material wealth, time, or talents, we are stewards of God’s blessings, and part of our spiritual responsibility is to offer these gifts to His service. The leaders of Israel recognized this truth by dedicating the spoils of war and other resources to the temple, showing their dependence on God’s provision and protection.
This verse also highlights the importance of faithful stewardship. Shelomith and his family were responsible for caring for the treasures dedicated to God, demonstrating that managing resources for God’s kingdom requires integrity, accountability, and trust. In the same way, Christians today are called to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to them, whether in ministry, financial matters, or personal relationships.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse shows God’s love in how He invites His people to participate in His work. God could accomplish His purposes without human help, but He chooses to allow His people to contribute their resources to His kingdom. The leaders who dedicated these items recognized God’s provision in their victories and responded by giving back to Him.
God’s love is also seen in how He provides for the ongoing needs of His temple and people. By inspiring leaders to dedicate items for the upkeep of the temple, God ensured that the temple would remain a central place of worship for generations. His love is expressed in His faithfulness to provide for both the physical and spiritual needs of His people.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of all things dedicated to God. In the Old Testament, leaders dedicated treasures to the physical temple, but in the New Testament, Jesus is described as the temple (John 2:19-21), the place where God’s presence fully dwells. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are invited into a new relationship with God where we offer our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Just as Shelomith and his family cared for the treasures dedicated to the temple, we are called to dedicate ourselves fully to Christ.
Jesus also taught about stewardship and the proper use of resources. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus emphasized the importance of faithfully using what God has given us for His purposes. Just as Shelomith was responsible for the treasures of the temple, Christians are entrusted with gifts and opportunities that must be managed with care and dedication.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does this verse challenge you to think about the resources God has blessed you with, and how can you dedicate a portion of those resources back to Him?
- In what ways can you be a more faithful steward of the gifts, talents, and opportunities God has given you?
- How can the example of Israel’s leaders dedicating their resources to the temple inspire you to prioritize giving and serving in your own life?
- What does this verse teach you about the responsibility of managing resources entrusted to you, whether in ministry or your personal life?
- How does Jesus’ teaching on stewardship and His role as the new temple encourage you to live a life fully dedicated to God’s purposes?