歷代志上 10-11 章 1 Chronicles 10-11
- 馬克牧師
- Jun 9
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 10
弟兄姊妹平安！這一講我們要繼續來看《歷代志上》第10章到第11章的內容。在之前的分享中，我們提到作者在進入大衛王朝的故事前，先回顧了整個以色列歷史，特別是大衛的祖先，並且鋪陳了兩條主線：一條是王朝的線，一條是祭司的線。這個寫作手法有點像是歷史小說的手法，既忠實交代了歷史，也為接下來的劇情鋪墊好了背景。
作者先從掃羅王的失敗講起，把故事拉回到基利波山那場最後一戰，也就是第10章的開場。這一段開場給讀者故事的背景：以色列第一個王戰敗死亡，以色列受到外敵進攻，岌岌可危，這樣的一個開場真的充滿了小說的風格不是嗎？
這裡不只是交代掃羅的死亡，更清楚點出了他失敗的原因，以及這個以色列第一位王的結局，作為整個王朝轉折的起點。鋪陳了這麼久，主角大衛終於在十一章登場！
其實我們甚至可以說，《歷代志》像是「正傳」，而《撒母耳記》就有點像是「前傳」。如果你從《歷代志》開始讀，你會直接看到大衛是怎麼樣的一個人 —— 一位英雄人物，他登場時發生了什麼事。而《撒母耳記》呢，就像是回溯他的成長背景，交代他與掃羅之間的恩怨情仇，從他年少打敗哥利亞，一路到後來被追殺了二十年，還有掃羅政權失敗的全貌。
當你把這些書卷串連起來看，真的就像是一個三部曲的小說。故事層層堆疊、角色立體，張力十足！
所以啊，有的時候我們在讀聖經，真的會覺得自己像是在讀一部精彩的小說——只要你能讀懂、讀通，就會發現這些書卷不僅劇情緊湊、人物鮮明，更蘊含著深刻的真理教導。整本聖經其實就是一部精彩的歷史小說。
我們看到掃羅的結局，其實是帶著一種英雄末路的悲壯。他雖然戰死沙場，但沒有徹底失去國王的格局，到死他都記著不能受到未受割禮的人的羞辱，寧死不屈。他仍然是在戰場上以一位君王、以一位戰士的身份倒下的。所以後來以色列人也沒有忘記他做過的事，他們搶回了掃羅的遺體，給了他一場有尊嚴的葬禮，並為他禁食七天。雖然戰爭失敗了，但掃羅在人民心中，還是保有那份王者的尊嚴與人品。這一點，其實是蠻讓人動容的。
當然，作者也沒有避而不談掃羅失敗的根本原因。第10章特別指出兩件事：他沒有遵守上帝的命令，並且去求問交鬼的靈媒。這是他王位被廢的核心原因。
而這章最後一節特別強調：上帝使他被殺，上帝把國度交給耶西的兒子大衛。這個敘述非常關鍵。因為按照正常的王位傳承，掃羅還有一個孫子，約拿單的兒子 —— 米非波設，雖然他在逃亡時跌斷了腳，但從血統上來說，他才是「合法繼承人」。你看三國末年，劉備白帝城託孤阿斗給諸葛亮都說了：君才十倍曹丕，必能安國，忠定大事，若嗣子可輔，輔之，如期不才，君可自取。意思就是，諸葛丞相，你才能比曹丕強十倍，你一定搞得定的，我這兒子如果聽話，你就幫幫他，如果他沒能力，你自己當皇帝也行。
但作者要傳達的重點是：大衛的王位，不是靠人傳人，不是靠政治手段或家族延續，而是上帝親自揀選、親自賦予的。所以大衛的王權是合情、合理、合法——而且是屬靈上正統的。第十章的交代到這裡，把掃羅的地位做一個結束，然後第十一章開始，大衛正式登基。
而進到第11章，這段其實有點像中國歷史裡的「黃袍加身」——就像宋太祖趙匡胤那樣。你看，以色列人怎麼對大衛說呢？他們說：「我們原是你的骨肉；從前掃羅做王的時候，率領以色列人出入的也是你；耶和華你的神曾應許說，你必牧養我的民以色列，作以色列的君。」
這一段，作者特別強調大衛得王位的「正統性」和「正當性」。這不是強奪來的，也不是政變得來的，而是人民擁戴、上帝應許。這讓大衛可以毫無後顧之憂地登基作王，成為以色列的君王。
而大衛後來對掃羅之孫，好友約拿單之子米非波設的恩慈和憐憫，也讓我們看到他的寬厚和大度。他不但沒有除掉這位前朝王子，反而把他接回來，好好對待他，讓他坐在王的席上吃飯（順帶一提，掃羅也有個兒子叫做米非波設，但之前被基遍人殺了，但因為名字一模一樣，容易被搞混）。作者也特別壓縮了大衛之前在希伯崙已經做王七年的事情，把大衛登基的事情講的有點 “一帆風順“ 但我們也知道大衛經歷過一段風霜歲月，好不容易才登上王位的。
在《歷代志》15到19節之間，有一段特別動人的記載。這裡提到了大衛「渴想伯利恆門旁的井水」。英文用的是 “Craving” 這個字，意思不是單純的「口渴」，而是一種深層的渴望、一種心裡放不下的思念。
我們知道伯利恆是大衛的家鄉，也是後來耶穌誕生的重要地點。所以，大衛在這裡想念的，不只是水的味道，更是一種對故鄉、對記憶、對神聖土地的深刻情感。
特別的是，這段經文被寫進來，其實是有意義的。作者知道伯利恆的地位——這不是隨便提一下，是特別想指出伯利恆與未來彌賽亞的關聯。換句話說，作者熟悉舊約的背景，也在鋪陳救恩歷史的脈絡。
這三位勇士聽到大衛的渴望，沒有多說什麼，就冒著生命危險闖入敵軍佔領的伯利恆，打了一壺水回來。這是極大的忠誠與勇氣。而大衛收到這水之後，竟然不敢喝。他說，這水是他們用生命換回來的，怎麼配由他來喝呢？只有上帝配得這樣的獻上。所以他把水獻給上帝。
這是一個非常深刻的行動——它表現出大衛那種「合神心意」的特質。他知道自己不是最高的那一位，他只是被呼召來帶領百姓的領袖，但在他之上，是神。所以他選擇把最好的，獻給神。
在這段經文裡，其實還藏著一個非常有意思的細節。如果我們仔細讀下去，就會發現，跟隨大衛的人並不全是以色列人。這點非常關鍵，因為它顯示出大衛的領導力和他的影響力，早已跨越了民族的界線。
舉幾個例子：在第39節提到的「洗勒」是亞捫人；第41節的「烏利亞」是赫人，而第46節的「伊特瑪」則是摩押人。
這些人原本都不是以色列人，但他們卻願意冒著生命危險，投靠並追隨大衛，甚至成為他的勇士之一，這說明大衛不只是以色列的領袖，更是一位吸引外邦人認同、願意效忠他的王。這也預示著神國的版圖，不是受限於血統或民族，而是建立在對神的信靠和對領袖的認可之上。
這樣的記載，其實也在為彌賽亞的王國做鋪墊 —— 一個超越族群、向萬國開放的國度。
第10章和第11章為我們揭開了整個故事的序幕——讓我們看見掃羅的結局所帶來的警示，也明白大衛登基的正當性與神的揀選。連伯利恆——這個未來彌賽亞要誕生的地方——都被精心地串連在其中。
我們相信，這一切都不是巧合，而是上帝親自引領歷代志的作者，將這些歷史記載下來，為的是要給後人帶來提醒和啟發。
今天的分享就到這裡。下一講，我們會接著來看第12章的故事。感謝各位的聆聽，願上帝賜福各位！
Peace to you, brothers and sisters! In today’s session, we’ll continue exploring 1 Chronicles chapters 10 and 11. In our previous discussion, we mentioned how the author begins the story of David’s kingdom by first reviewing Israel’s history—especially David’s ancestry—and laying out two main narrative threads: one focused on the monarchy, and the other on the priesthood. This literary approach feels almost like a historical novel: faithful to the past, yet skillfully setting the stage for what’s to come.
The author starts with the downfall of King Saul, taking us back to that final battle on Mount Gilboa, which opens chapter 10. It sets the scene: Israel’s first king dies in defeat, the nation is under enemy attack, and everything looks bleak. Doesn’t that feel like the opening of an epic novel?
But this isn’t just about Saul’s death—it clearly explains why he failed and how his reign ended, marking a turning point in Israel’s monarchy. After all this buildup, David finally steps onto the stage in chapter 11.
In fact, you could even say that 1 Chronicles is the “main story,” while 1 Samuel is like the “prequel.” If you start with Chronicles, you see David as the hero—who he is and what happens as he emerges. But Samuel takes us back in time, recounting his early years, his victory over Goliath, his two decades on the run from Saul, and the eventual collapse of Saul’s regime.
When you link all these books together, it really feels like a trilogy. The story is layered, the characters are vivid, and the tension is real.
So sometimes, when we read the Bible, it really does feel like reading an epic novel. And if you can grasp the flow and meaning behind the text, you’ll realize these stories aren’t just thrilling—they’re full of deep spiritual truths. The Bible truly is a powerful historical narrative.
Now, when we look at Saul’s ending, it’s filled with tragic grandeur. He died in battle, yes, but he never fully lost the dignity of a king. Even in death, he refused to be humiliated by the uncircumcised—he chose death over dishonor. He fell as a king and a warrior. And because of this, the Israelites remembered him. They retrieved his body, gave him a proper burial, and fasted for seven days. Though he lost the war, the people still saw him with respect and dignity. That’s genuinely moving.
Of course, the author doesn’t shy away from Saul’s core failures. Chapter 10 highlights two main reasons: he disobeyed God’s command, and he consulted a medium. These were critical factors in his fall from the throne.
The chapter ends by emphasizing that God caused Saul’s downfall and gave the kingdom to David, the son of Jesse. This is crucial, because from a dynastic standpoint, Saul still had a surviving heir—Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. Even though he was injured during their escape and became lame, by bloodline, he should’ve been the next king.
It’s kind of like the end of the Three Kingdoms era in Chinese history, where Liu Bei entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang, saying, “If my son is worthy, support him; if not, take the throne yourself.”
But the author’s point is this: David didn’t inherit the throne through politics or bloodline. His kingship was divinely appointed—chosen and given by God. So his rule was legitimate, lawful, and spiritually authorized. Chapter 10 closes the chapter on Saul, and in chapter 11, David is formally crowned king.
This coronation scene feels a bit like the Chinese tale of Zhao Kuangyin being “robed in yellow”—a sign of being crowned emperor. The Israelites said to David: “We are your own flesh and blood. Even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel in battle. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”
Here again, the author stresses the legitimacy and divine confirmation of David’s kingship. He wasn’t a usurper, nor did he come to power through a coup. He was chosen by God and embraced by the people.
Later, David’s compassion toward Mephibosheth, the son of his friend Jonathan and grandson of Saul, also reveals his gracious heart. Rather than eliminating this potential rival, he brought him back, treated him with dignity, and let him eat at the king’s table. (As a side note: Saul also had a son named Mephibosheth who was killed by the Gibeonites—easy to confuse because they shared the same name.)
The Chronicler compresses David’s earlier reign in Hebron—where he ruled for seven years—into a streamlined narrative, making his rise to the throne sound smooth. But we know David went through a long and difficult journey before becoming king.
Now, between chapters 15 and 19, there’s a deeply moving account. It tells of a moment when David longed for water from the well near Bethlehem’s gate. The English word used is “craving”—not just thirst, but a deep, emotional longing.
Bethlehem, of course, was David’s hometown—and the future birthplace of Jesus. So David wasn’t just missing water; he was yearning for his homeland, for the sacred memories tied to that place.
This wasn’t a random detail. The author intentionally included it, recognizing Bethlehem’s historical and messianic significance. He understood the Old Testament context and was carefully weaving in the storyline of salvation.
Three of David’s mighty warriors heard his longing. Without hesitation, they risked their lives to break through enemy lines and fetch him water from Bethlehem. When they brought it back, David refused to drink it. He said, “This is the blood of those who risked their lives.” Only God was worthy of such an offering—so he poured it out before the Lord.
This act reflects David’s heart after God. He knew he wasn’t the ultimate authority. He was a servant leader under God’s sovereignty. So when he received the best—water brought through sacrifice—he gave it to the One who truly deserved it.
And tucked into these chapters is another fascinating detail. If we read carefully, we’ll notice that not everyone who followed David was an Israelite. For example, in verse 39 we see Shira, an Ammonite; in verse 41, Uriah the Hittite; and in verse 46, Ithmah the Moabite.
These men weren’t native Israelites, yet they risked their lives to follow David and became some of his most trusted warriors. This shows us that David’s influence went beyond ethnicity or nationality. He was a leader whose integrity and calling drew people from all nations.
And this foreshadows the coming of the Messiah’s kingdom—a kingdom not limited by bloodline, but open to all who believe and follow God’s anointed King.
Chapters 10 and 11 truly launch this story in an epic way. They show us the cautionary tale of Saul’s downfall, the divine selection of David, and the symbolic importance of Bethlehem—the future birthplace of the Messiah.
We believe none of this is coincidence. It’s God’s hand guiding the Chronicler to record these events, offering wisdom and insight for generations to come.
That’s all for today’s session. In our next talk, we’ll move on to chapter 12. Thank you for listening, and may God bless you all!
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