As for the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had charge of the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan, for all the work of the LORD and the service of the king.I find this interesting. These are Levites, dedicated to the service of God. Yet in this resuffling as the Temple is built, things are getting changed some. Here David is taking some of the Levites and making them into other types of leaders. In effect, he's mixing the duties to God and to him.
I can understand the Levites being in charge of all the work of God. After all, they are set apart to be God's servants in ministry. So them being in charge or things like collection of taxes for the Temple, or more local support of Levite cities, makes sense. But here it sounds like they're simultaneously being put in charge of more "secular" concerns. Basically, they're becoming David's representatives. While David is king by God's decision, are the king and the Temple supposed to be so closely interwoven?
My view may be colored by America's "separation of church and state," which was not an issue for their monarchical theocracy. However, it seems that David is taking from God what is due him, or his own benefit.
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