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Book 13 of 39 · History

1 Chronicles

The Complete Story24:13

Overview

1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book, called in Hebrew "the words of the days". They retell Israel's history from Adam to the decree of Cyrus, written after the exile for a community rebuilding its life around the second temple in Jerusalem. Jewish tradition linked the work to Ezra; many scholars date it to the fourth century BC and speak simply of "the Chronicler". Its sources include Samuel and Kings, which it often quotes, along with genealogical records and prophetic writings it names.

Chronicles is not a copy of Samuel–Kings. It leaves out much (David's sin with Bathsheba, Absalom's revolt, the northern kingdom's story) and adds much (genealogies, lists of Levites, singers and gatekeepers, David's preparations for the temple). Its questions are those of the returned exiles: Are we still God's people? Does the promise to David still stand? How should we worship?

Structure: Part 1 genealogies from Adam to the returned exiles (chapters 1–9); Part 2 David's reign: becoming king, bringing up the ark, God's covenant and David's wars (10–21); Part 3 David's preparations for the temple and the handover to Solomon (22–29).

Part 1 — The Family of Israel (chapters 1–9)

From Adam to Israel (1). The book opens with a bare list: "Adam, Sheth, Enosh". It runs through Noah's sons and the nations, to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Esau and Edom's kings. Israel is set within the whole human family.

Judah and David (2–4). Israel's twelve sons are named, and Judah's line comes first and longest, because from it comes David (2:15) and his royal descendants down to the exile and beyond (3). In the middle of the lists stands Jabez, who "called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast… And God granted him that which he requested" (4:10). Simeon follows.

The eastern tribes and Levi (5–6). Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh beyond the Jordan won battles when "they cried to God in the battle", but were exiled by Assyria for unfaithfulness. Levi's genealogy is detailed: the high priests from Aaron to the exile, and the singers Heman, Asaph and Ethan whom David set over the music "after that the ark had rest". The Levites' cities are listed.

The remaining tribes and Saul (7–8). Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim and Asher follow, then a fuller list of Benjamin, which leads to the family of Saul.

The returned community (9). "All Israel were reckoned by genealogies… Judah were carried away to Babylon for their transgression." The first to resettle Jerusalem are named: laymen, priests, Levites, and gatekeepers who guarded the house of God and kept its holy vessels, bread and spices. Saul's line is repeated to lead into the story.

Part 2 — David's Reign (chapters 10–21)

Saul's end (10). Saul and his sons die on Mount Gilboa. The Chronicler explains: Saul "died for his transgression… against the word of the LORD", and consulted a medium "and enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David."

King at Hebron, Jerusalem taken (11). All Israel comes to Hebron: "We are thy bone and thy flesh." David is anointed, and Joab leads the capture of Zion, the city of David. "David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him." His mighty men are listed; three break through to Bethlehem's well for water, and David pours it out to the LORD rather than drink "the blood of these men".

The army gathers (12). Warriors join David at Ziklag and at the stronghold, from every tribe, until it is "a great host, like the host of God". The spirit comes on Amasai: "Thine are we, David." The men of Issachar "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do."

The ark, first attempt (13). David's first act is to bring back the ark, neglected under Saul. It travels on a new cart; when the oxen stumble Uzza touches it and dies. The ark stays three months with Obed-edom, whose house is blessed.

David established (14). Hiram of Tyre sends cedar and craftsmen; David defeats the Philistines twice after asking God, and "the fear of him" falls on the nations.

The ark brought up properly (15–16). David prepares a place and rules that "none ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites". Priests and Levites consecrate themselves; singers with harps, lyres, cymbals and trumpets lead the procession, and David dances. The ark is placed in a tent in Jerusalem, while the tabernacle and altar stay at Gibeon. David appoints Asaph and his brothers to give thanks continually, and a psalm (drawn from Psalms 105, 96 and 106) is sung: "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."

God's covenant with David (17). David wants to build a house for the ark. Through Nathan God says no: "I will build thee an house", and David's son will build the temple, and "I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever." David sits before the LORD in humble wonder: "Who am I, O LORD God?"

David's wars (18–20). David defeats the Philistines, Moab, Zobah, Damascus, Edom and the Ammonites, and dedicates the plunder to the LORD; its bronze later becomes the temple's sea and pillars. Philistine giants, including Goliath's brother, are killed by David's men. (The Bathsheba episode is not told.)

The census and the threshing floor (21). "Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." Joab objects; David insists. God sends a plague, and David sees the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven with a drawn sword over Jerusalem. David pleads, "Let thine hand… be on me… but not on thy people." At the prophet Gad's word he buys the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite at full price, "for I will not… offer burnt offerings without cost." He builds an altar; the LORD answers by fire from heaven, and the angel sheathes his sword.

Part 3 — Preparing for the Temple (chapters 22–29)

The site and the materials (22). David declares, "This is the house of the LORD God", identifying the threshing floor as the temple site (2 Chronicles 3:1 names it Mount Moriah). He gathers stonecutters, iron for nails, bronze "without weight" and cedar, "for the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical". He tells Solomon that he himself had shed much blood, while Solomon (whose name echoes shalom) will be a man of rest. "Arise therefore, and build."

The Levites (23). David, old and making Solomon king, numbers the Levites from age thirty: 38,000. They are assigned to the temple work, as officers and judges, gatekeepers and musicians. Since the ark no longer needs carrying, their duties shift to the courts, chambers, showbread and offerings, and to stand "every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even".

The priests (24). Aaron's descendants through Eleazar and Ithamar are divided by lot into twenty-four courses, so that each family serves in turn. (Luke 1 later mentions Zechariah serving in "the course of Abijah", the eighth.)

The musicians (25). The sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun are set apart "who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals". There are 288 trained singers in twenty-four courses, assigned by lot, "as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar".

Gatekeepers, treasurers and officials (26–27). Gatekeepers are assigned to the four sides of the temple by lot; others oversee the treasuries of dedicated gifts. The twelve monthly army divisions, tribal leaders and royal stewards are listed.

The plan handed over (28). Before Israel's leaders David explains that God chose Judah, his family and Solomon. He gives Solomon the pattern for the porch, the houses, the treasuries, the inner chambers and the place of the mercy seat, with the weight of gold and silver for every vessel: "All this… the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me." Then the charge: "Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed… he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

The people give (29). David gives his personal treasure of gold and silver; the leaders follow, and "the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly… with perfect heart." David blesses God before the assembly: "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory… for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine… All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." Solomon is anointed a second time and sits on "the throne of the LORD"; all Israel and David's other sons submit. David dies "in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour".

Key themes, and the bridge to 2 Chronicles

  • Continuity of the people. The genealogies tie the returned exiles to Adam, Abraham and the twelve tribes: they still belong to "all Israel".
  • David and his house. God's promise to build David "a house" for ever is central, and it gives hope to a people without a king.
  • The temple and true worship. David's greatest work in Chronicles is preparation: materials, money, plans and above all people.
  • The Levites and music. Priests, singers and gatekeepers are honoured; praise "for his mercy endureth for ever" is the heartbeat of worship.
  • Seeking God. Saul fell because he did not seek the LORD; David is the model of one who enquires of God, repents and gives generously.
  • Willing generosity. Worship is offered gladly "with perfect heart", acknowledging that everything already belongs to God.

1 Chronicles ends with everything ready except the building itself: the site bought, materials stockpiled, Levites and priests organised, plans handed over, and a new king on the throne. 2 Chronicles opens with Solomon building the temple and follows Judah's kings, measured by whether they seek the LORD, down to the exile and Cyrus's call to return and build again.