Key Genealogies

From Adam to David and beyond, 1 and 2 Chronicles begins with genealogies of important players in the storyline of God's Messiah and the priesthood.

Father & Son

David and Solomon's lives are recapped, detailing their accomplishments and building God's temple.

Prophetic Hopes

As Chronicles reflects the positive elements of Israel's past, themes of hope for the Messianic king and the post-exile rebuilding of God's temple are highlighted.

Kingly Scorecard

Stories of good, evil, hope and courage are accounted through David's royal lineage in the kingdom of Judah. Asa, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah are especially noted.

End of Exile?

After decades of exile, Persia overpowers Babylon and allows Israel to return home. King Cyrus proclaims their release, though his last sentence is left unfinished.

OT/NT: Old Testament (1)
 
SECTION: Historical Books (2) (8 of 12)
 
TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: Ezra (3)
 
KEY FIGURES: David (4), Solomon (5).
 

AUTHORS: 1 Chronicles is the thirteenth book of the Holy Bible (6), the thirteenth book of the Old Testament, and the eighth of the twelve Historical Books. Although not identified, the traditional author is the prophet Ezra. Whomever the writer(s) may be, they are identified by some as "The Chronicler," also responsible for authoring the Book of Ezra (7) and the Book of Nehemiah (8). Originally, the books of 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles (9) were one book. The translators of the Septuagint (10) separated them, and we have retained that separation ever since.
 
TIMELINE: The timeline of 1 and 2 Chronicles runs similar to that of 2 Samuel (11) and 1 Kings (12) and 2 Kings (13), but extends to the end of the Babylonian Exile (14). See our Bible Timeline (15) for references.

SUMMARY: The first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are dedicated to lists and genealogies. Further lists and genealogies are scattered throughout the rest of 1 Chronicles. In between, the Book of 1 Chronicles records David’s ascension to the throne and his actions thereafter. The book concludes with David’s son, Solomon, becoming King of the United Monarchy (16).
 
Briefly outlined, the Book of 1 Chronicles is as follows:
 
Chapters 1:1-9:23 - Selective Genealogies;
Chapters 9:24-12:40 - David’s ascent;
Chapters 13:1-20:30 - David’s reign.
 
The Chronicler had a specific theological agenda in mind when he wrote 1 & 2 Chronicles: it was almost as if he were writing a religious commentary on the histories contained in 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings in order to portray the significance of the Davidic Covenant (17) (ref 2 Samuel 7:1-29, 1 Chronicles 17:11–14, 2 Chronicles 6:16). The books of 1 & 2 Chronicles were written at a later date: probably after 400 BC. Even though the Temple (18) was no longer standing and no king sat on the throne in Jerusalem (19), the Chronicler wanted to emphasize that the promise of a Messiah (20) from the line of David (as later recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (21) and the Gospel of Luke (22)) still stood (c).
 
IMPLANTING 1 CHRONICLES INTO MY EVERY DAY LIFE: Genealogies such as the ones in 1 Chronicles may seem dry to us, but they remind us that God knows each of His children personally, even down to the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). We can take comfort in the fact that who we are and what we do is written forever in God’s mind. If we belong to Christ, our names are written forever in the Lamb’s book of Life (Revelation 13:8).
 
God is faithful to His people and keeps His promises. In the Book of 1 Chronicles, we see the fulfillment of God’s promise to David when he is made king over all Israel (1 Chronicles 11:1-3). We can be sure that His promises to us will be fulfilled as well. He has promised blessings to those who follow Him, who come to Christ in repentance, and who obey His Word.
 
Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings judgment. The Book of 1 Chronicles, as well as 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings, is a chronicle of the pattern of sin, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration of the nation of Israel. In the same way, God is patient with us and forgives our sin when we come to Him in true repentance (1 John 1:9). We can take comfort in the fact that He hears our prayer of sorrow, forgives our sin, restores us to fellowship with Him, and sets us on the path to joy.
 
COMING UP: Next up is the Book of 2 Chronicles (9)!

FOOTNOTES:
  (1) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/old-testament
  (2) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/historical-books
  (3) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ezra-1
  (4) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/a-man-after-gods-own-heart
  (5) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/solomon
  (6) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-good-news
  (7) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/ezra
  (8) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/nehemiah
  (9) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/2-chronicles
(10) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/septuagint
(11) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/2-samuel
(12) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/1-kings
(13) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/2-kings
(14) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/exile
(15) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-timeline
(16) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/united-monarchy-kings
(17) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/covenants
(18) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/temple-first
(19) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jerusalem
(20) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/jesus-the-messiah
(21) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-genealogy-matthew
(22) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-genealogy-luke
(23) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/listing-by-city
(24) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/the-gracious-visitor
(25) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/bible-studies
(26) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/christian-education
(27) https://www.marionmannaproject.com/discipleship
 
PAGE CREDITS:
(a) Summary of the Book of 1 Chronicles, Got Questions Ministries, accessed October 25, 2020,
https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-1-Chronicles.html
 
(b) Copyright Policy, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 11, 2020,
https://www.gotquestions.org/about.html
 
(c) The Chronicler's Purpose, In the In Between, accessed October 25, 2020,
https://www.intheinbetweendotcom.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/431/
 
(d) Videos, Milestones, Blogs & Poster, BibleProject, accessed September 29, 2020,
https://www.bibleproject.com/terms/#use
 
(e) Bible Gateway, New International Version (NIV) Bible, accessed September 18, 2020,
https://www.biblegateway.com/
 
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:
(f)  How Do I Convert to Christianity?, Got Questions Ministries, accessed January 12, 2020,
https://www.gotquestions.org/convert-to-Christianity.html