Lesson 14

The Book Of I Chronicles

A.        I and II Chronicles cover the same period of Jewish history described in II Samuel through II Kings, but the perspective is very different.  This is not a mere repetition of the same material, but rather from a divine editorial on the history of God's people.  They are a "Chronicle" (an account of events arranged in order) which takes us from Adam to Nehemiah, giving us the main genealogies of the Nation of Israel and also the main events of the Davidic Kingdom to the time of the Babylonian captivity.  Chronicles is written from a priestly and spiritual perspective rather than a prophetic and moral viewpoint like that of Samuel and Kings.

B.         Note these major differences:

Samuel and Kings - biographical

Chronicles - statistical

Samuel and Kings - personal

Chronicles - official

 

Samuel and Kings gives the history of both                    Israel and Judah (Zion) after the division                        of the Kingdom.

Chronicles gives only the history of Judah                      after the division.

 

Samuel and Kings emphasize the Throne

Chronicles emphasized the Temple

 C.        The author if I Chronicles is not identified in the text, however several facts seem to support the tradition in the Jewish Talmud that Ezra the priest was the author.

 D.        Some believe these books, Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, were originally a single great history.  Perhaps this is confirmed by the fact that the last sentence of Chronicles is an unfinished thought which is finished in Ezra.

 E.         Chronicles retraces the whole story of Israel's history up to the return from captivity in order to give the returned remnant a divine perspective on the developments of their past.

The Key Word:

Retrospection - a defined look back on or reviewing of past events.

Survey of I Chronicles

The whole Book of I Chronicles is dedicated to the lfie of David.  It begins with the royal line of David (1-9).  Before surveying the key events of the reign of David, NOTE & REMEMBER:

Part 1  The Royal line of David 1-9

Part 2  The Reign of David  10-29

 

Part 1

 Chapters 1-9 The Royal Line of David

 These nine chapter are the most comprehensive genealogical tables in the Bible.  They trace the family tree of David and Israel as a whole, but in a highly selective manner.  The genealogies place a special emphasis on the tribes of Judah and Benjamin because as already mentioned, Chronicles is not concerned with the Northern Kingdom, but with the Southern Kingdom and the Davidic dynasty.  They show God at work in selecting and preserving a people for Himself from the beginning of human history to the  period  after  the  Babylonian

exiles.

 In our review of these Chapters, let us consider them not as just any family tree, but rather a genealogy of the People of Jehovah.

 Chapter 1 - The stock of Adam shoots out three great branches; the sons of Japheth, Ham and Shem.  In the great purpose of God the oldest is passed over and Shem, the youngest, is chosen - so is Abram.  The youngest son of Terah chosen; So is Isaac over Ishmael; so is Jacob over Esau.

 Chapter 2 - The redemptive line goes through Jacob to Judah to Jesse, to David.

Chapter 3 - The Davidic line continues down to the last of Judah's Kings.

Chapters 4-8 - The writer reviews the genealogy of the tribes of Israel and their allotments in Canaan.

Chapter 9:1___________________________________________

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In this chapter the genealogy of the remnant who returned from Babylon is given until verse 34.  The last 9 verses give the genealogy of Saul which introduces us to Part 2.

Part 2

Chapters 10-29 The Reign of David

Compared with II Samuel, David's life in I Chronicles is seen in an entirely different light.  This is clear from both the omissions and the additions.

NOTE:  Chronicles completely omits:

David's struggles with Saul

His seven year reign in Hebron

His various wives

Absalom's rebellion

The sins surrounding Bathsheba

 Chronicles adds events not found in II Samuel such as David's preparation for the Temple and its worship services.

 Chronicles is written from a more positive perspective, in order to encourage the Jews who have just returned from captivity.

 Chapters 10-12 The Anointed of the Lord

 Chapter 10 is the only chapter given to Saul's death in the book, summing up his reign in verses 13 & 14.

 Chapter 11-12 - David's story begins with his reign over all Israel after he has already reigned for seven years as King of Judah, making Jerusalem the capital.  There is also record of David's might men. 11:10____________________________________

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 Chapters 13-16 The Ark of the Lord

The first outstanding recorded act of King David is the bringing of the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem.  In chapter 15 the Ark is brought to Jerusalem and God blesses David.  In chapter 16 verses 17-36 a Psalm of thanksgiving is recorded.  He teaches the people of the mercy of God in the sacred Ark of Jehovah. 16:29______________________________________________

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Chapter 17 The Covenant of the Lord

It pleased God to choose out of the race one nation - Israel - then out of the nation one tribe Judah - then out of that tribe one family - the house of David, and to make with him a wonderful Covenant. 17:11-12 _______________________________

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Chapters 18-20 The Military Victories of the Lord

Here is how under the reign of David the Kingdom is strengthened and expanded.  These victories are summarized pointing out early and latter victories over their enemies.

Chapters 21-29  The Temple of the Lord

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This leads to the fixed spot where the Temple was to stand.  Though David was not allowed to build the Temple, he prepared and organized Israel for its erection.

Materials                                      Chapter 22

Levites                             Chapter 23

Priests                              Chapter 24

Singers, etc.                      Chapter 25-27

Charge to Solomon/Nation   Chapter 28-29

 The Book closes with his beautiful public prayer of praise and the accession of Solomon.

  Questions         

 

1.         What is in Chronicles?

 

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2.         What is the purpose of the Genealogies in the   

first nine chapters?

 

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3.         Who was this book for and why?

 

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4.         Who is the main character of I Chronicles?

 

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