History
1 Chronicles
A retelling of Israel’s story from Adam through David, for the people who had returned from exile.
First and Second Chronicles were one book. They begin with genealogies from Adam, then tell David’s reign with the temple in view. They were written for those who had come back from Babylon, to remind them of their roots, the Davidic promise, and the right worship of the LORD. The Talmud names Ezra.
Kinds of writing
- Genealogy 51%
- Narrative 47%
- Song and psalm 2%
Key verses
All Israel listed by their family lines. So all Israel were listed by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience.
1 Chronicles 9:1 (World English Bible)
His loving kindness endures forever. Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34 (World English Bible)
David's house and kingdom forever. but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne will be established forever.”’
1 Chronicles 17:14 (World English Bible)
Serve God with a whole heart. You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
1 Chronicles 28:9 (World English Bible)
Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness. Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 (World English Bible)
People
AdamSaulDavidJoabZadokAsaphSolomon
Places
HebronJerusalemCity of DavidKiriath-jearimGibeon
On the timeline
Saul and Jonathan die on Mount GilboaDavid rules all Israel and takes JerusalemThe ark brought to JerusalemGod's covenant with DavidDavid's victories build an empireDavid's census and the threshing floor of AraunahSolomon crowned; David dies
Dating notes
Chronicles ends with Cyrus’s decree of 537 BC (2 Chronicles 36:22–23), the same words that open Ezra. Some scholars date it after 400 BC. The span is an estimate; Scripture doesn’t say when the book was written.