Introduction to 1 Chronicles

History always has the advantage of hindsight. The narrative of 1–2 Chronicles is based on history, but leverages it for something greater: theological lessons. These books tell the story of Israel and Judah, starting with Adam and ending with the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon (538 bc). The account begins with a collection of genealogies (1 Chr 1–9) and then shifts to King David (in the remainder of 1 Chronicles) and his descendants (in 2 Chronicles).

Background

The books of 1–2 Chronicles were originally a single literary work; they probably were divided because, in antiquity, its length required two scrolls. About half of the content of 1–2 Chronicles is based on 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings, while the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1–9 rely on the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) and the book of Joshua. Chronicles reworks its sources to emphasize the importance of the temple, priests, King David, and later faithful kings of David’s line. Chronicles also mentions now-lost texts that probably provided some of the material not found in Samuel and Kings (e.g., 1 Chr 29:29–30; 2 Chr 12:15).

Chronicles pairs nicely with Ezra and Nehemiah, as they pick up where Chronicles leaves off (538 bc)—completing the story of God’s people all the way up to the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem, and the accompanying religious reforms (432 bc). This and other factors suggest 1–2 Chronicles was written in the fifth century bc.

The narrative of 1–2 Chronicles is a response to the needs of a formerly exiled Jewish people. In 586 bc the Babylonians conquered the southern kingdom of Judah and deported its people to Babylon (2 Kgs 25:1–30). In 539 bc the Persians conquered Babylon and by 538 bc, the Jewish exiles had permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. In this new context, the Jewish people retold the story of the Israelite nation. This allowed them to highlight positive examples and in doing so, encourage others to establish their lives based on what Yahweh intended.

Structure

The narrative of 1–2 Chronicles can be divided into three major sections. The first section (1 Chr 1–9) includes genealogies and information about people and groups listed in the genealogies. The second section (which straddles both books: 1 Chr 10–2 Chr 9) addresses the united monarchy under David and Solomon. The text says little about King Saul; it simply reports his death in 1 Chronicles 10 to set the stage for David’s reign—the focus throughout the rest of 1 Chronicles. Starting with 1 Chronicles 22, the book focuses on David’s preparations for the Jerusalem temple: His instructions to his son Solomon for building it; his organization of priests and musicians; and his directions about temple worship and sacrifices. First Chronicles ends with David’s death, but the narrative of the united monarchy continues in 2 Chronicles, opening with the start of Solomon’s reign and concluding with his death at the end of 2 Chronicles 9. The third major section of Chronicles (2 Chr 10–36) focuses on the kings of Judah, the southern kingdom, during the divided monarchy.

Outline

• Genealogy from Adam to Saul (1:1–9:44)

• David’s reign (10:1–29:30)

Themes

The Chronicler portrays David as a model king who followed Yahweh. This account of David leaves out his most infamous sins—his adultery with Bathsheba and his plot to kill her husband, Uriah (2 Sam 11)—and focuses on the ways in which he was faithful. David embraces God’s ways, establishes Jerusalem as a center for worship, and leads the people in praise (e.g., 1 Chr 16). Yahweh then makes His covenant with David, promising to bless his household forever, and gives David victory over his enemies.

Even the strange and troubling story of David’s misguided census (1 Chr 21) points to his heart for God. When David recognizes his sin, he repents and relies on God’s mercy (21:8, 13, 17). The episode ends with David building an altar and offering sacrifices to Yahweh—and vowing that the site will become the house of Yahweh (21:18; 22:1).

When 1 Chronicles is contextualized as a work for a Jewish community recovering from military defeat and their former exile to a foreign land, it becomes apparent that its portrayal of David’s partnership with Yahweh is a message of encouragement, meant to call people to worship and obedience, with their full heart. It also is a message of hope, assuring God’s people of His blessings and His covenant promises. First Chronicles challenges us to truly seek Yahweh (16:11; 22:19), to set our minds on His purposes and rejoice in His presence. As we see David not exactly as he was, but more as he should have been, we are given the model of a worshipful life.

Further Reading

The Historical Books

Chronicles, First and Second Books of CLBD

David, King of Israel CLBD

Genealogy CLBD