April 21, 2025
Genealogies: Snooze Fest or Significant?
1 Chronicles 1-4
Mandy Sisco
Big Book Idea
God has been and is now using His people in His story for His glory!
Key Verse | 1 Chronicles 2: 12-15
Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse. Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, David the seventh.
1 Chronicles 1-4
Chapter 1
From Adam to Abraham
1 1 1:1 Many names in these genealogies are spelled differently in other biblical books Adam, Seth, Enosh; 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; 4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 6 The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, 2 1:6 Septuagint; Hebrew Diphath and Togarmah. 7 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
8 The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. 9 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. 10 Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first on earth to be a mighty man. 3 1:10 Or He began to be a mighty man on the earth
11 Egypt fathered Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 12 Pathrusim, Casluhim (from whom the Philistines came), and Caphtorim.
13 Canaan fathered Sidon his firstborn and Heth, 14 and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 15 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 16 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites.
17 The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. And the sons of Aram: 4 1:17 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks And the sons of Aram Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. 18 Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber. 19 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg 5 1:19 Peleg means division (for in his days the earth was divided), and his brother's name was Joktan. 20 Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 22 Obal, 6 1:22 Septuagint, Syriac (compare Genesis 10:28); Hebrew Ebal Abimael, Sheba, 23 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan.
24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah; 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu; 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah; 27 Abram, that is, Abraham.
From Abraham to Jacob
28 The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. 29 These are their genealogies: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, 31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael. 32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan. 33 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the descendants of Keturah.
34 Abraham fathered Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel. 35 The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. 36 The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, and of Timna, 7 1:36 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:12); Hebrew lacks and of Amalek. 37 The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38 The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. 39 The sons of Lotan: Hori and Hemam; 8 1:39 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:22); Hebrew Homam and Lotan's sister was Timna. 40 The sons of Shobal: Alvan, 9 1:40 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:23); Hebrew Alian Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, 10 1:40 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:23); Hebrew Shephi and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. 41 The son 11 1:41 Hebrew sons of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hemdan, 12 1:41 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:26); Hebrew Hamran Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 42 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. 13 1:42 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:27); Hebrew Jaakan The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
43 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the people of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, the name of his city being Dinhabah. 44 Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. 45 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 46 Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith. 47 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 48 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates 14 1:48 Hebrew the River reigned in his place. 49 Shaul died, and Baal-hanan, the son of Achbor, reigned in his place. 50 Baal-hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place, the name of his city being Pai; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 51 And Hadad died.
The chiefs of Edom were: chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 52 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 53 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 54 Magdiel, and Iram; these are the chiefs of Edom.
Chapter 2
A Genealogy of David
1 These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 3 The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah; these three Bath-shua the Canaanite bore to him. Now Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the sight of the LORD, and he put him to death. 4 His daughter-in-law Tamar also bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
5 The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. 6 The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara, five in all. 7 The son 15 2:7 Hebrew sons of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing; 8 and Ethan's son was Azariah.
9 The sons of Hezron that were born to him: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai. 10 Ram fathered Amminadab, and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, prince of the sons of Judah. 11 Nahshon fathered Salmon, 16 2:11 Septuagint (compare Ruth 4:21); Hebrew Salma Salmon fathered Boaz, 12 Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse. 13 Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, 14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, 15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh. 16 And their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three. 17 Abigail bore Amasa, and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.
18 Caleb the son of Hezron fathered children by his wife Azubah, and by Jerioth; and these were her sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. 19 When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur. 20 Hur fathered Uri, and Uri fathered Bezalel.
21 Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was sixty years old, and she bore him Segub. 22 And Segub fathered Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead. 23 But Geshur and Aram took from them Havvoth-jair, Kenath, and its villages, sixty towns. All these were descendants of Machir, the father of Gilead. 24 After the death of Hezron, Caleb went in to Ephrathah, 17 2:24 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew in Caleb Ephrathah the wife of Hezron his father, and she bore him Ashhur, the father of Tekoa.
25 The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron: Ram, his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. 26 Jerahmeel also had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam. 27 The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel: Maaz, Jamin, and Eker. 28 The sons of Onam: Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab and Abishur. 29 The name of Abishur's wife was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid. 30 The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim; and Seled died childless. 31 The son 18 2:31 Hebrew sons; three times in this verse of Appaim: Ishi. The son of Ishi: Sheshan. The son of Sheshan: Ahlai. 32 The sons of Jada, Shammai's brother: Jether and Jonathan; and Jether died childless. 33 The sons of Jonathan: Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel. 34 Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, but Sheshan had an Egyptian slave whose name was Jarha. 35 So Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to Jarha his slave, and she bore him Attai. 36 Attai fathered Nathan, and Nathan fathered Zabad. 37 Zabad fathered Ephlal, and Ephlal fathered Obed. 38 Obed fathered Jehu, and Jehu fathered Azariah. 39 Azariah fathered Helez, and Helez fathered Eleasah. 40 Eleasah fathered Sismai, and Sismai fathered Shallum. 41 Shallum fathered Jekamiah, and Jekamiah fathered Elishama.
42 The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mareshah 19 2:42 Septuagint; Hebrew Mesha his firstborn, who fathered Ziph. The son 20 2:42 Hebrew sons of Mareshah: Hebron. 21 2:42 Hebrew the father of Hebron 43 The sons of Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema. 44 Shema fathered Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem fathered Shammai. 45 The son of Shammai: Maon; and Maon fathered Beth-zur. 46 Ephah also, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez; and Haran fathered Gazez. 47 The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph. 48 Maacah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. 49 She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah. 50 These were the descendants of Caleb.
The sons 22 2:50 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew son of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim, 51 Salma, the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth-gader. 52 Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim had other sons: Haroeh, half of the Menuhoth. 53 And the clans of Kiriath-jearim: the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; from these came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites. 54 The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites. 55 The clans also of the scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites and the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.
Chapter 3
Descendants of David
1 These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelite, 2 the third, Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith; 3 the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah; 4 six were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned for seven years and six months. And he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 5 These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, four by Bath-shua, the daughter of Ammiel; 6 then Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, 7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. 9 All these were David's sons, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar was their sister.
10 The son of Solomon was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, 11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, 12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, 13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, 14 Amon his son, Josiah his son. 15 The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. 16 The descendants of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son; 17 and the sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son, 18 Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah; 19 and the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei; and the sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah, and Shelomith was their sister; 20 and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed, five. 21 The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, his son 23 3:21 Septuagint (compare Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew sons of; four times in this verse Rephaiah, his son Arnan, his son Obadiah, his son Shecaniah. 22 The son 24 3:22 Hebrew sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. And the sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat, six. 23 The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three. 24 The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani, seven.
Chapter 4
Descendants of Judah
1 The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. 2 Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites. 3 These were the sons 25 4:3 Septuagint (compare Vulgate); Hebrew father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, 4 and Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem. 5 Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah; 6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. 7 The sons of Helah: Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. 8 Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum. 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 26 4:9 Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm 27 4:10 Or evil so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. 11 Chelub, the brother of Shuhah, fathered Mehir, who fathered Eshton. 12 Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah. 13 The sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah; and the sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai. 28 4:13 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew lacks Meonothai 14 Meonothai fathered Ophrah; and Seraiah fathered Joab, the father of Ge-harashim, 29 4:14 Ge-harashim means valley of craftsmen so-called because they were craftsmen. 15 The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh: Iru, Elah, and Naam; and the son 30 4:15 Hebrew sons of Elah: Kenaz. 16 The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel. 17 The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. These are the sons of Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered married; 31 4:17 The clause These are married is transposed from verse 18 and she conceived and bore 32 4:17 Hebrew lacks and bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, the father of Eshtemoa. 18 And his Judahite wife bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. 19 The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. 20 The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth. 21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the clans of the house of linen workers at Beth-ashbea; 22 and Jokim, and the men of Cozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and returned to Lehem 33 4:22 Vulgate (compare Septuagint); Hebrew and Jashubi-lahem (now the records 34 4:22 Or matters are ancient). 23 These were the potters who were inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah. They lived there in the king's service.
Descendants of Simeon
24 The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul; 25 Shallum was his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. 26 The sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son. 27 Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, nor did all their clan multiply like the men of Judah. 28 They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual, 29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, 30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, 31 Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until David reigned. 32 And their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan, five cities, 33 along with all their villages that were around these cities as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record.
34 Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah, 35 Joel, Jehu the son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel, 36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, 37 Ziza the son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah— 38 these mentioned by name were princes in their clans, and their fathers' houses increased greatly. 39 They journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks, 40 where they found rich, good pasture, and the land was very broad, quiet, and peaceful, for the former inhabitants there belonged to Ham. 41 These, registered by name, came in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and destroyed their tents and the Meunites who were found there, and marked them for destruction to this day, and settled in their place, because there was pasture there for their flocks. 42 And some of them, five hundred men of the Simeonites, went to Mount Seir, having as their leaders Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. 43 And they defeated the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.
Footnotes
[1] 1:1 Many names in these genealogies are spelled differently in other biblical books[2] 1:6 Septuagint; Hebrew Diphath
[3] 1:10 Or He began to be a mighty man on the earth
[4] 1:17 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks And the sons of Aram
[5] 1:19 Peleg means division
[6] 1:22 Septuagint, Syriac (compare Genesis 10:28); Hebrew Ebal
[7] 1:36 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:12); Hebrew lacks and of
[8] 1:39 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:22); Hebrew Homam
[9] 1:40 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:23); Hebrew Alian
[10] 1:40 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:23); Hebrew Shephi
[11] 1:41 Hebrew sons
[12] 1:41 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:26); Hebrew Hamran
[13] 1:42 Septuagint (compare Genesis 36:27); Hebrew Jaakan
[14] 1:48 Hebrew the River
[15] 2:7 Hebrew sons
[16] 2:11 Septuagint (compare Ruth 4:21); Hebrew Salma
[17] 2:24 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew in Caleb Ephrathah
[18] 2:31 Hebrew sons; three times in this verse
[19] 2:42 Septuagint; Hebrew Mesha
[20] 2:42 Hebrew sons
[21] 2:42 Hebrew the father of Hebron
[22] 2:50 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew son
[23] 3:21 Septuagint (compare Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew sons of; four times in this verse
[24] 3:22 Hebrew sons
[25] 4:3 Septuagint (compare Vulgate); Hebrew father
[26] 4:9 Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain
[27] 4:10 Or evil
[28] 4:13 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew lacks Meonothai
[29] 4:14 Ge-harashim means valley of craftsmen
[30] 4:15 Hebrew sons
[31] 4:17 The clause These are . . . married is transposed from verse 18
[32] 4:17 Hebrew lacks and bore
[33] 4:22 Vulgate (compare Septuagint); Hebrew and Jashubi-lahem
[34] 4:22 Or matters
Table of Contents
Introduction to 1–2 Chronicles
Timeline
Author and Date
The text nowhere directly identifies its author, but traditionally he has been called “the Chronicler.” He was either a priest or Levite who was employed in the service of the temple during the Persian period (539–332 B.C.). He had scribal training and access to the temple records.
Basic Chronology of 1–2 Chronicles
| Events | Dates | Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation of the Davidic monarchy | c. 1010–931 B.C. | 1 Chronicles 10–2 Chronicles 9 |
| History of Judah from the division of the kingdom until its fall | 931–586 | 2 Chron. 10:1–36:21 |
| Babylonian captivity | 586–538 | 2 Chron. 36:17–21 |
| Cyrus’s decree | 538 | 2 Chron. 36:22–23 |
Theme
The central theme of Chronicles is God’s covenant with David as the basis of Israel’s life and hope. The Davidic covenant is expressed in two institutions: the monarchy and the temple. These institutions are related (1 Chron. 17:10b–14), and together they represent God’s kingdom in Israel (2 Chron. 13:5, 8). The Davidic covenant does not replace the Mosaic covenant but builds on it for the new age of the monarchy and the temple.
Purpose, Occasion, and Background
Judah and Benjamin, the only surviving tribes of Israel, had returned to the land after the Babylonian exile. They had rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. But in many ways it seemed like they were still in exile (see Ezra 9:6–15; Neh. 9:32–36). There were questions about Israel’s place in God’s purposes and the meaning of his ancient promises to David. With such questions in mind, the Chronicler wrote his books to promote spiritual and social renewal. He presented an interpretation of Israel’s past, drawing mainly on the books of Samuel and Kings. He showed how the nation’s unfaithfulness to God had led to disaster but also how its faithful kings and people had experienced God’s blessing.
Key Themes
- The Davidic covenant. God’s covenant with David preserved the nation and enabled Solomon to build the temple. God is committed to preserving the line of David’s descendants even through spiritual unfaithfulness (2 Chron. 21:13) and exile (1 Chron. 3:17–24). Being heirs of God’s covenant with David also involves living according to God’s earlier covenant with Moses.
- The temple. The temple is an expression of the Davidic covenant. David provided for the construction of the temple and organized its personnel. His faithful successors should ensure that the worship is maintained, and that the building is kept in repair and is purified after defilement. The temple personnel should come to the aid of the Davidic dynasty in times of crisis. The Levites played an essential role in maintaining the whole system of worship, and in many ways they are the forerunners of the Christian ministry.
- The people of Israel. The Chronicler sought to address some urgent questions of his day concerning the identity of Israel. He wanted to instill fresh confidence in the people. The genealogies of Israel that begin the work (1 Chronicles 1–9) start by tracing the people’s ancestry back to Adam, a striking reminder that Israel was at the center of God’s purpose from the very beginning of creation.
Second, the genealogies makes it clear that all 12 tribes were descended from Jacob’s sons (1 Chron. 2:1). The Chronicler’s history of the divided kingdom (2 Chronicles 10–36) focuses mainly on Judah and Benjamin. But he tries to show that the northern tribes are still a part of Israel, even though they rebelled against the rightful Davidic king (2 Chron. 13:5).
While the Chronicler does focus on the nation’s kings and its priesthood, he also includes many stories that highlight the participation of ordinary people in the life of the nation.
Outline for 1–2 Chronicles
- A Genealogical Presentation of the Tribes of Israel (1 Chron. 1:1–9:44)
- Adam to Esau (1:1–54)
- The sons of Israel (2:1–2)
- The tribe of Judah (2:3–4:23)
- The tribe of Simeon (4:24–43)
- The Transjordanian tribes (5:1–26)
- The tribe of Levi (6:1–81)
- Other northern tribes (7:1–40)
- The tribe of Benjamin (8:1–40)
- The resettlement of Jerusalem (9:1–34)
- The genealogy of Saul (9:35–44)
- The United Kingdom of David and Solomon (1 Chron. 10:1–2 Chron. 9:31)
- David’s rise to power over Israel (1 Chron. 10:1–12:40)
- David’s transfer of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (13:1–16:43)
- The dynastic promise to David (17:1–27)
- David’s wars (18:1–20:8)
- David’s census and preparation for the temple (21:1–29:30)
- Solomon’s temple preparations (2 Chron. 1:1–2:18)
- Solomon’s building of the temple (3:1–5:1)
- The dedication of the temple (5:2–7:22)
- Solomon’s other accomplishments (8:1–16)
- Solomon’s international relations and renown (8:17–9:31)
- The Kingdom of Judah down to the Exile (2 Chron. 10:1–36:23)
- Rehoboam (10:1–12:16)
- Abijah (13:1–14:1)
- Asa (14:2–16:14)
- Jehoshaphat (17:1–21:1)
- Jehoram and Ahaziah (21:2–22:12)
- Joash (23:1–24:27)
- Amaziah (25:1–28)
- Uzziah (26:1–23)
- Jotham (27:1–9)
- Ahaz (28:1–27)
- Hezekiah (29:1–32:33)
- Manasseh (33:1–20)
- Amon (33:21–25)
- Josiah (34:1–35:27)
- The last four kings (36:1–21)
- Restoration (36:22–23)
The Extent of David’s Kingdom
The Extent of David’s Kingdom
1010–971 B.C.
David’s many battles eventually established Israel as the dominant power in Syria and Palestine. David expanded Israel’s borders until, by the end of his reign, he controlled all of Israel, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Other kingdoms, such as Tyre and Hamath, made treaties with him.
The Extent of Solomon’s Kingdom
The Extent of Solomon’s Kingdom
c. 971–931 B.C.
Solomon’s reign marked the high point of Israel’s power and wealth in biblical times. His father David had given him a kingdom that included Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Solomon would later bring the kingdom of Hamath-zobah under his dominion as well, and his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter sealed an alliance with Egypt. His expansive kingdom controlled important trade routes between several major world powers, including Egypt, Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia (Asia Minor).
Fact: King David
King David is the main character in 1 Chronicles. The writer presents a very positive picture of him, leaving out many of the tragic details of his life that the writer of 2 Samuel describes.
Fact: Do the books of Chronicles have a main theme?
Do the books of Chronicles have a main theme? The central theme of 1–2 Chronicles is how God’s covenant with David provided an enduring hope for Israel, even in its darkest hours.
Fact: Why so many genealogies?
Why so many genealogies? The first readers of 1 Chronicles were Israelites living after the Babylonian exile. The genealogies showed them that they were still God’s people. For Christians, the genealogies also show how God preserved the line of David’s descendants that eventually led to Jesus the Messiah.
Fact: Why begin with Adam?
Why begin with Adam? By beginning with Adam, the Chronicler shows that God planned to make Israel his chosen people, out of all the nations of the world, since the very beginning of human history.
Basic Chronology of 1–2 Chronicles
| Events | Dates | Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation of the Davidic monarchy | c. 1010–931 B.C. | 1 Chronicles 10–2 Chronicles 9 |
| History of Judah from the division of the kingdom until its fall | 931–586 | 2 Chron. 10:1–36:21 |
| Babylonian captivity | 586–538 | 2 Chron. 36:17–21 |
| Cyrus’s decree | 538 | 2 Chron. 36:22–23 |
Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings
| 1 Chronicles | 2 Samuel | |
|---|---|---|
| Genealogies | 1:1–9:44 | |
| Death of Saul and sons | 10:1–14 | 1 Sam. 31:1–2 Sam. 1:16 |
| Lament for Saul | 1:17–27 | |
| David king of Judah | 2:1–7 | |
| War between house of Saul and David; Ish-bosheth made king | 2:8–3:1 | |
| David’s sons in Hebron | 3:2–5 | |
| Abner helps David | 3:6–21 | |
| Joab kills Abner | 3:22–39 | |
| Ish-bosheth killed | 4:1–12 | |
| David king of Judah and Israel | 11:1–3 | 5:1–5 |
| Conquest of Jerusalem | 11:4–9 | 5:6–10 |
| David’s mighty men | 11:10–47 | 23:8–39 |
| David’s men at Ziklag | 12:1–22 | |
| Celebration at Hebron | 12:23–40 | |
| Attempted return of ark; death of Uzzah | 13:1–14 | 6:1–11 |
| David’s house built | 14:1–2 | 5:11–12 |
| David’s children in Jerusalem | 14:3–7 | 5:13–16 |
| David defeats Philistines | 14:8–17 | 5:17–25 |
| Spiritual preparation for the ark’s return | 15:1–24 | |
| Ark brought to Jerusalem | 15:25–16:6 | 6:12–19 |
| David and Michal | 6:20–23 | |
| David’s psalm of praise | 16:7–43 | |
| David’s desire to build the temple | 17:1–2 | 7:1–3 |
| Davidic covenant | 17:3–15 | 7:4–17 |
| David’s prayer of praise | 17:16–27 | 7:18–29 |
| David’s victories | 18:1–13 | 8:1–14 |
| David’s officials | 18:14–17 | 8:15–18 |
| David helps Mephibosheth | 9:1–13 | |
| Ammonites defeated | 19:1–15 | 10:1–14 |
| Syrians defeated | 19:16–19 | 10:15–19 |
| Ammonites defeated | 20:1–3 | 11:1; 12:26–31 |
| David and Bathsheba | 11:2–12:25 | |
| Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom | 13:1–14:33 | |
| Absalom’s rebellion | 15:1–19:43 | |
| Sheba’s rebellion | 20:1–26 | |
| Famine; death of Saul’s sons | 21:1–14 | |
| War with Philistines; the Philistine giants | 20:4–8 | 21:15–22 |
| David’s psalm of deliverance | 22:1–51 | |
| David’s last words | 23:1–7 | |
| David’s census | 21:1–27 | 24:1–25 |
| David plans for the temple | 21:28–22:5 | |
| David’s charge to Solomon and the leaders | 22:6–19 | |
| David organizes temple personnel | 23:1–26:32 | |
| Israel’s military | 27:1–15 | |
| Israel’s leaders | 27:16–34 | |
| David’s charge to Israel; affirmation of Solomon | 28:1–10 | |
| Pattern for the temple | 28:11–21 | |
| Offerings for the temple | 29:1–9 | |
| David’s prayer of thanks for the temple | 29:10–19 | |
| 1 Kings | ||
| David and Abishag | 1:1–4 | |
| Adonijah claims the throne | 1:5–27 | |
| Solomon’s coronation | 29:20–25 | 1:28–40 |
| David instructs Solomon | 2:1–9 | |
| Death of David | 29:26–30 | 2:10–11 |
| Solomon establishes his kingdom | 2:12–46 | |
| 2 Chronicles | ||
| Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter | 3:1–3 | |
| Solomon at Gibeon | 1:1–6 | 3:4 |
| God gives Solomon wisdom | 1:7–12 | 3:5–14 |
| Solomon’s wise judgment | 3:16–28 | |
| Solomon’s prosperity | 1:14–17 | 4:20–34 |
| Preparations for the temple | 2:1–18 | 5:1–18 |
| Temple built | 3:1–5:1 | 6:1–38;7:13–51 |
| Solomon’s palace | 7:1–12 | |
| Ark brought to the temple | 5:2–12 | 8:1–9 |
| God’s glory fills the temple | 5:13–14 | 8:10–11 |
| Solomon blesses the people | 6:1–11 | 8:12–21 |
| Solomon consecrates the temple | 6:12–42 | 8:22–61 |
| Fire from the Lord consumes the sacrifices | 7:1–3 | |
| Solomon and the people offer sacrifices | 7:4–7 | 8:62–64 |
| Feast of Tabernacles | 7:8–10 | 8:65–66 |
| The covenant confirmed | 7:11–22 | 9:1–9 |
| Solomon’s territory increases | 8:1–6 | 9:10–19 |
| Solomon’s enemies defeated | 8:7–10 | 9:20–23 |
| Solomon’s religious practices | 8:11–16 | 9:24–25 |
| Solomon’s economic operations | 8:17–18 | 9:26–28 |
| Queen of Sheba visits | 9:1–12 | 10:1–13 |
| Solomon’s wealth | 9:13–28 | 10:14–29 |
| Solomon’s apostasy and adversaries | 11:1–40 | |
| Death of Solomon | 9:29–31 | 11:41–43 |
| Division of the kingdom | 10:1–11:23 | 12:1–33 |
| Man of God from Judah warns Jeroboam (Israel) | 13:1–34 | |
| Ahijah’s prophecy against Jeroboam | 14:1–18 | |
| Death of Jeroboam | 14:19–20 | |
| Shishak invades Judah | 12:1–12 | 14:25–28 |
| Reign of Rehoboam (Judah) | 12:13–16 | 14:21–24,29–31 |
| War between Judah and Israel | 13:1–22 | 15:1–8 |
| Evaluation of Asa (Judah) | 14:1–8 | 15:9–12 |
| Ethiopians defeated | 14:9–15 | |
| Azariah the prophet | 15:1–7 | |
| Asa’s reforms | 15:8–19 | 15:13–15 |
| Asa defeats Syria | 16:1–10 | 15:16–22 |
| Death of Asa | 16:11–14 | 15:23–24 |
| Reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri (Israel) | 15:25–16:28 | |
| Ahab becomes king (Israel) | 16:29–34 | |
| Elijah | 17:1–19:18;21:17–29 | |
| Call of Elisha | 19:19–21 | |
| Ahab conquers Syria, acquires Naboth’s vineyard | 20:1–21:29 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoshaphat (Judah) | 17:1–9 | |
| Expansion of Judah | 17:10–19 | |
| Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab; death of Ahab | 18:1–34 | 22:1–40 |
| Jehoshaphat’s reforms, crisis, and deliverance | 19:1–20:30 | |
| Reign of Jehoshaphat | 20:31–37 | 22:41–50 |
| Reign of Ahaziah (Israel) | 22:51–53 | |
| 2 Kings | ||
| Death of Ahaziah; Elijah’s prophecy | 1:1–18 | |
| Elijah and Elisha | 2:1–25 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoram (Israel) | 3:1–3 | |
| Moab rebels | 3:4–27 | |
| The widow’s oil | 4:1–7 | |
| The Shunammite woman | 4:8–37 | |
| Miracles for the prophets | 4:38–44 | |
| Naaman healed | 5:1–27 | |
| The axe head recovered | 6:1–7 | |
| Chariots of fire | 6:8–23 | |
| Siege of Samaria | 6:24–7:20 | |
| Shunammite’s land restored | 8:1–6 | |
| Hazael kills Ben-hadad | 8:7–15 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoram (Judah) | 21:1–7 | 8:16–19 |
| Edom and Libnah rebel | 21:8–11 | 8:20–22 |
| Warning of Elijah | 21:12–15 | |
| Invasion of Philistia and Arabia | 21:16–17 | |
| Death of Jehoram | 21:18–20 | 8:23–24 |
| Reign of Ahaziah (Judah) | 22:1–9 | 8:25–29; 9:15–16, 27–28; 10:12–14 |
| Reign of Jehu (Israel) | 22:7–9 | 9:1–10:36 |
| Reign of Athaliah (Judah) | 22:10–23:15 | 11:1–16 |
| Jehoiada’s reforms (Judah) | 23:16–21 | 11:17–20 |
| Evaluation of Joash (Judah) | 24:1–3 | 11:21–12:3 |
| Joash repairs the temple | 24:4–14 | 12:4–16 |
| Death of Jehoiada | 24:15–16 | |
| Jehoiada’s son killed | 24:17–22 | |
| Syria invades Judah | 24:23–24 | 12:17–18 |
| Death of Joash | 24:25–27 | 12:19–21 |
| Reign of Jehoahaz (Israel) | 13:1–9 | |
| Reign of Jehoash (Israel) | 13:10–13 | |
| Elisha’s final prophecy and death | 13:14–25 | |
| Reign of Amaziah (Judah) | 25:1–16 | 14:1–20 |
| Israel defeats Judah | 25:17–24 | 14:8–14 |
| Death of Amaziah | 25:25–28 | 14:17–20 |
| Evaluation of Uzziah (Judah) | 26:1–5 | 14:21–22; 15:1–5 |
| Reign of Jeroboam II (Israel) | 14:23–29 | |
| Victories of Uzziah | 26:6–15 | |
| Sinful offering of Uzziah | 26:16–21 | |
| Death of Uzziah | 26:22–23 | 15:6–7 |
| Reign of Zechariah (Israel) | 15:8–12 | |
| Reign of Shallum (Israel) | 15:13–16 | |
| Reign of Menahem (Israel) | 15:17–22 | |
| Reign of Pekahiah (Israel) | 15:23–26 | |
| Reign of Pekah (Israel) | 15:27–31 | |
| Reign of Jotham (Judah) | 27:1–9 | 15:32–38 |
| Evaluation of Ahaz (Judah) | 28:1–4 | 16:1–4 |
| Israel defeats Judah | 28:5–21 | 16:5–9 |
| Ahaz’s idolatry and death | 28:22–27 | 16:10–12 |
| Fall of Israel | 17:1–23 | |
| Resettlement of Israel | 17:24–41 | |
| Evaluation of Hezekiah (Judah) | 29:1–2 | 18:1–8 |
| Hezekiah cleanses the temple | 29:3–19 | |
| Hezekiah restores temple worship | 29:20–36 | |
| Hezekiah restores Passover | 30:1–27 | |
| Hezekiah destroys idols, organizes priests | 31:1–21 | |
| Fall of Israel (restated) | 18:9–12 | |
| Assyria invades Judah | 32:1–23 | 18:13–19:37 |
| Hezekiah’s illness and restoration | 32:24–26 | 20:1–11 |
| Hezekiah’s wealth and foolish pride | 32:27–31 | 20:12–19 |
| Death of Hezekiah | 32:32–33 | 20:20–21 |
| Reign of Manasseh (Judah) | 33:1–9 | 21:1–18 |
| Manasseh’s repentance | 33:10–20 | |
| Reign of Amon (Judah) | 33:21–25 | 21:19–26 |
| Evaluation of Josiah (Judah) | 34:1–2 | 22:1–2 |
| Josiah’s early reforms | 34:3–7 | |
| Josiah repairs the temple | 34:8–13 | 22:3–7 |
| Book of Law discovered; Josiah’s reforms | 34:14–33 | 22:8–23:20 |
| Passover celebrated | 35:1–19 | 23:21–27 |
| Death of Josiah | 35:20–27 | 23:28–30 |
| Reign of Jehoahaz (Judah) | 36:1–3 | 23:31–33 |
| Reign of Jehoiakim (Judah) | 36:4–8 | 23:34–24:7 |
| Reign of Jehoiachin (Judah); Babylonian captivity | 36:9–10 | 24:8–17 |
| Evaluation of Zedekiah (Judah) | 36:11–12 | 24:18–20 |
| Destruction of Jerusalem | 36:13–21 | 25:1–21 |
| Remnant flees to Egypt | 25:22–26 | |
| Jehoiachin released | 25:27–30 | |
| Proclamation by Cyrus | 36:22–23 |
1 Chron 1:1–4 From Genesis 5. Israel’s direct ancestral link with Adam means Israel is the focus of God’s purpose from creation.
1 Chron 1:5–27 From Gen. 10:1–29; 11:10–32. Israel is located within the nations, which are also God’s creation and part of his purpose for Israel. The line continues through Abraham, who received covenantal promises (1 Chron. 16:16; 2 Chron. 20:7).
1 Chron 1:28–34 From Gen. 25:1–4, 12–16. The concubine (1 Chron. 1:32) could have the status of a wife.
1:1–54 Adam to Esau. This first genealogy begins with Adam, the first human, then focuses on Isaac’s son Esau and the kings who descended from him.
1 Chron 1:35–54 From Gen. 36:10–14, 20–28, 31–43. The descendants of Esau and the sons of Seir (the Edomites) are grouped together because both inhabited Edom. The latter would often be in conflict with Judah (2 Chron. 20:10; 21:8; 25:5–13; 28:17).
1 Chron 1 Chron. 10:1–2 Chron. 9:31 The United Kingdom of David and Solomon. The second major section of 1–2 Chronicles concerns the reigns of David and Solomon over Israel. Their rule is presented as a unity; David makes the essential preparations for what Solomon completes.
Fact: Why begin with Adam?
Why begin with Adam? By beginning with Adam, the Chronicler shows that God planned to make Israel his chosen people, out of all the nations of the world, since the very beginning of human history.
2:1–2 The Sons of Israel. The sons of Israel are the subject of the following genealogies. Here the author lists the biological sons of Jacob (see Gen. 35:22–26). When he lists the tribes later in the book he traces how the land was divided (see Joshua 13–21). Thus, he includes the half-tribes of Manasseh in Transjordan (1 Chron. 5:23–26) and west of the Jordan (7:14–19) and omits Zebulun and Dan.
1 Chron 2:3–8 Judah is the central focus of the genealogy because God chose Judah to lead Israel (Gen. 49:8–12). God also chose David and his line to bless Israel and rule forever (2 Sam. 7:1–17; 1 Chron. 17:1–15). Judah’s five sons demonstrate both Yahweh’s judgment on disobedience (Er, Onan, Shelah) and his grace in continuing the lines of Perez and Zerah, the twins born from Judah’s unlawful union with Tamar (Genesis 38). Achan means “trouble” in the Hebrew text, a wordplay on the troubler of Israel (see Josh. 7:24–26). broke faith. This is the first instance of this key term in the book that describes Israel’s failure to obey the Lord (see Lev. 26:40).
1 Chron 2:9–17 Verses 10–12 are drawn mainly from Ruth 4:19–22. Here, only the line of David (1 Chron. 2:15) came from Ram, and the rest of Judah from Hezron’s other sons, Jerahmeel and Caleb (Chelubai is a variant of “Caleb”). Although 1 Sam. 16:10–13 indicates that David was the eighth son of Jesse, the Chronicler presents him as the seventh, perhaps to indicate his favored place in God’s purpose.
1 Chron 2:18–24 Caleb the son of Hezron is not the later contemporary of Joshua (see 4:15). He was an ancestor of Bezalel (2:20), the principal craftsman for the tabernacle (Ex. 31:2; 2 Chron. 1:5).
1 Chron 2:25–41 Two lists (vv. 25–33 and 34–41) have been joined here, probably from material preserved by this clan, descendants of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron. They lived in the Negeb, on Judah’s southern frontier, in David’s day (1 Sam. 27:10). If this record of 23 generations is complete, Elishama may have been a contemporary of David, and the Chronicler would be drawing on ancient records from the early monarchy.
1 Chron 2:42–55 An addition to vv. 18–24, made up of early lists of the descendants of Caleb (vv. 42–50a) and his son Hur (vv. 50b–55). Personal and place names are together in this section (Hebron, Beth-zur, Kiriath-jearim, Bethlehem), so “father” here sometimes means the “founder” or “leader” of a city.
Basic Chronology of 1–2 Chronicles
| Events | Dates | Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation of the Davidic monarchy | c. 1010–931 B.C. | 1 Chronicles 10–2 Chronicles 9 |
| History of Judah from the division of the kingdom until its fall | 931–586 | 2 Chron. 10:1–36:21 |
| Babylonian captivity | 586–538 | 2 Chron. 36:17–21 |
| Cyrus’s decree | 538 | 2 Chron. 36:22–23 |
1 Chron 3:1–9 Drawn mainly from 2 Sam. 3:2–5 (see note) and 5:14–16, with a few textual variations (Daniel for “Chileab,” and the addition of Eliphelet, 1 Chron. 3:6, and Nogah, v. 7). The narrative omits the troubles of David’s family (2 Samuel 13–19; 1 Kings 1), but mentioning Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah, and Tamar implies readers are familiar with these accounts.
1 Chron 3:10–16 The complete Davidic line down to the exile follows the spelling in Kings (Azariah is a variant of “Uzziah,” 2 Chronicles 26). The pattern is altered here because Josiah was succeeded by three of his sons, but not according to their birth order: Shallum (throne name: Jehoahaz), replaced by Jehoiakim (who was succeeded by his own son, Jeconiah [a variant of “Jehoiachin”]), then Zedekiah, the last king of Judah.
1 Chron 3:19 sons of Zerubbabel. Matthew 1:13 and Luke 3:27 both trace Jesus’ descent from David through sons of Zerubbabel other than those mentioned here, apparently using other historical records.
1 Chron 3:1–24 The genealogy of Ram (2:10–17) is resumed in this list of David’s descendants. There are three distinct sections: David’s children (3:1–9); Solomon and the kings of Judah (vv. 10–16); and the postexilic generations (vv. 17–24).
1 Chron 3:17–24 The line of David’s descendants continued even after the exile, fulfilling God’s promise of an enduring “house” for him, through which God’s kingdom would be eternally established (17:10b, 14). Zerubbabel played a central role in restoring the temple (Ezra 5:2; Hag. 1:12–15). Possibly Ezra 3:2, which calls Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, implies an adoption or levirate marriage (see note on Matt. 22:24).
Fact: Do the books of Chronicles have a main theme?
Do the books of Chronicles have a main theme? The central theme of 1–2 Chronicles is how God’s covenant with David provided an enduring hope for Israel, even in its darkest hours.
1 Chron 4:9–10 Jabez prays that his name, which is similar to the Hebrew word for “pain,” will not be a bad omen. He desires to live under God’s blessing and protection. On the gift of territorial expansion and divine protection in response to prayer, see 5:20–22 and 2 Chron. 20:6–12.
1 Chron 4:13–15 The Kenizzites appear to have been a southern tribe absorbed into Judah. Othniel was the first major judge of Israel (Judg. 3:7–11) and a nephew of Caleb (Josh. 15:17).
2:3–4:23 The Tribe of Judah. The first and most extensive place in the genealogy is given to Judah. The author has arranged it as follows:
2:3 Shelah, the oldest surviving son of Judah
2:4–8 Perez and Zerah, Judah’s sons by Tamar
2:9–3:24 Hezron, ancestor of David and his line
4:1–20 Perez’s other descendants
4:21–23 Shelah’s descendants
As is common in such literary arrangements, the central unit (2:9–3:24) is the focus of chief interest because it leads to David, the central human character in Chronicles.
1 Chron 4:1–23 Information about other clans rounds off the genealogy of Judah. Verses 1–20 supply additional details of the descendants of Perez (2:4–8), while 4:21–23 fill out the lineage of Judah’s third son, Shelah (2:3).
1 Chron 4:21–23 linen workers . . . potters. These records from before the exile to Babylon (vv. 22–23) indicate that certain Israelite clans specialized in trades or crafts such as linen work or pottery; see 2:55 on scribes. Lehem may be Bethlehem.
4:24–43 The Tribe of Simeon. This tribe’s allotted territory lay within Judah and was taken from that tribe (vv. 28–33; see Josh. 19:1–9). By David’s time (1 Chron. 4:31) Simeon had been largely absorbed back into Judah. Nevertheless, some Simeonite clans maintained their tribal identity through genealogical records (vv. 34–38). These records would have included the historical notes of two military expansions undertaken to relieve overpopulation (v. 38): one westward into Philistine territory in the days of Hezekiah in the eighth century B.C. (vv. 39–41), and another into the southern Negeb (vv. 42–43). The westward campaign to Gedor (probably “Gerar”) is depicted in the language of the conquest under Joshua: marked . . . for destruction (see note on 1 Sam. 15:3).
What is the importance of genealogies and how should we think about them?
Listen NowDive Deeper | 1 Chronicles 1-4
Confession: past me would skip these chapters because I couldn't even pronounce those names! I would get bogged down in the people and places and decide they aren't that important. But let's lean in and understand why genealogies are significant.
First, genealogies connect us to history. Some of these names are familiar to us. Adam, Isaac, Boaz, and David to name a few. Recognizing names is a large part of understanding God's Word. These names create a thread that connects to each of us. It's a thread of God's faithfulness from generation to generation. It began in the garden with Adam and continues through the names listed here. That thread of faithfulness is sustained by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And that same thread of unrelenting faithfulness continues today in the life of each believer.
Second, for those questioning the Bible's exactness, genealogies help confirm biblical accuracy through history and prophecy. These were real people living in real time. Furthermore, prophecy tells us that Jesus would come through the line of Jesse and the line of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5, 33:17; 2 Samuel 7:16). This list of names supports prophecy, bringing us much-needed confirmation and strengthening our faith!
Third, we are privy to some small details that I find fascinating. Tucked in all those names, we learn things like Nimrod was the first mighty man, Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and which people were linen workers or potters. I love learning details about peoples' lives and enjoy seeing what God's Word has preserved about those who came before us.
All in all, genealogies don't have to be a snooze fest. Let's be reminded that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful (2 Timothy 3:16). In fact, maybe you skipped through today's reading and need some encouragement to circle back. Use that play button and allow it to pronounce the hard names and places. Listening to the Word will free your mind to be able to take in the bigger picture of Scripture: God has been and is now using His people in His story for His glory!
This month's memory verse
"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?" (NLT)
– 2 Samuel 22:31-32
Discussion Questions
1. What names did you recognize as you read these chapters? Spend some time thinking about what you've learned about God's character through the lives of these people.
2. What details were included that stood out to you? What details of your life would be preserved if someone were writing a genealogy in which you were listed?
3. List some ways that you can continue to pass down the story of God's faithfulness in your life to the next generation.
4. Take time today to thank the Lord for His continued faithfulness from generation to generation.