First Chronicles Overview

Key Text

1 Chr.28:4 “Yet the Lord God of Israel chose me from all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s house, and among my father’s sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel.”

Key Term

Dynasty: God establishes an everlasting dynasty through the line of David. This Messianic promise is underscored by focusing on David’s positive accomplishments, both spiritually and militarily.

Summary

An extensive genealogy precursors David who successfully rules for 40 years, blessed of God, with particular attention given to Jerusalem, the priesthood, and preparations for the Temple in anticipation of the Messianic King and new Temple.

The Message of the Book

God in 1 Chronicles

YHWH is the sovereign God who carries out His kingdom plans. David, though undeserving, receives covenants promises from God (chp.17).

The instructions concerning the building of the Temple should serve as a reminder that God is a particular God who determines how He will be worshiped. The preparation to build the Temple and the organization of the priests and Levites highlight this point.

Humanity in 1 Chronicles

The book begins with extensive genealogies, a reminder that humanity is important to God. The author of Chronicles took the time to research and include this information.

Salvation in 1 Chronicles

Salvation comes as a gift from God, clearly taught in 1 Chr.16:34-36 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Say also: “Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.”

Christ in 1 Chronicles

The messianic promise is prevalent the book, and chapter 17 emphasizes the promise made to David. God has been faithful to preserve David’s line even in the face of exile.

Overarching Themes

The book retells the past to inspire present hope.

David’s reigns is idealized to point forward to the better David.

The Temple is central in worship.

As You Read...

Why is David portrayed as an “ideal” king?

How does the book use Israel’s history to show the goodness of God?

Why does the Temple play such a large role in the book?

How can we relate the emphasis on David’s line and the Temple to NT worship?