1 & 2 Chronicles: Introduction.
PERSONAL APPLICATION:
1. The books of 1 & 2 Kings (written by Jeremiah) talks about the fact of human responsibility by pointing out that sin leads to defeat (Romans 6:23), whereas the books of 1&2 Chronicles (written by Ezra) talks about the sovereign deliverance of God. Chronicles emphasizes that we have ENCOURAGEMENT AND EXHORTATION from the LORD if we could repent and confess our sins (1 John 1:9).
2. Chronicles tells us how God was true to His Word and kept the promises He had made to His people. He is portrayed as the PROMISE MAKER and PROMISE KEEPER, so our God is Trustworthy.
3. Chronicles emphasizes that our God will carry-on HIS purposes, and no one can stop Him and even human sin and disobedience will not stop HIS will being done on earth.
4. Also, Chronicles urges us to learn from the failure of God’s people in the past, so that we might not make the same mistakes (1 Cor 10:11, Heb. 4:11).
5. Chronicles is more of theological than a history and prophetical.
KEY THEMES:
1. Israel’s history of unfaithfulness leading to exile (5:25, 26; 9:1),
2. the persistence of the Davidic line after the exile as the bearer of God’s promise to his people (3:17–24),
3. the central role of the Levites and the Aaronic priests in offering worship and making atonement for
Israel (6:1–81).
1 Chronicles 1:1 – 9:44: GENEALOGY
The line of divine election runs from Adam through 10 generations to Noah, then through Shem in 10 generations to Abraham and on to Israel.
The pattern in genealogy: The author highlights this theme by presenting first the secondary lines of descent before dealing with the primary descents that link between Adam and Israel.
1. The descendants of Japheth and Ham (1 Chro. 1:5–16) are listed before the Shemites, leading to Abraham (1:17–27).
2. The descendants of Abraham’s concubines Hagar and Keturah are given (1:29–33) before Isaac (1:34);
3. Esau’s line (1:35–54) before Israel’s sons (2:1).
1 Chronicles 1: Adam to Esau 1 Chron. 1:1–54:
This first genealogy takes the story from Adam, the first human, through Abraham and Isaac; then it focuses on Isaac’s son Esau and the kings who descended from him.
1 Chron. 1:1–4 is From Genesis 5. Israel’s direct ancestral link with Adam Israel is connected to the God of creation; they were part of God’s purpose from creation. The line of Noah marks a fresh start for humanity after the flood. Under the purposeful plan of God, always there is opportunity for fresh start. God will not abandon HIS eternal plan and the plan of salvation, the ultimate restoration.
1 Chron. 1:5–27: From Gen. 10:1–29; 11:10–32. Israel is located within the nations of the world, which are similarly God’s creation and part of his purpose for Israel. The purpose of Israel’s existence is for the nations of the world. The line of election is continued through Abraham, who is also recalled as the recipient of covenantal promises in 1 Chron. 16:16 and 2 Chron. 20:7, Compare Romans 4:13-17.
1 Chron. 1:28–34: The details of Abraham’s descendants are drawn from Gen. 25:1–4, 12–16. The concubine (1 Chron. 1:32) was an auxiliary wife; cf. Gen. 25:6, which speaks of Keturah in this way.
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 considered together here, as both inhabited the neighboring territory of Edom, and the latter would often have conflicting relations with Judah (2 Chron. 20:10; 21:8; 25:5–13; 28:17). And of Timna, Amalek (1 Chron. 1:36) is literally “and Timna and Amalek.” Timna and Amalek are sons of Esau.
1 Chronicles 2: Genealogy continues…
1 Chron. 2:1–2 Sons of Israel: We read about the detailed history of these 12 sons of Israel in Genesis 29-50. The line of divine choice culminates in the sons of Israel, the subject of the following genealogies. But the Chronicler does not consider them in the traditional order of these verses (drawn apparently from Gen. 35:22 – 26).
1 Chron. 2:3–4:23: The Tribe of Judah. The first and most extensive place is given to Judah.
1 Chron. 2:3– 17: Judah to David
2:3 Shelah, the oldest surviving son of Judah
2:4–8 Perez and Zerah, Judah’s sons by Tamar
2:9–17 Hezron, ancestor of David and his line
Jesse’s sons: Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem, and David.
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. 2:3–8 In the Chronicler’s presentation, Judah
is preeminent in Israel as a matter of divine choice, both as “leader” of the other tribes and as the source of
David and his line, who are the bearers of divine promises of good for Israel (see 28:4).