In Today's Email:
Welcome to the Book I Chronicles !
The book of I (first) Chronicles is a parallel view of history to that of Samuel and Kings, focusing David’s family of rulers through the Kingdom of Judah. It has a different perspective than the previous accounts. It focuses more on spiritual history than political history.
A few quick facts about I Chronicles:
· Ezra is the traditional, and very likely, author.
· The genealogies cover from Adam to the Jews returning from the Babylonian Captivity. The narrative account covers only the reign of David.
· The key verses are 17:11-2, where God says, “And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.”
· A brief outline:
o Genealogies – Chapters 1-10
o David’s Reign – Chapters 11-29
· Key events:
o The Ark moved to Jerusalem – Chapters 15-16
o The Davidic Covenant – Chapter 17
o David numbers the people – Chapter 21
A quick word regarding the genealogies. These may make for tough reading today, but they are extremely important. The Jews kept meticulous records, and those found here are the foundation for reestablishing their identity after the Babylonian Captivity. It is through these records that Christ could be proven to be a legal heir to David. These also show that while God severely judged the children of Israel, He was still faithful to His promises and did not obliterate them from history. The hope of the Messiah remained strong even in judgment.
I Chronicles 1 Notes
In this chapter we find the foundational genealogies from Adam to Noah to the family of Abraham.
vs. 1-4 - Where else to start but from the very beginning? This first section traces the genealogical line from Adam to Noah.
vs. 5-7 – The descendants of Japheth. This section parallels the Table of Nations from Genesis 10:2-5.
vs. 8-16 - The descendants of Ham. This section parallels the Table of Nations from Genesis 10:6-20.
vs. 17-23 - The descendants of Shem. This section parallels the Table of Nations from Genesis 10:21-31.
vs. 24-27 – The line from Shem to Abraham.
vs. 28-34 – The sons and grandsons of Abrham.
vs. 35-37 – The sons and grandsons of Esau.
vs. 38-42 – The family of Seir. These are included as they are in Genesis 36. The reason for their appearance is that Esau’s family merged with Seir’s and laid the foundation for the rulers of Edom.
vs. 43-54 – The rulers of Edom, as also presented in Genesis 36. The first eight ruled before Esau’s family entered. Beginning with Timnah it appears to be a survey of important clan leaders and not a chronological list of rulers.
I Chronicles 2 Notes
In this chapter are the early family history of the tribe of Judah.
vs. 1-2 – The twelve sons of Jacob/Israel.
vs. 3-9 – The descendants of Judah. Judah is given first place as the royal tribe.
vs. 10-12 – The line from Ram to Jesse. We note the famous figures listed: Nahshon, the prince of Judah in Numbers 1:7, and Boaz from the Book of Ruth.
vs. 13-17 – The family of Jesse. Eight sons are listed when only seven are mentioned in I Samuel 16. Elihu is either much younger than his brothers or had died.
vs. 18-24 – The family of Caleb. This is not the famous Caleb of Numbers 13. This is the son of Hezron mentioned in 2:9, spelled differently as Chelubai.
vs. 25-33 – The family of Jerehmeel, another son of Hezron mentioned in 2:9.
vs. 34-41 – The family of Sheshan from 2:31. He had no son, so his descendants are reckoned through his daughter Ahlai who was married to his Egyptian servant Jarha.
vs. 42-49 – Further descendants of Caleb, likely through his second wife.
vs. 50-55 – This is the family of Caleb the grandson of Caleb. His father Hur is named in 2:19-20. Attached to his family are some of the Kenites, the tribe that Moses’s father-in-law belonged to.
Closing Thoughts
The genealogies of I Chronicles contain the largest collection of Hebrew names in the Scriptures. So many individuals, most of whom we know nothing about other than a name. But it is reassuring to know that as the Spirit led Ezra to pen these words, each name was special to God. He knows the history and personality of each. He sent His only begotten Son to redeem each. While the world and time may forget us, our God never will.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “O Master of the Waking World” by Frank Mason North. It surveys the state of the nations and sees their need for Christ. Such a theme fits well with our overview of the genealogies.
O Master of the waking world,
Who hast the nations in Thy heart,
The heart that bled and broke to send
God’s love to earth’s remotest part:
Show us anew in Calvary
The wondrous power that makes us free.
On every side the walls are down,
The gates swing wide to every land,
The restless tribes and races feel
The pressure of Thy piercèd hand;
Thy way is in the sea and air,
Thy world is open everywhere.
We hear the throb of surging life,
The clank of chains, the curse of greed,
The moan of pain, the futile cries
Of superstition’s cruel creed;
The peoples hunger for Thee, Lord,
The isles are waiting for Thy Word.
Thy witness in the souls of men,
Thy Spirit’s ceaseless, brooding power,
In lands where shadows hide the light,
Await a new creative hour:
O mighty God, set us aflame
To show the glory of Thy name.