1 Chronicles — Introduction & Outline

Hebrew tradition assumes Ezra the priest to be author of the Chronicles. There is evidence which could support this, such as the style, purpose, and priestly viewpoint comparable to the book of Ezra. Also, the last words of 2 Chronicles (36:22-23) are taken up as the first words of Ezra (1:1-3) suggesting a continuation by the same author. The time of writing, obviously after the return of exiles to Jerusalem, favors Ezra as well. If the "chronicler" was not Ezra, than surely he was a contemporary. The uniform style and viewpoint suggest a single author who used many available documents to compile Chronicles (1 Chr. 9:1; 27:24; 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29; 12:15; 13:22; 16:11; 20:34; 25:26; 26:22; 27:7; 28:26; 32:32; 33:18; 35:27; 36:8).

The books were written after the return from exile in Babylon in 444 B.C. The last person named is Anani (1 Chr. 3:24) who is eight generations from Jehoiachin who was taken captive in 598 B.C. Allowing for generations of at least 25 years, the date can hardly be earlier than 400 B.C. If it had been much later, certainly David's later descendants would have been listed since that is an emphasis in Chronicles.

Through its genealogies (1 Chr. 1-9:44) Chronicles reaches from Adam to Anani (c. 400 B.C.). The actual history recorded covers the same period and shares the historical background of the book of Kings. The setting for its writing was post-exilic. The exiles taken to Babylon had already returned to Jerusalem in three major movements: one under Zerubbabel (538-515 B.C.); one under Ezra (457 B.C.); and the last under Nehemiah (444 B.C.). The land of Israel has been in the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24) since Babylonian domination about 606 B.C. and is now under the domination of Persia. Nehemiah was a recent influential political leader (444-432 B.C.) who brought reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls and organization of the people.

Religiously, the captivity had cured Israel of her idolatry. Temple worship was restored after the repairs by the returning remnant, but the temple lacked the glory of that of Solomon's day (Hag. 2:3). The restored nation suffered disillusionment and stagnation in their religion due to the absence of a Davidic monarch and the unrealized hope of the Davidic Messiah. They needed to be reminded of God's covenant program for His people and be encouraged to continue to honor the terms of the Mosaic covenant through obedience and proper worship.

Chronicles is no mere history, but a selective sacred history of the Davidic dynasty and Judah. From Adam, it traces God's selection of His special people and focuses on the person of David as Israel's king and priestly leader (1 Chr. 15:25-28; 16:2; cf. 2 Sam. 6:12-15) in anticipation of the fulfillment of God's covenant in the Davidic Messiah. Chronicles shows God's sovereign election and His preservation of His people in faithfulness to His covenant. It was written to encourage post-exilic Judah to faithfulness and obedience by showing that though the throne of David was gone, his lineage remains. As such, it concluded the Hebrew canon with hope for a Davidic Messiah.

The book of 1 Chronicles consists of two main sections. The first is composed of lengthy genealogy which take the reader to the record of David's reign, the second main section.

The genealogy (1:1-9:44) are given for the purpose of distinguishing the line of David and the priestly lines, both important to Judah's obedience, worship, and hope of the Davidic Messiah. The genealogies of the patriarchs (1:1-2:2) begin with Adam and trace the line of God's chosen people through Abraham to Jacob. The focus is then narrowed to Judah (2:3-55) and David (3:1-24) as those through whom God has chosen to work. All twelve tribes are then included (4:1-7:40) with a notable emphasis on the priestly line of Levi (6:1-81). The tribe of Benjamin is elaborated in more detail (8:1-40) to bring the focus on Saul and the beginning of the monarchy. Also, the priestly genealogies and organization of the remnant is given to establish proper worship in the restored nation (9:1-34). Finally, the genealogy of Saul is briefly noted and serves as an introduction to David's reign (9:35-44).

The reign of King David occupies the rest of 1 Chronicles (10:1-29:30). He rises to power at the death of Saul (10:1-12:40) and the narrative relates in brief manner his anointing (11:1-3) and conquest of Jerusalem (11:4-9). The "mighty men" of David are recorded (11:10- 12:40) most probably because of their loyalty to David in his rise to power as king (11:10; 12:1,18,22,38).

The actual account of David's reign (13:1-27:34) focuses on his successes and glory. The sin with Bathsheba and Uriah and the consequent trouble are omitted because they do not serve the author's purpose of encouraging Judah. A large focus of this section is David's centralization of religion through his establishment in Jerusalem (13:1-17:27), an act credited to God (14:2). There David prospers as he lives in obedience to God (14:1-17). The account of the transport of the ark to Jerusalem is a religious climax (15:1-16:43). The details of transportation and worship add to the glory of the joyous occasion. The celebration of the placement of the ark in Jerusalem (16:1-43) includes offerings by the priestly king (16:2) and David's psalm of thanksgiving (16:7-36) which reminds the nation of God's covenant faithfulness (16:14-22) and looks with anticipation to His future salvation (16:31-36). This is also the occasion of God's revelation of the Davidic covenant (17:1-27) which promises David an eternal throne. This specific promise forms the foundation for Judah's hope and is the theme traced by the rest of Chronicles.

Another aspect of the glory of David's reign is his military success (18:1-20:8). His early victories secure or expand the borders of the nation (18:1-13) and the later victories (19:1- 20:8) depict his military prowess as God's blessing (19:13). A major failure of David's follows his record of success: the sinful census of Israel (21:1-30). However, the account of this tragedy presents David as repentant (21:8,13,17) and highly reverent (21:13,24,26,28-30).

Another religious climax of David's reign is his organization for building the temple (22:1-27:34). The detail of preparation and organization emphasizes that the worship of YHWH is a central focus in Israel under David and reflects the chronicler's purpose for this sacred history. In his plans for the temple (22:1-19) David is careful to remind Solomon and Israel's leaders that the temple is a visible symbol of the covenant God made with David (22:8-11) and that to enjoy the temporal blessings of God they must be faithful to the Mosaic covenant (22:12- 13). The following section elaborates the organization of the Levitical ministers (23:1-26:32) and the civil leaders (27:1-34). The attention to minute detail might serve to encourage the post- exilic readers to diligence in their restored temple worship.

The final section of the book records David's last days as king (28:1-29:30). Once more he exhorts the leaders of Israel to obey the Mosaic laws that they might enjoy the blessings of the covenant (28:1-10). A keynote of his address is the sovereignty of God in choosing Judah, David, and Solomon as mediators of His promise of an eternal kingdom (28:4-6,10). The final provisions for the temple in plans and offerings (28:11-29:9) display the unity and devotion of the king and Israel's people and anticipate the temple's climactic construction. David's final prayer of thanksgiving recognizes the sovereignty of God over His people and the transmission of the Abrahamic covenant through Solomon (29:10-19). The book ends with the accession of Solomon as king (29:20-25 and the death of David (29:26-30).

This is not a true conclusion because 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book. However, the passing of the Davidic era in all its righteousness and glory sets the standard by which the subsequent kings will be evaluated and is thus a major transition.

1. The Genealogies of the Line of David 1:1-9:44

   1. The genealogies of the patriarchs 1:1-2:2

      1. The genealogy from Adam to Abraham 1:1-27

         1. The genealogy from Adam to Noah 1:1-4
         2. The genealogy from Noah to Abraham 1:5-27
         1. The sons of Japheth 1:5-7
         2. The sons of Ham 1:8-16
         3. The sons of Shem 1:17-27
      2. The genealogy from Abraham to Jacob 1:28-2:2

         1. The genealogy from Abraham to Isaac 1:28-34
         2. The genealogy from Isaac to Jacob 1:35-54
         1. The sons of Esau 1:35-42
         2. The kings of Edom 1:43-54
         3. The genealogy of the sons of Jacob 2:1-2
   2. The genealogies of Judah 2:3-55

      1. The genealogy of Judah 2:3-8
      2. The genealogy of Hezron 2:9-24
      3. The genealogy of Jerahmeel 2:25-41
      4. The genealogy of Caleb 2:42-55
   3. The genealogies of David 3:1-24

      1. The genealogy of David's sons 3:1-9
      2. The genealogy of Solomon 3:10-16
      3. The genealogy of Jeconiah 3:17-24
   4. The genealogies of the twelve tribes 4:1-7:40

      1. The genealogies of the southern tribes 4:1-43

         1. The genealogy of Judah 4:1-23
         2. The genealogy of Simeon 4:24-43
      2. The genealogies of the Transjordan tribes 5:1-26

         1. The genealogy of Reuben 5:1-10
         2. The genealogy of Gad 5:11-22
         3. The genealogy of Manasseh (east) 5:23-26
      3. The genealogy of Levi 6:1-81

         1. The high priestly line 6:1-15
         2. The Levitical line 6:16-30
         3. The musicians 6:31-48
         4. The Aaronic priests 6:49-53
         5. The cities of the Levites 6:54-81
      4. The genealogies of the northern tribes 7:1-40

         1. The genealogy of Issachar 7:1-5
         2. The genealogy of Benjamin 7:6-12
         3. The genealogy of Napthali 7:13
         4. The genealogy of Manasseh (west) 7:14-19
         5. The genealogy of Ephraim 7:20-29
         6. The genealogy of Asher 7:30-40
   5. The genealogies of Benjamin 8:1-40

      1. The genealogy of Benjamin 8:1-5
      2. The genealogy of Ehud 8:6-28
      3. The genealogy of Saul 8:29-40
   6. The genealogies of the remnant in Jerusalem 9:1-34

      1. The genealogy of the tribes who returned 9:1-9
      2. The genealogy of the priests who returned 9:10-13
      3. The genealogy of the Levites who returned 9:14-34
   7. The genealogy of Saul 9:35-44
2. The Reign of King David 10:1-29:30

   1. David's rise to power 10:1-12:40

      1. The death of Saul 10:1-14
      2. The anointing of David as king 11:1-3
      3. The conquest of Jerusalem 11:4-9
      4. The mighty men of David 11:10-12:40

         1. The chief mighty men of David 11:10-47
         2. The mighty warriors at Ziklag 12:1-22
         3. The mighty warriors at Hebron 12:23-40
   2. David's reign as king 13:1-27:34

      1. His establishment in Jerusalem 13:1-17:27

         1. The ark moved from Kirjath Jearim 13:1-14
         2. The early prosperity in Jerusalem 14:1-17

            1. The establishment of David's house and family 14:1-7
            2. The victory over the Philistines 14:8-17
         3. The ark brought to Jerusalem 15:1-16:43

            1. The transportation of the ark 15:1-29
            1. The preparation for the move 15:1-24
            2. The joy during the move 15:25-29
            2. The celebration over the ark 16:1-43
            1. The placement in the tabernacle 16:1-6
            2. David's psalm of thanksgiving 16:7-36
            3. The maintenance of regular ministry 16:37-43
         4. The institution of the Davidic covenant 17:1-27

            1. God's covenant with David 17:1-15
            2. David's prayer of praise 17:16-27
      2. His military victories 18:1-20:8

         1. David's early victories 18:1-13
         2. David's administration 18:14-17
         3. David's latter victories 19:1-20:8

            1. Victory over the Ammonites 19:1-20:3
            1. The Ammonites and Syrians defeated 19:1-19
            2. Rabbah conquered by Joab 20:1-3
            2. Victory over the Philistine giants 20:4-8
      3. His sinful census 21:1-30

         1. The numbering of the people of Israel 21:1-8
         2. The judgment of God 21:9-17
         3. The deliverance from further judgment 21:18-30
      4. His organization for building the temple 22:1-27:34

         1. The plans to build the temple 22:1-19

            1. The preparation of the materials 22:1-5
            2. The charge to the leaders 22:6-19
            1. The charge to Solomon 22:6-16
            2. The charge to Israel's leaders 22:17-19
         2. The organization of the Levitical ministers 23:1-26:32

            1. Organization of the Levitical houses 23:1-32
            1. The numbering of the Levites 23:1-6
            2. The division of the Levites 23:7-23
            3. The duty of the Levites 23:24-32
            2. Organization of the priests 24:1-19
            3. Organization of other Levites 24:20-31
            4. Organization of the musicians 25:1-31
            1. The division of the musicians 25:1-8
            2. The allotment of the musicians 25:9-31
            5. Organization of the gatekeepers 26:1-19
            6. Organization of the treasury officials 26:20-28
            7. Organization of the magistrates 26:29-32
         3. The organization of the civil leaders 27:1-34

            1. The twelve military captains 27:1-15
            2. The leaders of the twelve tribes 27:16-24
            3. The royal officers of David 27:25-34
   3. David's last days 28:1-29:30

      1. David's final exhortations 28:1-10
      1. His charge to Israel 28:1-8
      2. His charge to Solomon 28:9-10
      2. David's final provisions for the temple 28:11-29:9
      1. The commitment of the plans to Solomon 28:11-21
      2. The collection of the offering for the temple 29:1-9
      3. David's final prayer of thanksgiving 29:10-19
      4. Solomon's accession as king 29:20-25
      5. David's death 29:26-30