In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua] was in the beginning with God.

FIRST CHRONICLES

The First Book of Chronicles is the eighth of the twelve books of history. Both the first and second books of Chronicles cover the same period as the book of Second Samuel and the two books of Kings. The difference is that the two books of Chronicles record the spiritual history of Israel’s two nations while the two books of Samuel and the two books of Kings record the political history. The books of Chronicles also focus on the nation of Judah rather than the nation of Israel. The reason for this is that Judah represents the lineage of King David with whom God made the Davidic Covenant. This covenant promised the eternal dynasty of King David, which is recorded in the Second Book of Samuel. Ezra is the author of the Chronicles. He completed the books after the people of Judah returned to Jerusalem from seventy years of captivity by the Babylonians. He was a priest who, as recorded in the book of Ezra, encouraged the people and reminded them of their covenant obligation to obedience and worship.

The First Book of Chronicles records the life of David from his royal lineage to his reign as king. David’s lineage underscores the southern nation of Judah comprising the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin. It is from this lineage that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, would come and fulfill the eternal dynasty promised in the Davidic Covenant. The First Book of Chronicles emphasizes King David’s righteousness and God’s grace and forgiveness. The book finishes with David’s preparation for the building of the temple. God did not allow David to build the temple because he was a man of war and had shed blood. God chose David’s son, Solomon, to construct the temple during an era of peace.

First Chronicles 1-9: The genealogical line of David

First Chronicles 10-20: The rise and victories of King David

First Chronicles 21-27: David’s sinful census; his preparation for the temple

First Chronicles 28-29: The final days of David