Category: 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 9

This opening verse should be a warning to all who read. When we allow our hearts to turn from the Word, will, and way of God we are unfaithful to Him. Our unfaithfulness may not lead to physical captivity, but our hearts, minds, and wallets can become captive to the world system we are told to stay away from (1 John).

1 Chronicles 9 (Ezra 2.43, 79, Ezra 8.20, and Nehemiah 7.73)

This opening verse should be a warning to all who read. When we allow our hearts to turn from the Word, will, and way of God we are unfaithful to Him. Our unfaithfulness may not lead to physical captivity, but our hearts, minds, and wallets can become captive to the world system we are told to stay away from (1 John).

As can be seen by the passages listed above, this chapter details those who returned from the Babylonian Exile. The first to return (9.2) are the laymen, priests, Levites, and temple servants. This last group of people is called the Nethinim in the Hebrew text. These people were a group of temple servants (see references above) who helped the Levites with the menial chores in the Temple. The moniker Nethinim means “those who are given.” In the cross-references above, read in context, the Nethinim have Gentile names. This has led many to hold that these were non-Israelites. However, having a non-Israelite serving in the Temple has caused some to disregard that view. The names given could have been given to the foreign-born Israelite merely because they were in a foreign land (think of the four in the book of Daniel whose names were changed).

When this chapter is completed, the legitimacy of the Israelite nation from Creation to the moment of return from Exile is given. This is the nation that belongs in the Promised Land. Be thankful that your genealogy only needs to include Jesus as your Savior for you to inherit and claim legitimacy as one who is possessed by the King of the Promised Land.

The books of the Bible are divided into chapters by men. This is one case where I would have chosen a different point of separation. First Chronicles 9.35 could have been 1 Chronicles 10.1. This is because this portion of the book deals with the material in chapter ten that of King Saul. The closing of 1 Chronicles 9 presents the linage of King Saul (35-44). The ending of this chapter sets the stage for chapters ten and following. However, I do see that it is attached to chapter nine because it is a genealogy.

1 Chronicles 8

1 Chronicles 8 (Genesis 46.21, Numbers 26.38, and 1 Chronicles 7.6; cf. the study on 1 Chronicles 7)

This chapter presents a complete look at the tribe of Benjamin with a closer look at Saul and Jonathan. The purpose is to set the stage for the death of Saul and the reign of David that is presented in the rest of 1 Chronicles. The next chapter presents the reason the people were taken as captives to Babylon, their unfaithfulness to God (9.1).

1 Chronicles 7

This list ends with mighty men of valor. Would your name be placed here or would it be absent as Dan? Why?

1 Chronicles 7 (Genesis 46.13, 17, 21, 24)

Issachar-More research later

Benjamin-This tribe was almost reduced to naught. It grew and is listed here in detail due to the genealogy of King Saul.

Naphtali-This is quite short, probably due to the size of the tribe after returning from the Assyrian captivity. Tiglath-Pileser seems to have targeted this area (2 Kings 15.29).

Manasseh-Note the absence of the term “half-tribe” (1 Chronicles 5.23), implying that this portion of Manasseh was placed in higher regard than the portion east of the Jordan River. Zolophehad’s daughters required a change in the inheritance laws under Moses (Numbers 27.1-11 and Numbers 36.1-12).

Ephraim-This genealogy is detailed to display the heritage of Joshua. Sheerah is the only mention of a woman in the Bible who built cities.

Asher-More research later

The two tribes, Zebulun and Dan, are omitted from these genealogies. For Dan’s omission, a conjecture would be that his tribe began the idolatry of the nation with the calves set-up by Jeroboam. He is also not listed in Revelation 7.5-8. As for Zebulun, more research is needed.

This list ends with mighty men of valor. Would your name be placed here or would it be absent as Dan? Why?

1 Chronicles 6

So far we have looked at five chapters of genealogies. Chapter 1 presents Adam to Abraham, chapter 2 gives the selective genealogy from Jacob to David, chapter 3 shows the genealogy from David into the captivity. After this, each tribe is presented with portions of their genealogies. Chapter 4 presents Judah and Simeon, chapter 5 we looked at Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, and chapter 6, our current study, presents the tribe of Levi.

1 Chronicles 6 (cf. Genesis 46.11 and Joshua 21)

So far we have looked at five chapters of genealogies.  Chapter 1 presents Adam to Abraham, chapter 2 gives the selective genealogy from Jacob to David, chapter 3 shows the genealogy from David into the captivity. After this, each tribe is presented with portions of their genealogies. Chapter 4 presents Judah and Simeon, chapter 5 we looked at Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, and chapter 6, our current study, presents the tribe of Levi.

This genealogy and chapter can be divided as:

  • The High Priestly Line-6.1–15

These verses present the priests of the tribe. This listing of chief or high priests starts at Levi and ends with Jehozadak who is led captive into Babylon. He becomes the father of Joshua (Haggai 1.1), the High Priest of Zechariah 3.

  • The Levitical Line-6.16–30

One name should stand out for those who follow these posts and that is Kohath. He is the ancestor of the Korahites.

  • The Musicians’ Guild-6.31–48

David had appointed some 4,000 singers and musicians during his reign.

  • The Generations of Aaron-6.49–53
  • Cities of the Priests and Levites-6.54–81

Remember the Levites did not receive an inheritance among the nations of land. They did, however, receive cities and offerings. There were cities throughout Israel given to the Levites some of which were Cities of Refuge  (Wilkinson, B., & Boa, K., 1983). 

Cities of Refuge

Six cities of refuge were designed throughout Israel in Old Testament times to provide a haven for people who killed other persons by accident. Protection like this was necessary because of the “avenger of blood,” the relative who considered it his duty to slay the killer. Eligibility for refuge was determined by a judge. For convenience, three of the cities were located on either side of the Jordan River.

  • Bezer: Located in the wilderness plateau of Moab, Bezer was a walled city within the territory of Reuben (Deut. 4:43).
  • Golan: Located in the area known as Bashan, Golan was 17 miles east of the Sea of Galilee. This general area today is often called the Golan Heights (Deut. 4:43).
  • Hebron: The southernmost of the six cities, Hebron was 20 miles south of Jerusalem. It was also known as Kirjath Arba (Josh. 20:7).
  • Kedesh: Also known as Kedesh Naphtali, this city was located in Galilee in the mountains of Naphtali (Josh. 20:7).
  • Ramoth: Also known as Ramoth Gilead, Ramoth was an important walled city in the territory of Gad. It was located about 25 miles east of the Jordan River near the border of Syria (Deut. 4:43).
  • Shechem: Located in the mountains of Ephraim, this is the city where the Lord appeared to Abraham with the promise, “To your descendants I will give this land” (Gen. 12:6, 7).  (Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996).

This needs more research and it will be done at a later time.

1 Chronicles 5

We need to remember that the battle is the Lord’s battle, not ours. We are to be prepared for war (Ephesians 6.10-17), we are to be actively involved in faith (1 John 4.4 and 5.4), but the victory is always His (cf. verse 22).

1 Chronicles 5 (Genesis 46.8-9)

This chapter is a continuation of the genealogies from chapters one, two, three, and four (read these short accounts to gain a perspective on these lists). This list contains the descendants of Reuben (1-10), Gad (11-22), and the half-tribe of Manasseh (23-26). Joshua 13 informs us that these were the tribes who settled on the eastern shore of the Jordan River.

Although Reuben was the firstborn, he sinned against his father Jacob (Israel) by sleeping with Jacob’s concubine (Genesis 35.22 and 49.3-4). This was tantamount to desiring to take Jacob’s place. This will be shown in the study in 2 Samuel 1. Since Joseph was the firstborn of the wife Jacob loved (Rachel), he was given the place of firstborn. Verse ten reminds us that God did take care of the descendants of Hagar as God promised to do (Genesis 25.12-18). See verses 18-22 in this chapter for a reference to the Hagarites.

We need to remember that the battle is the Lord’s battle, not ours. We are to be prepared for war (Ephesians 6.10-17), we are to be actively involved in faith (1 John 4.4 and 5.4), but the victory is always His (cf. verse 22).

Because of Manasseh’s exposure to and allowance of the idolatry of the nations that surrounded them, they gave into idolatry. Because of this, God judged them through the nation of Assyria and they were carried away into captivity by Tiglath-Pileser (745-727). The Assyrian Captivity will be developed in a later post (2 Kings 15.29).

This needs more research and it will be done at a later time.

1 Chronicles 4

This is a continuation of the genealogies from chapters one, two, and three (read these short accounts to gain a perspective on these lists). This list contains the descendants of Judah (1-23) and the descendants of Simeon (24-43).

1 Chronicles 4

This is a continuation of the genealogies from chapters one, two, and three (read these short accounts to gain a perspective on these lists). This list contains the descendants of Judah (1-23) and the descendants of Simeon (24-43).

This list contains one name with narrative, Jabez (whose name means Sorrow). Bruce Wilkinson wrote a short treatise on prayer from these verses (9-10). Dr. William E. Arp wrote “The Prayer of Jabez: The Bible and the Book” as an analysis of the book.

The list also contains a reference to the mixing of blood between Egyptians and Israelites (17). Genesis reminds us that this was sin (Genesis 35.22 and 49.3-4).

The tribe of Simeon was so small that it was enveloped by Judah’s territory.

This needs more research and it will be done at a later time. Need to place a map of the twelve tribes.

1 Chronicles 3

This chapter is the genealogy of David (1-9) through Solomon (10-24). It can also be looked at as a list of the kings from David’s family before the exile (1-16) and after the exile (17-24). This short list suggests that the Chronicles were written shortly after the exiles returned from Babylon.

1 Chronicles 3 (Matthew 1.6-12)

This chapter is the genealogy of David (1-9) through Solomon (10-24). It can also be looked at as a list of the kings from David’s family before the exile (1-16) and after the exile (17-24). This short list suggests that the Chronicles were written shortly after the exiles returned from Babylon.

As with 1 Chronicles 1 and 1 Chronicles 2, we find this to be a normal list of people who set the stage for the greater people in the list. We might not be the great people of history, but without us the great people of history would not be the great people of history. However God has placed you in this world (Acts 17.26), rejoice in it for it is to fulfill His purpose and is for His glory.

One of the oddities of this chapter is the last name, Anani. He was considered to be the coming Messiah according to the Targum. Another oddity, which displays God’s creativity, is Jeconiah. His line is cursed and Jeremiah 22.24-30 prophesies that no man from him will reign. Yet, Jesus is from the house of David. How does God work this out? Updates will come.

This needs more research and it will be done at a later time.

1 Chronicles 2

1 Chronicles 2 (cf. Selected passages from Genesis, Ruth 4.18-22; with the New Testament usage in Matthew 1.2-6 and Luke 3.31-33)

This chapter lists the lineage of those who would belong to the nation of Israel (verse one). It also shows David as rightfully being through Judah (verses one and three with fifteen). This chapter as with 1 Chronicles 1, contains a list of people that we know nothing about. But, without which, we would not have the people we know all about. Each life is important and necessary for God to accomplish His plan. We may not be Billy Graham or Paul, but we can be the people who lead them to the Lord or who pave the way for God’s work in others who lead them to the Lord. We are all important in God’s plan.

1 Chronicles 1

Most people discount genealogies. Second Timothy 3.16-17 informs us that all Scripture, genealogies included, are inspired by God and profitable for helping us live our lives by faith. Which means passages like this are useful for teaching us and increasing our faith too.

1 Chronicles 1 (cf. various passages from Genesis and the New Testament usage in Luke 3.34-38).

Most people discount genealogies. Second Timothy 3.16-17 informs us that all Scripture, genealogies included, are inspired by God and profitable for helping us live our lives by faith. Which means passages like this are useful for teaching us and increasing our faith too.

The first section begins with Adam and ends with Abraham. Looking at the time-line from Genesis 5 we see the span of time from Adam to Noah was close to nineteen hundred years. From Noah to Abraham about another two-thousand years. This first twenty-seven verses of chapter one cover close to four-thousand years.

Verse four contains Shem who is mentioned in verse twenty-four. The people in-between are historical, Shem is central for he links Adam with Abraham. Abraham’s son Israel is mentioned in verse twenty-eight and again in chapter two verse one. The people in-between are historical, and Israel links Abraham with David.

However we read this chapter and the following eight, we need to realize the pain that Ezra, the author of this post-exilic book, went through to trace the lineage in Genesis and other books to link Adam with Abraham and Abraham with David. From David we can link Christ as Luke shows us.

This needs more research and it will be done at a later time. Check the links above.