Why does the book of 1 Chronicles not follow a strict chronological order? The book will follow a chronological order for a few chapters and then details from the future are given and then the story is relayed in chronological order again. The death of Saul was told in 1 Chronicles chapter 10 but in chapter 11 and 12 we go backwards in the timeline to before Saul’s death story to see the men of arms at David’s side. And by the end of chapter 12 we are again at a point after Saul’s death with celebration of David’s kingship. What is the point to all of this jumping around in time? Does the book of 1 Chronicles focus more on the key people and the critical events that occurred in their lives? Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - 1 Chronicles
Genealogy in untimely way gives a perfect picture: 1 Chronicles 11 and 12
After your death how will people remember you: 1 Chronicles 9 and 10
The detailed genealogies that are found in the first eight chapters of 1 Chronicles have come to completion and in 1 Chronicles 9 we are given a preview to the post exilic return of people of Israel from Babylon to Jerusalem. There are only scarce details given about the return from exile but the books of Ezra and Nehemiah will give greater details about the return to Jerusalem. Why are the names of the people who returned from exile given at this point in 1 Chronicles? Why are the names and lineage of the people returning from exile important?
In 1 Chronicles 10 the death of King Saul during the battle with the Philistines and the faithfulness of Jabesh-gilead is retold. What does it mean when the most noted detail of your life is your death and unfaithfulness to God? The reminder of Saul’s life and death makes me thankful for Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for me. Because of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross I will not die for my transgressions. We are so easily drawn away from God and it will only be by His grace alone that we can live and have hope.
Many names and many questions: 1 Chronicles 7 and 8
I’ll be completely honest that many questions are brought to my mind today as I read 1 Chronicles 7 and 8 with few answers. There is a distinct change in the way the genealogy is presented in chapter 7. The previous 6 chapters detailed at most the genealogy of two tribes of Israel at a time but in we are given details of six different tribes. Why is there such a change to the way the text is written? Were the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher not as important or as large as the others? Why are just the descendants listed for some of the tribes while others have detailed ordered genealogies? Why is only one verse given about the sons of Naphtali? Are the people that are detailed in 1 Chronicles the people of renown that had influence or an impact upon the history of Israel? The book of 1 Chronicles almost seems to be similar to the book of Deuteronomy where all that happened in the previous books was retold for the people.
Lineage of Ruben and Levi: 1 Chronicles 5 and 6
The detailed genealogy of the sons of Israel continues in 1 Chronicles chapters 5 and 6 with the lineage of Ruben and Levi. It is amazing to see the connectedness of all the people from the Bible stories. I’ll be honest that I have dreaded reading through the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles because I knew from my previous times glancing through them that they are filled with so many names that didn’t have a connection with. Thankfully I was wrong about how impacting these book of the Bible are.
Ruben’s sinfulness by sleeping with one of Israel’s concubines happened in Genesis and see how that act of sinfulness had effects a many generations after Ruben. What acts do we choose to commit today that will have lasting effects for good or bad for generations? Continue Reading…
God’s promise to Abraham and a prayer prayed: 1 Chronicles 3 and 4
When you read through 1 Chronicles chapters 3 and 4 you will again find a detailed genealogy. Chapter 3 is devoted to the descendants of David while chapter 4 starts the listing of the genealogies of the tribes of Israel with the descendants of Judah and Simeon. Do you appreciate all the names that are given? Do you care about the names of the people? As I read through all of these names I am amazed at God’s faithfulness. Abraham was given a promise that from his seed he would have descendants numberless as the sand on the seashore. This genealogy is proof again that God will complete the promises he makes to us. Take hope knowing that God never casually gives a promise to us. Continue Reading…
Knowledge of who you are is found in your past: 1 Chronicles 1 and 2
Why are all of these names given in 1 Chronicles 1 and 2? What is the point? It seems redundant to repeat these names that are all given throughout the first twelve books of the Old testament. Does difficulty in understanding the importance of the genealogy come from your own perspective? Many of us live in urbanized cities where we go about our daily activities as anonymously as we can taking refuge in our secluded homes. We do not have the understanding of a culture where genealogy is critically valued.
You can make the argument that the genealogies are given to trace the lineage of Jesus Christ but what other reason would compel the Israelites to want such a detailed genealogy? Continue Reading…
