1 Chronicles

Israel’s history retold for people returning from exile. It opens with long family records reaching back to Adam, then focuses on David, his preparations for the temple, and God’s promise to his family.

Author

Unknown, traditionally Ezra

Written

After the exile, about 450 to 400 BC

Chapters

1. 11 Chronicles 1Family records from Adam to Abraham, and the descendants of Ishmael, Isaac and Esau.
2. 21 Chronicles 2The family records of Israel’s sons, focusing on Judah and the line leading to David.
3. 31 Chronicles 3David’s descendants, the royal line through the exile and beyond.
4. 41 Chronicles 4The clans of Judah, including Jabez, who prayed and God granted his request, and the clans of Simeon.
5. 51 Chronicles 5The tribes east of the Jordan, who cried out to God in battle and were helped, but later were unfaithful and exiled.
6. 61 Chronicles 6The family records of Levi, the singers appointed by David, and the Levites’ towns.
7. 71 Chronicles 7The families of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim and Asher.
8. 81 Chronicles 8The family records of Benjamin, including Saul’s family.
9. 91 Chronicles 9Those who returned to Jerusalem after the exile, and the gatekeepers and temple workers.
10. 101 Chronicles 10Saul dies in battle because he was unfaithful to the Lord, and the kingdom passes to David.
11. 111 Chronicles 11David becomes king over all Israel and captures Jerusalem. A list of his mighty men.
12. 121 Chronicles 12Warriors from every tribe join David, united in heart to make him king.
13. 131 Chronicles 13David tries to bring the ark to Jerusalem, and Uzzah dies touching it.
14. 141 Chronicles 14David’s palace, his family, and his victories over the Philistines.
15. 151 Chronicles 15The Levites carry the ark to Jerusalem properly, with music and joy.
16. 161 Chronicles 16David appoints Levites to lead worship and sings a psalm of thanks: “His love endures forever.”
17. 171 Chronicles 17God promises David an everlasting dynasty, and David responds with a humble prayer.
18. 181 Chronicles 18David’s military victories and his officials.
19. 191 Chronicles 19David’s envoys are humiliated by the Ammonites, and Israel defeats them and the Arameans.
20. 201 Chronicles 20The capture of Rabbah and the defeat of the Philistine giants.
21. 211 Chronicles 21David’s census brings a plague. He buys Ornan’s threshing floor, which becomes the site of the temple.
22. 221 Chronicles 22David prepares materials for the temple and charges Solomon to build it.
23. 231 Chronicles 23David organises the Levites for the service of the temple.
24. 241 Chronicles 24The divisions of the priests.
25. 251 Chronicles 25The musicians who prophesy with harps, lyres and cymbals.
26. 261 Chronicles 26The gatekeepers, treasurers and other officials.
27. 271 Chronicles 27The army divisions and the leaders of the tribes.
28. 281 Chronicles 28David publicly charges Solomon to serve God with a whole heart and gives him the plans for the temple.
29. 291 Chronicles 29The people give generously for the temple. David prays, “Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” David dies.