Week 25, June 16–22: 1 Chronicles 18–27; Psalms 79–84

• Sun      6/16     1 Chron 8–10 
• Mon     6/17     1 Chron 11–13, Psalm 79
• Tue      6/18     1 Chron 14–16, Psalm 80
• Wed     6/19     1 Chron 17–18, Psalm 81
• Thu      6/20     1 Chron 19–21, Psalm 82
• Fri        6/21     1 Chron 22–24, Psalm 83
• Sat       6/22     1 Chron 25–27, Psalm 84

This week we keep moving along through 1 Chronicles. The section covered in this week’s reading concludes the genealogical intro to the book, which basically retells Israel’s history using lists of names. After going through the genealogies of each of the tribes of Israel, chapter 8 narrows in on the family line of king Saul. This moves us closer to where the narrative will pick up in chapter 10 with the death of Saul, Israel’s first king, and David’s subsequent rise to the throne.

Chapter 9 is a curious but important interruption between chapters 8 and 10. After Saul’s genealogy and before the beginning of the David story in chapter 10, the author lists representatives from the group that would eventually return from exile to begin the project of rebuilding Jerusalem. This list is essentially repeated in Nehemiah (Neh. 11:3–22), which is a book about this return from exile and rebuilding effort. Including the list here in 1 Chronicles helps us as readers to know where things are heading as we read along. Even as we’re about to read things much earlier in history, the author wants us to know that exile is coming. And as we’re also told in advance why it is coming; It is coming “because of their breach of faith” (1 Chron. 9:1).  

These kinds of statements from the author are important to notice. They are purposeful and are meant to guide us in our reading. Knowing that Israel and Judah are heading towards exile shapes the way we read these stories, even when things seem to be going well in the time of David’s reign and the beginning of Solomon’s. Having already read 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings, we already know anyway that the people, led by the kings, become increasingly sinful. Chronicles retells the same history, but the emphasis is on God’s larger purposes and plans that go beyond the history that spans from Saul’s reign to exile. It goes all the way back to Adam and looks forward to the time when the Lord’s promises to David will be fulfilled in the distant future.

Chapter 17 in 1 Chronicles is a pivotal chapter. Like its parallel in 2 Samuel 7, it tells of God’s promise to David that he would build a dynasty from his line and one of his sons would reign on an eternal throne (1 Chron 17:11–14). One of the main differences between Kings and Chronicles is that Chronicles focuses on the kings of the southern kingdom of Judah, whereas Kings went back and forth telling of the kings of both Israel and Judah. Chronicles is more concerned with the succession of kings in David’s line and the movement towards fulfillment of God’s promise to David here in chapter 17.

One of the effects of this emphasis on David’s line is that it paints a more positive picture of David and the Davidic kings. As you read along, look for ways in which the characters are portrayed a little differently than they were in Samuel and Kings. Maybe something is left out, or a piece might be added, or things are stated a bit differently. For example, 1 Chronicles 20 tells the story of Joab and the Israelite’s springtime battle at Rabbah. In 2 Samuel 11, this is when David sins against Bathsheba and Uriah, and ultimately against the Lord, but nothing is said of this sin in Chronicles. Similar differences occur elsewhere throughout 1–2 Chronicles.

Another distinctive trait of Chronicles that you may be noticing is the weight given to the various elements and individuals involved in the religious activity surrounding the tabernacle and later the temple. The officials David set over different aspects of Israel’s formal worship are listed, and we are told many details about how they are organized, from musicians, to priests and Levites, to those who guard the gates. This highlights the care David took to honor God in the administration of worship in Israel, and it contrasts with the carelessness coupled with idolatry we will see as the story continues and the succession of kings after David brings with it a decline in the nation’s devotion to the Lord.

As we read along here in Chronicles, and also continuing in the Psalms, my prayer is that it will stir our hearts to worship. This is not just ancient history we are reading, not just facts to be read for the sake of information. The goal is to know God and to see him more clearly for who he is. As we do, we will see his faithfulness to his covenant promises and we will be moved to worship him for who he is. Along with David we exclaim the greatness and faithfulness of God.

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!

            Tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

            his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

            and he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

            but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

            strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

            ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

            bring an offering and come before him!

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

            Tremble before him, all the earth;

            yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

            and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

            let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy

            before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

            for his steadfast love endures forever! (1 Chronicles 16:23–34)