It’s Time to Begin! {Intro and Resources for 1 Chronicles 1-10}

Cue the Confetti!  It’s time to begin!!!  I am so excited to begin our Bible study in the Book of 1 Chronicles!

{If you do not have the optional Journal yet – it’s available on Amazon but it will take a few days to ship – so if you want it right now – you can buy the digital version —> here.}

The word “chronicle” means the account of the days. 

1 Chronicles “chronicles” the history of God’s people from the creation of Adam to the birth of David and then describes the reign of David and the hand off of his kingdom to Solomon.

The first 9 chapters are lists of genealogies and the last few chapters also include lists of genealogies.  In between these lists are the story of David taking over the throne from Saul, then preparing the plans, people and materials for the building of Solomon’s Temple.  Then his son Solomon takes over the throne from David and David dies.

In 1 Chronicles, we see God’s faithfulness to his people and to his promises. He is a covenant keeping God. He expects to be obeyed and gives blessings when he is obeyed and brings judgement when he is not.  David was a righteous king who had many failures, but God still used him mightily. 

1 & 2 Chronicles cover a lot of what is already written in 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings.  The main difference is that it is written with a focus on the priestly aspect rather than the prophetic, moral and political aspect.  It also focuses less on David’s moral failures and more on his heart to honor God by building him a temple.  This book was written for those returning from exile with a hope of restoring David’s throne but the hope for David’s throne to be restored would ultimately be fulfilled in Christ.

Overview of 1 Chronicles

The Purpose: 1 Chronicles “chronicles” the history of God’s people from the creation of Adam to the birth of David and then describes the reign of David and the hand off of his kingdom to Solomon.

The Author: Although the author is anonymous, tradition holds that 1 Chronicles was written by Ezra.

Time Period: This book was written around 450-400 BC.

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

The Outline:

1. Genealogies from Adam to David (1-9)
         Adam to Israel (1:1-2:2)
         The Tribes of Israel (2:2-9:1)
         Judah (2:3-4:23)
Simeon (4:24-43)
Reuben (5:1-10)
Gad (5:11-22)
Half-tribe of Manasseh (5:23-5:26)
Levi (6)
Issachar (7:1-5)
Benjamin (7:6-12)
Naphtali (7:13)
Manasseh (7:14-19)
Ephraim (7:20-29)
Asher (7:30-40)
Benjamin (8)
The Genealogy of Saul and the Returned Exiles (9)

2. The anointing of David as King over Israel (10-12)
3. The Ark of the Covenant returns to Jerusalem (13 -17)
4. David’s battle victories (18-20)
5. Census of Israel and Temple Construction (21-27)
6. David’s charge to Israel and Solomon (28)
7. David’s last prayer and the anointing of Solomon (29:1-25)
8. David dies (29:26-30)

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For an even more in-depth Introduction to this week’s reading, watch this video. It is a great explanation of Isaiah!

NOW LET’S GET STARTED!

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This Week’s Bible Reading Plan

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This week’s Reflection & Discussion Questions

(Leaders: Copy and paste these into your groups.  If you do not have a group, use these for a personal time of reflection.)

1 Chronicles 1 & 2

In chapters 1 and 2, we see the list of God’s people from the beginning of history.  God’s name is not mentioned in chapter one, but his fingerprints are everywhere as we see the names of men who were blessed and called out to be used by God.  The first chapter lists the sons of Noah, who were the fathers of all nations after the flood.  Then we see the sons of Abraham and Jacob, through whom we have the twelve tribes of Israel.  Both the good and bad are listed. Some of the bad were greatly blessed but they were not the chosen ones of God’s covenant. Judah’s line becomes a point of focus because he is in the royal lineage of David.

We are about to spend 5 days in a row looking at a long list of genealogies.  To most this is probably boring but let me speak to the significance of the longest list of names you have probably ever read!  These are real people who lived and died. They came into this world with hopes and dreams and suffered pain, sorrow, joy and gladness, just like you and me.  Every name is connected to God’s plan and in the same way – you are connected to God’s greater plan as well.  God has chosen you!  How does seeing this list of names of generations that have gone before you in faith, inspire you to trust God that he has a greater plan for you too?

1 Chronicles 3 & 4

As we read through the long list of names, the writer stops for just a moment and focuses on a man named Jabez, whose name means man of sorrow and pain.  Jabez is seen nowhere else in scripture but he is noted as more honorable than his brothers. Perhaps he was born during a time of pain and sorrow for his mother and she taught him to pray.  Jabez prayed and asked for four things:  blessing, an enlarged territory, that God’s hand would be with him and that he would be kept from harm.  God answered his prayer and that is all we know about him!

Scripture says Jabez was more honorable than his brothers and the honorable act he is known for — is prayer. Jabez was not afraid to pray boldly and ask for both his needs and desires.  The very sorrow he was named for was removed through his prayer. Jabez trusted in God and was blessed through his prayer. For some of us who are always praying for others, it can be hard to ask God for more blessings.  But Jabez was not afraid to go directly to God with his requests.  Look at the four requests Jabez made and write a prayer below over your own life. It does not need to be the same prayer as Jabez.  Make it unique to your own life and what you are facing today.

1 Chronicles 5 & 6

The men of Gad went into battle against an army much larger than their own.  They cried out to God for help and God heard their urgent pleas and gave them victory over their enemies.  They prevailed because they trusted in God. 

Once again, we see God’s people calling out to him in prayer.  In the midst of their battle, God heard their cries for help and answered them by delivering them.  There is power in prayer.  This is a constant theme throughout all of scripture.  God wants his people to cry out to him and he hears their cries for help.  Are you in the midst of your own private battle today?  Go to God in prayer and tell him about it.  Ask him for help and put your trust in him.

1 Chronicles 7 & 8

As we come to the end of the genealogy, there is a focus on the tribe of Benjamin.  This tribe was of special importance because Saul, the first king of Israel, was from this tribe.  Also, the tribe of Benjamin was close to Judah in the days leading up to the Babylonian exile and after.  But the focus will not stay here, instead in chapter 10, we will see the transfer of power from Saul to David and the rest of the book will focus on David.

We see from chapter one that the genealogies read like a funnel.  At first, they include the whole world, then it narrows down to Israel, then further down to Judah, the sons of Levi and finally to David and the Messianic bloodline.  We see both good and bad characters as God’s plan unfolds for the whole world, through his chosen people of Israel.  Some of the men named are given one- or two-line descriptions.  If your name was included in this list, what one- or two-line description would you want written about you?

1 Chronicles 9 & 10

Saul faced divine judgement.  He died because he had been unfaithful to God by not keeping his commandments and seeking God’s guidance.  Saul did not seek God’s guidance because he did not have a genuine relationship with God.  Instead, he consulted with a medium, which was strictly forbidden of God’s people (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).  And so, God turned the kingdom over to a man after his own heart, David the son of Jesse.

It is interesting to note that in the same passage of scripture, we see man’s responsibility alongside God’s sovereignty.  In verse 4 of chapter 10, Saul took his own life when he fell on his own sword.  But in verse 14, it says the Lord put him to death.  Pause right now and consider the implications of not following God’s commands or seeking out his ways and guidance.  It may not lead to physical death for us, but there is emotional pain, suffering and consequences that come as a result of our disobedience.  Is there an area of your life, where you are not following God’s commands or not seeking his guidance?  Let this be a warning.  Do not wait another day to make this area right in your life. Name the area below and seek the Lord’s help now.

To print the 20 Reflection and Discussion Questions for 1 Chronicles –> Click Here.

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This Week’s Verses of the Day:

(Leaders: You can use these images in your groups by using right click and “save as” or screen shoting them.)

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Here’s the Printable Bible Bookmark for 1 Chronicles.

Here’s another explanation of the SOAK Bible Study Method and Bible Coloring Chart if you need more guidance:

Here is the SOAK method I refer to in the video:

And the Bible Coloring  Bookmark:

Click HERE to Print the full page Coloring Chart
or Click HERE for the Bookmark Coloring Chart

Here are the highlighters, pens and pencils I refer to in the video:

Highlighters – Acid Free – Bible Hi-Glider
Fine Line Non-bleeding Pens – Micron Archival Ink and Multi-Colored Gel Pens
Colored Pencils – Crayola Twistables and Crayola Colored Pencils
I use the ESV Inductive Study Bible  as my personal study Bible.

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While the genealogies may seem boring, they are significant.  Every name is connected to God’s greater plan and in the same way – we are connected to God’s greater plan as well.  God knows your name and for those who believe, our names are written forever in the Lamb’s book of Life (Revelation 13:8).

In 1 Chronicles, we will see the same pattern that is seen in other Old Testament books.  It is a pattern of sin, repentance, forgiveness and restoration of the nation of Israel.  This reminds us that God hears our prayers and forgives our sin when we repent.  He wants to be in fellowship with us and he loves us.  We serve a God who is faithful!

So, let’s get started studying His word!  Some of the chapters are quite long, so be sure to leave at least 20+ minutes for your reading each day.  I can’t wait to see how God reveals himself personally to each of us, as we read the book of 1 Chronicles together, chapter by chapter. 

Have a wonderful week in God’s Word – I’ll see you back here on the blog this Friday as we go deeper into God’s Word together!  Don’t forget to join me every weekday morning out on Facebook and Instagram!

Keep walking with the King,

COURTNEY

The 1 Chronicles Journal is still available
 on Amazon!

If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
click HERE.

Do you have a guy in your life who wants to study the book of 1 Chronicles with you?

Here’s a journal for him too!!

(the interior is identical to the Girls Journal)

It’s available now on Amazon HERE.

(for ages 10-110)

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