Summaries Book 1 Chronicles

Brief Summary:

The first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are dedicated to lists and genealogies. Further lists and genealogies are scattered throughout the rest of 1 Chronicles. In between, the Book of 1 Chronicles records David’s ascension to the throne and his actions thereafter. The book concludes with David’s son Solomon becoming King of Israel. Briefly outlined, the Book of 1 Chronicles is as follows:

Chapters 1:1-9:23 – Selective Genealogies;

Chapters 9:24-12:40 – David’s ascent;

Chapters 13:1-20:30 -David’s reign.

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The Book of 1 Chronicles Summary

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1 Chronicles 1:43

(Read 1 Chronicles 1:28-54)

The genealogy is from hence confined to the posterity of Abraham. Let us take occasion from reading these lists of names, to think of the multitudes that have gone through this world, have done their parts in it, and then quitted it. As one generation, even of sinful men, passes away, another comes. Ecclesiastes 1:4; Numbers 32:14, and will do so while the earth remains. Short is our passage through time into eternity. May we be distinguished as the Lord’s people.

Paul is under house arrest in Caesarea Maritima. The Sanhedrin charged him with a list of crimes, but he easily refuted them all (Acts 24:1–21). Governor Felix can’t convict him because he’s in nocent, and he can’t make him disappear because Paul’s a Roman citizen, but he won’t release him because if he does the Jewish leadership may cause problems. What he can do is periodically call Paul in to talk in hopes Paul will offer him a bribe (Acts 24:26–27).

Their discussions resemble those of Herod Antipas and John the  Baptist (Mark 6:20). These revolve around Jesus, righteousness,  self-control, and God’s judgment (Acts 24:25). Historians of that  era described Felix as “tyrannical” as well as “cruel, licentious, and  base.” Felix’s wife, Herod Agrippa I’s daughter, had been married  to another man when Felix stole her. The citizens of Caesarea  complain about Felix so much that two years after Paul’s arrest  Nero orders Felix to report to Rome. Only the intervention of Felix’s brother, Pallas, protects him from conviction.  Felix’s desire for a bribe keeps him talking with Paul. Paul’s con victing words keep the conversations short. Felix doesn’t change  his ways, but he and Drusilla can’t be the only ones listening. Al though Paul can’t travel and there’s no indication that he writes to  any of the churches from Caesarea, he has a captive audience and  friends who can visit him regularly. Philip’s family and church are in  Caesarea (Acts 21:8). Paul’s well-being is in the charge of a centu rion (Acts 24:23). Undoubtedly, his extended stay results in many people from Felix’s court becoming Jesus-followers.

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1 Chronicles 1 Bible Commentary – 1 1 Chronicles 1 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 1:43

⁴³ Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

1 Chronicles 2:55

Genealogies.

We are now come to the register of the children of Israel, that distinguished people, who were to dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations. But now, in Christ, all are welcome to his salvation who come to him; all have equal privileges according to their faith in him, their love and devotedness to him. All that is truly valuable consists in the favour, peace, and image of God, and a life spent to his glory, in promoting the welfare of our fellow-creatures.

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1 Chronicles 1 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 2:55

⁵⁵ The families of scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.

1 Chronicles 3:9

Verses 1-9

We had an account of David’s sons, 2 Sa. 3:2, etc., and 5:14, etc. 1. He had many sons; and no doubt wrote as he thought, Ps. 127:5. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of these arrows. 2. Some of them were a grief to him, as Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah; and we do not read of any of them that imitated his piety or devotion except Solomon, and he came far short of it. 3. One of them, which Bath-sheba bore to him, he called Nathan, probably in honour of Nathan the prophet, who reproved him for his sin in that matter and was instrumental to bring him to repentance. It seems he loved him the better for it as long as he lived. It is wisdom to esteem those our best friends that deal faithfully with us. From this son of David our Lord Jesus descended, as appears Lu. 3:31. 4. Here are two Elishamas, and two Eliphelets, v. 6, 8. Probably the two former were dead, and therefore David called two more by their names, which he would not have done if there had been any ill omen in this practice as some fancy. 5. David had many concubines; but their children are not named, as not worthy of the honour (v. 9), the rather because the concubines had dealt treacherously with David in the affair of Absalom. 6. Of all David’s sons Solomon was chosen to succeed him, perhaps not for any personal merits (his wisdom was God’s gift), but so, Father, because it seemed good unto thee.

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1 Chronicles 3 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 3:9

 ⁹ All these were the sons of David, in addition to the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.

1 Chronicles 4:9

Genealogies.

In this chapter we have a further account of Judah, the most numerous and most famous of all the tribes; also an account of Simeon. The most remarkable person in this chapter is Jabez. We are not told upon what account Jabez was more honourable than his brethren; but we find that he was a praying man. The way to be truly great, is to seek to do God’s will, and to pray earnestly. Here is the prayer he made. Jabez prayed to the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer; and, in prayer he regarded him as a God in covenant with his people. He does not express his promise, but leaves it to be understood; he was afraid to promise in his own strength, and resolved to devote himself entirely to God. Lord, if thou wilt bless me and keep me, do what thou wilt with me; I will be at thy command and disposal for ever. As the text reads it, this was the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire, Oh that thou wouldest bless me! Four things Jabez prayed for. 1. That God would bless him indeed. Spiritual blessings are the best blessings: God’s blessings are real things, and produce real effects. 2. That He would enlarge his coast. That God would enlarge our hearts, and so enlarge our portion in himself, and in the heavenly Canaan, ought to be our desire and prayer. 3. That God’s hand might be with him. God’s hand with us, to lead us, protect us, strengthen us, and to work all our works in us and for us, is a hand all-sufficient for us. 4. That he would keep him from evil, the evil of sin, the evil of trouble, all the evil designs of his enemies, that they might not hurt, nor make him a Jabez indeed, a man of sorrow. God granted that which he requested. God is ever ready to hear prayer: his ear is not now heavy.

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1 Chronicles 4 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 4:9

⁹ Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.”

1 Chronicles 5:6

Genealogies.

This chapter gives some account of the two tribes and a half seated on the east side of Jordan. They were made captives by the king of Assyria, because they had forsaken the Lord. Only two things are here recorded concerning these tribes. 1. They all shared in a victory. Happy is that people who live in harmony together, who assist each other against the common enemies of their souls, trusting in the Lord, and calling upon him. 2. They shared in captivity. They would have the best land, not considering that it lay most exposed. The desire of earthly objects draws to a distance from God’s ordinances, and prepares men for destruction.

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1 Chronicles 5 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 5:5-6

⁵ Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, ⁶ and Beerah his son, whom Tilgath Pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive. He was prince of the Reubenites. 

1 Chronicles 6:7

Genealogies.

We have an account of Levi in this chapter. The priests and Levites were more concerned than any other Israelites, to preserve their descent clear, and to be able to prove it; because all the honours and privileges of their office depended upon their descent. Now, the Spirit of God calls ministers to their work, without any limit as to the families they came from; and then, as now, though believers and ministers may be very useful to the church, none but our great High Priest can make atonement for sin, nor can any be accepted but through his atonement.

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1 Chronicles 6 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 6:7

⁷ Meraioth became the father of Amariah. Amariah became the father of Ahitub. 

1 Chronicles 7:8

Genealogies.

Here is no account either of Zebulun or Dan. We can assign no reason why they only should be omitted; but it is the disgrace of the tribe of Dan, that idolatry began in that colony which fixed in Laish, and called it Dan, Revelation 7. Men become abominable when they forsake the worship of the true God, for any creature object.

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1 Chronicles 7 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 7:8

⁸ The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.

1 Chronicles 8:9

1 Chronicles 8 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 8:9

 ⁹ By Hodesh his wife, he became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 

1 Chronicles 9:10

Genealogies.

This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. Work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place, and makes a business of it. God is the God of order. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Revelation 4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.

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1 Chronicles 9 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 9:10

¹⁰ Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin,

1 Chronicles 10:13

The death of Saul.

The design chiefly in view in these books of the Chronicles, appears to be to preserve the records of the house of David. Therefore the writer repeats not the history of Saul’s reign, but only of his death, by which a way was made for David to the throne. And from the ruin of Saul, we may learn, 1. That the sin of sinners will certainly find them out, sooner or later; Saul died for his transgression. 2. That no man’s greatness can exempt him from the judgments of God. 3. Disobedience is a killing thing. Saul died for not keeping the word of the Lord. May be delivered from unbelief, impatience, and despair. By waiting on the Lord we shall obtain a kingdom that cannot be moved.

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1 Chronicles 10 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 10:13

¹³ So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of Yahweh’s word, which he didn’t keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire,

1 Chronicles 11:2

(Read 1 Chronicles 11:1-9)

David was brought to possess the throne of Israel after he had reigned seven years in Hebron, over Judah only. God’s counsels will be fulfilled at last, whatever difficulties lie in the way. The way to be truly great, is to be really useful, to devote all our talents to the Lord.

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1 Chronicles 11 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 11:2

² In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’”

1 Chronicles 12:18

(Read 1 Chronicles 12:1-22)

Here is an account of those who appeared and acted as David’s friends, while he was persecuted. No difficulties or dangers should keep the sinner from coming to the Savior, nor drive the believer from the path of duty. Those who break through, and overcome in these attempts, will find abundant recompence. From the words of Amasai we may learn how to testify our affection and allegiance to the Lord Jesus; his we must be throughly; on his side we must be forward to appear and act. If we are under the influence of the Spirit, we shall desire to have our lot among them, and to declare ourselves on their side; if in faith and love we embrace the cause of Christ, he will receive, employ, and advance us.

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1 Chronicles 12 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

1 Chronicles 12:18

¹⁸ Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, “We are yours, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse. Peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you.” Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

1 Chronicles 13:14

(Read 1 Chronicles 13:6-14)

Let the sin of Uzza warn all to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, in dealing with holy things; and let none think that a good design will justify a bad action. Let the punishment of Uzza teach us not to dare to trifle with God in our approaches to him; yet let us, through Christ, come boldly to the throne of grace. If the gospel be to some a savour of death unto death, as the ark was to Uzza, yet let us receive it in the love of it, and it will be to us a savour of life unto life.

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1 Chronicles 13 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

I Chronicles 13:14

¹⁴ God’s ark remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom’s house and all that he had.

1 Chronicles 14:15

David’s victories.

In this chapter we have an account of, 1. David’s kingdom established. 2. His family built up. 3. His enemies defeated. This is repeated from 2 Samuel 5. Let the fame of David be looked upon as a type and figure of the exalted honour of the Son of David.

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1 Chronicles 14 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)

I Chronicles 14:15

¹⁵ When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”