I Chronicles

1. I Chronicles God’s Sovereign Grace

2. Introduction Author-Attributed to Ezra • Early Jewish tradition (Talmud) • Ezra was a scribe as well as a priest Date-Between 425-400 B.C. Background-Covers the period from Adam to the death of David around 971 B.C. This is remarkable because it covers the same period that the first 10 books of the O.T. cover (Genesis through 2 Samuel)

3. Key Verses & Key Chapter I Chron. 29:11-12 "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.” Chapter 17 is considered pivotal. In it God promises David He will establish him (ultimately Jesus) forever.

4. This Book’s Parallel to Other Books • It is Like Genesis –Both begins with the origin of the human race and end with the promise/hope of return to the land of Israel from exile. • It is Like I & II Samuel and I & II Kings-in the historical account of many of the same kings and leaders. • It is like Deuteronomy-both retell an earlier story already recorded, but with a different context and to a different audience. Chronicles begins with a backward look and ends with a forward look (2 Chron. 36:22-23). Deut. begins with a backward look and ends with a forward look grander than that of Deut.

5. Written after beginning of the captivity Compiled by the prophet Jeremiah Emphasis: Earthly Both Israel and Judah are considered Political and kingly Closes with the beginning of bondage Written after restoration from the captivity Compiled by the priest Ezra Emphasis Heavenly Judah is the main theme, Israel incidental Ecclesiastical and priestly Closes with beginning of restoration Comparison of Kings and Chronicles Kings Chronicles

6. Occasion and Purpose • The emphasis of I Chronicles is on the spiritual heritage of David and the temple. • It is a strong exhortation to motivate God’s people to adhere to the Mosaic covenant and ritual, so that the tragedy of the past would not be repeated. • Like II Chronicles, it’s main purpose is to encourage and exhort those returning to Jerusalem.

7. Should I Chronicles Follow II Chronicles? • II Chronicles 36:22-23-Cyrus issues his edit freeing captive Jews. • I Chron 9:2-34-Those who accept the offer return to the holy land and institute proper worship in Jerusalem.

8. Main Divisions of the Book • Chapter 1-9 The Roots of God’s People (Genealogies)- Begins with Adam and proceeds all the way through the Exile to those who returned to Jerusalem. This record forms a foundation for the account that will follow. These genealogies are selectively compiled to highlight the line of David and the tribe of Levi. • Chapters 10-29 Outlines the Reign of King David-especially 3 significant aspects: 1) The bringing of the ark to Jerusalem 2) His military exploits 3) The preparations for the building of the Temple

9. Personal Application • This book accentuates the sovereign deliverance of God. • It tells the story of how God was true to His word and kept the promises He had made to His people • It also exhorts us to learn from the failures of God’s people in the past, in order that we might not make the same mistakes (I Cor. 10:11 & Heb. 4:11)

10. Section One: Why Genealogies? • Only 2 books of the Bible start with genealogies (I Chronicles and Matthew) • I Chronicles begins with Adam to establish that David is not just a Jew who traces his ancestry to Abraham, but he is also a son of Adam. This also suggest that God’s people were birthed in the Garden of Eden, not at Sinai. • Strict chronology is ignored so that the tribe of Judah and David are highlighted (to achieve the purpose of the book) • In the chronology of David’s sons, Solomon is highlighted.

11. Section2: The Reign of King DavidThe Portrayal of David • There is no reference to the Uriah/Bathsheba incident • No reference to any problems with David’s children • It does include his census taking incident (Chapt. 21) • Also gives an explanation of why David cannot build the temple. (Because of violence-how many people he has killed or had killed). Solomon said in I Kings 5:3 it was because of his preoccupation with war.

12. The Chronicles Account Additions & Subtractions to the Story of David • 10:13-14 The Lord puts Saul to death and turns the kingdom over to David. • 15:1-24 David selects a long list of Levitical families to carry the ark to Jerusalem. • 16:4-43 David appoints priestly personnel to sing and play and carry out certain rituals before the ark. • 22:2-29:30 David organizes religious, military, and civil affairs in his kingdom to prepare for anointing Solomon. There is no mention of the leaders that were killed in the transition of leadership.

13. David Has the Ark Brought to Jerusalem The story is told by alternating back and forth between David’s military victories and his establishment of the priesthood and the worship in Jerusalem with sacrifices and the relocation of the ark. • Chapters 11-12-The capture of Jerusalem • Chapter 13- First attempt to transport the ark • Chapter 14 Military victories • Chapter 15-17 Bringing the ark to Jerusalem and the rejoicing and prayers and praise that went along with that event. • Chapter 18-20 Military victories • Chapter 21-Preparation for the temple

14. What is Highlighted in the Census/Taking Incident (Chapter 21) • He did fall prey to Satan and make a decision that brought divine wrath on his innocent subjects. • He is able to confront his guilt • He acknowledges his wrongdoing and repents • He interceded for God’s judgment to cease against his people • He obeys and does what Yahweh’s angel tells him to do (erecting the altar at the threshing floor of Ornan)

15. David Makes Preparations for the Temple (Chapter 22) • David never stopped longing to build God a house fit for Him. • He accepted God’s refusal and turned his energy and enthusiasm to the things he could do. 1. Selecting the site 2. Amassing the materials 3. Receiving the plans from God and giving them to Solomon

16. Duties of the Levites (Chapter 23-27) • In the past the main job of the Levites had been to care for and transport the tabernacle. They had also served as priests throughout the land. • Now the ark was to have a permanent home and worship was to be centralized at Jerusalem. • David assigns new duties to the priest: -caretaking and maintenance of the temple -appointments of janitors, magistrates, clerks & treasurers, musicians, choir singers and general assistants to the priests. -24 groups of priests were to be in charge of the temple sacrifices for 2 weeks a year • David also gives generously of his own wealth for the temple and appeals for others to do the same with joy-which they do.

17. David and Worship Israel’s ability to worship was greatly developed under David’s leadership: • He introduced new offices to expand the exercise of worship. These were singers and musicians. (I Chron. 15:16-22, 25:1-31) • He introduced a new intimacy before the ark and within the tabernacle that was never allowed before. (See I Chron. 17:16 & 2 Sam. 7:18) • This book reveals how grace flows when a worshipper’s heart comes to know God’s heart.

18. David’s Prayer of Chapter 29 This is one of the greatest prayers of the O.T. It clearly illustrates why David was described as a “man after God’s own heart.” A portion is included below: I Chron 29:10(b)-29:16 "Blessed are You, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. "Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. "Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. "But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. "For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. "O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours.

19. Use of the Word “Chose” (bakhar) in Chronicles • God chose David and the house of Judah to be the ruler (28:4) • The Lord chose the Levites (15:2) to perform the priestly role • God chose Israel as His children (16:13) • Solomon is Chosen (28:6 and 29:1) by God to replace David

20. There is Also An Emphasis on the word “Ma’al” in I Chronicles • I Chron. 2:7 Achan (called Achar here) is guilty of the sin of deliberate unfaithfulness (desecration of what has been devoted to God). • I Chron. 5:25 The eastern family of Manasseh were unfaithful to God and “played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land.” • I Chron. 9:1 “Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their unfaithfulness” • I Chron 10:13 Saul died for his unfaithfulness.

21. Examination of Ma’al Continued • Chronicles begins and ends its historical narrative by its emphasis of unfaithfulness/ma’al as the reason for Judah’s exile. • In using the word to sum up Saul’s life (10:13) the author makes a parallel to God’s disobedient people as a whole. • Israel’s first king and last king are done in by unfaithfulness.

22. The History Behind the Events • The 70 years of captivity roughly paralleled the period of Babylonia’s dominion of the world. • Daniel Chapter 5 tells us about the occasion • The conquest of Babylon was achieved by Darius the commander of the army of Cyrus of media. It basically happened overnight without a fight (Remember Belshazzar’s feast and the writing on the wall) • Cyrus favored the Jews and aided them in their return to their own land. • Those that remained in adopted lands came to be known as the “Dispersion”

23. The Values of the Captivity • They never nationally returned to idolatry again. • The office of scribe emerged which sought to guard and preserve the Scriptures (later corrupted) • Assembly centers called synagogues were instituted to permit Jewish worship and school even while far away from their homeland. • Common isolation and hardship brought closer relationship between the individuals of the nation that returned home. They emerged unified and purified.