THE FIRST BOOK OF CHRONICLES or (THE FIRST BOOK OF PARALIPOMENON)

These two books are called by the Greek interpreter "Paralipomenon", i.e. of things left out, or omitted, because they are a kind of supplement of things left out in the Book of Kings. The Hebrews call them DIBRE HAIJAMIN: "The words of the days" or "Chronicles." They contain a summary of sacred history from Adam to the Babylonian Exile in 586 B.C. The books were intended for those who returned after the exile to rebuild Jerusalem. They needed to be linked to the past. And if history was not to repeat itself, they needed, most of all, to be reminded of the greatest lesson their history had to teach: that prosperity and well-being depend absolutely on faithfulness to God. Idolatry and neglect of God’s law always has, and always will, result in judgement and disaster.

FAMILY TREE OF ISRAEL. ADAM TO EXILE AND AFTER.

1. Genealogy from Adam to Israel and his family. 1 Chronicles 1:1-54 & 2:1-2 .
2. Genealogy of Judah and the House of David. 1 Chronicles 2:3-55 & 3:1-24.
3. Decendents of the tribes of Israel. 1 Chronicles 4; 5; 6; & 7.
4. The Genealogy of Saul the Benjamite. 1 Chronicles 8:1-40.
5. Those who returned from exile to live in Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 9:1-34.
6. Saul’s family tree. 1 Chronicles 9:35-44.

THE REIGN OF DAVID.

1. The death of Saul. 1 Chronicles 10:1-14.
2. David made king. 1 Chronicles 11:1-47 & 12:1-40.
3. The first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. (In line with his purpose of outlining the religious story the Chronicle writer assigns this event first place in the record of David’s reign. In actual fact it came later.) 1 Chronicles 13:1-14. 4. David’s family. 1 Chronicles 14:1-7.
5. David defeats the Philistines. 1 Chronicles 14:8-17.
6. The Levites bring the Ark. 1 Chronicles 15:1-29 & 16:1-6.
7. A call to praise; regular offerings reinstituted. 1 Chronicles 16:7-43.
8. David’s request to build the temple. God promises a son to David. 1 Chronicles 17:1-27.B.C.
9. David’s victories. Expansion of the kingdom. 1 Chronicles 18:1-17.
10 . Wars with the Ammonites, Syrians and Philistines. 1 Chronicles 19:1-19 & 20:1-8.
11. Census. David’s vanity. The plague. Purchase of the temple site. 1 Chronicles 21:1-30.

END OF DAVADIC KINGDOM.

1. Preparations for the temple. 1 Chronicles 22:1-19.
2. The duties of the Levites. 1 Chronicles 23:1-32.
3. Divisions of priests. 1 Chronicles 24:1-31.
4. The Singers and Musicians. 1 Chronicles 25:1-31.
5. Porters of the temple. 1 Chronicles 26:1-19.
6. Temple treasurers, clerks and magistrates. 1 Chronicles 26:20-32.
7. Army commanders, tribal leaders, overseers and counsellors. 1 Chronicles 27:1-34.
8. Plans for the Temple & General rules for the kingdom. 1 Chronicles 28:1-10.
9. Exhortation to Solomon. 1 Chronicles 28:11-21.
10. Gifts for building the temple. David dies. Solomon acknowledged as king. 1 Chronicles 29:1-30.