1 Chronicles

About 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles retells Israel's story for people who had just come home from exile, opening with long family lists that tie them back to Adam, then focusing on King David. It highlights David's heart for worship and his careful preparations for the temple. In the Bible's big story, it reminds a small, discouraged community that they are still God's people and that His promises to David still stand.

Written by

The book is anonymous; Jewish tradition names Ezra the scribe, and many scholars simply call the unnamed writer 'the Chronicler.'

When

It was written after the exile, most likely between about 450 and 350 BC, though scholars debate the exact time within that range.

Themes

• God's promises to David
• Worship at the center of life
• One family line from Adam onward
• Hope and identity after exile

Key verses

• 1 Chronicles 16:34Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
• 1 Chronicles 17:11-14And when your days are fulfilled and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. And I will never remove My loving devotion from him as I removed it from your predecessor. But I will set him over My house and My kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.”
• 1 Chronicles 29:11Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.