Introduction to 1 Chronicles

2 Kings closes with the destruction of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. 1 Chronicles, named "The words (or events) of the days" (i.e. "annals") in the Hebrew Bible, gives a parallel and complementary account to the books of Samuel and Kings. But Chronicles reads like an editorial, focusing heavily on David and the Davidic kings and excluding most of the negative aspects of the Davidic rule.

1 Chronicles begins by tracing the line of David back to Genesis and Adam. In fact the first nine chapters are devoted to various genealogies, of Adam, of the Twelve tribes, of David, of Saul, etc. Except for the occasional narrative comments about certain individuals, these chapters may be a difficult read. Keep in mind that while all this detail may not seem meaningful to us, it is meaningful in representing the nature and purposes of God. It gives context to Jesus' later teaching: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31). The genealogies that connect David to Adam serve to show God's sovereign control over the history of the nation from the beginning.

1 Chronicles deal with Saul's reign in short order. He gets one chapter (1 Chron 10). The Chronicler hurries to speak of David becoming king and the greatness of David's reign in view of his rule, his mighty men, his growing support even from those that once followed Saul. More detail is given in Chronicles than Samuel with respect to the transport of the ark of God. While in Samuel we are told the "what" of the event, we get the "why" in Chronicles. While both Chronicles and Samuel are more theological than historical, Chronicles tends to give more positive perspectives and explanations to events than Samuel. Therefore, there is a greater emphasis on God's powerful support of the obedient rather than His strong judgment of the disobedient, an emphasis on His goodness more than His wrath.

There is hardly anything negative said of David throughout his life in 1 Chronicles. Rather than defending David, the Chronicler may be vindicating God, who chose David as "a man after God's own heart." There is nothing of David's sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. And there is nothing with respect to God's punishment of David for these sins. There is nothing of the scandal of Amnon raping his sister, of Absalom murdering his brother, nor of Absalom seeking to usurp his father's throne, of his sleeping with David's concubines, etc. Even the event of the census (cf. 1 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21)  is attributed to Satan rather than to God.

As 1 Chronicles comes to a close, none of the politics, intrigue, and drama associated with Solomon's succession to the throne is given. Instead Chronicles recounts the event as a relatively smooth transition from David to Solomon in keeping with God's purposes. Much attention is given to the preparations for the building of the Temple of God and worship in the Temple. This is why many have characterized the Books of Chronicles as editorial in nature, because while faithfully presenting the truth, the narrator has edited out anything that he thought might impugn the character of God or of his anointed king, David.

I encourage you to read Chronicles with Samuel and Kings in mind. Notice the things that are included and what is left out. Notice how accounts are told with a different perspective. There is a reason and purpose for everything and every account. We can gain great perspective if we make the effort to read with this kind of discernment.