The Book of  1 Chronicles
 

There are two books of Chronicles: 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles. They contain records from the time of Adam to the time when the Jewish people returned from the Babylonian captivity.

The book of 1 Chronicles starts with Adam and tells the family history (genealogy) of Saul and David.  The second part of 1 Chronicles tells about the time when David was the king of Israel.

The book of 2 Chronicles tells about the time when David's son, Solomon, was the king of Israel.  The second part of 2 Chronicles tells about the other kings who ruled Israel until the Jews were taken away to Babylonia.  The book ends with the Jews returning to Israel.


 

1Chronicles 15

David built some houses in Jerusalem.  He put up a tent for the Ark of God.
[1] And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.


David said that the only people who could carry the Ark were the Levites.  That was the tribe that God chose to carry the Ark and serve him forever.
[2] Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.


David brought all of Israel there to Jerusalem to help bring the Ark.
[3] And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it.


David brought the descendants of Aaron and the Levites.
[4] And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites:


The descendants of Kohath:  the leader was Uriel, and he had 120 of his family with him.
[5] Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty:


The descendants of Merari: the leader was Asaiah, and he had 120 of his family with him.  
[6] Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty:


The descendants of Gershom: the leader was Joel, and he had 130 of his family with him.
[7] Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and thirty:


The descendants of Elizaphan:  the leader was Shemaiah, and he had 200 of his family with him.
[8] Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:


The descendants of Hebron:  the leader was Eliel, and he had 80 of his family with him.
[9] Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore:


The descendants of Uzziel: the leader was Amminadab, and he had 112 of his family with him.
[10] Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve.


David called the priests named Zadok and Abiathar.  He also called for the Levites named Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.
[11] And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,


David told them that they are the leaders of the Levites.  They and their families should go and clean themselves. Then, they can bring the Ark of God to the place David prepared for it.
[12] And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.


The first time David tried to move the Ark, God was angry because they didn't have Levites moving it.
[13] For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.


So, the priests and Levites cleaned themselves so they could bring up the Ark of the Lord God of Israel.
[14] So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.


The descendants of the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders. They used the poles that Moses had commanded according to the Lord's word.
[15] And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.


David told the Levite leaders to assign some of their family to sing and play music.  They played music on the instruments:  psalteries, harps, and cymbals.
[16] And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

 

The Levites that sang and played cymbals:

Heman (the son of Joel) and his family
Asaph (the son of Berechiah)
The sons of Merari and their family
Ethan (the son of Kushaiah)

Their family also sang and played cymbals. They were:
Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiraoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattihiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel.
[17] So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
[18] And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the porters.
[19] So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;



The Levites who played the psalteries:  Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah.
[20] And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;


The Levites who played the harps:  Mattithiah, Elipheleh, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azzaiah.
[21] And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.


The Levite leader named Chenaniah was skilled with songs so he taught others the music.
[22] And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful.


Berechiah and Elkanah guarded the door where the Ark was.
[23] And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.


The Levites who played trumpets in front of the Ark: Shebaniah, Jehoshaphat, Nethaneel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer.
Obed-edom and Jehiah also guarded the Ark.
[24] And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed-edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

David, the elders of Israel, and the army leaders went joyfully to bring the Ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Obed-edom's house.
[25] So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obed-edom with joy.


 

Picture from LaVista Church of Christ

God helped the Levites carry the Ark of the covenant of the Lord. Then they made an offering of 7 bulls and 7 rams.
[26] And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.


David was wearing a robe made with fine linen and an ephod made of fine linen. The Levites who carried the Ark, the singers, and Chenaniah (the music leader) also wore fine linen robes. 
[27] And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.


All Israel came with the Ark. They were shouting and playing music with cornets, trumpets, cymbals, psalteries, and harps.
[28] Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.


When the Ark got to Jerusalem, Saul's daughter, Michal (she was one of David's wives), was looking out a window.  She saw David dancing and celebrating. She did not like that, and she hated David in her heart.
[29] And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.
 

1 Chronicles 16

He gave every man and woman in Israel a loaf of bread, a good piece of meat, and a bottle of wine.
[3] And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.
 

He assigned some of the Levites to minister in front of the Ark of the Lord.  They thanked God and praised Him.
[4] And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
 

They were:
Asaph -- the leader
These were next to Asaph:  Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattihiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Jeiel and Obed-edom. They played psalteries and harps. Asaph played cymbals.

[5] Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
[6] Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.



David's song to thank God.


David wrote a song to thank God.  The next day, David gave the song to Asaph and his family members.
[7] Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.


This is the song that David wrote:

Give thanks to the Lord God.  Call on His name.  Let everyone know what He has done.
[8] Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.


Sing to God. Talk about all of the wonderful things He has done.
[9] Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.


Be happy and glory in God's name. People who follow God should be happy and rejoice.
[10] Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.


Seek the Lord and His strength.  Seek Him always without stopping.
Remember all of the great and wonderful things He has done. Remember the fair judgments He has said.
[11] Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
[12] Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;


You are descendants of God's servant, Israel. You are His chosen people. You are descendants of Jacob.
[13] O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.


He is the Lord our God. His judgments are in all of the earth.
[14] He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.


Always remember His covenant promise with Abraham. He made this covenant for one thousand generations.
[15] Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;


He made the forever covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
[16] Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
[17] And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,


God promised that He would give them the land of Canaan. It would be their inheritance.  He made the promise when there were not many of them.  They were strangers in Canaan at that time.
[18] Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
[19] When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
 

At that time, the Israelites moved around.  They went from country to country and from one kingdom to another.
[20] And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;
 

God did not allow anyone to hurt them.  He punished kings if they did anything wrong to them.
[21] He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,


God told them, "Do not touch my chosen people. Do not hurt my prophets."
[22] Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.


All the earth should sing to the Lord. Show every day that He has saved us.
[23] Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.


Tell about God's glory to people who do not believe in Him.  Tell all the nations about His wonderful works.
[24] Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.


The Lord is great. He should be praised greatly.  He should also get the most respect. The false gods are idols that people invented.  The Lord God made the heavens.
[25] For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
[26] For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.


He has glory, honour, strength, and gladness in his place.
[27] Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.


All the people should give glory and strength to the Lord.
[28] Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.


Give the Lord the glory He deserves. Bring Him an offering.  Come to Him and worship Him.  He is beautiful and holy.
[29] Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.


The earth should be humble before Him. The world will be stable. It will not move.
[30] Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.


Let the heavens and the earth be happy.  Let the men from all nations say that God reigns and is most powerful.
[31] Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.


Let the ocean and the things in the ocean roar. Let the fields and the things in the fields be happy.
[32] Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.


Then the trees in the woods will sing because God is there. He is coming to judge the earth.
[33] Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.


Give thanks to the Lord because He is good.  His mercy lasts forever.
[34] O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.


You should say, "Save us, God of our salvation.  Bring us together.  Save us from the unbelievers so that we can give thanks to Your holy name and be happy praising You."
[35] And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.


The Lord God of Israel should be blessed forever and ever.   All of the people said, "Amen" and praised the Lord.
[36] Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.


 

Asaph and his family minister at the Ark.


David assigned Asaph and his family to minister to the Ark of the Lord every day.
[37] So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:


These were Aspah's family members who ministered at the Ark:

Porters
Obed-edom and his family: 68
The son of Jeduthun and the son of Hosah

[38] And Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

Priests
Zadok and his family. They worked in the Lord's tabernacle at the holy place at Gibeon. They offered the burnt offerings to God on the altar. They burned offerings every morning and evening. They did everything the way that was in the Lord's law that He had given the Israelites.

[39] And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,
[40] To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;


Musicians
Heman and Jeduthun and the others.
They gave thanks to the Lord because His mercy endures forever.
They played trumpets and cymbals.

Jeduthun's sons were porters.

[41] And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;
[42] And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.


Then all of the people left and went home.  David went back to bless his house, too.
[43] And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

1 Chronicles 17

David wants to build a new building for the Ark of the Lord, but God tells him no.

After David went home, he was sitting and talking to Nathan the prophet.  David said that he lived in a house made of cedar trees, but the Ark of God was still in a tent.
[1] Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains.


Nathan told David to do what he wanted. He said God was with David.
[2] Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.


But that night, God talked to Nathan.  He told Nathan to tell David not to build a house for Him.
[3] And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying,
[4] Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:


God said that He has not lived in a house since He brought Israel out of Egypt. He has always been in a tent or tabernacle.
[5] For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.


God said that in all the time He has walked with Israel, He has never told the leaders of Israel to build Him a house.
[6] Wheresoever I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedars?


God told Nathan to give David a message.  God said that He took David from taking care of sheep to be the ruler of Israel.  He has been with David with every step and cut off David's enemies.  He has made David's name famous and great like the other great men of the earth.
[7] Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:
[8] And I have been with thee whithersoever thou hast walked, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and have made thee a name like the name of the great men that are in the earth.


God said that He will make a special place for His people Israel.  He will put them there, and they will live in that place and move no more.  Evil people won't bother them like they did in the beginning and in the time when the judges were leaders of Israel. God said He will defeat their enemies.  God said He will build David a house.
[9] Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
[10] And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.


God said that when it is time for David to die, He will make one of David's descendants the new king.
[11] And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

The new king will build God a house. God will set up His throne forever.
[12] He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.


God said He will be the new king's father, and the new king will be His son.  God will not take His mercy away from him like He took his mercy from Saul.
[13] I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:


God said He will settle the new king in His house and in His kingdom forever.  His throne will be set up forever.
[14] But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.


Nathan told David everything that God said.
[15] According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.


David prayed to God.  He asked, "Who am I, O Lord God? What is my family that you have brought me here?
[16] And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?


And this is small to You, O God.  You have told me about my house and my descendants for a long time in the future.  You look at me like I am an important man, O Lord.
[17] And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.


What else can I say to You for my honor? You know me, and I am Your servant.
[18] What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant.


O Lord, for my sake and according to Your own heart, you have done all of these great things and made them known.
[19] O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.
 

O Lord, there is no one else like You. There is no God but you. It is what we have heard with our own ears."
[20] O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.


No other nation on earth is like Your people Israel.  God saved Israel out of Egypt to be His own people. He made their name great by driving out the nations from Canaan so the  Israelites could live there.
[21] And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt?


You made Your people Israel Your own people forever. You, Lord, became their God.
[22] For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God.


Now, Lord, please do what You said.  Please let Your words about David and his house come true. Please let them be in power for ever.
[23] Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said.


Please let your name be magnified forever. Please let them say, "The Lord of all  is the God of Israel." Let the house of David your servant be set up forever before You.
[24] Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
 

You, O my God, have told me that you will build me a house.  So I have found it in my heart to pray to You.
[25] For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.
 

Lord, you are God. You have promised Your goodness to me.  Please bless my house so that it will be before you forever. You are blessed, O Lord, and my house will be blessed forever.
[26] And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
[27] Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.
 

1 Chronicles 18


David defeats the Philistines and the king of Zobah.

Some of the Syrians came from Damascus to help Hadarezer. David killed 22,000 Syrian soldiers.
[5] And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.


David set up forts in Damascus, Syria. The Syrians became David's servants and had to pay him taxes.  God saved David wherever he went.
[6] Then David put garrisons in Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.


David took the gold shields from  Hadarezer's servants. He took them to Jerusalem.
[7] And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.


He also took things from Hadarezer's cities of Tibhath and Chun.  He took a lot of brass.  Later, Solomon used this brass to make the brass bowl, pillars, and other brass items for the Temple.
[8] Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
 

The king of Hamath, Tou, heard that David killed Hadarezer. Then he sent his son, Hadoram, to David. He sent him to David to congratulate him and wish him well for defeating Hadarezer.  In the past, Tou had fought a war against Hadarezer.  Tou sent David many items made of gold, silver, and brass.
[9] Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
[10] He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to inquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
 

King David dedicated to the Lord the silver and gold that he brought from other nations.  He brought items from Edom, Moab, the children of Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek.
[11] Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.


Abishai (his father's name was Zeruiah) killed 18,000 Edomites in the valley of salt (south of the Dead Sea).  He set up forts in Edom's area.  The Edomites became servants of David.  The Lord saved David wherever he went.
[12] Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
[13] And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.


David ruled over all Israel. He was fair when he judged all of his people.
[14] So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.


Joab (his father was Zeruiah) was in charge of the army.  Jehoshaphat (his father was Ahilud) was in charge of the records.
[15] And Joab the son Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.


Zadok (his father was Ahitub) and Abimelech (his father was Abiathar) were the priests.  Shavsha was the scribe (secretary).
[16] And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;


Benaiah (his father was Jehoiada) was in charge of the Cherethites and the Pelethites.  David's sons were his closest leaders.
[17] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.