1 Chronicles 1:1-9:34

What’s Happening?

The book of Chronicles was written to a group of returning Israelite exiles attempting to rebuild their homeland. The Chronicler retells Israel’s history for a new generation of nation-builders in hopes that they will copy the faithfulness of their forefathers and avoid their mistakes. And he starts with nine chapters of genealogies! This might sound like a strange choice but the Chronicler’s list of names follows a clear pattern that teaches an important lesson from Israel’s past. 

The Chronicler wants to show a new generation of nation-builders that when Israel's leaders prioritize and place Israel's priesthood at the center of their nation, Israel will flourish. To make this point, the Chronicler organizes his genealogy into a common Hebrew literary device called a chiasm. It’s like a literary mountain with the most important lesson at the top. The base of the mountain references the beginning and end of Israel’s history. Chapter 1 records the history of God’s people before its kingdom was formed, and chapter 9 records the names of God’s people after Israel’s kingdom was destroyed by Babylon. The middle sides of the mountain refer to Israel’s kings. Chapters 2 and 3 record the kingly descendants of the tribe of Judah, while the parallel side in chapter 8 records the kingly line of Benjamin. Near the top, chapters 4, 5, and their parallel chapter 7 detail the dynasties of Israel’s non-royal tribes. But at the top of the mountain, in chapter 6, the Chronicler details the family tree of Levi, the forefather of all priests. The Chronicler, with the structure of his opening chapters, demonstrates that Israel’s priesthood determines the fate of the nation.

More specifically, God’s kingdom will rise and fall based on how well they listen to God’s voice. At the center of the priesthood is a certain kind of priest—the temple’s musicians and singers (1 Chronicles 6:31-46). These musicians didn’t simply sing songs, they were Israel’s prophets (1 Chronicles 25:1). They spoke to kings on God’s behalf and provided the leaders of Israel with divine guidance in matters of warfare, public policy, and governmental administration. The Chronicler has placed the priestly singers and musicians at the center of Israel’s national history. He is teaching a new generation of nation-builders that Israel rises and falls as her kings listen to or ignore the voice of God. 

Where is the Gospel?

The Chronicler wants Israel’s new leaders to heed their history and copy his literary example by literally re-centering Israel around the institution through which God guides his people. God’s people will rise or fall based on how well they center their lives around God’s guidance. No less than Israel, we also need to center our lives around God’s guidance.

Thankfully, we do not have to seek out God’s guidance because his guidance has come to us in Jesus. The apostle John says Jesus is God’s Word and guidance in the flesh (John 1:1-14). In the words of Chronicles, Jesus is our ultimate singing priest and prophet. And his life and resurrection prophesy that God has come to us and will live in the center of anyone who trusts him. We don’t need to rebuild a nation to be close to God. We don’t need to reinstate an ancient priesthood to experience success. God’s Word and salvation has come to us. And Jesus offers to place himself in the center of our lives so that we can experience the rise of his new resurrection Kingdom that will never fall. 

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who speaks and gives guidance. And may you see Jesus as your singing priest who secures a resurrection Kingdom for his people forever.