SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
1 Chronicles 1:1 through 12:40

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.” (1 Chronicles 11:3)

BACKGROUND

The purpose of Chronicles was to emphasize the Jews’ heritage. The writer recounted Israel’s history for the Jews who were attempting to resettle the Promised Land after seventy years in Babylonian captivity. God’s people needed encouragement to reestablish their patterns of worship, and assurance that the God of their fathers had not forsaken them. The author clearly felt that the evidence of God’s involvement in Israel’s past would provide the current generation with a reliable basis for rebuilding. By charting both the good and evil reigns of their nation’s kings, he reminded the people of the character of God, of worship that pleases Him, and of God’s covenant with them. 

The Book of 1 Chronicles begins with a genealogy—an official record of the families of Israel and Judah prior to the captivity. In the post-exilic era, genealogical records ensured that rightful heirs could demonstrate legitimate ownership and thus repossess their inheritances in established tribal areas. In addition, the records would provide a framework for reinstating assigned roles in the Levitical worship system, thus preserving the priesthood and the structure for worship. 

The genealogical record also has theological significance. For Jesus to be the Messiah, He had to be a descendant of David. The record found in 1 Chronicles, along with Jesus’ lineage given in the New Testament, confirms that Jesus did descend from the line of David. Thus, the genealogy of 1 Chronicles was used centuries later to substantiate that Jesus Christ was indeed the Promised One.
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QUESTIONS

1. The years the Jews had spent in Babylonian exile had been some of the darkest in their nation’s history. Their capital city had been destroyed, their Temple burned, and their people slain or taken into captivity. Although the people had returned to their land when the Books of Chronicles were written, David’s descendants no longer ruled as monarchs over Israel. The Davidic lineage preserved through the genealogical records of chapters 1 through 8 reminded the post-exilic Jews of their promised Messiah who would come from that line. Why would the promise of a coming Messiah bring hope? As believers today, what future events are we looking ahead to that bring us hope?
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2. While chapters 1 through 8 are primarily a list of names, the record also gives fragments of information regarding some of the individuals. In chapter 4, the writer paused for a moment and focused on Jabez, a man whose name means “man of sorrow and pain.” Jabez is not remembered for heroic deeds or great oratorical speeches, nor is he referenced elsewhere in Scripture. Based on 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, why did Jabez receive special mention in Scripture?
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3. In 1 Chronicles 5:18-20, the author described a time when men from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh went into battle against an army that was much larger than theirs. These men were deemed “valiant”—they had personal courage as well as skill in military endeavors—but they did not rely on their own capabilities or military strategies. Instead, they “cried to God in the battle.” What was the outcome of that battle, and what can we learn from their example?
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4. Many years before the author of Chronicles compiled his record, King David had done much to bring music into the worship of Israel. In addition to composing numerous psalms and songs offering praise to God, he appointed song leaders and organized choirs and instrumentalists to perform regularly at the Temple. In 1 Chronicles 6:31-32, the people were reminded of the system of worship that David and his son, Solomon, had instituted in Israel. Why is worship an important part of the Christian life? What role does music have in worship?
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5. Chapter 9 focuses on the post-exilic community in Jerusalem and the importance of correct worship as the nation began to rebuild. The writer of Chronicles wanted to ensure that those who had returned from captivity in Babylon reestablished the pattern for Temple worship that David had put in place. Verse 2 identifies several categories of people who served in the Temple worship. According to this verse, what three groups of individuals were responsible for religious duties?
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6. In chapter 10, the author of Chronicles turned to the rise of the house of David. The account of Saul’s death provides a transition to a focus on David that continues for the remainder of the book. A brief overview of the battle on the slopes of Mount Gilboa is given in verses 1-3. What did Saul do after he was wounded in battle? How was the nation of Israel impacted as a result? 1 Chronicles 10:4-7
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7. Following Saul’s death, David reigned over Judah for seven-and-one-half years (see 2 Samuel 2:4,11). At the beginning of chapter 11, all of Israel was looking to David for leadership, remembering his previous acts of valor. When the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, David made a covenant with them “before the Lord,” and they anointed David king over all of Israel. In contrast to Saul’s decline and tragic end, verse 9 states that David “waxed greater and greater.” Why do you think that was so?
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8. Chapters 11–12 list people from every tribe of Israel who came to assist David during the early years of his rule. The concept of “help” is alluded to frequently in chapter 12. For example, verses 16-18 record that the tribes of Judah and Benjamin supported David even though Benjamin was the tribe to which Saul belonged. In verse 18, Amasai pronounced a Spirit-inspired blessing upon those who came to help David. Verses 23-37 provide a list of those from each of the tribes who came to make David king. How does our need for human helpers fit in with God’s help?
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CONCLUSION

The author of Chronicles reviewed the history and heritage of Israel in order to point the newly returned exiles toward the future and their hope in God’s promises. He reminded the people that the two cornerstone institutions of Israel—the Davidic monarchy and the Temple—were both founded upon God’s unbreakable promises, and the people could have confidence that God would keep His Word to their nation.