1 Chronicles 1-8 (Monday - Thursday)

LINKS:
Monday's reading - 1 Chronicles 1 & 1 Chronicles 2
Tuesday's reading - 1 Chronicles 3 & 1 Chronicles 4
Wednesday's reading - 1 Chronicles 5 & 1 Chronicles 6
Thursday's reading - 1 Chronicles 7 & 1 Chronicles 8

BACKGROUND ON THE BOOK OF 1 CHRONICLES:

The books of 1&2 Chronicles were originally one book. The Hebrew title means "the words (or affairs) of the days." The chronicles cover history from Adam to the decree of Cyrus which allowed Jews to return to Israel from Babylonian exile.

1 Chronicles is parallel to the book of 2 Samuel. The first nine chapters cover the genealogies from Adam to David and the events leading up to Saul's death. After Saul's death, David became king, and the rest of 1 Chronicles covers events during his reign.

It is commonly held that Ezra wrote the Chronicles, compiling information from several sources. He frequently mentions "the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel" in his writing. This is not the biblical books of Kings, but some other record book.

Ezra's audience was the group of exiles who were returning to Palestine around 458 B.C. You may remember from our reading of the book of Ezra that he was very concerned about the spiritual foundation of the returning exiles. By writing Chronicles, Ezra gave a condensed version of the history of Israel to the people. He focused on racial and religious purity, the law, the temple, and the priesthood. He wanted the people to understand their rich heritage and the blessings they had through their covenant relationship with God.

Here's a summary of the genealogies at the beginning of this book.

* Adam to Abraham (1:1-27)
* Abraham to to Jacob (1:28-54)
* Jacob to David (chap 2)
* David to the captivity (chap 3)
* Genealogies of each of the tribes (chapters 4-8)

1. Judah (4:1-23)
   
2. Simeon (4:24-43)
   
3. Reuben (5:1-10)
4. Gad (5:11-22)
   
5. Manasseh (5:23-26)
   
6. Levi (chapter 6)
   
7. Issachar (7:1-5)
   
8. Benjamin (7:6-12)
   
9. Naphtali (7:13)
   
10. Manasseh (7:14-19)
    
11. Ephraim (7:20-29)
    
12. Asher (7:30-40)
    
13. Benjamin (chapter 8)
    

REFLECTION/APPLICATION
Sometimes it's good to stop and take stock of where we came from. It helps us to get our bearings, so we can move ahead on the right path. In these chapters, Ezra was making sure the people understood their heritage as God's chosen people. Take some time to reflect on your heritage as a child of God.

PRAYER
Father, thank you for calling me out of darkness into your marvelous light! You have taken me along a path toward holiness. Thank you for each trial and victory you have brought into my life along the way. Guide me as I seek to follow you with all of my life and being. In the name of Jesus, amen.