1. 1 Chronicles

2. Author – most likely Ezra
Written between BC
Written to those who returned from exile to remind them of the past and God’s grace
Focuses mainly on the reign of David and Solomon

3. 1 Chronicles 1
1. The writer anchored Israel to the distant past. Where did he begin Israel’s history? Of what do these beginnings remind us?
 He traces their history back to Adam to show God’s grace and to connect them to their past.
2. Analyze the genealogies found in the following verses.
Verses 5-7 – Japheth – eventually became Europeans – note – some names are clans not individuals
Verses 8-13 – Ham – His descendants settled in North Africa and the Arabian peninsula
Verses – Shemites (Semitic) – Shows the promise of the Savior – eventually Israel – Peleg at the time of Babel

4. 3. Ezra would often deal first with the less important people, getting them out of the way, and then with the important figures. From this standpoint, evaluate verses
 He concludes with the history of Jacob
Note Genesis 17:20 and the 12 princes of Ishmael
4. What might be one reason Ezra lists the various kings that came from Esau’s line?
 God promised that kings would come from Abraham’s line.
The Edomites played an important part in Israel’s history
5. What place do you, a 21st-century believer, have in this list of people?
If the list went on, we would be in it.

5. 1 Chronicles 2
1. The line of the Savior went through Judah, Perez, and Hezron. Who are the three sons of Hezron that formed major tribes?
 Jerahmeel, Caleb (not the spy), Ram (David)
2. The writer was not averse to pointing out the skeletons in Israel’s closet. How did he do that in verses 3 and 4?
 The Lord put Er and Onan to death for wickedness
 He also mentions Tamar – she posed as a prostitute to lure Judah into fulfilling his duty to carry on the family line
3. Look closely at the family of Ram (10-17). Which major figures are familiar? What do the names of these people bring to mind?
Boaz, Jesse, David’s step-sister’s husbands served him in his army

6. 4. Note verse 35. Sometimes Israel is viewed as a rather closed society. In a sense, they were. Yet foreigners could join their society and share in their faith. How did Sheshan express God’s desire that all nations worship him?
He adopted his Egyptian servant, gave him his daughter in marriage.
It is likely he converted to belief in the true God.

7. 1 Chronicles 3
1. Touch bases with the history of David by commenting on some of his children with whom you are familiar.
Amnon killed by Absolom for his affair with Absolomon’s sister
Adonijah tried to take the throne from Solomon 
2. David’s line contains examples of sin and grace. How might Ezra’s quick review of David’s children have encouraged the exiles?
 We definitely see sinners in the line of Jesus. It demonstrates God’s grace
3. Verses list David’s descendants after the exile. What encouragement would this have given the Jewish people of Ezra’s day?
 The line of David still going. The promise of Jesus is still in effect
4. David’s line did not die out during the time of the kings (when dynasties in the north were regularly rising and falling). What lesson does this teach us today?
God keeps His promises and is in control of HIStory.

8. 1 Chronicles 4
1. How might the story of Jabez be of comfort to those returning from the exile?
 Like Jabez they were born in pain and the Lord took away that pain.
2. What do you know about Simeon? See Genesis chapter 34 and Jacob’s prophecy about him in Genesis 49:5-7. First Chronicles 4:27 explains how Jacob’s prophecy was fulfilled. Explain.
 Simeon did not have many descendants and was absorbed by the tribe of Judah
3. In spite of the Lord’s prophecy about Simeon, how was his tribe blessed? (verses )
 The Lord allowed them to expand their territory when needed.
4. Sometimes the prayer of Jabez is taken as proof that God will give us earthly prosperity if we ask him. Evaluate this thought.
No. God blessed his faithfulness by releasing him from the pain he was born in.
God never guarantees us material blessing

9. 1 Chronicles 5 & 6
1. Note verse 10. How does the content of this verse support the overarching theme of 1 Chronicles?
 God blesses His people because of His promise to Abraham, just as God would bless the exiles
2. How could verses 20 and 22 help the Israelites in Ezra’s day?
 When our cause is also God’s he defends us and causes us to prosper
3. The book of 1 Chronicles points out that when people turn to the Lord and trust in his mercy, he blesses them. It also points out that when people forsake the Lord, he punishes them after their time of grace is over. How had the Lord blessed this tribe? (verse 24) What did half the tribe of Manasseh (as well as the tribes of Reuben and Gad) do with God’s blessings? How does this help explain why God gave them over to Assyria?
 They were brave and famous, but forsook the Lord, so he gave them over to Tiglath - Pileser
4. How can Christians today take comfort in these words? How are they warned by them?
God is on our side to bless us
If we forsake him and turn to other God’s he will not put up with it. Don’t take God’s Word lightly

10. 1. Which were the three main tribes of Levi?
 Gershon, Kohath, Merari
2. Why do you think Kohath’s clan is mentioned first?
 From it came Moses and Aaron, and through Aaron the priests
3. Beginning in verse 31, Ezra speaks about the temple musicians to whom David had assigned a major role. Three of them have their genealogies listed back to Levi. Find these men.
Asaph – 12 Psalms has his name in the title
Heman and Ethan played a major role in temple worship

11. 4. What is the distinction between a priest and a Levite
4. What is the distinction between a priest and a Levite? (Note: This is the distinction Ezra focused on in verses )
 A priest is a descendant of Aaron
 A Levite descended from Levi and was a temple worker
5. Why do you think Ezra paid most attention to Judah and Levi?
 Their life centered on worship. Remember, they lived in a theocracy
The Savior would come from Judah
6. After the exile, many of the Levites did not want to return to Judah and chose to remain in Babylon. The Levites who returned had their hands full teaching the people. How would this chapter give them comfort and encouragement?
They played a major role in Israel’s worship life. Some came back, so the people could worship

12. 1 Chronicles 7 & 8
1. If there is time, read the story of Zelophehad’s daughters (Numbers 27:1-11). Try to figure out why their attitude and example fits so well into the theme of 1 and 2 Chronicles (to the extent we have developed that theme so far).
 They were concerned about not losing their inheritance. This inheritance was connected to the Savior.
2. When talking about Ephraim, Ezra singles out Joshua’s family line. Answer the same question about Joshua that you did about Zelophehad’s daughters.
 He was also concerned about taking the Promised Land – their promised inheritance
1. Note that Ehud is mentioned. What do you know about him? (See Judges 3:12-30.) Why do you think Ezra gave him prominence in the genealogy?
 He was a left handed Judge who killed Eglon
He would have been a reminder of how God delivered Israel from the hands of their enemies
2. Can you find any familiar names in verses 33 and 34?
Saul, Jonathan, Mephibosheth – Jonathan’s son whom David cared for

13. 1 Chronicles 9:1-34
1. How does Ezra begin this chapter? Why do you think he begins the chapter in this way?
 A reminder of why they were exiled, but also a reminder of God’s grace in returning them = The promise of the Savior was still in tact
2. In verses 10 and following, Ezra focuses on the tribe of Levi and on the priests and Levites. Why might he have focused on them?
 Again they were central to Israel’s worship life
3. Scan verses What duties did the Levites perform in the temple?
Some were guards, bakers, cleaners and keepers of the furnishings, and musicians

14. 4. Why do you think Ezra mentioned that the gatekeepers were assigned their positions by David and Samuel?
 To remind them that they were still God’s people
5. If you have not read Ezekiel 44:15,16, do so now. What’s your connection with Zadok?
Ezekiel sees the New Testament Church as the New Jerusalem – we are the Levites in that picture

15. 1 Chronicles 9:35–10:14
1. Try this as a simple exercise to show the purpose for which Ezra wrote 1 Chronicles. Put your finger in 1 Chronicles chapter 10 and then find 1 Samuel chapter 31. Compare the two chapters paragraph by paragraph. What do you find?
 Almost identical
Ezra added a paragraph not found in 1 Samuel. What is the point of that paragraph?
 He explained why Saul died. He was unfaithful to the Lord
 It would serve as a warning
2. In what way was Saul’s armor-bearer more noble than Saul?
He refused to kill the Lord’s anointed king

16. 3. Why were the people of Jabesh-Gilead so kind to Saul?
 He had saved them from destruction
4. Was suicide the only answer for Saul? Apply that to people contemplating suicide today.
No. It is always better to place our selves in the hands of the Lord no matter what the consequences
He will help us to endure our sufferings