Redemption in 1 Chronicles

Some people start a new year with resolve to read through the Bible. Things usually go well until they reach Leviticus and Numbers. They may persevere through those books only to lose momentum again at 1 and 2 Chronicles. One writer humorously called 1 Chronicles the “Sahara Desert” of the Hebrew scriptures. One problem is that we are immediately met with nine chapters of genealogies at the beginning of 1 Chronicles. If we get through those, then we read narratives, often identical, repeated from Samuel and Kings. Why go over all of this again?

Old Testament scholar T. Desmond Alexander comments, “The historical context of when each book was composed influences its overall message. Kings explains why destruction and exile befalls Jerusalem due to the corruption of the Davidic monarchy. In marked contrast, the author of Chronicles encourages his readers to believe in the continuing importance of the Davidic monarchy and to pray for its restoration. For the author of Chronicles, the Davidic monarchy is central to God’s plan of redemption for the entire world.”

God's covenant with David is vitally important in the message of the Bible. It is repeated in 1 Chronicles 17:1-15. God promises David about his ultimate descendant, “But I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever” (1 Chron. 17:14). That descendant is God's Messiah (Lk. 1:31-33). The kingdom of Christ will have no end. He reigns on David's throne.

Ben