1 Chronicles

The descendants of Adam are listed, including the sons of Japheth, Ham, and Shem. The sons of Japheth are Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. The sons of Ham are Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan, with Cush being the father of Nimrod. The sons of Shem are Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. The genealogy continues through the descendants of Abraham, including Isaac, Ishmael, and Esau, and lists the kings of Edom who reigned before any king reigned over the children of Israel.

The sons of Israel are listed, followed by the descendants of Judah, including Pharez and Zerah, and their subsequent generations. The genealogy continues with the descendants of Hezron, including Ram, Caleb, and their offspring. The chapter also lists the descendants of Caleb, including his sons and their families, as well as the families of the scribes and the Kenites.

David's sons born in Hebron were Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, and Ithream. After moving to Jerusalem, he had more sons, including Solomon, who succeeded him as king. The descendants of Solomon are listed, including the kings of Judah, down to the sons of Jeconiah, who was a descendant of Solomon. The chapter also lists the descendants of Jeconiah, including Zerubbabel, who played a key role in the post-exilic period.

The descendants of Judah are listed, including Pharez, Hezron, Carmi, and Hur, along with their families and descendants. The chapter also lists the descendants of Caleb, Ezra, and other notable figures, including Jabez, who prayed to God for blessing and protection. The sons of Simeon are listed, along with their cities and villages, and the chapter concludes with the account of a group of Simeonites who defeated the Amalekites and settled in their place.

The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, are listed, but his birthright was given to Joseph's sons due to Reuben's actions. The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh were skilled warriors who fought against the Hagarites and were victorious with God's help. They took many spoils of war and dwelt in the land until they were carried away by the Assyrian kings Pul and Tilgathpilneser due to their idolatry.

The chapter lists the descendants of Levi, including the sons of Kohath, Gershom, and Merari, and their roles in the service of the tabernacle and the temple. The sons of Aaron are also listed, along with their duties as priests. The chapter then describes the cities and territories assigned to the Levites, including the sons of Aaron, Kohath, Gershom, and Merari, from the various tribes of Israel.

The descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher are listed, along with their genealogies and the number of men in each family who were fit for war. The total number of men from these tribes who were able to go to war is also given.

The descendants of Benjamin are listed, including the sons of Bela, Ehud, Shaharaim, and Elpaal. The sons of Elpaal built Ono and Lod, and the sons of Beriah drove away the inhabitants of Gath. The chapter also lists the descendants of other Benjaminite families, including those who lived in Jerusalem and Gibeon. The genealogy concludes with the descendants of Saul, including Jonathan and his son Meribbaal.

The Israelites, priests, Levites, and Nethinims returned to their cities after being carried away to Babylon for their transgression. The first inhabitants of Jerusalem included the children of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. The priests, Levites, and porters were listed, along with their genealogies and responsibilities in the service of the house of God. The Levites were in charge of the gates, chambers, and treasuries of the house of God, and some were appointed to oversee the vessels, instruments, and spices. The singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, were employed in their work day and night. The chapter also lists the genealogy of the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, and the descendants of Ner, including Saul and Jonathan.

The Philistines defeated the Israelites, killing Saul's sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, and wounding Saul. Saul asked his armor bearer to kill him, but the armor bearer refused, so Saul took his own life by falling on his sword. The Philistines then beheaded Saul and sent his head and armor to their idols, but the men of Jabesh-gilead retrieved Saul's body and those of his sons and gave them a proper burial. Saul's death was a result of his disobedience to God and seeking guidance from a medium instead of God.

All Israel gathered to David at Hebron, acknowledging him as their leader and ruler, as the Lord had said. David made a covenant with the elders of Israel and was anointed king over Israel. David and his men then captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites, with Joab becoming chief and captain after leading the charge. David's power and influence grew as the Lord was with him. The chapter also lists the names and exploits of David's mighty men, including Jashobeam, Eleazar, and Benaiah, who performed great deeds in battle.

David's mighty men, including those from Benjamin, Gad, and Manasseh, joined him at Ziklag and later at Hebron. These men were skilled warriors, with some able to use both hands to shoot arrows and hurl stones. The Gadites were known for their bravery and speed, with the least of them able to resist a hundred men and the greatest able to resist a thousand. The men of Benjamin and Judah also joined David, and he welcomed them, provided they came in peace. The Philistines had previously sent some of the men of Manasseh away, fearing they would defect to Saul. As David's army grew, men from various tribes, including Judah, Simeon, Levi, Benjamin, Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Dan, Asher, Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, joined him at Hebron to make him king over all Israel.

David consulted with the leaders of Israel and proposed bringing the ark of God back to Jerusalem, as it had been neglected during Saul's reign. The people agreed, and David gathered all of Israel to bring the ark from Kirjathjearim. However, during the procession, Uzza touched the ark to steady it when the oxen stumbled, and God struck him down, causing David to fear and change his plans. The ark was then taken to the house of Obededom, where it remained for three months and brought blessings to his household.

Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers and materials to David to build him a house, and David realized the Lord had established him as king over Israel. David took more wives and had more children in Jerusalem, including Solomon. The Philistines, upon hearing of David's anointing as king, went to seek him, but David inquired of God and was told to attack, resulting in a victory at Baalperazim. When the Philistines regrouped, David again inquired of God and was given a different strategy, which led to another victory, and David's fame spread to all lands.

David prepared a place for the ark of God in Jerusalem and gathered the Levites to carry it, as God had chosen them for this task. The Levites, led by the priests and the chief Levites, sanctified themselves and carried the ark on their shoulders with staves, accompanied by singers and musicians. As they brought the ark to Jerusalem, they offered sacrifices and David, dressed in a linen robe and ephod, danced and played with joy.

David brought the ark of God to the tent he had pitched for it and offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. Afterward, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord and distributed food and drink to them. David then appointed Levites, including Asaph, to minister before the ark, and he delivered a psalm of thanksgiving to Asaph and his brethren to sing to the Lord. The psalm praises God's works, covenant, and salvation, and calls on all the earth to worship and give thanks to Him.

David expresses his desire to build a house for the Lord, but God tells Nathan that He will not have David build Him a house, instead He will build a house for David, establishing his throne and kingdom forever through his son. God reminds David of His past blessings and promises to subdue his enemies and establish a place for Israel. David responds with a prayer of gratitude and humility, asking God to establish His promises to him and his house forever.

David defeated the Philistines, Moabites, and the king of Zobah, taking control of their territories and incorporating their people into his kingdom as servants. He also defeated the Syrians of Damascus, taking 22,000 men and incorporating them into his kingdom. David took spoils of war, including gold, brass, and chariots, and dedicated them to the Lord. He established garrisons in Edom and Syria, and his kingdom prospered under his rule, with Joab as his military commander and Zadok as his priest.

David sent messengers to comfort Hanun, the new king of Ammon, after his father's death, but Hanun's princes suspected David's intentions and humiliated the messengers. In response, Hanun hired chariots and horsemen to fight against David, but David's army, led by Joab, defeated the Ammonites and the Syrians who were fighting alongside them. The Syrians fled and were pursued by David's army, resulting in the death of 47,000 Syrian soldiers and the defeat of their captain, Shophach. The Syrians then made peace with David and became his servants.

Joab led the army to besiege Rabbah, the capital of Ammon, and after capturing the city, David took the king's crown and brought out the people, cutting them with saws and harrows of iron. David then returned to Jerusalem with the people. The Philistines continued to wage war against Israel, but David's servants, including Sibbechai, Elhanan, and Jonathan, slew several giants, including Sippai, Lahmi the brother of Goliath, and a man of great stature from Gath.

Satan incited David to take a census of Israel, which Joab opposed, but David's order prevailed. The census revealed 1.1 million men in Israel and 470,000 in Judah who could bear arms. However, God was displeased with the census and sent a plague that killed 70,000 men in Israel. When the angel of the Lord was about to destroy Jerusalem, God relented and instructed the angel to stop. David, realizing his sin, offered sacrifices on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, which he purchased for 600 shekels of gold, and God answered him from heaven by fire on the altar.

David declared the site for the house of the Lord and began preparations for its construction, gathering materials and laborers. He acknowledged that his son Solomon would build the temple, as the Lord had forbidden David from doing so due to his history of bloodshed. David encouraged Solomon to build the house of the Lord, and he provided his son with abundant resources and laborers for the task. David also commanded the princes of Israel to support Solomon in the construction of the temple.

David made Solomon king over Israel and gathered the princes, priests, and Levites, numbering the Levites from 30 years old and upward, totaling 38,000. The Levites were divided into courses among the sons of Levi, with specific roles assigned to each group, including overseeing the work of the house of the Lord, serving as officers and judges, porters, and musicians. The sons of Levi were further divided into the families of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, with the sons of Aaron being set apart for sanctifying the most holy things. The Levites' office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord.

The sons of Aaron were divided into priestly offices, with Eleazar and Ithamar's descendants serving after Nadab and Abihu's deaths. David distributed the priestly duties between Zadok of Eleazar's line and Ahimelech of Ithamar's line, with 16 chief men from Eleazar's line and 8 from Ithamar's. The priests were divided by lot into 24 groups, each serving in the house of the Lord. The rest of the Levites, including the sons of Amram, Rehabiah, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel, and Merari, were also listed and divided into their respective groups.

David and the captains of the host assigned the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with musical instruments in the service of the house of the Lord. The sons of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were listed, along with their roles and the number of their sons and brethren who were instructed in the songs of the Lord. The total number of musicians was 288, and they were divided into 24 groups, each with 12 members, by casting lots.

The divisions of the porters, who were responsible for guarding the gates of the temple, were established among the sons of Kore and Merari. The lots were cast to determine the assignments of the porters, with Shelemiah receiving the east gate, Obededom the south gate, and Shuppim and Hosah the west gate. The Levites were also assigned to oversee the treasures of the house of God, with Ahijah in charge of the treasures and Shelomith in charge of the dedicated things. Additionally, the Hebronites were appointed as officers and judges over Israel, with Hashabiah and his brethren serving in this capacity.

The Israelites were divided into 12 courses, each led by a captain, with 24,000 men in each course. The captains were Jashobeam, Dodai, Benaiah, Asahel, Shamhuth, Ira, Helez, Sibbecai, Abiezer, Maharai, Benaiah, and Heldai. Additionally, each tribe had its own ruler, and there were also officials in charge of the king's treasures, storehouses, fields, vineyards, olive trees, herds, camels, and flocks. The king's counsellors included Jonathan, Ahithophel, and Hushai, and the general of the king's army was Joab.

David assembles the leaders of Israel and announces that God has chosen Solomon to build the temple, as David is a man of war and has shed blood. David explains that God has chosen Solomon to sit on the throne and build the temple, and that God will establish Solomon's kingdom if he follows God's commandments. David instructs Solomon to know and serve God with a perfect heart and willing mind, and gives him the pattern for the temple and its furnishings, along with gold, silver, and other materials for its construction. David encourages Solomon to be strong and courageous, and assures him that God will be with him and provide the necessary help to complete the work.

David announced that Solomon, his son, would succeed him as king and build the temple for the Lord. David had prepared materials for the temple, including gold, silver, and precious stones, and he encouraged the leaders of Israel to contribute as well. The people willingly gave gold, silver, brass, iron, and precious stones for the temple, and David blessed the Lord for the generosity of the people. David prayed that the Lord would keep the people's hearts devoted to Him and give Solomon a perfect heart to keep His commandments and build the temple. The people then made Solomon king again, and the Lord magnified him in the sight of all Israel.