By Mike Peek

What does it say? Chapter 12 begins by listing the supporters that David had at Ziklag.  Ziklag: “a town in the south of Judah, later allotted to Simeon; noted for its having been the city of David given to him by king Achish of Gath and his residence when he was joined by many of his mighty warriors and when he received word of the death of Saul.” (Olive Tree Enhanced Strong's Dictionary) David had support from many of the Israelite tribes while Saul was still king. Then the text shifts to Hebron when all of Israel came there in support of David as their king. The text first list the men of war and then speaks also of Israel. Chapter 13 describes the peril in transporting the Ark to Jerusalem. They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab. Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. Uzza or Uzzah = "strength" (Ibid) Uzza was struck down because he put out his hand to steady the ark when it was rocked in the cart. This upset david a great deal and the ark of G...

What does it say? The text lists the genealogies of the people who lived in the city of Jerusalem. The significant persons listed are the priests, the Levites and the Temple servants (v. 9:2) Also, some of the tribes of Judah, of Benjamin and of Ephraim and of Manasseh lived in Jerusalem. (vs. 9:3-9) After listing these, the chronicler returns to the genealogies of the priests, Levites and Temple servants. After this, he turns to the ancestry of Saul and his descendants. (vs, 9:35-44) A very brief history of Saul and his son’s defeat at the hands of the Philistines is given. Then he honors the people of Jabesh-gilead for their Tribute to Saul for taking away his body and his son’s body and baring their bones. The chronicler states the reason for Saul’s death as his trespasses against the Word of the Lord and for asking the counsel of a medium rather than the Lord. (vs. 10:1-14) After this, David is made king by all of Israel at Hebron. (vs. 11:1-3) David with the people of Israel cap...

What does it say? Chapter 7 lists the genealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Chapter 8 returns to the genealogy of Benjamin, then becomes more specific as it lists the genealogy of Saul. In chapter 7 the lists of Issachar and Benjamin are composed from military censuses. It is noted that the genealogies of Dan and Zebulun are missing and I do not no the reason, perhaps there were no records to draw from. (ESV Global SB Notes) The tribe of Manasseh lists the genealogies of the half tribe that lived west of the Jordan. (ESV Global SB Notes) When the chronicler gets to Ephraim he focuses Joshua, the most famous leader from that tribe whom God used to bring Israel across the Jordan into the promised land. Like many of the other tribes of Israel that occupied the north, Asher’s  genealogy is comprised from a military register. It should be noted that “there are about 25 genealogical lists in the Bible.” (ESV Global SB Notes) What does it mean? It seem...

What does it say? This chapter lists the genealogy of the tribe of Levi but more specifically the priestly line from Aaron. The Levites and the priestly line were given no territory of their own in Israel but they were given cities amongst their brothers. The text lists theses cities and the tribes in which they dwell.  What does it mean? The levites service is in the temple; therefore, during the postexilic period with the rebuilding of the temple, they wanted to know who the Levites are, so that they may serve in the Temple. However, they also wanted to know who the descendants of Aaron are, because ”it is a recurring theme that the Aaronic priests make atonement for Israel in order to maintain a relationship with God.” (ESV Global SB Notes) The text ties all the Aaronic priests to Zadok and Ahimaaz, who lived in Solomon’s time. The Chronicler’s ideal Israel is the Israel that existed during the time of Solomon: a Davidic king on the thrown, Levites serving in the temple, and son...

What does it say? Chapter 3 lists David’s children, then goes through the royal line of David from Solomon of Bathsheba. The second half of the the chapter lists the known postexilic descendants of David. “Most of these individuals are unknown outside of this list. Exceptions are Zerubbabel, of whom considerably more is known and Hattush (v. 22)  who is known only as one who returned with Ezra (Ezra 8:2).”  (IVP BBC OT)  Chapters 4 and 5 list the descendants of Asher, Simeon and Reuben. Chapter 5 begins with a statement about birth rite and defilement and explaining who had the birth rite. Reuben had defiled the bed of Jacob; therefore, Jacob gave the birth rite of the first son to the first born of his second wife Rachel. Then the text speaks of how the tribe of Judah (meaning the Davidic royal line) prevailed over Joseph’s line but acknowledges that the birth rite of the first son was given to Joseph.  What does it mean? These genealogies can be difficult to unders...

What does it say? Chapter 1 traces genealogy from Adam to Noah. Then from Noah to the people of Canaan and the non-Israelite descendants of Abraham. Then chapter 2 traces the genealogy of the twelve tribes of Israel, beginning with the genealogy to David and then diverts to the genealogy of the descendants of Caleb.  What does it mean? Chronicles depicts the pre-exilic period but was written for the people of the post-exilic period. Genealogy was very important to these people because of rights to the land. The land had been divided up among the tribes of Israel, and within tribes among families. For those returning to the land of Canaan in the post-exilic period, if one could trace his genealogy to a particular person of the pre-exilic period then he had the rights to that families land. As well as the right of an Israelite to worship the Lord the God of Israel ceremonially in the Temple. What Shall I do? Should I trace my family line so that I may no my rights to a particular pie...

What does it say? Josiah, king of Judah, when the Law of the Lord was found he made many changes in the land of Judah but this did not result in salvation from the wrath of God for the sins of Israel and Judah for the Lord had set a date for the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of men. Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt and the people made Jehoahaz king in place of his father. “Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away and brought him to Egypt, and he died there.” (2 Kings 23:34) Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Jehoikim died and was replaced by his son Jehoiachin who was captured by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon who would remain in Babylon to his death. After this, Zedekiah was made king, then Jerusalem was burned and plundered by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. What does it mean? A day and an hour is coming in which God will judge the...