Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 1 Chronicles
First Chronicles retells Israel's story for the people returning from exile, opening with genealogies that reach back to Adam and centering on the reign of David and his preparations for the temple. It is a book of memory and hope, reminding a battered remnant of God's unbroken faithfulness. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
First Chronicles, called in Hebrew Divrei Hayyamim, retells the history of Israel from a priestly point of view for those who had returned from Babylon. Its first nine chapters are genealogies, tracing the line from Adam through Abraham to David and the tribes of Israel. The rest of the book focuses on David: his rise to the throne, his bringing of the ark to Jerusalem, and his careful preparations for the temple his son Solomon would build.
This commentary covers 1 Chronicles verse by verse, with the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. David, who prepared a house for God and whose throne God promised to establish forever, points us to Jesus, the true Son of David and the temple of God among us. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This commentary on 1 Chronicles is complete, covering all twenty-nine chapters verse by verse.
Author
Not named in the book; Jewish tradition credits Ezra the scribe.
Setting
Written after the exile, retelling Israel's history from Adam to David.
Key People
Adam, Abraham, and above all King David.
Theme
God's covenant faithfulness preserved a people and a promised King.
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
1 Chronicles Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
1 Chronicles 1:1-54
From Adam to Abraham
The great genealogy that opens Chronicles begins at Adam and narrows to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, reassuring an exiled people that God kept the line of promise all the way to the Messiah.
Read Chapter 1 →1 Chronicles 2:1-55
The Line of Judah to David
From the twelve sons of Israel the Chronicler singles out Judah and traces the royal line through Pharez, Boaz, and Jesse down to David the seventh son, the God-kept highway of the promise, threaded with grace toward sinners and outsiders.
Read Chapter 2 →1 Chronicles 3:1-24
The House of David Preserved
The royal register of David's house: his sons, the unbroken line of kings from Solomon to the exile, and the seed of David kept alive through captivity to Zerubbabel and beyond, proof that the throne promised to David survived Babylon.
Read Chapter 3 →1 Chronicles 4:1-43
Jabez Called on the God of Israel
Amid the families of Judah and Simeon, the Chronicler pauses on the bold, God-centered prayer of Jabez, the craftsmen who dwelt with the king for his work, and the tribe of Simeon that did not multiply like Judah.
Read Chapter 4 →1 Chronicles 5:1-26
They Cried to God in the Battle
The eastern tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh: Reuben's forfeited birthright, a stunning victory won because they trusted God in battle, and their later idolatry and exile by Assyria. Faith brings help; unfaithfulness brings ruin.
Read Chapter 5 →1 Chronicles 6:1-81
To Make an Atonement for Israel
The tribe of Levi: the high-priestly line from Aaron to the exile, the singers David set over the service of song, and the priests appointed to make atonement for Israel. Priesthood, praise, and atonement, all fulfilled in Christ.
Read Chapter 6 →1 Chronicles 7:1-40
It Went Evil With His House
The northern tribes, and the tender story of Ephraim, who mourned his slain sons and named a later son Beriah, 'in trouble.' Yet from that grieving house the line runs on to Joshua the son of Nun, whose name means 'the LORD is salvation.'
Read Chapter 7 →1 Chronicles 8:1-40
The House of Saul
The fuller genealogy of Benjamin and the house of Saul: Kish, Saul, Jonathan, and Jonathan's crippled son Mephibosheth, whom David spared for Jonathan's sake, and the mighty archers of Benjamin. A picture of grace to the fallen and honor to the faithful.
Read Chapter 8 →1 Chronicles 9:1-44
The Charge Was Upon Them
The genealogies close with the returned remnant in Jerusalem: exile for transgression, but a homecoming by grace, and the faithful servants of God's house, the gatekeepers in their set office and the singers set apart for praise day and night.
Read Chapter 9 →1 Chronicles 10:1-14
So Saul Died for His Transgression
History begins with a funeral: Saul and his sons fall at Gilboa, his body is dishonored by the Philistines and rescued by the valiant men of Jabesh-gilead, and the LORD gives His verdict, that Saul died for unfaithfulness and turned the kingdom to David.
Read Chapter 10 →1 Chronicles 11:1-47
David Waxed Greater and Greater
All Israel anoints David king at Hebron, the shepherd promised by God's word. He captures the fortress of Zion to make Jerusalem the city of David and grows great because the LORD of hosts is with him, and his mighty men pour out their lives, one gift poured out to God.
Read Chapter 11 →1 Chronicles 12:1-40
They Came With a Perfect Heart
The warriors who rallied to David: the Spirit's word of loyalty through Amasai, the men of Issachar who understood the times, Zebulun's soldiers 'not of double heart,' and all Israel united with a perfect heart to make David king, with joy in the land.
Read Chapter 12 →1 Chronicles 13:1-14
How Shall I Bring the Ark of God Home?
David's good desire to restore the ark, pursued the wrong way on a new cart. When Uzza steadies it and dies, David is left afraid, and the ark instead blesses the house of Obed-edom, a solemn lesson that God must be approached God's way.
Read Chapter 13 →1 Chronicles 14:1-17
David Enquired of God
God confirms David's throne through Hiram's help and a growing house, and in two Philistine battles David enquires of God before acting, asking again rather than presuming, and wins complete victory, for God had gone forth before him.
Read Chapter 14 →1 Chronicles 15:1-29
After the Due Order
Taught by the death of Uzza, David brings the ark to Jerusalem God's way, borne on the shoulders of the sanctified Levites as Moses commanded, with sacrifice and joyful music, while proud Michal despises the humbled, dancing king.
Read Chapter 15 →1 Chronicles 16:1-43
O Give Thanks Unto the LORD
With the ark in its place, David sings a great psalm of thanksgiving, calling Israel to seek God's face continually, summoning all nations to worship the one true God who made the heavens, for all other gods are idols, and rejoicing that His mercy endures for ever.
Read Chapter 16 →1 Chronicles 17:1-27
I Will Stablish His Throne For Ever
The Davidic covenant: David would build God a house, but God promises to build David an everlasting house and throne, the promise of the Messiah fulfilled in Christ. David responds in humble wonder, confessing there is none like the LORD and no God beside Him.
Read Chapter 17 →1 Chronicles 18:1-17
The LORD Preserved David Whithersoever He Went
God fulfills His covenant in victory: David subdues the surrounding nations, and twice the LORD is said to preserve him wherever he went. David dedicates the spoils to God and reigns over all Israel with judgment and justice, a shadow of the Son of David's righteous reign.
Read Chapter 18 →1 Chronicles 19:1-19
Let the LORD Do That Which Is Good
David's kindness to Hanun is twisted by suspicion into an insult, provoking the Ammonite-Syrian war. Surrounded on two fronts, Joab rallies Israel to fight valiantly for the cities of God and to leave the outcome to the LORD, who gives the victory.
Read Chapter 19 →1 Chronicles 20:1-8
They Fell by the Hand of David
The Ammonite war ends with the fall of Rabbah while David tarried at Jerusalem, and the giants of Gath, Goliath's kinsmen, rise and fall one by one, by the hand of David and his servants, a picture of the enemy's seed crushed by the King and those who fight in Him.
Read Chapter 20 →1 Chronicles 21:1-30
Let Me Fall Into the Hand of the LORD
Provoked by Satan, David numbers Israel in pride, and a plague follows. Casting himself on God's great mercy, David buys Ornan's threshingfloor at full price, refusing to offer God what costs nothing, and God answers by fire. The site becomes the temple mount, a shadow of the cross.
Read Chapter 21 →1 Chronicles 22:1-19
A Man of Rest Shall Build the House
Barred from building the temple as a man of war, David prepares abundantly and charges Solomon, the man of rest, to build it, calling him to strength and obedience and summoning Israel's leaders to seek the LORD with all their heart, a shadow of the Prince of Peace.
Read Chapter 22 →1 Chronicles 23:1-32
To Stand Every Morning to Thank and Praise the LORD
The aged David numbers and organizes the Levites for the temple, dividing them into courses for varied service, and, because God has given His people rest, reorders their calling from carrying the tabernacle to standing every morning and evening to thank and praise the LORD.
Read Chapter 23 →1 Chronicles 24:1-31
The Orderings of Their Service
David divides the priests, the sons of Aaron, into twenty-four courses assigned impartially by lot, so God's service would go on in order, as the LORD had commanded. These are the very courses, including the course of Abia, still serving when John the Baptist's birth was announced.
Read Chapter 24 →1 Chronicles 25:1-31
To Prophesy With Harps
David appoints the temple singers, the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, to prophesy with harps and give thanks and praise to the LORD. Skilled and instructed in the songs of the LORD, they too are ordered by lot, small and great, teacher and scholar alike.
Read Chapter 25 →1 Chronicles 26:1-32
To Minister in the House of the LORD
David orders the gatekeepers, who guard every gate of God's house as sacred ministry, and the treasurers, who keep the dedicated things, spoils set apart across generations to maintain the house of the LORD. Faithful, watchful service and consecrated giving are honored here.
Read Chapter 26 →1 Chronicles 27:1-34
The LORD Had Said He Would Increase Israel
David orders the kingdom's army into twelve monthly courses and lists its tribal officers and counsellors, with a pointed reminder not to trust in numbers: he did not count the young, for God had promised to increase Israel like the stars, and the census that brought wrath was left unfinished.
Read Chapter 27 →1 Chronicles 28:1-21
Know Thou the God of Thy Father
Before all Israel, David charges Solomon to know and serve God with a perfect heart, warning that God searches all hearts, seek Him and be found, forsake Him and be cast off. He hands over the God-given temple pattern with the promise that God will not fail nor forsake him.
Read Chapter 28 →1 Chronicles 29:1-30
Of Thine Own Have We Given Thee
The book ends in worship: leaders and people give willingly and joyfully for the temple, David lifts up the great doxology 'Thine, O LORD, is the greatness,' Solomon is made king, and David dies in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour. Completes the First Book of Chronicles.
Read Chapter 29 →