Bible Survey: 1 Chronicles
The theme of 1 Chronicles is the sovereignty of God in human history. Whatever is happening around us, God is in control. The key verses are David's prayer: Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine (1 Chronicles 29:11).
First and Second Chronicles were one book in the Hebrew Bible, likely written for the remnant who came home from captivity to a land with no throne and no temple. Kings tells Israel's history from the view of the prophets, Chronicles from the view of the priests, so its focus is on Judah and the worship of God.
The Greek translators called these books Omissions, because they record things left out of Samuel and Kings. One is that wicked King Manasseh humbled himself and repented. God can save the worst of sinners, so never stop praying for anyone. Another is Hezekiah's revival, given a few verses in 2 Kings and three whole chapters here. Politics cannot fix what is wrong with America. It needs revival, and revival has to begin with Christians.
Some people skip the first nine chapters of genealogies, but they are in the Bible for a reason. They trace every one of us back to Adam, and then to Noah. Man did not evolve, and there is only one race, the human race.
David closed his reign by giving generously toward the temple, saying, all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee (1 Chronicles 29:14). If Christians understood that, we would be more generous givers. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners (1 Chronicles 29:15). This world is not our home, and life is short.
As John Phillips put it, God cannot be dethroned. That is the message of Chronicles.
Next in the series: 2 Chronicles.
Taught by Brother James Barker in Sunday School at Naples Independent Baptist Church, July 12, 2020. Watch the lesson.
