Author: The Book of 1 Chronicles does not specifically name  its author. The tradition is that 1 and 2 Chronicles were written by  Ezra.

Date of Writing: The Book of 1 Chronicles was  likely written between 450 and 425 B.C.

Purpose of  Writing: The Books of 1 & 2 Chronicles cover mostly the same  information as 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. 1 & 2 Chronicles focus  more on the priestly aspect of the time period. The Book of 1 Chronicles was  written after the exile to help those returning to Israel understand how to  worship God. The history focused on the Southern Kingdom, the tribes of  Judah, Benjamin and Levi. These tribes tended to be more faithful to  God.

Key Verses: 1  Chronicles 11:1-2, “All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said,  ‘We are your own flesh and blood.  In the past, even while Saul was king, you  were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.  And the Lord said to  you, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their  ruler.”‘”

1  Chronicles 21:13, “David said to Gad, ‘I am in deep distress.  Let me fall  into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall  into the hands of men.'”

1  Chronicles 29:11, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the  glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is  yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over  all.”

Brief Summary: The first 9 chapters of 1  Chronicles are dedicated to lists and genealogies. Further lists and genealogies  are scattered throughout the rest of 1 Chronicles. In between, the Book of 1  Chronicles records David’s ascension to the throne and his actions thereafter.  The book concludes with David’s son Solomon becoming King of Israel. Briefly  outlined, the Book of 1 Chronicles is as follows: Chapters 1:1-9:23 – Selective  Genealogies; Chapters 9:24-12:40 – David’s ascent; Chapters 13:1-20:30 -David’s  reign.

Foreshadowings: In David’s song of thanksgiving  to God in 1  Chronicles 16:33, he refers to the time when God will come “to judge the  earth.” This foreshadows Matthew 25, in which Jesus describes the time when He  will come to judge the earth. Through the parables of the ten virgins and the  talents, He warns that those who are found without the blood of Christ covering  their sins will be cast into “outer darkness.” He encourages His people to be  ready because when He comes, He will separate the sheep from the goats in  judgment.

Part of the Davidic Covenant which God reiterates in chapter  17 refers to the future Messiah who would be a descendant of David. Verses 13-14  describe the Son who will be established in God’s house and whose throne will be  established forever. This can only refer to Jesus  Christ.

Practical Application: Genealogies such as the  ones in 1 Chronicles may seem dry to us, but they remind us that God knows each  of His children personally, even down to the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). We can  take comfort in the fact that who we are and what we do is written forever in  God’s mind. If we belong to Christ, our names are written forever in the Lamb’s  book of Life (Revelation  13:8).

God is faithful to His people and keeps His promises. In the  Book of 1 Chronicles, we see the fulfillment of God’s promise to David when he  is made king over all Israel (1  Chronicles 11:1-3). We can be sure that His promises to us will be fulfilled  as well. He has promised blessings to those who follow Him, who come to Christ  in repentance, and who obey His Word.

Obedience brings blessing;  disobedience brings judgment. The Book of 1 Chronicles, as well as 1 & 2  Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings, is a chronicle of the pattern of sin, repentance,  forgiveness, and restoration of the nation of Israel. In the same way, God is  patient with us and forgives our sin when we come to Him in true repentance (1 John 1:9). We can take  comfort in the fact that He hears our prayer of sorrow, forgives our sin,  restores us to fellowship with Him, and sets us on the path to joy.