Did you know…
The first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are all genealogies – featuring ancestors like Adam, as well as the twelve tribes of Israel, and the descendants of Saul and David who were the first two kings of Israel.
After mentioning Saul’s death, the rest of 1 Chronicles (chapters 11-29) recounts the reign of David until his death.
1 Chronicles mainly recounts the good things David had done as Israel’s king, such as his defeat of various enemies like the Philistines; him returning the Ark to Jerusalem; and his extensive preparations for the building of God’s temple, including setting up the temple ministry. The only failure of David mentioned in this book is a census he made that displeased God (chapter 21). Besides this, there is no record of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).
What is the significance of beginning with the history of humankind (“Adam”), before describing a king’s lifetime of achievements?
“Adam, Seth, Enosh” (v1) calls to mind the lineage that started walking with God after sin entered the world (Genesis 4:26).
The names of Noah’s descendants through his three sons (v4-27) call to mind how Noah cursed Ham through his son Canaan, for what he did (Genesis 9:24-25); and how that had far-reaching ramifications, as I see familiar names of Israel’s enemies being listed among Noah’s genealogy (e.g. Egypt, Amorites). There is also mention of a descendant, Peleg, who lived during the era of the Tower of Babel (1 Chronicles 1:19; Genesis 11:1-9) – another event with far-reaching ramifications.
Then comes Abraham, and apart from his promised son Isaac followed by God’s chosen Israel (Jacob), there is mention of many sons who were not of God’s promise or choosing – Ishmael’s descendants, the sons of Abraham’s concubine Keturah whom he married after Sarah’s death (Genesis 25:1), and Esau’s descendants. The sons of a stranger, Seir the Horite (Genesis 36:20), is also mentioned, as Seir was an earlier ancestor of the land that Esau eventually settled in and took possession of (Genesis 36:8), thus giving rise to the kingdom of Edom (1 Chronicles 1:43).
Not only does it mention the beginning of humankind, Chapter 1 is also the only chapter in 1 Chronicles that mentions Gentile descendants. In subsequent chapters, only genealogies of the Israelites are mentioned.
As I read these genealogies, I imagine how David could have ended up in any of these Gentile lineages that were not too far in relation from him. Yet, God intentionally placed David in the lineage of Isaac the promised son and Israel the chosen prince – a lineage of God-fearing people. As mentioned in Acts 17:26-27, God has pre-appointed the timing, duration and location of our existence, to enable us to seek Him, find Him, and fulfil His purpose in our individual ways.
I am also reminded of how seemingly small or harmless choices (telling on your naked father, building a tower, etc.) can lead to far-reaching negative consequences. For us today, this would look like: our choice of study, abode if we want to migrate, our career and spouse, for example. The Gentile genealogies are a sobering warning for us not to make choices or do things that are against God’s will.
If I were King David reading 1 Chronicles 1 during a time of prosperity (after all, back then, kings did read chronicles of their dynasty – Esther 6:1), I would be full of gratitude for where God has placed me, and be humbled by the reminder that fundamentally, I am but an offspring of God, just like Adam. In our successes, may we remember: “in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)
