Names of the Book
English: | 1 Chronicles |
Hebrew: | דברי הימים א |
Transliterated: | Divrei Hayamim Alef |
Other names: | The Book of Days [1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book] |
Who
Wrote the book: | Ezra |
Are the key people: | David, Solomon |
Is it written to: | The people of Israel |
What
The genealogies of Israel and their tribes (1 Chronicles 1:1-9:44) |
The reign of David and his exploits (1 Chronicles 6:1-11:32) |
When
Was it written: | c 430 BCE |
Did the events occur: | c 1000-960 BCE |
Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh) |
Where
Was it written: | Israel |
Did the events occur: | The land of Israel: Hebron, Jerusalem, Kiriath Jearim, and Baal Perazim; Tyre |
Why
1 Chronicles was written to inform us that: |
Israel is G-d's chosen people. |
David was a man after G-d's own heart. |
Worship of G-d is central to G-d's people. |
The priests were to be a safeguard of Israel's faith. |
Introduction
First and Second Chronicles, originally one book, was written sometime after Judah returns from exile in Babylon. This historical narrative focuses primarily on the history of Judah, the southern kingdom of divided Israel. First Chronicles begins with several genealogies, with special emphasis on David and Solomon. The "chronicler" moves on to the history of the kingdom under David, stressing David's heart of worship towards G-d and his detailed plans for the construction of the temple—which would be built by his son Solomon. First Chronicles delivers a message of assurance of G-d's faithfulness toward His people and concludes with Solomon taking the throne of Israel.
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