Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 3:1 to 1 Chronicles 5:1. The Building of the Temple and its Equipment (see notes on 1 Kings 6, 1 Kings 7:13-51).—What was said in reference to the preceding section applies also to this one. The Chronicler omits all mention of Solomon's other buildings, his interest being centred on the Temple; he has, on the other hand, many additions not found in 1 Kings.

PART I (1 Chronicles 1-9). Genealogical Lists, together with Geographical and Historical Notes.—These chapters form a general introduction to the whole work. They contain the following genealogies, often in an incomplete form: Adam to Israel (1 Chronicles 1:1 to 1 Chronicles 2:2)—with the exception of Cain's descendants (Genesis 4:16-22)—the whole material is taken from Genesis 1-36; Judah (1 Chronicles 2:3-55); David (1 Chronicles 3:1-24); Judah again, and made up of fragments (1 Chronicles 4:1-23); Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:24-43); Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe (the eastern) of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 5:1-26); Levi and the Levitical cities (1 Chronicles 6:1-81); Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:1-5); Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:6-12); Naphtali (1 Chronicles 7:13); half the tribe of Manasseh (the western) (1 Chronicles 7:14-19); Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-29); Asher (1 Chronicles 7:30-40); Benjamin again, together with the house of Saul (1 Chronicles 8:1-40). Then follows an enumeration of the inhabitants of Jerusalem given in the order: sons of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, Manasseh, priests, Levites, doorkeepers (1 Chronicles 9:1-44); 1 Chronicles 9:35-44 are repeated verbally from 1 Chronicles 8:29-38.