1 Chronicles Chapter 9
9:1. The genealogical lists are extended to include a roster of returnees from the Exile (cf. Neh. 11). A list of laymen
(vv. 4-9) is followed by the names of the priests (vv. 10-13) and Levites (vv. 14-34).
9:2. Four classes of returnees are delineated: laymen, priests, Levites, and Nethinim. The last is an ancient term
used to designate temple servants. Some suggest that the word refers to non-Israelites who had become a part of
the congregation of Israel. At any rate, they became closely associated with the Levites (cf. Ezra 7:24; 8:16-20;
Neh. 10:28) in the work carried on in the temple precincts (Ezra 8:20).
9:17-34. The names and duties of various Levites are detailed here. This and other lists indicate that such duties
included the oversight of the various chambers and rooms of the temple, the security of the temple area, the
custody of the utensils and implements of the temple, the baking and care of the showbread, and participation in
the various musical ministries (vv. 35-40). See the note on 8:1.
1 Chronicles Chapter 10
10:6. This verse deals with Saul's three sons and the attendants that were with him at the battle. Some of Saul's
sons were not here (cf. 2 Sam. 2:8; 21:1-14).
10:13, 14. The author of Chronicles adds a note to the historical narrative on the divine judgement of Saul (cf. 1
Sam. 31). Saul's continued disobedience (1 Sam. 13:8, 9; 15:3, 9-19) and the consulting of the witch of Endor (1
Sam. 28:7-25) had brought on his downfall.
1 Chronicles Chapter 11
11:1. For a time after Saul's death, loyalties in Israel were divided between Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, and David (cf.
2 Sam. 2-4). With the desertion of Ish-bosheth's general, Abner (2 Sam. 3:20), and the assassination of
Ish-bosheth (2 Sam. 4:7), all the tribes sent representatives to Hebron, David's capital to recognize his kingship
over all Israel (cf. 2 Sam. 5:1-5). For an expanded account concerning David's forces at Hebron, see 12:23-40.
11:2. David had been anointed king (1 Sam. 16:13) after Saul's disobedience to God's command given through
Samuel (1 Sam. 15:22, 23). Part of the promise in the Davidic covenant was that as ruler over Israel, the line of
David would shepherd God's people (cf. 2 Sam. 7:8; 1 Chr. 17:7; Ezek. 34:23-31; 37:24).
11:4, 5. Jebus, the home of the powerful Jebusites, was also known as Jerusalem (cf. Josh. 15:63; Judg. 19:10).
David had earlier brought Goliath's head here (1 Sam. 17:54). Because Jerusalem was a seemingly impregnable
fortress, its citizens had thrown taunts at David and his men (2 Sam. 5:6, 7). After Jerusalem's capture, it became
known as the city of David, or Zion.
11:6. For the capture of Jerusalem, see the note on 2 Samuel 5:8.
11:8. For the Millo, see the note on 2 Samuel 5:9.
11:10. See the note on 2 Samuel 23:8.
11:11. The number of the enemy slain by Jashobeam is given in 2 Samuel 23:8 as eight hundred, probably the
correct figure. The number here may have been miscopied, perhaps influenced by the number slain by Abishai in
verse 20.
1 Chronicles Chapter 12
12:1-7. For David's stay at Ziklag and his battles with the Amalekites, see 1 Samuel 27, 30.
12:8-15. The roster of Gadites who came to David, possibly during his time in the wilderness of En-gedi (cf. 1 Sam.
24:1), is given here. David characteristically sought out various caves or strongholds in the wilderness areas where
he fled from Saul (e.g., 1 Sam. 22:1; 23:14).
12:16-18. The addition of men from Benjamin and Judah occurred in the days of David's life in the strongholds. For
the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, see the note on Judges 3:10.
12:19-22. For the historical background of this addition of troops from Manasseh, see 1 Samuel 29, 30.
12:38. During David's seven-and-a-half years of independent rule at Hebron, his strength and forces grew
increasingly greater (cf. 2 Sam. 3:1). By the time of his coronation as king over all Israel, the number was
astonishingly large. See the notes on 2 Samuel 5:1-3 and 1 Chronicles 11:1.
1 Chronicles Chapter 13
13:3, 4. See the note on 2 Samuel 6:2.
13:9, 10. For this disobedience of the divine instructions with regard to transporting the ark, see the note on 2
Samuel 6:3-7.
1 Chronicles Chapter 14
14:1, 2. See the note on 2 Samuel 5:11.
14:3-5. See the note on 2 Samuel 5:13-15.
1 Chronicles Chapter 15
15:1, 2. David's preparations for the ark included the selection of a place for it to be housed and the assigning of
the proper Levitical assistants.
15:11-13. See the note on 16:37-42.
15:17. For Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, see the note on 6:31-48.
15:27. For ephod, see the note on 1 Samuel 2:18.
15:29. See the note on 2 Samuel 6:16.
1 Chronicles Chapter 16
16:7. This psalm (with slight variations) is woven into several of the psalms in the Hebrew Psalter (cf. vv. 8-22 with
Ps. 105:1-15; vv. 23-33 with Ps. 96; vv. 34-36 with Ps. 106:1, 47, 48). It is learned here that those later liturgical
adaptions originated with David. The psalm was especially suited for this auspicious occasion. This particular psalm
exhorts the people to praise Israel's wonder-working God (vv. 8-11), and encourages its hearer to remember God's
deeds (vv. 12-14) and His unfailing covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (vv. 15-22). David then directs all
nations to join Israel in its praise of the holy God to whom all the universe is subservient (vv. 23-33), and close this
song with a section of thanks, petition, and praise (vv. 34-36).
16:37-42. David's concern for worship is immediately apparent in this appointment of the Levites for various tasks
in the service of the Lord (cf. vv. 4-6). Although the ark is not in Jerusalem, the old brazen altar used in the
tabernacle service remains with the tabernacle at Gibeon (cf. vv. 39, 40 with 1 Kin. 3:4; 1 Chr. 21:29; 2 Chr. 1:3).
Zadok and the priests probably returned to Gibeon after seeing to the safe delivery of the ark in Jerusalem (cf. 1
Chr. 15:11-13). Doubtless the services relative to the ark in Jerusalem (vv. 37, 38) and to altar in Gibeon (vv. 41,
42) were served by the Levitical musicians. The importance of music in the Israelite worship experience is again
emphasized. See the note on 6:31-48.
1 Chronicles Chapter 17
17:11-14. For the Davidic covenant, see the note on 2 Samuel 7:12-16.
17:16-27. David again shows himself to be a man of spiritual sensitivity, who was always ready to got o God in
prayer, thanksgiving, and praise.
17:17. See the note on 2 Samuel 7:19.
1 Chronicles Chapter 18
18:4. See the notes on 19:18 and 2 Samuel 8:4, 5; 8:4-6; 10:18.
18:12. This detail gives additional information to the account in 2 Samuel 8:13, which emphasizes David's growing
prestige. The heading over Psalm 60 recalls Joab's part in the battle. Abishai was David's cousin and Joab's
brother (2:16).
18:16. Abimelech could be identified with Ahimelech (2 Sam. 8:17). He is probably the grandson of another
Ahimelech, the father of Abiathar (cf. 1 Sam. 23:6; 30:7).
18:17. For Cherethites and Pelethites, see the note on 1 Kings 1:38-40.
1 Chronicles Chapter 19
19:2-5. See the notes on 2 Samuel 10:2 and 10:4.
19:18. See the notes on 2 Samuel 8:4; 5; 10:18; and 1 Chronicles 18:4. Assuming that all the passages are
discussing the same campaign, the proper full figures are as follows: from the Syrians (Arameans) one thousand
chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and 20,000 footmen (soldiers) were captured. As well, 22,000 Aramean
soldiers were killed. Thus, the 40,000 "horsemen" (2 Sam. 10:18) and 40,000 footmen (v. 18) are merely
rounded-off figures for the 42,000 foot soldiers either captured or slain. The word "horsemen" in 2 Samuel 10:18 is
thus used imprecisely or may have been miscopied from the listing in 2 Samuel 8:4.
1 Chronicles Chapter 20
20:1-3. Fuller details of this campaign can be found in 2 Samuel 12:26-31. For David's treatment of the Ammonites,
see the note on 2 Samuel 12:31.
20:4-8. Several differences between the account here and that 2 Samuel 21:15-22 can be observed: (1) In 2
Samuel the place of battle is listed as Gob, rather than Gezer. (2) In 2 Samuel the slain giant's son was Saph,
rather than Sippai. (3) Goliath's slain brother, Lahmi (v. 5), is unnamed in the account in 2 Samuel. (4) Abishai's
slaying of the giant Ishbi-benob goes unnoticed in the chronicler's record. However, the differences are minimal: (1)
Gob was located close to Gezer, therefore, the later author of Chronicles may simply have used the more familiar
name, particularly if Gob was a suburb of Gezer or had been destroyed and passed out of existence. (2) The
names Saph and Sippai are mere variants. (3) The latter two problems are simply cases of each author's own
particular selection of the details on which he wished to comment. The two accounts are supplementary, not
contradictory.
20:5. See the note on 1 Samuel 17:50.
20:8. See the note on 2 Samuel 21:15-22.
1 Chronicles Chapter 21
21:1. See the note on 2 Samuel 24:1.
21:5. See the note on 2 Samuel 24:9.
21:12. See the note on 2 Samuel 24:13.
21:15. For the Lord's repentance, see the note on 1 Samuel 15:11. Ornan is rendered Araunah in 2 Samuel 24:16.
21:16. The angel with the drawn sword made it clear that the plague in Israel was a divine judgement for sin (cf.
Num. 22:23).
21:17. See the note on 2 Samuel 24:17.
21:25. See the note on 2 Samuel 24:24.
21:29. See the note on 16:37-42.
1 Chronicles Chapter 22
22:5. David had a great desire to build a house for the LORD (cf. 2 Sam. 7:2; 1 Chr. 17:1, 2), but his task had been
securing the kingdom through many wars and much bloodshed. Therefore the privilege of erecting the temple
would be given to Solomon ("Peachable"), his son who would rule in a time of rest and peace (vv. 7-9). David was
not allowed to build the temple; however, he made careful preparation for it (28:11-19; 29:1-9), and he admonished
Solomon (v. 11; 28:9, 10, 20, 21) and the elders of Israel (vv. 17-19; 28:1-8) to see to its construction.
22:10. For Solomon and the unconditional Davidic covenant, see the note on 2 Samuel 7:12-16.
22:11, 12. David's charge to Solomon is followed by invoking God's blessing upon him. His concern that Solomon
should have godly wisdom soon came to fruition. For when God asked Solomon what he might want God to grant
him, Solomon asked the LORD simply to bless him with wisdom (1 Kin. 3:5-12).
22:13. For a similar call to courage, see the note on Joshua 1:6-9.
22:14. See the note on 29:3, 4.