1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 1:1–9:44 A Genealogical Presentation of the Tribes of Israel. The genealogies of chs. 1–9 are intended to show the Chronicler’s generation, now existing as the small province of Yehud (Judah) in the Persian Empire, that they are still God’s people Israel and retain their central place in God’s purposes. They are traced from Adam (1:1), through the tribes of Israel (chs. 2–8), to the community of Judean exiles restored from captivity in Babylon (9:2–34). The genealogies have been structured to show how the Chronicler conceived of Israel:
Judah (2:3–4:23)
Simeon (4:24–43)
The Transjordanian tribes (5:1–26)
Levi (6:1–81)
The northern tribes (7:1–40)
Benjamin (8:1–40)
The royal tribe of Judah leads the nation in partnership with its neighbor Benjamin. Levi is at the center to remind the people of their spiritual vocation. This section also announces some of the book’s key themes: Israel’s history of unfaithfulness, leading to exile (5:25–26; 9:1); the endurance of the Davidic line after the exile because of God’s promise to his people (3:17–24); and the central role of the priests and Levites in offering worship and making atonement for Israel (6:1–81).
The opening chapter, drawn almost wholly from Genesis, traces the family of Israel (as Jacob is consistently known in this book) from Adam and shows that his descendants have spread among the nations. This lineage runs from Adam through 10 generations to Noah, then through Shem in 10 generations to Abraham, and on to Israel.
Why begin with Adam? By beginning with Adam, the Chronicler shows that God planned to make Israel his chosen people, out of all the nations of the world, since the very beginning of human history.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 1 Chron. 10:1–2 Chron. 9:31 The United Kingdom of David and Solomon. The second major section of 1–2 Chronicles concerns the reigns of David and Solomon over Israel. Their rule is presented as a unity; David makes the essential preparations for what Solomon completes.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 1:1–4 From Genesis 5. Israel’s direct ancestral link with Adam means Israel is the focus of God’s purpose from creation.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 1:5–27 From Gen. 10:1–29; 11:10–32. Israel is located within the nations, which are also God’s creation and part of his purpose for Israel. The line continues through Abraham, who received covenantal promises (1 Chron. 16:16; 2 Chron. 20:7).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 1:28–34 From Gen. 25:1–4, 12–16. The concubine (1 Chron. 1:32) could have the status of a wife.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 1:35–54 From Gen. 36:10–14, 20–28, 31–43. The descendants of Esau and the sons of Seir (the Edomites) are grouped together because both inhabited Edom. The latter would often be in conflict with Judah (2 Chron. 20:10; 21:8; 25:5–13; 28:17).
2:1–2 The Sons of Israel. The sons of Israel are the subject of the following genealogies. Here the author lists the biological sons of Jacob (see Gen. 35:22–26). When he lists the tribes later in the book he traces how the land was divided (see Joshua 13–21). Thus, he includes the half-tribes of Manasseh in Transjordan (1 Chron. 5:23–26) and west of the Jordan (7:14–19) and omits Zebulun and Dan.
Why so many genealogies? The first readers of 1 Chronicles were Israelites living after the Babylonian exile. The genealogies showed them that they were still God’s people. For Christians, the genealogies also show how God preserved the line of David’s descendants that eventually led to Jesus the Messiah.
2:3–4:23 The Tribe of Judah. The first and most extensive place in the genealogy is given to Judah. The author has arranged it as follows:
2:3 Shelah, the oldest surviving son of Judah
2:4–8 Perez and Zerah, Judah’s sons by Tamar
2:9–3:24 Hezron, ancestor of David and his line
4:1–20 Perez’s other descendants
4:21–23 Shelah’s descendants
As is common in such literary arrangements, the central unit (2:9–3:24) is the focus of chief interest because it leads to David, the central human character in Chronicles.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 2:3–8 Judah is the central focus of the genealogy because God chose Judah to lead Israel (Gen. 49:8–12). God also chose David and his line to bless Israel and rule forever (2 Sam. 7:1–17; 1 Chron. 17:1–15). Judah’s five sons demonstrate both Yahweh’s judgment on disobedience (Er, Onan, Shelah) and his grace in continuing the lines of Perez and Zerah, the twins born from Judah’s unlawful union with Tamar (Genesis 38). Achan means “trouble” in the Hebrew text, a wordplay on the troubler of Israel (see Josh. 7:24–26). broke faith. This is the first instance of this key term in the book that describes Israel’s failure to obey the Lord (see Lev. 26:40).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 2:9–17 Verses 10–12 are drawn mainly from Ruth 4:19–22. Here, only the line of David (1 Chron. 2:15) came from Ram, and the rest of Judah from Hezron’s other sons, Jerahmeel and Caleb (Chelubai is a variant of “Caleb”). Although 1 Sam. 16:10–13 indicates that David was the eighth son of Jesse, the Chronicler presents him as the seventh, perhaps to indicate his favored place in God’s purpose.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 2:18–24 Caleb the son of Hezron is not the later contemporary of Joshua (see 4:15). He was an ancestor of Bezalel (2:20), the principal craftsman for the tabernacle (Ex. 31:2; 2 Chron. 1:5).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 2:25–41 Two lists (vv. 25–33 and 34–41) have been joined here, probably from material preserved by this clan, descendants of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron. They lived in the Negeb, on Judah’s southern frontier, in David’s day (1 Sam. 27:10). If this record of 23 generations is complete, Elishama may have been a contemporary of David, and the Chronicler would be drawing on ancient records from the early monarchy.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 2:42–55 An addition to vv. 18–24, made up of early lists of the descendants of Caleb (vv. 42–50a) and his son Hur (vv. 50b–55). Personal and place names are together in this section (Hebron, Beth-zur, Kiriath-jearim, Bethlehem), so “father” here sometimes means the “founder” or “leader” of a city.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 3:1–24 The genealogy of Ram (2:10–17) is resumed in this list of David’s descendants. There are three distinct sections: David’s children (3:1–9); Solomon and the kings of Judah (vv. 10–16); and the postexilic generations (vv. 17–24).
Do the books of Chronicles have a main theme? The central theme of 1–2 Chronicles is how God’s covenant with David provided an enduring hope for Israel, even in its darkest hours.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 3:1–9 Drawn mainly from 2 Sam. 3:2–5 (see note) and 5:14–16, with a few textual variations (Daniel for “Chileab,” and the addition of Eliphelet, 1 Chron. 3:6, and Nogah, v. 7). The narrative omits the troubles of David’s family (2 Samuel 13–19; 1 Kings 1), but mentioning Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah, and Tamar implies readers are familiar with these accounts.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 3:10–16 The complete Davidic line down to the exile follows the spelling in Kings (Azariah is a variant of “Uzziah,” 2 Chronicles 26). The pattern is altered here because Josiah was succeeded by three of his sons, but not according to their birth order: Shallum (throne name: Jehoahaz), replaced by Jehoiakim (who was succeeded by his own son, Jeconiah [a variant of “Jehoiachin”]), then Zedekiah, the last king of Judah.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 3:17–24 The line of David’s descendants continued even after the exile, fulfilling God’s promise of an enduring “house” for him, through which God’s kingdom would be eternally established (17:10b, 14). Zerubbabel played a central role in restoring the temple (Ezra 5:2; Hag. 1:12–15). Possibly Ezra 3:2, which calls Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, implies an adoption or levirate marriage (see note on Matt. 22:24).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 3:19 sons of Zerubbabel. Matthew 1:13 and Luke 3:27 both trace Jesus’ descent from David through sons of Zerubbabel other than those mentioned here, apparently using other historical records.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 4:1–23 Information about other clans rounds off the genealogy of Judah. Verses 1–20 supply additional details of the descendants of Perez (2:4–8), while 4:21–23 fill out the lineage of Judah’s third son, Shelah (2:3).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 4:9–10 Jabez prays that his name, which is similar to the Hebrew word for “pain,” will not be a bad omen. He desires to live under God’s blessing and protection. On the gift of territorial expansion and divine protection in response to prayer, see 5:20–22 and 2 Chron. 20:6–12.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 4:13–15 The Kenizzites appear to have been a southern tribe absorbed into Judah. Othniel was the first major judge of Israel (Judg. 3:7–11) and a nephew of Caleb (Josh. 15:17).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 4:21–23 linen workers . . . potters. These records from before the exile to Babylon (vv. 22–23) indicate that certain Israelite clans specialized in trades or crafts such as linen work or pottery; see 2:55 on scribes. Lehem may be Bethlehem.
4:24–43 The Tribe of Simeon. This tribe’s allotted territory lay within Judah and was taken from that tribe (vv. 28–33; see Josh. 19:1–9). By David’s time (1 Chron. 4:31) Simeon had been largely absorbed back into Judah. Nevertheless, some Simeonite clans maintained their tribal identity through genealogical records (vv. 34–38). These records would have included the historical notes of two military expansions undertaken to relieve overpopulation (v. 38): one westward into Philistine territory in the days of Hezekiah in the eighth century B.C. (vv. 39–41), and another into the southern Negeb (vv. 42–43). The westward campaign to Gedor (probably “Gerar”) is depicted in the language of the conquest under Joshua: marked . . . for destruction (see note on 1 Sam. 15:3).
5:1–26 The Transjordanian Tribes. By the Chronicler’s time, Reuben (vv. 1–10), Gad (vv. 11–17), and the half-tribe of Manasseh (vv. 23–26) had largely lost their identities after Assyrian invasions in the eighth century B.C. Nonetheless, the Chronicler included within “all Israel” whatever remnants of the northern tribes still existed (see 2 Chron. 30:10–20).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 5:1–2 Because of his grave sin, Reuben forfeited his birthright as Israel’s firstborn to Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh (see Gen. 35:22; 49:3–4). The Chronicler expresses a receptive openness to the non-Judahite Israelites by stressing that the birthright belonged to Joseph, whose descendants would form the core of the northern kingdom. Leadership of the nation, however, passed from Reuben to Judah, from whose tribe David (a chief) arose.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 5:3–10 This is a partial genealogy of Reuben’s line, extending to their exile by the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III, in his conquest of Gilead (Transjordanian Israel) in 733 B.C. See also 2 Chron. 28:19–21. These verses recount an earlier expansion of the Reubenites into Gilead, which was recaptured by the Moabites (in the 9th century B.C.). The Hagrites were linked with the Moabites (Ps. 83:6) and were descendants of Hagar (Genesis 16).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 5:11–17 The information about Gad in Bashan (northeast of the Sea of Galilee) is from records (possibly a military census; see v. 18) dating from the eighth-century B.C. reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel (v. 17).
Bashan, northeast of the Sea of Galilee, was known for its rich pastureland and healthy livestock (5:11–16). The OT sometimes uses the riches of Bashan as a symbol of overindulgence and arrogance. For example, Amos 4:1 refers to the proud, wealthy women of Samaria as “cows of Bashan.”
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 5:18–22 for they cried out to God. God answers his people and grants them victory when they cry out to him (compare 2 Chron. 14:9–15; 20:5–12). They prevailed over them may be, “they were helped to prevail over them” (see esv footnote, and 2 Chron. 25:8; 32:8). because the war was of God. See also 2 Chron. 20:15 and 32:8 for the idea that God fights for his people.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 5:23–24 The half-tribe of Manasseh lived east of the Jordan between Gad’s territory (Bashan) and Mount Hermon in Lebanon. Their large numbers and extensive lands indicate divine blessing.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 5:25–26 The half-tribe of Manasseh was defeated and exiled, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, into Assyrian lands by Tiglath-pileser (see note on 2 Kings 15:16–22). The Chronicler attributes this to God’s initiative in human affairs: the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul (see also 2 Chron. 21:16; 36:22). The writer’s brief account is based on 2 Kings 17:7–23, along with details from 2 Kings 15:29; 17:6; 18:11. These idolatrous Israelites broke faith. Judah will be exiled for the same reasons (1 Chron. 9:1; 2 Chron. 36:14–20).
6:1–81 The Tribe of Levi. Levi is placed at the center of the Chronicler’s ideal conception of Israel (see diagram in note on 1:1–9:44). The Davidic monarchy and the Jerusalem temple together form the institutional foundation of Israel’s existence.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 6:1–15 Drawing from Ex. 6:16–25 for 1 Chron. 6:1–4a, this genealogy focuses on the line of Eleazar descended through Kohath from Levi. This traces the origin of the high-priestly line down to the exiled Jehozadak. The list of high priests is incomplete, omitting several mentioned in this book (Jehoiada, 2 Chron. 22:11; two other Azariahs, 2 Chron. 26:20; 31:10) and elsewhere in the OT (Eli and his descendants, 1 Sam. 14:3; Uriah, 2 Kings 16:10). Jehozadak’s line was preserved into the postexilic period (see Ezra 5:2, where he is called Jozadak), just as David’s line was (1 Chron. 3:17–24).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 6:10 Azariah. See note on 1 Kings 4:2.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 6:16–30 This section details the three main Levite clans. Seven generations are given for descendants of Gershom and Merari. This probably takes them to the time of David, who reorganized the Levites’ duties.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 6:22–27 The Kohathite line is a little more difficult to follow. Amminadab may be an alternative name for Izhar (see v. 38) or Amram (v. 18). These verses present the descent from Kohath through Assir to Shaul. Elkanah and Ebiasaph, v. 23, are Assir’s brothers.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 6:28 The prophet Samuel is a Kohathite. First Samuel 1:1 states that his father Elkanah was from an “Ephraimite” family, but this may indicate the locality in which they lived (see Josh. 21:20–21) rather than their tribal identity. A clear genealogical link with the Kohathite singer Heman is established in 1 Chron. 6:33–38.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 6:31–48 For the Levites whom David put in charge of the service of song (v. 31), their leaders were appointed from each clan: Heman, from the Kohathites (vv. 33–38); Asaph, from the Gershomites (vv. 39–43); and Ethan, from the Merarites (vv. 44–47). Each line is traced back to Levi.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 6:49–53 It is a recurring theme that the Aaronic priests make atonement for Israel in order to maintain a relationship with God (see 2 Chron. 13:10–11; 29:21). Verses 50–53 of 1 Chronicles 6 repeat vv. 4–8. The effect is to tie all the Aaronic priests to Zadok and Ahimaaz, who lived in Solomon’s time. Aaron’s first two sons, Nadab and Abihu, who died for their disobedience, are not mentioned here (see v. 3; 24:1–2; also Ex. 6:23; Lev. 10:1–7).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 6:54–81 Summarized from Joshua 21 with some small omissions and variations of order. The Levites possessed no tribal territory, so they are distributed throughout the cities of Israel.
7:1–40 Other Northern Tribes. This chapter contains briefer details of those tribes, including part of Benjamin that belonged to the old northern kingdom of Israel. Their lands were no longer under Israelite control at the time of the Chronicler’s writing.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 7:1–5 The list of the descendants of Issachar is composed from Gen. 46:13, Num. 26:23–25, and a military census from David’s reign (1 Chron. 7:2–5; see ch. 21).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 7:6–12 These details of Benjamin differ from other lists (Gen. 46:21; Num. 26:38–39; 1 Chron. 8:1–3) and come mainly from military registers (7:7, 9, 11).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 7:13 Drawn from Gen. 46:24 and Num. 26:48–49. Details for Dan and Zebulun are missing, probably because of incomplete records.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 7:14–19 This section concerns the half of Manasseh that lived west of the Jordan. Details are from Num. 26:29–33 and Josh. 17:1–3. This genealogy places a particular emphasis on women. Maacah is called the sister of Machir in 1 Chron. 7:15, then his wife in v. 16; but “sister/brother” can often mean “relative” in the OT.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 7:15 and Zelophehad had daughters. See Num. 26:33; 27:1–11.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 7:20–29 The list of ancestors for Joshua, the most famous Ephraimite, is given in vv. 20–27 (from Num. 26:35). A historical note (1 Chron. 7:21b–24) probably refers to the postconquest period: the building of Lower and Upper Beth-horon fits better with the time of tribal settlement. In this case, Ephraim (v. 22) would refer not to the patriarch but to a later descendant. Gath may be Gittaim, on the Ephraimite border. Verses 28–29 draw on Joshua 16–17 for details of the settlements of Ephraim and Manasseh, since both tribes descended from Joseph.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 7:30–40 Genesis 46:17, Num. 26:44–46, and details from a military register (1 Chron. 7:40) provide the information for Asher. The total of fighting men for Asher (26,000, v. 40) is significantly less than that in Moses’ day (Num. 26:47).
Why is the genealogy for Naphtali so short? The Chronicler was writing more than a thousand years after the beginning of Israel’s tribes. During that time, all the tribes had gone into exile. This made it difficult to find genealogies for all the tribes.
8:1–40 The Tribe of Benjamin. A second, more detailed genealogy of this tribe has little in common with the earlier list (7:6–12) and serves a different function. Judah and Benjamin formed the core of the community in Jerusalem and Judah after the exile (see Ezra 1:5; Neh. 11:4–9). Most details in this section are probably from preexilic sources.
How many genealogies are there in the Bible? There are about 25 genealogical lists in the Bible. These genealogies show how God protected his covenant people through the centuries.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 8:1–7 These are the descendants of the famous judge Ehud (Judg. 3:15), who settled in the Benjaminite city of Geba (see 1 Kings 15:22) before their removal to Manahath (probably in Judah).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 8:8–27 These are the descendants of Elpaal, who led a westward expansion into the coastal plain (vv. 12–13) and settled in Jerusalem (v. 28).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 8:29–40 This is the genealogy of the most famous Benjaminite family, Saul and his descendants, through 15 generations. (Ner, in 1 Sam. 14:50, has the same name as Saul’s ancestor.) The first section of the list is probably of early preexilic origin, since it contains names that would have been unacceptable in later times because of possible pagan connections (Baal, 1 Chron. 8:30; Eshbaal, v. 33, is known elsewhere as Ishbosheth, 2 Sam. 2:8; and Merib-baal, 1 Chron. 8:34, is known as Mephibosheth, 2 Sam. 4:4; see note on 2 Sam. 4:4).
9:1–34 The Resettlement of Jerusalem. The Chronicler focuses on the worship personnel who return to Jerusalem from exile.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 9:1 The summarizing conclusion to the tribal genealogies of all Israel in chs. 2–8. Judah’s exile to Babylon for breach of faith (see 2 Chron. 36:14–20) parallels the fate of the northern tribes (“they broke faith”; see 1 Chron. 5:25–26). the Book of the Kings of Israel. See note on 1 Kings 14:19.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 9:3–9 Repopulated Jerusalem includes people from Ephraim and Manasseh, as well as Judah and Benjamin. The Judahites are listed as descendants of the patriarch’s sons.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 9:10–13 The priests in postexilic Jerusalem are praised for their temple ministry. Their numbers (1,760) have grown significantly (compare 1,192 in Neh. 11:12–14).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 9:14–16 Levitical singers and musicians include descendants of Asaph and Jeduthun, choir leaders in David’s day (6:39; 25:1).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 9:17–32 The Levitical gatekeepers’ authority is traced to their service under Phinehas (v. 20; see Num. 25:6–11) and their appointment by David (1 Chron. 9:22; 26:1–32). Along with their primary duty of safeguarding the temple, the gatekeepers were also responsible for the utensils and supplies used in the daily sacrifices (9:28–32).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 9:31 making the flat cakes. God notices and remembers those who faithfully perform routine tasks in service to him.
9:35–44 The Genealogy of Saul. This is repeated from 8:29–38 to introduce the Chronicler’s account of Saul’s reign (ch. 10). While Saul’s dynasty ended with his death (10:6), his family line continued for many generations (9:40–44).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 9:40 Merib-baal. See note on 8:29–40.
10:1–12:40 David’s Rise to Power over Israel. The Chronicler focuses on Israel’s unity under David, passing over most of the conflict with Saul and Ishbosheth that 2 Samuel describes.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 10:1–12 Taken mainly from 1 Sam. 31:1–13. Saul’s reign ends in disaster for Israel at the hands of the Philistines (1 Chron. 10:7). His death, along with the deaths of three of his sons, marks the end of his royal house (v. 6). temple of Dagon (v. 10). Saul’s humiliation after his death contrasts with the triumph of the ark over Dagon in 1 Sam. 5:1–4.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 10:4 Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. See note on 2 Sam. 1:6–10 for the claim that Saul did not commit suicide but rather was killed by an Amalekite.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 10:11–12 Saul had saved Jabesh-gilead earlier (1 Samuel 11). This explains why the city gave a proper burial to Saul and his sons. David later reburied their bones (2 Sam. 21:14).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 10:13–14 his breach of faith (compare 2:7; 5:25; 9:1). Saul failed to keep the command of the LORD (see 1 Sam. 13:13). He consulted the medium of En-dor (1 Samuel 28) but did not seek the Lord. His sin caused his death. turned the kingdom over to David. This is the main point of the chapter.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:1–3 From 2 Sam. 5:1–3, omitting the war with Ishbosheth and David’s seven-year reign in Hebron as king (2 Sam. 2:1–4:12; 5:4–5; contrast 1 Chron. 3:4; 29:27). according to the word of the LORD by Samuel. See 1 Sam. 13:14; 15:28.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:1 your bone and flesh. Despite a distinct division between Judah and the rest of Israel, they still recognized each other as family (compare “brothers”; 2 Sam. 2:26–27).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:4–9 From 2 Sam. 5:6–10. The conquest of Jerusalem by David and all Israel (see 2 Sam. 5:6, “the king and his men”) gave the tribes a focus for their national unity. Thinking of his fellow Israelites living after the exile, the Chronicler presents Jerusalem as the possession not just of Judah but of “all Israel.”
How did David conquer Jerusalem? The Chronicler tells of David’s conquest of Jerusalem in 11:4–10. Second Samuel 5:8 provides an additional interesting detail: David and his men were able to enter the city through an underground water shaft.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:8 the Millo. See note on 2 Sam. 5:9.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:10–47 From 2 Sam. 23:8–39, with additional material (1 Chron. 11:41b–47). These details of David’s mighty men illustrate the support David received from the people around him and from God (v. 10).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:12–13 The Chronicler may have intentionally skipped over material about Shammah from 2 Sam. 23:9–11. In that case the plurals “they . . . their” in 1 Chron. 11:14 (see esv footnote) indicate that others (possibly including David) were with Eleazar in this battle at Pas-dammim. This location was not mentioned in 2 Samuel.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:15–19 The identity of these three mighty men is not known.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:18 He poured it out to the LORD. See note on 2 Sam. 23:16–17.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 11:25–47 The original list of the thirty (vv. 26–40b = 2 Sam. 23:24–39) has been supplemented with material from a different source (1 Chron. 11:41b–47; see note on 2 Sam. 23:8–39).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 12:1–22 Before his reign in Hebron, David took refuge from Saul in various strongholds in the Judean desert. He also stayed in Ziklag for 16 months under the protection of the Philistine king Achish (1 Sam. 27:6). This section provides a “flashback” to those days and places. Like the rest of 1 Chron. 11:1–12:40, they show the growing support for David from every tribe of Israel.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 12:1–7 David gained support from Saul’s own tribe of Benjamin while in Ziklag.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 12:8–15 David received support from the Gadites of Transjordan earlier, possibly at Adullam (1 Sam. 22:1) or Engedi (1 Sam. 23:29).
Bows and arrows were widely used in Bible times (12:2). Bows were made with single pieces of wood or by gluing layers of wood, horn, and sinew together. They were between 3 and 6 feet (0.9 and 1.8 m) long. Arrows were made of wood shafts or reeds that were tipped with metal heads. Bird feathers were added to guide the arrows.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 12:8 mighty . . . warriors, expert. A frequent theme here (see vv. 2, 14, 21–22) is that Israel’s most skillful, heroic warriors are siding with David, confirming that he is the Lord’s anointed.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 12:16–18 When David’s life is threatened by Saul, Amasai encourages loyalty to David, declaring that he has God’s support. The Spirit clothed is the Chronicler’s characteristic phrase for prophetic inspiration (2 Chron. 15:1; 24:20; see Judg. 6:34).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 12:19–21 On the Philistines’ relations with David, see 1 Samuel 29.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 12:22 from day to day men came to David to help him. This comment summarizes the chapter. A great army was gathered to David. like an army of God. God was strengthening David by sending warriors to him.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 12:23–37 To turn the kingdom of Saul over to him refers back to 10:14 and summarizes the overall theme of chs. 10–12. according to the word of the LORD. The tribes, like their elders (11:3), act in obedience to the prophetic word declaring David to be king.
13:1–16:43 David’s Transfer of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The ark signified the Mosaic covenant. It also symbolized God’s presence on earth. It had been neglected throughout Saul’s reign, being kept in the village of Kiriath-jearim (13:3, 5). The Chronicler departs from his source’s order (2 Samuel 5–6) to present David’s first attempt to retrieve the ark (1 Chron. 13:5–14 = 2 Sam. 6:1–11); he places this event before David’s establishment of his home and family in Jerusalem and his defeat of the Philistines (1 Chron. 14:1–17 = 2 Sam. 5:11–25). He changes the order of these events to show that David’s true priority is his commitment to God.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 13:1–4 David’s consultation shows a concern with national unity and a desire to involve the people in national issues. we did not seek it. See “seek my face,” 2 Chron. 7:14. To “seek” the ark would mean caring for it rightly as the focus of worship. “Seeking God” will emerge as a major theme in Chronicles. During David’s reign there will be an improvement in the people’s commitment to God, compared to their level of commitment during the days of Saul.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 13:5–6 People from all over Israel participated in retrieving the ark: from the Nile of Egypt to Lebo-hamath in the far northeast. Compare the boundaries of the Promised Land, Gen. 15:18. On who sits enthroned above the cherubim, see note on 1 Sam. 4:3–4.
Why couldn’t the ark be carried on an oxcart? The Lord had commanded that the ark should be carried with long poles (Ex. 25:12–15). Transporting the ark on an oxcart instead demonstrated a lack of reverence for this representation of God’s presence. When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah touched the ark to steady it, and the Lord struck him dead. Even those whose job it was to carry the ark were forbidden to touch it (Num. 4:15).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 13:7–12 The Levites were to carry the ark on poles (Ex. 25:12–15; see note on 2 Sam. 6:3–4). Transporting the ark by cart (1 Chron. 13:7), as the Philistines had done (1 Samuel 6), demonstrated a lack of reverence for the sacred object of God’s presence and for the Law of Moses. Uzzah intended well, but he disobeyed the Lord by touching the ark (see Num. 4:15; also note on 2 Sam. 6:6–11).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 13:8 On David . . . celebrating before God with various instruments, see note on 2 Sam. 6:5.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 13:13–14 Obed-edom was probably a foreigner, particularly if Gittite (a resident of Gath) means that he was a Philistine.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 14:1–17 Some events described here actually preceded the first mission to collect the ark (see 2 Sam. 5:11–25). These events (especially 1 Chron. 14:1, 3–5) were repositioned here to show that God blessed David because he gave priority to seeking God (see 13:3).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 14:1–2 Hiram king of Tyre. See note on 2 Sam. 5:11. Hiram’s assistance in building David’s house (palace) signifies a Gentile ruler’s recognition of David’s kingship over Israel. Hiram will later help Solomon build the temple (2 Chron. 2:11–16).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 14:3–7 See 3:5–8. Nathan (14:4) was an ancestor of Jesus (Luke 3:31; see note on Luke 3:23–38). Beeliada was also known as Eliada (2 Sam. 5:16; 1 Chron. 3:8).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 14:8–16 The first battle between David and the Philistines (vv. 8–12) may be a flashback to before David had conquered Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5:17, the source of 1 Chron. 14:8, refers to “the stronghold,” possibly in Adullam, 1 Sam. 22:4). The time of the second battle is uncertain. David’s success against the Philistines cleared the way for the ark’s progress to Jerusalem.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 14:15 sound of marching. See note on 2 Sam. 5:22–25.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 14:17 the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations. Such fear will keep them from attacking Israel. See also 2 Chron. 17:10; 20:29 for other examples of a fear sent by God on neighboring peoples.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 15:1–29 The relatively brief account of the second mission to bring the ark to Jerusalem (see 2 Sam. 6:12–19) has been expanded here. David appoints the Levites as the leaders of music and worship.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 15:1–3 The tent is not the Mosaic “tent of meeting,” which was in Gibeon at the time (16:39). Instead it was a temporary lodging for the ark (see 17:1). Levites. See Deut. 10:8; 18:5.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 15:4–10 The three main divisions of the Levites (Kohath, Merari, Gershom) are named. The Kohathites were responsible for carrying the ark (see Num. 7:9). The final three groups mentioned (1 Chron. 15:8–10) are also Kohathite families (see 6:18).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 15:11–15 “Seeking” God according to the rule is not legalism. It shows great regard for the word of the LORD and offers a safeguard against the kind of disaster that occurred in Perez-uzza (v. 13; see 13:5–11).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 15:16 The Levites begin, under David, a new ministry of music and praise in the presence of the ark. On the significance of their ministry for Israel, see 16:4–7 and note.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 15:17–24 Obed-edom (vv. 18, 24) may have been included among the Levitical gatekeepers because of his care for the ark, despite his probable Philistine origin (see note on 13:13–14). The postexilic Israelites had a much stricter policy concerning genealogical descent (see Ezra 2:61–63).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 15:25–29 This section supplements 2 Sam. 6:12–16 (which focuses on David) to emphasize the participation of all Israel. Details about the Levites and God’s help for them are added (1 Chron. 15:26–28). On David’s wife Michal, see note on 2 Sam. 6:16–19.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 16:1–43 The brief account in 2 Sam. 6:17–20 of the ark’s arrival in Jerusalem and the festivities is greatly expanded here.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 16:4–7 David establishes a daily worship ministry by the Levites before the ark (vv. 6, 37), held at that time in Gibeon (vv. 39–42). Their task is to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD. It is a description of worship through prayer and songs, like those collected in Psalms.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 16:8–36 This psalm of praise is drawn from Ps. 105:1–15; 96:1–13; and 106:1, 47–48. The Chronicler has carefully woven them together and changed them slightly.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 16:8–22 The charge to seek the LORD . . . continually (v. 11) is a common theme for the writer (see 22:19a). The repeated instruction to Israel to remember God’s miracles, and his promises of the land and protection to Abraham and Israel (16:18–22), would encourage the small, vulnerable postexilic community (see Nehemiah 4; 6).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 16:35–36 This request for deliverance and salvation from among the nations is the high point of the psalm (vv. 8–36). Here, it speaks more to the Chronicler’s generation than to David’s. It expresses a longing for the restoration and consolidation of a scattered people.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 16:37–43 Besides ministering before the ark, the Levites are also appointed to assist at the tabernacle at Gibeon by offering praise at the times of sacrifice. Solomon will move the tabernacle into the temple at the time of its dedication (2 Chron. 5:5).
17:1–27 The Dynastic Promise to David. See 2 Sam. 7:1–29 and note. God’s promise to David is central to Chronicles. Israel’s identity as God’s people will be expressed through the Davidic dynasty and Solomon’s temple. The promise to David is fulfilled in Jesus as the descendant of David (Rom. 1:3).
King David is the main character in 1 Chronicles. The writer presents a very positive picture of him, leaving out many of the tragic details of his life that the writer of 2 Samuel describes.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 17:10b–14 Rather than David building Yahweh a house, God will build . . . a house for David, in the form of a lasting dynasty. Your offspring after you refers to Solomon. The declaration he shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever suggests that Solomon’s building the temple is the act of obedience that will secure the promise. God’s steadfast love will never be withdrawn from him as it was from Saul. David’s successor will not be without sin, but God’s love for David’s house and his commitment to it will surpass its failings. Hebrews 1:5 applies the words I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son to Christ, because as Messiah he inherits David’s role of representing God’s people (his “son,” Ex. 4:22–23; see Ps. 89:26–27).
18:1–20:8 David’s Wars. The Chronicler draws from 2 Samuel 8–21 to show how God’s promises to David (especially 1 Chron. 17:8–10b) are being fulfilled. As elsewhere in Chronicles, the materials do not always follow a strict chronology.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 18:1–13 From 2 Sam. 8:1–14. David’s victories brought security to Israel (see 1 Chron. 17:9) and extended its boundaries, or at least its zones of influence, to their farthest point in history (see note on 2 Sam. 8:3–12). The victories are ascribed to Yahweh (1 Chron. 18:6, 13). David dedicated the gifts he received and the items taken in war to Yahweh for the temple (see 26:27; 2 Chron. 5:1).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 18:6 This Hebrew verb meaning “save” can also be translated gave victory (see esv footnote; compare 11:14; 18:13).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 18:12 On the Valley of Salt, see note on 2 Sam. 8:13.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 18:14–17 From 2 Sam. 8:15–18 (see note there). As David’s empire expanded, he organized his government according to the major areas of national life: defense, the legal system, and official worship.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 18:15–17 On Jehoshaphat, Ahilud, Zadok, Ahitub, Ahimelech, Abiathar, and Benaiah, see notes on 2 Sam. 8:17; 8:18.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 19:1–20:3 From 2 Sam. 10:1–19; 11:1; 12:26, 30–31. The main difference between these sources and the Chronicler’s account is that he said nothing about David’s sin with Bathsheba. This was not done to hide David’s sin, since it was well known, but probably to focus on his military victories. The battles in 1 Chron. 19:1–15 seem to have preceded the decisive military effort in 18:5–8. David receives the crown of Ammon for his own house (20:2). Since David’s line will produce One who will rule the Gentiles, it seems fitting that David himself is the first to do so.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 19:2 On Hanun the son of Nahash, see note on 2 Sam. 10:1–5.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 19:6–7 On Zobah and Maacah, see note on 2 Sam. 10:6–8.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 19:18 For the number 7,000 here, 2 Sam. 10:18 has “700.” The difference is probably due to a scribal error.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 20:1–3 The Chronicler omits 2 Sam. 12:27–29, Joab’s summons to David to come to Rabbah.
Why did ancient kings go to war in the spring? In Palestine, crops such as barley and wheat were harvested in the spring. An invading army could live off harvested grains.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 20:1 the time when kings go out to battle. . . . But David remained at Jerusalem. See note on 2 Sam. 11:1; the Chronicler omits any mention of David’s sin with Bathsheba (see note on 1 Chron. 19:1–20:3). Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. See note on 2 Sam. 12:26–31.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 20:4–8 From 2 Sam. 21:18–22. Three incidents from David’s war against the Philistines in Gezer and Gath bring this unit back to where it began (1 Chron. 18:1). The giants were the Rephaim (see Gen. 14:5). the Philistines were subdued. Compare 1 Chron. 17:10.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 20:5 Lahmi the brother of Goliath. See note on 2 Sam. 21:19.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 20:7 On Jonathan and Shimea, see note on 2 Sam. 21:21.
21:1–29:30 David’s Census and Preparation for the Temple. David paves the way for Solomon to build the temple. Even his census (21:1–22:1), though done out of wrong motives, yields a plot of land for the building site.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:1–22:1 From 2 Sam. 24:1–25, with significant changes and additions. The account of David’s census and the resulting plague is an important turning point in Chronicles, between David’s wars (1 Chronicles 18–20) and his temple preparations (chs. 22–29). Beyond describing the purchase of the site for the temple, the author shows the meaning of the temple itself as the place of mercy and forgiveness. It is David, the model of “seeking God,” who shows the need for forgiveness (see 2 Chron. 6:36) and by his actions provides a model of true repentance (see note on 1 Chron. 21:17).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:1 On God using Satan, see note on 2 Sam. 24:1. This census was sinful probably because it arose from David’s military ambitions (see 1 Chron. 21:5) and pride, and not from Yahweh’s command. In addition, David did not collect the poll tax for a census as required by Ex. 30:12.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:3 The Chronicler’s mention of guilt in relation to David’s census is a significant addition to the account of this incident in 2 Sam. 24:3. For other mentions of “guilt” in Chronicles, see 2 Chron. 24:18; 28:13; 33:23.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:5–6 The Chronicler adds that Joab found David’s census abhorrent (again emphasizing David’s sinfulness). Because of this, Joab did not include the priestly tribe of Levi in the count (perhaps remembering Num. 1:47–49). He also left out Benjamin, whose territory included Jerusalem (the site of the ark) and Gibeon (the site of the tabernacle).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:7–13 David’s confession of guilt regarding the census leads him to appeal to God’s mercy, which is very great.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:12 three years of famine. See note on 2 Sam. 24:13.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:14–16 On relented (v. 15), see 1 Sam. 15:11–29 and notes; Jonah 3:10. The Chronicler does not tell readers what the LORD saw; probably it is the approaching calamity.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:17 Compared to 2 Sam. 24:17 (see note there), David here makes a fuller confession and asks for the plague to be removed.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:18–27 raise an altar. This was done to mark the special nature of the place and situation (compare Gen. 22:9–19). This will become the site of the temple (see 1 Chron. 22:1).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:26 David built there an altar. See note on 2 Sam. 24:25. The LORD answered him with fire from heaven, signifying God’s approval of the temple site (see Lev. 9:24; 2 Chron. 7:1).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 21:28–22:1 This material is not found in 2 Samuel 24. It explains why David did not go to Gibeon to offer sacrifice and why he concluded that God had authorized moving the sanctuary to Jerusalem (see 2 Chron. 1:3–6; 5:5).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 22:2–5 To prepare for building the temple, David recruited resident aliens as forced laborers (see 2 Sam. 20:24; see notes on 2 Chron. 2:2; 8:7–10). Items taken in war provided some of the material (see 1 Chron. 18:8). These events happened in the last years of David’s life, when Solomon was still young and inexperienced (22:5).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 22:6–16 Through private instruction, David prepares Solomon for his demanding duty as king. David refers back to the dynastic promise (17:7–14). Solomon’s reign will be the promised time of peace and quiet for Israel (see also Deut. 12:10–11).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 22:11–13 David emphasizes Solomon’s need to keep the Law of Moses in ruling his kingdom. Be strong and courageous. Fear not. See Deut. 31:7–8 and Josh. 1:9.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 22:14 In addition to gathering other materials for the temple, David gives 3,000 talents of gold and 7,000 talents of silver from his own treasure (29:3–4).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 23:1–27:34 In chs. 23–27 David continues to prepare for Solomon’s rule by providing religious, military, and political leadership.
New job descriptions for the Levites. For nearly 500 years a specific group of Levites had taken care of the portable tabernacle and its furniture, including the ark. Whenever the tabernacle was moved, each Levite had a specific job to do. Now that there would be a permanent temple, David gave new instructions to these faithful workers.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 23:3 A legitimate census of the Levites, as in Num. 4:1–3 (see 1 Chron. 21:1–17 and notes). The age of beginning service (thirty . . . and upward) was later lowered to 20 (23:24, 27). 38,000. The Hebrew word here for “thousand” may denote “groups” or “units” of unknown size.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 23:6–23 David organizes the Levites according to their traditional clans: the Gershonites (vv. 7–11), the Kohathites (vv. 12–20), and the Merarites (vv. 21–23).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 23:24–32 David appears as the successor to Moses (see Numbers 4) as he defines the Levites’ duties in relation to the temple.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 24:1–19 David organizes the priests into 24 divisions by lot. Each division was to serve for two weeks of the year, based on a lunar calendar of 48 weeks.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 24:2 Nadab and Abihu died. See Lev. 10:1–3. The priesthood was hereditary. It descended through the lines of Eleazar and Ithamar.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 24:3 Zadok. See 1 Kings 1:8; 2:35. Ahimelech. The son of Abiathar (2 Sam. 8:17), with whom Zadok is usually paired (2 Sam. 15:35; 1 Kings 4:4).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 24:5–6 Specific duties were assigned by drawing lots between the families of Eleazar and of Ithamar.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 24:10 Hakkoz. See Ezra 2:61–63. Abijah. An ancestor of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 24:20–31 The list of Levites in 23:6–23 is updated to include another generation in six of the Levitical families.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 25:1–8 David and the Levite leaders divided the musicians into the three family groups (see 6:31–47), who prophesied with musical instruments. That is, they wrote songs, as guided by the Spirit of God. In some cases, their songs seem to have become part of OT Scripture. Asaph is named in the titles of Psalms 50 and 73–83, and Jeduthun in the titles of Psalms 39; 62; and 77. Heman here may be the same person as Heman the Ezrahite named in the title of Psalm 88 (see also 1 Chron. 6:33).
What is a lyre? The lyre (25:3) is a triangular stringed musical instrument, with anywhere from 3 to 12 strings. It is held like a guitar and strummed with either the fingers or a pick.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 26:1–32 See 9:17–27 and 23:4a. The Levitical gatekeepers were to safeguard the sanctuary from trespassers and from idolatrous practices (see 2 Chron. 29:3–7). They were also responsible for the temple treasuries and for maintaining the building and its equipment (see 1 Chron. 9:22–32).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 26:1–11 Obed-edom is probably the Philistine who had acted as caretaker for the ark (13:14). This suggests the early kings were not very strict about who might count as a “Levite.”
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 26:12–19 The assignment of duties by lot. The east gate (v. 14) was the position of greatest responsibility, requiring six gatekeepers because it led directly to the temple entrance. It was known as “the king’s gate” in postexilic times (9:18).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 26:20–28 The two treasuries were near the gates (see 9:26). One was for the house of God, presumably to store regular tithes and offerings. The other was for the dedicated gifts, that is, items taken in war (see 18:11) and other special gifts.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 26:29–32 See 23:4b. Two other groups of Levites, the Izharites and the Hebronites, were assigned to serve outside Jerusalem as officers and judges among Israelite tribes both west and east of the Jordan. Hebronites were appointed for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king, possibly religious and civil taxation and administration, in the last year of David’s rule (c. 970 B.C.; 26:31; see 29:27).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 27:1–15 The 12 military commanders are listed among David’s “mighty men” (11:11–47) and among the leaders of Israel directly involved in the temple preparations (28:1). The army depicted here is not David’s more permanent force (see 2 Sam. 15:18; 23:8–39). Instead it is a citizen militia of 12 divisions, each doing a month’s duty on rotation. 24,000. Probably either an ideal number or “24 units.”
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 27:16–22 These leaders of the tribes are probably David’s appointees. Their actual role is unknown. The order of the tribes differs here from ch. 2. Aaron is counted as a tribe and Gad and Asher are omitted.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 27:23–24 Joab did not complete the unauthorized census (21:6) because he recognized that David’s order was against God’s promise to Abraham of countless descendants (see Gen. 15:5).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 27:25–31 A list of 12 administrators of the royal property (v. 31b). The incomes from these sources would have met some of the expenses of David’s government.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 27:32–34 An additional list of royal counselors (see 18:14–17). This Jonathan, David’s uncle, is not otherwise known. Ahithophel is mentioned frequently in 2 Sam. 15:12–17:23.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 28:1–21 This section resumes in a public setting David’s private exhortation to Solomon in ch. 22. The audience (28:1) consists of the leaders listed in ch. 27, along with David’s leading soldiers (see 11:10–12:40).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 28:4–5 Solomon is the only OT king after David said to have been chosen by God.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 28:6 Solomon . . . shall build my house. See 17:11–14; 22:9–10.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 28:7, 9 The establishment of Solomon’s kingdom depends on his obedience to Yahweh. He will be obedient in building the temple, but will fail to serve God with a whole heart (see 1 Kings 11:4).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 28:11–19 The gold and silver temple vessels (vv. 14–17) were later removed by the Babylonians (2 Chron. 36:18) but were then returned by the Persians, after the exile (Ezra 1:7–11). Their presence in the postexilic temple, in the days when the Chronicler was writing, were a sign of God’s covenant faithfulness to his people.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 28:19 in writing from the hand of the LORD. David may be claiming prophetic inspiration for his temple plans (compare 2 Chron. 29:25). Or, he may be making a stronger claim: that God actually gave him the temple plans in writing (compare Ex. 24:12; 31:18).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 28:20–21 David charges Solomon in public, just as he had previously done in private (22:11–13).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 29:1–9 The temple is referred to as a palace (v. 1), for it is God’s kingly residence among his people. David calls for freewill offerings from the people, to show that they are consecrating themselves to Yahweh (see v. 5, esv footnote; it is the same expression used to describe the ordination of priests, Ex. 28:41).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 29:7 darics. The daric was a Persian coin first minted under Darius I (522–486 B.C.). The Chronicler uses this word, which his own generation would have understood, to encourage them in giving.
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 29:10–19 David’s great prayer of praise and his humble request marks the high point of his reign. David says that God examines the human heart for uprightness, that is, integrity (v. 17).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 29:22 they made Solomon the son of David king the second time. Solomon had been quickly anointed and installed as king in response to Adonijah’s attempted coup (1 Kings 1:28–40, not mentioned in Chronicles). This second ceremony occurred when his kingship was secure and widely acknowledged (1 Chron. 29:24).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 29:23 The Lord has done for Solomon what he had earlier done for David (14:2). This is one way God kept his promise to David (1 Kings 2:24).
1 CHRONICLES—NOTE ON 29:26–30 See 1 Kings 2:10–11. The various Chronicles mentioned in 1 Chron. 29:29 probably contained much of the material in the books of Samuel and Kings. They may have included additional records too (see note on 1 Kings 14:19). Samuel, Nathan, and Gad all played roles in David’s life (see 1 Chron. 9:22; 17:1–15; 21:9–13). The kingdoms of the countries most likely refers to the surrounding nations that David had conquered.