Wow, Chronicles starts with a seriously long genealogy - certainly the longest in the Bible - covering eight chapters. Has anybody scoured the whole thing?! Well, certainly, but except for a few Biblical scholars, readers will invariably skim: what purpose does the extensive genealogy serve in the whole of Chronicles? I will have to wait until I get to the end of 2 Chronicles to answer that fully, but initially I wonder if we are to understand God as being faithful in maintaining his people.
Another thought: 1 Chronicles is devoted to, roughly, three things: genealogy, David’s rule, and David’s plans for the Temple. The Rule of David is described as almost entirely good: while we do read of David’s census taking sin, the episode is prefaced by “then Satan incited,” suggesting that it may not be entirely David’s fault: in contrast, the book of Samuel lists many Sins of David - all clumped together at the end of his story, so that his sin and impotence are the last things we read - and remember about his rule. Also, the book of Chronicles is not concerned with whether or not Israel should be rule by a King - instead of God ruling through judges - Samuel doesn’t enter the picture, nor do we read of Israel asking for a King “like the other nations.” In Chronicles, David just happens, and is good.
I am interested to see how these themes unfold as I read the second half tomorrow.
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