The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

by John MacArthur

  1 Chr. 1:9

  A Short Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles

  1. Selected Genealogies

  ————

  1 Chr. 1-9

  2. Samuel’s Judgeship

  1 Sam. 1-8

  ————

  3. Saul’s Reign

  1 Sam. 9-31

  1 Chr. 10

  4. David’s Reign

  2 Sam. 1-24

  1 Chr. 11-29

  5. Solomon’s Reign

  1 Kin. 1-11

  2 Chr. 1-9

  6. Divided Kingdom Pt. 1 (to the Assyrian exile)

  1 Kin. 12-2 Kin. 17

  2 Chr. 10-27

  7. Divided Kingdom Pt. 2 (to the Babylonian exile)

  2 Kin. 18-25

  2 Chr. 28-36:21

  8. Return from Babylon

  ————

  2 Chr. 36:22, 23

  1:19 days…divided. Peleg, which means “divided,” apparently lived when the LORD divided, or scattered, the human race because of Babel (cf. Gen. 11:1–9).

  1:28–31 These 12 sons of Ishmael developed 12 tribes and settled the great northern desert of Arabia and became Arab peoples.

  1:43 kings…Edom. Esau’s children settled in Edom, E and S of Israel, and are included among the Arab nations.

  1 Chronicles 2

  2:1—7:40 These genealogies reflect the lineage of Jacob/Israel through his 12 sons. The tribe of Judah leads the list, indicating its importance, no doubt because of the Davidic heritage. After Judah, Levi receives the most attention, indicating the importance of their priestly role. Joseph (2:2) is later enumerated in terms of his sons Manasseh and Ephraim. Dan and Zebulun are not mentioned here, although they both are identified in the millennial distribution of land (cf. Ezek. 48:1, 2, 26, 27). The exact reason for these omissions is unknown. Benjamin is given additional attention in 8:1–40. The tribes are mentioned as follows: 1) Judah (2:3–4:23); 2) Simeon (4:24–43); 3) Reuben (5:1–10); 4) Gad (5:11–22); 5) Manasseh-East (5:23–26); 6) Levi (6:1–81); 7) Issachar (7:1–5); 8) Benjamin (7:6–12); 9) Naphtali (7:13); 10) Manasseh-West (7:14–19); 11) Ephraim (7:20–29); and 12) Asher (7:30–40).

  2:7 Achar. This is a variant spelling of Achan, who in Josh. 7:1–26 disobeyed the LORD by taking goods from under God’s Jericho ban.

  1 Chronicles 3

  3:1–4 See 2 Sam. 3:2–5.

  3:1 David. The chief reason for such detailed genealogies is that they affirm the line of Christ from Adam (Luke 3:38) through Abraham and David (Matt. 1:1), thus emphasizing the kingdom intentions of God in Christ.

  3:5–8 See 2 Sam. 5:14–16 and 1 Chr. 14:4–7.

  3:10–16 Rehoboam…Zedekiah. The reigns of these sons of David are delineated in 2 Chr. 10:1—36:21.

  3:16 Jeconiah. God’s curse resulting in no royal descendants from the line of Jeconiah (a.k.a. Jehoiakin), as given by Jeremiah (Jer. 22:30), was enforced by God. Even though Jeconiah was in the line of Christ, the Messiah was not a physical child of that line, thus affirming the curse, yet sustaining the legality of His kingship through Joseph, who was in David’s line. His blood birthright came through Mary, who traced her line to David through his son Nathan, not Solomon (cf. Luke 3:31).

  3:22 six in all. Only 5 sons are named, so the number includes their father Shemaiah.

  1 Chronicles 4

  4:41 Hezekiah. He ruled Judah ca. 715–686 B.C.

  4:43 Amalekites. Longstanding enemies of Israel whom God purposed to exterminate. Another branch of the Amalekite family tree had appeared in Persia, represented by Haman, who attempted to exterminate the Jews (Esth. 3:1ff.).

  1 Chronicles 5

  5:2 Judah prevailed. In accordance with Jacob’s blessing (Gen. 49:10), the king of Israel is to come from Judah. This prophecy had historical reference to the Davidic Covenant (cf. 2 Sam. 7; 1 Chr. 17) with full messianic implications.

  5:6 Tiglath-Pileser. The king of Assyria (ca. 745–727 B.C.) who threatened Judah and made Ahaz pay a tribute (cf. 2 Kin. 16:7–20; 2 Chr. 28:16–21).

  5:22 the captivity. The Assyrian deportation of 722 B.C. is meant (cf. 5:26).

  1 Chronicles 6

  6:1–15 This section lists the High-Priestly lineage from Levi (6:1) through Aaron (6:3), through Eleazar (6:3, 4), and through Phinehas (6:4), with whom God covenanted for a perpetual priesthood (Num. 25:11–13).

  6:8 Zadok. By the time of David’s reign, the High-Priestly line had wrongly been shifted to the sons of Ithamar as represented by Abiathar. When Abiathar sided with Adonijah rather than Solomon, Zadok became the ruling High-Priest (1 Kin. 2:26, 27) and restored the high-priesthood to the Levitical line through Phinehas (cf. Num. 25:10–13).

  6:13 Hilkiah. The High-Priest who rediscovered the law in Josiah’s reign ca. 622 B.C. (2 Kin. 22:8–13; 2 Chr. 34:14–21).

  6:14 Seraiah. The High-Priest who was executed by the Babylonians after their occupation of Jerusalem ca. 586 B.C. (2 Kin. 25:18–21). Jehozadak. (a.k.a. Jozadak.) The father of Jeshua, the first High-Priest in the return (cf. Ezra 3:2; 5:2).

  6:16–30 The sons of Levi (6:16–19) and their families (6:20–30) are given here.

  6:27, 28 Samuel, a Levite, by exceptional, divine direction, offered priestly sacrifices (cf. 1 Sam. 7:9; 10:8; 11:14, 15). The fact that Elkanah was from Ephraim (1 Sam. 1:1) indicates where he lived, not his family history (Num. 35:6–8).

  1 Chr. 6:30

  The Chronicles’ Sources

  The inspiration of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16) was sometimes accomplished through direct revelation from God without a human writer, e.g., the Mosaic law. At other times, God used human sources, as mentioned in Luke 1:1-4. Such was the experience of the chronicler as evidenced by the many contributing sources. Whether the material came through direct revelation or by existing resources, God’s inspiration through the Holy Spirit prevented the original human authors of Scripture from any error (2 Pet. 1:19-21). Although relatively few scribal errors have been made in copying Scripture, they can be identified and corrected. Thus, the original, inerrant content of the Bible has been preserved.

  1. Book of the Kings of Israel/Judah (1 Chr. 9:1; 2 Chr. 16:11; 20:34; 25:26; 27:7; 28:26; 32:32; 35:27; 36:8)

  2. The Chronicles of David (1 Chr. 27:24)

  3. Book of Samuel (1 Chr. 29:29)

  4. Book of Nathan (1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29)

  5. Book of Gad (1 Chr. 29:29)

  6. Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite (2 Chr. 9:29)

  7. Visions of Iddo (2 Chr. 9:29)

  8. Records of Shemaiah (2 Chr. 12:15)

  9. Records of Iddo (2 Chr. 12:15)

  10 Annals of Iddo (2 Chr. 13:22)

  11. Annals of Jehu (2 Chr. 20:34)

  12. Commentary on the Book of the Kings (2 Chr. 24:27)

  13. Acts of Uzziah by Isaiah (2 Chr. 26:22)

  14. Letters/Message of Sennacherib (2 Chr. 32:10–17)

  15. Vision of Isaiah (2 Chr. 32:32)

  16. Words of the Seers (2 Chr 33:18)

  17. Sayings of Hozai (2 Chr. 33:19)

  18. Written instructions of David and Solomon (2 Chr. 35:4)

  19. The Laments (2 Chr. 35:25)

  6:31–48 The Levitical musicians are listed as they relate to: 1) Kohath and Heman (6:33–38); 2) Gershon and Asaph (6:39–43); and 3) Merari and Ethan (6:44–47).

  6:49–53 This is a repeat of the High-Priestly line enumerated in 6:4–8 through Zadok. This repeated genealogy could possibly point to the Zadokian high-priesthood for the temple in the Millennium (cf. Ezek. 40:46; 43:19; 44:15; 48:11).

  6:54–81 This section rehearses the 48 cities given to the Levites instead of a section of land (cf. Num. 35:1–8; Josh. 21:1–42) which signals God’s intention for the Jewish nation to have a priesthood and future in the land first given to Abraham (cf. Gen. 12:1–3).

  1 Chronicles 8

  8:1–40 This section enlarges on the genealogy of Benjamin in 7:6–12, most likely because of that tribe’s important relationship with Judah in the southern kingdom. Th
us these two tribes taken in captivity together and the Levites make up the returning remnant in 538 B.C.

  1 Chronicles 9

  9:1 all Israel. Even though the northern kingdom of Israel never returned from dispersion in 722 B.C., many from the 10 tribes which made up that kingdom migrated S after the division in 931 B.C. The result was that Judah, the southern kingdom, had people from all tribes, so that when returning from captivity “all Israel” was truly represented.

  9:2 first inhabitants. This chapter has genealogies of returning 1) Israelites (9:3–9); 2) priests (9:10–13); and 3) Levites (9:14–34). Nethinim. These were the temple servants (Ezra 8:20), possibly descendants of the Gibeonites (cf. Josh. 9:3, 4, 23).

  9:35–44 This section records Saul’s lineage as a transition to the main theme of the rest of the book, which is the kingship of David (ca. 1011 B.C.).

  1 Chronicles 10

  10:1–12 See notes on 1 Sam. 31:1–13 (cf. 2 Sam. 1:4–12).

  10:13, 14 This summary is unique to 1 Chr. and provides the proper transition from Saul’s kingship to David’s reign.

  10:14 He killed him. Though Saul killed himself (v. 4), God took responsibility for Saul’s death, which was fully deserved for consulting a medium, an activity punishable by death (cf. Deut. 17:1–6). This demonstrates that human behavior is under the ultimate control of God, who achieves His purpose through the actions of people.

  1 Chronicles 11

  11:1—29:30 This section selectively recounts the reign of David with a heavy emphasis on the placement of the ark in Jerusalem and preparation to build the temple.

  11:1–3 See notes on 2 Sam. 5:1–3.

  11:4–9 See notes on 2 Sam. 5:6–10.

  11:10–41 See notes on 2 Sam. 23:8–39.

  11:11 Jashobeam…Hachmonite. In 27:2, he is called the son of Zabdiel, so Hachmon may be, strictly speaking, his grandfather (27:32). For a variation in name and number (300), see note on 2 Sam. 23:8. A copyist’s error would best account for 800 being reported in 2 Sam. 23:8.

  11:41–47 This adds new material to 2 Sam. 23.

  1 Chronicles 12

  12:1–40 These events predate those of 11:1–47. They are divided between David’s time at Ziklag (12:1–22) and Hebron (12:23–40). They summarize the narrative covered in 1 Sam. 27–2 Sam. 5.

  12:1 Ziklag. Located in the S near the Edomite border. The territory was ruled by the Philistines, who made David a ruler over it during the latter period of Saul’s reign when he was pursuing David (1 Sam. 27:6, 7). This was prior to David’s taking the rule over all Israel (cf. v. 38).

  12:1–14 Men from Benjamin (12:2, 3, 16–18), Gad (12:8–15), Judah (12:16–18), and Manasseh (12:19–22) came to help David conquer enemies on both sides of the Jordan (v. 15).

  12:15 first month. Mar./Apr. when the Jordan River was at flood stage due to melting snow in the N. The Gadites would be crossing from E to W.

  12:18 the Spirit. A temporary empowerment by the Holy Spirit to assure David that the Benjamites and Judahites were loyal to him and that the cause was blessed by God.

  12:19, 20 First Samuel 29 provides the background.

  12:21, 22 First Samuel 30 provides the background.

  12:23–37 This recounts the period of David’s 7 year, 6 month reign in Hebron until he was crowned king of the entire nation and was ready to relocate in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 2–5). This narrative comes full circle back to 1 Chr. 11:1ff.

  12:38–40 This feast was associated with the king’s coronation in 2 Sam. 5.

  1 Chronicles 13

  13:1—16:43 This section recounts the ark of the covenant being brought from Kirjath Jearim (v. 5) to Jerusalem.

  13:1–14 See notes on 2 Sam. 6:1–11. First Chronicles 13:1–6 adds new material to the narrative.

  13:3 the ark of our God. Not only had the ark been stolen and profaned by the Philistines (1 Sam. 5–6), but when it was returned, Saul neglected to seek God’s instruction for it. Scripture records only one occasion when Saul sought God’s ark after its return (cf. 1 Sam. 14:18).

  13:5 Shihor. The “river of Egypt” was a small stream flowing into the Mediterranean, which forms the southern boundary of Israel (cf. Josh. 13:3). It is also called the “Brook of Egypt” (Josh. 15:4, 47; Num. 34:5; 2 Chr. 7:8). Hamath. On the northern boundary of Israel’s territory. Kirjath Jearim. A location approximately 10 mi. W of Jerusalem that the Canaanites called Baalah (cf. 13:6). The ark of God had resided here for the previous 20 years (cf. 1 Sam. 7:1, 2).

  13:7–14 See notes on 2 Sam. 6:1–11. The violation of divine directives (Num. 4:1–49) for moving the ark proved fatal to Uzza(h) (vv. 7–10).

  1 Chronicles 14

  14:1–7 See notes on 2 Sam. 5:11–16. The events of this chapter took place before those of 1 Chr. 13.

  14:3–7 This is a repeat of 1 Chr. 3:5–9.

  14:8–17 The Philistines desired to ruin David before the throne was consolidated. Their plan was to kill David, but God gave him victory over the Philistines (unlike Saul) and thus declared both to the Philistines and Israel His support of Israel’s new king. For details, see notes on 2 Sam. 5:17–23.

  1 Chr. 14:10

  The Davidic Covenant in Chronicles

  1. 1 Chr. 17:7–27 God to Nathan to David

  2. 1 Chr. 22:6–16 David to Solomon

  3. 1 Chr. 28:6, 7 David to Solomon

  4. 2 Chr. 6:8, 9, 16, 17 Solomon to the nation

  5. 2 Chr. 7:17, 18 God to Solomon

  6. 2 Chr. 13:4, 5 Abijah to Jeroboam

  7. 2 Chr. 21:7 Chronicle’s commentary

  14:12 gods…burned. Second Samuel 5:21 reports that the idols were carried away, presenting an apparent contradiction. Most likely the idols were first carried away and then burned later, according to the Mosaic law (cf. Deut. 7:5, 25).

  1 Chronicles 15

  15:1–29 The chronicler picks up the narrative concerning the ark where it left off at 1 Chr. 13:14, as David brings the ark from Obed-Edom.

  15:1 David built houses for himself. He was able by the alliance and help of Hiram (18:1) to build a palace for himself and separate houses for his wives and their children. While the ark remained near Jerusalem at the home of Obed-Edom for 3 months (13:13, 14), David constructed a new tabernacle in Jerusalem to fulfill God’s Word in Deut. 12:5–7 of a permanent residency.

  15:2 carry the ark. After a lapse of 3 months (13:14), David followed the Mosaic directives for moving the ark (cf. Num. 4:1–49; Deut. 10:8; 18:5). These directions had been violated when the ark was moved from Kirjath Jearim to Obed-Edom, and it cost Uzza(h) his life (cf. 13:6–11).

  15:4–7 Kohath…Merari…Gershom. David conducted the ark’s relocation with the same families as had Moses (cf. Num. 4). In the restoration from Babylon, these identical 3 divisions of Levi participated (cf. 1 Chr. 6:1–48).

  15:11 Zadok…Abiathar. These two High-Priests, heads of the two priestly houses of Eleazar and Ithamar, were colleagues in the high-priesthood (2 Sam. 20:25). They served the LORD simultaneously in David’s reign. Zadok attended the tabernacle in Gibeon (1 Chr. 16:39), while Abiathar served the temporary place of the ark in Jerusalem. Ultimately, Zadok prevailed (cf. 1 Kin. 2:26, 27).

  15:12 sanctify yourselves. This was a special sanctification required on all special occasions, demanding complete cleanliness.

  15:13 broke out. God’s anger “broke out” when the ark had been improperly handled and transported by Uzza(h) (2 Sam. 6:6–8; 1 Chr. 13:9–12).

  15:16–24 Eminent Levites were instructed to train the musicians and singers for the solemn procession.

  15:25—16:3 See notes on 2 Sam. 6:12–19.

  1 Chronicles 16

  16:4–6 Levites…minister. As soon as the ark was placed into its tent, the Levites began their duties.

  16:7–22 See notes on Ps. 105:1–15.

  16:23–33 See notes on Ps. 96:1–13.

  16:34–36 See notes on Ps. 106:1, 47, 48.

  16:37–42 regularly…every day’s work. The ministry was established wit
h continuity.

  16:39 Gibeon. Located 6 mi. NW of Jerusalem.

  1 Chronicles 17

  17:1–27 This section recounts God’s bestowing the Davidic Covenant. For a full explanation, see notes on 2 Sam. 7.

  17:1, 10 Second Samuel 7:1, 11 adds that God had and would give David rest from all of his enemies.

  17:5 Second Samuel 7:14–17 adds new material.

  1 Chronicles 18

  18:1—21:30 This section selectively recounts David’s military exploits.

  18:1–11 See notes on 2 Sam. 8:1–12.

  18:2 Second Samuel 8:2 adds details to the judgment of Moab.

  18:4 The numbers here are correct; the number in 2 Sam. 8:4 for the horsemen is 700, which would not seem as consistent with the other numbers, so the 700 probably resulted from a copyist’s error.

  18:11 Second Samuel 8:12 adds new material.

  18:12 Second Samuel 8:13 adds that David was involved.

  18:14–17 See notes on 2 Sam. 8:15–18.

  1 Chronicles 19

  19:1–19 See notes on 2 Sam. 10:1–19.

  19:18 seven thousand. Second Samuel 10:18 erroneously has 700; this is apparently a discrepancy due to copyist error. foot soldiers. This is likely more correct than “horsemen” in 2 Sam. 10:18.

  1 Chronicles 20

  20:1–3 See notes on 2 Sam. 11:1; 12:29–31. The chronicler was not inspired by God to mention David’s sin with Bathsheba and subsequent sins recorded in 2 Sam. 11:2—12:23. The adultery and murder occurred at this time, while David stayed in Jerusalem instead of going to battle. The story was likely omitted because the book was written to focus on God’s permanent interest in His people, Israel, and the perpetuity of David’s kingdom.