Like the books of Samuel and Kings, 1st and 2nd Chronicles is one book that was divided in two due to convenience concerning scroll lengths. Chronicles covers the same period as the books of Samuel and Kings. Chronicles is one narrative following the big picture from Adam to the exile of Israel. It was written after the return of Israel from exile, which is why we get a small portion of genealogy in Chapter 9. The writer focuses on God’s faithfulness to Israel. This emphasizes the coming messiah through David and a temple. Both play a part in fulfilling God’s promises to His people to bring them into fellowship with Himself, like in the Garden of Eden. The book of 1 & 2 Chronicles is meant to be an encouragement to the Israelites, so the emphasis of the book is on the positive aspects of David’s reign. It is not intended to deny the negative aspects of his reign because those are recorded in other books. Negative aspects will show how David was not the messiah. The messiah will be called the ‘son of David,’ meaning David was an imperfect picture of what the messiah will be. So, the writer is looking back to Israel’s history, as a way of looking forward to God’s coming messiah and God’s presence in a rebuilt temple. The names listed in chapters 1-9 should help you recall the Big Picture so far from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, and into 2 Samuel. Chapter 10 in 1 Chronicles picks up with the death of Saul into the beginning of David’s reign in chapter 11 (2 Samuel 5). We are half way through our Bible Reading Plan with Week 26, so refocus on the Big Picture this week by thinking of God’s redemption of mankind through the history of Israel from Adam to Abraham to Moses to David.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading - Week 26
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of 1 Chronicles, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read Deuteronomy 28:1,15. What will happen if Israel follows follow the word of the LORD? What is they don't? Read Deuteronomy 17:14-19. What are the kings of Israel supposed to do and not supposed to do? Read 2 Samuel 5:1-2,12-13. Who established David king? What did David take more of after coming to Jerusalem? What reason do the other tribes of Israel submit to David’s kingship?
Read 1 Samuel 26:10. Who does David say has the right to kill the LORD’s anointed (Saul)? Read 1 Chronicles 1:12,10:1,6. Who fought against Israel and killed Saul? Read 2 Samuel 5:17. How soon did the Philistines attack the newly declared king after Saul was dead?
Read 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. What was the reason Saul died? Who used the Philistines to kill Saul?
Read 2 Samuel 5:19-21. What did David do before fighting against the Philistines? Read 2 Samuel 5:23-25. What made David successful in comparison to Saul?
Read Deuteronomy 28:32, 41, 63-64. What is part of the punishment for turning from the LORD? What does God tell Moses will happen in Deuteronomy 31:16-18? What is the reason written for the exile in 1 Chronicles 9:1? Is there anything good that can come from this?
SHARE IT.
How do you have more gratitude for God sending Jesus to be our king after learning about Israel's first kings?
How have you been reminded of Jesus in the reading this week? Has anything pointed the New Testament?
How does 1 Chronicles show us that you are not doomed by the sins of the past?
Read 1 Chronicles 7:29. How are you encouraged by being reminded that these are real places, real people, and a real history passed down to you over the course of thousands of years? What stirs your heart about the Big Picture and the patience of God over time?
Read 2 Peter 3:8-10. How are you encouraged by God’s sovereign control over your life, and the promise of Christ’s return?
FINAL THOUGHT
God desired to fill the earth with worshippers, and miraculously made a nation from a barren womb (in Sarah). God brought this nation out of slavery in Egypt for his glory, and then provided the law and atonement at the Tabernacle in order that His unclean people could be in His holy presence. Blood pays for sin, life for life, because life is in the blood. The LORD then brought His people into the promised land. He even gave them a king. Eventually the people would build a temple, and then forsake God. The temple would be destroyed, and the people scattered in exile. It seems hopeless. All this sets the stage for how God will provide the perfect deliverer, atonement, forgiveness, and presence for a people who cannot do it themselves. Christ (King) Jesus will be the the perfect...king, shepherd, deliverer, judge, temple, sacrifice, fulfillment of the law, high priest, presence of God. God promised.
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