1 Chronicles

Overview – February 2015 – Grace & Truth Magazine

First Chronicles

“O Lord, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.” —1 Chronicles 17:19 NKJV

This book summarizes God’s ways of grace toward Israel in reference mainly to the reign of David, the man after God’s own heart. The two books of Chronicles are therefore similar to Deuteronomy, for they are a review from the standpoint of God’s grace. Saul’s reign is not mentioned, but only his sad end in battle. Saul is typical of man in the flesh, who can receive or exemplify nothing of the grace of God. David, however, is a type of Christ, in whom that grace is preciously manifested. Also, no mention is made of David’s 7

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year reign in Hebron over Judah alone, but only of his reigning over all Israel; for the grace of God embraces all of His people, not merely a part.

The glaring moral evils that affected the house of David are silently dropped from the record here. David’s grievous sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, the sin of David’s son Amnon, and the proud rebellion of Absalom are not mentioned. On the other hand, much is said of David’s preparation and great provision of materials for Solomon to build the temple. This, too, was for the display of the glory and grace of God.

David’s history then is seen here, not as a biography of the man or even officially as king, but as typical of Christ. Thus, those events are dwelt on that show him most strikingly in this character.

By Leslie M. Grant

This column is taken from the book: “The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.”
It is available for purchase from Believers Bookshelf USA.