Chronological Reading Plan for April 22, 1 Chron 1-2

Today's readings are 1 Chron 1-2. Tomorrow's are Psalms 43, 44, 45, 49, 84, 85, 87.

After yesterday's Psalm-a-thon, all written by David, we start 1 Chronicles today. A few terms from yesterday; Shemenith, Gittith & Muth-Labben are all musical/liturgical labels.

1 & 2 Chronicles were originally one volume. 1 Chron focuses upon the history of Judah, the Southern kingdom, and the reign of David & Solomon (roughly from 1000 BC to about 930 BC). It stresses David's heart of worship and gives us the plans for the temple which will be built by Solomon. Since 1 Chron covers a long span of time, we'll see a lot of movement between books, reading in 1 Chron one day, Psalms the next, 1 & 2 Samuel the next as the plan tries to keep us abreast of events in the order they occur. As such, there will be some overlap and repetition with other books.

The genealogies documented in the first three chapters of 1 Chron show us Israel's place in history and the continuity of God's plan of redemption. Starting in the Garden, weaving it's way through the first settlers, then Noah, then Abram. God's blessing would come through Abram, then, eventually, through David. We see, not only how God ordered even the birth of those He would use but where they would live. Notice the that many of the names mentioned are also names of cities and countries. Many cities and countries take their names from the first notable person who settled there.

Here's a map of David and Solomon's kingdoms as of the 10th century B.C.