Written by Ezra probably in Jerusalem. The writing was completed c. 460 B.C.E. The time covered is according to 1 Chronicles 9:44 from c. 1077 to 1037 B.C.E.
From Adam to Abraham (1-27)
Abraham’s descendants (28-37)
The Edomites and their kings and sheikhs (38-54)
from workbook January–February 2023
When we understand that people in the Bible are, not mythical characters, but real people, we better appreciate the lessons we learn from their example.—1Co 15:22; w09 9/1 14-15.
Israel’s 12 sons (1, 2)
Descendants of Judah (3-55)
Descendants of David (1-9)
Royal line of David (10-24)
Women were named in the genealogical registers occasionally when there was a historical reason to do so. At Genesis 11:29, 30, Sarai (Sarah) is mentioned, evidently for the reason that the promised Seed was to come through her, not through another wife of Abraham. Milcah may have been named in the same passage because she was the grandmother of Rebekah, Isaac’s wife, thereby showing Rebekah’s lineage as being from Abraham’s relatives, since Isaac was not to have a wife from the other nations. (Ge 22:20-23; 24:2-4) At Genesis 25:1, the name of Abraham’s later wife Keturah is given. This shows that Abraham married again after Sarah died and that his reproductive powers were still alive more than 40 years after their miraculous renewal by Jehovah. (Ro 4:19; Ge 24:67; 25:20) Also, it reveals the relationship of Midian and other Arabian tribes to Israel.
Leah, Rachel, and Jacob’s concubines, together with the sons they bore, are named. (Ge 35:21-26) This helps us to understand God’s later dealings with these sons. For similar reasons we find the names of other women in the genealogical registers. When an inheritance was transmitted through them, their names might be included. (Nu 26:33) Of course, Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth are outstanding. In each case, there is something remarkable about the manner in which these women came to be in the line of ancestry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. (Ge 38; Ru 1:3-5; 4:13-15; Mt 1:1-5) Among other instances of the mention of women in the genealogical lists are 1 Chronicles 2:35, 48, 49; 3:1-3, 5.
Other descendants of Judah (1-23)
Jabez and his prayer (9, 10)
Descendants of Simeon (24-43)
from workbook January–February 2023
Descendants of Reuben (1-10)
Descendants of Gad (11-17)
Hagrites are conquered (18-22)
Half tribe of Manasseh (23-26)
In the days of King Saul, the tribes east of the Jordan defeated the Hagrites even though these tribes were outnumbered more than 2 to 1. This was because the valiant men of these tribes trusted in Jehovah and looked to him for help. Let us have complete confidence in Jehovah as we carry on our spiritual warfare against formidable odds.—Ephesians 6:10-17.
Descendants of Levi (1-30)
Temple singers (31-47)
Descendants of Aaron (48-53)
Settlements of the Levites (54-81)
Descendants of Issachar (1-5), of Benjamin (6-12), of Naphtali (13), of Manasseh (14-19), of Ephraim (20-29), and of Asher (30-40)
Descendants of Benjamin (1-40)
Saul’s family line (33-40)
Genealogy after returning from the exile (1-34)
Saul’s family line repeated (35-44)
Yes, through his prophets, Jehovah directed his worshippers to praise him with song. Singers from the priestly tribe were even exempted from duties that other Levites were required to perform so that they could devote sufficient time to composition and, most likely, to rehearsal.—1 Chron. 9:33.
from workbook January–February 2023
Jehovah gives us plenty of important work. If you are ever unsure about how to carry out an assignment, pray to Jehovah and ask a mature Christian for help.—Php 2:13.
Death of Saul and his sons (1-14)
from workbook January–February 2023
David loved doing God’s will. (Ps 40:8) We can cultivate a similar desire to do what is right by learning to view things the way Jehovah does.—Ps 25:4; w18.06 17 ¶5-6.
David anointed as king by all Israel (1-3)
David captures Zion (4-9)
David’s mighty warriors (10-47)
Supporters of David’s kingship (1-40)
Serving With “a Complete Heart.” The literal heart must be whole to function normally, but the figurative heart can be divided. David prayed: “Unify my heart to fear your name,” suggesting that a person’s heart could be divided with regard to its affections and fears. (Ps 86:11) Such a person may be “halfhearted”—lukewarmly worshiping God. (Ps 119:113; Re 3:16) An individual can also be of “a double heart” (literally, with a heart and a heart), trying to serve two masters, or deceptively saying one thing while thinking something else. (1Ch 12:33; Ps 12:2, ftn) Jesus strongly denounced such doublehearted hypocrisy.—Mt 15:7, 8.
One seeking to please God must be neither halfhearted nor doublehearted but must serve him with a complete heart. (1Ch 28:9) This requires diligent effort in view of the heart’s being desperate and inclined to badness. (Jer 17:9, 10; Ge 8:21) Of help in maintaining a complete heart are: heartfelt prayer (Ps 119:145; La 3:41), regular study of God’s Word (Ezr 7:10; Pr 15:28), zealous participation in preaching the good news (compare Jer 20:9), and association with others whose hearts are complete toward Jehovah.—Compare 2Ki 10:15, 16.
The Ark brought from Kiriath-jearim (1-14)
Uzzah struck dead (9, 10)
from workbook January–February 2023
Jehovah appreciates our good motives. However, for our actions to be acceptable to Jehovah, we must follow direction.—De 30:16.
David established as king (1, 2)
David’s family (3-7)
Philistines defeated (8-17)
Levites carry the Ark to Jerusalem (1-29)
Michal despises David (29)
The Ark placed in a tent (1-6)
David’s song of thanks (7-36)
“Jehovah has become King!” (31)
Service before the Ark (37-43)
David brought the sacred ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. During this joyous occasion, the Levites sang a song of praise that contained a noteworthy statement, recorded at 1 Chronicles 16:31: “Declare among the nations: ‘Jehovah has become King!’” One might wonder, ‘Since Jehovah is the King of eternity, how is it that he became King at that time?’ Jehovah becomes King when he expresses his rulership or establishes an agency to represent him at a certain time or to deal with a specific situation. This aspect of Jehovah’s kingship has far-reaching significance. Before David died, Jehovah promised him that his kingship would continue indefinitely: “I will raise up your offspring after you, your own son, and I will firmly establish his kingdom.” (2 Sam. 7:12, 13) In the final outworking of matters, this “offspring” of David appeared more than 1,000 years later. Whom did this prove to be, and when would he become King?
David not to build temple (1-6)
Covenant with David for a kingdom (7-15)
David’s prayer of thanksgiving (16-27)
Have you ever asked yourself, ‘Of all the billions of people alive on earth, why would Jehovah take notice of me?’ If so, you are in good company. King David wrote: “O Jehovah, what is man that you should notice him, the son of mortal man that you should pay attention to him?” (Ps. 144:3) David was confident that Jehovah knew him well. (1 Chron. 17:16-18) And through his Word and his organization, Jehovah reassures you that he notices the love you show for him. Consider some statements in God’s Word that can help you be certain of that fact:
from workbook January–February 2023
If because of age, health, or other factors you are not eligible for a certain assignment, stay absorbed in the things that you can do.—Ac 18:5; w21.08 22-23 ¶11.
David’s victories (1-13)
David’s administration (14-17)
Ammonites insult David’s messengers (1-5)
Victory over Ammon and Syria (6-19)
Rabbah captured (1-3)
Philistine giants killed (4-8)
David’s illegal census (1-6)
Punishment from Jehovah (7-17)
David builds an altar (18-30)
Jehovah commanded the angel to halt the plague because He is sensitive to the suffering of His people. Indeed, “very many are his mercies.”
David’s preparations for the temple (1-5)
David instructs Solomon (6-16)
Princes commanded to help Solomon (17-19)
from workbook January–February 2023
David organizes the Levites (1-32)
Aaron and his sons set apart (13)
from workbook March–April 2023
Worship that is organized reflects Jehovah’s personality.—1Co 14:33.
David organizes priests into 24 divisions (1-19)
Other Levitical assignments (20-31)
Musicians and singers for God’s house (1-31)
We worship Jehovah when we join in song. (Ps. 28:7) The Israelites considered singing to be an important part of their worship. King David assigned 288 Levites to be singers at the temple. (1 Chron. 25:1, 6-8) Today, we can express our love for God when we sing songs of praise. The quality of our voice is not the most important thing. Consider this comparison: When we speak, “we all stumble many times,” but that does not prevent us from speaking in the congregation and in the ministry. (Jas. 3:2) Similarly, we should not allow concerns about the imperfections of our singing voice to prevent us from singing praises to Jehovah.
Divisions of gatekeepers (1-19)
Treasurers and other officials (20-32)
Officers in the king’s service (1-34)
David had other associates who loyally stood by him in difficult times. One such associate was Hushai, whom the Bible refers to as “David’s friend.” (2 Sam. 16:16; 1 Chron. 27:33) He may have been a court official who was a personal friend and companion to the king, one who at times carried out confidential orders.
When David’s son Absalom usurped the throne, many Israelites took Absalom’s side, but not Hushai. While David was fleeing, Hushai went to him. David felt deeply hurt because of being betrayed by his own son and by some whom he had trusted. However, Hushai remained loyal, as one who was willing to risk his life and accomplish a mission that would thwart the conspiracy. Hushai did not simply do so out of a sense of duty as a court official. He proved to be a loyal friend.—2 Sam. 15:13-17, 32-37; 16:15–17:16.
David’s speech on the temple construction (1-8)
Instructions to Solomon; architectural plan given (9-21)
from workbook March–April 2023
Aged King David gave this admonition before his young and inexperienced son Solomon began the important task of building the temple. Why is this advice valuable for all, but especially for young Christians?
Contributions for the temple (1-9)
David’s prayer (10-19)
People rejoice; Solomon’s kingship (20-25)
Death of David (26-30)