Category: 1 Chronicles

1 Chron 10:2 The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Maliki-Shua.
Commentary says: “Saul’s sin, hardened rebellion, and eventual ruin affected far more than himself and even his immediate family. It literally endangered the entire nation of Israel.” Can I just say that those words send my mind in all manner of disconcerting directions this morning? 
1 Chron 10:3 The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him.
I try to make it a habit NOT to choose sin, but when I make decisions in my life, do I adequately weigh the effects of my decisions on all involved? What I see is more selfishness than I am comfortable admitting. 
1 Chron 10:13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. You have given me much to think about in the realm of decision making, especially when it comes to my will versus the greater good. Help me to seek Your will for my life. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 10:14 …and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
Have a blessed day.

1 Chron 8:1 Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second son, Aharah the third….
These days I often pray, “All right, Lord. What do You want me to say today? What lesson is there in all these names?” God is so faithful to lead me, and with little to go on but names in this book, I’ve needed His guidance more than ever.
1 Chron 8:2 …Nohah the fourth and Rapha the fifth.
I believe that everybody has a story, and I think these lists of names support that position. Each name is a life. Each life is connected to others—wives, children, neighbors. They all played a part, large or small, positive or negative. They culminate in Jesus.
1 Chron 8:28 All of these were heads of families, chiefs as listed in their genealogy, and they lived in Jerusalem.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. It’s easy to feel small and insignificant in life. It’s easy to treat others as small and insignificant as well, but we all have a story and we all play a role in leading others towards You or away. Help us to move in the right direction—toward You. Help us to honor the stories of others. Draw us closer. Amen.
1 Chron 8:40 …All these were the descendants of Benjamin.
Have a blessed day.

1 Chron 7:1 The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub and Shimron—four in all.
Reading through today’s list of genealogies put me in mind of the poem “The Dash.” A quick search produced the poem, labeled as a funeral poem, accurate but unexpected. The gist if the poem is that life happens in the dash, even though all the world will see are the dates of birth and death. So true.
1 Chron 7:6 Three sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker and Jediael.
And I am struck again by the thought that it is easy to make the right choice to follow Jesus when we keep our minds on eternity. It is easy to resist the pull of this world when faced with the cold reality of a headstone. Though it’s definitely not so easy when we are grinding through the day-by-day. 
1 Chron 7:13 The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem—the descendants of Bilhah.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You see all that happens in our dash and that You want for us an eternity with You. Help us to be ever mindful that this world is not our home. Help us to keep our eyes on You. Draw us closer. Amen.
1 Chron 7:30 The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. Their sister was Serah.
Have a blessed day.

1 Chron 6:31 These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there.
When I think back to the music associated with the worship services I’ve been a part of in life, it is a very varied history. I’ve heard mostly older church members in three-part harmony singing traditional hymns. I’ve heard a keyboard and a song leader with just the congregation to sing. I’ve heard modern radio songs sung by a praise band in worship to our Lord. 
1 Chron 6:32a They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built their temple of the LORD in Jerusalem….
And I’ve realized that for me, music is a crucial part of ministry, a crucial way to connect with and praise my Savior—from the gorgeous voices of the “professionals” to my not-so-tuneful yet heartfelt praise as I sing along. 
1 Chron 6:32b …They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank you for the musical trip down memory lane. Thank You that any joyful noise in praise of You is beautiful in Your sight. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 6:33 Here are the men who served, together with their sons….
Have a blessed day.

1 Chron 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”
Jabez is notable because, in a line of chapters that are nothing but names and connections, we get a little story about Jabez. Commentary says we don’t hear about him in any other chapter, but here, we hear about his prayer and God’s answer.
1 Chron 4:10a Jabez cried out to the God of Israel….
So what can we learn from Jabez? Cry out to God. Always. It is easy to whine and complain to others when things are bad, but at most, others can only commiserate. Take your troubles to God, and be specific. Jabez asks specifically for four things. He wasn’t vague or indirect about what he wanted and needed. Trust God. Jabez went to the source and asked specifically for what he needed. God heard him and granted his request 
1 Chron 4:10b …“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” …
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. In the midst of all the genealogy, thank You for this story of Jabez. Help me to bring my troubles to You, to ask specifically for what I need, and to trust You. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 4:10c …And God granted his request.
Have a blessed day.

1 Chron 3:1 These were the sons of David born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahiniam of Jezreel; the second, Daniel the son of Abigail of Carmel….
This continuing genealogy brings me much hope on my faith journey. It is very easy for me to relegate those figures from the Bible I grew up reading about to a holy, godly standard that I am incapable of. But I know they were just as human as I am. They were fallible, they made mistakes, they railed against God at times (or at least said, “Hey, God, I really think you’ve got the wrong person here.”)
1 Chron 3:4 These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years….
And yet, they were considered godly, people after God’s own heart. It makes me feel like there is hope for me, even though I get things wrong every day, make mistakes and missteps. I find myself again so thankful that God knows my heart, that He sees more than just the results of my actions.
1 Chron 3:5 …and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for using these chapters of genealogies to remind me of important truths. Thank You for seeing and knowing my heart. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 3:9 All these were the sons of David, besides his sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.
Have a blessed day.

1 Chron 1:1 Historical records from Adam to Abraham, To Noah’s Sons: Adam, Seth, Enosh….
The hubs and I share stories of our fathers with our children. Both of our dads passed away when the boys were young, and my father-in-law had a debilitating stroke before my youngest was even born. While our boys have vague memories of their grandfathers, we share stories and memories about them, so that our boys can know a bit better these wonderful men in their family.
1 Chron 1:5 The Hamites: The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.
When you tell a story of the past, you are chronicling. The story itself is a chronicle. I really think that is what this chapter, these books, are about—telling the story of God’s family, our family, all those who came before. It goes so much deeper than just long lists of genealogies.
1 Chron 1:17 The Semites: The sons of Shem: Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for our place in Your family, for the ability to look back on all those who have gone before. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
1 Chron 1:28 The Family of Abraham: The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
Have a blessed day