Genealogies

The first nine chapters of First Chronicles consist of genealogies—particularly important to a Jew returning from captivity (Ezra 2:59, 62)—yet within them there are many gems to be found and meditated upon (e.g. Jabez in 1 Chron. 4:9, 10). Extending back to Adam, we have that line blessed by grace according to God’s sovereignty.
In reading these genealogies, it is helpful to see that the natural appears first and then that which is spiritual—owned of God in grace (1 Cor. 15:46). Hence, we have Japheth, Ham, and lastly Shem (1 Chron. 1:5, 8, 17); the sons of Isaac, with Esau first, and then Israel (1 Chron. 1:34).
In the third chapter, we arrive at the grand object of the book, the genealogy of David. Beginning with the fourth chapter we move from the subject of the king, to the nation—Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Levi, Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Benjamin is again brought before us in chapter 9, now as the line of Saul the king. “So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression” (1 Chron. 9:1).