In 1 Chronicles 13 David determines to move the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. The Ark was transported on a ox-drawn cart driven by two men, Uzzah and Ahio. As the cart went down the road, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark. God struck Uzzah dead, because no one was allowed to touch the Ark of the Covenant.

1 Chronicles 12 is about the growth of David’ personal military in the days before he became king. Many men deserted to him when he was on the run from King Saul. The second half of the chapter is a record of all the Israelite warriors who went to Hebron to appoint David king after the death of Ishbosheth, who had briefly declared himself king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 11 tells the story of David becoming in Hebron after the death of Saul. David then conquered the city of Jebus (Jerusalem) from the Jebusites and made it his capital. The second part of the chapter records the names of David’s mighty men. These were David’s elite warriors, consisting of 3 ultra-elite warriors, and 30 elite warriors.

1 Chronicles 10 is a parallel chapter to 1 Samuel 31. Both chapters record the story of King Saul’s death. Saul and his sons were killed during a battle with the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines took Saul’s armor and head back to their pagan temples in celebration of their victory. Saul’s death made way for David to become the next king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 9 documents the names and offices of the Jews who returned from the Babylonian captivity (607-537 B.C.). The priests, Levites, and Temple servants were some of the first to return with the goal of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. The final section of chapter 9 repeats the genealogy of King Saul. This section acts as a bridge between the author’s genealogical section (chapters 1-9) and historical section ( chapters 10-29).

1 Chronicles 8 is a record of some of the descendants of Benjamin, Jacob’s son, with special emphasis on Saul. Saul was a Benjaminite who became the first king of Israel. The chapter also mentions Jonathan, who was Saul’s son and David’s best friend. This genealogy sets the reader up for the historical narrative of beginning in 1 Chronicles 10, which picks up at the very end of Saul’s reign.

1 Chronicles 7 is a short record of some of the heads of the tribes of Israel. The chapter records the noteworthy descendants of 6 of Israel’s 12 tribes: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher.

1 Chronicles 6 is a record of the descendants of Levi, the son of Jacob. Levi’s family was selected by God to be a special tribe dedicated to the worship and service at the Tabernacle (later the Temple). Levi’s had 3 sons (Gershshon, Kohath, and Merari) and the family of each was given a special role to fulfil. The final section of the chapter is a list of the cities the Levites received in the Promised Land.

The fifth chapter of 1 Chronicles is a record of the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. These tribes lived on the east side of the Dead Sea, apart from the other Israelites. These tribes were taken into Assyrian exile between 740-730 B.C.

The fourth chapter of 1 Chronicles contains a genealogy of the families of Judah and Simeon. Judah and Simeon were sons of Jacob (Israel). The Tribe of Judah eventually grew into the largest of the 12 Tribes of Israel. The first half of the chapter focuses on Judah’s family, while the second half focuses on Simeon’s descendants.

1 Chronicles 3 is a genealogy (family tree) of David and his sons. The names of David’s sons are recorded, with each son grouped by birthplace. The remainder of the chapter is a list of David’s descendants. The list includes the names of many of the kings who ascended to the throne of Judah after David’s death.

The second chapter of 1 Chronicles contains a genealogy of the family of Jacob (Israel) and his 12 sons, with emphasis on Judah. The family tree follows Judah’s line until reaching King David. The second half of the chapter is a record of Hezron and Caleb’s family. They were also part of the tribe of Judah.

The first chapter of 1 Chronicles contains a genealogy from Adam, the first man, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). God promised to give Abraham’s family the land of Canaan (the Promised Land) and to bless all the nations of the earth through them. After the Babylonian exile, these genealogies helped the Jews trace their heritage back to their original tribal families.

In 2 Samuel 24, David orders Joab to take a census of all the fighting men in Israel. The census displeases God, and David is forced to choose between 3 punishments. God afflicts Israel with a plague, killing 70,000 people. The plague is eventually withdrawn from Israel when David builds an altar at the threshing floor of Araunah.

2 Samuel 23 opens with the final words of King David. Nearing the end of his life, David praised God for promoting righteous rulers. He knew God had blessed his kingdom because he honored God’s laws. The second half of the chapter describes David’s mighty men and their exploits against the enemies of Israel.

2 Samuel 22 is a record of a song of praise King David offered to the Lord. David praised God for His power and His justice. He thanked God for protecting him from His enemies, which would have included King Saul and neighboring hostile nations. At the end of the chapter, He praised God for anointing him king, supporting his reign, and elevating the nation of Israel.

Get a quick overview of 2 Samuel 21, including its themes and key events. This article provides a short summary of 2 Samuel chapter twenty-one, and will help you understand the book of 2 Samuel as a whole.

Get a quick overview of 2 Samuel 20, including its themes and key events. This article provides a short summary of 2 Samuel chapter twenty, and will help you understand the book of 2 Samuel as a whole.

After the death of Absalom, Joab rebukes David for weeping for him rather than honoring the soldiers who fought to keep him on the throne. The men of Judah invite David to cross the Jordan and be reappointed king in Jerusalem. On his journey to Jerusalem, David is met by Shemei, Mephibosheth, and Barzillai. The end of the chapter records an argument between the men of Israel and the men of Judah, which will result in a rebellion in 1 Chronicles 20.

In 2 Samuel 18, David and Absalom’s army meet in the forest of Ephraim. God gives David’s army the victory. Absalom gets his hair tangled in a tree branch and is left hanging in the forest. Joab kills him and throws his body into a pit. When David received the news that Absalom had died, he went to his room and wept over him.