1 Chronicles 20 is a short chapter with only 8 verses. The first 3 verses inform the reader about David and Joab’s conquest of Rabbah, a city of the Ammonites. The last 5 verses document a few of Israel’s battles with the Philistines, and how the champions of Israel defeated 3 formidable Philistines who were descendants of the giants.

1 Chronicles 19 documents how Hanun, king of the Ammonites, shamed David’s servants and started a war. The Israelites fought the Ammonites and Syrians and defeated them near Medeba. The Syrians regrouped under the command of Hadadezer and Shophach, but they were defeated again and became the servants of Israel.

1 Chronicles 18 documents the growing influence and military might of Israel under the leadership of King David. David subdued the people of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Amalek, and Zobah. His battle with Hadadezer, king of Zobah, is recorded in chapter 18. The last couple verses list the names of David’s government officials.

In 1 Chronicles 17, David resolved to build a house for the Lord and the Ark of the Covenant, but God sent Nathan, the prophet, to David to tell him He had other plans. Rather than David building God a house, God was going to make David a great “house,” by blessing his family and his kingdom. God promised David his throne would be established forever.

In 1 Chronicles 16, the Ark of the Covenant is finally brought home to Jerusalem. David celebrates with the people and offers sacrifices to the Lord. He appoints priests to minister at the Ark and the Tabernacle. Asaph managed the ministry and music at the Ark in Jerusalem, and Zadok was in charge of the daily sacrifices at the Tabernacle, which was in Gibeon.

The fifth chapter of 1 Chronicles documents the Ark of the Covenant finally arriving in Jerusalem. After the tragedy of Uzzah, the Ark was kept in Obed-edom’s house, somewhere between Kiriath-jearim and Jerusalem. It was in Obed-edom’s house for three months before David had the priests bring it to Jerusalem.

In 1 Chronicles 14, Hiram, king of Tyre, builds a house for David in Jerusalem. David marries many new wives and they bear him more children. The second half of the chapter documents some of David’s battles with the Philistines, and how God gave Israel victory against them in two battles at the Valley of Rephaim.

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.