1Ch 9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Chr 9:1-34: 9:1-34 The Chronicler shows how people and institutions who returned from the Exile had continuity with the past. The Levites and the priests are prominent in this summary of Israel, expressing the Chronicler’s view that they were central to the organization of the nation. They were crucial to Israel’s function and success as a nation where God was the King. The Chronicler drew upon the records of ancient times as far back as Moses and David (9:19-22 ) to describe each group’s homeland and rank. 9:1 The statement that all Israel was listed in the genealogical records reveals the crux of the Chronicler’s thought, that all Israel was represented by the community of Judea in the time of the Chronicler, which had continuity with Israel’s past. • The Book of the Kings of Israel is a source document that the authors of both Kings and Chronicles used but has now been lost (see also study note on 1 Kgs 14:19-20). • The people of Judah were exiled for unfaithfulness, as the other tribes had been (1 Chr 5:25-26 ; 6:15 ; see 2 Chr 36:20-21 ).

Summary for 1Chr 9:1-34: 9:1-34 ^a The Chronicler shows how people and institutions who returned from the Exile had continuity with the past. The Levites and the priests are prominent in this summary of Israel, expressing the Chronicler’s view that they were central to the organization of the nation. They were crucial to Israel’s function and success as a nation where God was the King. The Chronicler drew upon the records of ancient times as far back as Moses and David (9:19-22 ^b) to describe each group’s homeland and rank. 9:1 ^c The statement that all Israel was listed in the genealogical records reveals the crux of the Chronicler’s thought, that all Israel was represented by the community of Judea in the time of the Chronicler, which had continuity with Israel’s past.

• The Book of the Kings of Israel is a source document that the authors of both Kings and Chronicles used but has now been lost (see also study note on 1 Kgs 14:19-20).

• The people of Judah were exiled for unfaithfulness, as the other tribes had been (1 Chr 5:25-26 ^d; 6:15 ^e; see 2 Chr 36:20-21 ^f).
Summary for 1Chr 9:3-9: 9:3-9 ^g settled in Jerusalem: Jerusalem had always been at the center of all Israel, and people from all the tribes lived there, both before and after the Exile. This statement affirms the inclusion of some members of the northern tribes among those who returned from exile.
9:21 ^h Tabernacle: See study note on Exod 27:21.
Summary for 1Chr 9:28-32: 9:28-32 ⁱ various articles used in worship: See Exod 25:8–30:38 ^j.
9:30 ^k The priests ... blended the spices for use in the Tabernacle and Temple, and that blend could not be used for secular purposes (Exod 30:34-38 ^l).
9:32 ^m bread to be set on the table each Sabbath day: See Exod 25:23-30 ⁿ.
9:34 ^o The reference to Jerusalem draws readers back to the beginning (9:3 ^p) and defines all Israel in terms of its representatives living in that city.

• In detailing the responsibilities of the priests and Levites, the Chronicler’s primary focus was the heads of Levite families (9:10-33 ^q).
Summary for 1Chr 9:35-44: 9:35-44 ^r The place of Saul’s family in the kingdom has already been established (8:29-40 ^s); the repetition of that material provides a transition from the genealogies to the narratives, beginning with the story of Saul’s death (ch 10 ^t).