Commentary on 1 Chronicles 9:1 (Summary)

With the comment, So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel, the Chronicler now comes to the end of the great genealogical record that opened with Adam (1 Chronicles 1:1) but began its primary focus in 1 Chronicles 2:1–2 with the twelve sons of Israel. This verse does not belong with the rest of the chapter.

The Chronicler characterizes his lists as containing all Israel. This refers to all the tribes, not just to those who happened to be part of the Chronicler’s own community (1 Chronicles 9:2–34). This terminology, therefore, indicates that 1 Chronicles 2:1–8:40 represents the length and breadth of the entire nation of Israel. Despite the highly selective character of these genealogies and lists, they stood as indications of how broadly the Chronicler wanted his original readers to conceive of the nation. His reason for emphasizing this is clear. Until the depth and breadth reflected in these lists was brought to light among the returnees, the restoration of God’s people would be incomplete. In presenting this concept of all Israel, the Chronicler seeks to create unity among the returning exiles, which was essential for any sustained initiative aimed at restoring Judah and Jerusalem to its former glory.¹ The Chronicler longs for the whole of Israel to occupy the land once again under the reign of another Davidic king, the coming Messiah.^2,3 Throughout these lists the Chronicler reveals a deep discontent at the way things worked out (that is, the division of Israel into northern and southern kingdoms). The split was indeed due to human sin, but God still sees Israel as one. This is seen in the prophets especially where the promise to restore Israel extends to both Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 3:18; Ezekiel 37:21–22; Hosea 1:11). This is why the emphasis is on Jacob and the continuity of his sons right up to the exile.

The mention of the exile in 1 Chronicles 9:1 shows that the current situation was no chance happening. It was due to the unfaithfulness of both northern and southern kingdoms (see 1 Chronicles 2:7; 1 Chronicles 5:25). Both of these instances point toward Israel’s unfaithfulness towards God. The downfall of Saul’s kingdom (1 Chronicles 10:13) and of the northern and southern kingdoms (1 Chronicles 5:25; 2 Chronicles 36:14) can be traced back to the same root cause. The all-embracing character of all Israel as the subject of was taken into exile would fit in with the Chronicler’s view of the northern and southern kingdoms. For this reason, Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah (see also 2 Chronicles 27:7; 2 Chronicles 35:27; 2 Chronicles 36:8) is preferable to the book of the kings of Israel, which occurs only once (2 Chronicles 20:34).⁴

Whatever the best title for the source book, for the Chronicler the ideal of kingship is a divinely appointed king shepherding the one people of God embodied in King David and projected to the messianic king (Jeremiah 33:25–26; Ezekiel 34:23–24).