1 Chronicles Introduction

First Chronicles for Skeptics

The first nine chapters of First Chronicles are good examples of the "endless genealogies" that Paul tells us to avoid (see 1 Timothy 1:4 and Titus 3:9).

Wearisome as these chapters are, the rest of the book isn't much better. Consequently, First Chronicles is probably the most boring book in the Bible -- maybe the most boring book in all of literature.

First Chronicles covers the same material that is covered elsewhere in the Bible, adding a lot of contradictions while making it even more boring.

Highlights (such as they are):

"Er ... was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him." 2:3
The sons of Reuben made war with the Hagarites and "there fell down many slain, because the war was from God." 5:18-22
"Saul ... inquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him." 10:13-14
God kills Uzza for trying to keep the ark from falling. 13:9-10
"David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines." 14:16
David tortures all the inhabitants of several cities with saws, harrows of iron, and axes. 20:3
God kills a couple hundred thousand people because David had a census. 21:1-14
(See 2 Sam.24:1-15 for a different version of this story.)
God repents. (It's about time!) 21:15

1 Chronicles

First Chronicles for Skeptics

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