BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusNäide

Saul’s unfaithfulness. David’s rise to the throne. Yahweh’s blessing over the new king. Feeling déjà vu while reading today? That’s probably because the chronicler draws heavily on the books of Samuel and Kings. So heavily, in fact, that many of the stories are almost identical. Almost.
It can be tempting to breeze through these duplicate stories. But skimming the surface risks missing the chronicler’s genius in strategically editing and compiling his work. Upon careful reading, one notices meaningful omissions and interesting new details.
Take, for example, the list of men who joined David’s cause (1 Chron. 12:23-40). Notice key details around the names and numbers. The men who rally around David come from all 12 tribes, even Levi. And they don’t just bring their swords. They come with flour, fig cakes, wine, and olive oil, portraying the 12 tribes uniting under Yahweh’s anointed king. Edenic abundance? Joy in Israel? This is starting to sound like something from the prophets!
The chronicler doesn’t just repeat stories from the past. He recasts them in a way that reminds people they have reason to hope for the future. It’s been a long, arduous journey. But when you zoom way out and notice the pattern of God’s love, protection, and promise for life ongoing, the old story points forward to a new messianic king rising to power.
The cycle of faith and fear will finally break under this king’s wise and benevolent rules, ushering in a new era of joy, peace, and abundance. Someone just like David, only better.
Reflection Questions
- You may have noticed that the chronicler differs from the authors of Samuel and Kings not just in content, but also in style. Look closely at the chronicler’s poetic descriptions and exalted language (1 Chron. 11:23, 12:8, 12:14-15, or 14:17). How do these literary flourishes change the feel of the story?
- Look at the chronicler’s account of David’s family (1 Chron. 14:3-7). Which details does the Chronicler leave out of his version of the story? (If you need to refresh your memory—it’s been quite a while since Samuel and Kings—look back over 2 Samuel 3:12-14 or 2 Samuel 11). How does this shape David’s characterization in Chronicles?
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Read through the Bible in one year with BibleProject! One Story That Leads to Jesus includes daily devotional content, reflection questions, and more than 150 animated videos to bring biblical books and themes to life. Join the growing community around the globe who are learning to see the Bible as one unified story that leads to Jesus.
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