1 Chronicles 10-29 United Monarchy: King David

II. The United Monarchy (David & Solomon), Part One: David (1 Chronicles 10:1-29:30)

In Chronicles, the reigns of David and Solomon are seen as a unity, though this is obscured by the artificial split of Chronicles into two books. The rest of 1 Chronicles narrates the first part of the united monarchy, David as Israel’s ideal king. Part two of the united monarchy begins in 2 Chronicles 1.

A. Saul (10:1-14) Only the final chapter in the life of Israel’s first king, Saul, is presented. Here it serves as an example of exile as the result of unfaithfulness.

B. David Becomes King over All Israel (11:1-12:40) All Israel immediately recognizes David as king.

C. David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem (13:1-16:43) The narration of David bringing the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem illustrates the Chronicler’s primary concern: the establishment of proper worship.

D. God’s Promise to David (17:1-27) In this pivotal chapter, God promises that David will always have a son on the throne of Judah (vv. 1-15), and David responds with thanks and praise (vv. 16-27).

E. David’s Wars (18:1-20:8) The LORD makes David victorious over neighboring nations, and David gains wealth that will go toward building the Temple.

F. David Prepares for the Temple (21:1-29:30) The shared segment of David and Solomon is presented with the preparations for the building of the Temple in chapters 21-22 and 28-29, framing David’s organization of the Temple personnel in chapters 23-27.