BBB Bible Series: First Chronicles Quiz

Answer: After the Babylonian Exile

The Babylonians under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar conquered Israel and many of the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon. They remained in slavery there for about seventy years and under the rule of Cyrus they were allowed to return back to Israel.

Many Bible scholars believe the books of First as well as Second Chronicles, which at one time were just one book, were written after their return to Israel and that they were written to help the Israelites reconnect with their spiritual heritage and destiny as God's chosen people.

Answer: Authorship is uncertain

Many Bible scholars believe the books of First Chronicles and Second Chronicles were perhaps compiled by several scribes and priests under the oversight of Ezra the priest.

Answer: Jabez

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." -- First Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV)

The Prayer of Jabez, a book written by Bruce Wilkinson, was based on this scripture and has encouraged many to pray as Jabez did for God's blessing on their lives.

Answer: David

"Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse." -- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (NIV)

Long before Saul died God chose David to replace Saul as Israel's king and made a special covenant with David that one of his sons would always remain on the throne.

Answer: Hebron

"All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord your God said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.' "

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel. See 1 Chronicles 11:1-3 (NIV).

David reigned in Hebron for about seven years.

Answer: Joab

"David had said, "Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander-in-chief." Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command." -- 1 Chronicles 11:6 (NIV)

Joab was also the son of David's sister Zeruiah. This chapter of 1 Chronicles goes on to list David's Mighty Men. These men all showed exceptional loyalty to David and bravery in their service.

Answer: The ark of the Lord

"David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it." -- 1 Chronicles 15:3 (NIV)

David made two attempts to bring the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. He aborted his first attempt when God killed one of the men helping to transport the ark, who had touched it. David, angry and confused, left the ark at the house of Obed-Edom and returned to Jerusalem. David came to understand later that God had prescribed specific instructions for handling the ark of the Lord.

"David said, 'No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.'" -- 1 Chronicles 15:2 (NIV)

After he made the correct arrangements the ark was successfully brought to Jerusalem with great rejoicing and celebration.

Answer: Building a house for the Lord

"After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, 'Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.'
Nathan replied to David, 'Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.'
But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying:
'Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.''" -- 1 Chronicles 17:1-4 (NIV)

Even though David wasn't allowed to build a house for the ark of the Lord, during his lifetime he collected money and resources for it from the people as well as his own resources, and he also drew up plans for the construction of a lavish temple that his son Solomon would later build.

Answer: Took a census

"Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, 'Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.'" -- 1 Chronicles 21:1-2 (NIV)

Perhaps pride motivated David to order this census that displeased God so much that he sent a plague that killed 70,000 men. Then God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. David and the elders dressed in sackcloth and fell on their faces. David confessed his wrongdoing and asked God to let his hand be against him and his house and not against the people. God commanded that David erect an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan. After David completed the altar he offered a burnt offering and a peace offering and called on the Lord. The Lord answered by sending fire on the offering and commanded the angel to return his sword to its sheath.

Answer: Solomon

"David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. He ruled over Israel forty years-seven in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king." -- 1 Chronicles 29:26-28 (NIV)

You can read the fascinating story of David's feats and failures in the books of First and Second Samuel which primarily focus on the historical facts of his life. The writers of First Chronicles, seeking to rebuild the faith of the exiles returning from Babylon, focused primarily on the spiritual aspects of his reign as their king.