From Tragedy to Triumph: The Rise of a God-Anointed King

Welcome to Day 105 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are beginning the book of 1 Chronicles. 1 Chronicles 10-12 marks a pivotal shift in Israel’s history as leadership transitions from Saul to David. Chapter 10 recounts the tragic downfall of King Saul due to his disobedience, setting the stage for new leadership. Chapters 11 and 12 focus on David's rise to power, beginning with his anointing as king and the establishment of his reign in Jerusalem. The narrative then celebrates the mighty warriors who stood by David, portraying a picture of divine favor and loyal support. David’s kingship is presented not merely as a political change but as a divinely ordained transition, demonstrating God’s providence in raising up a faithful leader to shepherd His people.

1 Chronicles 10: 1 Chronicles 10 recounts the death of Saul and the tragic end of his reign. In a fierce battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, Saul’s sons are killed, and Saul, wounded and desperate, takes his own life to avoid capture. The Philistines desecrate Saul’s body and display his remains as a trophy in their temple. However, the men of Jabesh-gilead honor Saul by retrieving and burying his body. The chapter closes with a divine perspective, stating Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord, consulted a medium, and did not seek God's guidance. This sets the theological tone that David’s rise is not just political but God-ordained.

1 Chronicles 11: 1 Chronicles 11 marks the beginning of David’s reign as king. The tribes of Israel come to Hebron and recognize David as God’s chosen leader, anointing him king over all Israel. David captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites and makes it his capital, renaming it the City of David. The chapter highlights the role of Joab, who becomes commander of the army for leading the charge. It then lists David’s mighty men—elite warriors who performed heroic feats and helped secure his kingdom. Their loyalty and valor underscore David’s strong leadership and God’s blessing on his reign.

1 Chronicles 12: 1 Chronicles 12 showcases the growing support David receives from warriors across Israel. These skilled fighters join David at Ziklag while he is still fleeing from Saul, demonstrating early trust in his leadership. The chapter lists their names, tribes, and special abilities, emphasizing how God drew together a powerful and united force around David. Notably, some even come from Saul’s own tribe, Benjamin, signaling a shift in allegiance. The chapter culminates with a massive gathering of armed men at Hebron to officially declare David king, united with "one heart" under God’s plan. This chapter powerfully illustrates divine favor and national unity under David’s leadership.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name "Chronicles" comes from the Greek title Paralipomenon, meaning “things left out” or “things omitted,” implying it supplements earlier historical accounts found in Samuel and Kings. In Hebrew, the book is part of Divrei HaYamim, meaning “The Words of the Days” or “The Annals,” referring to royal records or chronicles of events. The English title “Chronicles” was adopted from the Latin Chronicon by Jerome, who suggested it better describes the book as a “chronicle of the whole sacred history.”

Purpose of the Book:

1 Chronicles was written to encourage the post-exilic Jewish community by reminding them of their spiritual heritage and covenantal identity. It highlights God’s faithfulness, the centrality of the Davidic line, the importance of temple worship, and the unity of Israel under God’s rule. Rather than focusing on Israel's failures, it presents a hopeful and idealized version of history that emphasizes God’s redemptive plan through David’s lineage. Its purpose is both theological and historical—reaffirming the nation’s roots, worship, and destiny.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

ewish tradition and many scholars attribute the authorship of 1 Chronicles to Ezra the scribe (as suggested in the Babylonian Talmud, Baba Bathra 15a). Ezra was a priest and scribe who led reforms during the post-exilic period, and his writing style closely matches that of Ezra-Nehemiah, especially in genealogical and temple-related content.

Supporting evidence includes:
- Writing Style & Themes: Emphasis on temple worship, genealogies, and the priesthood parallels the focus in Ezra-Nehemiah.
- Historical Context: Both Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah address a post-exilic audience and use similar vocabulary and theological emphasis.
- Biblical Cross-Reference: Though the Bible doesn't name the author directly, Ezra 7:6 describes Ezra as “a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses,” aligning with the detailed genealogical and historical records found in Chronicles.
- Extra-Biblical References:
  - Talmudic tradition in Baba Bathra 15a explicitly names Ezra as the author of 1 and 2 Chronicles.
  - Early Christian historians such as Eusebius also recognized Ezra as a likely compiler or editor of the Chronicler’s work.

It’s widely accepted that the final form of Chronicles was written during or shortly after the Babylonian exile, likely in the 5th century BC.

Key People:

1 Chronicles features numerous significant figures from Israel’s past, but some stand out more than others:

Adam to Abraham: The genealogies highlight humanity's beginnings and God's selection of Abraham’s line.
Jacob/Israel and His Sons: Establishes the tribes of Israel, especially Judah and Levi.
David: The central figure of the book, portrayed as the ideal king who prepared for the temple and unified Israel.
Solomon: Mentioned as David’s chosen heir and temple builder.
The Priests and Levites: Special attention is given to their duties, divisions, and sacred responsibilities.
Tribal Leaders and Mighty Men: Including warriors who supported David and leaders who helped organize temple worship.
Covenantal Figures: Such as Moses and Aaron (referenced in roles of worship and the priesthood), emphasizing continuity of God's plan.

Conclusion

1 Chronicles is more than a historical record—it’s a spiritual call to remember God’s promises, leadership, and worship. By tracing the genealogies from Adam to David, then focusing on David’s reign and preparations for the temple, the book centers the reader’s attention on God’s sovereign plan and the importance of covenant faithfulness. The Chronicler uplifts a generation recovering from exile, reminding them that their identity, hope, and future are rooted in God’s eternal purposes through the Davidic line. Ultimately, 1 Chronicles reveals that despite failures, God's promises remain unshaken, and His redemptive plan continues through faithful worship and obedient leadership.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 1 Chronicles 10, God is revealed as holy, just, and sovereign. His righteousness demands obedience, and His justice is displayed in the consequences of Saul’s rebellion. Although Saul was anointed king, he chose to disregard God’s commands, consult mediums, and neglect divine guidance. God’s character as one who holds His people accountable reminds us that leadership without submission to Him leads to destruction.

There are no specific Hebrew names of God mentioned in this chapter, but God’s sovereign authority is evident. The lesson in this chapter is that disobedience has consequences, especially for those in leadership. God expects faithfulness, and when leaders fail to honor Him, they forfeit their position. This chapter sets the tone that God's favor and guidance are essential for lasting success.

In 1 Chronicles 11, God is portrayed as faithful, empowering, and a fulfiller of promises. He honors His covenant by raising David to the throne, as He had promised. God’s presence is not only with David but also empowers those who support him, enabling them to accomplish great victories. His character is one of trustworthiness—He lifts up the humble and faithful servant at the appointed time.

Though specific Hebrew names of God are not mentioned, the nature of God’s guidance and fulfillment of His Word is clear. The lesson here is that God exalts the obedient and surrounds them with strength. When we walk in His purpose, God equips us with everything we need—resources, people, and power—to fulfill His calling.

In 1 Chronicles 12, God’s character is shown as unifying, wise, and strategic. He brings together people from every tribe—even from Saul’s own lineage—to support David. This reveals God’s ability to bring peace, unity, and divine alignment for His purposes. God is a master orchestrator, positioning people with specific gifts and loyalties to build His kingdom through David.

No specific Hebrew names of God appear in this chapter, but His character is seen through His divine orchestration. The lesson is that God aligns people and resources when we walk in His will. He knows how to build unity even from broken or divided places and will surround His chosen with the right people for the right season.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

What does God’s response to Saul’s disobedience reveal about His holiness and justice?
How does God show His sovereignty in raising up David as king?
In what ways do these chapters reveal God’s faithfulness to His promises?
How does God empower leaders who walk in obedience to Him?
What do these chapters teach about God's role in bringing unity among His people?
How does God's character influence the kind of people He surrounds His chosen leaders with?
What aspects of God’s nature are evident in how He removes Saul and establishes David?

Questions About Themes:

How is the theme of obedience vs. disobedience developed through Saul’s downfall?
What does David’s rise to power tell us about God's timing and divine purpose?
How does the theme of loyalty play a role in these chapters, especially in the lives of David’s mighty men?
What role does divine selection and anointing play in Israel's leadership transition?
How do these chapters emphasize the importance of unity among God’s people?
What theme is expressed through the gathering of warriors from all tribes to support David?
How do these chapters highlight God’s involvement in the affairs of nations and kings?

Reflective Application Questions:

Am I living in obedience to God, or am I risking spiritual downfall by following my own way like Saul?
How can I trust God’s timing in raising up opportunities in my life, just as He did with David?
Who are the “mighty men” or loyal people God has placed around me to support His purpose in my life?
What can I learn from David’s humility and patience while waiting to walk in his calling?
In what areas of my life is God calling me to be more unified with others for a greater purpose?
How do I respond when I see God shifting seasons or leadership in my life or community?
What practical steps can I take today to align myself more closely with God's will and character?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans