Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
1 Chronicles Ch.1 / 29 Ch.s
1CH:1
** The books of Chronicles are, in a great measure, repetitions
of what is in the books of Samuel and of the Kings, yet there
are some excellent useful things in them which we find not
elsewhere. The FIRST BOOK traces the rise of the Jewish people
from Adam, and afterward gives an account of the reign of David.
In the SECOND BOOK the narrative is continued, and relates the
progress and end of the kingdom of Judah; also it notices the
return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity. Jerome says,
that whoever supposes himself to have knowledge of the
Scriptures without being acquainted with the books of
Chronicles, deceives himself. Historical facts passed over
elsewhere, names, and the connexion of passages are to be found
here, and many questions concerning the gospel are explained.
* Genealogies, Adam to Abraham. (1-27) The descendants of
Abraham. (28-54)
#1-27 This chapter, and many that follow, repeat the
genealogies, or lists of fathers and children in the Bible
history, and put them together, with many added. When compared
with other places, there are some differences found; yet we must
not therefore stumble at the word, but bless God that the things
necessary to salvation are plain enough. The original of the
Jewish nation is here traced from the first man that God
created, and is thereby distinguished from the obscure,
fabulous, and absurd origins assigned to other nations. But the
nations now are all so mingled with one another, that no one
nation, nor the greatest part of any, is descended entirely from
any of one nation, nor the greatest part of any, is descended
entirely from any of these fountains. Only this we are sure of,
that God has created of one blood all nations of men; they are
all descended from one Adam, one Noah. Have we not all one
father? Has not one God created us? #Mal 2:10|.
#28-54 The genealogy is from hence confined to the posterity of
Abraham. Let us take occasion from reading these lists of names,
to think of the multitudes that have gone through this world,
have done their parts in it, and then quitted it. As one
generation, even of sinful men, passes away, another comes. #Ec
1:4; Nu 32:14|, and will do so while the earth remains. Short is
our passage through time into eternity. May we be distinguished
as the Lord's people.