God is in the Details

 Read 1 Chronicles 1-9:34. 

As there are four gospels providing perspectives of the life of Christ, so 1 and 2 Kings along with 1 and 2 Chronicles record some of the same highlights of history from different vantage points.  Often, the book of Chronicles (originally one book) is skipped over as redundant.  However, the focus of 1 and 2 Chronicles was written from a priestly viewpoint, with a decided focus on the kingdom of Judah, Jerusalem and the Temple. 

The first 9 chapters trace the family tree of Israel from Adam to the return after the seventy years of captivity in Babylon.  Granted, it is not a section of scripture one would chose to read aloud to a group (though I have been in one that did).  As a documentation of Israel's heritage, it is priceless. 

Along the way, we are occasionally given a nugget of personal comment.

1:19 "Peleg (for in his days the earth was divided)".  Traditionally, this has been taken to refer to the dividing of people into language groups after the tower of Babel (Genesis 11). 

4:9-10 "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers."  His prayer, detailed here, was answered by God. 

5:1-2 Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob, lost his birthright to Joseph's descendants due to his sin. 

5:22 Pointedly, we are told that this "war was of God." 

6:31-ff King David established the music ministry of worship, including a singer named Heman. 

There is a reassuring theme that the LORD is a personal God.  He knows our name.  He sees us up close.  He hears us when we call.