1 Chronicles 27 documents various officers, military and civil, who were appointed to lead the people of Israel. The first section documents the 12 military divisions, 1 for each month. The second section of the chapter lists the heads of the tribes of Israel. The third and final section is a list of David’s civil officers and the men who managed his property.

1 Chronicles 26 describes the gatekeepers at the Temple, the Temple treasurers, and the officers and judges who were assigned to help govern the nation of Israel.  There were 1,700 men assigned as judges and officers on the west side of the Jordan River, and 2,700 men assigned to the tribes on the east side of the river.

In 1 Chronicles 25, David selected 3 men to manage the musical worship at the Temple, their names were Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. These three men were to manage the 288 musicians who would work in shifts at the Temple in Jerusalem upon its completion.

In the 24th chapter of 1 Chronicles, David divided up the priests into groups to serve at the Temple. Having assigned groups and an assigned schedule ensured there were always priests at the Temple to help complete the daily worship that was commanded in God’s law.

In 1 Chronicles 23, David and Solomon took a census of the Levites who were 30 years old and older. The total number came to 38,000. These Levites were divided by family and assigned special jobs in the temple, which was set to be built in Jerusalem. The Levites played a supporting role to the priests. The priests were descendants of Aaron who oversaw the sacrificial offerings.

In 1 Chronicles 22, David makes preparations for his son, Solomon, to build a temple to the Lord in Jerusalem. He begins stockpiling wood, bronze, silver, and gold to be used in the construction project. He commissions Solomon to begin the project, and to lead the people according to the laws of God as their next king.

1 Chronicles 21 is about a census David carried out that displeased the Lord. God gave David a choice between 3 punishments, and David chose to have the land of Israel struck with a plague for 3 days. The disease killed 70,000 people. God took away the disease after David bought the threshing floor of Ornan (Araunah) and bult an altar there.

1 Chronicles 20 is a short chapter with only 8 verses. The first 3 verses inform the reader about David and Joab’s conquest of Rabbah, a city of the Ammonites. The last 5 verses document a few of Israel’s battles with the Philistines, and how the champions of Israel defeated 3 formidable Philistines who were descendants of the giants.

1 Chronicles 19 documents how Hanun, king of the Ammonites, shamed David’s servants and started a war. The Israelites fought the Ammonites and Syrians and defeated them near Medeba. The Syrians regrouped under the command of Hadadezer and Shophach, but they were defeated again and became the servants of Israel.

1 Chronicles 18 documents the growing influence and military might of Israel under the leadership of King David. David subdued the people of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Amalek, and Zobah. His battle with Hadadezer, king of Zobah, is recorded in chapter 18. The last couple verses list the names of David’s government officials.

In 1 Chronicles 17, David resolved to build a house for the Lord and the Ark of the Covenant, but God sent Nathan, the prophet, to David to tell him He had other plans. Rather than David building God a house, God was going to make David a great “house,” by blessing his family and his kingdom. God promised David his throne would be established forever.

In 1 Chronicles 16, the Ark of the Covenant is finally brought home to Jerusalem. David celebrates with the people and offers sacrifices to the Lord. He appoints priests to minister at the Ark and the Tabernacle. Asaph managed the ministry and music at the Ark in Jerusalem, and Zadok was in charge of the daily sacrifices at the Tabernacle, which was in Gibeon.

The fifth chapter of 1 Chronicles documents the Ark of the Covenant finally arriving in Jerusalem. After the tragedy of Uzzah, the Ark was kept in Obed-edom’s house, somewhere between Kiriath-jearim and Jerusalem. It was in Obed-edom’s house for three months before David had the priests bring it to Jerusalem.

In 1 Chronicles 14, Hiram, king of Tyre, builds a house for David in Jerusalem. David marries many new wives and they bear him more children. The second half of the chapter documents some of David’s battles with the Philistines, and how God gave Israel victory against them in two battles at the Valley of Rephaim.

In 1 Chronicles 13 David determines to move the Ark of the Covenant from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. The Ark was transported on a ox-drawn cart driven by two men, Uzzah and Ahio. As the cart went down the road, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark. God struck Uzzah dead, because no one was allowed to touch the Ark of the Covenant.

1 Chronicles 12 is about the growth of David’ personal military in the days before he became king. Many men deserted to him when he was on the run from King Saul. The second half of the chapter is a record of all the Israelite warriors who went to Hebron to appoint David king after the death of Ishbosheth, who had briefly declared himself king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 11 tells the story of David becoming in Hebron after the death of Saul. David then conquered the city of Jebus (Jerusalem) from the Jebusites and made it his capital. The second part of the chapter records the names of David’s mighty men. These were David’s elite warriors, consisting of 3 ultra-elite warriors, and 30 elite warriors.

1 Chronicles 10 is a parallel chapter to 1 Samuel 31. Both chapters record the story of King Saul’s death. Saul and his sons were killed during a battle with the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines took Saul’s armor and head back to their pagan temples in celebration of their victory. Saul’s death made way for David to become the next king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 9 documents the names and offices of the Jews who returned from the Babylonian captivity (607-537 B.C.). The priests, Levites, and Temple servants were some of the first to return with the goal of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. The final section of chapter 9 repeats the genealogy of King Saul. This section acts as a bridge between the author’s genealogical section (chapters 1-9) and historical section ( chapters 10-29).

1 Chronicles 8 is a record of some of the descendants of Benjamin, Jacob’s son, with special emphasis on Saul. Saul was a Benjaminite who became the first king of Israel. The chapter also mentions Jonathan, who was Saul’s son and David’s best friend. This genealogy sets the reader up for the historical narrative of beginning in 1 Chronicles 10, which picks up at the very end of Saul’s reign.