Chapter Summary

Genealogy, sons of Judah.

Discussion Questions for 1 Chronicles, Chapter 2

1. The genealogy in Chapter 2 focuses on David, son of Jesse. How is David an important figure in Israel's history? Why is he an important figure for Christians to know?
2. 1 Chronicles 2 mentions that the Lord put Er, son of Judah, to death because he was wicked. Does this seem like a harsh response from God? Why or why not?
3. 1 Chronicles 2:1-8 references several situations where people were unfaithful to God. Why would this be important to include? What is the author of Chronicles trying to communicate by including these events?
4. In the genealogy's description of Israel's sons, Judah's descendants are given first, despite Judah being the second-born of Israel's sons. What are some reasons Judah's descendants may have been included first before the other sons of Israel?
5. What do you think the author means by describing Achan in 1 Chron. 2:7 as someone who "broke faith" (ESV)?
6. David was the seventh son of Jesse. Do you think there is a spiritual significance to his birth order? Why or why not?
7. Several instances of men having more than one wife are mentioned in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles. Does this seem to be endorsed, condemned, or objectively acknowledged by the author? Why?
8. In 1 Chronicles 2:34-35, Sheshan gives his daughter to his Egyptian slave as a wife, thereby bringing him into the tribe of Judah and into the family as an heir. How does this relationship reflect a Christian's relationship with God?
9. Scribes were men whose lives were dedicated to reading and writing. Why would this job have been crucial to ancient Israelites?
10. Bethlehem means "house of bread" in Hebrew (A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, by Brown et al.) Why would the birth of both David and Jesus in a city sharing this name with a descendant from Judah (1 Chronicles 2:54) be significant?

Key Words/Phrase

Genealogy.

Characters

Jacob, Judah, Boaz, Jesse, David.

Strong Verse(s)