Book of the Bible
1 Chronicles
Genealogies from Adam to the returned exiles, followed by the reign of David and his preparations for the temple.
What the sources say, and how sure we are
- The text says
The genealogies reach the generations after the exile, so the book was written after Judah’s return.1 Chr 3:17–24; 1 Chr 9
- Debated
Jewish tradition names Ezra. Scholars date the book anywhere from about 520 to the 4th century BC. The emphasis on David, the temple, and the priests suggests a community that had returned and was rebuilding.
- Debated
Chronicles retells material in Samuel and Kings with different emphasis, and sometimes different details. For example, it omits David’s sin with Bathsheba. Scholars debate whether this reflects different sources or different purposes.