FIRST CHRONICLES by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 3, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 31.

FIRST CHRONICLES.

By F. D. Starr

BY F. D. STARR.

THE name of this book, as well as of the following book signifies, in the Septuagint, matters omitted, or things passed over. While much of the subject matter of these two books is found in the books of Samuel and Kings and other books, yet there are additional facts brought out that are interesting to know. The book we are now considering covers a longer period of time than any other of the inspired books. It will be seen that it commences with the progenitor of the race, Adam, and reaches down to the time of Solomon, being approximately 3,000 years, or just about half of this world's history since creation.

Much of the book may be considered as a review lesson of what has been already studied. Review lessons are very essential in any line of study. The most successful and efficient teachers are those who frequently review their classes on what they have already passed over.

Perhaps some may think that these books of “matters omitted” might well be omitted entirely from our perusal of the Scriptures; they may seem quite dry and uninteresting to many on account of the lengthy registers of names, and the genealogies they contain. But rightly considered these lists of names are of special interest, as showing the accuracy with which the names of persons were handed down from father to son through successive generations. How many people are able to-day to give a list of the names of their ancestors back for a dozen, or even a half dozen generations? Many can not do this for even three or four generations. It seems like quite an evidence of the obtuseness and indifference of the average mind to the history of our ancestors, that we can so rarely even tell the names of those from whom we have descended. Evidently the Lord does not desire that men should become so ignorant concerning those who have lived in past ages, and have been our progenitors. It is interesting to know the names of those who have constituted the chain of humanity from the first human being down through the ages. But how surpassingly interesting it will be in the future world to see a complete register of the redeemed, whose names are written in heaven, and not only this, but to see these individuals themselves.

After passing over the genealogies of the Israelites and their ancestors, the writer takes up some of the historical events of this celebrated nation. A brief account of Saul’s overthrow is given in chapter ten. It is there stated that “Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; and inquired not of the Lord: therefore He slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” The statement in 1 Sam. 28:6 is: “And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” One text states that Saul did not inquire of the Lord. From the other we learn that he did inquire of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him. We find by looking into the life of Saul that he had departed from the Lord, and was following in the way of disobedience for a long time previous to this crisis. In this condition his inquiring of the Lord was the same as if he had not inquired, for he, “sought Him not after the due order.” “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” Prov. 28:9. How many poor souls who have in like manner sought information from the Lord, have asked and received not, because they asked amiss. The spirit of obedience, and the love of God are absolutely necessary in order to gain divine information. When one comes to the Lord to inquire of Him, having set up the stumbling-blocks of his iniquity in his heart, he can not expect to be shown the right way. Eze. 14:4.

A good illustration of the use of the term “angel” is found in 1 Chron. 14:1, where it is stated that “Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars,” etc. In the Greek translation, the Septuagint, we read that he sent “angels” to David. The word angel is a Greek word (ἄγγελος pronounced angelos), and signifies a messenger, it may be either a celestial or a terrestrial being. Another instance is found in ch. 19:2, where we read that David sent angels to Hanun, king of the Ammonites, to comfort him concerning the death of his father. In verse 16 we read that the Syrians sent angels to call for assistance from the other Syrians. Instances of the use of this term are very numerous in the Greek of both the Old and New Testaments. For instance we read in Luke 9:52 that Jesus sent angels before His face to inquire in a village of the Samaritans if there might be room for him to be entertained. In Luke 7:24 we read concerning the disciples whom John had sent to inquire of Jesus if He were the Christ: “And when the angels of John were departed,” etc. Knowing how the word angel is used, we can better understand such passages as Rev. 2:1, 8; 14:6, 8, 9, etc., where the term evidently refers to human beings. Heavenly angels are likewise sometimes called “men.” Dan. 9:21; Acts 1:10.

Much is to be learned from the books of Chronicles, and we do not want these books to remain among the matters omitted in our reading.