When you come to a section of the Bible with long lists of people, what do you do? Read faster? It may be helpful to know that in the Hebrew Old Testament (the Bible Jesus read) the books of 1-2 Chronicles came last, preparing the readers for the coming of Jesus. So these accounts are not random lists, but are carefully constructed so that we might be assured of the faithfulness of God to fulfill all his promises to one day redeem his people. As you read, note the emphasis on the kings and priests. Remember that the original readers were looking and waiting for the true and better King and Priest who would restore all things!
Here’s something to ponder from the ESV Study Bible:
The tribal genealogies have been carefully structured to show how the Chronicler conceived of Israel:
Judah (2:3–4:23)
Simeon (4:24–43)
The Transjordanian tribes (5:1–26)
Levi (6:1–81)
The northern tribes (7:1–40)
Benjamin (8:1–40)
The greatest amount of detail is devoted to Judah, Levi, and Benjamin. Judah and Benjamin bracket the lists, while Levi is placed at the center.
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