1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles restarts the story from Adam — nine chapters of genealogies — and then concentrates on David. It is the same history as Samuel and Kings told from another angle, for a different audience: Jews back from exile who needed to know who they were. That is why the book gives so much space to worship: the ark brought to Jerusalem, the organization of Levites and singers, the preparations for the temple Solomon would build. Difficult episodes of David's life are left out; the emphasis is on continuity and identity. The opening lists may look arid, but to people returning from deportation they meant one thing: the family continues.