1 Chronicles 1:1-9:44: Why So Many Long Genealogies?

It seems pointless, if not boring, to occupy so many chapters of the Bible with what is tantamount to a telephone directory list of names. Why is so much space devoted to what does not seem to be of any spiritual profit or usefulness to subsequent generations?

Chronicles begins with nine chapters of genealogies. The purpose of this exercise is quite complex. Naturally, if one's own family were involved, it would have a lot more direct personal interest, for you can be sure you would look to see if the name of your relative was listed. But given the whole history of the plan of redemption, our individual interests are not far removed from that at all--in fact, if anything, all the more increased. For it was through this family of Adam, Eve, Shem and Abraham that all the families of the earth would be blessed.

First of all, 1 Chronicles 1--9 proposes to present a historical review of Israel in outline form. Second, it provides a literary connection with the death of Saul (described in 1 Chron 10) and a list of the returning exiles (1 Chron 9). Some of the names, no doubt, are included merely for the sake of completeness, or at least to help bridge the centuries. But the most important purpose of these genealogies, in the third place, is to demonstrate that there is movement in history toward a divinely predetermined goal. Even though the Israelites throughout the ages are marshaled here from the famous and the infamous, the north and the south, the rich and the poor, the underlying factor common to them all is the fact that the God of Israel is the one who has preserved and guided his people thus far to that goal and end that God has planned; he, therefore, will be the one who will complete that very same process.

Thus the chronicler moved from Adam (1 Chron 1:1) to the decree of Cyrus allowing the people to return to rebuild the temple (2 Chron 36:22-23). It was all part of one plan, with the tapestry being woven principally with just ordinary people in Israel whom God had called.