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1 Chronicles begins with the genealogies that reflect the line of Jacob/Israel through his twelve sons. The tribe of Judah understandably leads the list, indicating its importance because of the Davidic line/heritage and Judah appears first in the detailed genealogy because the messianic promise was to be channeled through him (Gen. 49:10). After Judah, Levi receives the most attention, indicating the importance of their priestly role. Joseph (1 Chronicles 2:2) is later mentioned indirectly in his sons Manasseh and Ephraim. Interestingly, Dan and Zebulun are not mentioned here, although they both are identified in the millennial distribution of land (Ezek. 48:1-2, 26-27). Compare the order of the sons of Israel (Jacob's Twelve Sons), listed in Genesis 35:22-26: "Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: the sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; the sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin; the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, were Dan and Naphtali; and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Padan Aram." For these people, newly returned from Exile, and seeking to populate the promised land this "history" was of great importance. It established from God-given records that God had maintained His people through the centuries, had raised up chosen men to fulfill His purposes, and that what God had once done He could do again. God is faithful! It also emphasized the fact that Israel were His chosen people: "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth." (Deuteronomy 7:6) Notice that the emphasis in verse 1 is on Jacob whose name was changed to "Israel" ("And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." (Genesis 32:28)). The returning exiles identified with the God-given name of "Israel" (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7). They saw themselves as the God-ordained "the people of Israel". And they also saw themselves as sons of Abraham. The twelve sons of Israel (Jacob) are now listed. The significance of these descriptive genealogies to the new Israel returning after the Exile is important and deserves our attention. These genealogies show how God had expanded the tribes, in this case of Judah, and had fashioned sub-tribes and clans, and had produced over them as their leaders men of faith and power, men who had settled the land and maintained loyalty to the God of Israel. The message was that they should take heart, because what God had done once (the Exodus) God could do again. In addition to being the Creator of the entire universe and the One who had covenanted with Abraham's family, in Exodus, God shows His power as the Savior of the Israelites. He saved them from Egyptian slavery and in the process molded them into a nation, as He promised Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. This historical genealogies would serve to encourage the returnees from the Babylonian Exile as they considered how God had built up His people in the past and had established powerful men among them. It would give them hope of what He was going to do in the future as God had promised. Ezra's purpose was to stress the continuity of God's way of life and promises, and to inspire those who had returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem. This explains why the two books of Chronicles focus on David's lineage (from which the Messiah would come) and the planning, preparation and building of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. With so many seemingly endless lists of unfamiliar names, and so little narrative, we may be tempted to give up and turn to a more familiar passage. We need to also realize and remember that each name listed in this book represents someone's story. We can learn some of the details later, but we must remember that only God can know the whole story ("Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite." Psalm 147:5.) We should also be encouraged because these lists of individual names show us that the God who made us is also the God who knows us. He knows us by name and is familiar with every detail of our lives. I recall Psalm 139:13-16, "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them." The God whose actions are described along with the names listed in this book is the God of their history and of ours. This is especially true of Jesus Christ, who "calls his own sheep by name and leads them out" (John 10:3). Even though our circumstances may not be identical, or even similar to theirs, if we know Jesus Christ as Savior, we have become part of this story. This list of names in Chronicles is more than a genealogy. It is a kind of faith history. Moses said, "Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the FAITHFUL GOD who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;" (Deuteronomy 7:9) We should also remember the discipline that God exercised against the disobedient Israelites and let it serve notice to Christians that God will punish His people's sin. To learn from the Old Testament we need to remember Paul's words, "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." (1 Corinthians 10:11) These genealogies, reflecting the FAITHFULNESS of our loving God, should encourage us: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is FAITHFUL." (Hebrews 10:23)

Another Interesting Genealogy chapter: The sons of Israel, latter to be know as the 12 tribes of Israel. All leading up to Joseph and Mary and the birth of Jesus. :)

1 Chronicles 2:1

Genealogy of the Jewish people was important to establish them as a Nation chosen by God.

Genealogy of the Jews was important to establish its inheritance/ heritage to a record of history as a Nation. To prove that they where God's chosen people.

God had promised Abraham that many people would be born through him. Now we see that his grandson had 12 sons and in these verses we now see how these generations are growing in number. God was fulfilling his promise to Abraham.

This set of names is a little more interesting, having just studied Ruth and how she marries Boaz who is a descendant of Judah and great great grand father to David which Jesus is descendant from. I wonder where I descend from (besides Abraham). Which line of Jacob am I a part of? Too bad we can't trace back that far! God knows! One question I will ask when I see him. Hope I am not from the Ismael side (no offence) ... just prefer to be rooted on the Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob side. If not any of the above, at least I know I am adopted and grafted in to the correct family now.