1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 9: God brings a people home

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the people who came home from exile, let us stop and pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that He kept a people for Himself, and to lead us to Christ.

I will be found by you,” says Yahweh, “and I will turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places where I have driven you, says Yahweh; and I will bring you again to the place from where I caused you to be carried away captive.”

Jeremiah 29:14

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You kept a people through the exile and brought some home, and show us Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Chapter 9 begins by saying that all Israel was listed in the genealogies (verse 1). Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience (verse 1). The first to live again in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants (verse 2). People from Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem (verse 3). Gatekeepers guarded the gates of the LORD's house, and others cared for its furniture, oil and spices (verses 17 to 32). The singers worked day and night, and the chapter ends with Saul's family again (verses 33 to 44).

As you read 1 Chronicles 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God kept a people through the exile and brought some home to Jerusalem.

Verse 1 says plainly why Judah was carried away to Babylon, for their disobedience. God does not hide the cost of sin, and He does not end His people there. Chronicles closes by saying the LORD stirred up the king of Persia to let the exiles go (2 Chronicles 36 verse 22). So the first to live again in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants (verse 2). Priests, Levites, gatekeepers and singers are all named, so the worship of God's house had its servants again. That matters, because a people can lose their land and still be kept by God. It shows God as just, for He judges disobedience, and as faithful, for He keeps a people through the judgment. Matthew's list for Jesus names the move to Babylon, and then goes on to Christ (Matthew 1 verse 17). Simeon and Anna were waiting for Him at the temple (Luke 2 verses 25 to 38).

How does 1 Chronicles 9 show us that God kept a people through the exile and brought some home to Jerusalem?

Judah was carried away to Babylon for disobedience.

Verse 1 says Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience. The sin was real, and the loss was real. Even so, the names of all Israel were still written in the book of the kings of Israel (verse 1).

Some came home and lived again in their cities.

The first to live again in their possessions were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants (verse 2). People from Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem (verse 3). The priests, Levites, gatekeepers and singers are named, so God's house had its servants (verses 10 to 33). God had kept a people for Himself.

God kept His people until Jesus came.

Matthew counts the family of Jesus from Abraham to the move to Babylon, and from Babylon to Christ (Matthew 1 verse 17). When Jesus was a baby, Simeon and Anna were waiting at the temple (Luke 2 verses 25 to 38). Anna spoke of Him to everyone who looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2 verse 38). The people God kept were waiting for Him.

Memorise

Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants.

1 Chronicles 9:2

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, have I turned from my sin to Jesus, who brings sinners home to God?

Verse 1 says Judah was carried away “captive to Babylon for their disobedience.” Verse 2 says the first to live again in their cities were “Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants.” God kept a people. Jesus is the One all of those names were waiting for.

Sin sends everyone away from God, and no one can bring himself back. On the cross Jesus bore the punishment for His people's sin, and nothing is left unpaid. Three days later He rose, and the grave could not hold Him.

So come home to God through Jesus. Turn from your sin and trust Him. In Him there is forgiveness for all who trust Him, and God keeps them as His people.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God kept a people through the exile and brought some home, until Jesus came. Parents, this chapter is mostly names, so please read verses 1 to 3 and 33 aloud. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He kept a people through the exile and brought some home, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:38

Lord God, thank You that You kept a people through the exile and brought some home. Please turn each of us from sin to trust Jesus, the One they waited for. Keep us close to You this week. Amen.