From Adam to the Sons of Noah”
Adam, Seth, Enosh, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (vv1-4)
The opening verse of the Books of Chronicles indicates something of its focus, a selective genealogy inspired by God for a specific purpose.
How do we know this? Well we know from Genesis 4 that Adam and Eve had 3 sons (Cain, Abel, and Seth). Yet in this first verse of the family of Adam, only Seth is recorded. This indicates that the Chronicler was inspired by God to make a selective genealogy for a specific purpose.
The genealogical record then lists Noah and his three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth) all survivors of the flood, who became the basis for the nations in the post-flood world and that genealogy is listed in verses 5-27.
The Chronicler next lists the sons of Abraham (Isaac and Ishmael ) and their descendants to David (which will be explained in more detail for us in chapter 2.
As unpromising as these chapters appear, much may be learned from them. It tells the story of a great king and points forward to an even greater King and kingdom.
