提要
歷代志以一串族譜起首。人們會問：「何必費心讀這些名字呢﹖」這是因為上帝的工作必須包括他們，而古代希伯來人也把家譜看成是最最重要的事。這些信息要牢記下來，並藉口耳相傳的傳統一代傳一代。但是經過了多年，有必要寫在書上，以保持資訊的準確。家族的記錄，對再安置被擄歸回的以色列各族（特別是猶大支派），重新繼承各自的祖產，更是十分具有意義。
「但是它對今日的我們，有何意義﹖」讓我們記取上帝對舊約聖經的重視：「聖經都是上帝所默示的，於教訓、督責、使人歸正，教導人學義，都是有益的。叫屬上帝的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事。」（提後3：16~17）這份族譜不但使救恩歷史更加可考，並且可以幫助我們看見上帝在其中所施的眷顧。
這些記錄也顯示上帝對人類的種族有興趣。如歷代志上第一章，就顯明人類的發展由亞當開始，他是全人類之始祖。我們知道地上佈滿了挪亞三個兒子的後代，然後人類世系的重點集中在閃族，由閃的一系產生了亞伯拉罕。（1：17，27）歷代志的寫作人，希望讓上帝的子民知道他們的根，及其在世界萬國中的特殊地位，這樣他們就更能知道他們是蒙福的子民，受上帝揀選，有幸在祂救贖世界的計劃之中。因此，重點接著便放在雅各家上。他是亞伯拉罕蒙應許所生的兒子。亞伯拉罕其他的子孫，連以實瑪利，也只是簡短提到而已。
接著又論到以撒的兒子以掃（以東的居民；1：34~54）。寫得十分詳細，原因可能是他們的歷史與以色列相關，但焦點卻在以撒的兒子雅各身上，他又名以色列。然後族譜記到他眾子，亦即以色列族的眾首領，特別是猶大（2：1，3）。以此方式記載下去，便到了君王的譜系，自然就提到大衛（2：15）。上帝的彌賽亞，全世界的希望，也被預言將在某一天從這個譜系降世。這記錄顯示上帝是信守並實踐承諾的，祂的約也是可信的。因此之故，祂的子民的責任，便是要同樣地踐履自己對上帝的責任：愛祂、順服祂、事奉祂。
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Overview
The Book of Chronicles begins with genealogies. One may question: "Why bother reading all these names?" God had a purpose for including them and, for the ancient Hebrews, genealogical records were considered vitally important. The information had been memorized and passed on in their oral tradition from generation to generation, but over the years it became necessary for it to be written down to maintain accurate information. The family records were especially significant for land, resettlement, according to their inheritance, by those who returned from the Captivity (mainly from the tribe of Judah).
"But what significance do they have today?" Let us remember what the Word of God says concerning these Old Testament writings: "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The genealogies are a great source of learning about the history of those nations and help us to see the providence of God in it all.
These records also reveal God's interest in the human race; thus 1 Chronicles 1 shows mankind's development beginning with Adam, the father of all people. We learn that the earth was populated by the descendants of the three sons of Noah, and then the genealogy concentrates on the Semitic people — the line of Shem from which Abraham came (1:17, 27). The chronicler desired to show the people of God their roots and special place among the nations of the world, so they would better understand that they are a blessed people, chosen by God to be included in His plan of redemption for the world. The emphasis, therefore, is placed upon'the family of Isaac, Abraham's son of promise. The descendants of Abraham's other sons, including Ishmael, are only briefly mentioned.
The account then deals first with the line of Isaac's son Esau (the inhabitants of Edom; 1:35-54). It is quite detailed, probably because of their historical connections with Israel, but the focus is upon Isaac's son Jacob, also called Israel. Then the record notes his sons who were the heads of the tribes of Israel, but focuses only upon Judah (2:1, 3). In this way, it traced the royal line from which King David came (2:15) and from which God's Messiah, the hope of the whole world, would one day come. The records show that God was fulfilling His promises and was faithful to the Covenant. It was therefore the responsibility of His people to fulfill their obligations to Him as well: to love, obey, and serve Him only.
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