Old Testament
The First Book of Chronicles
The First Book of Chronicles is the thirteenth of the 46 books of the Old Testament: 29 chapters and 940 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it 1 Paralipomenon.
About 1 Chronicles
About 1 Chronicles · Liturgical history
The first book of Chronicles retells Israel's story from Adam to David, this time from the perspective of worship: genealogies that anchor the returned exiles in their past, and David recast as the great organizer of temple prayer and music. Its unknown author, working after the exile, is traditionally called the Chronicler, and the Douay-Rheims names the book Paralipomenon. He wrote to convince a small, discouraged community that their true glory had never been armies or borders but the worship of God — and that this glory was still theirs.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 13 of 46, 13 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 29 |
| Verses | 940, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | 1 Paralipomenon |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 29 chapters · 25 notes |
| Catechism | No references |
Chapter by chapter
All 29 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
1 Chronicles 1
54 versesThe genealogy of the patriarchs down to Abraham: The posterity of Abraham and of Esau.
1 Chronicles 2
55 versesThe twelve tribes of Israel. The genealogy of Juda down to David. Other genealogies of the tribe of Juda.
1 Chronicles 3
24 versesThe genealogy of the house of David.
1 Chronicles 4
43 versesOther genealogies of Juda and Simeon, and their victories.
1 Chronicles 5
26 versesGenealogies of Ruben and Gad: their victories over the Agarites: their captivity.
1 Chronicles 6
81 versesThe genealogies of Levi, and of Aaron: the cities of the Levites.
1 Chronicles 7
40 versesGenealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Nephtali, Manasses, Ephraim, and Aser.
1 Chronicles 8
40 versesThe posterity of Benjamin is further declared down to Saul. His issue.
1 Chronicles 9
44 versesThe Israelites, priests, and Levites, who first dwelt in Jerusalem after the captivity. A repetition of the genealogy of Saul.
1 Chronicles 10
14 versesSaul is slain for his sins: he is buried by the men of Jabes.
1 Chronicles 11
46 versesDavid is made king. He taketh the castle of Sion. A catalogue of his valiant men.
1 Chronicles 12
40 versesWho followed David when he fled from Saul. And who came to Hebron to make him king.
1 Chronicles 13
14 versesThe ark is brought from Cariathiarim. Oza for touching it is struck dead.
1 Chronicles 14
17 versesDavid's house, and children: his victories over the Philistines.
1 Chronicles 15
29 versesThe ark is brought into the city of David, with great solemnity. Michol derideth David's devotion.
1 Chronicles 16
43 versesThe ark is placed in the tabernacle. Sacrifice is offered. David blesseth the people, disposeth the offices of Levites, and maketh a psalm of praise to God.
1 Chronicles 17
27 versesDavid's purpose to build a temple, is rewarded by most ample promises: David's thanksgiving.
1 Chronicles 18
17 versesDavid's victories. His chief officers.
1 Chronicles 19
19 versesThe Ammonites abuse David's ambassadors: both they and their confederates are overthrown.
1 Chronicles 20
7 versesRabba is taken. Other victories over the Philistines.
1 Chronicles 21
30 versesDavid's sin in numbering the people is punished by a pestilence: which ceaseth upon his offering sacrifice in the thrashingfloor of Ornan.
1 Chronicles 22
19 versesDavid having prepared all necessaries, chargeth Solomon to build the temple and the princes to assist him.
1 Chronicles 23
32 versesDavid appointeth Solomon king. The distribution of the Levites and their offices.
1 Chronicles 24
31 versesThe divisions of the priests into four and twenty courses, to serve in the temple: the chiefs of the Levites.
1 Chronicles 25
31 versesThe number and divisions of the musicians.
1 Chronicles 26
32 versesThe divisions of the porters. Offices of other Levites.
1 Chronicles 27
34 versesThe twelve captains for every month; the twelve princes of the tribes. David's several officers.
1 Chronicles 28
21 versesDavid's speech, in a solemn assembly: his exhortation to Solomon. He giveth him a pattern of the temple.
1 Chronicles 29
30 versesDavid by word and example encourageth the princes to contribute liberally to the building of the temple. His thanksgiving, prayer, and sacrifices: his death.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, 1 Chronicles is read at the principal Mass on 0 days in the US calendar. The next 2 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| computed | Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time | Responsorial Psalm | 1 Chronicles 29:10bcd, 11abc, 11d-12a, 12bcd |
| computed | Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time | Responsorial Psalm | 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.