Random Verse from 1 Chronicles
942 verses across 29 chapters.
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
1 Chronicles 4:10KJV
Drawing from 942 verses
1 Chronicles retells the story of Israel with a special focus on King David and the worship of God. It opens with long family lists tracing the nation's story from Adam forward, then settles into David's reign, his mighty men, and his preparations for the temple his son would build.
Jewish tradition attributes the book to Ezra the scribe, writing for people who had returned from exile and needed to remember who they were.
More than a history book, 1 Chronicles reads like an encouragement. It highlights worship, thanksgiving, generous giving, and prayers that readers still lean on today, including the short prayer of Jabez and David's great prayer of praise near the end of the book.
Key themes include God's faithfulness across generations, wholehearted worship, and the idea that ordinary names and ordinary families matter in God's larger story.
People often look for verses from 1 Chronicles when they want words for gratitude, courage before a big task, or a reminder that God sees the heart. David's charge to his son Solomon in chapter 28 is a favorite for graduations and new seasons of life.
A random verse from 1 Chronicles can surprise you. You might land in a genealogy and be nudged to think about your own family story, or you might land in one of the most beautiful prayers in the Old Testament.
Either way, the book keeps pointing in one direction: God keeps his promises, and he is worthy of praise. For a book so focused on the past, it has a remarkable way of speaking to the present.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does 1 Chronicles begin with so many genealogies?
- The book was written for people returning from exile who needed to reconnect with their roots. The family lists in chapters 1 through 9 trace God's faithfulness from Adam down to their own generation, showing them they still belonged to the story.
- What is the prayer of Jabez?
- It is a short prayer found in 1 Chronicles 4:10, where a little-known man named Jabez asks God for blessing, greater opportunity, and protection from harm. It became widely known through a popular devotional book in the early 2000s.