1 Chronicles 10 is the tenth chapter of the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1][2] The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE.[3] This chapter describes Saul's downfall and the reasons of his rejection by God.[4] The whole chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingship of David (1 Chronicles 9:35 to 29:30).[1]
1 Chronicles 10 | |
---|---|
Book | Books of Chronicles |
Category | Ketuvim |
Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 13 |
This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language. It is divided into 14 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).[5]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; Q; 6th century).[6]
This section marks the change of form in the Books of Chronicles from a list-based text to a more narrative description based on the historical documents such as the books of Samuel and books of Kings, and additional materials to provide information on the legitimate Davidic kingdom.[4] It begins with Saul's downfall to theologically link the whole exposition with the Babylonian Exile at the end.[4]
According to 1 Samuel 31:10 Saul's armour was placed in the temple of Ashtaroth (Astarte) and his body fastened to the walls of Beth-shan.[4] The Chronicler avoids naming foreign gods, with few exception, such as Dagon.[4]
The narrative of Saul's burial is shorter than the account in 1 Samuel 31:11–13, omitting details such as the all-night walk of the valiant men from Jabesh Gilead to fetch Saul's body and the hanging of the corpses on the city walls of Beth-shan.[11] The Chronicler focuses more on Saul's rejection by God, giving no less than four reasons:[4]
The brave action of the men, marching from Jabesh-Gilead to Beth-Shan and back (about 13 miles (21 km) one way), recalls the high point of Saul's leadership at the beginning of his reign when he saved the people of Jabesh-Gilead from foreign attacks (1 Samuel 11).[13]