This book repeats much historical content from the books of Genesis through Samuel and Kings;  however, it adds emphasis about the way true and righteous kings earnestly sought to follow and serve God, in sharp contrast to how evil kings did not.

Yet through it all, God's faithfulness always remains the same, even when His people are unfaithful to Him.  Even when the sins of the nation cause it to be nearly wiped out, God eventually brought His people back to Jerusalem.

The crucial lesson is that God's people must learn from their mistakes in being unfaithful and disobedient to God.

Chapters 1-9 present a long, chronological genealogy of Israel from Adam through the 12 tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebular, Benjamin, Naphthali, Gad, Dan, Joseph, and Asher; and on to David. Important historical events are associated with many of the names in the list.

Chapter 10 presents a brief account of Saul as the first king of Israel and his death.

Chapters 11-12 survey the early reign of David.

Chapters 13-16 describe the return of the ark to Jerusalem, including the account of Uzzah who died when he touched the Ark as he reached out to save it from falling.

Chapter 17 describes how David had planned to build the temple but was prevented from doing so because of the great amount of bloodshed for which he had been responsible.

Chapters 18-20 describe some of David's conquests. He ruled well and repelled the Syrians.

Chapters 21-22 describe the census, the plague, and David's preparations for building the temple.

Chapters 23-24 describe the duties of the Levites and the organization of the government.

Chapters 28-29 describe David's last words and his death.