1 Chronicles 9:1

1 Chronicles 9:1 says, So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.  Matthew Henry says these genealogies so far had been given looking back at the people of Judah and Israel so the people would know who to put in various positions of service after the return from captivity in Babylon.  As Christians, we have all been captive to sin, and once we accept God's gift of salvation, He will also have a position of service for us.  Verse two adds, Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.  Now, there is a look ahead at those returning from captivity in Babylon.  Verse three continues, And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;  The descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh were living in Jerusalem.  Verse four states, Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.  Then we have a list of the descendants of various sons of these men.  Verse five adds, And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.  Verse six continues, And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.  Verse seven says, And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah,  Verse eight adds, And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;  Verse nine continues, And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.  The numbers of those returning were far less than those who had once made up these tribes.  If we allow those who grow up in Christian homes to be carried away by sin, the numbers that return will most likely be less than the number who left.  Verse ten states, And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,  Then we have the priestly tribe listed.  Verse eleven adds, And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;  Verse twelve continues, And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;  Verse thirteen concludes, And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.  There were one thousand, seven hundred and sixty of them, and they were noted as men very able to do service in the house of God.  We as followers of Christ need to be known as people very able to do service to God.