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◄ First and Second Books Of Chronicles►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The First and Second Books of Chronicles, often referred to simply as "Chronicles," are historical books of the Old Testament that provide a comprehensive account of Israel's history from a theological perspective. These books are traditionally attributed to Ezra, a priest and scribe, and are believed to have been written during the post-exilic period, around the 5th century BC. Chronicles offers a retelling of events found in the books of Samuel and Kings, with a particular focus on the southern kingdom of Judah, the Davidic line, and the temple in Jerusalem.

Purpose and Themes

Chronicles serves to remind the post-exilic community of their identity and heritage as God's chosen people. It emphasizes the importance of the Davidic covenant, the centrality of the temple, and the necessity of faithfulness to God's law. The Chronicler seeks to inspire hope and encourage spiritual renewal by highlighting God's faithfulness and the continuity of His promises.

Key themes include:

1.The Davidic Covenant: Chronicles underscores God's covenant with David, emphasizing the legitimacy and divine approval of the Davidic dynasty. "I will establish his throne forever" (1 Chronicles 17:12) reflects the enduring promise to David's line.

2.Temple Worship: The temple is portrayed as the focal point of Israel's religious life. Chronicles details the preparations for its construction by David and its completion by Solomon, highlighting the importance of proper worship and adherence to God's commands.

3.Faithfulness and Apostasy: The books contrast the blessings of obedience with the consequences of apostasy. The reigns of faithful kings like Hezekiah and Josiah are celebrated, while the failures of others serve as warnings.

4.Restoration and Hope: Chronicles concludes with the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the temple, symbolizing God's ongoing plan for His people.

Structure and Content

First Chronicles begins with genealogies that trace Israel's history from Adam to the post-exilic community, establishing a connection to the past. The narrative then focuses on the reign of David, highlighting his military victories, preparations for the temple, and the organization of worship.

Second Chronicles continues with the reign of Solomon, emphasizing his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the temple. The subsequent chapters recount the history of the kings of Judah, from Rehoboam to the Babylonian exile, with particular attention to religious reforms and the consequences of idolatry.

Significant Passages

·David's Charge to Solomon: "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you" (1 Chronicles 28:20). This charge underscores the importance of reliance on God in fulfilling His purposes.

·Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom: "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people" (2 Chronicles 1:10). Solomon's request highlights the value of divine wisdom in leadership.

·The Dedication of the Temple: "When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple" (2 Chronicles 7:1). This event signifies God's approval and presence among His people.

Historical and Theological Significance

Chronicles provides a theological interpretation of Israel's history, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the importance of covenant faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the enduring promises to David and the centrality of worship in the life of God's people. By focusing on the positive aspects of Israel's history and the hope of restoration, Chronicles encourages the post-exilic community to remain faithful to their covenantal identity.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

First and Second Books Of Chronicles

the name originally given to the record made by the appointed historiographers in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. In the LXX. these books are calledParalipomena (i.e. things omitted), which is understood as meaning that they are supplementary to the books of Kings. The constant tradition of the Jews is that these books were for the most part compiled by Ezra. One of the greatest difficulties connected with the captivity and return must have been the maintenance of that genealogical distribution of the land which yet was a vital point of the Jewish economy. To supply this want and that each tribe might secure the inheritance of its fathers on its return was one object of the author of these books. Another difficulty intimately connected with the former was the maintenance of the temple services at Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, and after him Ezra and Nehemiah, labored most earnestly to restore the worship of God among the people, and to reinfuse something of national life and spirit into their hearts. Nothing could more effectually aid these designs than setting before the people a compendious history of the kingdom of David, its prosperity under God; the sins that led to its overthrow; the captivity and return. These considerations explain the plan and scope of that historical work which consists of the two books of Chronicles. The first book contains the sacred history by genealogies from the Creation to David, including an account of David's reign. In the second book he continues the story, giving the history of the kings of Judah, without those of Israel, down to the return from the captivity. As regards thematerials used by Ezra, they are not difficult to discover. The genealogies are obviously transcribed from some register in which were preserved the genealogies of the tribes and families drawn up at different times; while the history is mainly drawn from the same document as those used in the books of King. [KINGS, FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS OF, BOOKS OF]

Library

First andSecond Chronicles.
... THE BIBLE BOOK BY BOOK. A MANUAL. For the Outline Study of the Bible byBooks. * * *
* Chapter X.First andSecond Chronicles. Chapter X....

TheBooks of Samuel and Kings.
... us is calledFirst andSecond [5397]Chronicles; the eighth, Ezra, which itself
is likewise divided amongst Greeks and Latins into [5398] twobooks; the ninth...

The HistoricalBooks.
... former,First andSecond of the Kingdoms, the latter,First andSecond of the... of
Israel." TheChronicles referred to are not our presentbooks ofChronicles...

These are all theBooks of Old Testament Appointed to be Read...
... These are all thebooks of Old Testament appointed to be read: 1, Genesis of... of Nun;
7, Judges, Ruth; 8, Esther; 9, Of the Kings,First andSecond; 10, Of...

Use of the Old Testament by theFirst Christian Writers, and by...
... Judges, Ruth, Kingsfirst andsecond, Samuel,Chronicles, come Ezrafirst andsecond,
Psalms, Proverbs... 134) His view of the additions to thebooks of Daniel...

On the Rule of Religion, the Word of God, and the Scriptures in...
... thebooks of Joshua, Judges, and of Ruth; theFirst andSecond of Samuel; theFirst
andSecond of Kings; theFirst andSecond ofChronicles; thebooks of Ezra...

The HistoryBooks
... Thefirst andsecond Books of Samuel have been put together... the acts of David the
king,first and last... seer.' (These last have disappeared.) (1Chronicles 29:29...

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... of Samuel, (4) the twobooks of Kings, (5) the twobooks ofChronicles... Origen's list
unites Ruth with Judges, puts together thefirst andsecond of Samuel...

Concerning Scripture .
... Jesus the Son of Nave [2530] , Judges along with Ruth,first andsecond... This is the
second Pentateuch... Then come the twobooks of Esdra made into one, and Esther...

How theBooks were Written.
... the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, the twobooks of Samuel, the twobooks of
Kings, and the twobooks ofChronicles. Thesecond contains,first, the twelve...