Study
1 - The Book of Chronicles
Introduction
a.
Beware of the first impression
-
Beware of going by first impressions because they can be very misleading! This
is particularly so in the case of the Book of Chronicles. The long list of
names that confronts us, especially in 1 Chronicles, could easily dampen and/or
deaden the enthusiasm of the keenest student of the word. Then the long
description of the temple and its worship is certainly of antiquarian interest
only! It should be remembered that the book (1 & 2 Chronicles, originally
one book and still in the Hebrew Bible) was equally removed from the
first readers of Chronicles. This will become plain later.
- But
there are important indicators to the true nature of this seemingly dry and
dead book (God forbids such thoughts of His inspired and holy word. See 2Tim.
3.16-17.)
b.
Chronicles in the Hebrew OT
-
In all the early manuscripts of the Hebrew OT, the two books of Chronicles were
always on the same scroll.
-The Hebrew OT places the Chronicles at the very end of the OT canon. (There is
great significance in this, as we will see.) In the Greek and Latin (and
therefore, our English) translations it is placed immediately after 2 Kings,
followed by the book of Ezra. This seems more natural since Chronicles covers
much the same period as 2 Samuel and 1&2 Kings. Also, the last two verses
of 2 Chronicles are repeated in Ezra 1:1-3, thus linking it with that book.
c.
The audience and the purpose of Chronicles
-
However, what seems at a casual glance to be a retelling of Samuel/Kings turns
out to be something much more than a repeat of the old and dry history. It is
much more than an alternative history.
- First, there are many additional materials. Ezra writes history in a broad
sweep, going back to the very beginning of mankind. Many details (unnecessary
for his purpose of writing Chronicles) were omitted.
- Second, the history was written at an entirely different period of Israel’s
history, i.e. AFTER the 70-year exile, for the specific purpose to stir up the
hearts of the remnant and discouraged people of God before they enter the 400+
years of inter-testament silence. The covenant of the LORD Jehovah with king
David has not failed; it will be fulfilled.
1.
General Information of 1 and 2Chronicles
a. The author:
- No author for these books is mentioned. The accepted Jewish tradition is that
Ezra wrote the books sometime after he returned from Babylon in 458BC. As a
priest and skilled scribe who knew the law of Moses thoroughly, Ezra was well
qualified to write the books, most likely between 450 and 425 BC.
- He had been empowered by King Artaxerxes to go from Persia to Jerusalem with
funds to beautify the temple and also to be a religious leader of the Jewish
people (Ezra 7). While in Jerusalem, he led the reading of the laws of Moses
before the people gathered in the temple courtyard. He also supervised a reform
of religious life and practice in the land (Neh 8).
b.
The date:
It is significant to note that the Chronicles were written much later. Unlike
the Samuels and the Kings that were written BEFORE the exile, Chronicles were
written AFTER the exile.
- Chronologically, Chronicles is a much later book. For that reason, it is
placed last in the Hebrew Bible of the OT.
- 1 and 2 Samuel and Kings concentrate on the wars and reigns of various kings of
Israel and Judah, whereas Chronicles focuses on the temple and the reigns of
the Davidic dynasty, with whom the covenant was made:
- The Chronicles focuses on the theological/covenantal and spiritual aspects,
rather than the political and moral life of the nation of God’s covenant
people.
- It is the book that closes the canon of the OT Hebrew Scriptures. What is the
reason for this fact? Whatever the reason may be, it seems a fitting one.
Ezra’s selectivity and the way he summarises God’s gracious dealings with His
covenant people in broad sweeps is a fitting conclusion to the OT Scriptures.
- Like apostle John and the book of Revelation, Ezra rounds off the entire
major section of Holy Scripture by describing to the OT covenant people the
great and overall pattern of the Lord’s dealing with them.
c.
The people addressed
-
We do know something about them. There were subjects of the Persian Empire,
descendants of those Israelites who had been restored to their homeland in
Judah (456BC) after the series of deportations and exiles of the early sixth
century (523, 515, and 505BC).
- Practically, therefore, everything in the book of the Chronicles was for
these people part of an age gone by. The writings belonged to a world separated
from theirs by the 70-year gulf of the Babylonian exile, and the people in those
narratives were all past history – seemingly dry, dead, and irrelevant.
- But Ezra’s purpose is more than dry and dead history. It is to remind the
covenant people of God’s great faithfulness despite their failure. The
Chronicles records God’s faithfulness, emphasising hope for the future as they
waited for the promised Messiah. The purpose of God shall not be
frustrated.
-
1Chro 17
11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expire that thou must go to be
with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of
thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.
12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.
13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy
away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:
14 But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his
throne shall be established for evermore.
2. An Outline of 1 Chronicles
a.
Part 1 – 1 Chronicles 1-9
-
The Root (the genealogies): (1-3: Roots; 4-6: Branches; 8-9; Fruit).
- The kingly tribe of Judah and the priestly tribe of Levi occupy the most
space, focusing attention on the redemptive function of priest and king.
b.
Part 2 – 1 Chronicles 10-29
- King David reigns and the temple plans. In the period of safety and
prosperity, the plan for the temple was put forward.
- 10-12: The unity and individuality of the people of God
- 13, 15-16: Changeless grace in changing circumstances.
- 14, 18-20: The fame and fear of the King
- 17, 21-22: The great gifts for the house of God
- 23-27: A people prepared
- 28-29: The great continuities
c.
Part 3 – 2 Chronicles 1-9
- Solomon's reign and the building of the temple. These chapters form the
climax. The temple is built and dedicated. Solomon teaches the people, and his
fame grows. The message is clear: when a nation honours God, God will bless it.
Solomon is a token of what God has done for His people, and of what “One
greater than Solomon” will yet do for them.
- 1-2: Solomon established himself
- 3-5: The building of the temple
- 6-7: The dedication prayer
- 8-9: The greatness of Solomon
d.
Part 4 – 2 Chronicles 10-36
- The rest of the kings in the Davidic dynasty. Not one of the northern kings
is good, and they are mentioned only as they affect Judah. Even among the kings
of Judah, the decline is evident.
- Godly kings are blessed in their lifetime; ungodly kings are judged also in
their lifetime. A succession of bad kings finally led the nation to exile in
Babylon in 587BC.
- Finally, the Chronicles ended with an explicit acknowledgement of God’s
signal mercy to His undeserving people, His faithfulness to His covenant for
His own namesake. Even a pagan king like Cyrus is made an instrument for the
good of God’s people.
- And so the Chronicles concludes with the momentous historical event – the
imperial decree issued by King Cyrus, which restored God’s people to their land
in Judah - of which all the returnees from the exile are vividly aware.
------------
Questions
1. How important is a sense of history to the life of Christians and that of
the Church?
- What implications are there for us?
2.
Ungodliness often leads to consequences affecting many generations (Ex 20.5)
Which is preferable: the see the consequences of sin in this generation
or in the future generations? (1Ch 21;1-13. cf. Is 39.8). What are some
practical implications for us in the present generation?
