Introduction and summary of
1 and 2 Chronicles
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Among the Bible's least-read books are its 11th and 12th:
the volumes of Chronicles between the Kings and Ezra.
First Chronicles' long lists of difficult names discourage
reading. The first two chapters have more than 240 names each,
with little relief until the book's mid-section. In 2 Chronicles
the ancient records are less tedious, being supplemented with
moral and spiritual insights throughout. This book deserves more
reading!
Written by Ezra after the exile to Babylon, these two volumes
demonstrate that the returning Jews are direct heirs to God's
plan - from Creation through Israel and King David. Chronicles
is to Old Testament history what Deuteronomy is to the Pentateuch:
a second telling of the story (or the law) in abbreviated form.
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1 Chronicles: lineages and lists
- genealogies: sons of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Israel, with
their extended families (1-9)
- David's mighty men (11, 12)
- gatekeepers, musicians, treasurers, etc. of the temple (15,
23-26)
- orders of Levites for temple service (24)
- divisions for military service (27)
Mostly about King David
First Chronicles' historical content parallels 2 Samuel and
focuses on David:
- After Saul's death, David is elevated to the throne (10).
- Jerusalem becomes David's city, home of tabernacle and ark
(11, 13, 15, 16).
- David expands his kingdom by war (11-14, 18-20).
- David's house and posterity are established by God's promise
(17).
- David sins by numbering Israel (21).
- David prepares materials for the temple (22, 28, 29).
- At his death, David's kingdom is passed to his son Solomon
(23, 29).
Nuggets from the first book
- Jabez asks for blessings of enlargement, presence, and righteousness
so he would do no harm (4:9, 10).
- Sons of Issachar understand the times and know what Israel
should do (12:32).
- David offers a psalm of celebration (16:7-36; see Psa. 105)
and a paean of praise (29:10-19).
- Asaph, choir leader and psalmist, founds a music school.
Sons of Asaph are his students, performing instrumental and vocal
music for temple worship (6:39; 16:5-7; 25:1-9; also 2 Chron.
5:12; 20:14; 29:13, 30; 35:15).
- "For His mercy endures forever" (16:34, 41; also,
2 Chron. 5:13; 7:3; 20:21).
2 Chronicles: good and bad kings
The second volume begins with Solomon's reign and building
the temple (1-9). It traces Judah's history from the division
of the kingdom under Rehoboam (10, 11) to the Babylonian captivity
(36). Parallel with the books of Kings, Chronicles reports only
the royal succession in David's house, not the northern kingdom.
After Solomon, half the book's remainder focuses on four outstanding
kings: Asa (14-16), Jehoshaphat (17-20), Hezekiah (29-32), Josiah
(34, 35). Other kings of Judah: Abijah, Jehoram, Ahaziah, [Queen]
Athaliah, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Manasseh, Amon,
Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah.
Treasures from the second book
- God's recipe for revival: "If My people who are called
by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways, then . . ." (7:14).
- Judah prevails over Israel "because they relied on the
LORD God of their fathers" (13:18; 16:7).
- A prophet speaks: "The LORD is with you while you are
with Him . . . but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you"
(15:1-8; 24:20, 24; 26:5, 15, 16; 27:6; 31:21).
- God sees: "The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout
the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose
heart is loyal to Him" (16:9).
- Stand by faith: "Believe in the LORD your God, and you
shall be established" (20:20).
- Hezekiah prays: "May the good LORD provide atonement
for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God . . . though
he is not cleansed according to the . . . sanctuary" (30:18,
19).
| 1 and 2 Chronicles
in a sentence: With the use of a thousand names, the history
of the Jewish people is traced from Adam until their captivity
in Babylon, giving special emphasis to David, Solomon, and the
Jerusalem temple - its construction and service. |