I & II CHRONICLES---SECOND THOUGHTS

INTRODUCTION

1.    The majority of Bible readers find little to attract and much to bewilder in this difficult book. However, it is well to remember that whenever a book seems dry and uninteresting, it is because the right key to its study has not been found.

2.    While the books of Samuel and the Kings were concerned with both the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, Chronicles deals with only Judah.

3.    Greek translators gave the books of Chronicles the title “Things Omitted”.

A.   They noticed that much information is given in them not found in other historical books.

B.   By their title, they regarded Chronicles as supplementary to Samuel and Kings.

C.   Actually, they form much more than a mere supplement:

1)    They form an independent work in which the history of the chosen people is related in a new manner and from a different standpoint.

2)    In Samuel and Kings we have the facts of history while Chronicles forms a sort of Divine commentary of those histories.

3)    These books record the spiritual qualities of this period.

4.    Several things show these books to have a spiritual purpose:

A.   God’s care of His people and His purpose to save them is given special emphasis.

B.   The building of the temple is given much prominence.

C.   The kings who served God and destroyed idols are given the most conspicuous place.

D.   He follows the line of Judah, only mentioning Israel where it seemed necessary. In this way the Messianic line through David is followed.

E.   The priestly spirit permeates these books instead of the prophetic element.

F.    In Kings, the books show man ruling; in Chronicles we see God overruling.

5.    “These books belong to quite another part of the O.T. and do not follow in sequence on the book of kings. They are, according to the Hebrew Canon, the conclusion of the O.T. and the genealogies here lead up to Matthew 1:1 and the commencement of the N.T. It begins with the first Adam and leads on to the ‘Last Adam’. Up to this time all the books have fitted into one another and formed a continuous history. Here we double back and review the whole history.”

AUTHOR - uncertain, but probably Ezra. (II Chron. 36:22, 23 with Ezra 1:1-3)

DATE of coverage: nearly 3500 years, from Adam (about 4000 B.C.) to the decree of Cyrus in about 536 B.C.

CIRCUMSTANCES

1.    To record the ancient genealogies for the returning remnant. (I Chron. 1-9)

2.    To record the history of the kingdom of Judah from David to Zedekiah (I Chron. 11:1; II Chron. 36:11,12, 17-21)

3.    To record the religious history of Judah (I Chron. 23:27,28; 24:1-3; 25:1; II Chron. 17:6-9; 26:16-19; 29:3-5; 35:1-3)

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER BOOKS

1.    I Chronicles reviews the events of II Samuel - David’s reign.

2.    II Chronicles reviews the events of I & II Kings - Solomon to Zedekiah.

THEME - the religious history of Judah

KEY VERSE - II Chronicles 7:14

PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

The Chronicles were written after the captivity in Babylon was over. The returned remnant found themselves back in the land of promise with a monumental task before them. Their cities were heaps of rubble, their temple was gone, the land was desolate and in ruins. Many Jewish people were indifferent to their emancipation. Most devastating of all, the throne of David was gone.

1.    Although the throne of David was gone, the line of David was still in existence. The Chronicles proved that God had never allowed that line to become broken or lost. The books offered reassurance to the people that God had remained true to His plan. It was inconceivable that the thread could be broken now.

2.    A new temple had been raised on the ruins of the former one. The writer shows that the Temple had occupied an important place in the history of the people of God. If David had given Judah a scepter, Solomon had given Judah a sanctuary. The one was as important as the other. It is a call to renew the spiritual bonds long before established.

3.    The writer proved that all the people’s troubles stemmed from apostasy. It is a clear warning to the people never again to forsake the temple and the worship of the living God.

MESSAGE OF THE BOOK

1.    The importance of the recognition of God in the life of a nation

2.    The impotence of formal religion in the life of a nation without the necessary corresponding experience

3.    Virtue and vice, in private or in national affairs, will receive their dues.

4.    Seeking, believing, obeying, serving, and loving the Lord are absolutely requisite to a vitally spiritual and victorious life.

OUTLINE OF THE BOOKS

 I.     FIRST CHRONICLES

A.   Genealogies (1-9)

B.   Saul (10)

C.   David (11-20)

D.   Temple (21-29)

II.    SECOND CHRONICLES

A.   The reign of Solomon (1-9)

1.    Loyal to the Lord

2.    Forsaking the Lord

B.   The Kings of Judah (10-36)

1.    Seeking the Lord

2.    Serving the Lord