BIBLE STUDY TEXTBOOK SERIES
The Books Of Chronicles
By
Robert E. Black
College Press, Joplin, Missouri
Copyright© 1973
College Press Publishing Company
Second Printing - 1984
Third Printing - 1991
Printed and Bound in the
United States of America
All Rights Reserved
International Standard Book Number: 0-89900-013-4
FIRST AND SECOND CHRONICLES
As the Hebrews prepared to leave Mount Sinai and move toward the conquest of Palestine, at Jehovah's command a census was taken. They declared their pedigrees after their families (Numbers 1:18). The term pedigree literally means a crane's foot. The leg of the crane terminates in three distinct branches or toes, The crane's foot is simply the extension of the bird's leg. In that regard it is similar to the family tree and thus the word pedigree is used to refer to a register of a line of ancestors. Jehovah's order at Sinai meant a careful counting of the entire assembly along with a detailed registration of ancestors. From the time that God had separated the Hebrews as His peculiar people they were conscious of their spiritual destiny. Names of fathers and sons became very important. Mothers and daughters were important too, but the line of descent through the male was especially emphasized. As the godly line of descent came to be clearly distinguished, Jehovah made certain that there was a succession of Chroniclers and historians who would record and trace the details of the revelation. So the Books of Chronicles begin with Adam and conclude with Cyrus-' decree liberating the captive Hebrews. These records survey the whole sweep of Jehovah's self-revelation up to the time of the return from Babylonian captivity. Jerome said that the Books of Chronicles are an epitome of the Old Testament. They are of such high moment and importance, that he who supposes himself to be acquainted with the sacred writings, and does not know the Books of Chronicles, only deceives himself.[1]
[1] Clarke, Adam, A Commentary and Critical Notes, Vol. II, New York, Carlton and Porter, n.d., p. 574.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES
The Books of Chronicles provide a remarkable summary of the entire Old Testament record. Our English Bible (Old Testament) begins with Genesis and concludes with Malachi. The Hebrew Bible begins with Genesis and concludes with the Books of Chronicles. Our Lord knew this same order for the books or canon of the Old Testament. In Matthew 23:35 Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the fact that religious leaders had killed the prophets from the time of Abel (Genesis 4:8) until the murder of Zachariah (2 Chronicles 24:21). The entire Old Testament was included in this wonderful reference. Just as the Book of Revelation brings to fulfillment the purposes of God for all people everywhere, so the Chronicles bring the student of Hebrew history to that vantage point from which he can look for the promised Saviour. Harrison, in his Introduction to the Old Testament says, the two books of Chronicles comprise a history of the Hebrew people from Adam to the time of Cyrus, paralleling the writings from Genesis to Kings, with Ezra and Nehemiah as a conclusion.[2]
[2] Harrison, Ronald K., Introduction to the Old Testament, Wm. B. Eerdman's Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., 1969, p. 1152.
The title or name of a Bible book is an important key to the content of that particular record, In the Hebrew Bible the two books of Chronicles form a single work and bear the title the words of the days (divere hayyamin). As is seen from 1 Chronicles 27:24, the term is used in the sense of annals. The LXX divided the book into two and called them Paraleipomena, i.e., things omitted or passed over.[3] The original Hebrew title suggests that these were regarded as historical records. The Greek title used in the LXX would tend to regard these records as supplementary to other Old Testament accounts. The English title Chronicles, dates from about the time of Jerome (c. 400 A.D.)[4] The name Chronicles, signifies an historical account of events in the order of time.
[3] Young, Edward J., An Introduction to the Old Testament, Wm. B. Eerdman's Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., 1949, p. 381.
[4] Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary, I Chronicles, Vol. 13, New Ed., Funk and Wagnalls Co., London, n.d., p ii.
The authorship and date of each of the books of the Bible are matters of primary concern to the Bible student. When one has examined the evidence and has made up his mind with regard to the complete inspiration of the Bible as the Word of God and when he is certain that the books in the Bible are the only authentic records of God's revelation, a base is established for the examination of the authorship and date of each Bible book. The position held and maintained by this writer is that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God and that the thirty nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty seven books of the New Testament, and these books only, comprise the inspired written record of God's will for man.
There is ample evidence supporting the inclusion of the books of Chronicles in the canon of the Old Testament. The content of these books is credible and well attested in cross references to many other parts of the Old Testament. Archer, in his book, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, presents a good summary with regard to the authorship and date of these books.
Like the other historical books, Chronicles does not specify the name of its author. Internal evidence points to a period between 450 and 425 B.C. as its time of composition. It is quite possible that the Talmudic tradition (Baba Bathra 15a) is correct in assigning the authorship to Ezra. As the chief architect of the spiritual and moral revival of the Second Commonwealth he would have had every incentive to produce a historical survey of this sort. As a Levite from the priestly line his viewpoint would have been in perfect agreement with that of the author of this work and he would be very apt to lay the stress just where the Chronicler has.[5]
[5] Archer, Gleason G., Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, p.
The conservative viewpoint is that the books of Chronicles were written by the priestly scribe, Ezra about 450-425 B.C.[6] James Orr in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says that the books of Chronicles were completed within the lifetime of Nehemiah, not later or not much later than 400 B. C.[7] He also holds that since the books of Chronicles conclude the Hebrew Scriptures, their very position would indicate that they are the latest Old Testament writings.
[6] Young, Edward j., An Introduction to the Old Testament, pp. 383, 384.
[7] Orr, James, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, The Howard Severance Co., 1915, p. 633.
The books of Chronicles contain lists of genealogies in the first seven Chapter s of I Chronicles which go back to the very beginning and proceed through the times of the Babylonian captivity. There is a brief section in 1 Chronicles 9:1-34 which describes the re-establishment of ancient inheritances after the return from the Captivity. The primary content from 1 Chronicles 9:35 to the conclusion of II Chronicles has to do with the history of the kingdom of Judah to the time of the Captivity and the restoration. There is a considerable body of material recorded only in the Books of Chronicles. The same is true with regard to the Books of Samuel and Kings. There are many parallel accounts in the books of Chronicles and Kings.
The materials in the books of Chronicles were not designed merely to supplement the other historical records. The author concerns himself with the great tribe of Judah. It is estimated that five-sixths of the entire work is devoted exclusively to the history of Judah. Much attention is given to the Temple, her priests and services. Looking to the re-establishment of God's people after the Captivity and return, the books of Chronicles formed an authoritative reference with regard to the Temple, territorial assignments, and civil service. These books formed the charter of the reconstruction of a shattered kingdom on its proper historical basis.[8]
[8] Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 13, p. xiii.
A GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES
(As presented by Merill F. Unger in Introductory Guide to the Old Testament)[9]
[9] Unger, Merrill F., Introductory Guide to the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan Publishing House, 1951, p. 407.
Part I. Genealogies from Adam to David
1 Chronicles 1:1 to 1 Chronicles 9:44
a.
From Adam to Jacob
1 Chronicles 1:1 to 1 Chronicles 2:2
b.
Jacob's generation
1 Chronicles 2:3 to 1 Chronicles 9:44
Part II. History of King David
1 Chronicles 10:1 to 1 Chronicles 29:30
a.
The Death of Saul
b.
Capture of Zion and David's Heroes
1 Chronicles 11:1 to 1 Chronicles 12:40
c.
David's prosperous reign
1 Chronicles 13:1 to 1 Chronicles 22:1
d.
David's accomplishments in behalf of ritualistic worship
1 Chronicles 22:2 to 1 Chronicles 29:30
Part III. History of King Solomon
2 Chronicles 1:1 to 2 Chronicles 9:31
a.
Solomon's wealth and wisdom
b.
His building and dedication of the Temple
2 Chronicles 2:1 to 2 Chronicles 7:22
c.
His various activities and death
2 Chronicles 8:1 to 2 Chronicles 9:31
Part IV. History of the Kings of Judah
2 Chronicles 10:1 to 2 Chronicles 36:23
a.
From Rehoboam to Zedekiah
2 Chronicles 10:1 to 2 Chronicles 36:21
b.
The edict of Cyrus
THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES
SCHEDULE OF LESSONS
LESSON ONE I Chronicles, chapter 1-3, The Descendants of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Esau, Jacob, Judah, and David.
LESSON TWO I Chronicles, chapter 4-6, The Descendants of Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, Manasseh, and Levi.
LESSON THREE I Chronicles, Chapter s 7 and 8, The Descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher.
LESSON FOUR I Chronicles, Chapter s 9 and 10, Return from Babylon, Tribal Settlements, The Overthrow of Saul's House.
LESSON FIVE I Chronicles, Chapter s 11 and 12, The Life and Times of David and His Warriors.
LESSON SIX I Chronicles, Chapter s 13 and 14, David and the Ark of the Covenant. David's Family. War with Philistia.
LESSON SEVEN I Chronicles, Chapter s 15 and 16, The Ark of the Covenant Brought to Jerusalem. David's Song of Thanksgiving. The Ministers and Worship.
LESSON EIGHT I Chronicles, Chapter s 17 and 18, David and the Temple. Israel Goes to War.
LESSON NINE I Chronicles, Chapter s 19 and 20, Israel's Conflict With Ammon. The Conquest of the Philistines.
LESSON TEN I Chronicles, Chapter s 21 and 22, A Military Census and a Plague.
LESSON ELEVEN I Chronicles, Chapter s 23 and 24, David's organization of the Levites.
LESSON TWELVE I Chronicles, Chapter s 25 and 26, The Appointment of Musicians, Doorkeepers and Stewards of the Temple Treasury.
LESSON THIRTEEN I Chronicles, Chapter s 27-29, David's Military Organization, His Counselors, His Charge to Solomon, His Prayer for the Temple, His Death.
LESSON FOURTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 1-4, Solomon's Kingdom. The Temple and its Furnishings.
LESSON FIFTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 5-8, The Ark and The Temple. Solomon's Prayer of Dedication. A Great Festival. Solomon as King.
LESSON SIXTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 9-11, A Queen comes to Jerusalem. Rehoboam and the Kingdom.
LESSON SEVENTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 12-14, Egypt Invades Israel. Jeroboam and the Northern Kingdom. Asa and the Ethiopians.
LESSON EIGHTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 15-17, Asa, the Reformer. Hanani, Man of God. Life and Times of Jehoshaphat.
LESSON NINETEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 18-20, Jehoshaphat and Ahab. War with Moab and Ammon.
LESSON TWENTY II Chronicles, Chapter s 21-23, The Life and Times of Jehoram. The Reign of Ahaziah. Athaliah's Death. The Coronation of Joash.
LESSON TWENTY-ONE II Chronicles, Chapter s 24-26, The Reign of Joash, Amaziah's Rise and Fall. Uzziah's Life and Times.
LESSON TWENTY-TWO II Chronicles, Chapter s 27-29, The Reign of Jotham. Ahaz and His Allies. Hezekiah, the Religious Reformer.
LESSON TWENTY-THREE II Chronicles, Chapter s 30-33, Hezekiah and the Passover. Reorganization of the Temple Procedures. Assyrian Invasion. The Reign of Manasseh and Amon.
LESSON TWENTY-FOUR II Chronicles, Chapter s 34-36, Josiah's Reformation. The Last Days of the Southern Kingdom. Babylonian Captivity. The Decree of Cyrus.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
THEOLOGICAL WORKS
Eichrodt, Walter, Theology of the Old Testament, Philadelphia, The Westminister Press, 1960
Jacob, Edmond, Theology of the Old Testament, New York, Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1955
Kolhler, Ludwig, Old Testament Theology, London, Lutterworth Press, 1953
Oehler, Gustave F., Theology of the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House, 1883
Slotki, I. W., Chronicles, London and Bournemouth, The Soncino Press, 1952
Slotki, I. W., Hebrew Text and English Translation, London, The Soncino Press, 1952
Von Rod, Gerhand, Old Testament Theology, New York, Harper and Row, 1962
COMMENTARIES AND DICTIONARIES
Bennett, W. H., The Expositor's Bible, The Books of Chronicles, New York, Hodder and Stoughton, n.d.
Clarke, Adam, A Commentary and Critical Notes, Volume II, New York, Carlton and Porter, n.d.
Cook, F. C, The Bible Commentary, I SamuelEsther, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1915
Curtis, Edward, L., The International Critical Commentary, New York, Charles Scribner's and Sons, 1910
Elmslie, W. A. L., The Interpreter's Bible, Volume III, New York, Abingdon Press, 1954
Hastings, James, A Dictionary of the Bible, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1901
Henry, Matthew, The Matthew Henry Commentary, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House, 1970
Irvin, C. H. International Bible Commentary, Chicago, The John C. Winston Company, 1928
Keil, C. F., Commentary on the Old Testament, Volume 3, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B, Eerdman's Publishing Company, n.d.
Maclaren, Alexander, Expositions of Holy Scripture, New York, A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1908
Orr, James, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised Edition, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1946
Schaff, Philip, Lange's Commentary, Chronicles, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1901
Spence and Exell, The Pulpit Commentary, London and New York, Funk and Wagnalls Company, Volumes 13 and 14, First and Second Chronicles, n.d.
Terry, Milton S., Commentary on the Old Testament, Volume 4, New York, 1875
REFERENCE WORKS
Ackroyd, P. R. and Evans, C. F., The Cambridge History of the Bible, Volume 1, Cambridge, University Press, 1970
Ainslie, Peter, Studies in the Old Testament, St. Louis, Christian Publishing Company, 1907
Archer, Gleason, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, Chicago, Moody Press, 1964
Beecher, Willis J., The Prophets and the Promise, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1963
Bewer, Julius A., The Literature of the Old Testament in its Historical Development, New York, Columbia University Press, 1928
Bruce, F. F., Israel and the Nations, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1963
Cook, Stanley A., The Old Testament, A Reinterpretation, New York, The Macmillan Company, 1936
Creelman, Harlan, An Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, The Macmillan Company, 1927
Driver, S. R., An Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons. 1891
Elmslie, W. A. L., How Came Our Faith, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1949
Ellison, H. L., The Message of the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1969
Emery, William, First and Second Chronicles, Cambridge, England, The University Press, 1899
Geden, Alfred S., Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Edinburgh, T & T Clark, Morrison & Bibl. Limited, 1909
Gottwald, Norman K., A Light to the NationsAn Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, Harper and Row, 1959
Gray, George B., A Critical Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1913
Green, William H., General Introduction to the Old TestamentThe Canon, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1905
Grosvenor, Melville B., Everyday Life in Bible Times, Washington, D. C., National Geographic Socity, 1967
Halley, Henry H., Halley's Bible Handbook, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing Company, 1965
Harman, Henry M., Introduction to the Study of the Holy Scriptures, New York, Phillips and Hunt, 1882
Harrelson, Walter, Interpreting the Old Testament, New York, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1952
Harrison, R. K., Old Testament Times, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1970
Harrison, R. K., Introduction to the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1969
Kautzch, E., The Literature of the Old Testament, New York, G. P. Putman's Sons, 1899
Kraeling, Emil G., The Old Testament Since the Reformation, London, Lutterworth Press, 1955
Larue, Gerald A., Old Testament Life and Literature, Boston, Allyn & Bacon, Inc., 1968
McFadyen, John E., Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906
McGarvey, John W., Biblical Criticism, Cincinnati, The Standard Publishing Company, 1910
Moorehead, W. G., Outline Studies in the Books of the Old Testament, New York, Fleming H. Revell Company, 1893
Moulton, Richard G., The Chronicles, London, The Macmillan Company, 1897
Myers, Jacob M., First and Second ChroniclesOld Testament Translation and Notes, New York, Garden City, Doubleday, 1965
North, Christopher, The Old Testament Interpretation of History, London, The Epworth Press, 1953
Oesterly, W. O. E., and Robinson, Theodore H., An Introduction to the Books of the Old Testament, London, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1937
Painter, F. V. N., Introduction to Bible StudyThe Old Testament, Chicago, Benjamin H. Sanborn and Company, 1920
Payne, J. Barton, An Outline of Bible History, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1954
Pfeiffer, Robert H., Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1941
Pfeiffer, Charles F., The Biblical World, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1966
Pfeiffer, Charles F., The Divided Kingdom, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1967
Raven, John H., Old Testament Introduction, New York, Harper and Brothers, 1941
Rouse, G. H., Old Testament Criticism in New Testament Light, Philadelphia, The Union Press, 1905
Schultz, Samuel, J., The Old Testament Speaks, New York, Harper and Brothers, 1960
Smith, William, The Old Testament History, New York, Harper and Brothers, 1892
Trattner, Ernest R., Unravelling the Book of Books, New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1929
Unger, Merrill F., Introductory Guide to the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House 1951
Young, Edward J., An Introduction to the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1949