1 Chronicles - Introduction

Introduction

Author

ANCIENT TRADITION CLAIMS that Ezra wrote 1–2 Chronicles. The author must have lived after the Babylonian exile and the return of the Jews to the land of Israel. He also must have had access to historical records and an interest in the reimplementation of the law and the temple. All of this makes Ezra a good candidate. Furthermore, the final verses of 2 Chronicles are the first verses of Ezra. In the end, however, Chronicles does not claim Ezra as author. Thus, the writer will be referred to here as “the chronicler.”

Historical Background

First Chronicles begins with extensive genealogies covering the time of Adam to the period of the Jewish nation’s return from exile. The book focuses on the reign of David and concludes with David’s death and the transition of power to Solomon. Second Chronicles begins with Solomon and follows the reigns of subsequent kings up to the Babylonian exile and the restoration. It covers the same time period as 1–2 Kings except that 2 Chronicles focuses exclusively on the kings of Judah. Chronicles was written after the return from exile, perhaps in the middle of the fifth century BC. Clearly, the chronicler makes use of material from the books of 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings, but he uses it for his own purposes and adds much of his own material.

Message and Purpose

In these books, the chronicler records the history of the southern kingdom of Judah, focusing on the reigns of the Davidic kings, as well as giving attention to the priesthood. Thus, we see in these books the wedding of the kingship and the priesthood, with a focus on the temple as the place of God’s presence.

The message of 1–2 Chronicles was one of hope for the readers, who were struggling in Babylonian exile. They were reminded that while God ruled over them as King, he also related to them through the priesthood. God’s rule over and relationship with his people are the key aspects of his kingdom identity with them.

These books use the historical ups and downs of the kingdom of Judah to show the need for a leader who could perfectly fulfill the roles of king and priest. Ultimately, this would happen in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who would be both King and high priest. He rules us and rescues us.

VIDEO INTRO

Outline

1. The Genealogies (1:1–9:44)
   1. The Genealogies from Adam to Israel (1:1–2:2)
   2. The Genealogies of Israel’s Twelve Tribes (2:3–8:40)
   3. The Genealogies of the Returning Exiles and King Saul (9:1-44)
2. The Reign of David (10:1–29:30)
   1. David Anointed as King (10:1–11:9)
   2. David’s Mighty Warriors (11:10–12:40)
   3. David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem and Desires to Build a Temple (13:1–17:27)
   4. David Wages War against Israel’s Enemies (18:1–20:8)
   5. David Orders a Sinful Census (21:1–22:1)
   6. David Makes Temple Preparations and Appoints Leaders (22:2–27:34)
   7. David Delivers His Farewell Message and Dies (28:1–29:30)