Grace Institute: The Writings : Chronicles Part 1

Chronicles Survey of the Old Testament: The Writings Fall 2006

Introduction

Name

In the original Hebrew Bible, the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles were one book entitled The Words of the Days. In the Greek translation of the bible (the Septuagint), the book was titled, The Things Omitted, suggesting that Chronicles was a history which included those things omitted in Samuel and Kings. The title Chronicles was first given by Jerome in the Latin vulgate.

Author & Date

Tradition states that Chronicles was written by Ezra. Some scholars doubt Ezra's authorship, given the number of generations that follow Zerubbabel in chapter 4. However, there is considerable debate on the understanding of this particular genealogy. Nonetheless, given the similar themes and style, most scholars believe that the author/compiler of Ezra-Nehemiah also wrote Chronicles as well.

With the book ending with the decree of Cyrus and the descendents of Zerubbabel carried to at least 2 generations, the earliest date for the book would be the late 6 th century BC. If Ezra and Chronicles and Ezra were indeed written by the same person, the book would have been written closer to the events of Nehemiah in the mid fifth century.

This was a time of great uncertainty for the returning exiles. In the exile, the Jewish national identity had nearly died. Now there was political opposition to their right to the land. The continuance of the Jewish nation was at great risk at this time. The people needed a sense of stability and permanence.

Purpose of the Book

The books of Samuel and Kings are more encompassing than Chronicles. They show the strengths and the weaknesses of the major characters in Israel 's history. Ultimately, the purpose of Kings was to demonstrate to the Jews the causes of the exile.

Chronicles, however, presents a much more positive history. Chronicles provides the returning exiles with a recounting of the national history from the time of Adam to the decree of Cyrus in 538 BC, with particular emphasis in the reigns of David and Solomon. However, David's failures are largely ignored, with the exception of the sin of the census, which is necessary as it ties with the building of the temple. The northern kingdom of Israel is largely ignored except as it relates to the kingdom of Judah . Even the bad kings of Judah are shown in a more favorably, with Chronicles mentioning the repentance of Manasseh.

Primarily, the book provides the post-exilic generations with a sense of connectedness to the David kingdom. It demonstrates the continuity between Solomon's temple and the new temple built by Zerubbabel. The writer of Chronicles is hoping to establish in his readers a sense of stability which is centered on the temple and the worship of Yahweh. While the temple stood and the people stood in the traditions of David and Solomon, so the exiles could be assured that they would remain in the land as the people of God.

Secondarily, and on a practical level, the book serves as a template for the practice and organization of the temple. The book provides the exiles with a look back at the first temple, the worship of God in the temple, and the organization of the temple worke rs. In so doing, the author is outlining the organization and practices of worship in the post-exilic temple, and reminding the people of the importance of temple worshi p.

Themes of the Book

The construction of the temple serves as the center point of the book of Chronicles. The whole history of Israel is seen through the context of the temple. The temple represented permanence, stability and continuity to the nation.

God's presence in the temple reminde d the people that they were the chosen nation, possessing a unique relationship to Yahweh. As David prays in response to the prophecy of Nathan:

Let Your name be established and magnified forever, saying, Yahweh of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel; and the house of David your servant is established before You. (1 Chronicles 17:24 )

Structure of the Book

Chronicles can be seen as a pyramid; with the peak being 2 Chronicles 2-7. The central point of the book is the completion of the temple during the reign of Solomon. The life of David is seen as a preliminary to this high point . The deeds of the kings after Solomon are evaluated in light of their treatment of the temple and the worship of God.

[Next: The Genealogies]