The First Book of the
CHRONICLES
Author: Attributed to Ezra
Date: Probably Between 425 and 400 B.C.
Theme: Encouragement and Exhortation from Judah’s Spiritual Heritage
Key Words: King, House, David, Jerusalem, Priest
Author. First and 2 Chronicles were originally one book (see “Content” below). Since the identity of the author of this work is not stated in either 1 or 2 Chronicles, many have opted to refer to this unknown author simply as “the chronicler.” However, Ezra is the most likely candidate for the authorship of Chronicles. The early Jewish tradition of the Talmud affirms that Ezra wrote 1 and 2 Chronicles. Also, the closing verses of 2 Chronicles (2 Chr. 36:22, 23) are repeated as the opening verses of Ezra (see Ezra 1:1–3). Not only does this add to the case for Ezra’s authorship of 1 Chronicles, it also may be an indication that 1 and 2 Chronicles and Ezra were once a consecutive work. In addition, 1 and 2 Chronicles and Ezra have similar style, vocabulary, and contents. Ezra was a scribe as well as a priest, and played a significant role in the community of exiles who returned to Jerusalem. Though we cannot be certain, it is reasonable to assume that “the chronicler” was Ezra.
Date. Though the precise date for 1 and 2 Chronicles cannot be established, it probably came into its final form sometime toward the end of the fifth century B.C. The last event recorded in the closing verses of 2 Chronicles is the decree of the Persian king Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to Judah. This is dated at 538 B.C. and gives the impression that Chronicles would have been composed shortly after this time. However, the latest person mentioned in 1 and 2 Chronicles is actually Anani of the eighth generation of King Jehoiachin (see 1 Chr. 3:24). Jehoiachin was deported to Babylon in 597 B.C. Depending on how these generations are measured (approximately twenty-five years), Anani’s birth would have been sometime between 425 and 400 B.C. Therefore, the date for 1 and 2 Chronicles is between 425 and 400 B.C.
Background. The Book of 1 Chronicles covers the period from Adam to the death of David around 971 B.C. This is a remarkable scope of time, since it embraces the same period covered in the first ten books of the Old Testament, Genesis through 2 Samuel. Without the genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1–9, 1 and 2 Chronicles cover roughly the same time period as 1 and 2 Kings. However, the specific background of 1 and 2 Chronicles is the period after the Exile. During this time, the ancient world was under the control of the powerful Persian Empire. All that remained of the glorious kingdom of David and Solomon was the tiny province of Judah. The Persians had replaced the monarchy with a provincial governor. Though God’s people had been allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, their situation was far removed from the golden days of David and Solomon.
Occasion and Purpose. The return of the exiles from Babylon necessitated the recording of the history of God’s people, especially Judah. First Chronicles was written for the dual purpose of providing encouragement and exhortation to those who had returned to Jerusalem. The remnant that was left needed encouragement to keep their faith alive in the midst of difficulty, and they needed hope for the future. The emphasis of Chronicles on their spiritual heritage of David, Solomon, the temple, and the priesthood was a refreshing reminder that God was faithful and He would not forget His promises to David and to His people. Yet 1 Chronicles also served as a strong exhortation to motivate God’s people to adhere to the Mosaic covenant and ritual, so that the tragedy of the past would not be repeated.
Comparison with Kings. One may question the need for the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, since the material has already been covered in 1 and 2 Kings and other Old Testament books. However, though the books are similar, they are by no means identical. In the same way that there are four accounts of the life of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, there are two accounts of the history of God’s people. Though 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles are alike in content, they offer two different historical perspectives. While the Books of Kings were written to those in exile, the Books of Chronicles address the postexilic community. They were written for two different purposes. Compare the “Occasion and Purpose” section of this introduction with the same sections in the introductions to 1 and 2 Kings. Also, Kings and Chronicles have different political perspectives. While Kings embraces both kingdoms, Israel and Judah, Chronicles focuses only on Judah. Finally, Kings and Chronicles differ in their theological perspectives. Kings presents a prophetic outlook, while Chronicles operates from a priestly vantage point. However, Chronicles is like Kings in that it is not mere history, but rather theology in the form of a historical narrative. See Introductions to 1 and 2 Kings: Content.
Content. In the original Hebrew Scriptures, 1 and 2 Chronicles formed one book, entitled “Events of the Days.” It was divided and renamed “Things Passed Over” by the translators of the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX). The title “Chronicles” derives from Jerome. It is not a continuation of the history of God’s people, but a duplication of and a supplement to 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings.
The united work of 1 and 2 Chronicles can be divided into four main sections. First Chronicles gives genealogies (chs. 1–9) and outlines the reign of David (chs. 0–29). Second Chronicles sets forth the reign of Solomon (chs. 1–9) and traces the reigns of the twenty rulers of Judah (chs. 0–36).
The Book of 1 Chronicles has two main divisions. The first section is nine chapters of genealogies. The genealogies begin with Adam and proceed all the way through the Exile to those who returned to Jerusalem. This section is often passed over as unimportant. However, like the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the genealogies form a foundation for the account that will follow. First Chronicles is weighted with genealogies to underscore the need for racial and religious purity. The genealogies are selectively compiled to highlight the line of David and the tribe of Levi.
The second part of 1 Chronicles (chs. 0–29) records the events and accomplishments in the life of King David. Chapter 10 serves as a prologue to summarize the reign and death of King Saul. In chapters 11 and 12 David becomes king and secures Jerusalem. The rest of the account of David focuses on the three significant aspects of his reign, namely the bringing of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (chs. 3–17), his military exploits (chs. 8–20), and the preparations for the building of the temple (chs. 1–27). The closing two chapters of 1 Chronicles record David’s last days.
Personal Application. While 1 and 2 Kings draw out the fact of human responsibility, showing that sin leads to defeat, 1 Chronicles accentuates the sovereign deliverance of God. The twin themes of encouragement and exhortation still ring true today. God has been faithful throughout all of history to deliver those who cry out to Him. Chronicles skillfully tells the story of how God was true to His word and kept the promises He had made to His people. This is a great source of encouragement for believers of all ages. God is a promise-making and promise-keeping God who is worthy to be trusted. He is still a God of hope, and His purposes will prevail in the lives of His people. However, 1 Chronicles also exhorts us to learn from the failure of God’s people in the past, in order that we might not make the same mistakes (1 Cor. 10:11; Heb. 4:11).
Christ Revealed. Christ is foreshadowed in 1 Chronicles in much the same way as He is in 1 Kings (see Introduction to 1 Kings: Christ Revealed). However, in 1 Chronicles, many have seen an allusion to Christ in reference to the temple. First Chronicles 21 (also 2 Sam. 24) explains that as a consequence for sin, a death plague had broken out against Israel. David buys a piece of property from Ornan on which to make a sacrifice that stops the plague. This site on Mount Moriah was the very place where Solomon would build the temple (2 Chr. 3:1). It is possible that this was the very mountain where Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22:2). In the New Testament, three times Paul refers to believers as the “temple of God” (1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 6:19; Eph. 2:19–22). It is Christ who has purchased the ground for this spiritual temple. It was His sacrifice that delivered us from death (Rom. 5:12–18; 7:24, 25; 1 John 3:14).
The Holy Spirit at Work. There are two clear references to the Holy Spirit in 1 Chronicles. The first is in 12:18, where “the Spirit” came upon or clothed Amasai and enabled him to give an inspired utterance. See Introductions to 1 and 2 Kings: The Holy Spirit at Work. They describe the Holy Spirit’s inspiring others to prophesy during the kingdom period. The second reference to the Holy Spirit in 1 Chronicles is in 28:12, which explains that it was through the ministry of “the Spirit” that the plans of the temple were revealed to David.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
CHRONICLES
Author: Attributed to Ezra
Date: Probably Between 425 and 400 B.C.
Theme: Encouragement and Exhortation from Judah’s Spiritual Heritage
Key Words: King, House, David, Jerusalem, Priest
Author. First and 2 Chronicles were originally one book (see “Content” below). Since the identity of the author of this work is not stated in either 1 or 2 Chronicles, many have opted to refer to this unknown author simply as “the chronicler.” However, Ezra is the most likely candidate for the authorship of Chronicles. The early Jewish tradition of the Talmud affirms that Ezra wrote 1 and 2 Chronicles. Also, the closing verses of 2 Chronicles (2 Chr. 36:22, 23) are repeated as the opening verses of Ezra (see Ezra 1:1–3). Not only does this add to the case for Ezra’s authorship of 1 Chronicles, it also may be an indication that 1 and 2 Chronicles and Ezra were once a consecutive work. In addition, 1 and 2 Chronicles and Ezra have similar style, vocabulary, and contents. Ezra was a scribe as well as a priest, and played a significant role in the community of exiles who returned to Jerusalem. Though we cannot be certain, it is reasonable to assume that “the chronicler” was Ezra.
Date. Though the precise date for 1 and 2 Chronicles cannot be established, it probably came into its final form sometime toward the end of the fifth century B.C. The last event recorded in the closing verses of 2 Chronicles is the decree of the Persian king Cyrus to allow the Jews to return to Judah. This is dated at 538 B.C. and gives the impression that Chronicles would have been composed shortly after this time. However, the latest person mentioned in 1 and 2 Chronicles is actually Anani of the eighth generation of King Jehoiachin (see 1 Chr. 3:24). Jehoiachin was deported to Babylon in 597 B.C. Depending on how these generations are measured (approximately twenty-five years), Anani’s birth would have been sometime between 425 and 400 B.C. Therefore, the date for 1 and 2 Chronicles is between 425 and 400 B.C.
Background. The Book of 1 Chronicles covers the period from Adam to the death of David around 971 B.C. This is a remarkable scope of time, since it embraces the same period covered in the first ten books of the Old Testament, Genesis through 2 Samuel. Without the genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1–9, 1 and 2 Chronicles cover roughly the same time period as 1 and 2 Kings. However, the specific background of 1 and 2 Chronicles is the period after the Exile. During this time, the ancient world was under the control of the powerful Persian Empire. All that remained of the glorious kingdom of David and Solomon was the tiny province of Judah. The Persians had replaced the monarchy with a provincial governor. Though God’s people had been allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, their situation was far removed from the golden days of David and Solomon.
Occasion and Purpose. The return of the exiles from Babylon necessitated the recording of the history of God’s people, especially Judah. First Chronicles was written for the dual purpose of providing encouragement and exhortation to those who had returned to Jerusalem. The remnant that was left needed encouragement to keep their faith alive in the midst of difficulty, and they needed hope for the future. The emphasis of Chronicles on their spiritual heritage of David, Solomon, the temple, and the priesthood was a refreshing reminder that God was faithful and He would not forget His promises to David and to His people. Yet 1 Chronicles also served as a strong exhortation to motivate God’s people to adhere to the Mosaic covenant and ritual, so that the tragedy of the past would not be repeated.
Comparison with Kings. One may question the need for the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, since the material has already been covered in 1 and 2 Kings and other Old Testament books. However, though the books are similar, they are by no means identical. In the same way that there are four accounts of the life of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, there are two accounts of the history of God’s people. Though 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles are alike in content, they offer two different historical perspectives. While the Books of Kings were written to those in exile, the Books of Chronicles address the postexilic community. They were written for two different purposes. Compare the “Occasion and Purpose” section of this introduction with the same sections in the introductions to 1 and 2 Kings. Also, Kings and Chronicles have different political perspectives. While Kings embraces both kingdoms, Israel and Judah, Chronicles focuses only on Judah. Finally, Kings and Chronicles differ in their theological perspectives. Kings presents a prophetic outlook, while Chronicles operates from a priestly vantage point. However, Chronicles is like Kings in that it is not mere history, but rather theology in the form of a historical narrative. See Introductions to 1 and 2 Kings: Content.
Content. In the original Hebrew Scriptures, 1 and 2 Chronicles formed one book, entitled “Events of the Days.” It was divided and renamed “Things Passed Over” by the translators of the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX). The title “Chronicles” derives from Jerome. It is not a continuation of the history of God’s people, but a duplication of and a supplement to 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings.
The united work of 1 and 2 Chronicles can be divided into four main sections. First Chronicles gives genealogies (chs. 1–9) and outlines the reign of David (chs. 0–29). Second Chronicles sets forth the reign of Solomon (chs. 1–9) and traces the reigns of the twenty rulers of Judah (chs. 0–36).
The Book of 1 Chronicles has two main divisions. The first section is nine chapters of genealogies. The genealogies begin with Adam and proceed all the way through the Exile to those who returned to Jerusalem. This section is often passed over as unimportant. However, like the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the genealogies form a foundation for the account that will follow. First Chronicles is weighted with genealogies to underscore the need for racial and religious purity. The genealogies are selectively compiled to highlight the line of David and the tribe of Levi.
The second part of 1 Chronicles (chs. 0–29) records the events and accomplishments in the life of King David. Chapter 10 serves as a prologue to summarize the reign and death of King Saul. In chapters 11 and 12 David becomes king and secures Jerusalem. The rest of the account of David focuses on the three significant aspects of his reign, namely the bringing of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (chs. 3–17), his military exploits (chs. 8–20), and the preparations for the building of the temple (chs. 1–27). The closing two chapters of 1 Chronicles record David’s last days.
Personal Application. While 1 and 2 Kings draw out the fact of human responsibility, showing that sin leads to defeat, 1 Chronicles accentuates the sovereign deliverance of God. The twin themes of encouragement and exhortation still ring true today. God has been faithful throughout all of history to deliver those who cry out to Him. Chronicles skillfully tells the story of how God was true to His word and kept the promises He had made to His people. This is a great source of encouragement for believers of all ages. God is a promise-making and promise-keeping God who is worthy to be trusted. He is still a God of hope, and His purposes will prevail in the lives of His people. However, 1 Chronicles also exhorts us to learn from the failure of God’s people in the past, in order that we might not make the same mistakes (1 Cor. 10:11; Heb. 4:11).
Christ Revealed. Christ is foreshadowed in 1 Chronicles in much the same way as He is in 1 Kings (see Introduction to 1 Kings: Christ Revealed). However, in 1 Chronicles, many have seen an allusion to Christ in reference to the temple. First Chronicles 21 (also 2 Sam. 24) explains that as a consequence for sin, a death plague had broken out against Israel. David buys a piece of property from Ornan on which to make a sacrifice that stops the plague. This site on Mount Moriah was the very place where Solomon would build the temple (2 Chr. 3:1). It is possible that this was the very mountain where Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22:2). In the New Testament, three times Paul refers to believers as the “temple of God” (1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 6:19; Eph. 2:19–22). It is Christ who has purchased the ground for this spiritual temple. It was His sacrifice that delivered us from death (Rom. 5:12–18; 7:24, 25; 1 John 3:14).
The Holy Spirit at Work. There are two clear references to the Holy Spirit in 1 Chronicles. The first is in 12:18, where “the Spirit” came upon or clothed Amasai and enabled him to give an inspired utterance. See Introductions to 1 and 2 Kings: The Holy Spirit at Work. They describe the Holy Spirit’s inspiring others to prophesy during the kingdom period. The second reference to the Holy Spirit in 1 Chronicles is in 28:12, which explains that it was through the ministry of “the Spirit” that the plans of the temple were revealed to David.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
