The Second 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. Since 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book (see “Content” below), they are to be considered together in the matter of authorship. The fact that the identity of the author of this united work is not stated in either 1 or 2 Chronicles has led many to refer to this unknown author simply as “the chronicler.” However, Ezra is the most likely candidate for the authorship of 1 and 2 Chronicles. The early Jewish tradition of the Talmud affirms that Ezra wrote 1 and 2 Chronicles. Also, the closing verses of 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 and 2 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 of 1 and 2 Chronicles cannot be established, this unified work 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 1 and 2 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 2 Chronicles covers the period from the beginning of the reign of Solomon in 971 B.C. to the end of the Exile around 538 B.C. 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. Second 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 2 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 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 Introductions to 1 and 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles: Occasion and Purpose. 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.
Second Chronicles can be divided into two main sections. The first part of 2 Chronicles (chs. 1–9) outlines the reign of King Solomon. The account accents the construction of the temple (chs. 2–7), and the wealth and wisdom of this extraordinary king (chs. 8; 9). However, the narrative ends abruptly and makes no mention of Solomon’s failure as is recorded in 1 Kings 11.
The second section of 2 Chronicles consists of chapters 10–36. After the division of the kingdom, 2 Chronicles concentrates almost exclusively on the southern kingdom of Judah and treats the history of the northern kingdom of Israel as incidental. Second Chronicles traces the reigns of Judah’s twenty rulers down to Babylon’s captivity of Judah in 586 B.C. The book concludes with Cyrus’s decree for Judah’s release and return (36:22, 23).
Personal Application. While 1 and 2 Kings draw out the fact of human responsibility, showing that sin leads to defeat, 2 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. Second 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, 2 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 2 Chronicles in much the same way as He is in 2 Kings (see Introduction to 2 Kings: Christ Revealed). However, in 2 Chronicles, many have seen an allusion to Christ in reference to the temple. First Chronicles 21 (see 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 (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 three clear references to the Holy Spirit in 2 Chronicles. He is referred to as the “Spirit of God” (15:1; 24:20) and the “Spirit of the LORD” (20:14). In these references, the Holy Spirit was active to give inspired utterances through Azariah (15:1), Jahaziel (20:14), and Zechariah (24:20). This work of the Holy Spirit to inspire people to prophesy is similar to His activity in 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. See Introductions to 1 and 2 Kings: The Holy Spirit at Work.
Besides these references, many see a picture of the Holy Spirit in 2 Chronicles 5:13, 14 (cf. also 1 Kin. 8:10, 11) at the dedication of the temple. This temple, which was built on a place that was purchased, a place where sacrifice was made for sin, is now filled with the presence of God. In the New Testament, Paul explains that believers are the temple of God, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).
Finally, there is a possible reference to the Holy Spirit in 18:23. This is a parallel reference to 1 Kings 22:24. See note on 1 Kings 22:24.
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. Since 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book (see “Content” below), they are to be considered together in the matter of authorship. The fact that the identity of the author of this united work is not stated in either 1 or 2 Chronicles has led many to refer to this unknown author simply as “the chronicler.” However, Ezra is the most likely candidate for the authorship of 1 and 2 Chronicles. The early Jewish tradition of the Talmud affirms that Ezra wrote 1 and 2 Chronicles. Also, the closing verses of 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 and 2 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 of 1 and 2 Chronicles cannot be established, this unified work 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 1 and 2 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 2 Chronicles covers the period from the beginning of the reign of Solomon in 971 B.C. to the end of the Exile around 538 B.C. 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. Second 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 2 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 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 Introductions to 1 and 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles: Occasion and Purpose. 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.
Second Chronicles can be divided into two main sections. The first part of 2 Chronicles (chs. 1–9) outlines the reign of King Solomon. The account accents the construction of the temple (chs. 2–7), and the wealth and wisdom of this extraordinary king (chs. 8; 9). However, the narrative ends abruptly and makes no mention of Solomon’s failure as is recorded in 1 Kings 11.
The second section of 2 Chronicles consists of chapters 10–36. After the division of the kingdom, 2 Chronicles concentrates almost exclusively on the southern kingdom of Judah and treats the history of the northern kingdom of Israel as incidental. Second Chronicles traces the reigns of Judah’s twenty rulers down to Babylon’s captivity of Judah in 586 B.C. The book concludes with Cyrus’s decree for Judah’s release and return (36:22, 23).
Personal Application. While 1 and 2 Kings draw out the fact of human responsibility, showing that sin leads to defeat, 2 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. Second 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, 2 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 2 Chronicles in much the same way as He is in 2 Kings (see Introduction to 2 Kings: Christ Revealed). However, in 2 Chronicles, many have seen an allusion to Christ in reference to the temple. First Chronicles 21 (see 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 (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 three clear references to the Holy Spirit in 2 Chronicles. He is referred to as the “Spirit of God” (15:1; 24:20) and the “Spirit of the LORD” (20:14). In these references, the Holy Spirit was active to give inspired utterances through Azariah (15:1), Jahaziel (20:14), and Zechariah (24:20). This work of the Holy Spirit to inspire people to prophesy is similar to His activity in 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. See Introductions to 1 and 2 Kings: The Holy Spirit at Work.
Besides these references, many see a picture of the Holy Spirit in 2 Chronicles 5:13, 14 (cf. also 1 Kin. 8:10, 11) at the dedication of the temple. This temple, which was built on a place that was purchased, a place where sacrifice was made for sin, is now filled with the presence of God. In the New Testament, Paul explains that believers are the temple of God, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).
Finally, there is a possible reference to the Holy Spirit in 18:23. This is a parallel reference to 1 Kings 22:24. See note on 1 Kings 22:24.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
