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Bible Survey Lesson 19: Books of Chronicles, 1 & 2, A
The tradition is that 1 and 2 Chronicles were written by Ezra. The Books of 1 & 2 Chronicles mostly cover the same information as 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. The distinction is that 1 & 2 Chronicles focuses more on the priestly aspect of the kingdom time period. The Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles recount the history of the people of Israel from the death of King Saul to after the time of exile in Babylon, including mentioning the decree of Cyrus allowing God’s people to return to the land and build a temple (2 Chr. 36:22-23).
Overview of 1 Chronicles & 2 Chronicles
The tradition is that 1 and 2 Chronicles were written by Ezra. The Books of 1 & 2 Chronicles cover mostly the same information as 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. Perhaps the biggest distinction is that 1 & 2 Chronicles focus more on the priestly aspect of the time period.
The Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, originally one book, were given the title Chronicles by Jerome in the fourth century A.D., because it seemed to him to be a more descriptive title than the Greek (LXX) title “Paraleipomena”, “the things omitted.”
Genealogy from Adam – 1 Chronicles 1 – 29 NASB1995
The first nine (9) chapters of 1 Chronicles are dedicated to lists and genealogies. Further lists and genealogies are scattered throughout the rest of 1 Chronicles. In between, the Book of 1 Chronicles records David’s ascension to the throne and his actions thereafter. The book concludes with David’s son Solomon becoming King of Israel. Briefly outlined, the Book of 1 Chronicles is as follows: Chapters 1:1-9:23 – Selective Genealogies; Chapters 9:24-12:40 – David’s ascent; Chapters 13:1-20:30 -David’s reign.
The Book of 1 Chronicles was written after the exile to help those returning to Israel understand how to worship God. The history focused on the Southern Kingdom, the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. These tribes tended to be more faithful to God.
Solomon Worships at Gibeon – 2 Chronicles 1 – 36 NASB1995
The Book of 2 Chronicles was mainly concerned with the southern kingdom of Judah, and only mentions Israel when the two kingdoms ‘collide’. Taken from a priestly point of view, it tends to concentrate on the spiritual well-being or otherwise of Judah.
In chapters 2-7, Solomon builds and dedicates the Temple. Thereafter the rules of the different kings are gone into in more detail, as is the destruction of both the northern and the southern kingdoms.
The Book of 2 Chronicles ends with the return from exile in Babylon, of the southern kingdom of Judah.