Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook

First divided by the Greek translators (second century bc), 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book, Dibre Hayyamin, "events of the days," in the Hebrew Bible. The English title comes from Chronicon, the name given by the Latin translator Jerome.

"Yet the Lord God of Israel chose me out of all my father's household to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah, my father's household, and from my father's sons, He was pleased to make me king over all Israel."

First Chronicles focuses on how God established the everlasting dynasty of David, describing David's positive achievements, both religious and military.

After extensive introductory genealogies, the author tells how David ruled for 40 years under the blessing of God, particularly as he lavished attention on Jerusalem, the priesthood, and preparation for building the temple.

Scholars refer to the anonymous author of 1 and 2 Chronicles as "the Chronicler." According to Jewish tradition, Ezra was the composer, but this cannot be either proved or disproved. The work was written after the return of the exiles from Babylon. Some scholars date the book in the 300s, but on the whole an earlier date seems more likely.

The book does not state its original audience or destination, but see the discussion on the book's purpose below. Perhaps the original manuscript was placed in a book depository in the rebuilt temple. There it would have joined the growing collection of Israel's sacred Scriptures.

Because the authorship and date are uncertain, no one knows what prompted Chronicles to be written. The author used many sources, including the biblical books of Samuel and Kings. The author mentioned official court documents, called "The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel" (1 Ch 9:1; 2 Ch 16:11). He also had access to material written by certain prophets, such as "The Events of Samuel the Seer, the Events of Nathan the Prophet, and the Events of Gad the Seer" (1 Ch 29:29); "The Events of Jehu son of Hanani" (2 Ch 20:34); and "The Visions of the Prophet Isaiah son of Amoz" (2 Ch 32:32). Other sources, such as old genealogies and temple lists, appear likely.

Since this book was originally the first half of a single composition, the purpose for the books now called 1 and 2 Chronicles must be considered together. This work answered important questions for Israelites who had returned after years of exile in Babylon. Their times were difficult and disappointing. Did they still fit into God's plan? Were the promises of God still applicable to them? Further, what religious and political institutions were important? Finally, what lessons from the past could they learn to keep from making the same mistakes?

The author answered these questions by compiling a highly selective religious history. The covenant God made with David concerning an eternal dynasty was still in effect. Even with no Davidic king on the throne, they were still God's people and could still wait in hope for restoration of the monarchy. While waiting, they could do the things God required, such as offer the right sacrifices with the right priests at the right place. Finally, although David and Solomon are presented as ideal kings, the apostasy of later kings is noted as the cause of Babylonian exile (2 Ch 36:16). God's people who study the books of Chronicles today should do so with the author's original purposes in mind.

First and 2 Chronicles give the history of Israel from its ancestral roots in Adam to the period of restoration after the Babylonian exile (chaps. 1–9). An important function of the genealogies that begin Chronicles is to show continuity in God's plan for Israel. The genealogies are not a sterile recitation of names. They are a significant statement of Israel's place in the whole sweep of God's plan for the world. The Chronicler found the proper appreciation of universal history in the founding of Israel, the appointment of David, and the building of the temple, where God resided in the world (a foretaste of the true Temple, Jesus Christ, who resided in the world as a man; see John 12).

Hearing of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David avenged the murderer of Saul and sang a lament over the fallen (2Sm 1). He moved to Hebron, where the citizens of Judah crowned him king (2Sam. 2). This led to war with Israel under Saul's son Ish-bosheth. After much intrigue, Ish-bosheth's commanders assassinated him. David did the same to them (2Sm 4). The northern tribes then crowned David king at Hebron, uniting all Israel under him. He led the capture of Jerusalem and made it his capital. David then organized his administration and subdued other nations who opposed him, finally gaining control of the land God had originally promised the forefathers.

The episode of Saul's death provides the background for David's kingdom (10:1–13). David's rule was glorious, and the pinnacle of his reign was the bringing of the ark into Jerusalem (15:1–29). God honored David's desire to build a temple by granting him an eternal throne (17:1–27). David prospered all the more because of God's blessing and dedicated to the Lord the spoils of his victories (chaps. 18–20).

The final section features the preparations David made for the building of the temple (22:1–19). For the Chronicler this was the most important contribution of the king and governed his account of David's reign. The temple site was divinely chosen. David organized the Levites and priests for the temple work, organized the army, and held a national convocation (chaps. 23–29). There the people contributed gifts (29:1–9). Solomon was anointed as king and Zadok as the priest (29:22–25).

The Messianic promise of a son of David to rule over Israel occupies the center of 1 Chronicles (chap. 17). The family lines of Israel's kings are traced (chap. 3), showing that God has been faithful to maintain a son of David to lead Israel even in the face of exile. This son of David is described as the eternally loved son of God (17:13; Lk 1:32–33; Heb 1:5). David's prayer of praise (29:10–13) is applied to Jesus (Rv 5:12–13).

God is sovereign in carrying out His kingdom plans. His unconditional covenant with undeserving David (chap. 17) is as magnificent as His covenant with Abraham. He desires the worship of His people in the ways He has revealed. (See 1 Ch 28:12 for the Holy Spirit's work in revealing the plans for temple construction.) David's concern for the ark, his preparation for building the temple, and his organizing the priests and Levites properly show this.

The long genealogies at the beginning of 1 Chronicles show that God cares for persons as individuals. Each one has worth as created in the image of God. If a historian took the trouble to discover and preserve these lists that may seem tedious, how much more does God care for the "little people" that can appear to be insignificant. Moreover David modeled magnificently that humans can accomplish great tasks for God when their hearts are passionately turned to pleasing Him.

The book's clearest teaching on salvation as the gift of God is David's psalm of thanksgiving when the ark of the covenant was finally moved into a tent (chap. 16). The conclusion especially demonstrates that the purpose of salvation is to bring glory to God: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. And say: Save us, God of our salvation; gather us and rescue us from the nations so that we may give thanks to Your holy name and rejoice in Your praise. May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised from everlasting to everlasting" (16:34–36).

The genealogical material is the most extensive found in Scripture. The account of David's kingship is focused differently from the account in 2 Samuel. Neither his adultery with Bathsheba nor the treason of Absalom is considered. David is almost perfect in 1 Chronicles; even his taking a census of Israel is attributed to Satan and resulted in the royal discovery of the proper site for the temple (chap. 21). The brief poetic sections preserve prayers of David (chaps. 16; 29). See comments on Genre and Literary Style in NEHEMIAH for further material about the possible literary relationship of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

Building God's Eternal Kingdom (1Ch 29:22b–30, Life Essentials Study Bible, p. 543)

As we live our lives, we should have as a primary goal to build God's eternal kingdom, not our own.