Topical Encyclopedia The First and Second Books of Chronicles, often referred to simply as "Chronicles," are historical books of the Old Testament that provide a comprehensive account of Israel's history from a theological perspective. These books are traditionally attributed to Ezra, a priest and scribe, and are believed to have been written during the post-exilic period, around the 5th century BC. Chronicles offers a retelling of events found in the books of Samuel and Kings, with a particular focus on the southern kingdom of Judah, the Davidic line, and the temple in Jerusalem.Purpose and Themes Chronicles serves to remind the post-exilic community of their identity and heritage as God's chosen people. It emphasizes the importance of the Davidic covenant, the centrality of the temple, and the necessity of faithfulness to God's law. The Chronicler seeks to inspire hope and encourage spiritual renewal by highlighting God's faithfulness and the continuity of His promises. Key themes include: 1. The Davidic Covenant: Chronicles underscores God's covenant with David, emphasizing the legitimacy and divine approval of the Davidic dynasty. "I will establish his throne forever" (1 Chronicles 17:12) reflects the enduring promise to David's line. 2. Temple Worship: The temple is portrayed as the focal point of Israel's religious life. Chronicles details the preparations for its construction by David and its completion by Solomon, highlighting the importance of proper worship and adherence to God's commands. 3. Faithfulness and Apostasy: The books contrast the blessings of obedience with the consequences of apostasy. The reigns of faithful kings like Hezekiah and Josiah are celebrated, while the failures of others serve as warnings. 4. Restoration and Hope: Chronicles concludes with the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the temple, symbolizing God's ongoing plan for His people. Structure and Content First Chronicles begins with genealogies that trace Israel's history from Adam to the post-exilic community, establishing a connection to the past. The narrative then focuses on the reign of David, highlighting his military victories, preparations for the temple, and the organization of worship. Second Chronicles continues with the reign of Solomon, emphasizing his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the temple. The subsequent chapters recount the history of the kings of Judah, from Rehoboam to the Babylonian exile, with particular attention to religious reforms and the consequences of idolatry. Significant Passages · David's Charge to Solomon: "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you" (1 Chronicles 28:20). This charge underscores the importance of reliance on God in fulfilling His purposes. · Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom: "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people" (2 Chronicles 1:10). Solomon's request highlights the value of divine wisdom in leadership. · The Dedication of the Temple: "When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple" (2 Chronicles 7:1). This event signifies God's approval and presence among His people. Historical and Theological Significance Chronicles provides a theological interpretation of Israel's history, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the importance of covenant faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the enduring promises to David and the centrality of worship in the life of God's people. By focusing on the positive aspects of Israel's history and the hope of restoration, Chronicles encourages the post-exilic community to remain faithful to their covenantal identity. Smith's Bible Dictionary First and Second Books Of Chroniclesthe name originally given to the record made by the appointed historiographers in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. In the LXX. these books are called Paralipomena (i.e. things omitted), which is understood as meaning that they are supplementary to the books of Kings. The constant tradition of the Jews is that these books were for the most part compiled by Ezra. One of the greatest difficulties connected with the captivity and return must have been the maintenance of that genealogical distribution of the land which yet was a vital point of the Jewish economy. To supply this want and that each tribe might secure the inheritance of its fathers on its return was one object of the author of these books. Another difficulty intimately connected with the former was the maintenance of the temple services at Jerusalem. Zerubbabel, and after him Ezra and Nehemiah, labored most earnestly to restore the worship of God among the people, and to reinfuse something of national life and spirit into their hearts. Nothing could more effectually aid these designs than setting before the people a compendious history of the kingdom of David, its prosperity under God; the sins that led to its overthrow; the captivity and return. These considerations explain the plan and scope of that historical work which consists of the two books of Chronicles. The first book contains the sacred history by genealogies from the Creation to David, including an account of David's reign. In the second book he continues the story, giving the history of the kings of Judah, without those of Israel, down to the return from the captivity. As regards the materials used by Ezra, they are not difficult to discover. The genealogies are obviously transcribed from some register in which were preserved the genealogies of the tribes and families drawn up at different times; while the history is mainly drawn from the same document as those used in the books of King. [KINGS, FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS OF, BOOKS OF] Library First and Second Chronicles. The Books of Samuel and Kings. The Historical Books. These are all the Books of Old Testament Appointed to be Read... Use of the Old Testament by the First Christian Writers, and by ... On the Rule of Religion, the Word of God, and the Scriptures in ... The History Books Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon. Concerning Scripture . How the Books were Written. Resources What is the first earth age? Is the concept of a first earth age biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the law of first mention? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that Jesus is the 'first-born' over Creation? | GotQuestions.org First: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics First and Second Books Of Chronicles First and Second Books Of Kings First Epistle To The Corinthians First Epistle To The Thessalonians First Fruits: As a Heave offering First Fruits: Belonged to the Priests First Fruits: First Ripe of Fruits, Grain, Oil, Wine, and First of Fleece, Required As an offering First Fruits: Freewill offerings of, Given to the Prophets First Fruits: Offerings of, Must be Free from Blemish First Fruits: Presented at the Tabernacle First Fruits: To be offered As a Thank-Offering Upon Entrance Into the Land of Promise First Fruits: Wave offering of The First Born of Clean Beasts: Antiquity of offering The First Born of Clean Beasts: Could not be a Free-Will offering The First Born of Clean Beasts: Flesh of, the Priest's Portion The First Born of Clean Beasts: Law of Redemption For The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not Shorn The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not Taken from the Dam for Seven Days The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not to Labour The First Born of Clean Beasts: Offered in Sacrifice The First Born of Clean Beasts: To be Redeemed The First Born of Israel: Price of Redemption For The First Born of Israel: Price of, Given to the Priests The First Born of Israel: To be Redeemed The First Born of Israel: Tribe of Levi Taken For The First Born of Man and Beast Dedicated to God The First Born of the Donkey to be Redeemed With Lamb or Its Neck Broken The First Born: Dedicated to Commemorate the Sparing of the First Born of The First Born: Laws Respecting, Observed at Christ's Birth The First Born: Laws Respecting, Restored After the Captivity The First Born: Objects of Special Love The First Born: Precious and Valuable The First Born: Privileges of a Double Portion of Inheritance The First Born: Privileges of Authority Over the Younger Children The First Born: Privileges of Could be Forfeited by Misconduct The First Born: Privileges of Could be Sold The First Born: Privileges of in Case of Death the Next Brother to Raise up Seed To The First Born: Privileges of not to be Alienated by Parents Through Caprice The First Born: Privileges of Precedence in the Family The First Born: Privileges of Special Blessing by the Father The First Born: Privileges of The Father's Title and Power The First Born: Superseded: Aaron The First Born: Superseded: Adonijah The First Born: Superseded: Cain The First Born: Superseded: David's Brothers The First Born: Superseded: Esau The First Born: Superseded: Ishmael The First Born: Superseded: Japheth The First Born: Superseded: Manasseh The First Born: Superseded: Reuben The First Born: The Beginning of Strength and Excellency of Power The First Born: The Dignity of Christ The First Born: The Dignity of the Church The First Fruits: Allotted to the Priests The First Fruits: Church of Christ The First Fruits: Different Kinds of all Agricultural Produce The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Barley Harvest The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Fruit of New Trees in Fourth Year The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Honey The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wheat Harvest The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wine and Oil The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wool The First Fruits: First Converts in Any Place The First Fruits: God Honored by the offering of The First Fruits: Holy to the Lord The First Fruits: Law of, Restored After the Captivity The First Fruits: Offering of, Consecrated the Whole The First Fruits: Resurrection of Christ The First Fruits: The Jewish Church The First Fruits: To be Brought to God's House The First Fruits: To be offered in a Basket The First Fruits: To be offered with Thanksgiving The First Fruits: To be offered without Delay The First Fruits: To be the Very Best of Their Kind Related Terms |
    |