Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Chronicles of David
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The "Chronicles of David" is a non-extant work referenced within the canonical Scriptures, specifically in the context of the historical accounts of King David's reign. This work is mentioned in the Bible as a source of additional information about David's life and deeds, which are not fully detailed in the existing biblical texts.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to the "Chronicles of David" is found in 1 Chronicles 27:24, which states: "Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. Wrath came upon Israel on account of this census, and the number was not entered in the book of the chronicles of King David." . This passage suggests that the Chronicles of David contained records of events and possibly administrative details from David's reign, including the controversial census conducted by Joab.

Nature and Content:

While the exact content of the "Chronicles of David" is unknown due to its non-extant status, it is reasonable to infer that it was a historical document or set of records that chronicled the reign of King David. It likely included detailed accounts of his military campaigns, administrative decisions, and possibly personal aspects of his life and reign that were deemed significant for historical or theological reasons.

The mention of this work in the context of the census incident implies that it may have served as an official record, possibly maintained by royal scribes, to document the king's activities and the affairs of the kingdom. Such chronicles would have been valuable for preserving the history and legacy of David's rule, providing insights into his leadership and the challenges faced by Israel during his time.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of the "Chronicles of David" underscores the importance of historical documentation in the biblical narrative. It highlights the meticulous nature of record-keeping in ancient Israel and the desire to preserve the legacy of key figures like David. The reference to this non-extant work also serves as a reminder of the limitations of the biblical canon, suggesting that there were additional sources of information that were not included in the Scriptures as we have them today.

Theologically, the existence of such chronicles points to the providence of God in guiding the preservation of the biblical texts that were deemed necessary for His purposes. While the "Chronicles of David" itself is not available to us, the canonical books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles provide a divinely inspired account of David's life and reign, sufficient for understanding his role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Historical Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, it was common for kings to maintain detailed records of their reigns, including military exploits, building projects, and administrative matters. These records served not only as historical documentation but also as a means of legitimizing the king's rule and achievements. The "Chronicles of David" would have fit within this tradition, providing a comprehensive account of one of Israel's most significant monarchs.

The reference to this work in the biblical text suggests that it was a well-known and authoritative source during the time the Scriptures were written. Its mention indicates that the chroniclers and historians of Israel had access to a wealth of information about David's reign, which they could draw upon to compile the inspired accounts found in the Bible.

In summary, while the "Chronicles of David" itself is not extant, its mention in Scripture points to the existence of a detailed historical record of King David's reign, reflecting the importance of such documentation in the ancient world and its role in the biblical narrative.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Chronicles 27:24
Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

His Review of the Canonical Scriptures.
... the only fragments of Origen's Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews now extant. ...
read in church, but the text of a book or books as a whole, was not at all ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxv his review of the.htm

Melito and the Circumstances which He Records.
... the extracts, dividing them into six books." Such are ... meaning of Scripture words,
like the extant Latin Clavis ... must have been very literal--not allegorical--in ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxvi melito and the circumstances.htm

How the Books were Written.
... Out of all this vast mass of extant manuscripts, only ... It contains most of the apocryphal
books, and several ... of the old record are greatly expanded; not only is ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter xii how the books.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... from Josephus in this his supposal, that such books and arts ... ch.4.12 [part of which
from rains are still extant, as Mr ... [23] That by scorpions is not here meant ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

The Plenary Inspiration of Every Part of the Bible, vindicated and ...
... the third Evangelist had access to extant documents of ... essentially distinguished
from all other books, so far as ... We may not multiply miracles needlessly, it is ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon iv the plenary inspiration.htm

The Martyrdom of James, who was Called the Brother of the Lord.
... as respective designations of two distinct classes of books. ... few faint reminiscences
of it in his extant works, and ... of the Lord," but does not express himself ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxiii the martyrdom of james.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... of the Egyptian kings in three entire books, he says ... Esther and Mordecai, whose book
is still extant, as also ... of Juda, Benjamin, and Levi were not taken captive ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Making of the King James Version; Its
... or else are supplemental to certain Old Testament books. ... The records are not extant
that tell whether this ... The method of transliteration did not always work to ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture ii the making of.htm

Seances Historiques De Geneve --The National Church.
... appeal to the most ancient records extant, and even to ... But after all, the important
phrase is, that the ... Church could not receive without doubt books not as yet ...
/.../seances historiques de genevethe national.htm

Professor of Sanskrit, Bengali, and Marathi
... led him to Oriental studies, published two books with a ... a few presentation copies
are extant, one of ... contributions to Sanskrit scholarship were not confined to ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ix professor of sanskrit.htm

Resources
What are the lost books of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the books of the Bible? What does it mean that the Bible is composed of different books? | GotQuestions.org

Should we read other books, or just the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Books: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Books

Books of Adam

Books Of Maccabees

Books Of Samuel

Books were Numerous and Most Expensive

Books: Divine Communications Recorded In

Books: Erasures In, Alluded To

Books: Important Events Recorded In

Books: Made in a Roll

Books: Made of Papyrus or Paper Reed

Books: Made of Parchment

Books: Memorials of Conversation and Conduct of Men

Books: Memorials of God's Providence

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Acts of Solomon

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Ahijah the Shilonite

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Chronicles of David

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Gad the Seer

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Jasher

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Jehu the Son of Hanani

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Nathan

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Natural History by Solomon

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Samuel Concerning the Kingdom

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Samuel the Seer

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Sayings of the Seers

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Shemaiah

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: The Kings

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Visions of Iddo

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Wars of the Lord

Books: Often Dedicated to Persons of Distinction

Books: Often Sealed

Books: Often Written on Both Sides

Books: Probable Origin of

Books: The Ancients Fond of Making

Books: The Record of the Church of Christ

Books: Written With Pen and Ink

Related Terms

Deutero-canonical

Deuterocanonical

Parchments (1 Occurrence)

History (57 Occurrences)

Jude (4 Occurrences)

Ethiopic

Kings (350 Occurrences)

Ezranehemiah

Ezra-nehemiah

Library

Quotations

I-iii

Introduction (3 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)

Canonicity

Kirjathsepher (4 Occurrences)

Kirjath-sepher (4 Occurrences)

Judith (1 Occurrence)

Writing (194 Occurrences)

Recorded (141 Occurrences)

Debir (12 Occurrences)

Chapter

Carpus (1 Occurrence)

Curious (18 Occurrences)

Scripture (51 Occurrences)

Scroll (70 Occurrences)

Study (7 Occurrences)

Print (3 Occurrences)

Dictionaries

Hexateuch

Armenian

Roll (57 Occurrences)

Printed (2 Occurrences)

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)

Printing

Hagiographa

Providence (3 Occurrences)

Hell (53 Occurrences)

Apocalyptic

Genesis

Flavius

Mother (2641 Occurrences)

Josephus

Syriac (2 Occurrences)

Sirach

Libraries

Intercession (12 Occurrences)

Esdras

Chronicles (45 Occurrences)

Job (60 Occurrences)

Vulgate

Apocrypha

Ruth (19 Occurrences)

Zion (169 Occurrences)

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)

Septuagint

Numbers (136 Occurrences)

Manuscripts

Valued (27 Occurrences)

Jason (5 Occurrences)

Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)

Foreknow (1 Occurrence)

Troas (6 Occurrences)

Theocracy

Experts (10 Occurrences)

Ethics

Myriads (24 Occurrences)

Bits (54 Occurrences)

Cloke (7 Occurrences)

Asmoneans

Scrolls (3 Occurrences)

Preacher (27 Occurrences)

Judges (117 Occurrences)

Number (2370 Occurrences)

Commentaries

Hymn (5 Occurrences)

Front (327 Occurrences)

Amos (12 Occurrences)

Queen (59 Occurrences)

Books: Not Extant, But Mentioned in Scripture: Ahijah the Shilonite
Top of Page
Top of Page