The Basics: A Brief Overview of First and Second Chronicles
The Basics course is designed to help brothers and sisters in Christ, who have a desire for a brief study over each of the books of the Bible. While being more than just a timeline, it is designed to give a person a more realistic overview of the entire Bible. As well as pointing out different highlights along the way. Imagine riding in a car and seeing exit signs for a town. Each sign gives a brief glimpse of what is inside, while if you wanted to thoroughly investigate the town you would have to take the exit. This series is a collected work of the books of the Bible while continuing to drive past each of the exits. I would encourage you to take any exit and allow the Lord God to direct your path to where He would guide.
The Bible is written into 66 different books. Each one unique on its own but designed to be with its other collected works.
Cautionary Note: This work is not to argue for the authenticity of the Bible nor is it to argue over the mechanics of how God used man to write His Words. This is designed as an overview for someone to review the book in passing. Nevertheless, we here at Mill House Ministries believe that the Bible is without error and was written by God, through His divine attributes, through man.
These overviews are sequenced in the below fashion. Each overview is designed to flow in unison.
Introduction
Who wrote it
When did they write it
Key topics
Key sections
Books that interact with each other
Analysis of the Book
As previously stated, if you find yourself drawn to one of these books, please take the time and see what God is wanting to show you in that book.
BASICS COURSE: 1 and 2 Chronicles
INTRODUCTION:
If you are reading each book of the Bible you might be mistaken into thinking that 1st and 2nd Chronicles is the same as 1st and 2nd Kings. The stories are almost the same, and yet the timelines are a little different. The same characters are present, and yet the narrative looks like it is coming from a different point of view. While 1st and 2nd Kings is written through the eyes of God with the Kings, 1st and 2nd Chronicles (here after Chronicles) is written through the eyes of the Kings. For those wanting to study any of the Chronicle books, you would be wise to read parallel to the books of 1st and 2nd Kings as well. The books are written for a Jewish audience needing to know their past and how they had ended up where they were.
WHO WROTE IT:
While the author is unknown, some scholars have noticed that Ezra could be the author based on similarities in writing style. Ultimately, while we do not know who wrote the books of Chronicles, we do know that they are recognized as part of the Bible and should be studied nonetheless.
WHEN DID THEY WRITE IT:
According to Insight for Living “Archaeological evidence supports this premise. Fragments of an actual manuscript of Chronicles found at Qumran makes a date in the Persian period (538–333 BC) almost certain.”
KEY TOPICS:
The book of Chronicles shows the reader several topics such as genealogy, society, government, Religion, prophecy, Prophets, man, woman, sex, children, family issues, promises, war, witchcraft, God, love, and finally Jesus Christ foreshadowed.
KEY SECTIONS:
Because the book of Chronicles has been divided into two books we will tackle the first division and then the second division.
Division (1)
Chapters 1-9 are the genealogies of the Jewish people. Chapter 10 is about King Saul and his death, chapters 11-29 are about King David.
Division (2)
Chapters 1-9 is about King Solomon and his reign, chapters 10-36 the nation is divided into two separate nations with Israel having no good Kings and Judah having both good and bad Kings.
BOOKS THAT INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER:
Chronicles interacts with 1st and 2nd Samuel, and 1st and 2nd Kings. The timelines of many of the events regard some of the same people or even the same historical accounts from different witnesses.
ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK:
The accounts written in Chronicles should be given as much respect as any other written work in the Bible. God wanted the readers during the return of the Jewish people from exile knowing what had transpired and went out of His way to make sure everything they needed to know, and ultimately us was there. Chuck Swindoll tackles this issue, “Archaeological evidence supports this premise. “Fragments of an actual manuscript of Chronicles found at Qumran makes a date in the Persian period (538–333 BC) almost certain.” Dr. J. Vernon McGee further expounds on this by stating, “Many treat Chronicles and Kings as if they were “Cabbages and Kings.” Are the Chronicles a duplication of Kings? Although they cover the same ground from Saul to Zedekiah, they are not duplications. Greek translators gave Chronicles the title of “Things Omitted” — there is more here that does not occur in the other historical books. This is another instance of the law of recurrence or recapitulation, seen previously in Genesis 2 and Deuteronomy, by which God goes over previously covered ground in order to add details and emphasize that which He considers important. This is exactly the case in Chronicles.”
If you are looking for books that will help you understand why and how witnesses in the New Testament act a certain way, Chronicles will help shed light. If you are wanting to parallel lessons for children that are applicable even today, Chronicles is ripe for the picking. Chronicles is truly written for anyone who is wanting to learn. Be them young or old, educated or not, the book can be applied to all generations and time periods. While it can be seen as a daunting read, it shouldn’t be. Yet, the scripture must be given the respect it deserves. There are real truths that if applied in our lives today, a Christian would have a better knowledge and a deeper understanding of the interdependence that the New Testament has to the Old Testament, and in particular Chronicles.
Nevertheless, Chronicles gives a clear and rather large overview of all the Kings of the Jewish people up to their coming final one, there is hidden treasures found throughout the two books that any careful reader, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will uncover. One in particular is the desire for the Jewish people to have their Messiah come. Just take the first King of the Jewish people (King Saul) and the final King of the Jewish people (King Zedekiah) and see what their names mean together. The name Saul means “Asked for” while Zedekiah means “the righteousness of God” and with their final King, King Jesus, they will have that answer. Chronicles ends abruptly because it is the story of the Jewish people, which has not finished being told, May 14th 1948 is proof their story is not over.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL