Jensens survey of the old testament adam 123
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the canon of Scripture. For example, the
books of Kings narrate the political and
royal fortunes of God’s elect people, and 1
and 2 Chronicles look at these in the light of
the sacred and ecclesiastical. This is
something like one’s study of John’s gospel,
where it is found that John repeats much of
the narrative of the other three gospels, but
he emphasizes interpretation and reflection.
II. BACKGROUNDOF 1 AND 2 CHRONICLES
A. TITLE
In the Hebrew Bible the books of
Chronicles are one, carrying the title “The
accounts of the days.” Jerome viewed the
text as a chronicle of the entire divine
history, and his Latin titles were translated
for the later English Bibles as 1 and 2
Chronicles.3
B. DATE AND AUTHOR
Chronicles was written in the latter half of
the fth century B.C., probably between 450
and 425. Some Bible students suggest that
Chronicles and Ezra were originally one
consecutive history (e.g., compare 2 Chron
36:22-23 and Ezra 1: 1-3a). It is very likely
that Ezra was the author.
C. PLACE IN THE CANON
Observe on Chart 1 that Chronicles is the
last book listed in the Hebrew Bible. (See
Chart 46.) Note that it appears in the list
long after Kings. This suggests that the early
Jews looked upon it as very distinct from
Kings, despite the similar historical
reporting.
In our English Bible, 1 and 2 Chronicles
appear immediately after the books of Kings
(just as the four gospels appear together).
D. CHRONICLES COMPARED WITH KINGS
As noted earlier, Chronicles and Kings
have much in common, as to content. But
the di erences are very clear and consistent.
The following tabulation shows various
contrasts:
KINGS
CHRONICLES
1. prophetic perspective (e.g., judgments)
priestly perspective (e.g., hopes)
2. wars very prominent
Temple very prominent
3. the fortunes of the thrones
continuity of the Davidic line
4. record of both Israel and Judah
record primarily of Judah
5. morality
redemption
On the di erent perspectives noted above,
see Chart 47.
The books of Chronicles are more
selective than Kings, illustrated in the fact
that the Northern Kingdom of Israel is
hardly mentioned. The author makes
prominent the unbroken (though at times
slender) thread of the covenant promise
from the earliest days and through the
Davidic dynasty, represented by the house of
Judah (cf. 1 Chron 28:4). Hence the
inclusion of:
a) The genealogies (1 Chron 1-9), where the
Davidic line, the descendants of Levi and
the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin
are of chief interest.
b) The high points of Judah’s history up to
the captivity.
c) The prominent place given to the Temple,
priesthood, and other worship items.
III. SURVEYOF 1 CHRONICLES
1. Follow the procedures of survey study
suggested in the preceding chapters.
2. What strikes you about the rst nine
chapters?
3. Who is the main character of chapters
10-29?
4. What chapters have much to say about
the Temple? (Note: The phrase “house of
