As we come to study these books together you might initially feel that it is wasted time as the text covers only what we have already studied in Samuel and Kings. This is not true! The Holy Spirit has set down a message in these books that is distinctive from the other historical books.
BACKGROUND TO THE BOOKS
The Jews had been taken into captivity, and when they returned from Babylon under Ezra and, later, Nehemiah, there was a need to give the people some literature that would show them their roots, and also bring out the important events that had been omitted or only touched on lightly in the other books. Originally these two were one book, and there is good reason to believe that Ezra and Nehemiah were part of that one book as well. We shall deal with them as one book in our outline. The title of the book in our English version does not tell the purpose of the writer. A chronicle, by definition, records events without any thought of an ongoing purpose, whereas these books show a very definite purpose. The writer omits material and introduces material in order to show the rise of David and the ongoing history of his house. The other tribes, when mentioned, are shown as being in rebellion to God’s purpose. These books are showing the history of the family that is to bring Christ into the world. They also show the establishing of the priesthood under David, and a new dimension of praise and worship that had not been known in Israel before.
THE WRITER’S SOURCES
You will find many sources of information in these books that you will not have heard of before. Books are quoted from that are not mentioned anywhere in the Bible or in other sacred writings. An interesting comment in II Maccabees 2;13-15 may throw light on this. A letter from the Maccabean leaders in Jerusalem addressed to Aristobulus in Egypt tells how Nehemiah founded a library and gathered together the books about the kings and the prophets, as well as the books of David and the letters of the kings about sacred gifts. It is altogether possible that the writer of Chronicles had access to these books now lost and, under the inspiration of the Spirit, selected certain facts from them that He ordained should be included into the inspired Word of God. As you read through these books, make a note of every extra Biblical source that is quoted; also make note of every addition to the information that we have from Samuel and Kings, and of anything that the writer leaves out which the earlier historical books include. Ask yourself why the writer adds or omits.
OUTLINE OF I CHRONICLES
I CHRONICLES 1:1-9:44 GENEALOGIES OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH
Genealogies are never fun to read! The Israelites kept them in minute detail in order to establish the authentic Messiah when He came, because the prophecies stated that He was to come through the tribe of Judah and family of Abraham. These genealogies are not complete, but tie the people who return from captivity with their forefathers. It is of note that apart from the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, which establish His claim to being Messiah, there are no family lists in the New Testament. The reason for this is now that Messiah has come, every believer traces his life directly to Him and family trees mean nothing. You will recognize many of the names in these lists, but there are also many that you will not recognize. The emerging truth is that in the unfolding of God’s purpose there are not little or unknown people! God has not of everyone, even if he is never mentioned in the history books of the world. You will see that the line of Cain is omitted from the Genesis people. He had not part in the bringing to pass of God’s will, and so he is omitted. Take note that the writer never refers to God’s people as Jacob (as do other books) but always Israel, the name of those submitted and dedicated to God, as Jacob was after God conquered him and renamed him. It underscores the fact that this is the book about those who are uniquely His people. Read carefully chapter 4:9. Jabez, given his name which means “the one who gives pain” because of troubles at the time of his birth, is mentioned because his faith caused him to triumph over his name, and his prayer took him to an inheritance more than the average old covenant believer. It will be obvious by now that the main concern of the writer is Judah, the tribe of David. The other tribes are hardly mentioned because they are seen as rebellious, having rebelled and turned away from God’s anointed king and priesthood under Jeroboam.
I CHRONICLES 10:1-29:30 DAVID THE KING
10:1-14 THE DEATH OF SAUL
Saul is mentioned in a simple statement that he was in rebellion, and so was rejected and experienced the results of his rejection. The years of David wandering in the wilderness, rejected by Israel, is not mentioned because at that time the people were rejecting God’s will and choice.
11:1-12:40 DAVID IS MADE KING
Take note of David’s mighty men. Most of these men were in exile with David in the wilderness of Judah. The record of their exploits shows the interest of God in all that we do in faith in Him. They were the special men in David’s life and reign because they followed him at great cost. Note especially 12:8. These men had to defect from their own tribe to be with him. This answers to the fact set forth in the New Testament that we shall reign with Him as we enter into His death and resurrection before the world.
13:1-17:27 DAVID AND THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
The disastrous results of David’s sincere plan were because he was copying the Philistines (read I Samuel 6:7). god had tolerated the ignorance of the Philistines, but could not allow those who had access to His will to act like pagans. The ark had to be carried on the shoulders of the consecrated Levites. Note 16:4 The ministry of the Levites in God’s house is to make petition, to give thanks, to praise God – and to do so with musical instruments, making it a time of joyous celebration. Through Christ we are now His priests and ever live to celebrate Him with joy. Read I Peter 1:6-8. Note 16:7 This is not an original psalm. It is composed from three existing psalms; Psalm 105:1-15 (answering to verses 8-22); Psalm 96:1-13 (answering to verses 23-33); and Psalm 106:1,47,48 (answering to verses 34-36).
18:1-20:8 DAVID’S WARS
21:1-22:19 PREPARING TO BUILD THE TEMPLE
The reason God would not allow David to build the Temple is not mentioned in chapter 17. The reason obviously came to David later as he meditated on God’s refusal. There are many times when God says “no” to us; and later, as we meditate through prayer and His Word, He tells us why.
23:1-26:32 THE DUTIES OF THE LEVITES
27:1-34 GOD APPOINTED LEADERS OF THE NATION
28:1-29:30 SOLOMON APPOINTED KING
Compare 28:11-19 with Exodus 25:40. Moses saw a vision of the Tabernacle, and here David claims a vision of the Temple which He had been given by divine inspiration. Note 29:1-9. The Temple was to be built with the same principles by which God always operates with His people; with free will offerings. Take 29:10-19 as a model of prayer. It is one of the greatest in the Old Testament. Verses 10-13 are a prayer which you can use every day.