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.