Chronicles and thus the Hebrew Bible conclude with this positive authorization and admonition from Cyrus the Great in ca. 538 BC as Judah’s Babylonian captivity was nearing its end:
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah—the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 23 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up!’”
These same words open Ezra–Nehemiah. The significance of this proclamation of a new beginning for Israel, Jerusalem and God’s Temple is amplified by His prophetic words concerning Cyrus, “My Shepherd” and “His anointed” (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1):
“It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My desire.’And he declares of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built, And of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”
Profoundly, Isaiah wrote these words about 125 years before Cyrus was born and about 175 years before his decree. Chronicles helps Israel look forward at the same time as it records many unique highlights and viewpoints of Israel’s history from God’s creation of Adam to this new beginning. God wants His people to remember where they came from as they look forward to a new period of service and worship. God gives us every book of Scripture for good reasons. Chronicles makes many unique contributions not found in Samuel and Kings which we would otherwise miss.
Unique Contributions
David
Zedekiah was the last king of Judah. He died in exile in Babylon (2 Kings 25:7; Jeremiah 52:11). Israel faced the future without a human king. Through Chronicles God highlights the best dimensions of king David through whom He promised his sons would sit on his throne forever:
The LORD has sworn to David, A truth from which He will not turn back; “Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne. “If your sons will keep My covenant, And My testimony which I will teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever.” (Psalm 132:11–12)
God’s ultimate fulfillment of His promise is in Jesus His eternal King of kings.
Reformer Kings
In addition to David and the work of his son Solomon, Chronicles highlights the works of the great reformer kings of Judah: Asa (in 2 Chronicles14–16), Jehoshaphat (17–20), Joash (23–24), Hezekiah (29–32) and Josiah (34–35). Unique accounts of their works include Jehoshaphat’s appointment of judges (19) and Hezekiah’s Passover (30).
Worship and the Temple
With no more human kings on the horizon, Chronicles emphasizes worship and the Temple in all of which God is king. Ezra and Nehemiah will oversee the rebuilding of the Temple, walls and Jerusalem. Herod will make monumental expansions to the Temple and its Mount in the years leading up to Jesus’ arrival on earth.
Chronicles is the book where we receive confirmation of the location of the Temple on Mount Moriah upon which God told Abraham to offer Isaac (Genesis 22:2), which was the site of the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite which David bought and built an altar upon, which became the site of the Temple but by Solomon and Herod and which later became the city in which God did offer His only Son as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world:
Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. (2 Chronicles 3:1).
David charges and Solomon with the task of Temple building and himself is involved in the preparations, delegations and prayer (1 Chronicles 22–29).
Chronicles provides many instructions for worship, singing, gatekeepers, etc. In this regard, Chronicles highlights the leadership of Asaph (1 Chronicles 16–26; 2 Chronicles 5). Asaph also wrote 12 Psalms (50, 73-83). Psalms are poems set to music many of which praise God and extol His Word, promises and mighty works.
Prayers and Speeches
Chronicles records some unique and powerful prayers and speeches. Jabez and his prayer appear only in 1 Chronicles 4:9–10. David’s humble prayer acknowledging God’s sovereignty and provisions following his speech about the Temple and its offerings appears only in 1 Chronicles 29,
“Both riches and honourcome from You , and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. 14 But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You.” (29:2–14)
God’s response to Solomon’s prayer and His instructions and promise upon the repentant prayer of His people appear only in 2 Chronicles 7,
“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 “Now My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.” (7:13–14)
In the face of opposition from Moab and Ammon Jehoshaphat first seeks God’s deliverance while reflecting on God’s faithfulness in the past in 2 Chronicles 20:5–13,
“O LORD, the God of our fathers, areYou not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You…. 12b For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” (20:6, 12b)
God’s affirmative answer delivered by Jahaziel and the unfolding of events are amazing,
“‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.’… When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.” (20:17, 24)
(For an excellent sermon on Jehoshaphat’s prayer see the link at the end of this article).
Further Important Features of Chronicles
Chronology and Focus
Chronicles has a large scope and vision from:
* Adam at Creation to the return from Babylon highlighted in the annotated genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1–9.
* The last days of Saul through the foundation of the monarchy of David and Solomon from ca. 1010–930 BC in 1 Chronicles 10–2 Chronicles 9.
* The history of Judah from the division of the kingdom until its fall 931–586 in 2 Chronicles 10:1–36:21.
* The Babylonian captivity to the first phase of the return 586–538 BC in 2 Chronicles 36:17–21. (Both the deportation and return occurred in three phases, the return from 538–ca. 444.)
* Cyrus’s decree of 538 2 Chronicles 36:22–23.
Sources and Relationship to Samuel and Kings
Chronicles draws upon many sources including Samuel, Kings and seers, yet contains large amounts of original material as we have noted above. Some suggest it may be as much as 50%. While Samuel–Kings enumerates the personal, biographical and political history of two kingdoms, Chronicles focuses on Judah alone emphasizing the Temple and worship. Chronicles is more statistical, official and priestly. It encourages the people to be loyal to God and the long span of their collective identity given them by Him.
Important Themes and Teachings
With no further kings and the need to restore the Temple and Jerusalem, Chronicles strives to accomplish several important necessities for the returning remnant. Unity in their identity and purpose is essential. The importance of their high calling in both the priestly work of Levites and duty of the people to reflect the holiness and faithfulness of God. To assure the people God is in their midst. To provide standards for all aspects of the life of their community. To look ahead to the Messianic fulfillment of God’s promise to David.
Names
The Hebrew name of Chronicles is “Words of the Days” or “Events of the Days.” The Hebrew word דָבָר (davar ) occurs 1,441 times with a wide range of meanings. It may suggest the words of the prophets and seers in those days as well as the important events of the vast times over which Chronicles concerns itself.
Translators of the Hebrew Bible in ca. the third century BC chose to call it Παραλειπομένων (Paralipomenon), “Things left over” in the Greek Septuagint (LXX, “The Translation of the Seventy”). The translators split the unified book in two a placed it after Samuel–Kings. The somewhat derogatory title of “Things Left Over” contributed to the neglect of Chronicles and the erroneous perception it is just a restatement of Samuel–Kings. It gives so much more. The New Testament contains 68 allusions to and verbal parallels with Chronicles, notably in the Gospels and Revelation. Chronicles’ many unique contributions are well worth our time, attention and application.
Hieronymus (Greek for “holy name,” aka Jerome) suggested the name Chronicon. The name was based on the scope of its concerns and its relationship to the historical content of the books from Genesis 1 to 2 Kings 25 and beyond. So the name Chronicles came to be used in other than the Hebrew original unified work.
Genealogies
Genealogies are easy to pass over. God has given them to Israel and to us for good reasons.
Genealogies give Israel identity, context, connections to their past, meaning and importantly God’s value of them as families and individuals. He knows them, and us, all by name. Genealogies are reminders and encouragement of what God has done for them. They do the same for us.
Genealogies provide the settings, structure and sense of movement for a Bible book. Genesis, the first, is a good example. Genesis has ten foundational genealogies throughout, “These are the generations of…” (Hebrew: Toledot).
The profound importance of genealogies, with significant connections to Chronicles, is perhaps best seen in the way God chose to open the New Testament with a genealogy of paramount significance,
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1)
Conclusion
Jesus, Paul and Peter teaches us that Christians inherit more than treasure in heaven and a glorious future. We inherit an amazing past. We are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:29; 4:28). The history of God’s people of the Old Testament is our history. As it did for Israel, Chronicles enlightens us on many important dimensions of the rich spiritual heritage God has given us in Jesus Christ, the Son of David!
(For an excellent sermon on Jehoshaphat’s Prayer by Wayne Jackson, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPJs_JR73C8.)
Waterloo, Ontario