WHO WROTE:  The peculiar form of the language, being Aramaean in its general character, harmonizes also with that of the Books that were written after the Exile.  The author was certainly a contemporary with Zerubbabel, details of whose family history are given (1Ch. 3:19).  According to Jewish tradition, which was universally received down to the middle of the seventeenth century, Ezra was regarded as the author of the Chronicles.  Others believe It to be written by Jerimiah.

 

 

WHAT TIME PERIOD IS COVERED:  B.C. 4015 - B.C. 1039.

 

 

WHEN WRITTEN:  B.C. 480?

 

 

INTRODUCTION:  The two Books of First and Second Chronicles were originally one.  They bore the title in the “Masoretic Hebrew,” “Dibre hayyamim,” meaning, “Acts of the Days.”  Jerome rendered this title, in his “Latin Version,” “Chronicon,” hence, where we receive the title now as, “Chronicles.”  In the “Septuagint” version, the Books are divided into two, and bear the title, “Paralipomena,” meaning, “things omitted,” or “supplements,” because these Books contain many things, which were omitted in the Books of Kings.

 

Because the close of the Books records the proclamation of Cyrus, permitting the Jews to return to their own land, it only makes sense that this forms the opening passage for the Book of Ezra; thus, we should consider that It must be viewed as a continuation of the Chronicles.  The Greek title is, “Paralipomenon,” meaning, “Of Things that have been Left Untold.”  Some copies add to that title, “concerning the kings of Judah,” this perhaps being the original form of the title.

 

The mention in both (1Ch. 29:7; Ezra 2:69) of the Persian coin, i.e., “darics,” as it ought to be translated, instead of “dram,” is another proof.  The Law is often quoted in both, and in a similar formula.  An example is, “according to the Law of Moses,” First Chronicles 23:31; Ezra 3:4.  However, one genealogy indeed, of a later date, namely, Zerubbabel’s, was doubtless added by a more recent hand (1Ch. 3:22-24), as was Nehemiah 12:10 & 11 & 22 & 23.

 

The sources whence the Chronicler compiled his work were public records, registers, and genealogical tables belonging to the Jews.  These are referred to in the course of the Book:  First Chronicles 27:24; 29:29; Second Chronicles 9:29; 12:15; 13:22; 20:34; 24:27; 26:22; 27:7; 32:32; 33:18 & 19; 35:25.  The Books of Samuel the seer, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer (1Ch. 29:29), furnished information for David’s reign; “the book of Nathan,” and “the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite,” and “the visions of Iddo the seer,” (2Ch. 9:29), for Solomon’s reign; “the story [or “midrash,” i.e., “interpretation”] of the prophet Iddo,” for king Abijah’s “acts, ways, and sayings,” (2Ch. 12:22).

 

Iddo’s “book concerning genealogies and the prophet Shemaiah’s words,” for Rehoboam’s acts (2Ch. 12:15); “the book of the kings of Israel and Judah” (2Ch. 25:26; 27:7; 32:32; 33:18), “the sayings of the seers” (2Ch. 33:19), for many subsequent reigns; “the words of Jehu the son of Hanani” (2Ch. 20:34), for Jehoshaphat’s reign; “the vision of the prophet Isaiah” (2Ch. 26:22; 32:32), for Uzziah’s and Hezekiah’s reigns.  There were besides the national records, “the book of the chronicles” (Neh. 12:23), which began as early as David (1Ch. 27:24), “the chronicles of king David,” probably the same as Samuel’s, Nathan’s and Gad’s Books above noticed.  So there was, “the book of the acts of Solomon” (1Ki. 11:41).  From “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah,” or “of Israel” (1Ki. 11:28; 15:7), continued down to the end of Jehoiakim’s reign (2Ki. 24:5; 2Ch. 36:8).  By contrast, the “book of the kings of Israel and Judah,” First Chronicles 9:1, is followed by “who were carried away to Babylon,” places this Book way into the future.

 

Only two Messianic prophetic hints occur:  “Thou hast regarded me according to the order (Law) of the man from above,” First Chronicles 17:17, the other in the genealogy, “Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler,” First Chronicles 5:2, which is referring to the Messianic prophecy of Genesis 49:8-10 (compare with 1Ch. 28:4).

 

Most people have a hard time staying focused on reading a bunch of names line upon line.  Let’s break it down so it is easier to grasp.  The genealogy begins with the history from Adam (1:1-3) to the flood (1:4).    Then we go from the post-flood (1:5-26) to Abraham (1:27).  Then from Abraham and Hagar’s line (1:29-31); Abraham and Keturah’s line (1:32-33); and then Abraham and Sarah’s line (1:34).  Moving on with just Sarah’s line we find the descendants of Isaac (Esau - 1:35-54; Jacob [Israel] - 2:1-2).  Then Israel is broken down by tribes beginning with Judah (2:3-4:23); with the intention of the writer to bring us down to David and his descendants (3:1-24), and other descendants of Judah (4:1-23).

 

Next follows Simeon (4:24-43); Reuben (5:1-10); Gad (5:11-22); the half tribe of Manasseh, east of the Jordan (5:23-26); Levi (6:1-80); Issachar (7:1-5); Benjamin (7:6-12); Naphtali (7:13); the half tribe of Manasseh, west of the Jordan (7:14-19); Ephraim (7:20-29); Asher (7:30-40); the line of Benjamin through Saul (8:1-40).  We move on to find the genealogical list of those who returned from the exile in Chapter 9 with the primary emphasis on the Levites (9:1-34); finally returning to the genealogy of Saul which prepares the way for the reign of David (9:35-44).

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