As you read 1 Chronicles, you may respond by saying, “Wait. Haven’t I already read these stories before?” And the answer is, yes you have. The two books of Chronicles cover much of the same territory as the two books of Kings. There is a great deal of overlap when it comes to the stories they each record.
The two books of Chronicles cover much of the same territory as the two books of Kings.
Most scholars believe that the Chronicles were probably written after the Babylonian exile, and that these books gave more emphasis on the glory of the Davidic kings than the books of Kings do because they were intended to encourage the people that despite all they had gone through, God was still with them. The books of Chronicles tend to leave out the dirty laundry in their telling. For example, the story of David’s sin with Bathsheba is nowhere to be found.
The writer of the Chronicles was offering a message of hope for his readers, who had emerged from the challenges of exile and were now being reconstituted as a nation.
Instead, in 1 Chronicles we see the wedding of the kingship and the priesthood, with a focus on the temple as the place of God’s presence. The writer of the Chronicles was offering a message of hope for his readers, who had emerged from the challenges of exile and were now being reconstituted as a nation. The emphasis is more on religious history than on political history. We see the best side of David’s reign—his military victories, his unwavering trust in God, and the importance he placed on keeping covenant with God. These messages of hope and trust still resonate with readers today.
These messages of hope and trust still resonate with readers today.
Here’s a short video that highlights five key themes in the book of 1 Chronicles. Enjoy, and share it with others.
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