1-2 CHRONICLES —
GOD’S KINGDOM MUST MAGNIFY GOD’S PRESENCE —
LESSONS FROM JUDAH’S KINGS
OVERVIEW
The compiler of Chronicles (who used a number of different sources) gives us a different perspective on the historical events recorded in 1-2 Kings. The facts remain the same, but the themes and the tapestry of threads take us in complementary directions. The focus is especially on the centrality of worship in the temple in Jerusalem, the orderliness of religious services and sacrifices, the role of the priests and Levites, and the abomination of idolatrous practices. There is a direct connection between the moral rectitude of the reigning king and whether God responds to the nation in blessing or judgment. This sense of retributive justice dominates the narrative.
Although the author is concerned with “all of Israel,” he only tracks the kings of Judah in the divided kingdom after spending much time on the prominent reigns of David and Solomon. As you can imagine, the overall decline of the kingdom leading eventually to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the subsequent seventy year Babylonian Captivity can be a dark picture of apostasy and stubborn rebellion. However, the mercy and compassion of the God who remains faithful to his covenant promises is always in view. As the exiles return to rebuild the temple they can take hope in the nation’s future prospects as they humble themselves and seek the Lord. Ultimately, only the promised Messiah can usher in the righteous rule that is foreshadowed by David and Solomon
BIG IDEA
GOD’S KINGDOM PEOPLE PRIORITIZE PROPER WORSHIP IN CHALLENGING TIMES BY LEARNING LESSONS
FROM THEIR COVENANT HISTORY AND GOD’S FAITHFULNESS TO HIS PROMISES
1 Chron. 16:29 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the Lord in holy array.”
2 Chron. 7:14 “If 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 and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
BASIC OUTLINE
1 CHRONICLES
(1 Chron. 1-9) GENEALOGICAL PROLOGUE – TRACING ALL ISRAEL
A. (1:1 – 2:2) Patriarchs – From Adam to Israel
B. (2:3 – 4:23) Royal Family of Tribe of Judah
C. (4:24–43) Tribe of Simeon – Invisible But Not Forgotten by God
D. (5:1-26) Transjordanian Tribes — Reuben, Gad, Manasseh
E. (6:1-81) Tribe of Levi – Both Priestly and Non-Priestly
F. (7:1-40) Northern Tribes — Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Ephraim, Asher
G. (8:1-40) Continuation of Genealogy of Tribe of Benjamin
H. (9:1-34) Returning Exiles
I. (9:35-44) Saul’s Genealogy
I. (1 Chron. 10-20) DAVIDIC KINGDOM ESTABLISHED
— WITH FOCUS ON GOD’S COVENANT
A. (10-12) David Contrasted with Saul
1. (10:1-14) Death of Saul – Transferring the Kingdom to David
2. (11:1 -12:40) Unified Support for David as King
B. (13-16) David Centralizes the Ark of the Covenant at Jerusalem
1. (13:1-14) Initial Attempt to Transfer the Ark to Jerusalem
2. (14:1-17) David’s Dynasty – Prospered and Protected in Jerusalem
3. (15:1 – 16:43) Successful Transfer of the Ark Accompanied by Musical Celebration
C. (17:1-27) Davidic Covenant – The Promises of the Davidic Covenant Take Precedence
over the Construction of God’s House
1. (:1-6) Lowering the Priority on Building God’s House
2. (:7-15) Raising the Priority on Building the Dynasty of David
3. (:16-27) Prayer of Response Reflecting Awe and Humility of David in Praise of God’s Gracious Covenant Promises
D. (18-20) David’s Conquests
1. (18:1-13) David’s Military Victories Expedited by the Lord
(18:14) Transition – David’s Righteous Reign
2. (18:15-17) David’s Cabinet
3. (19:1 – 20:3) David’s Rout of the Ammonites and Their Syrian Allies
4. (20:4-8) Slaying of 3 Renowned Philistine Giants
II. (1 Chron. 21 – 2 Chron. 9) DAVID TRANSITIONS THE KINGDOM TO SOLOMON —
WITH FOCUS ON GOD’S TEMPLE
A. (21:1 – 29:9) David’s Preparations for the Temple Construction
1. (21:1 – 22:1) Its Location
2. (22:2-19) David’s Preparations to Aid Solomon to Build the Temple
3. (23:1 – 24:31) Census and Organization of Levitical and Priestly Families
4. (25:1-31) Organization of Levitical Musicians
5. (26:1-32) Organization of Levitical Gatekeepers, Treasurers and Other Officials
6. (27:1-34) Organization of Military Leaders and National Officials
7. (28:1-21) David’s Charge to Solomon and Israel to Execute the Temple Plans
8. (29:1-9) Final Preparation for Temple Construction
B. (29:10-20) David’s Praise and Supplication
C. (29:21-30) Transition to the Reign of Solomon
1. (:21-25) Coronation of Solomon
2. (:26-30) Conclusion of David’s Reign
2 CHRONICLES
D. (1:1-17) Exaltation of Solomon’s Kingdom by Divine Favor – Solomon’s Kingdom Marked by Worship, Wisdom and Wealth
(:1) Prologue – Divine Favor Secures Solomon’s Kingdom
1. (:2-6) Solomon’s Worship at Gibeon
2. (:7-12) Solomon’s Wisdom Gifted by God
(:13) Transition
3. (:14-17) Solomon’s Wealth in Abundance
E. (2:1 – 5:1) Construction of the Temple
1. (2:1-18) Preparing Workers and Supplies for the Temple Building Project
2. (3:1 – 5:1) Temple Building Details – Structure and Furnishings
(5:1) Transition – Completion of Temple Construction
1) Completion of the Temple
2) Consigning the Valuable Davidic Spoils into the Treasuries of the Temple
F. (5:2 – 7:22) Dedication of the Temple
1. (5:2 – 6:11) The Glory of God Fills the Completed Temple
2. (6:12-42) Solomon’s Temple Dedication Prayer
3. (7:1-22) Temple Dedication Ceremony
G. (8:1 – 9:31) Solomon’s Excellencies – Solomon’s Works, Worship, Wealth and Wisdom
1. (8:1-16) Solomon’s Idealized Kingship Focused on Expanding Dominion and Enhancing Worship
2. (8:17 – 9:28) Solomon’s Wealth, Wisdom and International Fame
(9:29-31) Epilogue – Conclusion of Solomon’s Idealized Reign
III. (2 Chron. 10:1 – 36:21) HISTORY OF JUDAH (SOUTHERN KINGDOM)
— WITH EMPHASIS ON DECLINE
A. (10:1 – 21:3) Four Kings and the Prophetic Voice
1. (chs. 10-12) Reign of Rehoboam – Kingdom Division and Challenges
2. (13:1-22) Reign of Abijah – The Futility of Fighting God
3. (14:1 – 16:14) Reign of Asa – Religious Reformer with Late Life Lapses
4. (17:1 – 21:3) Reign of Jehoshaphat – Religious Reformer with Unholy Alliances
B. (21:4–23:21) Judah and the Dynasty of Ahab
1. (21:4–20) Reign of Jehoram – Leading Judah Astray
2. (22:1–9) Reign of Ahaziah – Kingdom Flame Almost Extinguished
3. (22:10–23:21) Replacing Queen Athaliah with Young Joash
C. (chs. 24–26) Three Kings and the Decline of Judah
1. (ch. 24) Reign of Joash – Early Success Contrasted with Later Failure
2. (ch. 25) Reign of Amaziah – Success Compromised by Pride and Idolatry
3. (ch. 26) Reign of Uzziah – Success Compromised by Pride and Self-Exaltation
D. (chs. 27–32 Three Kings and the Assyrian Threat
1. (ch. 27) Reign of Righteous Jotham – A Good King But Still Corrupt People
2. (ch. 28) Reign of Wicked Ahaz – How Low Can You Go?
3. (chs. 29–32) Reign of Righteous Hezekiah
E. (33:1–36:1) Three Kings and Repentance
1. (33:1–20) Reign of Wicked Manasseh Who Finally Repented
2. (33:21–25) Reign of Wicked Amon – Short and Chaotic
3. (34:1–36:1) Reign of Righteous Josiah – Final Attempt at Restoration
F. (36:2–21) Four Kings and the Exile of Judah
1. (36:2–4) Exile of Jehoahaz to Egypt
2. (36:5–8) Exile of Wicked Jehoiakim to Babylon
3. (36:9–10) Exile of Wicked Jehoiachin to Babylon
4. (36:11–14) Rebellion of Wicked Zedekiah
5. (36:15–21) Destruction of Jerusalem and of the Temple of God
(2 Chron. 36:22-23) EPILOGUE – THE EDICT OF CYRUS TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM –
THE END BECOMES THE NEW BEGINNING
A. (:22a) Timing of the Edict of Cyrus
B. (:22b) Prophetic Background to the Edict of Cyrus
C. (:22c) Driving Force Behind the Edict of Cyrus
D. (:23) Substance of the Edict of Cyrus
1. Position of Worldly Dominion
2. Privilege of Divine Commissioning to Build God’s Temple in Jerusalem
3. Proclamation Encouraging the Jewish Exiles to Return and Build
WHY STUDY THIS BOOK?
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To emphasize the priority of corporate worship as key to community unity.
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To extrapolate lessons regarding the NT priesthood of believers as we study the OT worship model with the role of priests and the centrality of the temple.
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To make sure that we listen to God’s Words of warning and avoid stubborn pride when we are being corrected.
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To highlight the magnitude of God’s forgiveness despite pervasive historic patterns of rebellion and failure.
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To point to Jesus Christ as the fulfilment of the types represented by King David and King Solomon.
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To learn lessons regarding the importance of repentance and reform.
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To understand God’s sovereignty over the nations as He fulfils His kingdom agenda.
NOTABLE QUOTES
BibleProject.com 1-2 Chronicles are a “prophetic work.” That is, they represent God’s point of view on Israel’s past, and announce that exile and disappointment is not the end of the story. This author is offering the same prophetic hope we find in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and in the rest of the prophets. . . The book’s message has a pastoral purpose: to bring comfort and hope to generations of God’s people who were tempted towards despair or apathy. During a time when many wondered if God was ever going to fulfill his promises, the Chronicler retold the story of their collective past in order to rekindle hope for the future.
James Hastings: The material is most carefully chosen, with the object of bringing out the importance of Judah, the greatness of the line of David, the religious value of Jerusalem, and the position of the Levites. A comparison of the narrative in Chron. with the earlier narratives of Samuel and Kings will do more than anything else to convince the reader of the pragmatism of the Chronicler.
Mark Boda: Through this book the Chronicler speaks to those searching for identity as the people of God in an age when the surrounding culture (empire) dominated their lives so profoundly. Chronicles identifies key spiritual rhythms for individual and community living in this context, whether the call to revival and renewal through repentance, the invitation to make prayer a priority in their lives and communities, or the provision of a robust theology of worship – outlining David’s innovations in verbal worship alongside the enduring Mosaic tradition of sacrifice.
A. T. Pierson: While much contained in the Books of Kings is repeated or restated in the Chronicles, much is omitted because foreign to the author’s purpose. But whatever bears on the temple, its preservation and restoration, the purity of its worship, the regularity and orderliness of its services; whatever makes idolatrous rites or relics hateful, or lifts God to His true throne in the hearts of the people, is here emphasized.
Andrew Hill: Its primary purpose is to tell the story of the God of history, more specifically, the biography of the God of Israel’s history. The Chronicler’s biography of God includes “chapters” addressing the themes of his:
– sovereign rule as Creator (cf. 2 Chron. 20:6)
– providential intervention as Sustainer (cf. 2 Chron. 20:12)
– election of Israel (1 Chron. 16:13, 17)
– faithfulness to his covenant promises (1 Chron. 17:18-24)
– responsiveness to prayer (2 Chron. 6:40; 7:12)
– justice (2 Chron. 19:7)
– goodness (2 Chron. 30:18-20)
– mercy (2 Chron. 30:9)