OT Survey IOT Survey I

Chronicles Chronicles

Author and Date of Author and Date of ChroniclesChronicles

““Jeremiah wrote the book which bears his Jeremiah wrote the book which bears his name, the Book of Kings, and Lamentations. name, the Book of Kings, and Lamentations. Hezekiah and his colleagues wrote Isaiah, Hezekiah and his colleagues wrote Isaiah, Proverbs, the Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes. Proverbs, the Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes. The Men of the Great Assembly wrote Ezekiel, The Men of the Great Assembly wrote Ezekiel, the Twelve Minor Prophets, Daniel and the the Twelve Minor Prophets, Daniel and the Scroll of Esther. Ezra wrote the book that Scroll of Esther. Ezra wrote the book that bears his name and the genealogies of the bears his name and the genealogies of the Book of Chronicles up to his own time. This Book of Chronicles up to his own time. This confirms the opinion of Rab, since Rab Judah confirms the opinion of Rab, since Rab Judah has said in the name of Rab: Ezra did not has said in the name of Rab: Ezra did not leave Babylon to go up to Eretz Yisrael until leave Babylon to go up to Eretz Yisrael until he had written his own genealogy. Who then he had written his own genealogy. Who then finished it [the Book of Chronicles]? — finished it [the Book of Chronicles]? — Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah.”Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah.”Baba Bathra, 15a

Author and Date of Chronicles Author and Date of Chronicles (cont…)(cont…)

““As the chief architect of the spiritual As the chief architect of the spiritual and moral revival of the Second and moral revival of the Second Commonwealth, he would have had Commonwealth, he would have had every incentive to produce a historical every incentive to produce a historical survey of this sort. As a Levite from the survey of this sort. As a Levite from the priestly line, his viewpoint would have priestly line, his viewpoint would have been in perfect agreement with that of been in perfect agreement with that of the author of this work, and he would be the author of this work, and he would be very apt to lay the stress just where the very apt to lay the stress just where the Chronicler has.”Chronicler has.”

Gleason L. Archer, Survey of OT Introduction, p. 450

Author and Date of Chronicles Author and Date of Chronicles (cont…)(cont…)

2 Chronicles 36:22-23 = Ezra 1:1-3a2 Chronicles 36:22-23 = Ezra 1:1-3a Another argument for Ezra as the author?Another argument for Ezra as the author? A A terminus a quoterminus a quo for the date of writing: 538 BC for the date of writing: 538 BC

1 Chronicles 3:24 – Some generations after 1 Chronicles 3:24 – Some generations after Zerubbabel (his grandsons?)Zerubbabel (his grandsons?)

Thus, the author is unknown but possibly Ezra, and Thus, the author is unknown but possibly Ezra, and the date is sometime around the 5the date is sometime around the 5thth century BC century BC

1446 - Exodus

966 – Solomon’s 4th year

586 – Babylonian captivity

538 – Cyrus’decree

English

Location of Chronicles in Location of Chronicles in CanonCanon

Hebrew

[Historical Books] JoshuaJoshua JudgesJudges RuthRuth SamuelSamuel KingsKings ChroniclesChronicles Ezra/Neh/EstEzra/Neh/Est

[Former Prophets]

(Joshua through Kings)

[Torah]

[Writings]- Psalms/Job/Proverbs- Megilloth (The 5 Scrolls)- Daniel/Ezra-Nehemiah- Chronicles

[Latter Prophets](Isa, Jer, Ezek, 12)

Location of Chronicles in Canon Location of Chronicles in Canon (cont…)(cont…)

““Few Old Testament books are as easy to Few Old Testament books are as easy to underestimate as is 1-2 Chronicles. Many underestimate as is 1-2 Chronicles. Many readers dismiss it as a needless repetition readers dismiss it as a needless repetition or mere supplement to Samuel and Kings. or mere supplement to Samuel and Kings. Others are nonplussed by its extensive Others are nonplussed by its extensive opening genealogies, by its length or by opening genealogies, by its length or by its supposedly simplistic view of Israelite its supposedly simplistic view of Israelite history. Even theologians are prone to history. Even theologians are prone to dismiss the book too lightly. For example, dismiss the book too lightly. For example, Gerhard . . .Gerhard . . .

Location of Chronicles in Canon Location of Chronicles in Canon (cont…)(cont…)

. . . von Rad says, ‘One cannot avoid the . . . von Rad says, ‘One cannot avoid the impression of a certain mental exhaustionimpression of a certain mental exhaustion—at least in the way the material is —at least in the way the material is presented. And in theological clarity too, presented. And in theological clarity too, in consistency and inner unity, the in consistency and inner unity, the Chronicler is not nearly the equal of the Chronicler is not nearly the equal of the Deuteronomistic work.’ Such comments Deuteronomistic work.’ Such comments do not do justice to the breadth and vision do not do justice to the breadth and vision that the book exhibits. Rather than being that the book exhibits. Rather than being a repetitious, unimaginative work, . . .a repetitious, unimaginative work, . . .

Location of Chronicles in Canon Location of Chronicles in Canon (cont…)(cont…)

. . . . . . this history provides an excellent this history provides an excellent conclusion to the canon by drawing conclusion to the canon by drawing together its major themes and together its major themes and presenting them in an effective, presenting them in an effective, creative, and historically accurate creative, and historically accurate manner. The book has a canonical manner. The book has a canonical awareness that makes it important for awareness that makes it important for grasping the whole message of Old grasping the whole message of Old Testament theologyTestament theology.”.”

Paul House, Old Testament Theology, p. 523

Chronicles – A New PerspectiveChronicles – A New Perspective 1) Time period – The beginning of 1) Time period – The beginning of

time until Cyrus (C) vs. the beginning time until Cyrus (C) vs. the beginning of kingship until the end of it (S/K)of kingship until the end of it (S/K)

2) Outlook – Positive and hopeful (C) 2) Outlook – Positive and hopeful (C) vs. negative and uncertain (S/K).vs. negative and uncertain (S/K). Very little ink spent on negative things.Very little ink spent on negative things. Extra ink spent on positive things.Extra ink spent on positive things. Revealing differences in parallel contexts Revealing differences in parallel contexts

(e.g., the Davidic Covenant)(e.g., the Davidic Covenant)

Chronicles – A New Perspective Chronicles – A New Perspective (cont…)(cont…)

3) Direction – Looking forward (C) vs. 3) Direction – Looking forward (C) vs. looking back (S/K)looking back (S/K)

4) Purpose – Encouragement (C) vs. 4) Purpose – Encouragement (C) vs. Conviction (S/K).Conviction (S/K). Reading Samuel and Kings should result Reading Samuel and Kings should result

in in tearstears. Reading Chronicles should . Reading Chronicles should result in result in sweatsweat..

Purpose Statement of Purpose Statement of ChroniclesChronicles

The exile has ended and God has The exile has ended and God has begun to fulfill the good words of the begun to fulfill the good words of the prophets.prophets.

Israel should come together as a Israel should come together as a nation and prepare for a new nation and prepare for a new covenant and the restoration of their covenant and the restoration of their kingdom by establishing proper kingdom by establishing proper worship and pursuing faithful worship and pursuing faithful obedience with all their heart.obedience with all their heart.

Major Themes*Major Themes* Unity of All IsraelUnity of All Israel

““All Israel” anoints David at Hebron, not All Israel” anoints David at Hebron, not just Judah (1 Chr 11:1)just Judah (1 Chr 11:1)

Emphasis on all twelve tribes supporting Emphasis on all twelve tribes supporting David in unison, whereas in Samuel there David in unison, whereas in Samuel there is seemingly constant friction (1 Chr 12:23-is seemingly constant friction (1 Chr 12:23-38)38)

Several texts show residents of northern Several texts show residents of northern Israel recognizing the legitimacy of Judah Israel recognizing the legitimacy of Judah and defecting (2 Chr 11:13-14; 15:8-9)and defecting (2 Chr 11:13-14; 15:8-9)

Several texts show reforms of Judah Several texts show reforms of Judah reaching north (2 Chr 19:4, 8; 30:1, 6, 10, reaching north (2 Chr 19:4, 8; 30:1, 6, 10, 11, 18; 31:1; 34:6-7, 9)11, 18; 31:1; 34:6-7, 9)

*Cf. David M. Howard Jr., Intro to OT Historical Books

““All Israel”All Israel”

““The term The term all Israelall Israel occurs at least 105 times in occurs at least 105 times in biblical Hebrew. Almost 40 percent of these biblical Hebrew. Almost 40 percent of these references occur in 1 & 2 Chronicles: forty times! references occur in 1 & 2 Chronicles: forty times! This statistic alone shows the prominence of this This statistic alone shows the prominence of this idea in the two books. . . . An even more idea in the two books. . . . An even more revealing statistic comes from noticing that in revealing statistic comes from noticing that in only six cases does the Chronicler use the phrase only six cases does the Chronicler use the phrase exactly as it appears in his sources. In twelve exactly as it appears in his sources. In twelve cases the Chronicler, in using the phrase ‘all cases the Chronicler, in using the phrase ‘all Israel,’ changes his underlying source slightly. Israel,’ changes his underlying source slightly. The underlying phrase usually is something such The underlying phrase usually is something such as ‘Israel’ or ‘all the tribes of Israel,’ which the as ‘Israel’ or ‘all the tribes of Israel,’ which the Chronicler has changed to . . .Chronicler has changed to . . .

““All Israel” (cont…)All Israel” (cont…)

. . . the more standardized ‘all Israel.’ In twenty-. . . the more standardized ‘all Israel.’ In twenty-two cases, the Chronicler uses the phrase on his two cases, the Chronicler uses the phrase on his own, so to speak; it comes in material he has own, so to speak; it comes in material he has added, that is not found in 2 Samuel or 1 & 2 added, that is not found in 2 Samuel or 1 & 2 Kings. Sometimes, it is only a small insertion (of a Kings. Sometimes, it is only a small insertion (of a verse or even a phrase), and the phrase ‘all verse or even a phrase), and the phrase ‘all Israel’ is found within the insertion. . . . Strikingly, Israel’ is found within the insertion. . . . Strikingly, fourteen of the references to ‘all Israel’ come in 2 fourteen of the references to ‘all Israel’ come in 2 Chronicles 10-36, after the death of Solomon, Chronicles 10-36, after the death of Solomon, when ‘Israel’ was no longer a unified entity. Even when ‘Israel’ was no longer a unified entity. Even more strikingly, five references come in chaps. more strikingly, five references come in chaps. 29-36, after the fall of the northern kingdom, 29-36, after the fall of the northern kingdom, when there was no political . . .when there was no political . . .

““All Israel” (cont…)All Israel” (cont…)

““. . . entity called ‘Israel’ at all. This shows . . . entity called ‘Israel’ at all. This shows that the term’s use is more than merely that the term’s use is more than merely accidental in referring to the united kingdom; accidental in referring to the united kingdom; it is an integral part of the Chronicler’s vision it is an integral part of the Chronicler’s vision of things. He conceived of ‘Israel’ as an of things. He conceived of ‘Israel’ as an indivisible unity, which was God’s people in its indivisible unity, which was God’s people in its entirety, and one that still had a place in entirety, and one that still had a place in God’s plans for the future.God’s plans for the future.

David M. Howard, Jr., Introduction to the OT Historical Books, pp. 255-256

Major Themes (continued…)Major Themes (continued…) The tribes of Judah and LeviThe tribes of Judah and Levi Davidic KingshipDavidic Kingship

Especially David’s relationship to the temple Especially David’s relationship to the temple and Israel’s system of worshipand Israel’s system of worship

Temple and WorshipTemple and Worship Constantly the centerpiece of the book’s unitsConstantly the centerpiece of the book’s units David’s and Solomon’s participationDavid’s and Solomon’s participation All good kings focus on thisAll good kings focus on this

Asa repaired the altar (2 Chr 15:8)Asa repaired the altar (2 Chr 15:8) Joash restored the temple (2 Chr 24:4-14)Joash restored the temple (2 Chr 24:4-14) Jotham built its upper gate (2 Chr 27:3)Jotham built its upper gate (2 Chr 27:3) Hezekiah did extensive repairs (2 Chr 29-31)Hezekiah did extensive repairs (2 Chr 29-31) Josiah repaired it and celebrated Passover (2 Chr 34-Josiah repaired it and celebrated Passover (2 Chr 34-

35)35) Note Abijah’s speech in 2 Chr 13:10-12Note Abijah’s speech in 2 Chr 13:10-12

Major Themes (continued…)Major Themes (continued…) Reward and PunishmentReward and Punishment

1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Reiterated in 2 Chr 12:5; 15:2; 24:20Reiterated in 2 Chr 12:5; 15:2; 24:20 See also 2 Chr 7:14 and examples listed See also 2 Chr 7:14 and examples listed

in Howard, p. 263.in Howard, p. 263.

Major Themes (continued…)Major Themes (continued…) The HeartThe Heart

“‘“‘With a perfect heart’ or ‘with all the With a perfect heart’ or ‘with all the heart’ occurs 21 times, only three of heart’ occurs 21 times, only three of which come from a parallel in 1 & 2 which come from a parallel in 1 & 2 Kings” (Howard, p. 264).Kings” (Howard, p. 264).

““[In Hezekiah’s reign,] the term heart [In Hezekiah’s reign,] the term heart occurs eleven times in 2 Chronicles 29-occurs eleven times in 2 Chronicles 29-32. In none of these occurences in 32. In none of these occurences in chapters 29-32 is the reference to the chapters 29-32 is the reference to the heart found in the parallel in 2 Kings” heart found in the parallel in 2 Kings” (Howard, p. 265).(Howard, p. 265).

Purpose Statement of Purpose Statement of ChroniclesChronicles

The exile has ended and God has The exile has ended and God has begun to fulfill the good words of the begun to fulfill the good words of the prophets.prophets.

Israel should come together as a Israel should come together as a nation and prepare for a new nation and prepare for a new covenant and the restoration of their covenant and the restoration of their kingdom by establishing proper kingdom by establishing proper worship and pursuing faithful worship and pursuing faithful obedience with all their heart.obedience with all their heart.

“All Israel”

Davidic Kingship

Temple and worship

Reward and Punishment

The Heart

Especially end of 2 Chronicles (4 references to Jeremiah)

Good Resources on Good Resources on ChroniclesChronicles

David M. Howard, Jr., David M. Howard, Jr., An Introduction to An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Booksthe Old Testament Historical Books (Moody Press, 1993). (Moody Press, 1993). {Very good on the themes of {Very good on the themes of Chronicles}Chronicles}

David A. Dorsey, David A. Dorsey, The Literary Stucture of The Literary Stucture of the Old Testament: A Commentary on the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-MalachiGenesis-Malachi (Baker Books, 1999). (Baker Books, 1999). {Very good on the structure of {Very good on the structure of Chronicles}Chronicles}

Paul House, Paul House, Old Testament TheologyOld Testament Theology (InterVarsity Press, 1998). (InterVarsity Press, 1998). {Very good on the canonical location of {Very good on the canonical location of Chronicles}Chronicles}

January 11, 2015January 11, 2015

Ezra/NehemiahEzra/Nehemiah