Purpose
In contrast to Kings, Chronicles concentrates on the nation of Judah, mentioning the kings of Israel only in their relationships to the kings of Judah. Throughout much of the record, detailed attention is given to events concerning the temple in Jerusalem where God chose to place His name.
The books were finished after the exile and were probably written for the benefit of the returned exiles. There are at least three reasons favoring this objective:
- Having completed 70 years of exile, the people needed a tie to their history, their beginnings. The genealogies carry back to Adam from their day and provide a sense of history conveying the message that God had been with them; they were His people.
- The greatness of David needed to be set before them as one who was a model of devotion to God.
- The prominence of Jerusalem and the temple is emphasized. The returned exiles were to devote their lives to rebuilding both and needed to be reassured of the importance of both to God.
These reasons may explain the inclusion of some items and the exclusion of others. Nothing is said about David’s great transgression nor is any comment made about the family problems regarding Amnon and Absalom. Much is recorded, however, about preparations for the temple, the construction of it and the various Levitical orders involved in the temple services.
Sources
Throughout the book, references are made to various historical sources which the compiler used under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Some of those mentioned are the Chronicles of King David (I Chr. 27:24), the words of Samuel, Nathan and Gad (I Chr. 29:29), the prophecy of Ahijah (II Chr. 9:29), the work of Jehu (II Chr. 20:34), the work of Isaiah (II Chr. 26:22) and many others. There was clearly an extensive library available to the compilers. How we would rejoice to have access to such works; yet in the history supplied, we have that which is most useful for our edification.
The Genealogies
From an Israelite’s point of view, family relationship was important. After the destabilizing effects of exile, knowing his place in the nation would help restore his sense of being part of the chosen people. Furthermore, family links provided the means of land allocation; and for the Levites, family standing meant their eligibility for special privileges.
Careful reading of the genealogies reveals many an interesting point. Neither Cain nor Abel are mentioned; several details are repeated from Genesis 10 such as a reference to Nimrod, one to Peleg and to the 70 nations. Perhaps all of these points are mentioned to remind Judah of their situation. Nimrod had founded Babylon; the nations had been separated after the flood; they were further divided as a result of the incident involving the tower of Babel. Judah had been taken to one of these Gentile countries by Babylon. But God knows His people; He has selected them — through Shem, through Peleg, through Abram—and He has called them to be separate from the world of confusion.
In I Chr. 2:15, David is called the “seventh son,” while in I Sam. 16 he is the eighth. It is possible the missing son had no progeny and the Spirit chose to highlight the number “seven” in regard to David’s association with the millennium, the seventh “day” of this present divine epoch upon the earth. Note also in 2:16-17 that Joab, Abishai and Asahel were all nephews of David. Note also their father is not mentioned, suggesting the dominant personality of David’s sister Zeruiah. Amasa was also a nephew of David, providing insight into the family intrigue that climaxed with Joab’s murder of Amasa.
In the line of Judah was Bezaleel (2:19), the chief craftsman associated with the construction of the furniture and other articles of the tabernacle. Like David, Bezaleel was descended from Judah, a tribe which therefore had much to do with the tabernacle in the wilderness and the temple in Jerusalem.
Some towns were named after people such as Kirjath-jearim and Bethlehem (2:50-51), and one mother was of such influence that her name was memorialized in the full name of Bethlehem-Ephratah (2:50).
In 9:22, David and Samuel jointly made plans for service in the temple to be built in Jerusalem. Since Samuel died while David was fleeing from Saul (I Sam. 25:1), this means David knew before he was king that he was to make significant modifications to Israel’s forms of worship. Furthermore, it confirms that at some point after his anointing and before his flight from Saul, David spent time with Samuel, possibly at the school of the prophets run by Samuel at Ramah.
Apostasy
The latter half of II Chronicles has a familiar ring. An account is supplied of the apostasy of the kings of Judah with the exceptions of Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah. And with few exceptions, the nation followed the lead of the kings. It is a catalog of a people who were cast off because they turned to the world and away from God, the God who cared for them and gave them their land. They had turned to the idols and the Asherah poles instead of the place where God dwelt, where He had chosen to place His Name. For their wickedness they were scattered, and because He is righteous and true to His promise, they were brought back.
What an exhortation!
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One