Translators of the Septuagint Greek version of Chronicles recognized this work as being supplemental to Samuel and Kings. Accordingly, they gave it the title, Paraleipomena or “the things omitted.” While some sections of Chronicles resemble the former records almost verbatim, other sections are rich in fresh details. This additional information helps complete the record of life in Israel under the kings.
Divine comments
What distinguishes the Chronicles among the historical books is the abundance of divine commentary that they contain. This feature gives the books an exhortational as well as historical flavor. Regularly, the cause and consequence of human activity is assessed and presented to us under the spirit’s direction. Watching for these divine comments not only adds to the enjoyment of reading, it can also help us to discern God’s opinion of our own activities.
The contents
After providing extensive genealogical data in the first nine chapters, I Chronicles briefly recounts Saul’s death. The remaining chapters give many details of David’s reign.
II Chronicles covers over 400 years of David’s line from Solomon to the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.
Jewish tradition holds that Ezra is the author and the instructional tone of the books is consistent with this attribution. Note also that II Chronicles 36:22,23 is almost identical with Ezra 1:1,2.
The contents of II Chronicles is as follows:
1-9 Solomon
10-12 Rehoboam
13 Abijah
14-16 Asa
17-20 Jehoshaphat
21 Jehoram
22-23 Ahaziah, Athaliah
24 Joash
25 Amaziah
26 Uzziah
27 Jotham
28 Ahaz
29-32 Hezekiah
33 Manasseh, Amon
34-35 Josiah
36 Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah
History with comment
The additional commentary supplied in Chronicles stands out in the history of Jehoshaphat.
A key event in his reign was linking himself with Ahab to rescue Ramothgilead from Syrian control (I Kgs. 22:4-37; II Chron. 18:3-34). From the moment Jehoshaphat arrives in Ahab’s territory, a difficulty in his alliance with wicked king Ahab can be sensed by the reader. Jehoshaphat’s view of inquiring of the Lord is so different from Ahab’s that we recognize these two allies are unequally yoked.
As they proceed into the battle, we fear for Jehoshaphat’s life. Ahab is cautious and wears a disguise but he urges Jehoshaphat to wear his royal attire. The enemy mistakes Jehoshaphat for Ahab and attempts to kill him. When the Syrians realize their mistake, they divert their energies and Ahab is slain by an arrow shot at random into the host.
The accounts in both books are exciting but Kings allows us to draw our own conclusions about Jehoshaphat’s unwise alliance, where Chronicles is more explicit.
In the Chronicles account, the spirit uses the prophet Jehu’s rebuke to confirm our uneasy feeling about this alliance. “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD?” (19:2) is the reproof waiting for Jehoshaphat.
This extra material prompts us to examine ourselves — do we help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord? Do we confine our best friendships to the brotherhood? Like Jehu, the Psalmist warns that close relationships with the ungodly should be avoided: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psa. 1:1). James says it even clearer: “Friendship of the world is enmity with God” (Jam. 4:4).
Jehoshaphat cried out
In the record of the battle, the Chronicles account contains a brief comment that provides additional insight into king Jehoshaphat. Since he was dressed in his robes, he was an obvious target for the enemy. The enemy captains surrounded him, but after he cried out, they perceived he was not their victim for they sought the king of Israel.
Was it his voice that was so recognizable? Unless we read the additional comment in II Chronicles, the possibility that Jehoshaphat’s cry was to God might not occur to us. Chronicles adds, “And the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him” (18:31).
Jehoshaphat believed in prayer (17:4; 18:4,6; 19:3; 20:3-12,18) so it is likely, when he found himself in difficult circumstances, he cried out to God for help. Later in II Chronicles we read his words: “If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help” (20:9).
Other exhortational comments
Throughout II Chronicles, similar comments providing insightful exhortation keep occurring:
“The children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers” (13:18).
“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you” (15:2).
“The LORD is able to give thee much more than this” (25:9).
“The LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him” (30:9). “With us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles” (32:8).
In Romans, Paul says: “That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). Although II Chronicles was written a long time ago, it can be a source of much comfort to us.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One