1 Chronicles - Odessacofchrist.org

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Chronicles 3has a purpose that is easy to identify (John 20:30-31; 2 Chron. 7:14). 8 Chronicles is alsosimilar to Deuteronomy, the last book of the Pentateuch, which also preaches by recallinghistory.Second, the writer of Chronicles explained and expounded the meaning of many events inIsrael's history much as the writers of modern commentaries do. This was especiallyimportant since the original readers of Chronicles needed to remember their history andthe spiritual issues that had molded and would mold their destiny. These observationswould guide them as they sought to reestablish Israel in the Promised Land after theBabylonian captivity."The purpose of these two volumes [1 and 2 Chronicles] is to review thehistory of Israel from the dawn of the human race to the Babyloniancaptivity and Cyrus' edict of restoration. This review is composed with avery definite purpose in mind, to give to the Jews of the SecondCommonwealth the true spiritual foundations of their theocracy as thecovenant people of Jehovah. This historian's purpose is to show that thetrue glory of the Hebrew nation was found in its covenant relationship toGod, as safeguarded by the prescribed forms of worship in the temple andadministered by the divinely ordained priesthood under the protection ofthe divinely authorized dynasty of David. Always the emphasis is uponthat which is sound and valid in Israel's past as furnishing a reliable basisfor the task of reconstruction which lay ahead. Great stress is placed uponthe rich heritage of Israel and its unbroken connection with the patriarchalbeginnings (hence the prominence accorded to genealogical lists)." 9". . . 'the Chronicler' is no mere chronicler! He is a theologian, sharingwith all the biblical writers the burden of interpreting God's ways tohuman beings." 10The writer saw principles operating in history. He selected unmistakable instances ofthem and applied them to his own times."If Kings, composed after the final collapse of the kingdom in 586 B.C.,concentrates on how sin leads to defeat (2 Kings 17:15, 18), thenChronicles, coming after the two returns from exile in 537 and 458 B.C.,recounts, from the same record, how 'faith is the victory' (2 Chron. 20:20,22)." 118 Raymond B. Dillard, "Reward and Punishment in Chronicles: The Theology of Immediate Retribution,"Westminster Theological Journal 46 (1984):164-72, argued that 7:14 was also a "charter" for the rest ofIsrael's history.9 Archer, p. 404. See also Eugene H. Merrill, "A Theology of Chronicles," in A Biblical Theology of the OldTestament, pp. 158, 185.10 J. G. McConville, I & II Chronicles, pp. 2-3.11 J. Barton Payne, "1, 2 Chronicles," in I Kings-Job, v. 4 of The Expository's Bible Commentary, p. 303.