We just started 2 Samuel but we are going to read the Chronicles along with it (and weave in the Psalms). It all fits together. The other day someone texted me “Who wrote 2 Samuel?” I texted back “God”. Not sure he found me as funny as I find myself. 😂 So to answer who wrote Chronicles, many people say Ezra. The Chronicles are a range of records and sources pulled together for historical purposes. For Geeks like me, it is a dream to read!
A chronicler compiles this information and writes a book less about what is actually happening but more about the meaning of the events. God’s interpretation. Not interpretation as we think of it today, like a point of view. All of the Bible is approved by God.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16)
The Chronicles, like the Samuels, were one continuous book, but Greek translators divided it. Originally called Dibre Hayyamin meaning “Events of the Days”. The theme of the book revolves around Covenant.
Did the Israelites still fit into God’s Plan? Times were difficult and dark. Could our Messiah come from the Line of David?
The Chronicles will talk about true worship and true kingship in the line of David. The chronicler actually wrote:
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
1 Chronicles is the history of the Jewish Nation.
2 Chronicles is a book of great revival.
1 Chronicles is not a book you will hear many people reading casually or even studying. However, it is a book of great importance. The first 9 Chapters are an extensive genealogy! Yes, you read that correctly. If you have been reading since January you are going to be filled with joy when you read it and actually understand it!! If you have jumped in late I promise to make this as painless as possible with lots of great visuals.
These genealogies will give us an overview of God’s work from creation to the return after the Babylonian captivity. If you don’t know what the captivity is…you will have to keep reading….😜. The Hebrews (that term will change to Jews after the captivity) place great importance on their heritage because they needed to prove they were a descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation.
So tomorrow we will begin with chapters 1 and 2 of 1 Chronicles. If you want to take a peek at them you can. I really hope you see chapters like this are readable, where maybe in the past you were like “who in the world understands this stuff??”. YOU DO NOW!
Reading the Bible - 2021 