I & II Chronicles

I & II Chronicles

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

We knew that I & II Chronicles was written around the time of the exile because the last chapter of 2 Chronicles (36) mentions the exile of Judah. The closing of the chapter also mentions that the Israelites were sent back to Jerusalem in the first year of King Cyrus’s reign and that the temple was to be rebuilt at this time (36:22,23). We can also assume that it was written to the Israelites because all of the kings discussed are kings of Judah. During this time the kingdoms surrounding each other were warring against each other. Babylon was the nation that attacked and conquered Israel so there would most likely have been hostilities between these nations at this time.

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

The author of I & II Chronicles had good access to various written resources and would have been well educated seeing as how it appears that these books are a compilation of various sources. He mentions several other sources throughout the book in I Chronicles 9:1; 29:29; 2 Chronicles 12:15; 13:22; 16:11; 20:34; 24:27; 27:7; 28:26; 32:32; 33:18-19; 35:26; 36:8. It is possible his compilation of these sources provided the people with a main source to access regarding their history.

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?

I & II Chronicles gave the Israelite people a positive view of their history by highlighting namely the positive aspects of their former kings in a time when Israel was being punished for sinning.

One of the main themes of I & II Chronicles is restoration. God highlights the good found in Israel’s past during a time when they don’t deserve it. David’s sin with Bathsheba is purposely left out of 1 Chron. 20. You also see more of a positive emphasis overall throughout the books. Lastly, you see 2 Chron. closing by mentioning that the temple was to be rebuilt and the people were going to return to Jerusalem. Despite the sins of the people, God wanted to also focus on the good that they did which leads to his blessings.

There is also a lot mentioned about music and celebrations in this book. You find David appointing musicians and making instruments (1 Chron. 6:32; 12:38,39; 13:8; 15:16, 25, 29; 23:4,5; 29:20,21; 2 Chronicles 7:8-10; 20:21-24; 23:13; 29:27-35; 30:20-27).

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

These books were written to give the Israelites a reminder that there was still good in their history. Despite the fact that they had sinned and departed from the Lord and been sent into exile, they were still God’s people and there were godly kings found in their heritage. It would have provided the people with hope and revealed to them that God is a God who is about restoring people who have turned away from Him.

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

I & II Chronicles reveals how redemptive and forgiving God really is. One of the best examples of this is in the story of Manasseh who was one of Judah’s most wicked kings. Yet, when he prayed and sincerely humbled himself before God, God listened to him and it says that he was “moved” by his request. Even the most evil man “moved” the heart of God (33:10-14).

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

This book reveals that God is a God who views his people in a redeeming way. He chooses to focus mainly on the positive aspects of the kings. He also sends prophets over and over again to his people trying to draw them back to him. Lastly, He gives them hope at the end of the book by concluding with a positive emphasis. He also describes them coming back to Jerusalem and the temple. You also see God responding to Hezekiah’s prayer in 32:24-26. Because Hezekiah humbles himself and repents of his pride, the Lord chooses to refrain from pouring out his anger during Hezekiah’s lifetime.

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

What really stood out to me was the focus on humility and God’s forgiveness. When God’s people humble themselves, He forgives them and has mercy on them even when they don’t deserve it. In 34:23-28 God reveals through one of his prophets that because the king chose to humble himself and wept in repentance that God would not bring the disaster that he had formally predicted. God is a lover of broken and repentant hearts and He is so willing and ready to forgive. He is looking for humble hearts so that He can come with His forgiveness.

2.     Point of Passion

       Despite the fact that leaders will often make mistakes, God still can use them mightily. He responds over and over to humble hearts. In 2 Chronicles 12:6-8 it says that the leaders of Israel along with the king humbled themselves after they were told that God was going to abandon them because they had abandoned Him. It says that when the Lord saw the change of the hearts that he chose not to destroy them and said that He would soon send them relief. It is important for leaders to maintain a humble and pure heart before the Lord. This is the key to victory and success in accomplishing God’s will.