Greater Chronicles
Title: Greater Chronicles combines 1 and 2
Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Ezra and Nehemiah traditionally were written on
a same scroll. 1-2 Chronicles are “attached” to Ezra-Nehemiah through
repetition 2 Chr. 36:22-23 and Ez. 1:1-3.
Structure:
Genealogy,
pre-exilic (1 Chr. 1 – 9), Dorsey, p. 146 (improved)
A. 1:1 – 2:2, non-tribe unit: Israel’s past
B. 2:3 – 4:43,
Royal tribe of Judah and Simeon, cp. Judges 1:1-3
C. 5.
Transjordan tribes: Reuben, Gad, and ½-Manasseh
D. 6, Tribe
of Levi
C’. 7, Cisjordan:
Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, ½-Manasseh, Ephraim, Asher
B’. 8, Royal tribe: Benjamin
A’. 9, non-tribe unit: Israel’s present; Judah (3-6),
Benjamin (7-9), Priests (10-13), Levites (14-34).
Then 9:35-44, genealogy of King Saul to lead to
another unit.
Jordan’s
lectures at BTS (Biblical Theological Seminary, St. Petersburg, Russia):
|
A. Apostacy |
B. Battling – Wars |
C. Cult – Temple |
I |
1 Chr. 10, Saul |
1 Chr. 11 – 29, David |
2 Chr. 1 – 9, Solomon |
II |
2 Chr. 10 – 12, Rehoboam |
2 Chr. 13, Abijah |
2 Chr. 14 – 16, Asa,
17 – 20, Jehoshaphat |
III |
2Chr. 21 – 22, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah |
2 Chr. 23, Jehoidah |
2 Chr. 24:1-16, Joash |
IV |
2 Chr. 24:17-27, Joash |
2 Chr. 25, Amaziah |
2 Chr. 26 – 27, Uzziah, Jotham |
V |
2 Chr. 28:1-4, Ahaz |
2 Chr. 28:5-27, Ahaz |
2Chr. 29–32, Hezekiah |
VI |
2 Chr. 33:1-9, Manasseh |
2 Chr. 33:10-20, Manasseh |
2 Chr. 33:21 – 35:27, Amon, Josiah |
VII |
2 Chr. 36:1-21, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah |
2 Chr. 36:22 – Ez. 3:13, Cyrus |
Ez. 4 – Neh. 12, Darius, Artaxerxes |
VIII: Neh.
13 tells the apostacy and spiritual battle in many areas of life. But the
chapter ends with final cleansing done by Nehemiah (13:30-31).
Date of
writing: Even though
1-2 Chronicles begin with the creation/Adamic genealogy (1 Chr.1:1), it is done
to bring a post-exilic hearer “up to date” with the lineage of remnants who
came back to Jerusalem/Judea. Therefore, the book should’ve been completed
around the time of reconstruction of the Temple and erection of the Walls of
Jerusalem. There are some studies of chronology of the period. I agree with the
James B. Jordan’s one which puts the end of the book to 489 BC (cp. James B.
Jordan, The Handwriting on the Wall, pp. 629-648).
Reflection
in other parts of the Bible:
For the understanding
of the Greater Chronicles is important to be familiar with the structure of the
sanctuary (Exodus 25–31). Overall, Greater Chronicles put a much heavier accent
on the cult/worship. That’s why we have a longer story of the moving of ark of
the Covenant under David (cp. 2 Sam. 6
vs. 1 Chr. 13–16).
The author
builds up on the familiarity of his listeners and readers with the accounts of
the same events from the 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, and other parts of the Bible
(cp. 1 Chr. 4 and Judges 1).
The book
gives answers to some chronological questions raised by NT narrative (cp. Ez.
6:15-16 vs. John 10:22; 2 Chr. 24:20-21 vs. Matt. 23:34-35).
Lutheran
teaching: Two
important teachings of the Lutheran church are supported by the passages from
the book. First, the idolatry shall be overthrown by God. It is a lesson from
the past that carries out into the present and the future. Our God is not going
to tolerate anything or anyone who attempts to take His place in the life of
the people (LC I:35).
Second, the
theology of rest. Dr. Martin Luther in his Large Catechism says: “people must
have holidays.” Then he continues, based on Nehemiah 8: “special function of
this day of rest should be the ministry of the Word for the young and the mass
of common people (LC I:86).
Memory
verses:
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