Greater Chronicles

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:  

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 – When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.