Note: All study data here and in the 1Kings study was compiled by Berry Kercheville. (Summary breaks, questions, charts, etc.)
Berry has thoughtfully integrated the books of Kings and Chronicles in this study. In this approach we see God's intent and purpose for the books.
In this first chart we see the CONTRASTS of these books. The top section shows the book's historical approach. The bottom section reveals each book's focus.
2Kings Survey/Overview - it is always good to have a cursory overview of what we are about to study. Reading chapter headings, chapter break titles, scanning for repeated words/themes and a quick read through will help fill in the survey.
This filled-in survey of 1&2Chronicles reveals how the books flow as well as their narrative intent.
Questions/Notations from the Booklet:
Page 1:
Read carefully the following texts to determine the approximate time the Chronicles were written: 1Chronicles 6:15, 9:1, 3:16-24.
What are your conclusions?
What are your conclusions?
6:15 Speaks of Judah and Jerusalem being "carried away" by Nebuchadnezzar.
9:1 Judah was carried away into Babylon
3:16-24 Verse 17 notes Jeconiah as "the prisoner." He is released from prison in 2Kings 25.
These statements indicate a "near" historical writing of the book.
Page 2: Chronicles' Emphasis On The Temple And Purity Of Worship:
1. As is noted in the 1&2 Chronicles Chart, 1 Chronicles 11-29 covers the reign of David. Look carefully at the chart and at the same time skim these chapters of 1Chronicles to justify the summations given on the chart. What significant events in the life of David are absent in the Chronicles account? Most significant would be the murder of Uriah, the taking of Bathsheba, the revolts of Absalom and Adonijah. I would not say that the absence of notable sin denotes a more righteous presentation. Those issues are just covered somewhere else. It does however, point more to what God wants to see in the lives of those who serve Him. Even in Chronicles, David is judged by God for his census taking.
2. Instead of significant events in David's personal life, what does this section of Chronicles emphasize? It points more towards becoming a Jehovah-centered kingdom. There are victories and growth. The expansion under David is with both eyes toward God.
3. In 2Chronicles the account of Solomon's reign is much shorter than 1Kings. Of the nine chapters devoted to Solomon, how many of these chapters are about the building of the temple?
Starts in chapter three, the dedication is in chapter six.
4. 2Chronicles 10 records the Northern Kingdom's revolt against Rehoboam and the division of the kingdom. From this point on, what story do the Chronicles NOT tell? At this point, the Chronicles will exclude Israel's rebellious history. That by itself draws a very strong conclusion as to what God wants the reader to know and focus on.
5. 2Chronicles gives prominence to worship as we see the reigns of Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, and Josiah are emphasized because of the religious reforms and temple restorations associated with them. In 2Kings, only three verses are given to Hezekiah's reforms, but three chapters are given to it in 2Chronicles.
Chapter 29: Hezekiah restores priests and temple duties/sacrifice after cleansing the temple. They worship God and rejoice.
Chapter 29: Hezekiah restores priests and temple duties/sacrifice after cleansing the temple. They worship God and rejoice.
Chapter 30: All Israel is reunited in a Passover feast instituted by Hezekiah. They praise God and rejoice.
Chapter 31: The Levitical service providers are reinstituted by genealogy.
Chapter 32: God rescues Hezekiah from Sennacherib. Hezekiah is tested.
6. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9 are necessary as a basis for the temple service and the dues by which that service was to be supported. This would fit into the "temple and priests" narrative of the book(s).
Page 3:
7. Note one other incident to further illustrate the point. In 1Kings 15:1-8 the reign of Abijam is briefly mentioned as wicked. How is the record of Abijam's reign different in 2Chronicles 13?
Kings: Abijam - ab-ee-yawm' From H1 and H3220; father of (the) sea
Kings: Abijam - ab-ee-yawm' From H1 and H3220; father of (the) sea
2Chronicles: Abijah - ab-ee-yaw', ab-ee-yaw'-hoo From H1 and H3050; father (that is worshipper) of Jah
It is notable that Abijam leverages God's promise to David when Judah wars against Israel early on. He trusts God to give him the victory even when Israel has twice as many troops, (800,000). This is not that unusual. Kings would leverage whatever advantage they thought they may wield against an opponent. It is not however, always a testimony to what is in the heart. Jehovah was one of several other gods AbiJAM followed. The scriptures in Chronicles do not call Abijah good nor do they say that he walked in the ways of a good king to "do right." All we are left with is:
1Ki 15:3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, those that he did before him, and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of his father David.
1Ki 15:3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, those that he did before him, and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of his father David.
The Outline of 2Kings:
8. The beginning of 2Kings corresponds to what chapter in 2Chronicles? 2Kings 1, Ahaziah dies. Jehoshaphat becomes king in 2 Chronicles 17. 2Chronicles 19, God is unhappy with Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab. Jehoshaphat allies with Ahaziah in 2Chronicles 20.
9. Skim through 2Kings especially noting the chapter titles in your bible. Jot down a brief summary statement of each chapter on you Survey Chart.
10. In what chapter did Israel go into captivity? Who took them captive? 17, Assyria
11. In what chapter did Judah go into captivity? Who took them captive? 25, Babylon
12. What literary prophets warned Israel of her captivity? Jonah, Amos, Hosea
13. What literary prophets warned Judah of her captivity? Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Jeremiah
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