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1 & 2 Chronicles were originally one book written after the Jewish exiles returned from captivity in Babylon. The books were written approximately 430BC with tradition attributing the writing to Ezra. They cover the historical period from the death of King Saul around 1000BC to the end of the period of captivity in 538BC. The death of King David around 960BC provides the division between the two books.

A God of Purpose and Restoration

Chronicles presents a history of Israel for the Jews, who had recently returned from exile in Babylon, highlighting that God was faithful to his covenant. While the books of Kings were written for an exiled community, Chronicles was written to a restored community. The two books look back at history, right back to Eden and gives faith for the future.

The question that a community returning from exile was asking is “Is God still interested in us?” Without a king, what will become of the covenant people? Chronicles was written to show the returning exiles that God had not abandoned his plans to have a people for himself, and to presence himself with them. Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness God will remain faithful to His covenant.

“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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

More than an alternative history to that which we read in Samuel & Kings, it is written to bring a theological framework to God’s restoration people. In Chronicles we see not only the God of justice but also the God whose hesed – his loving-kindness - never fails. God speaks to David about the Messiah to come:

“When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.   He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.   I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’"  (1 Chronicles 17:11-14 ESV)

Chronicles speaks to all who read it that God is a God of restoration, and his people must prepare for the coming King.

The Kingdom and God’s Rule

During the reigns of David and Solomon the splendour of the kings of Israel, and the kingdom of Israel reaches its peak. These two kings were types of Christ, and the kingdom of Israel points to the far more wonderful Kingdom of God.

The Temple and God’s Presence

The temple speaks of the presence of God with his people, and is a shadow of the church, where God dwells by his Spirit. From David’s preparation to Solomon’s dedication right through to Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of it, the temple is a key theme throughout both books. The first task of the community that has now returned from exile was to rebuild the temple. The temple – representing the dwelling place of God - foreshadowed the Messiah coming to dwell with his people in the person Jesus of Nazareth, and subsequently in the church, by the Holy Spirit.

This background was written by Andrew Cursham who is an elder in King’s Church, Manchester.