• Hebrew text – 1 & 2 Chronicles was written as one book which was called “The accounts of the days (things)”. This is taken from I Chronicles 27:24.
• Greek text – The one book was divided into two books. The name that was given to these books was “Things passed over or omitted”. This is a very inaccurate title.
• English text – The Latin Vulgate had divided the book into 1 & 2 Chronicles. The word Chronicles means “A historical record”. The English text has taken this division.

These books were written after the captivity when the Southern Kingdom was taken to Babylon. See 2 Chronicles 36:22 & 33. The children of Israel are allowed to return and rebuild the temple. See also Ezra 1:1. Ezra must be the author of the book. The Talmud also says that it was Ezra.

The book is in the restoration period of Israel’s history. The period covered genealogically is large because the book traces right back to Adam in chapter 1:1. But from a historical point of view the book starts with the monarchy and ends with the edict of restoration.

The book presents the spiritual foundations of the nation of Israel. There is a band of people who are going back to establish their kingdom, and they need to know what their spiritual foundations are as the nation of Israel. As spiritual things are emphasised, other things are ignored.

• The genealogies – this is sub-divided into two sections

1. The genealogy from Adam to Jacob – Chapter 1.
2. The genealogy of Jacob’s family – Chapters 2-9.

There are three reasons why these genealogies are emphasised. The returning captives want to know where they belong because the land was divided according to the tribes, the service in the temple was determined by your tribal association and to show the people of Israel their spiritual roots.

• The reign of David. Chapters 10-29. Saul is passed over and David is selected. It was David who was the beginning of the Messiah’s line on the throne. This can be sub-divided into five sections:

1. David ascends to the throne – Chapters 10-12.
2. David brings the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem – Chapters 13-16.
3. David prepares for the building of the temple – Chapters 17-22.
4. David’s preparations for the service in the temple – Chapters 23-27.
5. David’s final instructions concerning the temple – Chapter 28-29.

Notice that the Northern Kingdom is ignored in Chronicles.

• The To show the link between the returning remnant with the people of the past. (This is the prime purpose of the genealogies).
• To show the glorious heritage of this returning remnant. The Davidic covenant is mentioned, with David’s line emphasised. (There is yet hope !) This is why the Northern Kingdom is committed and David’s sins are overlooked.
• To Show that their heritage can only be preserved through ecclesiastical institutions of God. ie. The temple, priesthood and Davidic line. They must have these things to enjoy God’s blessings, or fail like those before them.
• To show the returning remnant that their heritage could also be sustained by individual responses of faith. There is the need for individual faith in the Lord. (See 2 Chronicles).
• Challenge the nation of Israel to a renewed dedication to God For 70 years they had been in captivity. These books are exhorting them to be renewed to God, away from their apostasy. This can be applied today in the Church of Jesus Christ, it must be renewed in its dedication to God.