who wrote the book?
“The Chronicler,” as scholars have long referred to the author of this book, is anonymous. Jewish tradition speculates that Ezra may have written 1 and 2 Chronicles, which, like Samuel and the Kings, originally formed a single work. but nothing within the text provides a definitive clue as to the compiler of the material.
Several hints throughout the book reveal the author’s reliance on a variety of source materials: “annals,” “books,” and “records,” which are cited as reliable historical documentation. “whoever the author was, was a meticulous historian who carefully used official and unofficial documents.”1
You are reading: Who wrote the books of chronicles
where are we?
The time frame covered in 1 Chronicles reflects parts of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. the chronicler focused on david’s reign in 1 chronicles, including and omitting different events recorded in the other biblical histories, so that his document recorded those events significant for his purpose. For example, 1 Chronicles does not include David’s adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), which was a well-known fact even before the Chronicler began work on it, so it was not worth repeating.
chronicles was probably written during the time of ezra or nehemiah, while the jews were scattered throughout persia, and some had returned to israel. Archaeological evidence supports this premise. “fragments of a royal manuscript of chronicles found at qumran makes a date in the Persian period (538-333 BC) almost certain”. 2
why are early chronicles so important?
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Readers will note the extensive space devoted to genealogies. Why are these family lists so common in the chronicles? scholars say genealogies serve many purposes, including
to demonstrate the legitimacy of a person’s or family’s entitlement to a particular role or rank. . . preserve the purity of the chosen people and/or their priesthood. . . affirm the continuity of the people of God despite the expulsion from the promised land.3
In addition to family history, 1 chronicle lists priests, Levites, armies, temple officials, and other leaders of various ministries.
in the chronicles, the history of israel is told from a priestly perspective. The chronicler devoted significant attention to the proper worship of Yahweh and adherence to the norms of his law. the author included david’s decisions on the proper way to undertake the transfer of the ark of the covenant (1 chronicles 13, 15-16) and detailed descriptions of his return to jerusalem. The chronicler even singled out one of David’s psalms (16:8-36). We read the story of how David purchased the era from Ornan the Jebusite, which he then designated as the future site of the temple (21:15-30). Although David wanted to build the temple, God revealed that David’s son, Solomon, would have that honor (17:1-14).
what’s the big idea?
why do we need the books of 1-2 chronicles when we already have the story of 2 samuel and 1-2 kings? Just as the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each offer a different perspective on the life of Jesus, the Books of Chronicles present Israel’s history with a different purpose than the other historical books. the books of 2 samuel and 1-2 kings reveal the monarchies of israel and judah—particularly the sins of the nations that resulted in exile. But the books of chronicles, written after the time of the exile, focus on those elements of the story that God wanted the returning Jews to ponder: the obedience that results in God’s blessing, the priority of the temple and the priesthood, and the unconditional promises of the house of david.
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David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 summarizes the themes the chronicler wished to communicate: glory to God, gratitude for giving David’s family leadership of the nation, and the desire that David’s descendants keep dedicating yourself to god. staying true to god would reap blessings.
when the book was written, david’s descendants no longer ruled as monarchs over israel. But the chronicler wanted people to remember David’s royal lineage, because God had promised that a future ruler would emerge from that line. After the seventy-year exile in Babylon, Jewish political and social power rested more with the religious rulers than with the politicians. telling the story of israel through a priestly and royal lens was intended to prepare the people for a future messiah.
how do I apply this?
Read David’s magnificent prayer in 1 Chronicles 29. Consider your own spiritual heritage. Would you like to model such godly strength and character as his for your own children? what steps do you need to take to echo david’s attitude in verse 11, “yours, oh lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and on earth land is yours” (niv)?
Knowing that he tests the heart and delights in integrity (1 Chronicles 29:17), ask the spirit to fill you each day and guide your steps so that future generations will be blessed.
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