AN INTRODUCTION TO 1&2 KINGS AND 1&2 CHRONICLES (Part II)

In the previous presentation, I tried to demonstrate the background from which these books are born. God was dethroned by the choice of the Israelites to crown another leader replacing him (1Samuel 8). God worked through the new arrangement (Monarchism) to ensure his purpose is achieved. How this continues to happen through these books is something we should pay attention to.

First, let’s look at the authorship of this historical books.

It is possible that the authorship of these books is a compilation of three sources:

1. Whatever happened then was recorded down by Palace Scribes. That is why each narrative ends by referring you to other books (2Chronicles 9:29, 2Kings 12:19).
2. Portions of this History were written by some Kings themselves (9:1; 2Chronicles 20:34; 2Chronicles 33:18).
3. The largest part of these books was written by Prophets who lived in each of the reigns of these kings.

In the book of Chronicles, these writers are cited: Samuel the Seer (29:29), Nathan the prophet (29:29; 2Chronicles 9:29), Gad the seer (29:29), Ahijah the Shilonite (2Chronicles 9:29), Iddo the seer (2Chronicles 9:29; 12:15; 13:22), Shemaiah the prophet (2Chronicles 12:15), the prophet Isaiah (2Chronicles 26:22), the seers (2Chronicles 33:19). It is believed the final copies were compiled by Jeremiah, Ezra and Nehemiah throughout the pre and post-exilic periods.

The books focus essentially, on four characters:

1. The Kings,
2. The Prophets,
3. The Priests and,
4. The People.

Much emphasis, however, is placed on the King. He has too much responsibility and the biggest role-play in this whole drama. The prophet is the second most active office in these books but even the activeness of the prophet depends on the actions of the King. Kings are the focus.

The reason for this is because the behaviour of the kings as leaders affects literally everyone under them. One good policy by the Leadership will help everyone in the nation and so will one bad policy from the throne. The communication is as straight as this:

If the king is faithful to God, the nation thrives economically, socially and militarily. If the king is faithless, national catastrophe is the default result.

There are three character traits to the authenticity of a King:

1. Worship Yahweh Alone (monotheistic)
2. He must get rid of Idolatry and all its forms
3. He must be faithful to the covenant (Torah).

Any failure of the King in any of these does not only subject the public to pain but invokes the criticism of a Prophet to the King himself.

The role of Prophets in these books is fourfold:

1. He speaks on God’s behalf
2. He is a covenant watchman
3. Point out all sorts of Injustice
4. Challenges people to repentance and true worship.

Communication could be through:

1. Prophetic Speeches (1Kings 18:20-29),
2. Wisdom Sayings (1Kings 20:11; 2Kings 14:9),
3. Direct Discourse (2Kings 18:19-27) and sometimes
4. Poetic materials (1Kings 22:17; 2Kings 19:21-28).

Here is a quick outline of the books:

1KINGS

• Solomon’s reign over Israel (chapters 1–5)
• God’s temple in Jerusalem (chapters 6–9)
• Divided Kingdom = 10 tribes to the north and 2 tribes to the South (10:1–12:24)
• Jeroboam launches the Northern Apostasy (12:25–14:20)
• Northern kings struggle for control (14:21–16:34)
• God judges King Ahab through Elijah the prophet (16:35–22:53)

2KINGS

• God judges Ahab’s family through Elisha, Jehu, and Hazael (chapters 1–10)
• More kings of the North and South rule Israel and Judah (chapters 11–16)
• Israel falls to Assyria (chapter 17)
• Judah reforms under Hezekiah (chapters 18–20)
• Manasseh provokes God, dooms Judah (chapter 21)
• Judah reforms under Josiah (22:1–23:30)
• Judah falls to Babylon (23:31–25:30)

1CHRONICLES

• Genealogies From Adam to David (chapters 1–9)
• David rules and unites Israel (chapters 10–29)

2CHRONICLES

• Solomon builds the temple (chapters 1–9)
• David’s line rules in Jerusalem (chapters 10–35)
• From Jerusalem to Babylon (chapter 36)

From a tribal confederacy to a united monarchy under Saul. After his (Saul) death, Israel is divided when David is made king over Judah and Simeon, and finally, Israel unites again under David and that united kingdom continues through and fails in the last days of Solomon. Israel is divided again and suffers apostasy courtesy of all their kings.

The book of 1Kings is dedicated to the northern kingdom and their fate due to their disobedience. The book of 2Kings is an interplay of what happens in the North as well as in the southern kingdom.

Generally, both kingdoms failed God. The northern kingdom had 20 kings and none of them was an obedient king. The southern kingdom had 12 kings and out those, 8 kings were relatively good and the five major revivals were launched by the kings of Judah.

Nevertheless, neither the Northern Kingdom (Israel) nor the Southern Kingdom (Judah) was obedient to the Lord. Eventually, both are taken captive by enemy nations. Not to mention the socio-economic perils they suffered. Their suffering culminated in them being taken to captivity. Israel is taken by Assyria (2Kings 17:6-23) and Judah falls to Babylon (2Kings 25:1-26). And this is exactly what God promised would happen if they disobeyed (Deuteronomy 28:36-37).

The book of Chronicles is compendious of the events recorded in Kings. It tells us that what we see in these books is not merely a political history of a particular nation but instead a historical involvement of our God in the matters of the nation. God was involved in their matters not exclusively for them (Israelites) but rather using them as a platform for Him to address all the world at all times.

The genealogies in 1Chronicles 1-9 address three crucial elements concerning the whole world.

The first is in its opening statement. The first word in 1Chronicles is ADAM. Adam was not an Israelite, and for the author to begin with this character is a signal to all of us that matters to be deliberated in this narrative do not concern just Israelites but the entire human race (Adamah). This is the very pattern that Luke follows in the New Testament when he fits Jesus into the same genealogy bottom-up (Luke 3:23-38)

The second reason for this genealogies is to trace a Royal Kingship (Revelation 1:5, 19:11-16, 1Timothy 6:15) and the third is to establish a Royal Priesthood (Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:6).

The book of Chronicles, therefore, contributes three core theological motifs to our Bible study that since Genesis have been and in the next books are going to be the centre of all Biblical narratives. These elements are:

1. The God of Israel is a historical and all Human race God,
2. The Coming Messiah (Jesus Christ) and
3. The Future of the Temple (Church).

1Kings to 2Chronicles are the Old Testament biographies just as Mathew to John are the New Testament biographies. What the first four New Testament books (Mathew to John) present as a reality is what these four Old Testament books predict and present in symbols.

The United Monarchy of Israel under David represents the Kingdom of God (a dominant motif in Mathew). It is interesting to note that the whole of 2Chronicles 1-36 is squarely focused on the southern kingdom and says nothing about the northern kingdom. The intention is to make sure we understand that Judah is relatively the remnant symbol of the divine ideals.

Because David is the image of the coming Messiah (Jesus Christ the Messiah). Chronicles does not address him as the book of Samuel does. In Chronicles, (1Chronicles 10-29) David is presented to us as a perfect flawless king, his being persecuted by Saul, his adultery, murder and all his sins are edited out to make sure he suits the messiah he symbolises.

The Old Testament Temple is an image of the universal church of Christ in which am a member (John 10:14-16, Hebrews 12:23). God has always been involved to ensure your salvation. Believe him today and join his universal and eternal Church.

God bless you I invoke TRUTH, REASON and FAITH (2Tim 2:7)

Pr. I. T WHITE
The Gospel Hawker
iTiS Well of Worship Ministries (John 4:24)