Genealogy: Reuben

Introduction to Chronicles

When two or more people write the story of their life in their homeland, the reports are never the same. Each writer experiences the event in their own personal way, sees its significance from their perspective, and has their own purpose for writing the history. Thus, while the four books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings are written about the same period as 1 and 2 Chronicles, they differ in emphasis. The former focus on political and military events, and they feature prophets and kings as the main characters. Chronicles (originally one book, later divided into two) focuses on the religious practices of the kings, priests, and Levites. It features the kings of Judah as the main characters, mostly omitting the prophets who are so prominent in Samuel and Kings. While many of the same events and persons are covered, they are not presented in the same fashion or for the same purpose.

All the historical books (Samuel, Chronicles, and Kings, six books in all) present a theological history of Israel. Each shows that God requires obedience, and that disobedience can have dire consequences—in this case, the dividing of the strong nation of Israel into two weak nations, Judah in the south and Israel in the north.a

Samuel and Kings show us how the unfaithfulness of the kings led to the destruction of Israel and Judah and the deportation of the Israelites into Assyria and Babylonia. Chronicles emphasizes religion and worship according to the Law as the glue that God uses to hold his people together. And it shows how even irregular but sincere worship, and especially repentance by a king, sometimes leads to God’s pleasure and to his judgment being delayed or averted.

Second Kings ends on a pessimistic note, with Israel totally defeated and wiped out, Judah in exile, and no clue as to who will lead Judah or how any Israelites will survive as God’s people. Chronicles ends on an optimistic note, with King Cyrus of Persia giving permission for Jews to return to the promised land and rebuild the temple. According to Chronicles, the real Israel—God’s faithful, worshiping community—will go on.

Before You Read Words in italics are additions to the biblical text. In the context of commands, rules, and regulations, “shall,” “must,” and “are/is to” are equal terms, all the same strength.

Read lists from top to bottom in the first column then read the next column.l

You will find a “Key to Genealogical Tables” in the back of the book. While we have endeavored to make our tables intuitive, you may grasp them more quickly if you look at the key first.

We encourage you to read “Translation Notes” and “Format and Presentation Notes” in the back of the book. They are easy reading and will increase your understanding of the text.

Please browse the glossary before you begin reading. You will find helpful information about words that appear frequently in this book, as well as important explanations of the words “L” and “Yahweh.”