We are taking the two books, I & II Chronicles, together in one sitting as in the Hebrew Bible these two are one volume. They were probably written down after the exile, so a long time after the events they describe. In a time when there were prophets reminding them of the need to restore the temple, this prophetic history similarly exalts the importance and place of the temple in Jewish worship. More than that, the endless genealogies are about their attempt to understand who they were and where they came from. Also, knowing who they were and where they came from, helped them establish the foundations of who they were to be and how they were to live in the future, and to caution them from making the same mistakes again.
You can divide the books up as follows: 1 Chron Chs. 1 – 9 = Lists of Ancient Genealogies 1 Chron Chs. 10 - 2 Chron Ch. 9 = The story of the united monarchy under David & Solomon 2 Chron Chs. 10 - 36 = The story of Judah during the time of the divided monarchy
1 Chronicles is mostly about David apart from all the lists of names (Chapters 1 - 9, and 23 - 27). The book basically contains the same information as 2 Samuel with some additions such as a Psalm and the genealogical lists. The Chronicler however isn’t simply a copier. His concern appears to be to write the story of the development of the first Jerusalem Temple. We’re back in the world of David taking over from Saul and dreaming big dreams about building a temple for God. He also has a concern to demonstrate the obedience of God’s people. David is the central personality and 1 Chronicles stresses his faith and his God-centredness. Their link to that heritage is very important to the writer.
To unify God’s people around a common history based upon King David and his line, and to teach that genuine worship ought to be the centre of individual and corporate life.
Unknown Chronicler, although a long tradition associated the book with Ezra.
To the Jewish Community once they had returned from exile as they sought to rebuild their life and identity.
Approximately 430 BC after the return from exile but telling the story of their history from about 1000 BC to 960 BC.
1 Chronicles parallels 2 Samuel and serves as a commentary on it. It is written after the exile from a priestly point of view. 1 Chronicles emphasizes the religious history of Judah & Israel.
Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” (16:8,9)
Did you know that if you want to walk forward, you need to push off from where you have been and step into where you are going?