Introduction to the Chronicles

Introduction to the Chronicles

Like the 4 Gospels in the New Testament, 1 and 2 Chronicles overlap with 2 Samuel – 2 Kings. More than likely, a different author wrote 1 and 2 Chronicles, and that author had a different perspective on some of the events that unfolded during the reigns of the Davidic kings (the kings from David to the exile). While 1 and 2 Chronicles does not contradict the stories that we have already read through, there are some details that are different. Some details are added, which gives us a fuller understanding of the story, while other details are not mentioned. Ultimately 1 and 2 Chronicles serve as a companion to the Samuels and the Kings, and all 6 books tell the same story.


If you read through 1 and 2 Kings, you may have already noticed that these two books made reference to the Chronicles on several occasions, mentioning that further details are in the Chronicles. This is especially true for the kings that reigned in Judah, for 1 and 2 Chronicles focus primarily on what happened in Judah after the kingdom split and not as much time on Israel.

I do not plan on going back and revisiting the stories that we have already covered in 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. I have recently read through 1 and 2 Chronicles while writing a paper on some of their major themes. I noticed several of the parallels between these books, so I do not plan on talking about the same stories again. I will, however, look at some of the new information that 1 and 2 Chronicles gives us, and will try and show how these new stories fit into the much larger story. Therefore, we will move rather quickly through 1 and 2 Chronicles, but I hope you take the time to read through both books, revisiting some of the same stories. Just as it is beneficial to read all 4 Gospels to understand the much larger story about Jesus’ life, it is helpful to read the Chronicles alongside Samuel and Kings.

Matt