Introduction to 1 & 2 Kings

1 & 2 Kings Originally one book in the Hebrew O.T. Split into two books in the Greek Septuagint Author: Unknown Talmudic tradition says it was written by the prophet Jeremiah – except for the last two chapters

1 & 2 Kings Like 1 & 2 Samuel, deals with the history of two kingdoms: The northern kingdom of Israel The southern kingdom of Judah 1 & 2 Chronicles deals mainly with the southern kingdom of Judah

Dates of 1 & 2 Kings The events of 1 & 2 Kings span approximately 425 years: From King David confirming Solomon king around 986 B.C. To Evil-Merodach, king of Babylon, releasing Jehoiachin, king of Judah, from prison around 561 B.C. (25 years after the destruction of the temple) So 45 chapters were probably written before the 586 BC fall of Jerusalem and 2 more chapters were added afterwards.

Contribution to the Bible Tells us about the rise, division, decline and fall of the kingdom of Israel Synchronizes the histories of the monarchies of the kings of Israel and Judah Gives evaluations of each king’s reign, using the reign of King David as the standard. Describes the prophetic ministries of several of God’s prophets

Outline of Kings The united kingdom (1 Kings 1–11) Solomon’s wisdom and temple Jeraboam’s prophecy (1 Kings 11:26-40) The divided kingdom (1 Kings 12 – 2 Kings 17) From Rehoboam’s foolish and rude choice (1 Kings 12:1-17) 10 tribes rebel and only Judah and Benjamin The surviving kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 18–25) From the reign of Hezekiah To the deportation of Judah to Babylon To the release of Jehoiachin in Babylon

United Kingdom (at the time of David’s death)

Divided Kingdom and its neighbors

Introduction to 1 & 2 Chronicles

1 & 2 Chronicles Originally one book in the Hebrew O.T. Split into two books in the Greek Septuagint Organized as the last book of the Hebrew Bible Talmudic tradition says it was written by the priest, Ezra Perhaps it was written by one of Ezra’s contemporaries It is quite similar in style to the book of Ezra Chronicles and Ezra may have been one consecutive history, like Luke and Acts

Emphasis of Chronicles The temple / tabernacle

Emphasis of Chronicles The temple / tabernacle Two purposes: Sacrifices Communication with God

Emphasis of Chronicles The temple / tabernacle Chronicles omits northern kingdom’s kings because they had no ties with the temple Special mention is made of Jewish kings who restored the temple: Asa Jehoshaphat Joash Hezekiah Josiah

First Temple A story of the first Jewish temple Idea – by David (1014 B.C.) Preparation – by David (985 B.C.) Construction – by Solomon (982-975 B.C.) Dedication – by Solomon (972 B.C.) Defiling – by bad kings Cleansing – by good kings Destruction – by Nebuchadnezzar (586 B.C.)

Second Temple Briefly mentioned at end of Chronicles Idea – 1st prophesied by Isaiah (~712 B.C.) Idea – proclaimed by Cyrus (539 B.C.) Preparation – elders & priests (539 B.C.) Foundation – by Zerubbabel (535 B.C.) Completion – by Zerubbabel (517 B.C.) Dedication – by priests (516 B.C.) Destruction – by Titus (70 A.D.)

Emphasis of Chronicles Priests / the priesthood They had to be men from the tribe of Levi Offered gifts and sacrifices for sins Compassionate with sinners Interceded for sinners Appointed by God

Emphasis of Chronicles God’s faithfulness in preserving the theocratic line of Christ 1 Chronicles 1-9 Matthew 1 Luke 3 Adam to Zerubabbel (56 generations) Abraham to Christ (42 generations) Jesus to Adam (75 generations)

Contribution to the Bible Provides the most comprehensive genealogical tables in the Bible Shows the work of God in preserving a people for Himself from the beginning of human history to the period after the Babylonian exile – more than other books Demonstrates God’s keeping His covenant promises in maintaining the Davidic line through the centuries

Outline of Chronicles The royal line of David (1 Chr. 1-9) Genealogy; around 3500 years The reign of David (1 Chr. 10-29) History; 33 years The reign of Solomon (2 Chr. 1-9) 40 years Reigns of the kings of Judah (2 Chr. 10-36) 393 years

Israelite Dynasties Year B.C. Kings of Judah Kings of Israel 933 1 Rehoboam (bad) 1 Jeroboam I 915 2 Abijah (bad)    912 3 Asa (good) 911 2 Nadab 910 3 Baasha 887 4 Elah

Israelite Dynasties 886 5 Zimri 6 Omri 875 7 Ahab 874    5 Zimri 6 Omri 875 7 Ahab 874 4 Jehoshaphat (good) 855 8 Ahaziah 854 9 Joram

Israelite Dynasties 850 5 Jehoram (bad) 843 6 Ahaziah (bad) 10 Jehu    843 6 Ahaziah (bad) 10 Jehu 7 Athaliah (wicked) 8 Joash (good/bad) 820 11 Jehoahaz 806 12 Joash

Israelite Dynasties 803 9 Amaziah (good/bad) 790 13 Jeroboam II 787    790 13 Jeroboam II 787 10 Uzziah (good) 749 11 Jotham (good) 748 14 Zechariah 15 Shallum 16 Menahem

Israelite Dynasties 741 12 Ahaz (bad) 738 17 Pekahiah 18 Pekah 730    738 17 Pekahiah 18 Pekah 730 19 Hoshea 726 13 Hezekiah (good) 721   End of N. Kingdom

Israelite Dynasties 697 14 Manasseh (evil, but repented) 641    641 15 Amon (bad) 639 16 Josiah (good) 608 17 Jehoahaz (bad) 18 Jehoiakim (bad) 597 19 Jehoiachin (bad) 20 Zedekiah (bad) 586   End of Southern Kingdom

Comparison of 2 Histories Samuel and Kings Chronicles Israel’s history from the united kingdom to the two captivities Southern kingdom’s history, especially the Davidic line Political history Religious history Prophetic emphasis on moral concerns Priestly emphasis on spiritual concerns Written soon after the events Written many years after the events

Comparison of 2 Histories Samuel and Kings Chronicles More negative – about rebellion and tragedy More positive – tells of apostacy, but offers hope in spite of tragedy Message of judgment Message of hope Man’s failings God’s faithfulness Emphasizes kings and prophets Emphasizes the temple and the priests