1. Introduction to 1 & 2 Kings

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. Divided Kingdom and its neighbors

9. Introduction to 1 & 2 Chronicles

10. 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

11. Emphasis of Chronicles
The temple / tabernacle

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

13. 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

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

15. 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.)

16. 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

17. 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)

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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