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Introduction
At first sight, the Books of Kings and the Books of Chronicles appear to be very similar, covering much of the same period of the history of Israel, especially the monarchy. However, there are some significant differences between the two, which are listed below.
Difference in position in Scripture
In the Hebrew Scriptures the books of Kings and Chronicles are in different sections. The books of Kings were included in the 'Former Prophets' along with Joshua, Judges and Samuel. The books of Chronicles are included in the third section of the Hebrew Scriptures, the 'Writings', together with Daniel and Ezra/Nehemiah, making Chronicles the final book in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Difference in historical setting
The Books of 1 and 2 Kings were written shortly after the Fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 BC. Its main purpose is to show that idolatry led to the downfall of the two nations of Israel and Judah (2 Kg 17).
The Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles was written about one hundred years later after the second return from exile led by Ezra in 458 BC. Its main purpose is to rebuild the nation under God after the exile, with its main focus on worship and the temple. It is likely that Ezra was the author.
Differences in content
1. Chronicles focusses almost exclusively on the kings of Judah. The northern kings of Israel are not mentioned except where they have some relevance to the accounts of the kings of Judah.
2. In Chronicles, David and especially Solomon are cast in a favourable light, any negative details, especially Solomon's idolatry are omitted.
3. Chronicles is not concerned with the civil affairs. Its focus is on religious events, especially building the temple, celebrating feasts, renewing the Covenant, and revivals.
4. In the Chronicles account the good aspects of each king are described first and followed by the bad. The only exceptions are Ahaz and Jehoram who have nothing good said about them, as well as David and Solomon who do not receive any criticism.
5. The primary focus of Chronicles is on the temple, the priesthood, the Levites, religious organization and the keeping of the covenant. The Levites are mentioned 100 times in Chronicles, and only three times in Samuel and Kings combined. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah also have an emphasis on the Levites, where they are mentioned 63 times.
6. Chronicles is concerned with tracing the preservation of the Davidic line in order to demonstrate God's faithfulness to his word to David.
7. Chronicles ends on a positive note of restoration and hope. A purified remnant are returning to a purified land that has undergone seventy years of rest.
8. Chronicles gives great attention to lists, statistics and genealogies. The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles trace the genealogy of Israel, starting with Adam and working through the Patriarchs, through the Judges and monarchy into the post-exilic period.
9. About half of the material in Chronicles is unique, and not found in the Books of Samuel or Kings see below.
10. The Chronicles account specifically shows the immediate retribution for evil and reward for righteousness and obedience to the Lord's prophets and the Covenant. The retribution takes the form of military defeat, illness or death. Rewards are in the form of military success, building projects, large families, wealth and honour.
11. In Chronicles there is an emphasis on the king's attitude toward the temple. Ungodly kings neglected and profaned the temple. Godly kings upheld and at times restored the temple. Solomon is an exception; he is the only king who honoured the temple but was involved in idolatry.
12. Kings stresses an emphasis on the Covenant and fulfilled prophecy. However there are still a significant number of prophets in Chronicles. There are 40 individual prophets or groups of prophets in Samuel and Kings, compared with 13 prophets that appear only in Chronicles and 12 prophets that are mentioned both in Chronicles and Samuel / Kings. Thus Chronicles has a total of 25 prophets or groups of prophets mentioned.
13. Chronicles refers to over ten different sources of information. These include official government records, as well as writing and records from the prophets. These would be documents that were taken to Babylon by the exiles, where they were preserved and brought back to the Land by the returning exiles.
Kings of Judah in Kings and Chronicles
| Rehoboam |
1 Kg 12:1-24, 14:21-31 |
2 Chr 10:1 - 12:16 |
| Abijah | 1 Kg 15:1-8 | 2 Chr 13:1-22 |
| Asa | 1 Kg 15:9-24 | 2 Chr 14:1 - 16:14 |
| Jehoshaphat | 1 Kg 22:1-48 | 2 Chr 17:1 - 20:37 |
| Jehoram | 2 Kg 8:16-24 | 2 Chr 21:1-20 |
| Ahaziah | 2 Kg 8:25 - 9:29 | 2 Chr 22:1-9 |
| Athaliah | 2 Kg 11:1-20 | 2 Chr 22:10 - 23:21 |
| Joash | 2 Kg 11:21 - 12:21 | 2 Chr 24:1-27 |
| Amaziah | 2 Kg 14:1-22 | 2 Chr 25:1-28 |
| Uzziah / Azariah | 2 Kg 14:1-22 | 2 Chr 26:1-23 |
| Jotham | 2 Kg 15:32-38 | 2 Chr 27:1-9 |
| Ahaz | 2 Kg 16:1-20 | 2 Chr 28:1-27 |
| Hezekiah | 2 Kg 18:1 - 20:21 | 2 Chr 29:1 - 32:33 |
| Manasseh | 2 Kg 21:1-18 | 2 Chr 33:1-20 |
| Amon | 2 Kg 21:19-26 | 2 Chr 33:21-25 |
| Josiah | 2 Kg 22:1 - 23:30 | 2 Chr 34:1 - 35:27 |
| Jehoahaz | 2 Kg 23:31-33 | 2 Chr 36:1-4 |
| Jehoiakim | 2 Kg 23:34 - 24:7 | 2 Chr 36:5-8 |
| Jehoiachin | 2 Kg 24:8-17 | 2 Chr 36:9-10 |
| Zedekiah | 2 Kg 24:18 - 25:7 | 2 Chr 36:11-14 |
Passages unique to Chronicles - No parallel in Samuel or Kings
1 Chronicles
| 10:13-14 |
Commentary on Saul's death |
| 12:1-40 |
Information about David's armies |
| 13:1-4 |
Announcement of David's purpose to bring the Ark |
| 15:1-24 |
Bringing of the Ark into Jerusalem |
| 16:4-42 |
Appointment of Asaph and the musicians (extract of Psalms) |
| 21:1,6,25-30 |
Details of David's numbering the people and purchase of Ornan's threshing floor |
| Chs 22-29 |
David's addresses on the occasion of Solomon's accession to the throne |
II Chronicles
| 11:5-23 |
Details of Rehoboam's reign |
| 13:3-21 |
Abijah's speech and victory over Jeroboam |
| 14:6-15 |
Asa's victory over Zareh the Cushite |
| 15:1-15 |
Asa's reforms |
| 17:1-19 |
Jehosophat's godliness and power |
| 19:1-11 |
Jehosophat's appointment of judges |
| 20:1-30 |
Jehosophat's miraculous deliverance |
| 21:1-17 |
Detail of Jeroboam's reign |
| 24:15-22 |
The killing of Zechariah, son of Jehoiada |
| 26:6-15 |
Uzziah's military forces and victory over Philistines |
| 28:8-15 |
Israel captures and releases prisoners from Judah |
| 29:3-36 |
Hezikiah purifies the temple |
| 30:1-27 |
Hezikiah celebrates the Passover |
| 31:2-21 |
Contributions for worship |
| 32:27-30 |
Hezikiah's wealth and success |
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