The books of first and second Chronicles is truly one book. The first book of Chronicles covers the events in the life of David. It has an emphasis on the temple. David had a desire to build a house for God, but in a bit of wordplay God promised to build David’s “house,” or line, instead. Rather than David building the temple, his son Solomon would build the temple. Most of the latter half of this book covers David preparing the materials and plans for the temple. He also gives a charge to Solomon to build the temple and establishes him as the king after David. The second book of Chronicles begins by focusing on Solomon. There is a definite emphasis on Solomon’s building of the temple according to the pattern David passed onto him. Whereas the book of kings bounced back and forth between Israel and Judah, the latter half of the second book is focused on the kingdom of Judah leading to exile into Babylon. It ends after the Babylonian exile with King Cyrus of the Persians allowing the Jews that wished to return to come back to the land of promise. There is implied a need to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and the temple.

                1 & 2 Chronicles is intended to be read as one volume. It was written after the Jews were exiled to Babylon for seventy years. There is a focus on the temple. God gave King David the plans for the temple, but he would not be allowed to build it because he was a warrior king. Rather, God promised that he would build David’s family as a royal line and David’s son Solomon would build the temple. David began gathering the materials needed for building and made Solomon as king after him before he died. Solomon built the temple according to the plan David had given him and it was glorious. After Solomon, Israel split into two kingdoms, but Chronicles focuses on the kingdom of Judah. Their kings led them in rebellion against God, although they had some that tried to bring them back. Eventually, God allowed them to be overtaken by the Babylonians. They were taken away from Judah and the temple was destroyed. The story ends seventy years later, after their time in Babylon. Now they were in need of a someone to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.

                There is always hope for God’s people. Even though they had been in exile for seventy years and were returning home to as destroyed nation, God is faithful. In looking back, the Chronicler is reminding the people of the promises of God, the glory of the temple, and the reason for their exile. When you are facing a time of disappointment, depression, or frustration, it is helpful to be reminded of God’s faithfulness. Look back on the “glory days” not as a golden age, but as a reminder of how great our God’s faithfulness is.