1 and 2 Chronicles
Chronicles is not a repetition of Kings. It is a view of Israel's history during the same time period but views those elements that are distinctly redeemable. To me, it lingers on those events that remain (works that would align with 1Cor 3:14). It has a priestly focus. The temple. The worship of God. Acts of faith.
Though we are in the second half of 2 Chron, there are some notes that I wanted to share. 1 Chron 1-9 are taken up with Chronicling God's earthly people. Who was the son of who, brothers and sisters etc. Each name (and therefore person) pondered by God and placed in the list. Each had their unique contribution to the big family.
Chapter 10 recounts the end of Saul - that picture of self, of flesh, of weakness (Mr. "I forced myself" 1Sam 13:12). In it, we read of that famous battle on Mount Gilboa. Saul is hit. Saul is wounded. Saul is dying. Saul dies. God comments on the reason for his death in verse 13. He "died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep and [a second thing] . . . therefore [God] killed him.
Verse 14 concludes with the transfer of the kingdom to David. 14 verses on Saul followed by 19 chapters on David. This speaks to me about the hearts of these men. Chronicles focusing on the Temple, the Priesthood, the worship of God, the heart of Israel. It is no wonder that David takes up so much space.
The story is often like that. Saul must fall first for David to rise. As long as Saul is in power, very little story is written. But when David takes the throne, the wide vistas of God's work have just begun.
No more Saul.
