1. CHRONICLE MEANS DIARY OR JOURNAL
Cards 44-46
CHRONICLE MEANS
DIARY OR JOURNAL
The book of 1 Chronicles is a record of Israel’s family history, and particularly of David, Israel’s greatest king. In fact, at first glance, 1 Chronicles looks like a rehash of David’s life as told in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. Some of the most dramatic episodes in David’s life—his clash with Goliath, his sin with Bathsheba—don’t make it into this account. But David’s organization of the temple is told in great detail, and long lists and genealogies fill over half the book.
First Chronicles, however, is far more interested in David’s lasting accomplishments than in his ups and downs as an individual. The nation he led was more than a collection of inspired individuals. It was founded on God’s unshakable promises to the children of Abraham. He has promised to be with them. He had promised to provide leadership. He had promised to make them a blessing to the world. These promises took shape in enduring institution—the temple and the monarchy, most notably.
The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles trace the genealogy of Israel back to Adam. The author brings together more family records than you’ll find anywhere else in the Bible. These records helped the Israelites remember their position as members in God’s chosen family. God had given them unique ways to follow and worship him. First Chronicles reminded the Israelites—as it reminds us—of how different their family was meant to be.

2. CHRONICLE MEANS A. A promise B. Diary or Journal C. Genealogy
The book of 1 Chronicles is a record of Israel’s family history? True or False
It a history of Noah? True or False
It is a history of King David’s life? True or False
Does 1 Chronicle talk about David’s accomplishments?
Did God promise to the children of Abraham to be with them and provide leadership and make them a blessing to the world?
The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles trace the genealogy of Israel back to Adam? True or False
Did 1 Chronicles remind the Israelites of how different their family was meant to be?
As Christians should are our families be different from the world?

3. I & II CHRONICLES RETELLS
THE PERIOD OF THE KINGS
There was a time when the Israelites needed a new look at the past. Their ancestors had been torn from home, beaten, and dragged off in chains to serve as slaves in a foreign country. In Babylon, a new generation grew up knowing little of the Israelite past: the covenant with God, the promised line of kings, the magnificent temple in Jerusalem.
When captive Israelites were finally allowed to return home, they found a pile of rubble. In Israel’s Golden Age, people had traveled thousands of miles to view the majesty of Jerusalem and its temple. But to the refugees’ horror, not one stone of the temple remained standing. The carved beams had all been hacked to pieces, the gold and ivory stripped away, and the furniture auctioned off or destroyed.
Outside the capital, whole villages had disappeared, vital religious customs had gone uncelebrated for 70 years, Jewish culture was in danger of leaking away.
The book of Chronicles was written to those refugees who returned. For that dispirited group of people, the author recounted the glory days of Israel. He wanted to restore pride in the Israelite past, and bring hope to their future.

4. I & II CHRONICLES RETELLS
A. The period of the Kings
B. The period of the Judges
C. Jewish culture
Had the Israelites been torn from their home?
Were they beaten, and dragged off in chains to serve as slaves in a foreign country?
In Babylon, a new generation grew up and needed a new look at their past? True or False
When they were allowed to return to Jerusalem what had happened to the magnificent temple?
Were whole villages gone outside the capital?
Was Jewish culture in danger of leaking away?
The book of Chronicles was written to who?
For that dispirited group of people the author recounted the glory days of Israel? True or False
The author wanted to restore pride in the Israelite past, and bring hope to their future.

5. 500 YEARS TIME COVERED BY I & II CHRONICLES
Chronicles (both 1 and 2) retells history, about 500 years worth, starting all the way at the beginning, with Adam. Most of the characters are familiar, but Chronicles tell old stories in a new light. Its author isn’t just reciting facts. He is delivering a word of bright hope, a pep talk, to just-freed refugees.
Some accuse Chronicles of being a “whitewashed” history, especially in comparison to the noting of David’s or Solomon’s mistake, for instance. Presumably, the refugees had heard plenty about the dark side of their nations recent past: the books of Samuel and Kings, which ruthlessly exposed those failures, had been around for years.
Similarly, Chronicles ignores the chaotic Northern Kingdom of Israel, and the civil war Judah waged against it. Nothing remained of the ten scattered tribes of the North, and the book wasted little space on them. Instead, Chronicles reaches higher, seeking to restore pride in the original ideals of the nation.
The good kings of Judah, eight in all dominated the story: over two-thirds of 2 Chronicles is devoted to their reigns. Chronicles focuses on God’s special relationship with the Israelites, recalling the covenant that had brought about their Golden age. It reviews the religious reforms let by each king, and above all, highlights the temple, the house where God’s presence came to rest. If God had lived among them in the past, couldn’t he do so again?

6. TIME COVERED BY I & II CHRONICLES
A Years
B Years
C Years
Does I & II Chronicles retell history all the way back to Adam?
Is the author delivering a word of bright hope to the just-freed refugees?
Had the refugees already been exposed to the books of Samuel and Kings?
Did anything remain of the ten scattered tribes of the North?
Did Chronicles write of any of those tribes?
Instead , Chronicles reaches higher, seeking to restore pride in the original ideals of the nation? True or False
How many good kings of Judah dominate the story?
Did Chronicles recall the covenant that had brought about their Golden Age?
It reviews the religious reforms let by each king, and above all, highlights the temple , the house where God’s presence came to rest? True or False
If God had lived among them in the past, couldn’t he do so again?