1–2 Chronicles David Gooding Myrtlefield House Study Notes www.myrtlefieldhouse.com Contents Preface 3 Preliminary Remarks 4 Some Observations 5 A Literary Approach to 1–2 Chronicles 6 The Formal Literary Division-Marker 7 A Pattern in the First Four Stages 8 An Outline for a Series of Sermons Based on 1 Chronicles 9 Some Guidance in the Exposition of the Main Stages 10 About the Author 11 David Gooding has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work. Copyright © The Myrtlefield Trust, 2018 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the English Revised Version (1885) or from the King James Version. Sometimes Dr Gooding gives his own translations or paraphrases. This material is made available for you to read or print out for personal or church use. However, you may not publish it either in print or electronic form. Published by The Myrtlefield Trust PO Box 2216 Belfast BT1 9YR w: www.myrtlefieldhouse.com e: [email protected] Myrtlefield catalogue no: chr.004.cht Preface The biblical authors used the literary conventions of their day to convey their message. These included structures and patterns that are less obvious to us in an age of typesetting and digital display. David Gooding has brought his considerable experience of reading and teaching ancient literature to bear on the biblical text, and these study notes represent his thinking about the structure, patterns and thought-flow of 1–2 Chronicles. He has often said to groups of Bible students, ‘When it comes to Bible study, there is structure, pattern and thought-flow, and the greatest of these is thought-flow. Here are the thoughts of God expressed. Our job is to follow the thought-flow’. The most important thing to grasp is the way the author develops his argument or message, and discovering the structure and patterns that the text exhibits should always be to that end. The study notes have been developed over a number of years and were distributed at talks he gave in various places publicly and privately. Audio recordings and transcripts of some of these talks are available for free download from myrtlefieldhouse.com. These study notes are not meant to be the last word on 1–2 Chronicles, and may not cover the entire book. They are offered publicly to help Bible students, preachers and teachers to stimulate further thinking about the book, so that its message may be understood. The Myrtlefield Trust 2018 Preliminary Remarks 1. Welcome to this year’s seminars. 2. Participants should try to read through 1–2 Chronicles before coming to the seminars. 3. It would also increase the potential profit of the seminars if participants had previously made out their own personal table of contents and were conversant with the order of the main events in the two books. 4. Since the main topic of the two books is the building of the temple at Jerusalem, we shall find it easy to see in the narrative many foreshadowings of Christian themes. But we shall run into difficulties and frustrations and confusions if we do not make sure that we have first understood these books at the historical level. 5. These books were written during the post-exilic period, and, in the first place, for the benefit of those who had returned from exile in Babylon in accordance with Cyrus’ decree (2 Chr 36:22–23). To understand their moral and spiritual situation and condition, recall—if need be re-read—Ezra, Nehemiah and the three post-exilic prophets: Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. 6. Their descendants would eventually have to face the trauma of the desecration of the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes with the collusion of the Judaean high priests (see Dan 8, 11, and 1–2 Maccabees). How would the reading and study of 1–2 Chronicles have helped these post-exilic people? 7. The significance of Solomon’s temple. In one sense Solomon’s temple was like the tabernacle of Moses: both were built as a dwelling-place for God. But what is the essential difference in their significance? If need be, read again 1 Chronicles 17:4–6 and 2 Chronicles 6:41; 35:3. 8. The genealogies (1 Chr 1:1): a. Which two tribes occupy the largest space in these chapters? What reason is there for this emphasis? b. How far along in history do the genealogies take us? Just up until David and Solomon? Or further? Do any of them continue into the post-exilic period? If so, for what purpose? 9. Consider all those places in the two books where reference is made to King David’s organization of the Levites, and particularly to their singing duties. How would you account for this difference between the arrangements for the temple and those for the tabernacle? 10. What have these books to contribute to our understanding of the doctrine of ‘the wrath of God’? 11. Would you say that 1–2 Chronicles give more prominence to priests or to prophets? 12. The histories recorded in 1–2 Chronicles doubtless provide us in our day with many moral, spiritual and practical lessons. Do they also sometimes function as prototypes? If so, of what, and at what levels? a. of the church? b. of the millennial temple? c. of the eternal dwelling-place of God? 13. The founding of Jerusalem is recorded in 1 Chronicles 11. At what levels has Jerusalem city proved to be significant in the course of history? What part does the ‘Jerusalem that is above’ play now? What part will Jerusalem city play in the future and in eternity? 14. Search out all references to David and the Gentiles (peoples, nations, etc.) in 1–2 Chronicles. Why is it important to notice that the gospel is ‘concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh’ (Rom 1:1–3; 15:8–13; 2 Tim 2:8–13)? David Gooding © The Myrtlefield House Some Observations The Trajectories of the Two Books 1. First Chronicles: from Adam, the first man (1:1), to man sitting on the throne of the Lord (29:23; cf. Rev 3:21). 2. Second Chronicles: from the building of the temple by Solomon (chs. 2–7) to its rebuilding under Cyrus (36:22–23). The Major Themes of the Two Books: 1. First Chronicles: the necessary stages in the preparation for the building of the temple. 2. Second Chronicles: the achievement of God’s purpose in the actual building of the temple, in its necessary restorations, and in its rebuilding by Cyrus. The Structure of the Two Books: 1. First Chronicles: the stages of David’s rise to power and exercise of government: a. 10:13–14; b. 14:2–7; c. 18:13–17; d. 23:1; e. 29:23. 2. Second Chronicles: a. The building of the temple by Solomon (chs. 2–7); b. Its restoration by Jehoiada and Joash (chs. 23–24); c. Its restoration by Hezekiah (chs. 29–31); d. Its restoration by Josiah (chs. 34–35); e. Its rebuilding by Cyrus (36:22–23). David Gooding © The Myrtlefield House A Literary Approach to 1–2 Chronicles The position: at the end of the Hebrew canon. The scope: from creation to the return from the exile. The extent: from the first man, Adam, until man—in the person of Solomon—sat on the throne of the Lord (1 Chr 29:23) and inaugurated Israel’s golden age of peace. With this idea compare Psalm 8; Hebrews 2; Romans 8:17–23. David Gooding © The Myrtlefield House The Formal Literary Division-Markers Stages in the development of David’s reign: 1. 1:1 Adam 10:13–14 Saul executed: kingdom turned to David. 2. 11:1–3 All Israel anoint David king over all Israel. 3. 14:1–7 David perceived that the Lord established him king over Israel. List of David’s wives and sons. 4. 18:14–17 And David reigned over all Israel and executed judgment and justice. List of David’s officers and officials. 5. 23:1 And David was old and he made Solomon, his son, king over Israel. 29:22 And they made Solomon . king the second time. David Gooding © The Myrtlefield House A Pattern in the First Four Stages One notable advance, followed by a notable mistake, leading to a new advance: 1. Advance: The rise of Israel out of the nations. Mistake: The disobedience of Saul (but it leads to David). 2. Advance: The Founding of Jerusalem. Mistake: False attempt to bring up the ark (but it leads to blessing). 3. Advance: The coming of the ark to Jerusalem. Mistake: David’s premature suggestion to build God a permanent house (but it leads to God’s promise to build David a house). 4. Advance: Victory over Ammon and the sons of the giants. Mistake: The numbering of Israel (but it leads to the choice of site for altar and temple). David Gooding © The Myrtlefield House An Outline for a Series of Sermons Based on 1 Chronicles General theme: man shall sit on the throne of the Lord: 1. By whose authority? 2. By whose power? 3. According to whose plan? 4. For whose glory? 5. At whose expense? David Gooding © The Myrtlefield House Some Guidance in the Exposition of the Main Stages Stage 1: Adam, the first man, Saul the first king, Christ the second man and true king (cf. Rom 5:12–19; Acts 13:21–23). Stage 2: The unifying of the people of God: the founding of Jerusalem city.