1&2 Chronicles Bible Study Resources

Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study the Old Testament books of 1&2 Chronicles.

---

Jump to: Background; ** Maps; ** Key Words; ** Encyclopedias; ** Commentaries; ** Articles; ** GotQuestions ** KingsList ** Next **

---

Basics

• Date & Author: c 400 BC (after the exile in Babylon), probably by Ezra
• Purpose: Retell the stories with the renewal after the exile in mind
• 1Chronicles: David’s ancestry (1-11) and reign (12-29).
• 2Chronicles: Solomon’s reign (1-9) and the kings of Judah (10-36).

Themes:

• Continuity with the past is signified by the temple in Jerusalem
• Emphasis on God’s gracious and sovereign election of: tribe of Levi as priests; David as King; Solomon as King; Jerusalem; temple.
• Emphasis on compliance with the covenant and heeding the voice of the prophets.
• Emphasis on sin brings judgment & disaster.
• Sustain Israel’s hope for the promised Messiah

Timeline of Kings

• 1010 BC – David becomes King of Judah
• 1002 BC – David becomes King of all Israel
• 991 BC – Solomon born
• 971 BC – Solomon becomes King
• 959 BC – Temple completed
• 931 BC – Rehoboam becomes King of Judah; Jeroboam becomes king of Israel
• 925 BC – King Shishak of Egypt attacks Jerusalem
• 911 BC – Asa becomes King of Judah
• 874 BC – Elijah begins his ministry; Ahab becomes King of Israel
• 873 BC – Jehoshaphat becomes King of Judah

Relationship to Kings & Samuel

• 1 Chronicles covers the same period of time as 2 Samuel and both describe the reign of David.
• 2 Chronicles covers the same period of time as 1 Kings and 2 Kings and both describe the time from Solomon to the Babylonian Captivity. In Chronicles the kings of Israel are not mentioned unless they do something that relates to the kings of Judah.

Genre: Understanding Narrative

Section 1: Background

Background & Outlines

General

• Chart: Kings of Israel & Judah
• Chart: Bible History at a glance
• Introduction to the Northern Kingdom
• Introduction to the Southern Kingdom
• Blue Letter Bible: Old Testament Timeline
• Chart: Saul’s Family Tree
• Chart: David’s Family Tree
• Bible Atlas: Jerusalem
• Jensen’s Survey of the Old Testament
• Hebrew Calendar
• ESV: Introduction to 1-2 Chronicles
• James van Dine: Analysis of Chronicles
• Will Pounds: 1 & 2 Chronicles – Introductions
• David Malick: An Introduction to 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles

1Chronicles

• ESV: Introduction to 1-2 Chronicles
• ESV: The Global Message of 1Chronicles
• Biblehub: 1Chronicles Chronology
• Ray C Stedman: Overview of the Book
• John MacArthur Overview: 1Chronicles
• NIV Study Bible Intro to 1Chronicles
• JVernon McGee: 1 Chronicles Overview
• William Orr: Key to 1 Chronicles
• Charles Swindoll: Book of First Chronicles Overview

2Chronicles

• ESV: The Global Message of 2Chronicles
• Biblehub: 2Chronicles Chronology
• Ray C Stedman: Overview of the Book
• John MacArthur Overview: 2Chronicles
• NIV Study Bible Intro to 2Chronicles
• JVernon McGee: 2 Chronicles Overview
• William Orr: Key to 2 Chronicles
• Charles Swindoll: Book of Second Chronicles Overview

Section 2: Maps

Maps from Bible-History.com

• Map of the Kingdom of David and Solomon
• The Period of the Kings
• The Empire of David and Solomon
• The Kingdom of David
• Solomon’s Temple Illustration
• Ophir and Tarshish
• Israel and Judah During the Time of Rehoboam
• Samaria
• Zaraphath and Mount Carmel
• Ramoth Gilead

Maps from Holman Bible Atlas

• The Battle at Ebenezer and the Loss of the Ark
• The Ministry of Samuel and Anointment of Saul
• The Kingdom of Saul and His Wars
• Saul, 1000 BCE
• David’s Flight from Saul
• David’s Rise to Power
• David in Conquest of Canaan
• David’s Wars of Conquest
• Kingdom of David and Solomon
• The United Monarchy under Solomon (1)
• The United Monarchy under Solomon (2)
• Solomon’s Economic Enterprises
• Solomon’s Building Activities
• Solomon’s Temple
• Jerusalem in the Time of David and Solomon

The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

• The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (1)
• The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (2)
• The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (3)
• The Campaign of Shishak
• Conflicts between Israel and Aram-Damascus
• The Omride Dynasty
• The Golden Ages of the 9th & 8th centuries BCE
• Phoenician Trade and Civilization
• Trade Routes throughout the Middle East
• Elijah and Elisha
• The Revolt of Jehu
• The Rise of Assyria
• Israel & Judah in the days of Jeroboam II and Uzziah
• The Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III
• Fall of Samaria and Deportation of Israelites
• The Fall of the Kingdom of Israel
• Assyrian Districts after the Fall of Samaria
• Prophets of the 8th Century BCE

Judah Alone amid International Powers

• Hezekiah’s Preparation for Revolt
• Judah under King Hezekiah
• Hezekiah’s Jerusalem
• Sennacherib’s Campaign against Judah
• Assyria in the 7th century BCE
• The Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire
• The Reign of Josiah
• The Districts of Judah under King Josiah
• The Golden Age of King Josiah
• Nebuchadnezzar’s Campaigns against Judah

Other Maps

• Kingdoms of Israel
• Deportations and Returns under Assyria and Babylon
• Assyrian and Babylonian and Greek Empires
• Palestine Between Old and New Testaments
• Old Testament Jerusalem

Section 3: Key Words

Keywords

• House, ark, covenant, cry (cried), seek (sought), heart, pray (prayer, prayed), prophet (s).

Section 4: Encyclopedias

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

• Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary  Chronicles, Theology of
• Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Chronicles, books of
• Easton’s Bible Dictionary Chronicles, Books of
• Fausset Bible Dictionary Chronicles, the Books of
• Holman Bible Dictionary Chronicles, Books of
• Morrish Bible Dictionary Chronicles, Books of the
• International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Chronicles, Books of
• The Jewish Encyclopedia Chronicles, Books of
• Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible Chronicles
• McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia Chronicles

Solomon

• Nave Topical Bible Solomon
• American Tract Society Solomon
• Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Solomon
• Easton’s Bible Dictionary Solomon
• Fausset Bible Dictionary Solomon
• Holman Bible Dictionary Solomon
• Hitchcock Bible Names Solomon
• Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible Solomon
• Hastings’ Dictionary of the NT Solomon; Solomon
• Whyte’s Bible Characters  Solomon
• Watson’s Theological Dictionary Solomon
• International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Solomon
• Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Solomon
• McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia Solomon

David

• Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: David;  Life of David – Theological Perspective
• Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: David
• McClintock and Strong: David
• David means “well-beloved” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names
• American Tract Society David
• Bridgeway Bible Dictionary David
• Easton’s Bible Dictionary David
• Fausset Bible Dictionary David
• Holman Bible Dictionary David
• Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible David
• Hastings’ Dictionary of the NT David; David
• Whyte’s Bible Characters David – in his services 
• Whyte’s Bible Characters David – in his races
• Whyte’s Bible Characters David – in his vices 
• Whyte’s Bible Characters David – in His Virtues
• Wilson’s Bible Types David
• Watson’s Theological Dictionary David
• International Standard Bible Encyclopedia  David
• Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia David

King, Kingship

• Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: King, Kingship
• Holman Bible Dictionary: King, Kingship
• Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: King, Kingship
• McClintock and Strong: King, Kingship
• International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: King, Kingdom
• Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature:King, Kingship

WHYTE’S Dictionary of Bible Characters in Chronicles

• Joab
• Jeroboam
• Josiah
• Rehoboam
• Solomon
• Solomon, and a Greater Than Solomon
• The Queen of Sheba

Section 5: Commentaries

Commentaries & Study Bibles

• Best Commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles – Ligonier Ministries
• Best Commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles
• Best Commentary on 1-2 Chronicles – Best Commentaries Reviews
• Matthew Henry: 1 Chronicles
• Matthew Henry: 2 Chronicles
• Albert Barnes Notes: 1 Chronicles
• Albert Barnes Notes: 2 Chronicles
• Reformation Study Bible Notes: 1 Chronicles
• Reformation Study Bible Notes: 2 Chronicles
• Geneva Study Bible: 1 Chronicles
• Geneva Study Bible: 2 Chronicles
• Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: 1Chronciles
• Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: 2Chronicles

Section 6: Articles

Articles

• 2 Kings 20:1-11 The Openness of God: Does Prayer Change God? (Hezekiah’s Prayer)
• Empowered by the Spirit of God- Holy Spirit in the Histographic Writings of the OT — D. Block
• The Case For Kingship In The Old Testament Narrative Books And The Psalms — D M. Howard
• Counterfeit Davids Davidic Restoration and the Architecture of 1–2 Kings — Peter J. Leithart
• Israelite Kings In Assyrian Inscriptions — Bryant G. Wood
• The Content And Significance Of The Books Of Samuel… — William J. Dumbrell
• David’s Rise And Saul’s Demise- Narrative Analogy In 1 Samuel 24-26 — Robert P. Gordon
• The Davidic Covenant — Michael A. Grisanti
• The Everlasting Covenant — D. F. Payne
• How Are the Mighty Fallen! A Study of 2 Samuel 1-17-27 — David L. Zapf
• David’s Transfer of the Ark according to Josephus — Christopher T. Begg
• Priest And King Or Priest-King In 1 Samuel 2-35 — Karl Deenick
• ‘Play it again, Sam’ The Poetics of Narrative Repetition in 1 Samuel 1–7 — David G. Firth
• The Chronology Of Saul And David — Leslie McFall
• Taking God At His Word (2 Samuel 7-1-29) — F. W. Tyler.
• The Amalekite’s Report Of Saul’s Death- Political Intrigue Or Incompatible Sources– Bill T. Arnold
• Structure, Context And Meaning In The Samuel Conclusion (2 Sa. 21-24) — Herbert H. Klement.
• Theology and Art in the Narrative of the Ammonite War (2 Samuel 10-12) — John I. Lawlor .
• An Everlasting House- An Exegesis Of 2 Samuel 7 — Maarten Kuivenhoven
• Josephus’ Portrait Of Asa — By- Louis H. Feldman
• 1 Kings 22:19-23 False Prophets and the Deceiving Spirit — Richard Mayhue
• Why Barzillai Of Gilead (1Ki 2-7) Narrative Art- Hermeneutics Of Suspicion In 1Ki 1-2 — I W. Provan
• Josephus’ Retelling Of 1 Kings 1 For A Graeco-Roman Audience — Christopher Begg
• A Translation Guide to the Chronological Data in Kings and Chronicles — Leslie McFall
• The Message of the Book of Kings in Relation to Deuteronomy and Jeremiah — Gershon Galil
• Elisha and the Bears- A Critical Monograph on 2Ki 2-23–25 –Richard G. Messner
• The Invasion Of Sennacherib — Kemper Fullerton
• When Was Samaria Captured- The Need for Precision In Biblical Chronologies — R C. Young
• 2 Kings 3- History or Historical Fiction- — Joe M. Sprinkle
• The Purpose Of The Books Of Chronicles — By- William J. Dumbrell
• Jabez- A Man Named Pain- An Integrative Hermeneutical Exercise — Elaine A. Heath
• Peculiarities Problems Of Genealogical Method Of Text In The Book Of Chronicles –R D. Culver
• When Did Jerusalem Fall- — Rodger C. Young

Section 7: Got Questions

GotQuestions.org

1Chronicles

• Book of 1 Chronicles – Bible Survey
• What is the purpose of First and Second Chronicles?
• Why were genealogies so important to Israel?
• Who were the kings of Israel and Judah?
• In what way was the earth divided in Peleg’s time?
• What should we learn from the life of David?
• Why didn’t God allow David to build the temple?
• Who are the sons of David mentioned in the Bible?
• What should we learn from the life of Solomon?
• Who were the mighty men of David?
• What is the Davidic covenant?

2Chronicles

• Book of 2 Chronicles – Bible Survey
• What is the purpose of First and Second Chronicles?
• Who were the kings of Israel and Judah?
• What should we learn from the life of Solomon?
• Why did Solomon worship at a high place?
• Was it God’s desire for Israel to worship Him in a temple in Jerusalem?
• Does 2 Chronicles 5:14 teach slaying in the Spirit?
• What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 7:14?
• Who was King Uzziah in the Bible? 
• Who was King Asa in the Bible?
• Who was King Jehoshaphat in the Bible? 
• Who was Hezekiah in the Bible?
• When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians?
• What age was Jehoiachin when he began his reign?
• Why did God sometimes judge the entire nation for the actions of its king?
• When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? 
• Who was King Josiah in the Bible?
• What age was Jehoiachin when he began his reign? 
• What is the significance of high places in the Bible

Section 9: History

Finding the Kings in Scripture

United Monarchy

• Saul: 1 Samuel 9:1–31:13; 1 Chronicles 10:1–14
• David: 1 Kings 1:1–2:9; 1 Chronicles 11:1–29:30
• Solomon: 1 Kings 2:10–11:43; 2 Chronicles 1:1–9:31

Southern Kingdom (Judah)

• Rehoboam: 1 Kings 12:1–14:31; 2 Chronicles 10:1–12:16
• Abijam (Abijah): 1 Kings 15:1–8; 2 Chronicles 13:1–22
• Asa: 1 Kings 15:9–24; 2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14
• Jehoshaphat: 1 Kings 22:41–50; 2 Chronicles 17:1–20:37
• Jehoram\Joram: 2 Kings 8:16–24; 2 Chronicles 21:1–20
• Ahaziah: 2 Kings 8:25–29; 2 Chronicles 22:1–9
• Athaliah (Queen): 2 Kings 11:1–16; 2 Chronicles 22:1–23:21
• Jehoash\Joash: 2 Kings 11:17–12:21; 2 Chronicles 23:16–24:27
• Amaziah: 2 Kings 14:1–22; 2 Chronicles 25:1–28
• Uzziah (Azariah): 2 Kings 15:1–7; 2 Chronicles 26:1–23
• Jotham: 2 Kings 15:32–38; 2 Chronicles 27:1–9
• Ahaz: 2 Kings 16:1–20; 2 Chronicles 28:1–27
• Hezekiah: 2 Kings 18:1–20:21; 2 Chronicles 29:1–32:33
• Manasseh: 2 Kings 21:1–18; 2 Chronicles 33:1–20
• Amon: 2 Kings 21:19–26; 2 Chronicles 33:21–25
• Josiah: 2 Kings 22:1–23:30; 2 Chronicles 34:1–35:27
• Jehoahaz: 2 Kings 23:31–33; 2 Chronicles 36:1–4
• Jehoiakim: 2 Kings 23:34–24:7; 2 Chronicles 36:5–8
• Jehoiachin: 2 Kings 24:8–16; 2 Chronicles 36:9, 10
• Zedekiah: 2 Kings 24:18–25:21; 2 Chronicles 36:11–21

Northern Kingdom (Israel)

• Jeroboam: 1Kings 12:25–14:20
• Nadab: 1Kings 15:25–31
• Baasha: 1Kings 15:32–16:7
• Elah: 1Kings 16:8–14
• Zimri: 1Kings 16:15–20
• Tibni: 1Kings 16:21, 22
• Omri: 1Kings 16:21–28
• Ahab: 1Kings 16:29–22:40
• Ahaziah: 1 Kings 22:51–53; 2 Kings 1:1–18
• Jehoram\Joram: 2 Kings 2:1–8:15
• Jehu: 2 Kings 9:1–10:36
• Jehoahaz: 2 Kings 13:1–9
• Jehoash\Joash: 2 Kings 13:10–25
• Jeroboam II: 2 Kings 14:23–29
• Zechariah: 2 Kings 15:8–12
• Shallum: 2 Kings 15:13–15
• Menahem: 2 Kings 15:16–22
• Pekahiah: 2 Kings 15:23–26
• Pekah: 2 Kings 15:27–31
• Hoshea: 2 Kings 17:1–41

Section 8: Next

Next: Ezra

Previous: 1&2Kings

Series: Resources by Book

Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash