Israel in the Books of Chronicles

Abstract

This book analyses a much neglected writer's contribution to the debate within Judaism in the post-exilic period about who might legitimately be included within the reconstituted Jerusalem community, and notably the Chronicler's attitude to the status of the Samaritan sect. It has been almost universally accepted that Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah are all parts of a single work, and so the rather 'exclusive' attitude of Ezra-Nehemiah has been read back into Chronicles. Many believe that the Chronicles intended to reject the Samaritan claim to inclusion. Dr Williamson challenges both the assumption of unity of authorship and the attribution of an exclusive attitude to the Chronicler, providing evidence to support the case for separate authorship, and examining Chronicles in its own right. A study of the use of the word 'Israel' and an analysis of the narrative structure jointly lead to the conclusion that the Chronicler reacted against the over-exclusive attitudes of some of his contemporaries, and looked for the reunion of 'all Israel' around Jerusalem and its temple. This study will interest both Old Testament scholars and students of Jewish history and culture.

War in Chronicles : Temple Faithfulness and Israel’s Place in the Land

“…2 Chr 29:2; 34:2). To illustrate David's eminence, the Chronicler structures his reign upon his two (presumably) greatest achievements, the regathering of all Israel back to the worship of Yahweh, the God of their fathers (1 Chr [11][12][13][14][15][16] and his massive preparations for the temple of .…”

“…Many have noted the significance of the Chronicler's complete rewriting of the transfer of the kingdom from a period of turbulence to a time of preparation and exhortation. 15 The most important task with which David charged his son undoubtedly regards the construction of the temple, "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart… If you seek ‫)דרש(‬ him he will be found by you, but if you forsake ‫)עזב(‬ him he will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for Yahweh has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it" (28:9-10).…”

“…Thus, David's command to Solomon in 28:9-10 illuminates these earlier occurrences of the word. 15 See for example the articles of R. Braun, "Solomonic Apologetic in Chronicles," JBL 92 (1973): 503-516; "Solomon, the Chosen Temple Builder: The Significance of 1 Chronicles 22,28,and 29 for the Theology of Chronicles," JBL 95 (1976): 581-590, and H. G. M. Williamson, "The Accession of Solomon in the Books of Chronicles," VT 26 (1976): 351-361. 16 Certain exceptions can apply.…”

“…In addition, the corresponding paragraph about his time in Ziklag (vv [20][21][22] reports that seven "chiefs of thousands" (v 21) from Manasseh came to join David's forces. Knoppers has demonstrated that the Chronicler routinely condemns any king who tries to grow through foreign alliances, 15 so then how could David prosper militarily when he himself had defected to the Philistine army?…”

“…Ideology,, it nevertheless must have some religious implications. 26 Though Knoppers (I Chronicles,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]535) cites the LXX B and Syr. as evidence that the Chronicles text does not have "your God" (lectio brevior).…”