lesson 11 FIRST AND SECOND KINGS/SECOND CHRONICLES I. BACKGROUND 1. Author - The author of Kings is unknown. The author of 1st and 2nd Chronicles is probably Ezra, the scribe, spoken of in Ezra 7:1-6 2. Date - Kings was probably written sometime during the Babylonian captivity while Chronicles was recorded during the Medo-Persian Empire, after the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and after the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 6:14-18). 3. Setting - the books of 1st and 2nd Kings span the history of Israel from the last days of King David through the carrying away of Judah into Babylonian captivity (586 B.C.). Second Chronicles spans the time from the beginning of Solomon's reign (965 B.C.) to the decree of Cyrus, King of Persia, to return and rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem (538 B. C.) II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOKS 1. Key Verses: 1 Kings 9:4-9; 2 Chronicles 15:2; 15; 2 Kings 17:1-23 2. Theme: The history of Israel was determined by its faithfulness to God. The foolishness of idolatry is clearly shown in the book. These books record the increase and decline of Israel as a nation in direct relationship to its faithfulness to Jehovah alone. Faithfulness was especially determined by the leadership of the nation. Whether Israel was faithful or unfaithful, God was constantly at work calling Israel to Himself. And through everything, including the destruction of the nation, God was carrying out His plan to provide the son of David as the king of an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-13) 3. A general look at the books shows Israel as: 1) A united kingdom - 1 Kings 1-10; 2 Chr. 1-9 2) A divided kingdom - 1 Kings 11-2 Kings 16; 2 chr. 10-35 3) A destroyed kingdom a. Israel (northern kingdom) - 2 Kings 17:1 - 18:2 b. Judah (southern kingdom) - 2 Kings 24 - 25; 2 Chr. 36:5-21 III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH 1. Greater than Solomon - Matthew 12:42 (compare 1 K 4:34; 10:1-10) 2. Son of David who reigned as king over an eternal kingdom and built God's house was pictured in Solomon - 2 Samuel 7:12-13; 2 Chronicles 6; Hebrews 3:1-6; Ephesians 1 -3 IV. APPLICATIONS - LESSONS 1. The nation, kingdom, or individual who seeks God can be strong ( 2 Chr. 26:4-5; 27:6) but those who forsake God will be brought down (2 Chr. 24:20-24; 26:16-23). 2. There is no other God but Yahweh [God]. 3. Leaders should be followed only when they lead in faithfulness, righteousness and justice. 4. Ignoring God can go to a point of no return (2 Chr. 36:14-16) 5. No matter how great a kingdom or nation has become, even by God's power, it can be destroyed (2 Chr. 7:19-22). 6. Even Gentiles responded in faith to God's word in the Old Testament days ( 1K 17:8-24; 2K 5:1-14). FIRST AND SECOND KINGS/CHRONICLES QUESTIONS 1. Is it important for someone to take the lead in righteousness? 2. Can righteous leaders make a difference? 3. Is it important to be influenced by the love, grace and message of God rather than by the thinking and lives of people all around us? (See 2 Kings 17:7-15) 4. Was God breaking His promise to David (1Kings 2:4) when He ended the kingdom of Israel? 5. Can God carry out His purpose even if His people reject Him? |