Shepherd's Notes: I & II Chronicles

By Winfried Corduan

You grew up using the well known black and yellow striped Cliff's Notes to help you grasp everything from great literary works to algebra. Unfortunately, what "Cliff" forgot was the greatest literary work in history: the complete Holy Bible. Enjoy the ease of understanding the Bible like never before, book by book. Shepherd's notes helps reader's learn about the inspired authors of the Bible books and when and where they were first penned. Each Bible book is revealed in simple understandable steps that outline and underscore the focal points and personalities of the biblical text. You'll look to these unique books for their use in Bible studies, teaching, personal devotions and even in sermon preperation! Christian and home schools will find Shepherd's Notes an invaluable resource.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BH Publishing Group
• Release date: Apr 1, 1998
• ISBN: 9781433670619

Winfried Corduan

Winfried Corduan (PhD, Rice University) is professor emeritus of philosophy and religion at Taylor University. He has led many undergraduate tours focusing on the lived religious traditions of various parts of the world. He is the author of several books, including Reasonable Faith: Basic Christian Apologetics, A Tapestry of Faiths, and Pocket Guide to World Religions.

Book preview

Shepherd's Notes Titles Available

SHEPHERD'S NOTES COMMENTARY SERIES

Old Testament

New Testament

SHEPHERD'S NOTES CHRISTIAN CLASSICS

SHEPHERD'S NOTES — BIBLE SUMMARY SERIES

CONTENTS

Foreword

How to Use This Book

Introduction

Genealogies (1 Chronicles 1–9)

King Saul (10:1–14)

The Reign of King David (11–29)

The Reign of Solomon (2 Chronicles 1–9)

The Kings of Judah (2 Chron. 10–36)

Reference Sources

FOREWORD

Dear Reader:

Shepherd's Notes are designed to give you a quick, step-by-step overview of every book of the Bible. They are not meant to be substitutes for the biblical text; rather, they are study guides intended to help you explore the wisdom of Scripture in personal or group study and to apply that wisdom successfully in your own life.

Shepherd's Notes guide you through the main themes of each book of the Bible and illuminate fascinating details through appropriate commentary and reference notes. Historical and cultural background information brings the Bible into sharper focus.

Six different icons, used throughout the series, call your attention to historical-cultural information, Old Testament and New Testament references, word pictures, unit summaries, and personal application for everyday life.

Whether you are a novice or a veteran at Bible study, I believe you will find Shepherd's Notes a resource that will take you to a new level in your mining and applying the riches of Scripture.

In Him,

David R. Shepherd

Editor-in-Chief

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

DESIGNED FOR THE BUSY USER

Shepherd's Notes for 1 & 2 Chronicles is designed to provide an easy-to-use tool for getting a quick handle on these significant Bible books' important features, and for gaining an understanding of their messages. Information available in more difficult-to-use reference works has been incorporated into the Shepherd's Notes format. This brings you the benefits of many advanced and expensive works packed into one small volume.

Shepherd's Notes are for laymen, pastors, teachers, small-group leaders and participants, as well as the classroom student. Enrich your personal study or quiet time. Shorten your class or small-group preparation time as you gain valuable insights into the truths of God's Word that you can pass along to your students or group members.

DESIGNED FOR QUICK ACCESS

Bible students with time constraints will especially appreciate the timesaving features built into the Shepherd's Notes. All features are intended to aid a quick and concise encounter with the heart of the messages of 1 & 2 Chronicles.

Concise Commentary. 1 & 2 Chronicles provide a fresh interpretation of Israel's monarchy. Short sections provide quick snapshots of the narrative and themes of these books, highlighting important points.

Outlined Text. Summarizing outlines cover the entire texts of 1 & 2 Chronicles. This is a valuable feature for following each narrative's flow.

Shepherd's Notes. These summary statements or capsule thoughts appear at the close of every key section of the narratives. While functioning in part as a quick summary, they also deliver the essence of the message presented in the sections which they cover.

Icons. Various icons in the margin provide information that enhances the understanding of 1 & 2 Chronicles.

Sidebars and Charts. These specially selected features provide additional background information to your study or preparation. Charts offer a quick overview of important subjects. Sidebars include definitions as well as cultural, historical, and biblical insights

Maps. These are placed at appropriate places in the book to aid your understanding and study of a text or passage.

Questions to Guide Your Study. These thought-provoking questions and discussion starters are designed to encourage interaction with the truth and principles of God's Word.

DESIGNED TO WORK FOR YOU

Personal Study. Using the Shepherd's Notes with a passage of Scripture can enlighten your study and take it to a new level. At your fingertips is information that would require searching several volumes to find. In addition, many points of application occur throughout the volume, contributing to personal growth.

Teaching. Outlines frame the texts of 1 & 2 Chronicles, providing a logical presentation of their messages. Capsule thoughts designated as Shepherd's Notes provide summary statements for presenting the essence of key points and events. Application icons point out personal application of the messages of these books. Historical Context icons indicate where cultural and historical background information is supplied.

Group Study. Shepherd's Notes can be an excellent companion volume to use for gaining a quick but accurate understanding of the messages of 1 & 2 Chronicles. Each group member can benefit by having his or her own copy. The Note's format accommodates the study of themes throughout 1 & 2 Chronicles. Leaders may use its flexible features to prepare for group sessions or use them during group sessions.

Questions to guide your study can spark discussion of 1 & 2 Chronicles's key points and truths to be discovered .

LIST OF MARGIN ICONS USED IN 1 & 2 CHRONICLES

See Icon Table

INTRODUCTION

In the English Bible, 1 and 2 Chronicles are the last two lengthy historical books of the Old Testament. A chronicle is a running account of historical events; in this case it is the account of events in the kingdom of Judah from the time of King David until the Babylonian Exile.

In terms of the time frame covered, the Chronicles run parallel to 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. But the Chronicles do not just repeat the other books. They address only some of the same events as the earlier books, and when they do, they often add a lot of new information. The rough layout of the two sets of books is this:

See Time Frame Table

It would be a serious mistake, however, to think of 1 and 2 Chronicles only as filling in the gaps left by the other books, let alone as a mere duplication. The author of Chronicles, to whom we shall refer as the chronicler, had his own purpose. Under divine inspiration, he chose exactly the material that would bring his message home.

AUTHOR AND OCCASION

The Chronicles do not tell us who their author was, and nothing substantive hinges on being able to identify him. From information within the books, we can be quite certain that it was not written until some time after Judah returned from the Babylonian Exile (2 Chron. 36:22–23).