Page:The Books of Chronicles (1916).djvu/28

xxiv § 4.

The books of Chronicles-Ezra-Nehemiah give a history of Israel and its ancestors from Adam down to the conclusion of Nehemiah's activity on behalf of the post-exilic community in Jerusalem, c. 432 Of this history the two books of Chronicles cover the period from Adam to the fall of Jerusalem in 586  Before giving a detailed analysis, it may be of advantage to call attention to certain outstanding features. Remark that (1) the traditions of the period from Adam to Saul's death have been compressed into a series of genealogical lists which occupy chs. i.-ix.; (2) the rest of the two books gives an account of the history of Judah from the death of Saul down to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586, the fortunes of North Israel being ignored, except for some scornful allusions to its degeneracy in comparison with Judah and Jerusalem; (3) the keenest interest is displayed by the writer in all matters connected with the Levites, the Temple, and its worship, so that an extraordinary amount of space is allotted to those subjects—note esp. 1 Chr. vi., xxii.—xxix.; 2 Chr. iii.—vii., xxix.—xxxi., xxxiv. 8—xxxv. 19.

The following Table gives a general survey of the contents of 1 and 2 Chronicles.

(A)&ensp; 1 Chr. i.—ix.&emsp;