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Chronicles

The Book of Chronicles

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

  1. a
    beginning: genealogies from Adam to the Babylonian exile and return1 Chronicles 1:1–9:44topics: Babylonian exile and return
  2. b
    establishment of David's kingdom1 Chronicles 10:1–22:1promise to David that his dynasty would continue forever (17:1–27); David's defeat of Syria, Ammon, Moab, Edom (in the Valley of Salt), Philistia (on numerous occasions); David's intrusion into the priestly/levitical sphere of duty in the transportation of the ark (13:5–14; 15:12–15)
  3. c
    David assembles all Israel to make preparations for Solomon's building of the temple1 Chronicles 22:2–29:30themes: unity of all Israel, sense of happy cooperation
  4. d
    CENTER: Solomon, the temple builder2 Chronicles 1:1–9:31
  5. c′
    division of Israel; Judean kings from Rehoboam to good King Jehoshaphat2 Chronicles 10:1–20:37themes: the disintegration of all Israel, strife
  6. b′
    seven kings: Jehoram to Ahaz2 Chronicles 21:1–28:27three crises threatening the promise to David of an eternal dynasty (cf. 21:7; 21:16–22:1; 22:10–11; 23:3); warfare with the neighboring nations: Syria, Ammon, Moab, Edom (in the Valley of Salt), Philistia (on numerous occasions); theme: intrusion into the priestly/levitical sphere of duty (23:6; 26:16–21; 27:2)
  7. a′
    end: Judah's final kings: good King Hezekiah to the Babylonian exile, and a note about the return2 Chronicles 29:1–36:23Judah's exile and a reference to the return

Seven units (1–2 Chronicles)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

  1. agenealogies1 Chronicles 1:1–9:44
  2. bestablishment of David's kingdom1 Chronicles 10:1–22:1
  3. cDavid's preparations for Solomon's building of the temple1 Chronicles 22:2–29:30
  4. dreign of Solomon2 Chronicles 1:1–9:31
  5. egroup of four kings: Rehoboam to Jehoshaphat2 Chronicles 10:1–20:37
  6. fgroup of seven kings: Jehoram to Ahaz2 Chronicles 21:1–28:27
  7. gJudah's final kings2 Chronicles 29:1–36:23

Parallel presentations of the reigns of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 17–20; 29–32)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

  1. a
    Jehoshaphat becomes king and mobilizes the priests and Levites2 Chronicles 17:1–19
  2. b
    Jehoshaphat and his alliance with the northern kingdom2 Chronicles 18:1–19:3
  3. c
    religious reforms extend into highlands of Ephraim; establishes order of priests and Levites2 Chronicles 19:4–11not a seven-part chiasmus
  4. d
    invasion from Edom miraculously stopped in response to Jehoshaphat's prayer2 Chronicles 20:1–37
  5. a′
    Hezekiah becomes king and mobilizes the priests and Levites2 Chronicles 29:1–36
  6. b′
    Hezekiah calls for northern tribes to join in Passover celebration2 Chronicles 30:1–27
  7. c′
    religious reforms extend into Ephraim and Manasseh; establishes order of priests and Levites2 Chronicles 31:1–21not a seven-part chiasmus
  8. d′
    invasion from Assyria miraculously stopped in response to Hezekiah's prayer2 Chronicles 32:1–33