The invasion of Shishak of Egypt and the death of Rehoboam are presented as in 1 Kings. Abijah condemns the N kingdom because it has broken away from the Davidic dynasty. Judah, on the other hand, has the true God on her side and the priests with their battle trumpets at the head of her army. The covenant of salt, the Davidic covenant, is a favorite theme with the Chronicler. In spite of overwhelming odds Abijah wins the battle. Asa reigns with piety and zeal for cultic reform. The peaceful realm is shattered at the end of a battle with Baasha king of Israel. Hanani, the prophet, predicted this demise since the king relied on the king of Syria rather than on God. Asa put the prophet in jail for his condemnation. Jehoshaphat has a glorious reign of piety and military power. He appoints 5 lay princes, 9 Levites, and 2 priets to go throughout Judah and teach the people the law of God according to the Chronicler. The commentary says of the Chronicler “He was writing doctrine in parable.” Also, he embellishes with details out of his imagination or fills in details according to how events should have happened. Isn’t that how we all tell the story? And, isn’t this why the Bible is so important? The Chronicler shares our same basic experience of life with our same basic need to know where God is in tragedy and grief and pain and joy. In 15:2 Azariah says “The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you.”
The invasion of Shishak of Egypt and the death of Rehoboam are presented as in 1 Kings. Abijah condemns the N kingdom because it has broken away from the Davidic dynasty. Judah, on the other hand, has the true God on her side and the priests with their battle trumpets at the head of her army. The covenant of salt, the Davidic covenant, is a favorite theme with the Chronicler. In spite of overwhelming odds Abijah wins the battle. Asa reigns with piety and zeal for cultic reform. The peaceful realm is shattered at the end of a battle with Baasha king of Israel. Hanani, the prophet, predicted this demise since the king relied on the king of Syria rather than on God. Asa put the prophet in jail for his condemnation. Jehoshaphat has a glorious reign of piety and military power. He appoints 5 lay princes, 9 Levites, and 2 priets to go throughout Judah and teach the people the law of God according to the Chronicler. The commentary says of the Chronicler “He was writing doctrine in parable.” Also, he embellishes with details out of his imagination or fills in details according to how events should have happened. Isn’t that how we all tell the story? And, isn’t this why the Bible is so important? The Chronicler shares our same basic experience of life with our same basic need to know where God is in tragedy and grief and pain and joy. In 15:2 Azariah says “The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you.”
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