In the traditional Jewish order of Scripture, 1–2 Chronicles are placed as the last books of the Hebrew Bible—functioning as a summary of the Old Testament. First Chronicles begins with Adam (1:1) and 2 Chronicles concludes with Israel’s return from exile (36:22–23).

First and Second Chronicles retell much of the same history found in the books of Samuel and Kings but with a different focus. The Chronicles seek to give the returned exiles hope for the future by pointing to a coming Messiah through David’s line and restored worship in the temple. To inspire faithfulness to God and Scripture, the books of Chronicles also offer many character studies of both faithfulness and unfaithfulness. In 2 Chronicles 24, the high priest Jehoiada is a model of faithfulness, while King Joash was faithful only during Jehoiada’s lifetime, later persuaded by other officials to return to idolatry (vv. 17–18). By: Monica La Rose