Why So Many Names?

Chronicles is probably one of the last books of the Old Testament to have been written, most likely some time in the Fifth Century BC, decades after the Jews had first been allowed to return to the Promised Land from exile in Babylon. It covers much of the same historical period as Samuel and Kings, as we shall see. But the questions it is trying to answer are different. Those earlier books were trying to explain what had gone wrong, why the exile had happened. Chronicles sets out to answer questions like: Are we still God’s people? Do his covenants still hold? What is our relationship with the Israel of before the exile?

The genealogies at the beginning of Chronicles form part of the answer. They stress continuity with the past, and so an ongoing membership of God’s chosen people. They also embrace both the northern and southern tribes. Though there had been a split after Solomon, Chronicles likes to speak of ‘all Israel’.

Chronicles also presents an idealised version of the reigns of David and Solomon. Look out for what is missing from the equivalent accounts in Samuel and Kings. What we have here is a portrait of Messianic ideals, the kind of kingship that the Chronicler looks forward to from David’s descendant to come, the Messiah.

Kings and other rulers feature prominently in the closing chapters of Acts, as well. A running theme in the New Testament, both in Acts and some of the letters, is the relationship between the growing Christian movement and the ruling authorities. Are Christians a threat to law and order, or not? The enemies of the Christians often tried to portray them as a disruptive element in society (everywhere Paul goes, there are riots!). Perhaps a modern day equivalent is the charge that Christianity (and other religions, for that matter) is responsible for many of the wars of the last 2000 years. Paul had to defend his own actions 2000 years ago. What do we say to this charge today?