I. and II. Chronicles. These are united into one book in the Hebrew, "The Diaries," from whence our title arises. In the LXX, they are called the "Addenda" (Paralipomena), or "Supplement." They contain much of the matter of the previous Books of Kings, but supply additional information. The genealogical tables are valuable, since they record the unbroken line of the faithful people for about 3,500 years.

The authenticity of these books has been unsuccessfully assailed by those critics who wish to maintain that the origin of the Pentateuch belongs to the period subsequent to the Captivity. Both Jewish tradition, and the testimony of Christian writers, ascribe their compilation to Ezra, who obtained his material from various annals of the monarchy. The cause of their compilation is naturally suggested by the first difficulties which would present themselves to the leaders of those who returned from captivity, in allotting the various portions of territory to the families entitled to them according to the Mosaic Law.

And again, the maintenance of the Temple service, and of the payment of tithes, &c. required strict legal proof of hereditary descent on the part of the officiating Priests and Levites, These two great political questions necessitated the compilation of authoritative genealogical tables. To this work Ezra and Nehemiah seem to have earnestly set themselves, and especially to have made the restoration of the Temple and its worship the great feature in the new constitution. They felt also the vital importance of restoring a spirit of patriotism in the people, and of confidence in the favour of God, notwithstanding the punishment He had inflicted upon them by captivity. For this purpose, nothing could be more effectual than a continuous history of the nation, from David downwards, representing the Divine favour as dependent upon the faithfulness of rulers and people to the original covenant, and Divine punishment as the natural result of unfaithfulness. The Book of Chronicles (for it is properly only one) draws the picture which would most stimulate hope and patriotism. It gives in series the establishment of the Temple ritual, with its course of priests and officers, under David; its further development under Solomon; its restoration under Jehoshaphat, He-zekiah, and Josiah; and the reappearance of Divine favour at the final restoration of Church and nation after the Captivity. Thus the Chronicles are the beginning of the ecclesiastical history, which continues, in an unbroken thread, to the end of the Book of Neheniiah.

Summary:—

I. (Chaps, i.—viii.). Genealogical tables, and settlements of the various tribes.

II. (Chap. ix.). The disturbance of these by the Babylonish Captivity, and their partial restoration on their return (Cp. Neh. xi. 3—22).

III. Introduction to the main history, viz. the

end of Saul's reign, with a complete genealogy, copied from one drawn up in the reign of Hezekiah.

IV. (1 Chron. xi.—xxix. 28). History of David. V. (2 Chron. i.—ix.). Reign of Solomon.

VI. (2 Chron. x.—xxxvL 21). History of the

kings of Judah and Israel. VII. (2 Chron. xxxvi.22—Ezra i. 4). Proclamation of Cyrus.

VIII. (Ezraiv. 2). First caravan of Jews return

to Jerusalem.

IX. (Ezra iii. 1-7). Restoration of sacrifices. X. (Ezra iii. 8-13). Foundation of second Temple laid. XI. (Ezra iv. 1-24). Interruption of building of Temple by Samaritan interference.

XII. (Ezra v.-vi. 12). Recommencement of building of Temple under Darius Hy-staspes.

XIII. (Ezra vi. 13-22). Completion of the Temple.

XIV. (Ezra vii., viii.). Second caravan of Jews.

XV. (Ezra ix., x.; Neh. viii.). Governorship of Ezra.

XVI. (Neh. i., ii.). Rebuilding of the walls under Nehemiah, and the opposition of Sanballat (from L—vii. 4). XVII. (Neh. ix.—xii.). Nehemiah's first administration.

XVIII. (Neh. xiii.). Nehemiah's second administration.

Peculiarities. The following passages are peculiar to the Book of Chronicles, and afford evidence of its aim: —1 Chron.xv.—xxvii.; xxii.—xxix.; 2 Chron.xiii.—xv.; xxiv., xxvi., xxix.—xxxi., and xxxv.

Date and Authorship. Internal evidence favours the supposition that Ezra was the author of Chronicles, since the style and Chaldaisms strongly resemble those of the Book of Ezra.

The writer seems to have had no personal knowledge of the events in Jerusalem after the commencement of the Captivity, since he entirely omits the details which close II. Kings; but the phraseology, which accords with that of the Book of Ezra, favours the notion that he was resident in Babylon, while the whole history terminates with Ezra's death. The sources of this compilation are various tribal genealogical tables and registers, the records of certain seers (e.g. Gad, Nathan, Iddo, Shemaiah), and also the "Books of the Kings of Israel and Judah," and public registers (Neh. xii. 23).