1 & 2 Chronicles (Mentor Commentary | MC)
Overview
The books of Chronicles are among the most neglected portions of Scripture. Many find its complex history unfamiliar and assume that it is irrelevant for contemporary life. To grasp the significance of Chronicles for our times, we must first understand its original meaning. It was written to encourage the Jews to be faithful to God (and not focus on material prosperity) on their return from Babylon. Pratt looks skillfully at the big picture in each section and presents the detail in an absorbing way.
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- Discussion of important textual, literary, and philological questions
- Introduction to the style, structure, and composition—including authorship
- Background studies on the literary traditions
- Exegetical and interpretive issues are discussed
- Outlines the significant theological themes from the text
- Introduction to the historical and cultural setting of the book
Top Highlights
“Early Jewish traditions designated the scribe Ezra as the primary author of Chronicles (as well as the books of Ezra and Nehemiah).” (Page 9)
“Nevertheless, neither historical nor Scriptural evidences demonstrate that Ezra wrote Chronicles. As a result, we will follow the custom of most contemporary interpreters and simply refer to the inspired human author as ‘the Chronicler’.” (Page 10)
“His references to these sources strongly suggest that he expected his initial readers to have access to these kinds of documents as well. Although his book certainly had implications for the general populace, the leaders of the restored community were his primary audience. As a result, he focused intensely on past leaders of Israel, her kings and priests especially, to indicate how the leaders of the post-exilic Israel were to fulfill their service.” (Page 15)
“Mere outward conformity to the Law of God did not constitute seeking God. Seeking him required sincere inward devotion expressed in behavioral compliance to the Law.” (Page 56)
“This nearly exclusive focus on events in Judah reveals that the institutions and peoples of the South were the heart of the Kingdom of God.” (Page 21)
Richard Pratt's exemplary commentary is systematic, scholarly, sober and simple. . . . Professor Pratt's style is simple and clear . . . he sketches the complicated lineage of the high priesthood . . . so clearly that any reader can discern at a glance the lay of the land.
—Bruce Waltke, author of the commentary on Proverbs in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)
- Title: Mentor Commentary: 1 & 2 Chronicles
- Author: Richard Pratt
- Publisher: Mentor
- Publication Date: 2006
- Pages: 736
Reviews
3 ratings
Rob Senn
1/29/2024
There is not an abundance of great commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles (by comparison to most other books of the Bible)... this is the best commentary on Chronicles I've read. At times, it's a bit overly exhaustive for my purposes, but it's pretty easy to determine which sections you can gloss over... better too much commentary than too little!
Doug
6/4/2015
John Garrett Conner
12/15/2013
