Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching First and Second Chronicles

by Steven Tuell

Publisher:

John Knox

, 2001

Overview

This volume provides a contemporary, scholarly interpretation of the books of First and Second Chronicles, Old Testament writings that are often overlooked and seldom preached upon or studied in churches. Steven Tuell shows how the books of Chronicles present the revelation of God's plan and purposes through the history of Israel, emphasizing the important role that King David plays within that story. Using up-to-date scholarship, Tuell focuses on the theological message of these books—that the purpose of life is to seek God, that those who find God's will and live accordingly will experience blessing, and that God's presence is found in the events of ordinary life.

Key Features

• Detailed introduction
• Bibliography

Contents

Top Highlights

“The study and application of Scripture calls for prayer, hard work, and struggle. However, there is no work so deeply satisfying, or so much worth doing! For as Chronicles continually reminds us, if we seek God, we will find God.” (Page 238)

“The holiness of God is awful in the ancient sense: full of awe; wonderful and terrible at the same time. We are at once drawn to God by strong cords of love and adoration, and frightened of God, filled with the overwhelming awareness that God is GOD, after all, and entirely unlike anything in our world.” (Page 57)

“According to Exodus 30:11–16, when a census must be taken, a half-shekel ransom is to be paid to the sanctuary by each person, ‘so that no plague may come upon them for being registered’!” (Page 84)

“In the Deuteronomistic theology of Solomon’s prayer, God is not, indeed cannot be, literally present in the temple. However, God has established the divine name in this place.” (Page 135)

“Wise Issachar had the discernment to perceive God’s hand upon David, the wisdom to sense the direction of the Spirit’s leading, and the courage to act.” (Page 53)

Praise for the Print Edition

The Interpretation series from Westminster John Knox Press is clearly established as a rich source for teaching and preaching. They have tapped the talents of a varied and esteemed group of contributors, resulting in what is clearly the essential comprehensive commentary series on the Bible.

—W. Eugene March, A.B. Rhodes Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

The Interpretation series is an invaluable resource for any leader or scholar interested in interpreting the biblical text to the broader church. Its works are essential for pastors, educators, and church libraries.

—Brian K. Blount, President and Professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching First and Second Chronicles
• Author: Steven S. Tuell
• Publisher: John Knox Press
• Publication Date: 2001
• Pages: 252

About Steven Tuell

The Rev. Dr. Steven S. Tuell is the associate professor of Old Testement at PTS. After studying at West Virginia Wesleyan College and Princeton Theological Seminary, Tuell earned his doctorate. in Hebrew Bible at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. He taught at Erskine College, S.C. (1989-1992) and Randolph-Macon College, Va. (1992-2005), receiving numerous awards for teaching excellence. Tuell’s particular research interest is the biblical literature of the early Persian period. He has written numerous articles and book reviews, including multiple entries in Feasting on the Word (a commentary on the Common Lectionary published by Westminster-John Knox), and has also been a frequent contributor to the United Methodist Publishing House Adult Bible Studies curriculum and Bible Reader series. Tuell has written a study of Ezekiel 40-48 in the Harvard Semitic Monographs Series, a commentary on 1 and 2 Chronicles in the Interpretation Series, and with John Strong co-edited a Festschrift for S. Dean McBride Jr. His most recent book is a commentary on Ezekiel, published by Hendrickson in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series in 2008. He is now writing a commentary on Nahum through Malachi. An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Tuell has served churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Virginia. He is a member in full connection of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, and preaches and teaches frequently throughout the area. He and his wife Wendy have three college-age sons.