The two books of Samuel, the two books of Kings, and the two books of Chronicles originally constituted three independent books. The rejection of direct Divine government, formation of the kingdom, its establishment in man's hands, with the interesting connection between prophecy, priesthood, and kingly power, along with full biographical accounts of Samuel, Saul, and David, are the main subjects of the books of Samuel. The public history of the kingdom established according to Divine purpose in David, its glory, extent, decline and ruin, the temple, the figure of heaven our dwelling place (without a veil), and the kingdom of Israel or the ten tribes specially noticed, are the important matters treated of in the books of Kings. In their typical import, the books of Kings and Chronicles set forth the glory and majesty of the millennial kingdom of our Lord, but with this manifest difference, that in the former, besides the public and general history of the kingdom, the heavenly character of the blessed future and our place in it, is the great point; hence in the description of the temple with its many rooms (John 14:22In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)), neither "veil" nor "brazen altar" are mentioned. The "veil" set up would represent a people outside, whereas we dwell in the house; while the "altar," the point of approach to an earthly people, could have no application to us, for we are already brought TO GOD (1 Pet. 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)). But in the books of Chronicles, where the temple and its furniture are minutely described, both "veil" and "altar" are seen, the reason being that these books figure the earthly aspect of the coming kingdom in which the Jews and the saved nations are in the foreground, and however blest on earth, they will still have to draw near, as those not in the immediate circle of the Divine presence.
In the books of Chronicles the kingdom of Israel is but little noticed, the great points being the establishment of royalty in the house of David according to God and the history of kingly government from its rise till its utter ruin in Judah; thus, while covering the same period as the books of Kings, the inner history is more fully recorded. The grace of God in connection with the throne and the temple and their relation to the future millennial glory (typically), are prominent subjects in those books. David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah are the leading personages of these inspired records.
In the restoration of the commonwealth, the returned remnants from Babylon would find the genealogical lists (from Adam) contained in the first nine chapters of all importance in determining the lineage of priests and levites, the sole authority to minister in holy things (Ezra 2:6262These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. (Ezra 2:62)); and their value to the people was equally great as enabling them to recover their former place and inheritance in Israel. Thus these two books were invaluable to the remnants, having been drawn up (1 Chron. 6:1515And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the Lord carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. (1 Chronicles 6:15)) during their captivity, and amongst other purposes intended for their special help and blessing. The adultery of David, the idolatry of Solomon, and other grave faults are omitted in these books, the grace of God being every where prominent in the history as here recorded. David's history is presented, not biographically as the man, or officially as the king, but only in those actions and events which constituted him a marked and fitting type of the Lord, hence his history generally is not at all the point in this book. Distinct apical teaching is given in the books of Chronicles; while as distinct moral teachings and lessons are characteristic of the books of Samuel. The temple and its services are also very specially in view. David is everything and everywhere in this first book of Chronicles. He is here seen making all ready for the peaceful and glorious sway of Solomon. Thus the first part of Christ's millennial reign will be the full answer to this book.
"Remark here that the extent of authority which David exercised was very great and of wide bearing. The whole religious order was reconstructed. Everything, even to the age of the Levites' service, depends on the authority and regulations of David, as formerly on those of Moses. All the patterns of the temple and of its vessels are given \ him by inspiration, as that of the tabernacle and all belonging to it had been given by Moses."
We are indebted to another for the following parallelism between the books of Chronicles and Samuel The slight differences in several instances are quite in keeping with the moral purpose intended in each book:-
PARALLELISM BETWEEN THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES AND SAMUEL.|{}|
The list might be extended, but these will suffice for our purpose.
GENERAL DIVISIONS.
1.-Genealogy and history according to the sovereign goodness of God from Adam to the captivity. 1 Chron. 1-9
2.-From the death of Saul till the sacrifice on the threshing-floor of Oman the Jebusite, whereby the judgment of God upon Jerusalem was arrested. 1 Chron. 10-21.
3.-David's preparation for the erection of the house of God, its services, ministers and priests closing in worship, and the accession of Solomon to the throne of Jehovah. 1 Chron. 22-29.