CHRONICLES, BOOK OF

in Eng. Bible follows 1 and 2 Kings, but in the Hebrew Canon comes with Ezra and Nehemiah ‘last of all.’ These three form one work covering the whole history from Adam to 432 B.C. Chronicles thus covers the same ground as Genesis to Kings, from which there are considerable extracts, but much is mi ed out, (e.g.) the patriarchal history is given very shortly, and the later history of the kingdom of Israel, as distinct from Judah, is omitted. The date of C. is probably c, 330 B.C., and the author very likely a Levite. Additions—genealogies, etc.— are described as being from the ‘Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel’, etc. The historicity is not so sure as that of Kings, for the writer of C. looks at the early monarchy from the standpoint of a later age. The literary style is late and peculiar.