The Expositor's Bible: The Books of Chronicles by W. H. Bennett

(1 User reviews)   1910
By Abil Kile Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - Romance
Bennett, W. H. (William Henry), 1855-1920 Bennett, W. H. (William Henry), 1855-1920
English
Ever wonder why the Bible has two books that seem to tell the same story? That's exactly what grabbed me about 'The Books of Chronicles' by W.H. Bennett. This isn't just another dusty commentary. Bennett tackles the big, quiet mystery: If we already have the books of Samuel and Kings, why did someone feel the need to write Chronicles centuries later? He peels back the layers to show it's not a simple repeat. It's a deliberate rewrite for a specific audience—people returning from exile, trying to rebuild their identity. The real conflict here isn't on a battlefield; it's in the heart of a community asking, 'Who are we now, and what really matters from our past?' Bennett acts as your guide through this ancient editorial project, making the 'why' behind these books as compelling as any plot.
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iv. 9, 10, 18, 22, 27, 34-43; v. 10, 18-22; vii. 21-23; viii. 13. Chapter V. The Jewish Community In The Time Of The Chronicler. Chapter VI. Teaching By Anachronism. 1 Chron. ix. (cf. xv., xvi., xxiii.-xxvii., etc.). Book III. Messianic And Other Types. Chapter I. Teaching By Types. Chapter II. David—I. His Tribe And Dynasty. Chapter III. David—II. His Personal History. Chapter IV. David—III. His Official Dignity. Chapter V. Solomon. Chapter VI. Solomon (continued). Chapter VII. The Wicked Kings. 2 Chron. xxviii., etc. Chapter VIII. The Priests. Chapter IX. The Prophets. Chapter X. Satan. 1 Chron. xxi.-xxii. 1. Chapter XI. Conclusion. Book IV. The Interpretation Of History. Chapter I. The Last Prayer Of David. 1 Chron. xxix. 10-19. Chapter II. Rehoboam And Abijah: The Importance Of Ritual. 2 Chron. x.-xiii. Chapter III. Asa: Divine Retribution. 2 Chron. xiv.-xvi. Chapter IV. Jehoshaphat—The Doctrine Of Non-Resistance. 2 Chron. xvii.-xx. Chapter V. Jehoram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah: The Consequences of a Foreign Marriage. 2 Chron. xxi.-xxiii. Chapter VI. Joash and Amaziah. 2 Chron. xxiv.-xxv. Chapter VII. Uzziah, Jotham, and Ahaz. 2 Chron. xxvi.-xxviii. Chapter VIII. Hezekiah: The Religious Value Of Music. 2 Chron. xxix.-xxxii. Chapter IX. Manasseh: Repentance And Forgiveness. 2 Chron. xxxiii. Chapter X. The Last Kings Of Judah. 2 Chron. xxxiv.-xxxvi. Footnotes PREFACE To expound Chronicles in a series which has dealt with Samuel, Kings, Ezra, and Nehemiah is to glean scattered ears from a field already harvested. Sections common to Chronicles with the older histories have therefore been treated as briefly as is consistent with preserving the continuity of the narrative. Moreover, an exposition of Chronicles does not demand or warrant an attempt to write the history of Judah. To recombine with Chronicles matter which its author deliberately omitted would only obscure the characteristic teaching he intended to convey. On the one hand, his selection of material has a religious significance, which must be ascertained by careful comparison with Samuel and Kings; on the other hand, we can only do justice to the chronicler as we ourselves adopt, for the time being, his own attitude towards the history of Hebrew politics, literature, and religion. In the more strictly expository parts of this volume I have sought to confine myself to the carrying out of these principles. Amongst other obligations to friends, I must specially mention my indebtedness to the Rev. T. H. Darlow, M.A., for a careful reading of the proof-sheets and many very valuable suggestions. One object I have had in view has been to attempt to show the fresh force and clearness with which modern methods of Biblical study have emphasised the spiritual teaching of Chronicles. BOOK I. INTRODUCTION. Chapter I. Date And Authorship. Chronicles is a curious literary torso. A comparison with Ezra and Nehemiah shows that the three originally formed a single whole. They are written in the same peculiar late Hebrew style; they use their sources in the same mechanical way; they are all saturated with the ecclesiastical spirit; and their Church order and doctrine rest upon the complete Pentateuch, and especially upon the Priestly Code. They take the same keen interest in genealogies, statistics, building operations, Temple ritual, priests and Levites, and most of all in the Levitical doorkeepers and singers. Ezra and Nehemiah form an obvious continuation of Chronicles; the latter work breaks off in the middle of a paragraph intended to introduce the account of the return from the Captivity; Ezra repeats the beginning of the paragraph and gives its conclusion. Similarly the register of the high-priests is begun in 1 Chron. vi. 4-15 and completed in Neh. xii. 10, 11. We...

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So, you open your Bible and find 1 & 2 Chronicles. They cover a lot of the same ground as Samuel and Kings—the stories of David, Solomon, and the kings of Judah. At first glance, it might seem like a rerun. W.H. Bennett's book is all about that first-glance problem. He walks you through Chronicles, but his real focus is on the author's purpose. He shows how this later writer carefully selected, edited, and even added to the older histories. The plot, in a way, is the story of this writer trying to craft a specific narrative for a broken nation coming home.

Why You Should Read It

This book changed how I read the Bible. Bennett makes you see Chronicles not as a boring list of names, but as a powerful act of hope. He highlights how the Chronicler focuses on worship, the temple, and God's promises to David, often leaving out the messy failures of the kings. It’s a story filtered through the lens of faith and future hope. You get a real sense of an ancient community using its past to imagine a better tomorrow, which feels surprisingly relevant.

Final Verdict

Perfect for curious readers who have ever asked 'Why is this in the Bible?' It's for anyone interested in history, storytelling, or how communities shape their identity through the stories they tell. You don't need to be a scholar. If you enjoy seeing how things are put together and appreciate a guide who explains complex ideas with clarity and respect, you'll get a lot out of this. It's a quiet, thoughtful book that offers a big payoff in understanding.



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This text is dedicated to the public domain. It is available for public use and education.

Elizabeth Ramirez
4 months ago

After hearing about this author multiple times, it creates a vivid world that you simply do not want to leave. A valuable addition to my collection.

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5 out of 5 (1 User reviews )

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