the main content of chapters 12:1—36:16? What two very tragic events are recorded in this book, as far as the nation of Judah was concerned? What chapters report these? Read 36:17-23 How these verses conclude the book? Study the survey Chart 54 Note the simple outline at the top which divides the book into two major parts Note how the verses 1:1 and 36:22 are compared Study carefully the outline about the Temple, at the bottom of the chart G Campbell Morgan sees the Temple as the key to Chronicles In the books of Chronicles, Israel, the Northern Kingdom, is out of sight There are references to it, but only when it is absolutely necessary to show relationship to Judah Judah is in view, only to x attention upon David David is the central personality… Yet the purpose of the writer was not that of dealing with Judah or with David, BUT OF DEALING WITH THE TEMPLE OF GOD.6 Note on the chart the references to four reformations Read the Bible passages VIII PROMINENT SUBJECTS OF CHRONICLES A SOLOMON’S REIGN AND THE TEMPLE PROJECT(1:1— 9:31) The extent of Solomon’s domination was far-reaching: from the Euphrates River in the east and north, to the border of Egypt in the west and south (See Map L.) This may have represented as much as fty thousand square miles John Gates writes: It might seem impossible … with two such strong contending powers as Egypt to the south and Assyria to the north … to build so large an empire, but such was the case at the beginning of Solomon’s reign At this time, the kingdom of Egypt was ruled by the weak and inglorious Twenty- rst Dynasty; and the power of Assyria was in a state of decline.7 Solomon was an expert in such elds of knowledge as botany and zoology God used this to His own glory when He inspired Solomon to write books like Proverbs, where spiritual truths are illustrated by the pictures a orded by the physical world Read some of the Proverbs, keeping this background in mind (It should be noted here that Solomon’s biblical writings— Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and at least two psalms, 72 and 127—comprised an important part of his ministry, even overshadowing, in the perspective of the ages, the part he played in building the Temple.) The Temple which Solomon built was the rst large single structure undertaken by any Israelite ruler The king realized something of the importance of this building he was about to erect, and also something of his own insigni cance (2 Chron 2:4-6) The Temple was to be not only a central place of worship but the actual dwelling place of Almighty God That is why Solomon called the house “great” (see Chron 2:5) And David had said of it: “The house that is to be built for the LORD shall be exceedingly magni cent, famous and glorious throughout all lands” (1 Chron 22:5) Some of the prominent features of the Temple, including its size, layout, furniture, ... David David is the central personality… Yet the purpose of the writer was not that of dealing with Judah or with David, BUT OF DEALING WITH THE TEMPLE OF GOD.6 Note on the chart the references... Egypt to the south and Assyria to the north … to build so large an empire, but such was the case at the beginning of Solomon’s reign At this time, the kingdom of Egypt was ruled by the weak and... 127—comprised an important part of his ministry, even overshadowing, in the perspective of the ages, the part he played in building the Temple.) The Temple which Solomon built was the rst large single structure