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A Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles
A thorough exegetical analysis of each passage of 1 and 2 Chronicles The trauma of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, the exile of thousands of Judea's citizens, and the subsequent return after seventy years to the homeland with the difficult task of starting the new covenant community virtually from scratch― all contributed to a reassessment of Israel's meaning and destiny. The chronicler-theologian thus composed his work not just as a history of his people from their ancient beginnings but as an interpreted history, one designed to offer hope to the beleaguered community as well as to issue warnings that should they fall back into the ways of their fathers they could expect the judgment of God to be repeated. Eugene Merrill's work on 1 and 2 Chronicles promises to be a significant contribution to the academic dialogue on these important books. This volume is helpful for the scholar but accessible and useful for the pastor. Merrill provides an exegetical study of each passage in these books, examining a number of themes, especially drawing out three principal theological (1) David and his historical and eschatological reign; (2) the renewal of the everlasting covenant; and (3) the new temple as a symbol of a reconstituted people. Merrill offers astute guidance to preachers and teachers in his insightful doctrinal commentary on the text.
640 pages, Hardcover
First published November 27, 2015
About the author
Eugene H. Merrill
32 books12 followersEugene H. Merrill is a respected American Old Testament scholar known for his deep expertise in biblical studies and Semitic languages. He served for decades as Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he taught from 1975 until his retirement in 2013. He also holds a distinguished faculty position at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Merrill earned advanced degrees from Bob Jones University, New York University, and Columbia University, and completed post-doctoral research at Tyndale House, Cambridge. A former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, he is widely recognized for his academic contributions and faithful scholarship.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 11, 2016
Summary: A commentary on these post-exilic books that emphasizes the hope of a restored kingship for Israel, the renewal of God's covenant, and the rebuilding of the temple as the center of Israel's religious life.
For readers of the Bible the beginning of 1 Chronicles may be either one of those places where they give up or decide to skip over nine chapters of genealogies. True, these are tedious going, but Merrill's commentary helped me realize how these are indicative of at least two important threads that run through Chronicles (originally one book)--the restoration of the Davidic kingship, and the Levitical line whose greatest concern was the temple as a center of worshiping Yahweh.
Eugene Merrill traces these themes throughout the two books of 1 and 2 Chronicles. We see the focus on the kings of Judah at their best, the down-playing of them at their worst and near silence about the evil kings of the northern kingdom of Israel during the era of the divided kingdom. The Chronicler focuses not on the apostasy of Solomon in his later years but on his construction and dedication of the temple. The Chronicler ends, not with the downfall of Jerusalem and the exile, but the edict of Cyrus ordering the return of the exiles from Babylon to rebuild the temple to Yahweh.
The commentary is described as an "exegetical commentary". Like most commentaries, he introduces the text with discussion of the name, historical context, authorship, placement, genres, structure and sources, textual criticism and theology of the book, along with the major scholarship of Chronicles and an analytical outline. He then proceeds section by section to exegete the text. First he provides the NIV text of each section. This is followed by text-critical notations, and then exegesis and exposition of the text in which he provides relevant commentary on context, on differences between Chronicles and the books of Samuel and Kings, and elaboration (exposition) of the biblical text. At the end of each major section of text he offers summary observations on the theology of that section, and several "bullet points" of application, helpful in suggesting possible applications for preaching and Bible study contexts. Throughout, text is interspersed with charts where these are helpful in comparisons of parallel texts or summarizing the structure of sections.
In addition, the commentary includes twelve "excurses" on broader theological and historical issues not confined to a specific portion. These include:
1. The Chronicler's Literary Sources and Their Individual Ideological and Theological Significance
2. The Chronology of the Reigns of David and Solomon
3. The Travels of the Ark of the Covenant
4. The Angel of YHWH
5. David and Royal Sonship
6. The Theological Ethics of Holy War
7. Holy War: Its Concept and Technical Terms
8. Old Testament Historiography
9.The Assyrian Conquests (732-701 BC)
10. The Identity of the Scroll in Josiah's Reformation
11. The Rise of Babylonia and the Exile of Judah (612-586 BC)
12. The Rise of the Persian Empire (550-400 BC)
I appreciate several things about this commentary. One is that it is a scholarly work written for serious lay students of the Bible that also serves well pastors with theological training. The Hebrew is primarily in the text critical notations. The inclusion of theological reflection and application promoted this kind of reflection I read, making this useful for devotional study. The excurses deal with important issues of background and questions raised by the text of Chronicles. Merrill is thorough in his study of parallels between Chronicles and Samuel and Kings. He provides an extensive bibliography for those who wish to go deeper in their study.
Some may criticize Merrill's work for taking a more conservative position on a number of scholarly issues. He acknowledges these and gives a fair summary as well as his reasons for his own reading. He is willing to leave undetermined open scholarly discussions.
I have to admit to a certain reluctance when I saw the 600-plus page length of this commentary on 1 and 2 Chronicles. Having worked my way through, I gained a deeper grasp of both text and context. I also found myself reflecting at a number of points on the message of these books, and particularly the messianic hope and the faithfulness of God, as well as the salutary lessons (for example of Hezekiah's later years after he was reprieved from death) of the stories of these kings at their best and worst. For me, that is biblical commentary at its best!
_____________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
For readers of the Bible the beginning of 1 Chronicles may be either one of those places where they give up or decide to skip over nine chapters of genealogies. True, these are tedious going, but Merrill's commentary helped me realize how these are indicative of at least two important threads that run through Chronicles (originally one book)--the restoration of the Davidic kingship, and the Levitical line whose greatest concern was the temple as a center of worshiping Yahweh.
Eugene Merrill traces these themes throughout the two books of 1 and 2 Chronicles. We see the focus on the kings of Judah at their best, the down-playing of them at their worst and near silence about the evil kings of the northern kingdom of Israel during the era of the divided kingdom. The Chronicler focuses not on the apostasy of Solomon in his later years but on his construction and dedication of the temple. The Chronicler ends, not with the downfall of Jerusalem and the exile, but the edict of Cyrus ordering the return of the exiles from Babylon to rebuild the temple to Yahweh.
The commentary is described as an "exegetical commentary". Like most commentaries, he introduces the text with discussion of the name, historical context, authorship, placement, genres, structure and sources, textual criticism and theology of the book, along with the major scholarship of Chronicles and an analytical outline. He then proceeds section by section to exegete the text. First he provides the NIV text of each section. This is followed by text-critical notations, and then exegesis and exposition of the text in which he provides relevant commentary on context, on differences between Chronicles and the books of Samuel and Kings, and elaboration (exposition) of the biblical text. At the end of each major section of text he offers summary observations on the theology of that section, and several "bullet points" of application, helpful in suggesting possible applications for preaching and Bible study contexts. Throughout, text is interspersed with charts where these are helpful in comparisons of parallel texts or summarizing the structure of sections.
In addition, the commentary includes twelve "excurses" on broader theological and historical issues not confined to a specific portion. These include:
1. The Chronicler's Literary Sources and Their Individual Ideological and Theological Significance
2. The Chronology of the Reigns of David and Solomon
3. The Travels of the Ark of the Covenant
4. The Angel of YHWH
5. David and Royal Sonship
6. The Theological Ethics of Holy War
7. Holy War: Its Concept and Technical Terms
8. Old Testament Historiography
9.The Assyrian Conquests (732-701 BC)
10. The Identity of the Scroll in Josiah's Reformation
11. The Rise of Babylonia and the Exile of Judah (612-586 BC)
12. The Rise of the Persian Empire (550-400 BC)
I appreciate several things about this commentary. One is that it is a scholarly work written for serious lay students of the Bible that also serves well pastors with theological training. The Hebrew is primarily in the text critical notations. The inclusion of theological reflection and application promoted this kind of reflection I read, making this useful for devotional study. The excurses deal with important issues of background and questions raised by the text of Chronicles. Merrill is thorough in his study of parallels between Chronicles and Samuel and Kings. He provides an extensive bibliography for those who wish to go deeper in their study.
Some may criticize Merrill's work for taking a more conservative position on a number of scholarly issues. He acknowledges these and gives a fair summary as well as his reasons for his own reading. He is willing to leave undetermined open scholarly discussions.
I have to admit to a certain reluctance when I saw the 600-plus page length of this commentary on 1 and 2 Chronicles. Having worked my way through, I gained a deeper grasp of both text and context. I also found myself reflecting at a number of points on the message of these books, and particularly the messianic hope and the faithfulness of God, as well as the salutary lessons (for example of Hezekiah's later years after he was reprieved from death) of the stories of these kings at their best and worst. For me, that is biblical commentary at its best!
_____________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
May 19, 2017
If you are looking through and evangelical commentary on the historical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, A Commentary on 1 &2 Chronicles, by Eugene H. Merrill published by Kregel Academic is what you are searching for. This commentary is a recent volume in the Kregel Exegetical, a series which is synonymous with superior exegesis and gripping application, this volume continues the long legacy. This volume is one of the most articulate and practical modern commentaries on two very neglected books. While Merrill is no stranger to Biblical commentaries this is his first foray into this first-rate commentary series.
1 &2 Chronicles has three main sections the typical general introduction, and followed by a short bibliography, a commentary on the text of 1 and 2 Chronicles. With regard to the general introduction it is the typical study into the introductory matters 1 and 2 Chronicles. This is a serious scholarly work which dives into contextual as well as the as the different mythological approaches to study these books, it is useful to scholars are well as pastors.
In reference to the commentary sections on the text, Merrill, takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while applying it directly to the modern day reader. Merrill is a top rate Hebrew scholar and he demonstrates his skill in this commentary. The only issue with the commentary section is that Merrill does not interact with some of the more modern scholarship on the historical books. While this may be a deal killer to some, the content is not in any way out of date, and very applicable to the pastor-scholar.
With regard of recommending 1 and 2 Chronicles to others I would whole heartily recommend this commentary to students of scripture, with one caveat. By this I mean I recommend this work to Pastors, Bible Teachers, Bible College Students, and to a limited extent educated Laymen looking to teach a Sunday school class, there is enough scholarly weight to this work to understand a particular issue in the text while giving aid to pastors in preaching the text. There are many commentaries about 1 & 2 Chronicles available at this moment but 1 and 2 Chronicles of the Kregel Exegetical Library is a giant step above the rest.
This book was provided to me free of charge from Kregel Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
1 and 2 Chronicles: Kregel Exegetical Library
© 2015 by Eugene H. Merrill
Publisher: Kregel Academic
Page Count: 640 Pages
ISBN: 978-0825425592
1 &2 Chronicles has three main sections the typical general introduction, and followed by a short bibliography, a commentary on the text of 1 and 2 Chronicles. With regard to the general introduction it is the typical study into the introductory matters 1 and 2 Chronicles. This is a serious scholarly work which dives into contextual as well as the as the different mythological approaches to study these books, it is useful to scholars are well as pastors.
In reference to the commentary sections on the text, Merrill, takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while applying it directly to the modern day reader. Merrill is a top rate Hebrew scholar and he demonstrates his skill in this commentary. The only issue with the commentary section is that Merrill does not interact with some of the more modern scholarship on the historical books. While this may be a deal killer to some, the content is not in any way out of date, and very applicable to the pastor-scholar.
With regard of recommending 1 and 2 Chronicles to others I would whole heartily recommend this commentary to students of scripture, with one caveat. By this I mean I recommend this work to Pastors, Bible Teachers, Bible College Students, and to a limited extent educated Laymen looking to teach a Sunday school class, there is enough scholarly weight to this work to understand a particular issue in the text while giving aid to pastors in preaching the text. There are many commentaries about 1 & 2 Chronicles available at this moment but 1 and 2 Chronicles of the Kregel Exegetical Library is a giant step above the rest.
This book was provided to me free of charge from Kregel Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
1 and 2 Chronicles: Kregel Exegetical Library
© 2015 by Eugene H. Merrill
Publisher: Kregel Academic
Page Count: 640 Pages
ISBN: 978-0825425592
January 12, 2016
As a pastor, I always appreciate books that combine exegesis, theology and erudition all together. Technical commentaries are always useful, though most of them lack expositional issues. Narrowing the theme even more, exegetical commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles are not abundant, even less commentaries that combine exegesis and exposition in a balanced way.
1 & 2 Chronicles by Eugene H. Merrill, from Kregel Exegetical Library, is an excellent resource for pastors and Bible students as it provides the exegetical foundations, theological insights, and expositional tools that we need to combine during the preparation of our sermons or biblical study.
In his book, Merrill covers every indispensable point for the serious student. He combines erudition and conciseness, and the result is an exegetical commentary that will satisfy the needs of every pastor who wants to teach or preach on 1 & 2 Chronicles. Introductory chapters serve the reader in many ways. The author begins by providing a short, though effective, study regarding the name of the book and how the book got the name. Then he moves to historical and cultural issues that surround 1 & 2 Chronicles. Merrill advocates for a post-exilic composition of the book, and sees Ezra as the best positioned figure for its composition and/or compilation. In addition to all the points mentioned before, the author also covers theological issues of the book of 1 & 2 Chronicles, which I found very interesting and thorough.
The commentary section of the book, which occupies the main body of the volume, is worth of reading. Translations from the Hebrew and Greek are Merrill’s own, and the English version used for the commentary is the NIV. Merrill provides text-critical notations, and exegesis and exposition sections in which he develops his commentary of the text. He writes in a prominent and professional way, but he also makes this commentary accessible to every reader. The author includes Hebrew and Greek terms, but he does it in a very meticulous and strategic manner, so those who do not read Hebrew or Greek do not get lost and feel disconnected from the book.
Something noteworthy on this book is the excurses, hymns and prayers, and theological discourses Merrill highlights on his commentary. He includes twelve excurses on themes that are worthy of deeper study and explanation. Merrill offers a bigger perspective on different issues such as the travels of the Ark of the Covenant or the Theology of the Genealogies. These sections are an extra tool that every serious bible student and pastors will appreciate and will find very useful in order to get a better understanding about difficult passages on the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles.
The bibliography Merrill provides at the end of the book is a very generous one. He arranges books by topics (commentaries, backgrounds/history, criticism, and so on).
Summarizing, this is a must have book for every pastor and Bible student. This book is destined to become a point of reference among exegetical commentaries on the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, and an invaluable resource for preachers, expositors, and instructors.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
1 & 2 Chronicles by Eugene H. Merrill, from Kregel Exegetical Library, is an excellent resource for pastors and Bible students as it provides the exegetical foundations, theological insights, and expositional tools that we need to combine during the preparation of our sermons or biblical study.
In his book, Merrill covers every indispensable point for the serious student. He combines erudition and conciseness, and the result is an exegetical commentary that will satisfy the needs of every pastor who wants to teach or preach on 1 & 2 Chronicles. Introductory chapters serve the reader in many ways. The author begins by providing a short, though effective, study regarding the name of the book and how the book got the name. Then he moves to historical and cultural issues that surround 1 & 2 Chronicles. Merrill advocates for a post-exilic composition of the book, and sees Ezra as the best positioned figure for its composition and/or compilation. In addition to all the points mentioned before, the author also covers theological issues of the book of 1 & 2 Chronicles, which I found very interesting and thorough.
The commentary section of the book, which occupies the main body of the volume, is worth of reading. Translations from the Hebrew and Greek are Merrill’s own, and the English version used for the commentary is the NIV. Merrill provides text-critical notations, and exegesis and exposition sections in which he develops his commentary of the text. He writes in a prominent and professional way, but he also makes this commentary accessible to every reader. The author includes Hebrew and Greek terms, but he does it in a very meticulous and strategic manner, so those who do not read Hebrew or Greek do not get lost and feel disconnected from the book.
Something noteworthy on this book is the excurses, hymns and prayers, and theological discourses Merrill highlights on his commentary. He includes twelve excurses on themes that are worthy of deeper study and explanation. Merrill offers a bigger perspective on different issues such as the travels of the Ark of the Covenant or the Theology of the Genealogies. These sections are an extra tool that every serious bible student and pastors will appreciate and will find very useful in order to get a better understanding about difficult passages on the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles.
The bibliography Merrill provides at the end of the book is a very generous one. He arranges books by topics (commentaries, backgrounds/history, criticism, and so on).
Summarizing, this is a must have book for every pastor and Bible student. This book is destined to become a point of reference among exegetical commentaries on the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, and an invaluable resource for preachers, expositors, and instructors.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
March 13, 2016
I find reading 1 & 2 Chronicles difficult. It isn't the genealogies or long lists of temple attendants, musicians and officials. When I encounter these in the Bible, I just read faster. My difficulty is in the narrative itself. When you read Kings, you discover the dynastic declines of Israel and Judah and a prophetic critique of the monarchy, which explains why God's people went into exile. Chronicles tells a different tale. Kings of Judah described as evil turn out to be redeemable (i.e., David's sins are omitted, Manasseh of Judah in II Kings 21:1–18 vs. 2 Chronicles 32:33–33:20). However the Chronicler was no mere propagandist. Eugene Merrill (professor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary) points out that the Chronicler's omissions and additions are "designed to offer hope to the beleaguered community as well as issue warnings that should they fall back into the ways of their fathers they could expect the judgment of God to be repeated" (57). This means that Chronicles is less about whitewashing the errors of David and his line, and more about underscoring the ways God's redemptive plan was operative, despite Judah's failings.
9780825425592A Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles, from the Kregel Exegetical Library is another volume in an exceptional series. This is a much more detailed commentary than Merrill's early 1, 2 Chronicles (Zondervan, 1988). Each pericope has the text in translation (the NIV), text-critical notations and a section exegesis and exposition. In Merrill's introduction, he discusses authorship and provenance, the historical and cultural setting of both the book and the post exilic community it was written in, the literary form and genre of 'sacred history,' the theology, and the book's sources. In addition, there are ten excursuses which take a more detailed look at theological and historical issues, a index of seven significant hymns and prayers (the Prayer of Jabez doesn't make this list, but is treated in the commentary), and an examination of the theology of each of the nine sections.
At 636 pages, this isn't a light commentary, but it is an accessible one. Merrill is detailed but readable. If you are interested in exploring the message of Chronicles, its theology and implications, Merrill is a fantastic guide. He highlights the hope Chronicles brought to Jews returning to Jerusalem. This commentary (like the series) represents some of the best in evangelical biblical scholarship. This will be a useful for pastors who would like to preach from Chronicles and seminarians alike. Merrill distills well the chronicler's theology and this will be my go-to-resource for this section of scripture. I give this commentary five stars.
Note: I received this book from Kregel Academic in exchange for my honest review.
9780825425592A Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles, from the Kregel Exegetical Library is another volume in an exceptional series. This is a much more detailed commentary than Merrill's early 1, 2 Chronicles (Zondervan, 1988). Each pericope has the text in translation (the NIV), text-critical notations and a section exegesis and exposition. In Merrill's introduction, he discusses authorship and provenance, the historical and cultural setting of both the book and the post exilic community it was written in, the literary form and genre of 'sacred history,' the theology, and the book's sources. In addition, there are ten excursuses which take a more detailed look at theological and historical issues, a index of seven significant hymns and prayers (the Prayer of Jabez doesn't make this list, but is treated in the commentary), and an examination of the theology of each of the nine sections.
At 636 pages, this isn't a light commentary, but it is an accessible one. Merrill is detailed but readable. If you are interested in exploring the message of Chronicles, its theology and implications, Merrill is a fantastic guide. He highlights the hope Chronicles brought to Jews returning to Jerusalem. This commentary (like the series) represents some of the best in evangelical biblical scholarship. This will be a useful for pastors who would like to preach from Chronicles and seminarians alike. Merrill distills well the chronicler's theology and this will be my go-to-resource for this section of scripture. I give this commentary five stars.
Note: I received this book from Kregel Academic in exchange for my honest review.
January 9, 2016
Typically those who utilize commentaries are attracted to volumes that engage with the more shall we say popular books in Scripture such as Romans, the Gospel of John, and perhaps Revelation. Reading a commentary on one of the historical books of the Old Testament is arguably not always at the top of everyone’s list. If true, I find the neglect of books such as 1 & 2 Chronicles to be unfortunate given such a book provides a needed framework for the historical flow of God’s plan, his dealings with His people, and a background for many of the events we read in other sections of Scripture.
Eugene Merrill’s A Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles fits the need for a quality and insightful commentary that is biblically sound, scholarly yet easily accessible for the average laymen, and a work that will undoubtedly help the reader better grasp what was taking place in the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles and why we should care.
Any commentary worth its weight necessarily interacts with basic information about the book it discusses. Merrill’s work is no different. He outlines matters of authorship, historical setting, genre, place in the canon, historiography, overall structure and outline, and the major overarching themes found in 1 & 2 Chronicles. Building on that background data, Merrill then works his way through these books, again providing salient commentary throughout.
He also provides twelve excurses. These little scholarly interludes if you will help the reader dig just a bit deeper into select topics such as the Chronicler’s literary sources, the travel of the Ark of the Covenant, Old Testament historiography, and the rise of empires such as Babylon and Persia. Also of note is the analysis of 5 important prayers found in 1 & 2 Chronicles as well as nine valuable theological discourses on important topics and themes.
I found the exegesis and interaction with the text by Merrill to be sound and there are copious footnotes throughout that should not be ignored. Footnotes are often an overlooked element of a commentary and paying attention to these notes by the author are an excellent source for future and even more in-depth study of the text.
This is a commentary I have no problem recommending and when I get to these books this year as part of my yearly Bible reading plan, I will definitely refer to Merrill’s commentary as a helpful source of information.
I received this book for free from Kregel Academic and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Eugene Merrill’s A Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles fits the need for a quality and insightful commentary that is biblically sound, scholarly yet easily accessible for the average laymen, and a work that will undoubtedly help the reader better grasp what was taking place in the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles and why we should care.
Any commentary worth its weight necessarily interacts with basic information about the book it discusses. Merrill’s work is no different. He outlines matters of authorship, historical setting, genre, place in the canon, historiography, overall structure and outline, and the major overarching themes found in 1 & 2 Chronicles. Building on that background data, Merrill then works his way through these books, again providing salient commentary throughout.
He also provides twelve excurses. These little scholarly interludes if you will help the reader dig just a bit deeper into select topics such as the Chronicler’s literary sources, the travel of the Ark of the Covenant, Old Testament historiography, and the rise of empires such as Babylon and Persia. Also of note is the analysis of 5 important prayers found in 1 & 2 Chronicles as well as nine valuable theological discourses on important topics and themes.
I found the exegesis and interaction with the text by Merrill to be sound and there are copious footnotes throughout that should not be ignored. Footnotes are often an overlooked element of a commentary and paying attention to these notes by the author are an excellent source for future and even more in-depth study of the text.
This is a commentary I have no problem recommending and when I get to these books this year as part of my yearly Bible reading plan, I will definitely refer to Merrill’s commentary as a helpful source of information.
I received this book for free from Kregel Academic and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 22, 2015
Seasoned commentator Eugene Merrill gives us a full-scale commentary on an oft-overlooked portion of Scripture–the books of Chronicles. This volume is a fine addition to the developing series called the Kregel Exegetical Library series. I expected this to be an excellent volume based on several other commentaries by Merrill that adorn my shelves, and I was not disappointed!
His Introduction fills the first 70 pages. While as scholarly as you would expect, this Introduction covers issues in a way more conducive and interesting for pastors and teachers. More bizarre scholarly sidelines are ignored. His section on the historical and cultural setting was enlightening. When he tackled authorship, he had trouble believing the traditional viewpoint that Ezra wrote Chronicles. On the subject of sources, which often gets out of hand in many commentaries, he focuses on the 14 ones that Chronicles actually mentions. The section on theology is the best of the Introduction and quite well done.
The commentary proper is excellent. Even in something as difficult as the genealogies, he had fine application of theology. The charts there were a real asset too. I should mention that I found the footnotes far more helpful than in most such volumes.
This volume grades out at A+ and is clearly a top volume now on Chronicles.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
His Introduction fills the first 70 pages. While as scholarly as you would expect, this Introduction covers issues in a way more conducive and interesting for pastors and teachers. More bizarre scholarly sidelines are ignored. His section on the historical and cultural setting was enlightening. When he tackled authorship, he had trouble believing the traditional viewpoint that Ezra wrote Chronicles. On the subject of sources, which often gets out of hand in many commentaries, he focuses on the 14 ones that Chronicles actually mentions. The section on theology is the best of the Introduction and quite well done.
The commentary proper is excellent. Even in something as difficult as the genealogies, he had fine application of theology. The charts there were a real asset too. I should mention that I found the footnotes far more helpful than in most such volumes.
This volume grades out at A+ and is clearly a top volume now on Chronicles.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
September 13, 2016
1 & 2 Chronicles is not a book that you will often hear preached expositionally. Part of the reason, I think, is how the book starts with 9 chapters of genealogies! Pastors will definitely not want to attempt to preach through these chapters expositionally.
Preachers can now reach out to a helpful commentary on the 1 & 2 Chronicles. Eugene Merrill has written a new commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles, a book that has been neglected by commentators for quite some time.
As with every commentary, Merrill starts with the introductory matters and then moves on to the actual commentary of the text. As one who has not studied 1 & 2 Chronicles, I found this introduction helpful in understand the main themes. Through his introduction I am also kept abreast on what has been discussed in the academic circles. Preachers who are not familiar with 1 & 2 Chronicles will find the introduction helpful for their preparatory work.
Merrill uses the NIV text as reference for his commentary, but he always shows his exegesis based on the Hebrew text. Merrill keeps references to the original language to a minimum which will be helpful to preachers who are not that conversant in Hebrew. I personally do not know Hebrew, but I still find the commentary helpful to me
Given that the technical commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles has not been as forthcoming as some other old testament book. This commentary will be a helpful addition to the current array of commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles.
Rating: 4 / 5
Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Preachers can now reach out to a helpful commentary on the 1 & 2 Chronicles. Eugene Merrill has written a new commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles, a book that has been neglected by commentators for quite some time.
As with every commentary, Merrill starts with the introductory matters and then moves on to the actual commentary of the text. As one who has not studied 1 & 2 Chronicles, I found this introduction helpful in understand the main themes. Through his introduction I am also kept abreast on what has been discussed in the academic circles. Preachers who are not familiar with 1 & 2 Chronicles will find the introduction helpful for their preparatory work.
Merrill uses the NIV text as reference for his commentary, but he always shows his exegesis based on the Hebrew text. Merrill keeps references to the original language to a minimum which will be helpful to preachers who are not that conversant in Hebrew. I personally do not know Hebrew, but I still find the commentary helpful to me
Given that the technical commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles has not been as forthcoming as some other old testament book. This commentary will be a helpful addition to the current array of commentaries on 1 & 2 Chronicles.
Rating: 4 / 5
Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
February 12, 2016
By far the least insightful, least pastoral, and least interesting commentary in the Kregel exegetical series. It's greatest value is in its various charts mapping out the genealogies and tribal relations. I don't expect this commentary to become popular for any significant reason other than it being the most up-to-date. My favorite commentary of 1-2 Chron is the WBC, even though that has two different contributing authors.
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