I And II Chronicles: A Commentary (The Old Testament Library)

by Sara Japhet

The similarity between the two situations, already found in the original sources, is greatly augmented by the Chronicler’s treatment of the figures of David and Solomon. In addition to the actual transfer of leadership, there are other common elements: the first leader is the great founder, who established enduring institutions: Moses – the people, the covenant, the Law; David – the monarchy, the dynasty. The first leader did not live to realize what he regarded as the peak and climax of his mission (for Moses, the conquest of Canaan; for David, the building of the Temple) and had to leave the stage to his successor in obedience to God’s command. Yet, while denied actual attainment, the first leader undertook many of the preparatory steps: Moses by fighting the east Jordanian kings and bringing the people to the threshold of Canaan; David by making all the necessary preparations for the Temple. In both cases the younger leader derives his power and authority from his predecessor, and a conscious attempt is made to describe the former in terms reminiscent of the latter.