As you read these parallel accounts of the reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, note how the differing perspectives of the narrators cause them to highlight different things in the text. Kings was written during the exile of Judah and here the main question that the book answers is: ‘How did we get here?’ So, the exilic author highlights the things that led to the demise of Israel. The narrator of Chronicles wrote for the benefit of the post-exilic community who had been restored to Jerusalem but who were wondering whether God was still with them. So, the Chronicler highlights God’s willingness to forgive and restore his people following their rebellion. There are times when we need a wake-up call to see our grievous propensity to forget God and ignore his claim upon us. But there are other times when, having realised this, we need to know that God is always willing to forgive and restore those who have strayed from him. God is indeed willing to forgive, no matter where we have been and what we have done. As you read these parallel accounts think about which one speaks to you most poignantly. We cannot know the transforming and restorative power of God unless we are willing for him to highlight our areas of sin.
Open your heart to hear what God is saying to you.
Read 1 Kings 14:21-31 and 2 Chronicles 12
