Chronicles appears to tell the same stories we find in the books of Samuel and Kings, but moves through certain details more quickly. What does this tell us about the priority of the author? What does this tell us about the time period in which these texts may have been written down?
By retelling the stories already found in 1 Kings, do you think that Chronicles is affirming the book of Kings’ authority, or undermining it? What are the stakes in either case?
Applying the Text:
Chronicles both retells and reimagines biblical stories already found in Samuel and Kings. Can you think of other examples of familiar stories (contemporary, historical, biblical, or otherwise) that have been retold in new ways over time?
Do you think stories from the Bible are still being reimagined and re-written by readers and interpreters today? Why or why not?