Dit commentaar op 2 Kronieken verschijnt in de serie 'Verklaring van de Hebreeuwse Bijbel', onder redactie van Dr. H. Jagersma en Dr. K.A.D. Smelik. Gedetailleerde wetenschappelijke discussie en vaktaal worden vermeden, zodat deze serie behalve voor theologen, ook voor een brede lezerskring toegankelijk is. De auteur schenken veel aandacht aan de literaire techniek en de theologische relevantie van de tekst. In dit kader worden - indien mogelijk - ook verbanden met onder andere het Nieuwe Testament en de Robbijnse literatuur zichtbaar.

Uitgangspunt is de benadering van de tekst in de eindvorm. In een korte inleiding komen eventuele vrogen over de ontstaans- en tekstgeschiedenis aan de orde. De serie is bedoeld voor theologen, predikanten, pastores, catecheten, deelnemers aan leerhuizen en andere ge eresseerden. Voor Bijbelstudie, onderwijs en prediking.

In the era in which the Chronicler writes, the pressing question is: How will Judeans reestablish themselves after the Babylonian exile? The Chronicler’s answer is to encourage the people of Israel to live out of their memory of God’s mercy and compassion. Knowing and cherishing the books of Samuel and Kings, the writer interprets their message differently because the people of his era face new challenges to their life and faith.

This commentary highlights the special character of First and Second Chronicles by pointing out subtle ways in which the Chronicler changes the story of Israel. Many of these slight changes in wording reflect theological shifts in the postexilic era. The Chronicler sees a need for a strong spiritual center that is clearly located in the Jerusalem temple and its life of worship and prayer. Alienated northern tribes may enter this religious world by participating in temple worship. New and original materials describe the services and the roles of Levites and priests at the temple. Kings foster worship and demonstrate a spirituality of repentance. Israel can again become a people united if all join together in worship. This is a history of hope.

This commentary takes full advantage of recent advances in the textual history of "Samuel" and "Kings", demonstrating in many cases that the differences often ascribed to the Chronicler came in fact from the divergent copy of the canonical books he was rewriting. Klein brings to lively expression the unique theological voice of the Chronicler and demonstrates there have been far fewer secondary additions to the text than is normally assumed.

Ralph W. Kleins magisterial commentary on 1 and 2 Chronicles is now complete. Klein brings to lively expression the unique theological voice of the Chronicler and demonstrates there have been far fewer secondary additions to the text than is normally assumed. 2 Chronicles takes full advantage of recent advances in the textual history of Samuel and Kings, demonstrating in many cases that the differences often ascribed to the Chronicler came in fact from the divergent copy of the canonical books he was rewriting.

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