The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book. While on the surface it is a repeat of the books of Samuel and Kings it is actually more than that, as is given away by its place in the Jewish scriptures, where it is the last book of what we call the Old Testament. It summarises the whole story of the people of God and concentrates on the positive aspects of David and Solomon, rather than their failings, as it models good kingship and holds these against the stories of bad kingship. It was probably written 200 years after the Jewish people return to Israel from Babylon and the author reframes the story of the past and gives hope for the future. This hope centres around a new temple, the coming of a messianic king and a reuniting of the people of God. This is reflected in the numerous family trees, and on the emphases on the lineage of the messianic king and priesthood. I Chronicles starts with the word Adam. 2 Chronicles ends with the words of Cyrus the King of Persia promising return and temple: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up, and may the Lord their God be with them.”