Anders Max - Holman Old Testament Commentary - 1st & 2nd Chronicles

To
Larry Blankenship, M.D.
Thank you from June and me
for all the help
and encouragement.

Editorial Preface

Today's church hungers for Bible teaching, and Bible teachers hunger for resources to guide them in teaching God's Word. The Holman Old Testament Commentary provides the church with the food to feed the spiritually hungry in an easily digestible format. The result: new spiritual vitality that the church can readily use.

Bible teaching should result in new interest in the Scriptures, expanded Bible knowledge, discovery of specific scriptural principles, relevant applications, and exciting living. The unique format of the Holman Old Testament Commentary includes sections to achieve these results for every Old Testament book.

Opening quotations stimulate thinking and lead to an introductory illustration and discussion that draw individuals and study groups into the Word of God. Verse-by-verse commentary interprets the passage with the aim of equipping them to understand and live God's Word in a contemporary setting. A conclusion draws together the themes identified in the passage under discussion and suggests application for it. Bible teachers and pastors will find the teaching outline helpful as they develop lessons and sermons.

Some of the major psalms are given additional treatment. A Life Application section provides additional illustrative material. Deeper Discoveries gives the reader a closer look at some of the words, phrases, and background material that illuminate the passage. Issues for Discussion is a tool to enhance learning within the group. Finally, a closing prayer is suggested.

It is the editors' prayer that this new resource for local church Bible teaching will enrich the ministry of group, as well as individual, Bible study and that it will lead God's people truly to be people of the Book, living out what God calls us to be.

Acknowledgments

When I was a college student I worked in a Christian bookstore, and I remember looking over the commentary section and musing that some day I would like to write a commentary on a book of the Bible. I further recollect thinking that I wanted it to be on a book for which relatively few commentaries were being written. I believe that I got my wish.

Thanks must go to Steve Bond of Broadman & Holman for extending to me the opportunity to make this wish come true. Anyone who has ever worked with Steve has learned to appreciate his patience and kindness.

Max Anders, general editor of this series and pastor of Castleview Baptist Church, is the consummate Bible teacher. When this project came along, before June and I were called to another ministry, we took a few Sundays to hear Max's preaching. Every sermon is a banquet of Bible exposition. This commentary series could not be in better hands.

I wonder how many books written over the last fifteen years mention Paul House of Wheaton College in their acknowledgments? From the moment that Paul came out of graduate school and started to work on publishing his dissertation, he has encouraged his colleagues to write books with words, deeds, and examples. Specifically, Paul was the one who mentioned to Steve Bond, first in connection with Shepherd's Notes, that he knew someone who would be interested in writing on 1 and 2 Chronicles.

Except for some sample chapters, almost all this commentary was written from February to April of 2003, thanks to a sabbatical from teaching at Taylor University. Let me mention by name those who specifically advocated or facilitated my receiving this time for writing: David Guyertson, Dwight Jessup, Steve Bedi, Faye Chechowich, Mike Harbin, and Ted Dorman.

June has, as always, been an incredible support for me during this very intensive time of writing. The proofreading she did and invaluable suggestions she made do not even begin to scratch the surface of how much help she provides constantly to me in my writing efforts.

First and Second Chronicles are not among the most widely studied books of the Bible. It is my fervent hope that I may have contributed to making this section of God's Word more accessible. If I have been successful in this at all, I need to give credit to two writers, both now deceased, who have had a deep impact on my love for the Old Testament. First I need to remember J. Barton Payne, a former professor, who combined the highest standards of fidelity to the Bible with a willingness to try some fresh approaches. And second, I am indebted to a man I never met: John Hercus, the Australian eye surgeon who helped us to see the people of the Old Testament as true human beings. Dr. Hercus confronted us with the reality of God's work by holding up the people with whom he worked as a mirror for ourselves.

Finally, I dedicate this book to Dr. Larry Blankenship. He has not only looked after the physical health of June and me for a number of years now, but he has become a wonderful friend in the process. Thank you for all you have done for us!

Winfried Corduan