Our story starts out with a unified Kingdom of Judah and Israel. After Solomon's death, Israel splits into two different nations—the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Chronicler is really only interested in telling the story of the Southern Kingdom. In his opinion, these are the good guys. They've held onto God's handpicked monarchs (David's boys) and the Temple (the holiest place on Earth). Meanwhile, those tribes up north are just blaspheming and worshipping other gods day and night. The Chronicler presents us with a pretty black-and-white picture, but are things ever that clear?
Questions About Contrasting Regions: Northern Israel vs. Southern Judah
- The Chronicler says it was God's plan for Israel to divide. Why would he do this? Does the author really ever give a good explanation?
- The south is clearly superior to the north in our story. How do you think the northern tribes view the southern kings?
- How were the northern tribes so easily led into idolatry?