Japhet’s volume is the most massive exegetical commentary on I and II Chronicles that I am aware of. It’s actually fatter (1077 pages) than most volumes in the Old Testament Library (OTL) that I’ve seen as well. In addition to its size, I’ve only seen great praise from the entire scholarly world for this highly-respected book. It’s fair to call it an influential volume.

I’d agree with those who would call it “conservatively critical”. In truth, it’s going to appeal to the more scholarly types (that’s another thing that sets this book in a different vein than some others in the series). Still, it’s quite readable.

The Introduction tracks its own course. It jumps in at the name and place in the cannon. She concludes that Chronicles is “one work, composed essentially by a single author, with a very distinct and peculiar literary method.” She looks in depth at the structure of the books. She goes far on sources, but much of it is just about which books of the Bible influenced the Chronicler. She has some conclusions I could never agree with, but there is careful explanation throughout. She summarizes the theology as a constant appeal to the past.

In the vast commentary we find helpful philology and exegetical detail. There’s more work on theology here than in the Introduction, which is a plus to most users. There’s more reference to sources than I like to see, but there’s plenty of helpful history. It’s hard to find anything missing across the pages of the commentary proper. Students will appreciate it.

This book is likely the book to have on Chronicles on the heavy exegesis side of the spectrum. I recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.