The Books of Chronicles and Ben Sira 44-50 both rewrite previous biblical history in different
ways. While the postexilic Books of Chronicles rewrite earlier narratives from Samuel and Kings
Ben Sira's Praise of the Ancestors offers a new presentation of biblical history from the
Genesis patriarchs to Nehemiah prior to the praise of the high priest Simon. Whereas older
scholarship regarded the historiography of Chronicles and Ben Sira as secondary and derivative
today there is renewed interest in these works as significant theological and cultural
documents. Both Chronicles and Ben Sira present a theological message that involves the
creation of a national identity centered on temple piety. The essays in this volume investigate
how both works rewrite their source materials on particular biblical characters and themes.
Some chapters consider the portrayal of kings like David Rehoboam Hezekiah Manasseh Josiah
and Zedekiah. Other chapters deal with prophets like Samuel and Elijah while further essays
offer perspectives on Ben Sira's Praise of the Ancestors as a whole. This Festschrift honors
Professor Pancratius C. Beentjes who has made a significant contribution to scholarly research
into the Books of Chronicles and Ben Sira.
