Who were the Israelites, and what were their leaders like? Saul, Israel's first king, is a figure of debate—was he a hero or a failure? Similarly, David is seen as both a talented leader and a flawed individual. Solomon's reign is questioned too; was it Israel's golden age or the start of its decline?

Gary Knoppers explores these questions in his study of I Chronicles, a book from the Hebrew Bible that offers unique insights into Israel's history, especially its monarchy. Chronicles provides diverse perspectives on key events and figures, redefining Israel and explaining the shift from Saul to David. It highlights the era of David and Solomon as one of great achievements, where crucial institutions like the Davidic dynasty and the Jerusalem Temple took shape.

This volume is part of a two-book series that uses the Dead Sea Scrolls to reconstruct the biblical text. Knoppers shows how Chronicles is creatively linked to earlier biblical writings and compares its style to ancient Mesopotamian and Greek histories. With a new translation and comprehensive introduction, this work updates the 1965 Anchor Bible commentary by Jacob Myers.