in matters of literature, a species or kind of history disposed according to the order of time, and agreeing in most respects with annals. See **ANNALS**.

Books of **CHRONICLES**, a canonical writing of the Old Testament. It is uncertain which were written first, *The Books of Kings*, or *The Chronicles*, since they each refer to the other. However it be, the latter is often more full and comprehensive than the former. Whence the Greek interpreters call these two books *Παράλειποντα*, *Supplements*, *Additions*, because they contain some circumstances which are omitted in the other historical books. The Jews make but one book of the Chronicles, under the title of *Dibre-Hatanim*, i.e. *Journals* or *Annals*. Ezra is generally believed to be the author of these books. It is certain they were written after the end of the Babylonish captivity, and the first year of the reign of Cyrus, of whom mention is made in the last chapter of the second book.

The **Chronicles**, or **Paraleipomena**, are an abridgment of all the sacred history, from the beginning of the Jewish nation to their first return from the captivity, taken out of those books of the Bible which we still have, and out of other annals which the author had then by him. The design of the writer was to give the Jews a series of their history. The first book relates the rise and propagation of the people of Israel from Adam, and gives a punctual and exact account of the reign of David. The second book sets down the progress and end of the kingdom of Judah, to the very year of their return from the Babylonish captivity.