La geografia della salvezza nel libro delle Cronache

In the book of Chronicles, geography contributes to the definition of Israel’s identity. The crossing of Judah’s borders by its king, leader of the social group of Israel faithful to Yhwh, also takes on significance in relation to the message the author intends to deliver to its recipients. Leaving the kingdom to go to the territory of other nations is never voluntary and is a consequence of sins committed: thus, the stay abroad becomes an occasion for repentance or condemnation depending on the reaction of the ruler. The boundary between Judah and Israel, on the other hand, opens, closes or changes in connection with the care given to the temple, the center of gravity of national identity, and in relation to the king’s behavior toward the sanctuary and its worship. In both cases, the Chronicler’s call is to the allegiance owed to Yhwh by the Jewish people: in addition to the genetic Israel there is a religious Israel, composed of Yhwh’s worshippers belonging to the twelve tribes, to which the Chronicler’s addressees are called to belong through listening to God and caring for the temple.