The books of First and Second Kings are the story of Israel’s decline. Whereas 1st & 2nd Samuel document Israel’s shift from corrupt judges to the righteous leadership of David, Kings shows how Israel divides and falls into the hands of her enemies. Chronicles is the story of Jerusalem. It’s the story of Israel’s kings and God’s faithfulness to His promises, seen in His preservation of the line of David’s descendants that eventually led to Jesus the Messiah. The books chronicle the nation’s entire history—its rulers, wars, religious events, economic cycles—starting with the beginning of mankind.