First impressions can be misleading. In the case of Chronicles they usually are. But they may be pointers to the true nature of these books, if we consider them more closely. ‘Is that really what Chronicles is?’ we ask ourselves; and though the answer may be No, the enquiry will have proved productive. Hearing some while ago that I was engaged in this project, an old friend remarked that I could scarcely have chosen a drier subject, and that my book should be