The Hodder Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Chronicles
by Peter Hon Wan Lau.

Introduction

Before opening any biblical commentary, I always begin with the author. A commentary is not simply a collection of notes; it is an interpretation shaped by a scholar’s training, worldview, and theological commitments. Understanding the person behind the commentary helps me understand the perspective behind the insights. Only when I know who is guiding me through Scripture do I feel ready to engage with their exposition.

With that in mind, before exploring The Hodder Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Chronicles, I first turned my attention to its author, Peter Hon Wan Lau. His background, academic expertise, and pastoral sensitivity provide the framework through which he approaches these often‑overlooked Old Testament books. Knowing who he is enriches the reading of his commentary and helps illuminate the depth he brings to the text.

Who Is Peter Hon Wan Lau?

Peter Hon Wan Lau is a respected biblical scholar and Old Testament specialist whose work focuses on the historical books of Scripture, biblical theology, and the intersection of text and community. He brings a thoughtful blend of academic rigor and pastoral awareness to his writing, making him well‑suited to interpret 1 and 2 Chronicles—books that require both historical sensitivity and theological insight.

Academic Background

Lau completed his doctoral studies in Old Testament at the University of Bristol, where he focused on the literary and theological dimensions of biblical narrative. His research interests include:

Old Testament historiography

The theology of exile and restoration

Biblical narrative and identity formation

The relationship between Scripture and community

He has published scholarly articles and books exploring how biblical texts shape the identity and faith of God’s people, both in ancient Israel and in contemporary Christian communities.

Professional and Ministry Roles

Peter Lau serves as a professor of Old Testament at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, where he teaches Hebrew Bible, biblical interpretation, and Old Testament theology. He is also involved in pastoral ministry and church leadership, giving him a grounded, practical perspective on how Scripture speaks into the life of the church.

His dual role as scholar and pastor allows him to approach the Chronicles with both academic precision and pastoral warmth. He understands the historical complexity of the text while also recognizing its spiritual significance for modern believers.

Writing and Contributions

Lau has authored and co‑authored several works on Old Testament theology and biblical interpretation, including studies on Ruth, Esther, and the theology of community in the Old Testament. His writing is known for being:

Clear and accessible

Theologically rich

Sensitive to literary structure

Attentive to the lived experience of God’s people

His commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles reflects these strengths, offering readers a balanced approach that honors both the historical context and the theological message of the books.

Why He Is Well‑Suited to Write on 1 & 2 Chronicles

The Books of Chronicles require a scholar who understands:

Israel’s post‑exilic identity

The theological significance of genealogies

The role of worship, kingship, and covenant

The narrative retelling of Israel’s history

Peter Lau’s expertise aligns naturally with these themes. His background in Old Testament narrative, identity formation, and theological interpretation equips him to read Chronicles not merely as a historical record but as a purposeful retelling designed to shape the faith of God’s people.

His pastoral experience also helps him draw out the relevance of Chronicles for today—highlighting themes of restoration, worship, leadership, and God’s faithfulness across generations.

How Peter Hon Wan Lau Approaches 1 & 2 Chronicles

Before Peter Lau begins his exposition of the text itself, he lays a strong foundation by situating 1 & 2 Chronicles within the wider biblical canon. He explains how these books function as a theological retelling of Israel’s history, written for a post‑exilic community seeking identity, hope, and direction. Lau addresses the major introductory questions—authorship, date, audience, and purpose—not as dry academic details but as essential keys for understanding why Chronicles was written and how it speaks to God’s people today.

He also discusses the sources the Chronicler used, such as Samuel and Kings, and explains why the Chronicler sometimes reshapes or reframes earlier material. Lau highlights the literary artistry of the books, including the use of chiasms, genealogical patterns, and structural markers that guide the reader through the narrative. He then outlines the content and major themes of Chronicles—worship, kingship, covenant, repentance, restoration, and the centrality of God’s presence among His people. Importantly, he draws out the relevance for Christians, showing how Chronicles points forward to Christ and offers wisdom for the church today.

Once he moves into the commentary proper, Lau follows a clear and consistent pattern. He handles the text in manageable chunks, beginning with the genealogies:

1:1–9

1:10–29

2:1–9

2:10–36

This chunk‑by‑chunk approach continues throughout the commentary, allowing readers to follow the flow of the narrative without becoming overwhelmed by the length or complexity of the books.

Each section begins with a brief overview—a few sentences that summarize the passage’s content, highlight its literary features, or explain its place in the larger structure of Chronicles. This overview prepares the reader for the more detailed commentary that follows.

Lau’s commentary itself is succinct, clear, and accessible. He explains the meaning of the text without unnecessary technical jargon, making the commentary suitable for readers with only a little biblical knowledge while still offering enough depth to engage more advanced students. His writing reflects both scholarly insight and pastoral sensitivity.

One of the strengths of Lau’s approach is his ability to show how Chronicles draws on earlier Scripture. He frequently references passages from the Pentateuch, Samuel, Kings, and the prophets to illuminate the Chronicler’s theological intentions. These cross‑references help readers see how Chronicles is not merely repeating history but interpreting it in light of God’s covenant purposes.

Lau’s commentary balances historical context, literary observation, and theological reflection. He consistently draws out the significance of worship, the role of the temple, the importance of faithful leadership, and the hope of restoration. His treatment of the genealogies—often overlooked by readers—is especially helpful, showing how they establish identity, continuity, and God’s faithfulness across generations.

Overall, Lau’s method makes 1 & 2 Chronicles approachable, meaningful, and spiritually enriching. His commentary serves both the everyday reader and the “wee scholar,” offering clarity without oversimplification and depth without intimidation.

The Hodder Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Chronicles by Peter Hon Wan Lau created an excitement in me to read 1 and 2 Chronicles like I have never experienced before. These two books have continually been popping up for me, and I decided this will be my year to study them in depth like never before. Lau’s introduction really explains why 1 and 2 Chronicles is unique and important to read. It is not just a book to be glanced over. Lineage is fascinating to me and incredibly important to Chronicles (and the Bible), but it can be very confusing. I found that Lau explained a very complicated subject rather clearly. I did read this in order. I find when utilizing a commentary, sometimes I tend to jump around and only seek it when I need more help, depth, historical context, connection, and so on. I do not know how well this commentary could be bounced around in. Although, I do find if I am bouncing around it is because I know the material better and just need a gap filled in. I did find his personal antidotes were really helpful or missed the mark for me. I enjoyed this commentary and look forward to utilizing it more in my study of 1 and 2 Chronicles this year. I received an eARC from John Murray Press US through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

I went into this book hoping for some greater insight into the Bible, and that was definitely what I got. I'm very familiar with the Bible but was looking for some added context to what I was reading, and I think that is the ideal description of anyone considering reading this book. I would not recommend it to those who are unfamiliar with the Bible because this book is very, very detailed and ties in a lot of other biblical narratives. It is also formatted kind of awkwardly, and the beginning of the book was quite dry--partially explained by the long genealogical lists, but I still thought this information could've been presented in a more compelling way.

This commentary highlights key themes in Chronicles, such as leadership, the need to seek God and stay humble, and the possibility of redemption with repentance. I particularly enjoyed the message and application sections as some food for thought about the relation of the message to today's context and living. Furthermore, the analysis of how the audience may have shaped the narrative of Chronicles and important contextual notes (like the prominence of women and foreigners) made me consider the text in a new way.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to those who are looking for a deeper dive into Chronicles--both contextually and application to current life.

Very easy to read and understand. I think the Hodder Bible Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles is a great resource to have on hand. The layout makes this resource very user friendly. I think this could easily be turned into a Bible Study guide much like Wiersbe's commentary.

The historical background and theological themes are explained clearly, helping readers understand the significance of these often-overlooked books. I appreciated the author's attention to detail and the practical insights woven throughout. An excellent resource for students and teachers of Scripture.

The Hodder Bible Commentary:
1 & 2 Chronicles
by Peter Hon Wan Lau

Rating: 5 star rating

Most of us just want to skip it whenever we get to 1 & 2 Chronicles, because of all those endless family trees, names we have trouble pronouncing, and lists of temple gold that can make your eyes cross. I felt the exact same way until I found this book by Dr. Peter Hon Wan Lau. It changed the way I study and enjoy scripture.

What makes this book encouraging is the author himself. Before he started teaching the Bible full time, he actually trained to be a medical doctor. Because of that, he doesn’t write like a stuffy professor trying to look smart. He writes like a normal person and uses great examples that actually make sense.

He does a great job explaining what Chronicles is actually about. He walks you through how the book spans thousands of years; starting way back with Adam, he focuses on the stories of King David and King Solomon and ends with the Babylonian exile.

Instead of just repeating what happens in the books of Kings or Samuel, Dr. Lau shows you the deeper meaning. He dives into why the writer included specific details about the temple singers, the dramatic prayers during wartime, and the way God kept some of His people alive through a national catastrophe.

The book is perfect for a small group or during your morning coffee time because every chapter is broken down into three quick steps: Listen gives you a quick summary of the section so you don't feel lost. Explain tells you what the verses mean in plain, everyday English. Then, apply shows you how to take that ancient history and live it out today.

There are no academic footnotes to get in the way. It just focuses on how to pray when life gets messy, how to stick together as a church community, and how God cares about people beyond just Israel.

By the time you finish, you feel so encouraged. It proves that Chronicles isn't just a dusty history of ancient failures. It’s a beautiful reminder that God always keeps His promises to us. If you want to understand these books in this series without getting a headache, pick up one and try it.

Thank you, NetGalley, John Murray Press US, and Peter Hon Wan Lau, for this book review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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