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CHAPTER 14 – 2 Chronicles: 971 B.C.-536 B.C.

2 Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Bible following 1 Chronicles, the thirteenth book of the Bible. These two books appeared in the Hebrew Bible as one book with the title dibre hayyamim which is translated “Events of the days.” The Septuagint divided it into two books. The English title comes down to us from Jerome’s Latin Vulgate which has the title Chronicorum Liber, “Book of Chronicles.”

Authorship

The book of 2 Chronicles is an original work incorporating material from numerous Jewish (Hebrew) sources under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Early Jewish writers generally agree that 2 Chronicles was written by the priest, Ezra, by about 400 B.C.

Summary

Second Chronicles covers the period from the beginning of king Solomon of Israel’s reign in 971 B.C. to the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, in 536 B.C. The book overlaps the contents of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, focussing mainly on the southern kingdom of Judah, and it stresses the moral and spiritual aspects of the events it records.

The book opens with God appearing to Solomon in a dream and telling him to ask what He wants God to give him. Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to rule Israel and God gives him these and also promises to give Solomon riches, wealth, and honour.

Next, is a record of Solomon’s wealth, the construction of the Temple, the placement of the Ark in the completed Temple, the dedication of the Temple with music and singing, at which the glory of God fills the Temple.

Solomon then prays consecrating Israel to God, fire comes down from heaven and consumes the burnt offering on the altar, the glory of God fills the Temple, and they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

God again appears to Solomon confirming that Solomon’s throne would endure forever if Solomon and Israel obey God. Otherwise, God would curse Israel. Solomon then makes fortifications in Israel, makes servants of the Canaanites, organises officers and men of war in Israel, and brings gold from Ophir to Israel via ships.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon bearing gifts and Solomon answers all her questions, sending her away with gifts. Next, is a record of Solomon’s wealth, his death, and his son, Rehoboam’s reign, resulting in the kingdom being divided into two kingdoms—the northern kingdom called Israel and the southern kingdom called Judah.

Rehoboam forsakes God and all of the northern kingdom, Israel, with him forsake God’s law. So, God brings Shishak, king of Egypt, against Jerusalem. After this, is a record of the kings of Judah. Thus, after Rehoboam, evil Abijam reigns in Judah. Godly king Asa then reigns and turns the people of Judah and many of the people of Israel to God.

Next reigns godly king Jehoshaphat, who prays to God when many nations come against Judah and God delivers Judah from their enemies. After Jehoshaphat reigns evil king Jehoram, against whom God causes Edom and Libnah to revolt because he had forsaken God.

After this, evil king Ahaziah reigns and his death at the hand of Jehu was of God. Next Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, reigns and she kills all the royal heirs except Joash (Jehoash) who escapes from her.

Athaliah is put to death when Joash ascends the throne of Judah. And Joash does right while Jehoiada the priest lives, but Joash later murders Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah. God, therefore, causes Judah to be defeated by the Syrians.

Next, evil king Amaziah reigns. He defeats Edom but afterwards worships Edom’s gods, hence, God determines to destroy Amaziah. Azariah (Uzziah) then reigns who does right and is helped by God till he is strong. But Azariah (Uzziah) lifts himself up in pride and God strikes him with leprosy because he sought to usurp the role of the priests.

Good king Jotham then reigns whom God gives victory over the Ammonites because he set his heart to follow God’s ways. After Jotham, evil king Ahaz reigns and, because of the sins of Ahaz, God brings Judah low. Next, reigns godly king Hezekiah who brings Judah as well as some of the people of the northern kingdom, Israel, back to God.

After Hezekiah, wicked king Manasseh reigns, who repents of his sins when he is taken captive by the king of Assyria, and whom God restores to the throne of Judah. Evil king Amon then reigns followed by godly king Josiah, who initiates religious reform in Judah and who dies at the hand of Necho, king of Egypt.

Next four evil kings, Jehoahaz, Jehoakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, reign. God allows Judah to go into captivity to king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, because they had sinned in the same manner like the other nations. For Judah had polluted the Temple of God, mocked the messengers of God, despised God’s words to them, and misused the prophets of God, so that the anger of God arose against Judah till there was no remedy.

God, through Jeremiah the prophet, had declared that Judah would remain in Babylonian captivity for 70 years. At the end of the 70 years, in 536 B.C., Cyrus, king of Persia, issues a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem.

Themes

• Prayer.
• The glory of God manifested to human eyes.
• God’s judgments on ungodly leaders.
• Captivity because of turning away from God.
• Satan at work to lead people into sin.

God as Revealed in the Book

• God sends His prophets into the world to turn people to Him.
• God punishes ungodly leaders and evil nations.
• God gives victories to those who pray in sincerity.

Connections with the Rest of the Bible

“Thou, O Lord [God], art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15. “There is forgiveness with thee [God], that thou mayest be feared [reverenced].” Psalm 130:4. Thus, God was willing to forgive Israel of their sins.

So, God said, “Oh that my people had hearkened unto [obeyed] me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD [God] should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.” Psalm 81:13-15.

Spiritual Applications

Pray to God sincerely and ask God to help you to do His will, believing that God will help you, and thus you will be enabled to make the spiritual applications noted below:

• Although God is invisible, believe in God and worship Him.
• Pray to God in sincerity at all times and He will bless you.
• Praise God at all times.
• Avoid God’s judgments by not following ungodly leaders.
• Be vigilant to prevent Satan from leading you into sin.
• Obey the words God sends to you by His true prophets.

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