Introduction
The Book of Second Chronicles demonstrates what history has to do with faith. Further, it tells what faith has to do with life; it is addressed to the practical needs of the community. When Solomon and the later kings of Judah were obedient to God, they received His blessing; when they rebelled against Him, they were cursed and punished. In its selection and presentation of historical data, Second Chronicles demonstrates priestly perspective; this is distinct from First and Second Kings, which are written from a prophetic perspective. For a complete life and for a complete history, both viewpoints are necessary.
Second Chronicles demonstrates that faithful adherence to the Hebrew faith results in being blessed, but forsaking the Lord will lead the nation and the individual to being cursed. The book stresses Solomon’s building of the Temple and his other religious leadership, a part of Solomon’s career that is not as emphasized in First Kings. Several revivals are recounted in the book—especially the one under Hezekiah. Because Judah remained much closer to God’s program, it is consistently in the forefront of Second Chronicles; this is different from First and Second Kings, which give much more of the history of Israel, the northern kingdom; when Chronicles uses the name “Israel,” it usually refers to the twelve tribes as a unity.
Under God’s direct supervision, the writer of Second Chronicles compiles his book from several sources. Obviously he uses First and Second Kings, but he cites several non-canonical works as well, including annals that seem to be official state records; these include the following:
- The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel 16:11; 25:26; 28:26; 32:32
- The Book of the Kings of Israel 20:34
- The Treatise on the Book of the Kings 24:27
- The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah 27:7; 35:27; 36:8
- The Records of the Kings of Israel 33:18
He also uses several prophetical works; these are:
- The Records of Nathan the Prophet, Ahijah the Shilonite, and Iddo the Seer 9:29
- The Records of Shemaiah the Prophet and Iddo the Seer 12:15
- The Treatise of the Prophet Iddo 13:22
- The Annals of Jehu the Son of Hanani 20:34
- Isaiah the Son of Amoz (in addition to the Book of Isaiah) 26:22; 32:22
- The Words of the Seers 33:18
- The Records of Hozai 33:19
Second Chronicles is a book of revivals (under Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Uzziah, Hezekiah, and Josiah) and rebellions (under Rehoboam, Abijah, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Manasseh, Amon, and Jehoiakim). The reader is brought face to face with the fact that God’s blessing and His judgment upon His people are predicated upon their response to Him and to His Word.
Outline
Glorious Reign of Solomon 1:1—9:31
Prayer of Solomon
Request for Wisdom 1:1-10
Riches and Wisdom Both Granted 1:11-17
Preparations for Building the Temple 2:1-18
Particulars concerning the Building of the Temple 3:1—4:22
Presence of God Demonstrated in Glory 5:1-14
Prayer and Sermon of Solomon Followed by the Lord’s Response 6:1—7:22
Praise of Solomon’s Fame and Accomplishments 8:1-18
Presentation of the Queen of Sheba’s Visit 9:1-12
Possessions and Splendor of Solomon 9:13-31
Gains and Losses of God’s People 10:1—36:23
People’s Request and Rehoboam’s Response 10:1-11
Problems of a Divided Kingdom
Rehoboam’s Reign 11:1—12:16
Reign of Abijah 13:1—14:1
Reforms and Other Deeds of Asa 14:2—16:14
Rule of Good King Jehoshaphat 17:1—21:1
Regime of Evil Jehoram 21:2-20
Recital of Administration of Evil Ahaziah 22:1-9
Remaining Royal Seed of Judah Murdered by Athaliah 22:10-12
Rescue of Joash 23:1-11
Removal and Death of Athaliah 23:12-15
Revival Under Joash through Joiada (Jehoiada) 23:16—24:14
Rebellion of Joash Following Death of Joiada 24:15-27
Rise of Amaziah 25:1-28
Righteousness and Rebellion of Uzziah 26:1-15
Replacement of Uzziah with Jotham 26:16—27:9
Persistence of the Southern Kingdom after the Fall of the North
Rejection of Godliness by Ahaz 28:1-27
Restoration of Godliness under Hezekiah 29:1—32:32
Rebellion of Manasseh 33:1-20
Replacement of Evil Amon after a Short Reign 33:21-25
Revival and Repair of the Temple by Josiah 34:1—35:27
Removal of Jehoahaz after Only Three Months 36:1-3
Reign of Eliakim (Jehoiakim), Eldest Son of Josiah 36:4-7
Rule of Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim 36:8-9
Remaining Son of Josiah, Zedekiah, Made King 36:10-13
Reasons for Judah’s Captivity 36:14-21
Permission to Return to Israel: Cyrus’ Proclamation 36:22-23
Reading 2 Chronicles
- 1-5, Solomon’s reign as king
- 6-9, Solomon’s worship
- 10-12, Division of the kingdom
- 13-16, Reforms under King Asa
- 17-20, Reforms under King Jehoshaphat
- 21-25, Reforms under King Joash
- 26-28, Reforms under Uzziah and Jotham
- 29-32, Reforms under King Hezekiah
- 33-36, Judah’s fall and exile
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