2 Chronicles
History · Old Testament · Book 14 of 66- Author
- Unknown; tradition says Ezra
- Written
- c. 450–425 BC
- Time covered
- c. 970–538 BC, Solomon to the decree of Cyrus
- Where
- Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah
- Written to
- The returned remnant, learning from the kings who went before them
- Genre
- Narrative history
- Chapters
- 36
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
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Overview
Second Chronicles follows Judah alone — the northern kingdom appears only when it affects Jerusalem. Nine chapters go to Solomon and the temple, and the rest to the kings of David’s line, measured by their faithfulness.
Its interest is revival. Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah and Josiah each turn the nation back, and the book records their reforms in detail, right up to the exile and then the decree that let the people go home.
Background
Written for people who had returned to a city with broken walls and a plain temple, the book keeps showing God responding to prayer and repentance — which was the question of the hour.
It ends mid-sentence, in effect: Cyrus tells the people to go up. Ezra picks up the same decree and carries the story forward.
Key themes
- If my people will humble themselves and pray, God will hear and heal.
- Revival is possible, repeatedly, and always begins with the word of God.
- The temple and its worship anchor the nation’s life.
- Seeking God brings help; abandoning Him brings defeat.
- God’s patience outlasts generations of failure.
Outline
- SolomonChapters 1–9
Wisdom asked for, the temple built and dedicated, and the queen of Sheba’s visit.
- The splitChapters 10–12
Rehoboam’s harsh answer, and Egypt carrying off the treasures.
- Asa and JehoshaphatChapters 13–20
Reform, a battle won by singers, and alliances that cost them.
- DeclineChapters 21–28
Athaliah’s murders, Joash repairing and then forsaking the temple, Uzziah’s pride.
- HezekiahChapters 29–32
The temple cleansed, a great Passover, and Assyria turned back.
- Last kings and exileChapters 33–36
Manasseh’s repentance, Josiah’s reform, then Babylon — and Cyrus’s decree.
Key passages
- 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 The glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15 The battle is not yours, but God’s.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16 When he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction.
- 2 Chronicles 30:9 The LORD your God is gracious and merciful.
- 2 Chronicles 34:19 Josiah hears the book of the law and tears his clothes.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 Cyrus proclaims that the house of the LORD may be built.
Christ in 2 Chronicles
The temple that fills with glory in chapter 5 is where God met His people; John writes that the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. Every reforming king cleans the house and every reform fades — until one comes who cleanses it Himself and builds a temple of living stones.
Reading it
- Read 7:12-22 as God’s answer to Solomon’s prayer, and the terms the rest of the book is judged by.
- Notice how many reforms begin with rediscovering Scripture.
- Read chapter 20 when facing something too big — Jehoshaphat’s prayer is a pattern.