1. The United Monarchy, Part Two: Solomon (2 Chronicles 1:1-9:31)
In Chronicles the reigns of David and Solomon are seen as a unity, though this is obscured by the artificial split of Chronicles into two books. The first part of 2 Chronicles tells the story of Solomon as the chosen builder of the templeThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged… More without reference to his other exploits so familiar from 1 Kings. Part one of the united monarchy is found in 1 Chronicles 10-29.
A. Solomon’s WisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, “The fear of the… More and Wealth (2 Chronicles 1:1-17)
The reign of Solomon is introduced by lifting up his gift of wisdom and his vast wealth.
B. Initial Preparations for the Temple (2 Chronicles 2:1-18)
Solomon’s preparations for the construction of the temple, as described in correspondence between Solomon and Huram, complete the extensive preparations initiated by his father, David, in 1 Chronicles 22.
C. Temple Construction (2 Chronicles 3:1-5:1)
The books of Chronicles have been building to this point. Now the central activity of Solomon’s reign is related in a report of the temple’s construction that emphasizes its splendor.
D. Temple Dedication (2 Chronicles 5:2-7:22)
Sharing a central position with the construction of the temple is the worship service in which the ark is finally placed in the temple, and the temple itself is dedicated.
E. Completion of the Temple (2 Chronicles 8:1-16)
Solomon’s other building activities are briefly recounted and presented as blessings that accrued from the completion of the temple construction.
F. Solomon’s Wisdom and Wealth (2 Chronicles 8:17-9:31)
The Chronicler’s portrait of Solomon closes as it had begun with special emphasis upon Solomon’s wisdom and wealth.
2. The Divided Monarchy (2 Chronicles 10:1-28:27)
Following Solomon’s death, the ideal of a united Israel ruled by a Davidic king and worshiping in the Jerusalem temple was destroyed when the nation split into two kingdoms: Judah in the south, comprised of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, which had remained loyal to David’s house; and Israel, the ten northern tribes that broke away.
A. Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:1-12:16)
After the death of his father, Rehoboam failed to win ratification from the ten northern tribes because of his arrogance and, according to 2 Kings but not Chronicles, Solomon’s apostasy. These ten tribes broke away from the south and formed the northern kingdomThe Northern Kingdom consisted of ten of the twelve tribes of Israel and lasted for 200 years until it was destroyed by Assyria in 721 B.C.E. In the northern kingdom the kings were evil. Prophets like Elijah and Amos railed against them and their evildoing. More of Israel with its capital in Samaria.
B. Abijah and Asa (2 Chronicles 13:1-16:14)
Two kings illustrate the necessity of reliance upon God for the Chronicler, whose favorable judgment on Abijah is at odds with that of Kings, where Abijah is known as Abijam. His famous speech (13:4-12) is often seen as the clearest exposition of the Chronicler’s distinctive theology. Asa begins his reign trusting in the Lord and is successful. The closing portion of his reign, however, illustrates the dire consequences of Asa’s lack of trust.
C. Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:1-21:1)
Jehoshaphat, as one of the Chronicler’s favorite kings, embodies several of his desirable traits: piety, expressed in prayer and the removal of idols; establishment of the law; and concern for the Levites. His willingness to form alliances with the north, however, is problematic and depicted as such.
D. Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:2-22:1)
The Chronicler deems Jehoram’s alliance with Ahab in the north responsible for the series of disasters that accompany his reign: defeat in war, plague, and personal illness culminating in an early death.
E. Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 22:2-9)
Ahaziah is completely controlled by northern influences, more so than any other king. Chief among those northern influences is his mother, Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and granddaughter of Omri, the powerful king of Israel.
F. Athaliah (2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21)
After taking the throne by force, and during her six-year reign, Athaliah, Judah’s only non-Davidic ruler, attempts to destroy the house of Judah. God thwarts her attempts through the courage of Jehoshebeath, the half-sister of Ahaziah and the wife of the priestA priest is a person who has the authority to perform religious rites. In New Testament times priests were responsible for daily offerings and sacrifices in the temple. More Jehoiada.
G. Joash (2 Chronicles 24:1-27)
Joash, under the tutelage of Jehoiada the priest, starts off well and even carries out needed temple repairs. But following the death of his mentor, and contrary to the judgment of 2 Kings 12, he lapses into apostasy and is assassinated in his bed by his servants.
H. Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:1-26:2)
Like his predecessor, Amaziah starts off as a pious king, but his reign ends in apostasy, again contrary to the report in 2 Kings 14.
I. Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:3-23)
Because this politically powerful king died as a leperA leper is one who suffers from a chronic disease that eats away the flesh; it is now known as Hansen’s Disease. At one time lepers were shunned as outcasts and lived in restricted or quarantined communities. Lepers appear in healing stories in both the… More, the Chronicler suggests that his pride in taking priestly duties for himself accounts for his ignominious demise.
J. Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:1-9)
The brief reign of Jotham essentially reports his building activities. He is, however, a refreshing model of obedience and blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God’s favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More.
K. Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:1-27)
In Chronicles, Judah sinks to its lowest point with the reign of Ahaz, not Manasseh, as in 2 Kings.
3. The Reunited Monarchy (2 Chronicles 29:1-36:23)
Following the fallThe fall refers specifically to the disobedience of Adam and Eve when they listened to Satan rather than adhering to God’s command not to eat the fruit from the tree. When people act contrary to God’s will, they are said to fall from from grace… More of the northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria in 722 B.C.E., the divided monarchy came to a close. Hezekiah, as a new David and Solomon, unites the people once again around the Jerusalem temple.
A. Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33)
Hezekiah purifies the temple, renews temple worship, invites the defeated northern Israelites to a renewed celebration of the PassoverPassover commemorates the deliverance of the Hebrew people from Egypt as described in the book of Exodus. It is celebrated with worship and a meal on the fourteenth day of the month called Nisan, which is the first month of the Jewish year. The time… More, and defends Jerusalem against Sennacherib’s invading army.
B. Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:1-20)
In 2 Kings, Manasseh is portrayed as Judah’s worst king. In Chronicles, we hear of a startling repentance during his exile in Babylon, followed by extensive reforms.
C. Amon (2 Chronicles 33:21-25)
Amon undoes all the reforms of his repentant father, Manasseh.
D. Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:1-36:1)
Josiah is another of the Chronicler’s model kings. Much more space is allotted to his faithfulness in seeking God, his extensive reforms, and his Passover celebration than in 2 Kings.
E. Exile and Restoration (2 Chronicles 36:2-23)
The demise of Judah is rapidly related through reports of the continued apostasy of their last four kings, culminating in the Babylonian invasion. Following the exile, Cyrus issues a proclamation encouraging the exiles to go home.
