Bible Book of 2 Chronicles | Solomon and Spiritual Reform

The history of Judah's kings from Solomon to the exile, emphasizing spiritual reform and the role of the Temple. 2 Chronicles chapters with summary and commentary.

Genre: Historical Book. Theme: Solomon and Spiritual Reform

  • Author: Ezra
  • Date: c. 450 - 425 BC
  • Read Time: 155 mins
  • Purpose: To record spiritual history of the Kings of Judah and reforms.
  • Key Verse: 2 Chr 7:14 - If my people... shall humble themselves, and pray... then will I hear from heaven.
  • Christ: The God of the Temple.
  • Audience: The post-exilic community rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem
  • Focus: Emphasis on the Temple and the southern kingdom (Judah).
  • Revival Patterns: Focuses on the five great periods of spiritual reform under Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, and Josiah.
  • Temple Centrality: The history of the nation is told entirely through the lens of the Temple's status.

This book evaluates the kings of Judah based on one criterion: did they maintain the purity of worship in the Temple?

It moves from the dedication of the First Temple to the decree of Cyrus to rebuild the Second, emphasizing God's mercy.

Jesus is the God of the Temple who restores true worship and answers the prayers of the humble.

2 Chronicles 1 - Solomon Worships at Gibeon

Solomon made offerings. God said, "What shall I give you?" Solomon said, "Wisdom to rule this people." So Solomon ruled over Israel.

2 Chronicles 2 - Preparing to Build the Temple

Solomon sent to King Hiram: "Send me cedars and a craftsman for the temple." Hiram replied, "The LORD has given David a wise son."

2 Chronicles 3 - Solomon Builds the Temple

Solomon started work on the temple. He built the portico, the main hall, the Most Holy Place, two cherubim, the veil and two pillars.

2 Chronicles 4 - The Temple's Furnishings

Solomon made an altar, the Sea, ten lavers, ten lampstands, ten tables and the courts for the temple. Huram made the furnishings.

2 Chronicles 5 - The Ark Brought to the Temple

The priests brought the ark into the Most Holy Place. The singers praised the LORD and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

2 Chronicles 6 - Solomon Blesses the People

Solomon said, "The LORD has kept his promise." He prayed, "O LORD, if anyone prays toward this place then hear from heaven and act."

2 Chronicles 7 - Shekinah glory of God

Fire came from heaven and the Israelites worshipped. The LORD said to Solomon, "If you walk in my ways I will establish your throne."

2 Chronicles 8 - Solomon's Accomplishments

Solomon built cities. He did not make slaves of the Israelites. He appointed the divisions of priests and Levites to their duties.

2 Chronicles 9 - The Queen of Sheba

The queen of Sheba came to test Solomon and gave him gold and spices. Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth. Then he died.

2 Chronicles 10 - The Revolt Against Rehoboam

Jeroboam and all Israel asked Rehoboam to reduce the labour demands. He refused. Rehoboam still ruled Judah but Israel rebelled.

2 Chronicles 11 - Rehoboam Secures His Kingdom

The LORD told Rehoboam not to attack Jeroboam. All the Levites came to Judah because Jeroboam set up idols. Rehoboam had sons.

2 Chronicles 12 - Egypt Plunders Jerusalem

Rehoboam was unfaithful to the LORD so Shishak attacked Jerusalem. Rehoboam humbled himself and the anger of the LORD turned away.

2 Chronicles 13 - Abijah Reigns in Judah

Abijah became king of Judah. He drew up battle lines against Jeroboam and said, "The LORD is our God". The LORD routed Jeroboam.

2 Chronicles 14 - King Asa of Judah

Asa became king. He did right in the sight of the LORD. Zerah the Ethiopian brought an army against Judah but the LORD routed them.

2 Chronicles 15 - Asa's Religious Reforms

Azariah said to Asa, "The LORD is with you when you are with Him. Do not give up." The people made a covenant to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 16 - Asa's Last Years

Baasha fortified Ramah so Asa made a treaty with Ben-hadad. Hanani said, "You relied on Aram not the LORD." Asa became ill and died.

2 Chronicles 17 - Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah

Jehoshaphat became king and was devoted to the LORD. He sent his officials to teach the law. He grew greater and built fortresses.

2 Chronicles 18 - Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab

Ahab and Jehoshaphat planned for war. Micaiah said, "I saw Israel scattered. Your prophets are lying." Ahab was killed in battle.

2 Chronicles 19 - Jehoshaphat's Reforms

Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem. He appointed judges and said to them, "Judge carefully, for with the LORD there is no injustice."

2 Chronicles 20 - King Jehoshaphat's Prayer

An army came against Jehoshaphat so he sought the LORD. Jahaziel said, "The battle is not yours but God's." The LORD set ambushes.

2 Chronicles 21 - Jehoram Reigns in Judah

Jehoram ruled and did evil. Elijah wrote saying, "The LORD will send a plague." The LORD struck Jehoram with a disease and he died.

2 Chronicles 22 - Ahaziah Reigns in Judah

The people made Ahaziah king. He did evil and was killed by Jehu. Athaliah destroyed the royal family but Jehoshabeath hid Joash.

2 Chronicles 23 - Joash Made King

Jehoiada gathered the Levites and anointed the king's son as king. Athaliah was killed. The people tore down the temple of Baal.

2 Chronicles 24 - King Joash Repairs the Temple

Joash ruled and did right while Jehoiada lived. The priests collected money to repair the temple. Joash was killed by his servants.

2 Chronicles 25 - Amaziah Reigns in Judah

Amaziah ruled in Jerusalem. After he slaughtered the Edomites he bowed down to their gods. He challenged Jehoash and was defeated.

2 Chronicles 26 - King Uzziah Reigns in Judah

The people made Uzziah king. He did right and became powerful. But he went to burn incense on the altar and was struck with leprosy.

2 Chronicles 27 - Jotham Reigns in Judah

Jotham became king and did right in the sight of the LORD. He built fortresses in the hills and conquered the Ammonites.

2 Chronicles 28 - Ahaz Reigns in Judah

Ahaz became king. He made idols, so the LORD gave him to Aram and Israel. He shut the LORD's temple and sacrificed to other gods.

2 Chronicles 29 - Hezekiah Reigns in Judah

Hezekiah became king and did right. He told the Levites to cleanse the temple. He assembled the officials and they made offerings.

2 Chronicles 30 - Passover Celebrated

Hezekiah sent couriers throughout Judah and Israel saying, "Return to the LORD." Many gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

2 Chronicles 31 - Hezekiah Organizes the Priests

Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to their duties. The Israelites gave a tithe. Conaniah was in charge of the offerings.

2 Chronicles 32 - Sennacherib Boasts Against the Lord

Sennacherib besieged Judah. Hezekiah and Isaiah cried out to the LORD and the Assyrians were struck dead. Hezekiah had great riches.

2 Chronicles 33 - Manasseh Reigns in Judah

Manasseh became king. He did much evil and was captured by the Assyrians. Then he sought the LORD. Amon became king and did evil.

2 Chronicles 34 - Josiah Reigns in Judah

Josiah became king. He repaired the temple and had the law read out. Huldah said, "The LORD says: You will be buried in peace."

2 Chronicles 35 - Josiah Keeps the Passover

Josiah celebrated the Passover. He appointed priests to their duties and provided offerings. Then he attacked Neco and was killed.

2 Chronicles 36 - Judah's Decline

Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah ruled. Then Nebuchadnezzar burned the temple and took Judah captive for seventy years.