Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 1

Verse 1

Book Comments

Walking Thru The Bible

2 CHRONICLES

INTRODUCTION

In the Hebrew Bible these 1 and 2 Chronicles formed a single work but the Greek translation (The Septuagint, or LXX) divided it into two books because of their length and the limitation of the length of the scrolls onto which they were copied.

AUTHOR & DATE:

Jewish tradition attributes the authorship of Chronicles to Ezra saying that wrote of the history of Judah down "unto his time." The Bible doesn’t tell us who wrote Chronicles, but from 1 Chronicles 3:19-21 and 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 it is evident the books could not have been written before Ezra’s time. Therefore, conservative scholarship dates the Chronicles in the latter half of the fifth century B.C., probably between 450-425.

OVERVIEW:

In one quick span, from Adam to Nehemiah, the Chronicles give us the main genealogies of the Israelite nation, and the main events of the Davidic kingdom down to the Babylonian exile. They cover practically the same ground as Second Samuel and the two books of Kings. However, they are not a mere repetition of those books. The first books give us history from the viewpoint of the prophets, while Chronicles give us history from the viewpoint of the priests. The former books look more intently at the political side of things, the Chronicles from God’s view. For example, the revival under Hezekiah is given three verses in Kings, and three chapters in Chronicles.

Six of the nine chapters telling of Solomon’s time are devoted to Temple matters. A.T. Pierson observed:

While much contained in the Books of Kings is repeated or restated in the Chronicles, much is omitted because it is foreign to the author’s purpose. But whatever bears on the temple, its preservation and restoration, the purity of its worship, the regularity and orderliness of its services; whatever makes idolatrous rites or relics hateful, or lifts God to his true throne in the hearts of the people, is here emphasized.

OUTLINE of SECOND CHRONICLES

I. Solomon’s forty years’ reign ch. 1 - 9)

II. The division of the kingdom ch. 10

III. History of Judah to the Captivity ch. 11-36:16

(With cycles of declines, apostasies and reforms)

A. Reform under Jehoshaphat (25 yrs) ch. 17-20

B. Reform under Joash (40 yrs) ch. 25-28

C. Reform under Hezekiah (29 yrs) ch. 29-32

D. Reform under Josiah (31 yrs) ch. 34-35

IV. The Captivity (ch. 36:17-23)

SOME LESSONS from SECOND CHRONICLES

1. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God -- 2 Chronicles 1:9-10 (James 1:5)

2. The Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands -- 2 Chronicles 2:6 (Acts 7:48)

3. In building the temple, Solomon had a divinely given pattern to go by. In building the Lord’s church we have a divine pattern in the New Testament --2 Chronicles 28:11-12, 19 (Hebrews 8:5).

4. In Solomon’s day, Jerusalem in Palestine was God’s chosen city, today His Church is his heavenly Jerusalem -- (Hebrews 12:22).

5. God faithfully kept His promises to David and will keep His promises to us today (Hebrews 13:5)

6. If God’s people will humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, God will hear their prayer and forgive their sins-- 2 Chronicles 7:14.

7. Rehoboam was not the last young fool in a seat of power --

8. "Fight ye not against the LORD... for ye shall not prosper" -- 2 Chronicles 13:12.

9. "The LORD is with you while you are with him..." -- 2 Chronicles 15:2

10. "The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth ... -- 2 Chronicles 16:9. (In this we see God’s omniscience and omnipresence.)

11. We need public leaders who would encourage the public reading of the Word of God as did Jehoshaphat -- 2ch 17:6-9

12. Just as Uzziah was punished for ignoring God’s laws regarding worship so will men today -- 2 Chronicles 26:16-21.

13. God can give a nation victory or defeat without the use of modern armaments -- 2 Chronicles 32:20-22.

14. Give the Lord 10,000 young men who seek the Lord in their teens like Josiah and it will change the world enormously -- 2 Chronicles 34:3.

15. How strange that the word of God can be lost in His temple, but it is evident all about us today -- 2 Chronicles 34:14

16. Nothing will reform and purify a people like the reading and study of God’s word -- 2 Chronicles 34:29-32.

17. When the people mock and despise God’s messengers, they leave God no recourse but judgment -- 2 Chronicles 36:15-16.

18. What God foretold by His prophets came true, not a word of it failed -- 2 Chronicles 36:21.

19. God breaks down sinful nations, but He also raises up those who repent -- 2 Chronicles 36:22-23.

20. Nations are judged in time, individuals will be judged in eternity.

Think how much poorer we would be if we did not have the Chronicles to tell us about God’s work with His chosen people.

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