the Third Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments Benson's Commentary
Solomon's Request for Wisdom; Wealth and Honor.Chapter 2
Solomon Prepares to Build the Temple.Chapter 3
Temple Construction and Furnishings Described.Chapter 4
Temple Furnishings Completed; Altar, Sea, Lampstands.Chapter 5
Ark Brought to Temple; Cloud of Glory Fills it.Chapter 6
Solomon's Prayer at the Temple Dedication.Chapter 7
Temple Dedication; God's Covenant With Solomon.Chapter 8
Solomon's Building Projects and Administration.Chapter 9
Queen of Sheba Visits; Solomon's Wealth and Death.Chapter 10
Kingdom Divides: Rehoboam in Judah, Jeroboam in Israel.Chapter 11
Rehoboam Strengthens Judah; Levites Migrate.Chapter 12
Shishak Invades Judah; Rehoboam's Humbling.Chapter 13
Abijah's Reign; Victory Over Jeroboam.Chapter 14
Asa's Reforms; Victory Over Cushite Invaders.Chapter 15
Azariah's Prophecy; Asa's Religious Reforms.Chapter 16
Asa's Later Years; Alliance With Aram and Illness.Chapter 17
Jehoshaphat's Reign in Judah; Religious Revival.Chapter 18
Jehoshaphat and Ahab's Alliance; Prophecy of Defeat.Chapter 19
Jehoshaphat's Judicial Reforms and Encouragement.Chapter 20
Jehoshaphat's Victory Through Prayer and Praise.Chapter 21
Jehoram's Wicked Reign and Punishment From God.Chapter 22
Ahaziah's Reign; Athaliah Usurps the Throne.Chapter 23
Jehoiada's Coup; Joash Crowned King of Judah.Chapter 24
Joash Repairs the Temple; His Assassination.Chapter 25
Amaziah's Reign; Victory and Idolatry.Chapter 26
Uzziah's Reign; Success and Leprosy.Chapter 27
Jotham's Reign; Building Projects and Battles.Chapter 28
Ahaz's Wickedness; Invasion by Aram and Israel.Chapter 29
Hezekiah's Reforms; Temple Cleansed and Rededicated.Chapter 30
Hezekiah Invites All Israel to Celebrate Passover.Chapter 31
Hezekiah Organizes Priests; Tithes and Offerings Restored.Chapter 32
Assyria Invades Judah; God Delivers Jerusalem.Chapter 33
Manasseh's Evil Reign; His Humbling and Repentance.Chapter 34
Josiah's Reforms; Book of the Law Found.Chapter 35
Josiah's Passover Celebration; His Death in Battle.Chapter 36
Judah's Final Kings and the Babylonian Exile.
- 2 Chronicles
by Joseph Benson
THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES.
ARGUMENT.
THE argument of the former book will, in a great measure, serve for this. Some things recorded in the two books of Kings are omitted in this book; and several things are contained in it, of which no mention is made there; particularly in the history of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah. And many other things there mentioned are here more fully and clearly explained, as will be observed in the acts of Abijah, Asa, Joash, and other kings of Judah. Upon which account, St. Jerome says, this book is such, and of so great use, that he who without it will pretend to understand the prophets, will expose himself to scorn.
This book begins where the former left off, with the reign of Solomon, from the death of David, and continues the history of the kings of Judah to the captivity, and concludes with the fall of that illustrious monarchy, and the destruction of the temple. That monarchy, as it was prior in time, so it was in dignity, to the four which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of. The Babylonian began in Nebuchadnezzar himself, and lasted about seventy years: the Persian monarchy, in several families, about a hundred and thirty: the Grecian, in its several branches, about three hundred: and three hundred more went far with the Roman. Whereas the monarchy of Judah continued considerable in a lineal descent, between four and five hundred years. We had the story of the house of David before, intermixed with that of the kings of Israel; but here we have it entire: much is repeated here which we had before; yet many passages are enlarged on, and divers added, which we had not before, especially relating to religion; the reign of Solomon we have, chap. 1.-9. That of Rehoboam, chap. 10.-12. The short reign of Abijah, chap. 13. The long reign of Asa, chap. 14.-16. The reign of Jehoshaphat, chap. 17.-20. Of Jehoram and Ahaziah, chap. 21., 22. Of Joash and Amaziah, chap. 23., 24. Of Uzziah, chap. 26. Of Jotham, chap. 27. Of Ahaz, chap. 28. Of Hezekiah, chap. 29.-32. Of Manasseh and Amon, chap. 33. Of Josiah, chap. 34., 35. Of his sons, chap. 36.
