2 Chronicles — Introduction & Outline

Hebrew tradition assumes Ezra the priest to be author of the Chronicles. There is evidence which could support this, such as the style, purpose, and priestly viewpoint comparable to the book of Ezra. Also, the last words of 2 Chronicles (36:22-23) are taken up as the first words of Ezra (1:1-3) suggesting a continuation by the same author. The time of writing, obviously after the return of exiles to Jerusalem, favors Ezra as well. If the "chronicler" was not Ezra, than surely he was a contemporary. The uniform style and viewpoint suggest a single author who used many available documents to compile Chronicles (1 Chr. 9:1; 27:24; 29:29; 2 Chr. 9:29; 12:15; 13:22; 16:11; 20:34; 25:26; 26:22; 27:7; 28:26; 32:32; 33:18; 35:27; 36:8).

The books were written after the return from exile in Babylon in 444 B.C. The last person named is Anani (1 Chr. 3:24) who is eight generations from Jehoiachin who was taken captive in 598 B.C. Allowing for generations of at least 25 years, the date can hardly be earlier than 400 B.C. If it had been much later, certainly David's later descendants would have been listed since that is an emphasis in Chronicles.

Through its genealogies (1 Chr. 1-9:44) Chronicles reaches from Adam to Anani (c. 400 B.C.). The actual history recorded covers the same period and shares the historical background of the book of Kings. The setting for its writing was post-exilic. The exiles taken to Babylon had already returned to Jerusalem in three major movements: one under Zerubbabel (538-515 B.C.); one under Ezra (457 B.C.); and the last under Nehemiah (444 B.C.). The land of Israel has been in the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24) since Babylonian domination about 606 B.C. and is now under the domination of Persia. Nehemiah was a recent influential political leader (444-432 B.C.) who brought reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls and organization of the people.

Religiously, the captivity had cured Israel of her idolatry. Temple worship was restored after the repairs by the returning remnant, but the temple lacked the glory of that of Solomon's day (Hag. 2:3). The restored nation suffered disillusionment and stagnation in their religion due to the absence of a Davidic monarch and the unrealized hope of the Davidic Messiah. They needed to be reminded of God's covenant program for His people and be encouraged to continue to honor the terms of the Mosaic covenant through obedience and proper worship.

Chronicles is no mere history, but a selective sacred history of the Davidic dynasty and Judah. From Adam, it traces God's selection of His special people and focuses on the person of David as Israel's king and priestly leader (1 Chr. 15:25-28; 16:2; cf. 2 Sam. 6:12-15) in anticipation of the fulfillment of God's covenant in the Davidic Messiah. Chronicles shows God's sovereign election and His preservation of His people in faithfulness to His covenant. It was written to encourage post-exilic Judah to faithfulness and obedience by showing that though the throne of David was gone, his lineage remains. As such, it concluded the Hebrew canon with hope for a Davidic Messiah.

Chronicles continues its sacred history with the record of the reigns of Solomon and the Judean kings which follow. The book divides itself between these two periods, one representing the united kingdom, and the other the various kings of the divided and surviving kingdoms. The spiritual evaluation of each king reflects the comparative relation of each to the Davidic kingdom and depicts their success or failure in terms of adherence to the Mosaic covenant.

Solomon's reign (1:1-9:31) is chiefly recognized for the construction and completion of the temple (2:1-7:22). The account of his establishment as king considerably condenses the many details of his rise to power found in 1 Kings 1-4 in order to emphasize his continuation of the Davidic promise and highlight the religious aspect of devotion to the temple (1:1-17). The record of the construction of the temple (2:1-7:22) reflects the same detail and priestly viewpoint found in the record of David's preparations (1 Chr. 22-27). The preparation to build (2:1-18) and the actual construction (3:1-5:1) evidence a desire to please God and glorify His name (2:1).

This is explicit in the dedication of the temple (5:2-7:22). After the installation of the ark (5:2- 14), Solomon declares in his sermon (6:1-11), "I have built the temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel" (6:10). Here, too, the familiar themes of God's faithfulness, the Davidic covenant, and Israel's responsibilities present themselves in Solomon's prayer of dedication (6:12-42) and in God's confirmatory reply (7:12-22). Another notable emphasis is Solomon's request for (6:22- 40) and God's reassurance of (7:12-14) Israel's restoration based on God's faithfulness to His promises.

The rest of Solomon's success as king (8:1-9:28) is presented in the areas of politics (8:1- 11), religion (8:12-16), the economy (8:17-18), and his reputation for wisdom and wealth (9:1- 28). This record tends to glorify him as an example of God's blessing. The mention of his failures in marriage and idolatry would not help the author's purpose of demonstrating the blessing of God upon the kingdom of Judah.

The passing of Solomon introduces the reigns of the subsequent kings of Judah with only brief glimpses of the kings of Israel (10:1-36:23). This second division of 2 Chronicles begins with an account of the reign of Solomon's son, Rehoboam (10:12-16). Under him, the kingdom is divided (10:1-19), but the author's focus remains on Judah, not Israel. The consolidation of the southern kingdom is described (11:1-23) as is the conflict with Egypt (12:1-12), the latter being a divine judgment for Rehoboam's departure from God (12:1).

The selective nature of Chronicles is apparent in the account of the reign of Abijah (13:1- 22), who followed Rehoboam. Only one event of his reign is described, the defeat of Jeroboam, because it relates his divine deliverance due to trust in God (13:18). Likewise, the events of Asa's reign (14:1-16:14) contrast blessing through faith with judgment from for (15:2). His victory over the Ethiopians (14:9-15) and his religious reforms (15:1-19) came from a posture of faith, but the unbelief behind his treaty with Syria brings ruin and tragedy at the end of his rule (16:1-1,12).

The kingdom under Jehoshaphat occupies a large segment of the narrative (17:1-20:37) because he is one of Judah's better kings (17:1-9). He achieves military success by God's blessing (17:10-19) and later enters into an alliance with Ahab of Israel against Syria (18:1- 19:3). The contrast of the godly Jehoshaphat and ungodly Ahab is most pronounced in their fates. Jehoshaphat miraculously escapes the enemy because of his trust in God (18:31), but Ahab, who rejected the prophetic counsel of Micaiah, is killed by a "random" arrow (18:33).

Jehoshaphat is also noted for reforms in government and the priestly ministry (19:4-11). Another example of God's blessing upon his administration comes when he is threatened by the

Moabites and Ammonites (20:1-30). God delivers him when he petitions God on the basis of the Abrahamic covenant (20:7,11-12). Jehoshaphat ends his rule with only one small sin that brings a failure (20:35-37).

Three evil rulers follow Jehoshaphat in Judah. Jehoram (21:1-20) experiences the judgment of God during his reign, yet God's faithfulness is also noted in that He "would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David" (21:7). Ahaziah's (22:1-9) and Athaliah's (22:10-23:21) wicked reigns bring judgment and premature death to both.

Some of Judah's kings are presented as basically good, but with some evil inclinations.

Joash (24:1-27) prospers as he authorizes repair of the temple (24:4-14), but when he permissively tolerates idolatry (24:15-22) God "forsakes" him (24:20) and his term is brought to a tragic end (24:23-27). Similarly, Amaziah (25:1-28) has a mixed heart (25:2) which leads to initial success (25:5-16) but later failure (25:17-24). In addition, Uzziah (26:1-23) enjoys God's prosperity "as long as he sought the LORD" (26:5), but subsequent presumptuous pride inflicts him with the curse of leprosy (26:16-21). Only the next king, Jotham (27:1-9) prospers without record of failure because "he prepared his ways before the LORD his God" (27:6).

An exceedingly evil king, Jotham's son Ahaz (28:1-27), exhibits a disastrous record and causes Judah much suffering due to his idolatry and unfaithfulness to the Lord (28:19). His reign is a dark background to the good reign of his successor, Hezekiah (29:1-32:33). Hezekiah's reign is dealt with in detail because it exemplifies the blessing and deliverance God brings in response to faith and it comes closest of any kingdom to matching the devotion of David's reign (29:2; 30:26). He devotedly elevates Levitical worship in his massive religious reforms (29:3-31:21).

Then his faith is tested by an impending Assyrian invasion (32:1-23). Hezekiah passes that test, but fails a later one by allowing the Babylonians to inspect Judah's wealth (32:27-31). Still, his devotion to God is comparable to David's.

Hezekiah's son Manasseh (33:1-20), however, begins his reign wickedly and is taken captive by the Babylonians, but after coming to repentance he is restored to Jerusalem. He is then succeeded by his son, the evil Amon (33:21-25). After Amon, Judah experiences her last good king, Josiah (34:1-35:27). He is compared to David in his devotion to God (34:2-3) and this is illustrated by his diligent obedience to the law when the "Book of the Law" is discovered in the temple (34:14ff.). He restored true worship, renewed the covenant between Judah and God (34:29-33), and kept the Passover (35:1-19). His death is attributed more to an unwise decision than sin (35:20-27).

The last four kings offer no hope for Judah: under Jehoahaz (36:1-3) they suffer from the Egyptians; under Jehoiakim (36:4-8) they suffer their first stage of Babylonian captivity; under Jehoiachin (36:9-10) they experience the second stage of captivity; and under Zedekiah (36:11- 21) there is final captivity of Judah and devastation of Jerusalem. Judah's downfall comes in spite of God's compassionate warning through His prophets (36:15-16). The book ends, however, with a hopeful note in the decree of Cyrus allowing the return of the Jews to Judah (36:22-23).

Chronicles has presented the history of Judah in terms of the response of the kings and the people to the Davidic covenant. God's grace persists through blessings on good kings and curses on evil kings so that the Davidic line is preserved in hopes of future restoration.

1. The Reign of Solomon 1:1-9:31

   1. Solomon's establishment as king 1:1-17
   1. His initial worship as king 1:1-6
   2. His request for wisdom 1:7-12
   3. His military and economic power 1:13-17
   2. Solomon's construction of the temple 2:1-7:22

      1. His preparation to build the temple 2:1-18

         1. The selection of laborers 2:1-2
         2. The request to Hiram for materials 2:3-10
         3. The promise from Hiram of materials 2:11-16
         4. The assignment of labor to foreigners 2:17-18
      2. His construction of the temple 3:1-5:1

         1. Construction of the temple structure 3:1-17
         1. The construction of the house 3:1-7
         2. The construction of the Most Holy Place 3:8-14
         3. the construction of the pillars 3:15-17
         2. Construction of the temple furnishings 4:1-5:1
         1. The work of Solomon 4:1-10
         2. The work of Huram 4:11-18
         3. The summary of the work 4:19-5:1
      3. His dedication of the temple 5:2-7:22

         1. The priests' installation of the ark 5:2-14
         2. Solomon's sermon to the people 6:1-11
         3. Solomon's prayer of dedication 6:12-42

            1. The posture of Solomon 6:12-13
            2. The recognition of God's faithfulness 6:14-17
            3. The appeal for God's attention 6:18-23
            4. The specific requests for God's intervention 6:24-40
            5. The closing request for God's favor 6:41-42
         4. Solomon's worship in dedication 7:1-11
         5. God's confirmation of the covenant 7:12-22
   3. Solomon's success as king 8:1-9:28

      1. His political success 8:1-11
      1. The enlarged territories 8:1-6
      2. The subjugation of enemies 8:7-11
      2. His religious success 8:12-16
      3. His economic success 8:17-18
      4. His reputation for wisdom and wealth 9:1-28
      1. The visit of the queen of Sheba 9:1-12
      2. The record of Solomon's great wealth 9:13-28
   4. Solomon's death 9:29-31
2. The Reigns of the Kings of Judah 10:1-36:23

   1. The reign of Rehoboam 10:1-12:16

      1. The division of the kingdom 10:1-19
      1. The request of Israel 10:1-5
      2. The foolish decision of Rehoboam 10:6-15
      3. The revolt of the people 10:16-19
   2. The consolidation of the southern kingdom 11:1-23

      1. The assembly of an army 11:1-4
      2. The fortification of cities 11:5-12
      3. The loyalty of the priests and Levites 11:13-17
      4. The growth of Rehoboam's family 11:18-23
      1. The conflict with Egypt 12:1-12
      1. The attack by Egypt 12:1-4
      2. The confiscation by Egypt 12:5-12
      2. The death of Rehoboam 12:13-16
   3. The reign of Abijah 13:1-22

      1. The war with Jeroboam 13:1-20
      1. The defiance of Abijah 13:1-12
      2. The deliverance of God 13:13-20
      2. The death of Abijah 13:21-22
   4. The reign of Asa 14:1-16:14

      1. The evaluation of Asa 14:1-15
      1. The obedience during his reign 14:1-8
      2. The victory over the Ethiopians 14:9-15
      2. The reforms of Asa 15:1-19
      1. The encouragement from Azariah 15:1-7
      2. The restoration of true worship 15:8-19
      3. The sinful treaty with Syria 16:1-10
      1. The establishment of the treaty 16:1-6
      2. The rebuke for the treaty 16:7-10
      4. The death of Asa 16:11-14
   5. The reign of Jehoshaphat 17:1-20:37

      1. The prosperity of Jehoshaphat 17:1-19

         1. The evaluation of Jehoshaphat 17:1-9
         2. The military influence of Jehoshaphat 17:10-19
      2. The alliance of Jehoshaphat with Ahab 18:1-19:3

         1. The alliance with Ahab 18:1-3
         2. The counsel for the war with Syria 18:4-27
         1. The encouragement of the false prophets 18:4-11
         2. The warning of Micaiah 18:12-2
         3. The death of Ahab 18:28-19:3
      3. The reforms of Jehoshaphat 19:4-11
      4. The victory over Moab and Ammon 20:1-30

         1. The threat of Moab and Ammon 20:1-4
         2. The prayer of Jehoshaphat 20:5-13
         3. The assurance from God 20:14-19
         4. The deliverance from God 20:20-30
      5. The final days of Jehoshaphat 20:31-37

         1. The summary of his reign 20:31-34
         2. The sin of his alliance with Ahaziah 20:35-37
   6. The reign of Jehoram 21:1-20

      1. The evaluation of Jehoram 21:1-7
      2. The revolt of the Edomites and Libnah 21:8-11
      3. The judgment of God on Jehoram 21:12-17
      4. The death of Jehoram 21:18-20
   7. The reign of Ahaziah 22:1-9

      1. The evaluation of Ahaziah 22:1-6
      2. The death of Ahaziah 22:7-9
   8. The reign of Athaliah 22:10-23:21

      1. The deliverance of Joash from Athaliah 22:10-12
      2. The plot to dethrone Athaliah 23:1-11
      3. The death of Athaliah 23:12-15
      4. The enthronement of Joash by Jehoiada 23:16-21
   9. The reign of Joash 24:1-27

      1. The evaluation of Joash 24:1-3
      2. The repair of the temple 24:4-14
      3. The sin of Joash 24:15-22
      4. The death of Joash 24:23-27
   10. The reign of Amaziah 25:1-28

       1. The evaluation of Amaziah 25:1-4
       2. The victory over Edom 25:5-16
       1. The discharge of Ephraim's troops 25:5-10
       2. The defeat of Edom 25:11-13
       3. The adoption of Edom's gods 25:14-16
       3. The defeat of Judah by Israel 25:17-24
       4. The death of Amaziah 25:25-28
   11. The reign of Uzziah 26:1-23

       1. The evaluation of Uzziah 26:1-5
       2. The military power of Uzziah 26:6-15
       3. The sinful pride of Uzziah 26:16-21
       4. The death of Uzziah 26:22-23
   12. The reign of Jotham 27:1-9

       1. The evaluation of Jotham 27:1-6
       2. The death of Jotham 27:7-9
   13. The reign of Ahaz 28:1-27

       1. The evaluation of Ahaz 28:1-4
       2. The war with Israel and Syria 28:5-21

          1. Judah's defeat by Israel and Syria 28:5-8
          2. The return of Judah's captives 28:9-15
          3. The appeal to Assyria for help 28:16-21
       3. The sinful idolatry of Ahaz 28:22-25
       4. The death of Ahaz 28:26-27
   14. The reign of Hezekiah 29:1-32:33

       1. The evaluation of Hezekiah 29:1-2
       2. The reformation under Hezekiah 29:3-31:21

          1. The cleansing of the temple 29:3-19
          2. The restoration of true worship 29:20-30:27
          1. The consecration of the people 29:20-30
          2. The sacrifices of the people 29:31-36
          3. The celebration of the Passover 30:1-27
          1. The appeal to attend the Passover 30:1-12
          2. The observance of the Passover 30:13-22
          3. The extension of the feast days 30:23-27
          3. The reforms concerning priests and Levites 31:1-21
          1. The contributions for priests and Levites 31:1-10
          2. The organization of priests and Levites 31:11-21
       3. The invasion by Assyria 32:1-23

          1. The preparations of Hezekiah 32:1-8
          2. The boasting of Sennacherib 32:9-19
          3. The deliverance of Hezekiah 32:20-23
       4. The miraculous healing of Hezekiah 32:24-26
       5. The great wealth of Hezekiah 32:27-31
       6. The death of Hezekiah 32:32-33
   15. The reign of Manasseh 33:1-20

       1. The evaluation of Manasseh 33:1-9
       2. The repentance of Manasseh 33:10-17
       3. The death of Manasseh 33:18-20
   16. The reign of Amon 33:21-25
   17. The reign of Josiah 34:1-35:27

       1. The evaluation of Josiah 34:1-7
       2. The reformation under Josiah 34:8-33

          1. The repair of the temple 34:8-13
          2. The discovery of the Book of the Law 34:14-18
          3. The prophecy of Huldah 34:19-28
          4. The restoration of true worship 34:29-33
       3. The celebration of the Passover 35:1-19

          1. The preparations for the Passover 35:1-9
          2. The observance of the Passover 35:10-19
       4. The death of Josiah 35:20-27
   18. The reign of Jehoahaz 36:1-3
   19. The reign of Jehoiakim 36:4-8
   20. The reign of Jehoiachin 36:9-10
   21. The reign of Zedekiah 36:11-21

       1. The evaluation of Zedekiah 36:11-14
       2. The fall of Jerusalem 36:15-21
   22. The decree of Cyrus to return to Jerusalem 36:22-23