God’s people remember the past and look to the future.
The Book of 2 Chronicles opens with a confident statement about the reign of Solomon: “The LORD his God was with him and exalted him exceedingly” (2 Chr. 1:1). However, although Solomon was at first a faithful servant of the Lord, he eventually turned away from God. This led to the division of Israel, and under two rulers whose dynasties were largely characterized by rebellion against God’s commands, the Israelites were soon defeated by their enemies and sent into captivity. Solomon was a great man, but he and his successors also had plenty of flaws that the Book of 2 Chronicles tends to de-emphasize or even overlook.
The markedly optimistic posture of 1 and 2 Chronicles is one of several ways that the books differ from the history recounted in 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings (see “More Than a Repeat of Kings” at 1 Chr. 1:1). For example, the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles deal less with the political history of the monarchy and more with the spiritual topic of the temple. Originally a single book, Chronicles was likely composed after the Jews left captivity in Babylon and returned home to Jerusalem.
The Book of 2 Chronicles begins where the Book of 1 Chronicles leaves off. After David’s passing (1 Chr. 29:28), his son Solomon takes the throne (2 Chr. 1:1). In keeping with its positive presentation of Israel’s heritage, the account omits the intrigue that enveloped Solomon’s rise to the throne, as well as the king’s later failures. Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, power, and fame appear on full display, and several of the book’s early chapters detail his design, construction, and completion of a magnificent temple. After the king’s prayer of dedication for the temple (6:12–42), in which he acknowledges the Lord’s special presence and the people’s need to adhere to His covenant, a rush of God’s glory fills the temple (7:1).
Second Chronicles 7:14–16, part of Solomon’s dedicatory prayer, illustrates the grand theme of this book of the Bible:
If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
The Lord’s humbled people had come back to Him, and God had restored them to the Promised Land. Now it was time for them to live up to their identity as God’s people.
Second Chronicles ends on a joyful note as Cyrus, king of Persia, proclaims that God has commanded him to build Him a house in Jerusalem. Cyrus thus allowed all willing Jews to return to their homeland (36:22, 23), setting the stage for the rebuilding of the temple and the Holy City outlined in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
The historical narrative of 2 Chronicles begins with the reign of Solomon (970 B.C.) and ends with Cyrus’s decree (536 B.C.). The geography of Chronicles is the same as that of Samuel and Kings—the territory of Israel, with some references to other nations and regions of the Middle East—with the difference that Judah is the focal point for most of the action (see the maps at “The Queen of Sheba and International Trade” at 2 Chr. 9:1; “The Phoenicians” at 2 Chr. 9:21; “Solomon’s Empire” at 2 Chr. 9:26; and “The Captives of the Israelites” at 2 Chr. 36:20).
Key People in 2 Chronicles
• The Ethiopians, a people closely connected with Egypt, often hired as mercenaries (2 Chr. 14:12).
• Convicts with conviction, leaders imprisoned for the faith (2 Chr. 16:10).
• Jehoshaphat, a king who built a fleet of ships, hoping to return Israel to its former glory (2 Chr. 20:35–37).
• Jehoiada, a godly priest who mentored young King Joash (2 Chr. 24:17–20).
• Uzziah, a king who cultivated vineyards (2 Chr. 26:10).
• Ahaz, a king of Judah whose political compromises led to death or deportation for hundreds of thousands (2 Chr. 28:1).
• Manasseh, a king who reportedly had the prophet Isaiah sawn in two (2 Chr. 33:1).
• Huldah, a prophetess who told young King Josiah that God would honor his faith and obedience (2 Chr. 34:22).
Key Events in 2 Chronicles
• Solomon asks God for wisdom (2 Chr. 1:7–12).
• Solomon builds the temple at Jerusalem (2 Chr. 2–4).
• The queen of Sheba visits Jerusalem (2 Chr. 9:1–12).
• The monarchy splits into northern and southern kingdoms (2 Chr. 10).
• The Book of the Law is rediscovered during temple repairs (2 Chr. 34:14–33).
• Jerusalem is captured and Judah is taken into exile by the Babylonians (2 Chr. 36:1–21).