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OVERVIEW OF 2 CHRONICLES

OVERVIEW OF 2 CHRONICLES

Author: Good evidence for Ezra the priest, who was part of the remnant who returned to Jerusalem after Cyrus king of Persia’s decree, which is referenced in 2 Chr. 36:22-23 and at the beginning of Ezra’s book.

Date: Probably 450-425 B.C. Jerusalem fell in 586 B.C. to the Babylonians. Cyrus the king of Persia issued a declaration in 536 B.C., allowing the Israelite remnant to return to Jerusalem.

Audience: “All Israel” who had been exiled but returned to Jerusalem.


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Chapters 1-9 - Solomon’s Building of the Temple and other Accomplishments

  • 1:1-17 - Solomon asks for and receives God’s wisdom and additional blessings

  • 2:1-18 - Solomon prepares to build the Temple by recruiting large numbers of workers and solicited Hiram king of Tyre who gladly sent him wood and Huram-Abi, a skilled engraver

  • 3:1-5:1 - Solomon built and furnished the Temple at the site David set aside and according to God’s plans

  • 5:2-6:11 - The ark of the covenant put in the Most Holy Place of the Temple with great worship and glory

  • 6:12-7:10 - Solomon’s magnificent dedication prayer, God’s powerful response, people’s joyful celebration

  • 7:11-22 - The Lord appeared to remind Solomon of blessing for faithfulness, cursing for unfaithfulness

  • 8:1-9:31 - Solomon’s ongoing success until his death (no mention of sin or spiritual decline

Chapters 10:1-36:14 - Southern Judah’s kings through Zedekiah until the fall to Babylon

  • 10:1-12:16 - Kingdom divides between Jeroboam over northern Israel and Rehoboam over southern Judah, Rehoboam strengthened Judah, but went astray and the Lord allowed to be attacked by Egypt, but Rehoboam humbled himself and Judah was rescued from destruction

  • 13:1-22 - Abijah succeeded Rehoboam, fought with Israel, but gained victory through trust in the Lord

  • 14:1-16:14 - Asa succeeded Abijah, sought the Lord, gained victory in battle, established tremendous reforms in the land, until he turned to Aram for help against Cushite army instead of God and died proud

  • 17:1-20:37 - Jehoshaphat succeeded Asa, mostly faithful to the Lord resulting in kingdom being firmly reestablished, but made two unwise alliances with two evil kings in Ahab and Ahaziah

  • 21:1-20 - Jehoram succeeded Jehoshaphat, did evil in God’s eyes as the kings of Israel

  • 22:1-9 - Ahaziah succeeded Jehoram, also doing evil and was killed by Jehu

  • 22:10-24:27 - Joash succeeded Ahaziah after being rescued from Ahaziah’s mother Athaliah, renewed covenant and restored the Temple, but became proud, led people astray, killed by his own men

  • 25:1-28 - Amaziah succeeded Joash, half hearted to God, defeated by Israel and killed by his own

  • 26:1-23 - Uzziah succeeded Amaziah, successful at beginning but became proud and God gave him leprosy

  • 27:1-9 - Jotham succeeded Uzziah, faithful to the Lord, defeating Ammonites

  • 28:1-27 - Ahaz succeeded Jotham, did evil as kings of Israel, was defeated by Arameans, Israel, Assyria

  • 29:1-32:33 - Hezekiah succeeded Ahaz, restored Temple and worship, led largest observance of Passover since D