Questions about 2 Chronicles
Here are some common questions people have about the book of 2 Chronicles in the Bible:
What is the purpose and theme of 2 Chronicles?
The book of 2 Chronicles covers much of the same history as 1 & 2 Kings, but from the perspective of the kings of Judah. The chronicler’s main purpose is to show God’s working in history as the God of Israel. Key themes include the importance of following God’s law, the role of the temple and worship, the cycle of sin/punishment/restoration, and God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant with David’s dynasty. The theme verse is “But if you turn to me and maintain my love, you will be built on a sure foundation” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Who wrote 2 Chronicles and when was it written?
2 Chronicles does not specifically name its author, but Jewish tradition attributes it to Ezra. The style and vocabulary are very similar to 1 and 2 Chronicles. Most scholars believe it was composed between 400-250 BC, after the end of the Babylonian exile, possibly drawing on earlier written records. The purpose was to encourage the returned exiles by showing God’s faithfulness to His promises.
How does 2 Chronicles relate to the books of 1 & 2 Kings?
2 Chronicles covers much of the same history as 2 Kings, with a focus on the kings of the Southern Kingdom of Judah from Solomon to the Babylonian exile. However, the chronicler leaves out accounts of the kings’ misdeeds and highlights their accomplishments, especially relating to temple worship. The chronicler aims to show God’s blessing on those kings who did right and His judgment on those who disobeyed.
What are some key events covered in 2 Chronicles?
– Solomon’s establishment of the temple and his prayer of dedication (2 Chronicles 2-7)
– The rebellion of the 10 northern tribes under Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 10-12)
– King Asa’s reforms (2 Chronicles 14-16)
– King Jehoshaphat’s reign (2 Chronicles 17-20)
– King Joash’s revival and later apostasy (2 Chronicles 23-24)
– King Hezekiah’s reforms and miraculous deliverance from the Assyrians (2 Chronicles 29-32)
– The fall of Jerusalem to Babylon and the exile (2 Chronicles 36)
What are some of the major themes in 2 Chronicles?
– God’s faithfulness to His covenant with David (2 Chronicles 21:7)
– Rewards for obeying and consequences for disobeying God’s law (2 Chronicles 24:20)
– The temple and proper worship of God (2 Chronicles 29-30)
– God’s sovereignty over the nations and in fulfilling His word (2 Chronicles 36:22-23)
– Repentance, revival, and seeking God (2 Chronicles 7:14)
– God’s mercy in responding to those who humble themselves and pray (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)
What are some ways that 2 Chronicles is applicable to Christians today?
– It reminds us of the importance of wholehearted devotion to God.
– It shows that revival is possible when people sincerely seek God.
– It warns against idolatry and disregard for God’s ways.
– It encourages us that God hears those who genuinely repent and seek Him.
– It reveals God’s sovereignty over all human history and plans.
– It motivates us to trust God in difficult circumstances.
– It gives principles for organization, worship, and service in God’s house.
How does 2 Chronicles portray the kingdom of Israel versus Judah?
The chronicler focuses on Judah, the Southern Kingdom, and the Davidic dynasty. The kings of Israel, the rebellious Northern Kingdom, are mentioned mostly as they interacted with Judah’s kings. In general, the chronicler evaluates Judah’s kings positively if they sought God or negatively if they disobeyed. He highlights reforms and spiritual renewal in Judah. However, he does point out Judah’s downward slide into idolatry and unfaithfulness that led to God’s judgment in exile.
What are some interesting facts about King Solomon from 2 Chronicles?
– The chronicler dedicates several chapters to Solomon’s reign and building projects (2 Chronicles 2-9).
– He emphasizes Solomon’s great wisdom, wealth, and prolific building activities.
– Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses (2 Chronicles 1:14-17).
– He received 666 talents of gold yearly (2 Chronicles 9:13).
– He built the temple in Jerusalem over 7 years, employing 183,000 workers (2 Chronicles 2:17-18, 3:1-2).
– All the kings of the earth sought Solomon’s wisdom and brought gifts (2 Chronicles 9:22-24).
What reforms did King Hezekiah make according to 2 Chronicles?
Hezekiah instituted key religious reforms (2 Chronicles 29-31):
– He reopened and repaired the temple.
– He restored the temple services and worship.
– He observed the Passover strictly according to God’s law.
– He destroyed idols and altars throughout Judah and Israel.
– He organized the priests and Levites for temple service.
– He reinstituted tithing for the support of the Levites.
How did God deliver Hezekiah and Jerusalem from the Assyrians?
The Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem and taunted Hezekiah to surrender (2 Chronicles 32:9-19). Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, and God miraculously delivered them:
– The angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians in their camp (2 Chronicles 32:21).
– Sennacherib withdrew and was later assassinated by his sons (2 Chronicles 32:21).
– Many nations were amazed and brought gifts to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32:23).
– Hezekiah’s faith in God and Isaiah’s prophecy were vindicated.
What kings received God’s mercy after humbling themselves?
Several kings experienced God’s mercy and renewal after humbling themselves and seeking God:
– Rehoboam – God allowed him to remain king due to his repentance (2 Chronicles 12:6-7, 12)
– Asa – God gave 10 years of peace after his sincere prayer (2 Chronicles 15:2-19)
– Jehoshaphat – God gave victory after his prayer and fasting (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)
– Joash – God spared Jerusalem while Joash followed God (2 Chronicles 24:1-16)
– Manasseh – God restored him as king after he repented (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)
What examples of idolatry are seen in 2 Chronicles?
The chronicler shows how several kings fell into idolatry:
– Solomon built high places and shrines for his pagan wives’ gods (2 Chronicles 1:7-8).
– Rehoboam and the people forsook God’s law (2 Chronicles 12:1).
– Abijah continued in the sins of Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 13:2).
– Jehoram led Judah astray into idolatry (2 Chronicles 21:11).
– Ahaz made metal images and shut the temple doors (2 Chronicles 28:2-4, 24).
– Manasseh built altars to pagan gods and set up an Asherah pole (2 Chronicles 33:3).
However, several righteous kings destroyed these idols and removed the high places:
– Asa (2 Chronicles 14:3-5)
– Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:1)
– Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:3-7)
What examples of pagan shrines being destroyed are seen?
– Asa destroyed idols and high places in Judah and Israel (2 Chronicles 14:3-5, 15:8, 16:6).
– Jehoshaphat sent officials to destroy idols and high places (2 Chronicles 17:6).
– Hezekiah destroyed the high places and cut down the Asherah poles (2 Chronicles 31:1).
– Josiah tore down altars and idols throughout Judah and Israel (2 Chronicles 34:3-7).
– The Levites under Josiah cleansed the temple and dumped unholy items (2 Chronicles 34:8-13).
What great Passovers are described in 2 Chronicles?
Several kings led great observances of the Passover:
– Hezekiah – He reinstituted a proper Passover not kept since the time of Solomon (2 Chronicles 30:1-27).
– Josiah – Josiah kept a solemn Passover and renewed the covenant (2 Chronicles 35:1-19).
– Judahites during exile – Some from the Northern tribes joined the Passover in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:18).
– Ezra – Returning exiles kept the Passover with joy in Jerusalem (Ezra 6:19-22).
What examples of prophecy and fulfillment are seen?
– God’s promises to establish David’s throne were fulfilled in Solomon’s reign (2 Chronicles 1:8-9).
– Hanani’s prophecy of victory over Israel was fulfilled (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).
– Micaiah’s prophecy of Ahab’s death came true (2 Chronicles 18:16-34).
– Jehu rebuked Jehoshaphat for aligning with Ahab (2 Chronicles 19:2-3).
– Jahaziel prophesied victory over Moabites and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 20:14-17).
– Elijah’s prophecy against Ahaziah was fulfilled (2 Chronicles 21:12-15).
– Isaiah prophesied Sennacherib’s defeat and death (2 Chronicles 32:20-21).
– Jeremiah’s 70 year exile prophecy was fulfilled (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).
How did the Chronicler portray Judah’s exile to Babylon?
The exile came because of Judah’s disobedience over generations (2 Chronicles 36:14-16). The Chronicler highlights God’s mercy by:
– His patience in sending prophets for years urging repentance (2 Chronicles 36:15).
– Preserving a remnant like Daniel (2 Chronicles 36:10).
– Stirring Cyrus to let them return and rebuild the temple (2 Chronicles 36:22-23).
– Beginning the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s 70 year prophecy (2 Chronicles 36:20-23).
He aims to kindle hope that God would restore those who seek Him even after judgment.
What examples of prayer are seen in 2 Chronicles?
– Solomon’s prayer at the temple dedication (2 Chronicles 6:12-42)
– Asa’s prayer for victory over the Cushites (2 Chronicles 14:11-12)
– Jehoshaphat’s prayer when attacked by Moabites and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 20:5-12)
– Jehoshaphat’s prayer when repenting of alliance with Ahab (2 Chronicles 20:12)
– Hezekiah and Isaiah’s prayer when attacked by Assyria (2 Chronicles 32:20-24)
– Manasseh’s prayer while in exile in Babylon (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)
– Josiah’s prayer after hearing the Book of the Law (2 Chronicles 34:27-28)
What events led to the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam?
– Solomon’s son Rehoboam became king after Solomon died (2 Chronicles 10:1-2).
– Jeroboam led Israel in asking Rehoboam to lighten their forced labor (2 Chronicles 10:3-4).
– Rehoboam rejected the counsel of the elders to be kind to Israel (2 Chronicles 10:6-7).
– Rehoboam followed the young men’s advice to be even harsher (2 Chronicles 10:8-14).
– This caused Israel to revolt and make Jeroboam king over the 10 tribes (2 Chronicles 10:16-19).
– Rehoboam tried to reunify the kingdom by force but was stopped by God (2 Chronicles 11:1-4)
How did Abijah portray the division as rebellion against God?
When war broke out between Judah and Israel, Abijah said (2 Chronicles 13:4-12):
– Israel rebelled against God by forsaking the true Davidic king.
– They appointed illegitimate priests and idols.
– But God is with Judah and the descendants of David.
– Israel has forsaken God, but Judah relies on the true God.
– God is Judah’s leader and will give them victory.
He portrays Judah as righteous and Israel as rebels forsaking God’s king and law.
What reforms did Judah’s righteous kings institute?
Good kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, and Josiah sought to restore pure worship of God. Some key reforms:
– They destroyed idols and pagan altars (2 Chronicles 14:3, 17:6, 31:1, 34:3-7).
– They repaired the temple and restored proper services (2 Chronicles 24:4-14, 29:3-36).
– They reinstituted priestly service and tithing (2 Chronicles 31:2-21, 35:1-19).
– They removed unfaithful priests (2 Chronicles 19:8-11, 29:34).
– They restored the celebration of Passover (2 Chronicles 30:1-27, 35:1-19).
– They taught and required obedience to God’s law (2 Chronicles 17:7-9, 34:14-33)
How was the reign of Manasseh summarized?
Manasseh had the longest reign in Judah’s history, but the chronicler condemns him as evil (2 Chronicles 33:1-10):
– He rebuilt pagan altars and idols, even in the temple.
– He practiced child sacrifice, sorcery, divination, and witchcraft.
– He led Judah and Jerusalem into greater evil than the pagan nations.
Yet the chronicler also shows God’s mercy when Manasseh repented (2 Chronicles 33:12-13):
– Manasseh humbled himself greatly while exiled in Babylon.
– He sought God earnestly, and God heard his plea and restored him as king.
– He destroyed idols and rebuilt Jerusalem’s defenses before his death.
What were the highlights of Josiah’s reforms?
– He instituted reforms in his 8th year as king, age 16 (2 Chronicles 34:3-7).
– He repaired the temple in his 18th year and supported it (2 Chronicles 34:8-13).
– The Book of the Law was found and read to Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:14-18).
– He led the people to covenant faithfulness (2 Chronicles 34:29-33).
– He observed a great Passover celebration (2 Chronicles 35:1-19).
– He died opposing Pharaoh Neco’s advance (2 Chronicles 35:20-24).
How did the chronicler portray David’s successors?
Though some kings were wicked, the chronicler highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant with David:
– God established Solomon’s kingdom as promised (2 Chronicles 1:1, 9:8).
– Kings like Abijah appealed to their covenant right to rule (2 Chronicles 13:5,8).
– Even when Judah was unfaithful, God showed mercy due to His promise (2 Chronicles 21:7).
– Kings like Hezekiah prayed appealing to God’s covenant loyalty (2 Chronicles 29:10).
– Zerubbabel led the return as David’s descendant (Ezra 3:8).
Despite their flaws, a Davidic descendant ruled awaiting the greater Son of David.
How is Jesus the ultimate Son of David depicted in 2 Chronicles?
2 Chronicles prepares for Jesus, the perfect fulfillment of God’s promise to David:
– Jesus is the eternal king, seated on David’s throne (Luke 1:32-33).
– He built God’s spiritual temple, the church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:19-22).
– He intercedes and provides eternal access to God (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:23-25).
– He perfectly atoned for sins once for all (Hebrews 9:11-14).
– He will reign in righteousness and justice forever (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:33).
– All kings and nations will serve Him (Psalm 72:8-11; Philippians 2:9-11).
Jesus fulfilled all that the Davidic kings foreshadowed as the perfect Son of David.
