AUTHOR: Ezra
DATE: 450-425 B.C.
The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally one book until 180 B.C. The Hebrew title for the books means “the words (affairs) of the days” and together they chronicle the history of Israel from Adam, to the Babylonian captivity, to Cyrus’s decree that allowed the exiled Jews to return to their land. The two books can be thought of as a “miniature Old Testament,” and are noted for presenting the most extensive (through 9:44) collection of genealogical tables in the Old Testament. The books record the ancestry of the tribes of Israel, they focus on the importance of the Davidic line from which Jesus descended, they emphasize the priestly tribe of Levi, and they remind Israel of the importance of racial and religious purity.
Beginning where 1 Chronicles concludes ( David 1011–971 B.C.), 2 Chronicles begins with the history of the reign of King Solomon (971-931 B.C.) and chronicles all the kings of Judah from Rehoboam (931 B.C.) through Zedekiah (586 B.C.). Second Chronicles covers the same time period as 1 and 2 Kings, however, it focuses on only one of the kings of Judah and excludes those of Israel. The book concludes with a brief reference to the decree of Cyrus in 539. It was the Decree of Cyrus that enabled the Jews to return to Judea and build their Temple.
Significant passages include Solomon’s prayer for wisdom (1:7-12), the dedication of Solomon’s Temple (chaps. 5-7), the visit of the Queen of Sheba (9:1-12), and the prediction of the length of captivity (36:20-21). Favorite verses are 7:14 and 16:9.
2 Chronicles Begins at 4:25
OUTLINE OF 2 CHRONICLES
I. The Reign of Solomon, 1:1-9:31
A. Solomon’s Inauguration, 1:1-17
1. His worship and prayer for wisdom, 1:1-13
2. His wealth, 1:14-17
B. Solomon’s Temple, 2:1-7:22
1. Preparations for the Temple, 2:1-18
2. Construction of the Temple, 3:1-4:22
3. Dedication of the Temple, 5:1-7:22
a. Installing the ark, 5:1-14
b. Speaking to the people, 6:1-11
c. Praying to God, 6:12-42
d. God’s glory, 7:1-3
e. The sacrifices and feast, 7:4-11
f. God speaks to Solomon, 7:12-22
C. Solomon’s Fame, 8:1-9:28
1. His cities, 8:1-6
2. His subjects, 8:7-11
3. His offerings, 8:12-13
4. His organization of the Levites, 8:14-16
5. His navy, 8:17-18
6. His visit from the Queen of Sheba, 9:1-12
7. His wealth, 9:13-28
D. Solomon’s Death, 9:29-31
II. The Kings of Judah, 10:1-36:21
A. Rehoboam (931-913; 1 Kings 14:21-31), 10:1-12:16
1. Rehoboam causes division, 10:1-19
2. Rehoboam follows the Lord, 11:1-23
3. Rehoboam abandons the Lord, 12:1-16
B. Abijah (Abijam, 913-911; 1 Kings 15:1-8), 13:1-22
C. Asa (911-870; 1 Kings 15:9-24), 14:1-16:14
1. Early reforms, 14:1-8
2. War with Ethiopians, 14:9-15
3. Reliance on the Lord, 15:1-19
4. War with Baasha of Israel, 16:1-10
5. Death, 16:11-14
D. Jehoshaphat (873-848; 1 Kings 22:41-50), 17:1-20:37
1. His revival, 17:1-19
2. His alliance with Ahab, 18:1-19:3
3. His reforms, 19:4-11
4. His victory over Moab and Ammon, 20:1-30
5. His last days, 20:31-37
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E. Jehoram (Joram, 848-841; 2 Kings 8:16-24), 21:1-20
F. Ahaziah (841; 2 Kings 8:25-29), 22:1-9
G. Athaliah (841-835; 2 Kings 11:1-16), 22:10-23:15
H. Joash (Jehoash, 835-796; 2 Kings 11:17-12:21), 23:16-24:27
1. Following the Lord, 23:16-24:16
2. Forsaking the Lord, 24:17-27
I. Amaziah (796-767; 2 Kings 14:1-22), 25:1-28
1. Following the Lord, 25:1-13
2. Forsaking the Lord, 25:14-28
J. Uzziah (Azariah, 790-739; 2 Kings 15:1-7), 26:1-23
1. Following the Lord, 26:1-15
2. Forsaking the Lord, 26:16-23
K. Jotham (750-731; 2 Kings 15:32-38), 27:1-9
L. Ahaz (731-715; 2 Kings 16:1-20), 28:1-27
M. Hezekiah (715-686; 2 Kings 18:1-20:21), 29:1-32:33
1. His revival, 29:1-31:21
2. His victory over the Assyrians, 32:1-23
3. His last days, 32:24-33
N. Manasseh (695-642; 2 Kings 21:1-18), 33:1-20
O. Amon (642-640; 2 Kings 21:19-26), 33:21-25
P. Josiah (640-609; 2 Kings 22:1-23:30), 34:1-35:27
1. His reforms, 34:1-13
2. His discovery of the law, 34:14-33
3. His observance of the Passover, 35:1-19
4. His death, 35:20-27
Q. Joahaz (Jehoahaz, 609; 2 Kings 23:31-33), 36:1-4
R. Jehoiakim (Eliakim, 609-597; 2 Kings 23:34-24:7), 36:5-8
S. Jehoiachin (597; 2 Kings 24:8-16), 36:9-10
T. Zedekiah (597-586; 2 Kings 24:17-25:21), 36:11-21
III. The Decree of Cyrus, 36:22-23
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