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The book of 2 Chronicles (2 Chronicles 1)

For viewing authorship, place and date of reading please look at The book of 1 Chronicles under 1 Chronicles 1.

The books of Chronicles (1 and 2 Chronicles) were originally one book written to the postexilic Jews to provide them with an accurate historical record and to help them recognize their heritage.

Like 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles records the history of David’s royal line. After describing the building of the temple (2 Chronicles 1-9), the author/compiler traced the history of Judah – the southern kingdom – until Jerusalem’s final destruction and the exile to Babylon of many of her people.

As you read: Although some parts of 2 Chronicles are similar to Samuel and Kings, bear in mind that the Chronicler wanted in particular to emphasize God’s covenant faithfulness and to encourage his readers to obey the covenant. It is not surprising that in this second half of his work he continued to emphasize themes found in 1 Chronicles, such as the united monarchy under the rule of David and Solomon and the important role of God’s temple. Another theme also surfaces repeatedly. Notice that the inspired author measured every king in the history of David’s royal line by whether or not that king remained faithful to God.

Note also the numerous statements that God, David and the prophets made concerning sin and repentance. They repeatedly warned that if the people were to turn from God, judgement would inevitably result. On the other hand, if they were to repent, obey God’s law and trust in Him, they would be blessed with victory, peace and prosperity.

Did you know that stonecutters and carriers at the quarries in the hills near Jerusalem were to be drawn from among the alien population in Israel (2:1-18)? Did you know that the 666 talents of gold Solomon received annually equated to approximately 25 tons? The unspecified sum of Solomon’s gross yearly income included both money from tributes and tariffs and profits from his own capital ventures, which primarily involved international trade (9:13-14). Did you know that salt had a ceremonial use in the ratification of treaties, standing for faith, loyalty and longevity (13:5)? Did you know that Cyrus allowed captive peoples to return to their lands? His efforts to win the favour of peoples who had been treated harshly by the Babylonians were used by God to inaugurate the restauration period (36:22-23).