2 CHRONICLES - OVERVIEW
The book of 2 Chronicles picks up the story of kingship where 1 Chronicles ends. While 1 Chronicles focused on David and his desire to build the temple himself, God gave him a reason for Solomon to build the temple. However, David provided for the temple's construction and organized its personnel.
The Levites played an essential role in maintaining the whole system of worship.
The 2 Chronicles covers the longer period from David’s son Solomon until the last kings in the Davidic line. The writer shows God’s desire for his kings to rule differently from those of the nations.
Second Chronicles describes how God gives splendor to his kings in order for the nations to recognize his greatness. This is evident in the conversations between King Solomon and two foreign rulers: Hiram king of Tyre in 2 Chronicles 3 and 4, and the Queen of Sheba in 2 Chronicles 9.
King Hiram of Tyre
As Solomon prepares to build his palace and the temple in Jerusalem, he tells Hiram of his desire to exalt the God of Israel above all other gods: “The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods” (2 Chronicles 2:5). Hiram affirms the connection between God’s greatness and Solomon’s splendor: “Because the Lord loves his people, he has made you king over them. . . . Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding” (2 Chronicles 2:11–12).
Solomon later dedicates the temple as a welcoming place for any foreigner who hears of the Lord’s greatness and “comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm” (2 Chronicles 6:32). God is asked to answer the foreigner’s prayer “in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel” (2 Chronicles 6:33).
The Queen of Sheba
In a similar way, the Queen of Sheba recognizes that the kingdom of Solomon is an earthly expression of the kingdom of God: “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness” (2 Chronicles 9:8). Elsewhere Solomon prays that his kingdom would glorify God by reflecting God’s own justice and righteousness (Psalm 72:1–4).
Second Chronicles repeatedly describes how the kings of Israel stopped reflecting the ways of their God by following the pagan ways of the nations. These sins led to a major shift in how the nations relate to Israel.
The God described in 2 Chronicles shows himself sovereign in the relationship between his people and the nations.
Three things to pay attention to in 2 Chronicles:
----1. Solomon's reign: The first section of the book covers King Solomon's reign, including his ascension to the throne, his rule over a united nation, and the building of the temple of God.
----2. The exile to Babylon: The southern kingdom of Judah is exiled to Babylon.
----3. King Cyrus' proclamation: The final two verses of the book contain a proclamation by King Cyrus of Persia allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
Notice that the temple is being built at the beginning of 2 Chronicles. However, it is being rebuilt at the end of the book. Pay attention to what happens between the times the temple is being built and rebuilt.
A familiar scripture in 2 Chronicles is 7:14.
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