PLEASE, PAY ATTENTION! Thoughts arise from various sources: some come from conversations I've had, some from Bible study groups, others from family life, and some from books I've read. The Holy Spirit serves as the Teacher who makes them real to me.
- "What the Bible Teaches, 2nd Chronicles, by Walter Gustafson. John Ritchie Ltd.
- "The Life Application Bible." Tyndale House and Zondervan
Introduction In his God-inspired desire to unify the Israelites who returned to the promised land from captivity in Babylon, Ezra the scribe continued to recount the ways of God with His people in the past. Lessons from history are important, but unless people pay attention to those lessons, they will have to experience the consequences of failure and sin themselves. The book of 1 Chronicles offers lessons and illustrations from the life of David to foster national revival. At the very end of 1 Chronicles and now at the beginning of 2 Chronicles, this saga of divine dealings with God's people begins with an account of the "glory days" of Solomon. From there to the end of the book, the departure of the people of God, mainly those in Judah, continues through the reigns of various kings until their exile to Babylon.
How often do we hear people say, "That's just old history. What does that have to do with us now?" Over time, if we do not maintain fellowship with God and continue to follow His word, we will find ourselves powerless, in a state of departure, and having to face the same difficulties—and possibly even more—than those before us because we failed to pay attention. The lessons of history, if learned, can protect God's people today from turning to the idolatrous worship of money, success, and pleasure.
The book of 2nd Chronicles is not merely a recounting of government failures and political history; it is written from a religious perspective—specifically, a priestly viewpoint—by a spiritual leader. Beginning with the high point of Solomon's ascension to the throne of David and his good personal start, the scribe recounts the building of the temple and various revivals in the nation. Peace, prayer, and public worship are all addressed as reminders of God's faithfulness to unfaithful people. Even when leaders failed miserably, God was patiently waiting for repentance and revival. Short revivals came and went because God's people did not stay focused on Him. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee." Failure came, and God's patience was tested to the point where He allowed the fulfillment of His warning about captivity to occur.
The first nine chapters of 2nd Chronicles focus on Solomon’s reign and primarily detail the materials and construction of the temple. When Ezra wrote this account for the benefit of the returned exiles, he followed the pattern of the account of building the tabernacle in the wilderness.
Bezalel and Oholiab were given the responsibility by God to build the tabernacle. Solomon and Hiram-Abi were tasked by God with constructing the temple. Bezalel is mentioned by name in the 1st and 2nd Chronicles as an example because the bronze altar he made hundreds of years earlier was still used for offerings. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on it at Gibeon. Both of these men were from Judah and were empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out the work that God had designated for them by name.
God gave the plans for the tabernacle and temple, and the spoils of war were used as building material. The people gladly gave what they could to build both places. When the buildings were finished, a cloud of glory filled them, and the glory of the Lord was evident to everyone. God was in this place.
2 Chronicles is a continuation of 1 Chronicles, primarily focusing on the kingdom of Judah. There were a few good kings, many bad kings, and some started well but ended poorly. The books of Chronicles provide God’s perspective on the history of His people, while the books of Kings present the human perspective. Chronicles portrays Israel’s history through the lens of religious activity, whereas Kings offers the political perspective.
2 Chronicles tells us that the house Solomon built for Pharaoh’s daughter was not in Jerusalem because she was an idolatress. It informs us that Jeroboam worshipped devils as well as golden calves. Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Uzziah were good kings who neglected the Lord when they became famous. Three verses in Kings describe Hezekiah’s reformation, and Chronicles has three chapters on it. When those books recount military affairs, it is quite the opposite. Kings speaks of Manasseh’s wickedness, but only in Chronicles do we read of his restoration.
Solomon’s story begins with the Lord and ends with him forsaking the Lord (chapters 1-9). The rest of the book narrates the story of the kings of Judah as they sought the Lord and served Him.