Lesson 15
The Book of II Chronicles
A. The Book of II Chronicles is a continuation of I Chronicles. It Begins with
Solomon's glorious Temple
and concludes with Cyrus' decree to rebuild the Temple more than four hundred
years later.
B. Chronicles focuses on those kings who patterned their lives and reigns after
the life and reign of King David. It gives extended treatment to such zealous
reformers as Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah and Josiah.
C. The Key Words: Priestly view of Judah. II Chronicles focuses on the Southern
rather than the Northern Kingdom. Most of the Kings fail to realize that apart
from he true mission as a covenant nation called to bring others to God, Judah
has no calling, no destiny, and no hope of becoming great on her own. Only what
is done in accordance with God's will has any lasting value.
D. The Temple in Jerusalem is the major theme of I & II
Chronicles. In I Chronicles 11-29 the central message is David's preparation for
the construction and service of the Temple. Most of II Chronicles 1-9 is devoted
to the building and consecration of the Temple. Chapters 10-36 omit the Kings of
Israel in the North because they have no ties with the Temple, but rather
emphasis is given to the reigns of Judah's Temple restorers.
E. The Temple symbolizes God's presence among his people and reminds them of
their high calling. It provides the spiritual link between their past and
future. Thus Ezra wrote this book to encourage the people to accept the new
Temple, raised on the site of the old and to remind them of their true calling
and God's faithfulness despite their low circumstances.
F. The Temple also typifies Christ.
Matt.12:6________________________________________________
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John 2:19________________________________________________
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Rev. 21:22_______________________________________________
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Survey of II Chronicles
Solomon's Reign 1-9
The Reign of Judah's Kings 10-36
Solomon's Reign 1-9
The reign of Solomon brings in Israel's golden age of peace, prosperity, and
temple worship. The Kingdom is united and its boundaries extend to their
greatest point. Solomon's wealth, wisdom, palace, and Temple become legendary.
I. Chapter 1
The inauguration of Solomon as King (1:1-7).
His worship, petition for wisdom, being provided with wisdom and wealth is
covered briefly in this first chapter.
II. Chapters 2-7
Immediately following Solomon's position as Kings is established, the writer
launches into the construction and dedication of the Temple. Note
7:14__________________ _________________________________________________________
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III. Chapters 8-9
The Glory of the Reign of Solomon
Note in Chapter 8 the enlargement of Solomon's territory, his enemies brought
under subjection, and his religious practices.
8:16________________________________
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In Chapter 9 we read in detail of his fame and wealth. This chapter ends with
his death.
Part 2
The Reign of the Kings of Judah 10-36
In the preceding chapters, there has risen up a throne founded in a Divine
Covenant, and a temple founded by Divine Guidance. The throne and the temple
were to uphold and glorify each other. However, a condition of great apostasy
develops in which the throne becomes the worst enemy of the temple. One must go,
and it had to be the throne. There were twenty kings over Judah from Rehoboam to
Zedekiah. The temple is then allowed to be burned.
36:19_______________________________________________
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Read the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning this.
Jeremiah 25:9-12
When a king and a people honored God, there was peace and prosperity. When they
were unfaithful to God, there was adversity.
About 70% of Chapters 10-36 deals with the eight good kings, leaving only 30% to
cover the twelve evil rulers. Each king is seen with respect to his relationship
to the Temple as the center of worship and spiritual strength.
II Chronicles ends on the very uplifting decree of the restoration of Judah.
36:23_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Questions
1. What are the two parts of II Chronicles?
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2. What is II Chronicles centered around?
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3. Can you name 5 of the 8 good kings?
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4. How would you have responded to I & II Chronicles if you were a Jew returning
from captivity?
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