Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles A retelling of many of the stories from the Books of Kings from a slightly different perspective According to Jewish tradition, Ezra wrote Chronicles and Jeremiah wrote Kings. Kings was written before the Babylonian captivity (i.e., before 586 B.C.), while Chronicles was written afterwards  You could say Chronicles was written to remind the Jewish people, who were going back to rebuild Jerusalem after the captivity in Babylon, of their history and especially of their more recent Regal history. Probably to encourage them.

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 1 God grants Solomon wisdom and with it comes wealth and honour Ch 2 ,3, 4 Solomon builds the Temple Ch5 The Ark of the Covenant is brought to the Temple Ch6, 7 Solomon dedicates the Temple and it is filled by the Glory of God. Many offerings are made to God. The Lord appears to Solomon and promises many good things if the people follow him. But retribution if they do not

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch8 Solomon continues building up his cities and store houses Ch9 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon at Jerusalem bringing and receiving great gifts Solomon becomes the richest person in the known world After reigning 40 years Solomon dies and is succeeded by Rehoboam

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch10,11 Israel rebels against Rehoboam. The country splits between Judah and Israel  4 ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’ Ch 12 Egypt attacks Judah and carries off many of the treasures of the temple Rehoboam(58yo) is succeeded by Abijah after 17 years Ch13 Abijah defends Judah against Israel by calling on the Lord. Jeroboam the leader of the Israelites was struck down by the Lord.

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 14,15, 16 Abijah succeeded by Asa who destroys idols and does good in the sight of the Lord. Asa reign is mainly peaceful. Makes a treaty with Ben-hada king of Aram against Baasha king of Israel to prevent Baasha invading Judah. Asa reigned 41 years

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 17, 18, 19, 20 Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa and he followed his fathers love for the Lord. He sent teachers to many towns to remind them of the law of Moses. He also became wealthy and very strong militarily. Judah and Israel join forces to attack Ramoth Gilead. Prophet Micaiah predicts death of Ahab king of Israel and he is killed in the battle Jehoshaphat appoints Judges from the Levites to oversee the people and the Law His forces defeat Moab and Amman Jehoshaphat reigned 25 years in Jerusalem

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 21 Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram becomes king of Judah. He murders all his brothers and many Israeli officials. Jehoram did not follow the Lord and lost much of the kingdom and its treasures. He died after an 8 year reign Ch 22 Ahaziah is next in line , he reigns 1 year and is killed by Jehu (appointed by the Lord to end the line of Ahab). When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that he was dead, she destroyed the royal house of Judah.  But Jehosheba, the daughter of Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. He remained hidden at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 23 High priest Jehoiada gathers commanders and Levite priests and crowns Joash king. Athaliah is killed. Ch24 Joash with Jehoiada as overseer repairs the Temple. After Jehoiada dies Joash turns away from the Lord. The prophet Zechariah is stoned to death. Aram invades Judah, Joash is wounded then killed by the followers of Jehoiada

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 25,26 Amaziah now king of Judah. Initially Amaziah walked with the Lord and he gave him great victories over his foes. But later he worshipped other Gods and was defeated by Israel. Israel took the temple treasures. Amaziah is killed at Lachish and is succeeded by Uzziah. Uzziah built up the army. Later he offended the Lord and was smitten by leprosy. He then lived apart from others.

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 27 .Jotham now king defeats Ammonites Ch 28 Ahaz now king, does not follow the Lord , is defeated by Aram and Israel. Ahaz destroys parts of the temple and worships other gods. He reigned 16 years and died. Ch 29 His son Hezekiah becomes king. He walks with the lord and repairs the temple Ch30, 31 Hezekiah sends word throughout Judah & Israel that the Passover is to be celebrated . The people are also asked to contribute to support the priests and they do so generously

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 32 Hezekiah strengthens the defences of Jerusalem in fear of an Assyrian attack. Assyria attacks . Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah pray to God. God sends an Angel who annihilates the Assyrian army. Hezekiah reigned for 29 years and left Judah a wealthier , stronger place. He is succeeded by his son Manasseh.

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 33.Manasseh was to rule 55 years and in that time he reversed much of what Hezekiah had achieved. The people once again worshipped Baal and alters to foreign gods were built. Judah fell to Assyria and Manasseh was captured. Manasseh turned to God who listened and returned him to Jerusalem . He got rid of the foreign gods and idols. He is succeeded by Ammon who worships idols and is eventually assassinated by his officials after 2 years. Josiah his son becomes king

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch 34, 35 Josiah reigned 31 years and in that time restored the Temple and in doing so found the original Book of the Law. The prophetess Huldah predicts the fall of Israel & Judah but not in Josiah’s reign. Josiah oversees the Passover celebrations. Josiah dies in battle with the Egyptians

Bible – Old Testament – 2 Chronicles Ch36. There follows a series of weak kings. Jehoahaz(3months),Jehoiakim(11 years),Jehoiachin(3 months), Zedekiah(11 years)(Jeremiah was the main prophet at this time During this time Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon raided Israel & Judah and made off with many articles from the Temple Eventually Israel was exiled to Babylon for 70 years