The Book of 2 Chronicles – KJV Summary, Key Stories & Book Facts

2 Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Bible, the fourteenth book of the Old Testament, and the ninth of the Historical Books. In the King James Version (KJV), 2 Chronicles contains 36 chapters and 822 verses. The book begins with the reign of Solomon and the building of the temple, then follows the kings of Judah through seasons of faithfulness, idolatry, revival, judgment, and reform until Jerusalem is destroyed by Babylon and the people are carried into captivity.

Summary of 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles begins with Solomon firmly established as king after the death of David. Solomon gathers Israel at Gibeon, where the tabernacle and brazen altar are located, and offers sacrifices before the LORD. God appears to Solomon and invites him to ask what he desires. Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to lead Israel, and God grants his request along with riches, wealth, and honor. Solomon then begins the great work for which David had prepared: building the temple in Jerusalem. Hiram king of Tyre provides skilled workers and materials, and the temple is constructed on Mount Moriah with its courts, furnishings, pillars, altars, and most holy place.

When the temple is completed, Solomon gathers Israel and the ark of the covenant is brought into the most holy place. The glory of the LORD fills the house so powerfully that the priests cannot continue ministering. Solomon blesses the congregation and offers a lengthy prayer of dedication, asking God to hear His people when they pray toward the temple during times of sin, defeat, drought, famine, captivity, and repentance. Fire comes down from heaven and consumes the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD fills the temple. God later appears to Solomon and gives the well-known promise that if His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear, forgive, and heal their land.

Solomon's reign becomes marked by wealth, wisdom, construction, commerce, and international fame. The queen of Sheba comes to test him and is amazed by his wisdom and prosperity. After Solomon's forty-year reign, his son Rehoboam becomes king. When Rehoboam rejects the counsel of the older men and answers the people harshly, the kingdom divides. Unlike Kings, 2 Chronicles then concentrates primarily on Judah and the house of David. Rehoboam initially strengthens Judah, but after he becomes established he forsakes the law of the LORD. Shishak king of Egypt invades, and when Rehoboam and Judah humble themselves, God limits the judgment.

The succeeding kings demonstrate the repeated relationship between seeking God and receiving His help. Abijah defeats Jeroboam's much larger army after Judah cries unto the LORD. Asa removes idols, strengthens Judah, and trusts God when a vast Ethiopian army comes against him. Later, however, Asa relies on the king of Syria rather than the LORD and reacts angrily when confronted by a prophet. Jehoshaphat strengthens Judah, sends teachers throughout the cities to teach the law of the LORD, and establishes judges. He also makes an unwise alliance with Ahab and narrowly escapes death at Ramoth-gilead.

One of the great deliverances in Chronicles occurs when Moab, Ammon, and other forces gather against Jehoshaphat. The king proclaims a fast and seeks the LORD with Judah at the temple. God answers through Jahaziel, telling the people that the battle is not theirs but God's. Jehoshaphat sends singers before the army to praise the LORD, and God causes Judah's enemies to destroy one another. The people gather the spoil and assemble in the valley of Berachah to bless the LORD. Yet later alliances again bring trouble to Jehoshaphat's house.

After Jehoshaphat, Judah experiences severe instability. Jehoram kills his brothers and follows the ways of Ahab's house. Ahaziah also follows wicked counsel and dies during Jehu's judgment against Ahab's family. Athaliah then attempts to destroy the royal seed, but the infant Joash is hidden in the temple for six years. Jehoiada the priest eventually brings Joash forth, crowns him king, removes Athaliah, and restores covenant worship. Joash repairs the temple and initially follows the LORD, but after Jehoiada dies he listens to ungodly princes, abandons the house of God, and permits idolatry. Zechariah son of Jehoiada rebukes the people and is killed by the king's command.

Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, and Ahaz continue the history of Judah. Amaziah begins by doing what is right but later turns toward the gods of Edom. Uzziah becomes powerful and prosperous while seeking God, but pride leads him to enter the temple and attempt to burn incense, a duty belonging to the priests. He is struck with leprosy and remains separated until his death. Jotham strengthens Judah and generally does what is right. His son Ahaz, however, practices severe idolatry, sacrifices to false gods, closes the doors of the temple, and seeks help from Assyria rather than the LORD.

Hezekiah reverses much of Ahaz's corruption. In the first year of his reign he opens the temple, gathers the priests and Levites, cleanses the sanctuary, and restores sacrifices and worship. He sends throughout Judah and Israel inviting the people to Jerusalem for a great Passover. Many humble themselves and come, and a great celebration follows. Hezekiah then organizes priestly service and contributions for the house of God. When Sennacherib king of Assyria invades Judah and threatens Jerusalem, Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet pray. God sends an angel who destroys the Assyrian army and delivers the city.

Hezekiah is succeeded by Manasseh, who initially becomes one of Judah's most wicked kings. He rebuilds idolatrous high places, practices witchcraft, and fills Jerusalem with false worship. God allows him to be taken captive in affliction, and there Manasseh humbles himself and prays. God hears him and restores him to Jerusalem. Manasseh then removes foreign gods, repairs the altar of the LORD, and commands Judah to serve the LORD. His son Amon does not humble himself and is killed by his servants after a short reign.

Josiah becomes king at eight years old and later begins seeking the God of David. He removes idols and corrupt worship throughout Judah and surrounding areas. During repairs to the temple, Hilkiah finds the book of the law given by Moses. When its words are read to Josiah, he tears his clothes and seeks the LORD. The prophetess Huldah confirms that judgment will come upon Judah, but because Josiah humbled himself he will not see the disaster. Josiah gathers the people, renews the covenant, and keeps an extraordinary Passover in Jerusalem with the priests and Levites properly arranged for service.

After Josiah dies in battle against Pharaoh-necho, Judah declines rapidly under Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon repeatedly comes against Jerusalem. The people continue mocking God's messengers and despising His words until there is no remedy. Jerusalem is conquered, the temple is burned, its treasures are carried away, the walls are destroyed, and the survivors are taken captive to Babylon. The land then enjoys its sabbaths during the captivity. Yet 2 Chronicles does not end with destruction alone. In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, Cyrus issues a proclamation declaring that the LORD has charged him to build a house in Jerusalem and invites God's people to go up. The final words therefore point directly toward restoration and the events continued in the Book of Ezra.