The Old Testament book, 2 Chronicles is our Bible Book-of-the-Month (BBOM) for August 2024. Below is a brief introduction to the book from the Learn Religions website. You will also find additional studies to help you learn more about this interesting book in the WVABWM Facebook private group. Join us this month as we explore and learn more about the history of the kings of Israel as recorded in 2 Chronicles.

WHERE DO I FIND IT?

Second Chronicles is the fourteenth book in the Old Testament. It follows 1 Chronicles and comes before Ezra. Second Chronicles, the companion book to 1 Chronicles, continues the history of the Hebrew people, from the reign of King Solomon to the captivity in Babylon. Although 1 and 2 Chronicles repeat much of the material in 1 Kings and 2 Kings, they approach it from a different perspective. Chronicles, written after the exile, record the high moments of Judah's history, leaving out many of the negatives. For the benefit of the returning captives, these two books stress obedience to God, detailing the successes of obedient kings and the failures of disobedient kings. Idolatry and unfaithfulness are strongly condemned.

AUTHOR AND DATES

Jewish tradition credits Ezra the scribe as the author. The book was written in Jerusalem, Judah, Israel around 430 B.C. to the ancient Jewish people and all later readers of the Bible.

RULE OF SOLOMON

First Chronicles and 2 Chronicles were originally one book but were separated into two accounts, the second beginning with the rule of Solomon. Second Chronicles deals primarily with Judah, the southern kingdom, virtually ignoring the rebellious northern kingdom of Israel.

Shortly after their escape from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites built a tabernacle, under the direction of God. This portable tent served as a place of sacrifice and worship for hundreds of years. As Israel's second king, David planned a magnificent permanent temple to honor God, but it was his son Solomon who carried out the construction.

The wisest and richest man on Earth, Solomon married many foreign wives, who led him into idolatry, squandering his inheritance. Second Chronicles records the reigns of the kings who followed him, some of whom destroyed the idols and high places, and others who tolerated the worship of false gods.

For today's Christian, 2 Chronicles serves as a reminder that idolatry still exists, though in more subtle forms. Its message is still relevant: Put God first in your life and allow nothing to come between yourself and your relationship with him.

THEMES

Three themes permeate the book of 2 Chronicles: God's promise to David of an eternal throne, God's desire to abide in his holy temple, and God's ongoing offer of forgiveness. God honored his covenant with David to establish David's house, or reign, forever. Earthly kings could not do that, but one of David's descendants was Jesus Christ, who now reigns in heaven for all eternity. Jesus, the "Son of David" and King of Kings, also served as Messiah, the perfect sacrifice who died for the salvation of humanity.

Through David and Solomon, God established his temple, where people could come to worship. Solomon's temple was destroyed by the invading Babylonians, but through Christ, God's temple was re-established forever as his Church. Now, through baptism, the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, whose body is a temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Finally, the theme of sin, loss, coming back to God, and restoration runs throughout the second half of 2 Chronicles. Clearly, God is a God of love and forgiveness, always welcoming his repentant children back to him.

OUTLINE

• Solomon prepares, builds and dedicates the temple – 2 Chronicles 1:1-7:22.

• Solomon's achievements and fame – 2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31.

• Reign of Rehoboam, Solomon's son – 2 Chronicles 10:1-12:16.

• Reigns of good and wicked kings – 2 Chronicles 13:1-36:16.

• Exile into Babylon – 2 Chronicles 36:17-21.

• Restoration of God's people to Israel – 2 Chronicles 36:22-23.