This book is a sequel to I Chronicles, and likewise a supplement to the book of Kings.
The history of Judah as related here is on the whole a dark picture of instability and
apostasy, interspersed with periods of religious reformation.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES. The Spiritual Element in the History is more emphasized in Chronicles than in Kings.
(a) See below “The Five Periods of Reformation.”
(b) Other illustrations of references found only in II Chronicles, Abijah’s devout address
# 2Ch 13:5-12
Asa’s neglect of God # 2Ch 16:12
Jehoshaphat’s foolish alliances # 2Ch 20:35
Cause of Uzziah’s leprosy # 2Ch 26:16-21
Manasseh’s captivity and restoration # 2Ch 33:11-13
FIVE PERIODS OF REFORMATION are described.
(1) Under King Asa, ch. 15 # 2Ch 15:1
(2) Under King Jehoshaphat # 2Ch 17:6-10
(3) Under the priest, Jehoiada, and King Joash # 2Ch 23:16-19
(4) Under King Hezekiah, chs. 29-31 # 2Ch 29:1 – 31:1
(5) Under King Josiah, chs. 34,35 # 2Ch 34:1 – 35:1
SUMMARY. The Reign of Solomon
PART I.
(1) Solomon’s sacrifices at Gibeon, and his wise choice, ch. 1 # 2Ch 1:1
(2) The building of the temple, chs. 2-4 # 2Ch 2:1 – 4:1
(3) The glory of the Lord fills the house, ch. 5 # 2Ch 5:1
(4) Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple, ch. 6 # 2Ch 6:1
(5) Jehovah appears to Solomon again at night, ch. 7 # 2Ch 7:1
(6) The prosperity and fame of Solomon, ch. 8 # 2Ch 8:1
(7) The visit of the Queen of Sheba, and the death of Solomon, ch. 9 # 2Ch 9:1
PART II. The Folly of Rehoboam, leading to the Division of the Kingdom, ch. 10 # 2Ch 10:1
PART III. The History of various reigns from Rehoboam to Zedekiah.
Abijah, ch. 13 # 2Ch 13:1
Asa, chs. 14-16 # 2Ch 14:1 – 16:1
Jehoshaphat, chs. 17-20 # 2Ch 17:1 – 20:1
Jehoram, ch. 21 # 2Ch 21:1
Ahaziah # 2Ch 22:1-9
Athaliah (queen) # 2Ch 22:10 – 23:15
Joash, ch. 24 # 2Ch 24:1
Amaziah, ch. 25 # 2Ch 25:1
Uzziah, ch. 26 # 2Ch 26:1
Jotham, ch. 27 # 2Ch 27:1
Ahaz, ch. 28 # 2Ch 28:1
Hezekiah, chs. 29-32 # 2Ch 29:1 – 32:1
Manasseh # 2Ch 33:1-20
Amon # 2Ch 33:21-25
Josiah, chs. 34,35 # 2Ch 34:1 – 35:1
Jehoahaz # 2Ch 36:1-3
Jehoiakim # 2Ch 36:4-8
Jehoiachin # 2Ch 36:9,10
Zedekiah # 2Ch 36:11-13
SPIRITUAL MESSAGE, The Power of Prayer to give success and victory
# 2Ch 11:16 13:13-18 14:11 15:12 17:4 20:3 26:5 27:6 30:18-20
# 2Ch 31:21 32:20 34:3
SPIRITUAL LESSONS
(1) The Preëminence of wisdom # 2Ch 1:7-12
(2) The Glory of the Lord fills the prepared temple # 2Ch 5:13,14
(3) The Spirit of Praise renders God’s people invincible # 2Ch 20:20-25