Book 14 of 66 · Old Testament
2 Chronicles
Solomon's temple and the kings of Judah, retold with an eye on worship and reform.
36 chapters822 versesWritten in HebrewSet From Solomon to the exile (retold after the exile)
Overview
2 Chronicles continues the priestly retelling. It gives Solomon's building and dedication of the temple, then — unlike Kings — follows only the southern kingdom of Judah, king by king, measuring each by his faithfulness to God and the temple. It highlights the great reforming kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, and ends with the fall of Jerusalem and a note of hope: Cyrus's decree that the exiles may return.
Book facts
- Author
- Unknown; traditionally EzraThe second half of the Chronicles scroll; tradition credits Ezra.
- Date written
- c. 400 BCAfter the exile, continuing the priestly retelling.
- Original language
- HebrewHebrew narrative centred on Judah, the temple, and reform.
- Setting
- From Solomon to the exile (retold after the exile)The kings of Judah, judged by their faithfulness to the temple.
How it came to be
2 Chronicles continues straight from 1 Chronicles and names no author. It was originally the same scroll as 1 Chronicles, split in two.
It retells the history of the kings from Samuel–Kings, but follows only Judah and stresses temple worship and reform.
What is arguedWho compiled it and how it selected its material. Its differences from Kings — what it includes and omits — are the focus of study.
The whole book, chapter by chapter
| Chapter | What happens | Who is in it | Where it takes place |
|---|---|---|---|
Solomon and the temple — the temple built and dedicated, chapters 1–9 | |||
| Chapter 1Solomon's wisdom | Solomon asks God for wisdom and is given wisdom and wealth. | ||
| Chapter 2The temple workforce | Solomon arranges labour and materials, with help from Hiram of Tyre. | ||
| Chapter 3Building the temple | Solomon builds the temple in Jerusalem. | ||
| Chapter 4The temple furnishings | The furnishings of the temple are made. | ||
| Chapter 5The ark installed | The ark is brought into the temple, and God's glory fills it. | ||
| Chapter 6Solomon's prayer | Solomon dedicates the temple with a great prayer. | ||
| Chapter 7Fire from heaven | Fire falls to consume the offerings, and God answers with a promise. | ||
| Chapter 8Solomon's projects | Solomon's building works and administration. | — | |
| Chapter 9The queen of Sheba | The queen of Sheba visits; Solomon's fame, and his death. | , | — |
The kings of Judah — reform and decline down to the exile, chapters 10–36 | |||
| Chapter 10The kingdom divided | Rehoboam's harshness splits the kingdom. | ||
| Chapter 11Rehoboam strengthened | Rehoboam fortifies Judah as the faithful gather to him. | ||
| Chapter 12Shishak's invasion | Egypt's Shishak plunders Jerusalem after Judah forsakes God. | , | |
| Chapter 13Abijah's war | Abijah of Judah defeats Jeroboam of Israel. | — | |
| Chapter 14Asa and the Ethiopians | Good king Asa removes idols and defeats a vast Ethiopian army. | — | |
| Chapter 15Asa's covenant | Asa leads Judah to renew the covenant. | ||
| Chapter 16Asa and Hanani | Asa relies on Syria rather than God, and is rebuked by the seer Hanani. | , | — |
| Chapter 17Jehoshaphat's reign | Jehoshaphat reforms Judah and sends out teachers of the law. | ||
| Chapter 18Micaiah's prophecy | Jehoshaphat allies with Ahab; the prophet Micaiah foretells Ahab's death. | , | — |
| Chapter 19The appointed judges | Jehoshaphat appoints judges throughout Judah. | ||
| Chapter 20Jehoshaphat's battle | Facing a great army, Judah wins by praise as God fights for them. | — | |
| Chapter 21Jehoram's reign | Jehoram of Judah does evil and dies of a disease. | ||
| Chapter 22Ahaziah and Athaliah | Ahaziah reigns briefly, and Athaliah seizes the throne. | , | |
| Chapter 23Joash crowned | The priest Jehoiada overthrows Athaliah and crowns the boy Joash. | , , | |
| Chapter 24Joash repairs the temple | Joash repairs the temple, but turns away after Jehoiada dies. | , | |
| Chapter 25Amaziah's reign | Amaziah's partial faith, and his defeat by Israel. | ||
| Chapter 26Uzziah's leprosy | Uzziah reigns well but is struck with leprosy for entering the temple. | ||
| Chapter 27Jotham's reign | Jotham reigns faithfully. | ||
| Chapter 28Ahaz's idolatry | Ahaz fills Judah with idolatry and suffers defeat. | ||
| Chapter 29Hezekiah's cleansing | Hezekiah reopens and cleanses the temple. | ||
| Chapter 30The great Passover | Hezekiah keeps a great Passover, inviting all Israel. | ||
| Chapter 31Hezekiah's reforms | Hezekiah removes idols and restores support for the priests. | ||
| Chapter 32Sennacherib's invasion | Assyria's Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem, but God delivers Hezekiah. | , | |
| Chapter 33Manasseh's repentance | Manasseh's long, wicked reign — and his repentance in captivity. | — | |
| Chapter 34Josiah and the book | The book of the law is found, and Josiah leads sweeping reform. | , , | |
| Chapter 35Josiah's Passover | Josiah keeps a great Passover, then is killed in battle. | ||
| Chapter 36The fall of Jerusalem | The last kings of Judah, the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, and Cyrus's decree to return. | , , | , |
All 36 chapters. Start reading →
Worth knowing
Key people
Tap a name to see who they are.
Key places
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Known for
Some of the book's best-known moments — tap the verse to read it.
- Solomon's temple dedicated2 Chronicles 7:1
- The queen of Sheba2 Chronicles 9:1
- Hezekiah's great Passover2 Chronicles 30:1
- Josiah finds the book of the law2 Chronicles 34:15