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2 Chronicles
The History Books · Doctrinal study

2 Chronicles: The Temple and the Call to Seek the LORD

Solomon's temple, the kings of Judah, and the God who answers those who return

Theologica Editorial7 min read
At a Glance

2 Chronicles at a Glance

Second Chronicles continues the work begun in 1 Chronicles, and the two were a single book in the Hebrew Bible. It picks up the day Solomon is crowned and carries the story down to the burning of Jerusalem and the decree that sent the exiles home.

  • Author. Unnamed, as in 1 Chronicles. Jewish tradition names Ezra, and the closing verses repeat the opening of Ezra word for word (2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Ezra 1:1–3).
  • Date. Written about 450–430 BC, after the return from Babylon. The history covers about 970 BC, the start of Solomon's reign, to Cyrus's decree in 538 BC.
  • Written To. The Jews who had come back to Judah and rebuilt the temple, who needed to hear that God still answers those who turn to Him.
  • Setting. The temple at Jerusalem and the kings of David's line in Judah. The northern kingdom is mostly left aside.
  • Key Verse. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
  • Key Word or Theme. Temple and revival. The word seek runs through the book: those who seek the LORD find Him, and those who forsake Him are forsaken.

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Further reading

For Deeper Study

  • Be DistinctAmazon Warren W. WiersbeCovers 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles in the Be series, with warm, practical lessons from each king.
  • Solomon to the ExileAmazon John C. WhitcombA conservative study of the kings of Israel and Judah, with attention to chronology, by a longtime Grace Theological Seminary professor.
  • The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old TestamentAmazon John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, editorsA one-stop verse-by-verse reference by Dallas Seminary faculty, who hold our view of Israel's promises.
  • Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.

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1 Chronicles

First Chronicles retells the story from Adam to the death of David for a people who had come home from exile, centering on God's promise of an everlasting throne and the worship of His house.

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