OUTLINE OF 2nd CHRONICLES

By Gene McCarty

    The books of Chronicles are written to add to the information that is recorded in the other books of history for this period of time. The authorship is often credited to Ezra, but we have no real information about who wrote these books. 
    The primary purpose for the books is to give complete accounting of the generations beginning with Adam and ending with the captivity of the Jewish people. A second point is to show how God can work his plan in spite of man's sin. The unfaithfulness and sin of the Jewish people had became legend in their own time, yet Jehovah continued to struggle on their behalf in his plan to provide us with a savior. 
    The second book is a continuation of the first, in the Hebrew volume they are considered as one book. 

1. The first 9 chapters record the events of Solomon's rule, and such stories of grandeur and success are most unusual in the history of the world. The account begins with one of the most touching passages of history as Solomon asks God for wisdom to rule well. This wisdom is granted and one of the richest periods of Jewish history begins.
    

2. In chapter 2 plans are made to build the temple, and the temple is constructed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 gives information about all of the furnishings for the temple, and in chapter 5 the temple is ready to be used so the Ark of the covenant is brought into this wonderful structure. It has taken Solomon 20 years to complete this work for the Lord and his nation.
    

3. The height of Solomon's rule is recorded in chapters 6 and 7 as he offers a prayer of dedication to Jehovah for the new temple and the Lord responds by first involving himself directly in the worship in the temple and second by stating his covenant with his people again.
    

4. One of the grand stories about Solomon's years of rule is included in chapter 9 as the Queen of Sheba comes to visit. It is a most interesting story and the vision of grandeur is almost beyond our imagination. The greatest point of this part of the book involves the lesson of contrast. It is amazing to see what God did for his people when they were faithful in comparison to their plight when they turned away from his paths. In the last of the 9th and 13th chapters we find reference made to books of Jewish history that are otherwise unknown to me. It does let us know that we do not have a complete record of the Jewish literature of the period.
    

5. After the death of Solomon we have the record of the sin and rebellion of the people of Israel as his son rules without the show of much wisdom. The kingdom is divided and the difficulties of unfaithfulness are visited upon the people in the years to come. In chapter 13 Jeroboam organizes an attack on Judah and more than half his army is lost because Abijah has the wisdom to depend upon God instead of himself.
    

6. In chapter 18 we see the story of Ahab's death. He knows that it is his day to die and decides that he will disguise himself and confuse God's plan. It truly is the day of his death.
    

7. The last words of chapter 28 tell us that Hezekiah has become king of Judea and the next 4 chapters give the account of his rule, as he works closely with Isaiah the prophet. He purifies the temple and celebrates the Passover (in the second month) for the first time in years. Later in his rule, Sennacherib sends a threat to Jerusalem and his soldiers continue to mock Jehovah like they have the god’s of other cities. Needless an angel of the Lord strikes his army and he must go home in disgrace.
    

8. Josiah is one of the kings of note in this record. The beginning of his rule is recorded in chapter 34 and involves two full chapters. During his reign he destroys the Baals and such, as he sought to be faithful to God. Also they found the book of law and began to read it and obey it. For the first time in many years the Passover is celebrated as it was commanded in the law.
    

9. Josiah was the last of the good kings and it is not very long until the Nebuchadnezzar is sent to destroy this sinful people. The land is rested for a 70 year Sabbath until Cyrus king of Persia announces that he will build a temple to the God of heaven at Jerusalem in Judah.