Bible Overview 2nd Chronicles
Mike Ervin
2 Chronicles: Overview
Authorship
Traditional View:
• Attributed to Ezra the scribe (5th century BC).
• Part of the Chronicler’s History (1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah).
• Based on earlier biblical sources (Samuel, Kings).
Modern Scholarly View:
• Written by an anonymous post-exilic priest or Levite.
• Composed between 400–300 BC under Persian rule.
• Focuses on temple worship and Davidic kingship to unify the Jewish community.
Date of Authorship
• Traditional: Around 450–400 BC (time of Ezra).
• Modern Scholarship: Between 400–300 BC, possibly later during Persian rule.
Intended Audience
• Post-exilic Jews rebuilding their religious and national identity.
• Encourages faithfulness to temple worship and the Davidic covenant.
• Reinterprets Israel’s history with a focus on Judah’s kings and God’s
faithfulness.
Major Themes
1. The Davidic Covenant – Kingship tied to God’s promises to David.
2. Temple and Worship – The temple is central to national life.
3. Divine Retribution – Faithfulness brings blessings; unfaithfulness leads to
exile.
4. Spiritual Leadership – The role of priests and Levites is emphasized.
5. Hope and Restoration – Ends with Cyrus’s decree allowing the Jews to return.
Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
I. Solomon’s Reign (Chapters 1–9)
• Ch. 1 – Solomon’s wisdom and wealth.
• Ch. 2–4 – Temple construction.
• Ch. 5–7 – Dedication of the temple and God’s response.
• Ch. 8–9 – Solomon’s accomplishments and the visit of the Queen of Sheba.
II. Kings of Judah (Chapters 10–36)
• Ch. 10–12 – Rehoboam’s reign and division of the kingdom.
• Ch. 13–16 – Asa’s reign and religious reforms.
• Ch. 17–20 – Jehoshaphat’s faith and victories.
• Ch. 21–24 – Wicked kings (Jehoram, Ahaziah) and Joash’s reforms.
• Ch. 25–28 – Decline under Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, and Ahaz.
• Ch. 29–32 – Hezekiah’s religious revival.
• Ch. 33 – Manasseh’s repentance and Amon’s reign.
• Ch. 34–35 – Josiah’s reforms and Passover celebration.
• Ch. 36 – Judah’s fall, Babylonian exile, and Cyrus’s decree of return.