2 Chronicles

Part One: Introduction to 2 Chronicles

The Book

2 Chronicles is the second half of the original single book of Chronicles, continuing directly from 1 Chronicles. It covers the reign of Solomon and the history of the kingdom of Judah from Solomon to the Babylonian exile, ending with the decree of Cyrus in 538 BC allowing the Jews to return. Like 1 Chronicles, it was written after the exile, traditionally by Ezra, around 450-400 BC, to encourage the returned community.

The Last Book of the Hebrew Bible

In the Hebrew arrangement of the Old Testament (Law, Prophets, Writings), Chronicles is the final book. The Hebrew Bible therefore begins with "In the beginning God created" (Genesis 1:1) and ends with Cyrus' invitation, "let him go up" (2 Chronicles 36:23). When Jesus spoke of the murdered prophets "from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple" (Luke 11:51; Matthew 23:35), He was naming the first martyr in Genesis (4:8) and the last in Chronicles (2 Chronicles 24:20-22): the whole Old Testament, from beginning to end.

Purpose and Theme

2 Chronicles focuses on the house of David and the house of God. It omits almost all of the northern kingdom's history, mentioning Israel only when it touched Judah, because Judah, with David's line and the temple, carried God's promises forward. Its central lesson, illustrated reign after reign, is that seeking the LORD brings blessing, and forsaking Him brings judgment:

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

The words "seek" and "humble" run through the book. Kings who sought God prospered; kings who forsook Him suffered. Even the most wicked king, Manasseh, was restored when he humbled himself (33:12-13). The returned exiles needed this lesson: their future depended not on their size or strength but on seeking God.

What 2 Chronicles Adds to Kings

About half of 2 Chronicles has no parallel in Kings. Material found only in Chronicles includes:

• Solomon: the glory filling the temple as the singers praised (5:13-14); fire from heaven at the dedication (7:1-3); God's promise of 7:14.
• Rehoboam: the priests and Levites moving to Judah (11:13-17); his humbling before Shishak (12:6-12).
• Abijah: his speech and victory over Jeroboam (13).
• Asa: his prayer against Zerah the Ethiopian (14:11); Azariah's prophecy and the covenant (15); Hanani's rebuke (16:7-10).
• Jehoshaphat: his teaching mission (17:7-9); his judicial reform (19); the battle won by praise (20).
• Jehoram: a letter from Elijah (21:12-15).
• Joash: the martyrdom of Zechariah son of Jehoiada (24:17-22).
• Amaziah: the hired army sent home (25:5-10); his idolatry with Edom's gods (25:14-16).
• Uzziah: his successes and his pride in burning incense (26).
• Ahaz: the release of Judah's captives by Israel (28:8-15).
• Hezekiah: the cleansing of the temple, the great Passover, and the tithes (29-31).
• Manasseh: his captivity, repentance and restoration (33:11-17).
• Josiah: his early seeking of God (34:3) and his great Passover (35:1-19).

Five Great Revivals

Each revival included a return to God's Word, the removal of idols, the restoration of worship at God's house, a renewed covenant, and great joy.

The Kings of Judah in 2 Chronicles

A striking pattern: many kings began well and ended badly (Asa, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah), while one, Manasseh, began badly and ended well. How a person finishes matters (2 Timothy 4:7).

Outline of 2 Chronicles

Part Two: Chapter-by-Chapter Analysis

Section I: The Reign of Solomon (Chapters 1-9)

Chapter 1 — Solomon's Request for Wisdom

"And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly" (1:1). Solomon and the whole assembly went to Gibeon, where "the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness" still stood with the bronze altar, and offered a thousand burnt offerings (1:3-6). That night God said, "Ask what I shall give thee" (1:7). Solomon asked:

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

2 Chronicles 1:10

God granted wisdom and knowledge, and also riches, wealth and honour beyond any king before or after (1:11-12). The chapter ends with his chariots, horses and wealth: "the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones" (1:14-17).

Chapter 2 — Preparations for the Temple

Solomon wrote to Huram (Hiram) king of Tyre, explaining the purpose of the house: "the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?" (2:5-6). He asked for a skilled craftsman and for cedar, fir and algum timber (2:7-10). Huram answered, "Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them... Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth" (2:11-12), and sent Huram-abi, son of a woman of Dan, skilled in every craft (2:13-14). Solomon numbered 153,600 foreigners living in Israel and put them to work as labourers and overseers (2:17-18).

Chapter 3 — The Temple Built on Mount Moriah

Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

2 Chronicles 3:1

This is the only place in Scripture that names the temple mount as Moriah, linking three great events: Abraham offering Isaac (Genesis 22:2), David's sacrifice that stopped the plague (1 Chronicles 21), and the temple, where sacrifices would be offered for centuries. Near this same mountain, God would provide the true Lamb. Solomon began building in the fourth year of his reign (3:2). The chapter describes the dimensions, the gold overlay, the precious stones, the Most Holy Place covered with 600 talents of gold, the two great cherubim, the veil "of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon" (3:14), and the two pillars Jachin and Boaz (3:15-17).

Chapter 4 — The Furnishings

Solomon made a bronze altar twenty cubits square (4:1), the great bronze sea on twelve oxen for the priests to wash in (4:2-6), ten lavers for washing the offerings, ten gold candlesticks, ten tables, a hundred gold basins, the courts and all the vessels (4:6-22). The bronze was so abundant that "the weight of the brass could not be found out" (4:18).

Chapter 5 — The Ark Brought In; the Glory Fills the House

The priests brought the ark into the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim; it held only the two tables of stone (5:2-10). Then, as the priests came out, the Levite singers, 120 priests with trumpets, and musicians with cymbals, psalteries and harps stood at the east end of the altar:

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD... and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14

Only Chronicles records that the glory came as God's people praised Him with one voice. Unity and praise are the atmosphere of God's presence (Psalm 22:3; 133:1-3; Acts 2:1-4).

Chapter 6 — Solomon's Prayer of Dedication

Solomon blessed the people and praised God for keeping His promise to David (6:1-11). Kneeling on a bronze platform before all Israel, with hands spread toward heaven (6:12-13), he prayed the great prayer recorded also in 1 Kings 8: "O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants" (6:14); "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee" (6:18). He asked God to hear prayer toward this house for justice, defeat, drought, famine, the foreigner, battle and captivity (6:22-39). Chronicles ends the prayer differently from Kings, with words from Psalm 132:8-10:

Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.

2 Chronicles 6:41-42

The prayer ends by appealing to God's covenant with David, "the sure mercies of David" (Isaiah 55:3; Acts 13:34), the very hope of the returned exiles.

Chapter 7 — Fire from Heaven and God's Answer

"Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house" (7:1). As at the tabernacle (Leviticus 9:24), God showed His acceptance by fire. The people bowed with their faces to the pavement, "and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever" (7:3). Solomon offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep, and the feast lasted fourteen days (7:4-10).

Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night: "I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice" (7:12). He gave the great promise:

If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 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. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

The promise was given to Israel ("my people... their land"), but its principle applies to God's people in every age: humbling, praying, seeking God's face and turning from sin bring forgiveness and restoration (James 4:8-10; 1 John 1:9; Acts 3:19). God also warned that if they forsook Him, He would pluck them up from the land and make the temple "a proverb and a byword among all nations" (7:19-22), as happened in 586 BC.

Chapter 8 — Solomon's Achievements

Solomon built cities, store cities and chariot cities, and put the remaining Canaanites to forced labour (8:1-10). He moved Pharaoh's daughter out of the city of David "because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come" (8:11). He offered the daily, Sabbath, monthly and festival sacrifices "according to the commandment of Moses" (8:13) and organised the priests and Levites "according to the order of David his father" (8:14). "So the house of the LORD was perfected" (8:16). His ships brought 450 talents of gold from Ophir (8:17-18).

Chapter 9 — The Queen of Sheba; Solomon's Death

The queen of Sheba came to test Solomon with hard questions and was overwhelmed: "the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me" (9:1-6). She blessed God, "which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God" (9:8). Solomon's wealth, throne, shields and trade are described (9:13-28). "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart" (9:22-23). He reigned forty years and died (9:30-31). Chronicles does not repeat Solomon's later idolatry (1 Kings 11), since its focus is his role in building the temple.

Section II: The Divided Kingdom and the Early Kings of Judah (Chapters 10-16)

Chapter 10 — The Kingdom Divides

Rehoboam rejected the counsel of the old men and answered the people harshly at Shechem: "my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions" (10:14). "For the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah" (10:15). Israel cried, "What portion have we in David?... every man to your tents, O Israel" (10:16), and the kingdom divided.

Chapter 11 — Rehoboam Strengthened; the Faithful Move to Judah

Rehoboam obeyed the prophet Shemaiah and did not fight Israel (11:1-4). He fortified fifteen cities (11:5-12). When Jeroboam rejected the priests and Levites and appointed his own priests for the calves, "the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem" (11:13-14). "And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice" (11:16). True worshippers from every tribe joined Judah, so "all Israel" continued to be represented. "So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah... for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon" (11:17).

Chapter 12 — Rehoboam Forsakes the LORD; Shishak's Invasion

And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

2 Chronicles 12:1

Strength led to self-sufficiency. In his fifth year, Shishak of Egypt invaded with 1,200 chariots and took Judah's fortified cities (12:2-4). Shemaiah announced, "Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak" (12:5). The princes and king humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is righteous" (12:6). God granted partial deliverance, but they would serve Shishak, "that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries" (12:7-8): serving God is better than serving the world. Shishak took the temple and palace treasures, including Solomon's gold shields (12:9-11). "And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the LORD turned from him... and also in Judah things went well" (12:12). The verdict on Rehoboam: "he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD" (12:14).

Chapter 13 — Abijah's Victory over Jeroboam

Abijah of Judah, with 400,000 men, faced Jeroboam with 800,000 (13:3). Standing on Mount Zemaraim, Abijah reminded Israel that "the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt" (13:5). Jeroboam's army had golden calves and false priests, "But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him" (13:10). "And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain... O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper" (13:12). Jeroboam had set an ambush behind them (13:13). "And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets" (13:14). God struck Jeroboam's army, and "the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers" (13:18). Jeroboam never recovered, and "the LORD struck him, and he died" (13:20). (1 Kings 15:3 says Abijah walked in his father's sins; Chronicles highlights this one moment of faith.)

Chapter 14 — Asa Seeks God; Victory over Zerah

Asa "did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God" (14:2). He removed foreign altars, high places, images and groves, "And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment" (14:3-4). The land had rest ten years, and he built fortified cities: "because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side" (14:6-7). Then Zerah the Ethiopian came with a million men and 300 chariots (14:9). Asa prayed:

LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

2 Chronicles 14:11

"So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa" (14:12), and Judah took great spoil.

Chapter 15 — Azariah's Message and Asa's Covenant

The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded, who met Asa returning from battle:

Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

2 Chronicles 15:2

He reminded them of the days of the judges, when Israel had been "without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law," yet when they turned and sought Him, "he was found of them" (15:3-4). "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded" (15:7). Asa took courage, removed the idols from all the land, and repaired the altar (15:8). People from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon came to him "when they saw that the LORD his God was with him" (15:9). They made a covenant "to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul" (15:12), and they rejoiced, "for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about" (15:15). Asa removed his grandmother Maachah from being queen because of her idol (15:16). "Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days" (15:17).

Chapter 16 — Asa's Failure in Old Age

In his 36th year, when Baasha of Israel threatened Judah, Asa took silver and gold from the temple and hired Ben-hadad of Syria to attack Israel (16:1-6). Hanani the seer rebuked him:

Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host... yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9

Instead of repenting, Asa was angry, imprisoned the seer, and oppressed some of the people (16:10). In his 39th year he was diseased in his feet, "yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians" (16:12). The problem was not using doctors but leaving God out. The man who once relied on God against a million men ended relying on men. Earlier faith does not guarantee later faithfulness.

Section III: Jehoshaphat (Chapters 17-20)

Chapter 17 — Jehoshaphat's Teaching Mission

Jehoshaphat "walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father" (17:3-4). "And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD" (17:6), a good kind of boldness. In his third year he sent princes, Levites and priests throughout Judah, "and they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people" (17:7-9). This is one of the earliest recorded Bible-teaching campaigns. "And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah" (17:10); even Philistines and Arabians brought gifts. Teaching God's Word strengthened the nation more than its large army (17:12-19).

Chapter 18 — The Alliance with Ahab

Jehoshaphat "joined affinity with Ahab" by marriage (his son Jehoram married Ahab's daughter Athaliah, 21:6) and joined Ahab's campaign against Ramoth-gilead (18:1-3). The chapter repeats the account of Micaiah's faithful prophecy and Ahab's death (18:4-34; 1 Kings 22). When the Syrians chased Jehoshaphat, thinking he was Ahab, "Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him" (18:31).

Chapter 19 — Rebuke and Reform

On his return, Jehu son of Hanani the seer met him:

Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

2 Chronicles 19:2-3

Jehoshaphat accepted the rebuke and went out among the people "and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers" (19:4). He appointed judges in every fortified city with a solemn charge: "Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment... for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts" (19:6-7). He set up a central court in Jerusalem: "Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good" (19:11). Godly justice reflects God's own character.

Chapter 20 — The Battle Won by Praise

A vast army of Moabites, Ammonites and men of Mount Seir (Edom) invaded and reached En-gedi (20:1-2). "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah" (20:3). People came from every city. Standing in the temple court, Jehoshaphat prayed:

O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

2 Chronicles 20:6

He recalled God's gift of the land to "the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever" (20:7; James 2:23), God's promise to hear prayer at the temple (20:8-9), and Israel's restraint toward these very nations in Moses' day (20:10-11). He ended:

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

2 Chronicles 20:12

"And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children" (20:13). Then the Spirit came on Jahaziel, a Levite of the sons of Asaph:

Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's... Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you

2 Chronicles 20:15, 17

The king and people bowed and worshipped, and the Levites praised "with a loud voice on high" (20:18-19). Early the next morning Jehoshaphat said, "Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper" (20:20). He appointed singers to go before the army, praising "the beauty of holiness" and singing, "Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever" (20:21).

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir... and they were smitten.

2 Chronicles 20:22

The enemy armies turned on one another until none escaped (20:23-24). It took three days to gather the spoil (20:25). On the fourth day they assembled in the valley of Berachah ("blessing") to bless the LORD, and returned to Jerusalem with joy, harps and trumpets (20:26-28). "And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms" (20:29). Some connect this deliverance with "the valley of Jehoshaphat" where God judges the nations (Joel 3:2, 12), and with Psalm 83, which names Edom, Moab and Ammon. Sadly, the chapter ends with Jehoshaphat again allying with Ahab's family, this time with Ahaziah in a shipping venture; the prophet Eliezer announced, "the LORD hath broken thy works," and the ships were wrecked (20:35-37).

Section IV: The Influence of Ahab's House (Chapters 21-23)

Chapter 21 — Jehoram and the Letter from Elijah

Jehoram, Jehoshaphat's son, secured his throne by killing all six of his brothers and some of the princes (21:4). He "walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife" (21:6). One marriage alliance brought the corruption of Ahab's house into David's line. "Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever" (21:7). Edom and Libnah revolted "because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers" (21:10). He built high places and led Judah into idolatry (21:11).

Then "there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet" (21:12), found only in Chronicles. Elijah, who may have written it before his translation, foresaw Jehoram's sins and announced judgment: a great plague on his people and family, and a disease of the bowels until they came out (21:12-15). The Philistines and Arabians raided his house and took his sons and wives, except the youngest, Jehoahaz (Ahaziah) (21:16-17). After two years of incurable disease he died "of sore diseases" (21:18-19). "His people made no burning for him," and he "departed without being desired" and was not buried in the tombs of the kings (21:19-20). A life without God ends without honour.

Chapter 22 — Ahaziah and Athaliah

Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son, reigned one year. "His mother was his counsellor to do wickedly" (22:3). Visiting his wounded uncle Joram of Israel, he was killed in Jehu's purge of Ahab's house; "the destruction of Ahaziah was of God" (22:7-9). Then his mother Athaliah "arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah" (22:10). But Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter and wife of Jehoiada the priest, hid the infant Joash in the house of God for six years (22:11-12). God preserved the line of David, and of the Messiah, through one hidden child.

Chapter 23 — Joash Crowned

In the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself and made a covenant with the captains, Levites and heads of families (23:1-3). "Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David" (23:3). Using the Levites on duty as guards, they crowned Joash, gave him the testimony, anointed him, and cried, "God save the king" (23:4-11). Athaliah came, cried "Treason, Treason," and was executed outside the temple (23:12-15). Jehoiada made a covenant "that they should be the LORD'S people" (23:16). The people destroyed Baal's temple and killed Mattan the priest of Baal, and Jehoiada restored the temple worship "as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David" (23:17-18).

Section V: Kings Who Began Well (Chapters 24-27)

Chapter 24 — Joash and the Martyrdom of Zechariah

"And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest" (24:2). He resolved to repair the temple, which Athaliah's sons had broken into (24:4-7). When the Levites were slow, he had a chest placed at the gate, and called for "the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness" (24:9; Exodus 30:12-16). "And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end" (24:10). The temple was restored (24:11-14).

Jehoiada died at 130 and was buried among the kings, "because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house" (24:15-16). Then the princes of Judah came and bowed to the king, "Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols" (24:17-18). God sent prophets, "but they would not give ear" (24:19). Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah, Jehoiada's son:

Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

2 Chronicles 24:20

"And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD" (24:21). Joash killed the son of the man who had saved his life and made him king. As he died, Zechariah said, "The LORD look upon it, and require it" (24:22). Jesus referred to this murder: "from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar" (Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51). Zechariah's blood cried for justice; Christ's blood "speaketh better things" (Hebrews 12:24), and He prayed, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34). Within the year, a small Syrian army defeated Judah's large one, "because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash" (24:23-24). His servants killed him in his bed "for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada," and he was not buried in the kings' tombs (24:25).

Chapter 25 — Amaziah: Right, But Not Wholehearted

"And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart" (25:2). He hired 100,000 soldiers from Israel for 100 talents of silver (25:6). A man of God warned, "let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel... God hath power to help, and to cast down" (25:7-8). Amaziah asked, "But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?" The answer: "The LORD is able to give thee much more than this" (25:9). He sent them home and defeated Edom (25:10-12).

But then he brought back the gods of the Edomites, set them up, and worshipped them (25:14). A prophet asked, "Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?" (25:15). Amaziah silenced him. Proud of his victory, he challenged Joash of Israel and was badly defeated; Jerusalem's wall was broken and the temple plundered (25:17-24). "It came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom" (25:20). He was later assassinated at Lachish (25:27).

Chapter 26 — Uzziah: Strength and Pride

Uzziah became king at sixteen and reigned 52 years (26:3).

And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

2 Chronicles 26:5

He defeated the Philistines and Arabians, received tribute from the Ammonites, built towers, dug wells, loved agriculture ("for he loved husbandry"), built a strong army, and made "engines, invented by cunning men" to shoot arrows and great stones from the walls (26:6-15). "And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong" (26:15).

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

2 Chronicles 26:16

Only priests could burn incense (Exodus 30:7-8; Numbers 16:40). Azariah the high priest and eighty brave priests withstood him: "It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD" (26:17-18). Uzziah, censer in hand, raged at them, "and the leprosy even rose up in his forehead" (26:19). He lived as a leper in a separate house until he died (26:21). Isaiah saw "the Lord... high and lifted up" in the year King Uzziah died (Isaiah 6:1); the proud king who tried to enter God's presence on his own terms was replaced, in Isaiah's eyes, by the true King on the throne. "Pride goeth before destruction" (Proverbs 16:18).

Chapter 27 — Jotham

Jotham did right, though he did not enter the temple (perhaps learning from his father's sin), "And the people did yet corruptly" (27:2). He built, fortified and defeated the Ammonites. "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God" (27:6).

Section VI: Ahaz and Hezekiah (Chapters 28-32)

Chapter 28 — Ahaz and the Merciful Samaritans

Ahaz made images for Baal, burned incense in the valley of Hinnom, "and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen" (28:2-3). God gave him into the hands of Syria and of Pekah king of Israel, who killed 120,000 men of Judah in one day and took 200,000 captives to Samaria (28:5-8). Then a prophet of the LORD named Oded met Israel's army and rebuked them: they had gone too far, and they themselves were guilty before God; they must send the captives back (28:9-11). Some of Israel's leaders agreed (28:12-13).

And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

2 Chronicles 28:15

This remarkable act of mercy by men of Samaria, who clothed, fed and anointed wounded Judeans, put the weak on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, is strikingly similar to Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), where a Samaritan bound up the wounds of a man on the Jericho road, poured in oil, set him on his own beast, and cared for him.

Ahaz, attacked by Edom and the Philistines, sent to the king of Assyria for help, but Tiglath-pileser "distressed him, but strengthened him not" (28:16-21). "And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz" (28:22). He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, reasoning that they had helped Syria (28:23), broke up the temple vessels, "and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem" (28:24). Trouble can drive a person to God or further from Him.

Chapter 29 — Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple

Hezekiah began to reign at 25 and did right "according to all that David his father had done" (29:1-2). "He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them" (29:3). He had no time to waste. He gathered the priests and Levites: "Sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place" (29:5). He confessed the nation's sin: "our fathers have trespassed... and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs" (29:6). "My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him" (29:11).

For sixteen days they cleansed the temple and carried the filth to the brook Kidron (29:15-17). Then Hezekiah offered sin offerings "to make an atonement for all Israel" (29:24), including the northern tribes. The Levites stood with David's instruments and the priests with trumpets, "And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets" (29:25-27). Praise accompanies the sacrifice. All the assembly worshipped (29:28-30). "And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly" (29:36).

Chapter 30 — The Great Passover

Hezekiah sent letters throughout Judah and also to Ephraim and Manasseh, the remnant of the northern kingdom after Assyria's invasion, inviting all to come to Jerusalem to keep the Passover (30:1, 6):

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary... For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive... for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.

2 Chronicles 30:8-9

Many mocked the messengers, "Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem" (30:10-11). The gospel invitation receives the same responses today (Acts 17:32-34). Because the priests had not sanctified themselves in time, they kept the Passover in the second month, as the law allowed (30:2-3; Numbers 9:10-11). Many who came from the north had not been ceremonially cleansed, yet ate the Passover. Hezekiah prayed:

The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

2 Chronicles 30:18-20

God values the seeking heart above perfect ritual (1 Samuel 16:7; Hosea 6:6). The feast was extended another seven days with gladness, "so there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem" (30:23-26). "And their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven" (30:27).

Chapter 31 — Idols Destroyed; Tithes Restored

After the Passover, the people went out and broke the images, cut down the groves, and destroyed the high places throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh (31:1). Hezekiah reorganised the priests and Levites (31:2) and commanded the people to give the priests' and Levites' portion. "And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance" (31:5). The tithes were piled in heaps for four months (31:6-7). Azariah the chief priest reported: "Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people" (31:10; compare Malachi 3:10). Storerooms were prepared and faithful men put in charge (31:11-19).

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

2 Chronicles 31:21

Chapter 32 — Sennacherib, Sickness and Pride

"After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came" (32:1). Faithfulness does not exempt from trials. Hezekiah stopped the springs outside the city so the Assyrians would find no water, repaired the wall, built towers and made weapons (32:2-5). Then he encouraged the people:

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Sennacherib's servants mocked God as no different from the gods of the nations (32:9-19). "And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven" (32:20). "And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour... So he returned with shame of face to his own land," where his own sons killed him (32:21). God "guided them on every side" (32:22).

Hezekiah fell sick and prayed, and God gave him a sign (32:24). "But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up" (32:25). He humbled himself, and the wrath did not come in his days (32:26). He had great wealth and "stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David" (32:30), the tunnel still visible in Jerusalem. When Babylon's envoys came, "God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart" (32:31). God tests us to reveal our own hearts to us (Deuteronomy 8:2).

Section VII: Manasseh, Amon and Josiah (Chapters 33-35)

Chapter 33 — Manasseh's Sin and Repentance

Manasseh, Hezekiah's son, reigned 55 years and did evil "like unto the abominations of the heathen" (33:2): he rebuilt the high places, built altars to Baal, worshipped the host of heaven, built pagan altars in the temple courts, burned his children in the valley of Hinnom, practised sorcery and witchcraft, consulted mediums, and set an idol in the house of God (33:3-7). He "made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen" (33:9). "And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken" (33:10).

Then God acted. The Assyrian army "took Manasseh among the thorns [hooks], and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon" (33:11).

And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

2 Chronicles 33:12-13

The worst king in Judah's history was forgiven and restored. He rebuilt Jerusalem's wall, removed the foreign gods and the idol from the temple, restored the LORD's altar, offered thank offerings, "and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel" (33:14-16). The people still sacrificed at high places, though now to the LORD (33:17). His prayer was recorded among the acts of the kings and of the seers (33:18-19). Manasseh is one of the Bible's greatest examples of grace: no one is beyond God's reach. Paul called himself "chief" of sinners and said that in him Christ showed "all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe" (1 Timothy 1:15-16).

His son Amon did evil, "And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more" (33:22-23). His servants killed him after two years (33:24).

Chapter 34 — Josiah Seeks God and Finds the Book

Josiah became king at eight. "For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem" (34:3). At sixteen he sought God; at twenty he began a thorough purge of idols, high places, groves and images, even into the territories of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon and Naphtali (34:3-7). In his eighteenth year, during temple repairs, "Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses" (34:14). When Shaphan read it to the king, Josiah tore his clothes (34:19). The prophetess Huldah confirmed God's coming judgment on Jerusalem, but promised Josiah, "Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God... thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace" (34:22-28). Josiah gathered all the people, read the book to them, and made a covenant to obey God with all their heart and soul (34:29-32). "And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers" (34:33).

Chapter 35 — Josiah's Passover and Death

Josiah kept a great Passover. He told the Levites to put the holy ark back in the temple (35:3), organised them according to David's and Solomon's writings, and gave 30,000 lambs and kids and 3,000 bulls from his own possessions for the people (35:4-7). The singers stood in their places, and the gatekeepers did not need to leave their posts (35:15). "And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet" (35:18).

In 609 BC, Pharaoh-necho marched north to Carchemish. Josiah went out to fight him. Necho sent messengers: "God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not" (35:20-21). Josiah disguised himself, "and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God," and was shot by archers in the valley of Megiddo (35:22-23). He died in Jerusalem, and all Judah mourned. "And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day" (35:24-25). Zechariah later compared Israel's future mourning for the pierced One to "the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon" (Zechariah 12:10-11). Even the best king made a fatal error by not seeking God's will in this decision.

Section VIII: The Fall of Jerusalem and the Decree of Cyrus (Chapter 36)

Chapter 36 — Exile and the Promise of Return

The last four kings are summarised briefly. Jehoahaz reigned three months before Necho deposed him and took him to Egypt (36:1-4). Jehoiakim did evil; Nebuchadnezzar bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon and took temple vessels (36:5-8). Jehoiachin did evil and was taken to Babylon with more of the temple's treasures (36:9-10). Zedekiah reigned eleven years and "humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD" (36:12). He broke his oath to Nebuchadnezzar, sworn in God's name, "and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel" (36:13). The priests and people "transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD" (36:14).

The writer then gives God's verdict on the whole history:

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16

God's warnings were an act of compassion. Jesus told a parable of a vineyard owner who sent servant after servant, then his son, all rejected (Matthew 21:33-39), and lamented over Jerusalem, "thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee" (Matthew 23:37). Stephen asked, "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?" (Acts 7:52).

The Chaldeans killed young men even in the sanctuary, took all the vessels and treasures, burned the house of God, broke down the walls, and burned the palaces (36:17-19). The survivors were carried to Babylon, where they served until the kingdom of Persia (36:20),

To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

2 Chronicles 36:21

Israel had neglected the sabbatical years commanded in Leviticus 25; God had warned that the land would enjoy its sabbaths during exile (Leviticus 26:34-35, 43). Jeremiah had foretold seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10), and Daniel read this prophecy in Babylon and prayed (Daniel 9:2).

The book, and the Hebrew Bible, ends with hope:

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia... Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23

Isaiah had named Cyrus about 150 years earlier as the one who would say of Jerusalem, "Thou shalt be built" (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). The story continues directly in Ezra 1:1-3.

Part Three: Christ in 2 Chronicles

The Temple and Its Glory

The temple built on Mount Moriah (3:1) and filled with glory when God's people praised Him (5:13-14; 7:1-3) points to Christ, in whom "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9), who said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19-21). Solomon's prayer that God would hear prayers toward this house (6:21-39) is answered in Christ, through whom "we have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 4:14-16).

The Preserved Seed of David

Athaliah's massacre (22:10) was the most direct attempt in the Old Testament to destroy David's line, and with it the promise of the Messiah. God preserved one child, hidden in His house for six years and crowned in the seventh (22:11-23:11). The promise that God would give "a light to him and to his sons for ever" (21:7) was kept through every crisis until "the true Light" came (John 1:9).

Pictures and Pointers to Christ

Part Four: Fulfilled Prophecies

Part Five: Key Passages in Depth

2 Chronicles 7:14 — The Path to Restoration

This verse has four conditions and three promises. The conditions: humble themselves (admit need and sin), pray (call on God), seek my face (desire God Himself, not only His help), and turn from their wicked ways (genuine repentance). The promises: God will hear, forgive and heal. The rest of 2 Chronicles illustrates it: Rehoboam humbled himself (12:6-7), Hezekiah's people sought God (30:18-20), Manasseh humbled himself greatly (33:12-13), and Josiah's tender heart was heard (34:27). The verse was addressed to Israel about their land, but its principle remains: God's people must lead in repentance, and God responds in mercy (1 Peter 4:17; James 4:8-10).

2 Chronicles 16:9 — The Eyes of the LORD

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." God is actively looking for people who trust Him wholeheartedly, so He can display His strength through them. Asa had known this against Zerah (14:11), but forgot it against Baasha. Relying on human resources when God is available is folly.

2 Chronicles 20 — How to Face an Overwhelming Crisis

Jehoshaphat's response is a model: he felt fear honestly (20:3), turned at once to seek God (20:3), called God's people to fast and pray together (20:4, 13), reminded God of His character, His past acts and His promises (20:6-11), admitted helplessness ("neither know we what to do," 20:12), fixed his eyes on God (20:12), listened to God's word (20:14-17), worshipped before the victory (20:18-19), believed God's word and His prophets (20:20), and praised in advance (20:21-22). God fought the battle.

2 Chronicles 26:16 — When Strength Becomes Weakness

Uzziah prospered "as long as he sought the LORD" (26:5) and was "marvellously helped, till he was strong" (26:15). His success became his snare. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Dependence on God is not a stage we outgrow.

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 — No One Beyond Grace

Manasseh shed innocent blood, sacrificed his own children, filled the temple with idols and led the nation into worse sin than the Canaanites. Yet "when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD... and he was intreated of him." God's mercy is greater than any sin (Isaiah 1:18; Romans 5:20). But his repentance could not undo the effects of his sin on the nation (2 Kings 23:26).

2 Chronicles 36:15-16 — Until There Was No Remedy

God's patience was long: "rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion." But persistent rejection of His word eventually brings a point where "there was no remedy." This is a solemn warning: "To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15; 2 Corinthians 6:2).

Part Six: The Major Teachings of 2 Chronicles

1. Seek the LORD

The central theme. "If ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you" (15:2). Kings who sought God prospered (14:7; 17:3-5; 26:5; 31:21); those who did not failed (12:14).

2. Humility and Pride

Humbling oneself brings mercy (7:14; 12:6-7, 12; 32:26; 33:12; 34:27). Pride brings destruction (25:19; 26:16; 32:25). "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6).

3. Relying on God, Not Man

Victory came when kings relied on God (13:18; 14:11; 16:8; 20:12; 32:8); defeat when they relied on alliances, money or human strength (16:7; 25:6-9; 28:16-21).

4. Worship and Praise

The temple, the music, the singers and the feasts are central. God's glory came amid praise (5:13-14), and praise preceded victory (20:21-22; 29:27).

5. The Word of God and Revival

Revivals were tied to God's Word: Jehoshaphat's teachers (17:9), Josiah's discovery of the book (34:14-33). Neglect of the Word led to decline.

6. Finishing Well

Many kings began well and ended badly. The book warns that past faithfulness does not guarantee future faithfulness (Hebrews 3:14).

7. God's Grace to the Repentant

Even Manasseh was restored (33:12-13), and the unclean who sought God were pardoned (30:18-20). God's grace exceeds human sin.

8. God's Patience and Judgment

God sent prophet after prophet "because he had compassion" (36:15), but persistent rejection brought judgment "till there was no remedy" (36:16).

9. Covenant Faithfulness to David

God preserved David's line "because of the covenant that he had made with David" (21:7), even through Athaliah's massacre and the exile, so that the Messiah would come.

10. Hope After Judgment

The book ends not with exile but with the decree to return (36:22-23). God's judgment is always followed by His purpose of restoration for those who trust Him.

Part Seven: Connections — How 2 Chronicles Links to the Rest of the Bible

2 Chronicles in the New Testament

2 Chronicles in the Old Testament

Themes That Run from 2 Chronicles Through Scripture

Part Eight: Practical Lessons

• Ask God for wisdom to serve others (1:10).
• Praise in unity invites God's presence (5:13-14).
• Humble yourself, pray, seek His face, turn from sin (7:14).
• Prepare your heart to seek the LORD (12:14).
• God can help with many or with few (14:11).
• The LORD is with you while you are with Him (15:2).
• Don't let past victories make you self-reliant (16:7-12).
• Teach God's Word to the people (17:9).
• Don't help the ungodly or love those who hate the LORD (19:2).
• Judge fairly, as before God (19:6-7).
• Keep your eyes on God when you don't know what to do (20:12).
• The battle is the LORD's (20:15).
• Believe God and His Word (20:20).
• Choose godly mentors, and keep walking when they are gone (24:2, 17-18).
• God is able to give you much more than what you lose in obeying Him (25:9).
• Beware when you become strong (26:16).
• Show mercy to fallen enemies (28:15).
• Don't waste time in returning to God (29:3).
• God looks at the heart that seeks Him (30:18-20).
• Do God's work with all your heart (31:21).
• There are more with us than with them (32:7-8).
• No one is beyond God's mercy (33:12-13).
• Seek God while you are young (34:3).
• Don't despise God's warnings (36:15-16).

Part Nine: Key Verses to Memorize

Conclusion

2 Chronicles traces the house of David and the house of God from the glory of Solomon's temple to its ashes in 586 BC. Reign after reign, it teaches one lesson: those who seek the LORD prosper, and those who forsake Him fall. It celebrates five great revivals, honours kings who trusted God against impossible odds, and warns that even good beginnings can end badly through pride and self-reliance. It shows God's compassion in sending prophet after prophet, and His grace in restoring even Manasseh. And it ends, as the Hebrew Bible ends, with the invitation to return and rebuild: "Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up." That invitation finds its full meaning in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the true Temple, who calls every sinner to come home.

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