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2 Chronicles continues the editorialized saga of the Davidic line of kings, taking the story from the glorious advent of Solomon as king until the exile of the Northern Kingdom of Judah to Babylon with brief mention of its subsequent return after seventy years by decree of King Cyrus of Persia. 2 Chronicles is as gracious to Solomon as it was to David in 1 Chronicles in white-washing his record of any misdeeds. Without the account in 1 Kings 11, one might think that the country divided because of Rehoboam's foolishness rather than Solomon's sins. Only the greatness and spiritual dedication of Solomon are recorded in Chronicles. Chronicles virtually ignores the Northern kings of Israel and details the good acts of the Southern kings of Judah. As in 1 Chronicles, every event of good fortune or bad in 2 Chronciles is explained by the king's obedience or disobedience to the LORD. Chance does not come into the picture of the Davidic dynasty, but everything is judged by God according to the Mosaic Covenant. 2 Chronicles closes with a detailed account of Judah's last great kings, Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah. While there were kings before, after and in the midst of these kings, these are highlighted because of their particular influence on the nation. Chronicles records Hezekiah's righteousness in leading the people to worship the LORD alone, but it also records his pride and subsequent repentance. Chronicles gives the account of Hezekiah's son, Manasseh, Judah's most wicked king, but also adds his repentance. Josiah's greatness in following the LORD is also recorded in detail, as well as the foolishness that prematurely ended his reign. Following this, brief mention is made of subsequent kings, the exile in Babylon and the restoration of Israel after seventy years in captivity by decree of King Cyrus. Ezra, the likely author of the Books of Chronicles, ends the book in such a way that he immediately proceeds with the story of restoration from Cyrus in the Book of Ezra. The Books of Chronicles are clearly an annal of the kings of Judah; however, it is also an account of God's sovereign working among His chosen to teach them the way of covenant obedience through a clear and consistent pattern of blessings and cursings tied to their measure of obedience to the LORD. [top] |