Bible Pathways: 2 Chronicles

Bible Pathways

2 Chronicles study guide

Preparation Prior to the study session, participants should read:
2 Chronicles 1 and 2: Solomon asks for wisdom, and plans a temple
2 Chronicles 7: 11-22 God appears to Solomon, outlines expectations
2 Chronicles 30: 13-27 Hezekiah celebrates the passover

Orientation 2 Chronicles is book #14 of 39 in the Old Testament. It is considered a book of History. For more information see the Bible Overview page. Some events from 2 Chronicles also appear in 1 Kings and 2 Kings. For a comparison chart, see Harmony of 1 and 2 Chronicles.

Synopsis Solomon becomes Israel's third king, upon the death of David. He rules over the nation wisely, and Israel rises to its peak. He builds an elaborate temple (3) as a home for the Ark (5:2) and the nation enjoys a long time of peace, prosperity, and temple worship. It is Israel's golden age.
Upon Solomon's death, the nation declines. His son Rehoboam becomes the fourth king (9:31). During his reign, the northern tribes secede and form a separate nation (Israel) (10:16) which is destroyed by enemies (12). The southern nation, Judah, lasts 150 years longer - through a series of kings who try to enact reforms - mostly unsuccessfully. Hezekiah is an exception and rules over a time of faithfulness (29-32). The people become more unfaithful, Jerusalem falls (36:15), Solomon's temple is destroyed (36:19) just as God warned back in 7:19.

Major Characters Solomon, (David's son) - 3rd king, and builder of the temple
Rehoboam, (Solomon's son) - 4th king, rules over the beginning of the end
Hezekiah, the last king of the "good times"

Major Events Solomon asks God for wisdom (1:1-17) then builds the temple (3: 1-17)
Israel splits into two nations - Israel (northern) and Judah (southern) (10:1-19)
Jerusalem falls to Babylon (36: 9-21)

Activities Compare the last two verses of 2 Chronicles with the opening verses of Ezra (the next book). What does this suggest to you? *
Using the handout Harmony of 1 and 2 Chronicles, compare the sequence of major events recorded in 1 and 2 Kings and here. How do they differ?
Consider God's conditions in 2 Chronicles 7: 17-22 and how this applies to today's church.

Connections Jeremiah 52 contains an eyewitness account of the fall of Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 29-32 tells of Hezekiah's reign as king of Judah. Isaiah 36-39 is another telling from another perspective.

For source citations see the home page. Revised April 9 2014

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* This is one of the clues that they were written by the same person. 1, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah were written by the same person, most believe it is Ezra.

Preparation	Prior to the study session, participants should read: 2 Chronicles 1 and 2: Solomon asks for wisdom, and plans a temple 2 Chronicles 7: 11-22 God appears to Solomon, outlines expectations 2 Chronicles 30: 13-27 Hezekiah celebrates the passover
Orientation	2 Chronicles is book #14 of 39 in the Old Testament. It is considered a book of History. For more information see the Bible Overview page. Some events from 2 Chronicles also appear in 1 Kings and 2 Kings. For a comparison chart, see Harmony of 1 and 2 Chronicles.
Synopsis	Solomon becomes Israel's third king, upon the death of David. He rules over the nation wisely, and Israel rises to its peak. He builds an elaborate temple (3) as a home for the Ark (5:2) and the nation enjoys a long time of peace, prosperity, and temple worship. It is Israel's golden age. Upon Solomon's death, the nation declines. His son Rehoboam becomes the fourth king (9:31). During his reign, the northern tribes secede and form a separate nation (Israel) (10:16) which is destroyed by enemies (12). The southern nation, Judah, lasts 150 years longer - through a series of kings who try to enact reforms - mostly unsuccessfully. Hezekiah is an exception and rules over a time of faithfulness (29-32). The people become more unfaithful, Jerusalem falls (36:15), Solomon's temple is destroyed (36:19) just as God warned back in 7:19.
Major Characters	Solomon, (David's son) - 3rd king, and builder of the temple Rehoboam, (Solomon's son) - 4th king, rules over the beginning of the end Hezekiah, the last king of the "good times"
Major Events	Solomon asks God for wisdom (1:1-17) then builds the temple (3: 1-17) Israel splits into two nations - Israel (northern) and Judah (southern) (10:1-19) Jerusalem falls to Babylon (36: 9-21)
Activities	Compare the last two verses of 2 Chronicles with the opening verses of Ezra (the next book). What does this suggest to you? * Using the handout Harmony of 1 and 2 Chronicles, compare the sequence of major events recorded in 1 and 2 Kings and here. How do they differ? Consider God's conditions in 2 Chronicles 7: 17-22 and how this applies to today's church.
Connections	Jeremiah 52 contains an eyewitness account of the fall of Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 29-32 tells of Hezekiah's reign as king of Judah. Isaiah 36-39 is another telling from another perspective.