Where it fits

Second Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Bible, with 36 chapters. It continues 1 Chronicles and covers about 430 years, from Solomon's reign around 970 BC to the exile and Persia's decree of return in 538 BC. It was probably written after the exile, and the author isn't named. Read straight through, it takes about two hours.

The big story

The first nine chapters center on Solomon and the temple. They describe the building of the temple in detail, and at its dedication a cloud fills the house so that the priests cannot stand to minister because of God's glory (5:13–14). Fire comes down from heaven, and God appears to Solomon with a promise and a warning (7:12–22). The Queen of Sheba visits and is amazed (9).

After Solomon, the book follows the kings of Judah and mostly ignores the northern kingdom. A pattern shows up. When kings seek God, rely on him, and listen to his prophets, Judah prospers. When they trust alliances, pride, or idols, they fall. In a crisis, Jehoshaphat leads the people in prayer, admitting that they don't know what to do but that their eyes are on God (20:12), and sends singers ahead of the army (20:21). Uzziah grows proud and is struck with leprosy (26). Hezekiah repairs the temple and celebrates a great Passover (29–31). Manasseh, the worst of the kings, is taken captive to Babylon, humbles himself, prays, and is restored (33:10–13), a story found only here. Josiah leads a reform (34–35). Then the kings fail, the city falls, and the temple is burned (36). The last two verses record the decree of Cyrus of Persia that God's people may go up and rebuild the temple (36:22–23).

Three ideas to hold on to

1. Seek God and live. The book uses the word “seek” again and again. When people seek God, he is found by them, and when they forsake him, he forsakes them (15:2).
2. It is never too late to turn back. Manasseh, whose evil was said to exceed that of the nations (33:9), humbles himself in captivity, and God hears him (33:12–13).
3. God's presence matters more than a building. The temple was glorious, but its worth depended on whether the people sought the God who filled it.

Passages people ask about

• 2 Chronicles 5:11–14. The glory of God fills the temple.
• 2 Chronicles 7:11–22. God's answer to Solomon, including the promise in verse 14. See the misunderstanding below.
• 2 Chronicles 20:1–30. Jehoshaphat's prayer, and the choir that goes ahead of the army.
• 2 Chronicles 24:17–22. The murder of the priest Zechariah in the temple court. Jesus refers to “the blood of Zechariah” (Luke 11:51), and since Chronicles comes last in the Hebrew Bible, many see a reference to the whole Bible, from Abel in Genesis to Zechariah in Chronicles.
• 2 Chronicles 33:1–20. Manasseh's evil, and his repentance.
• 2 Chronicles 36:11–23. The fall of Jerusalem, and the final call to go home.

How it points to Jesus

Second Chronicles ends in the middle of the story. The last words invite God's people to go up to Jerusalem (36:23), and the question hangs: when will God's promises to David be fulfilled? The New Testament answers in Jesus. He says that one greater than the temple is here (Matthew 12:6), speaks of the temple of his body (John 2:19–21), and is the son of David whose kingdom will not end (Luke 1:32–33).

A common misunderstanding

The verse about God's people humbling themselves, praying, seeking his face, and turning from their wicked ways, so that God will hear, forgive, and heal their land (7:14), is often claimed as a promise for any modern nation. It was given to Solomon and Israel after the temple was dedicated, about their land and their covenant. The principle that God hears and forgives people who humble themselves and turn back runs through Scripture and applies to believers today. But the verse is not a political formula for a country.