2 Chronicles

Theme 1: (1-9): The Lord is faithful to keep his promises and desires to bless his people. The Lord blessed Solomon with wealth and fame in addition to wisdom for he was pleased with Solomon’s desire to rule as a man who followed after the Lord as his father David did. ( 2Chronicles 1). King Hiriam of Tyre whom Solomon assembled materials for the temple construction from , noted how the Lord had blessed Solomon with wisdom. ( 2 Chronicles 2). Solomon’s work of constructing the temple was blessed as he took time to diligently ensure it was done right. ( 2 Chronicles 3-5). The Lord promised to answer the prayers of the people who seek him in his temple and to bless those who follow him, dealing mercifully with those who are disobedient. ( 2 Chronicles 6-7). Solomon’s vast trading expeditions ( 2 Chronicles 8) and the Queen of Sheba noting how blessed and wise Solomon was ( 2 Chronicles 9) demonstrate that the Lord’s promise to give Solomon wealth and fame in addition to wisdom was kept.

Theme 2: (10-18): The Lord is faithful to equip and give success and blessing to those who follow him, prospering all their works. Reheboam’s kingdom was divided due to Solomon’s disobedience to the covenant as the Lord said the nation would be divided into 2 kingdoms . ( 2 Chronicles 10). Reheboam was initially blessed with success although he did not completely follow the Lord as he took many wives like his father Solomon had done. ( 2 Chronicles 11). His taking many wives caused him to follow the deities of his wives and worship them which resulted in the Lord punishing him by subjecting him to the king of Egypt. ( 2 Chronicles 12). King Abijah who obeyed the Moasic covenant was blessed with success. ( 2 Chronicles 13). King Asa who obeyed the Lord was given many military victories over his enemies. ( 2 Chronicles 14-15). However he suffered defeat when he trusted in human strength making an alliance with Israel ( 2 Chronicles 16). King Jeosophat trusted in the Lord and was given success, wealth and victory over his enemies. He rebuked King Ahab for not inquiring of the Lord before the 2 nations went into battle against the Syrians. ( 2 Chronicles 17-18).

Theme 3:(19-28): Those who seek the Lord ‘s instruction and follow him will be blessed while disobedience leads to downfall. Jehosophat established judges and appointed Levites to instruct the people in the Lord’s ways. He is given success by the Lord and prospers being victorious over his enemies. ( 2 Chronicles 19-20). King Jethrorath and King Ahaziah were disobedient to the Lord and they had short reigns. ( 2 Chronicles 21-22). King Josiah sought the Lord and destroyed the objects of worship for Baal and is given success. ( 2 Chronicles 23). King Joash, his son had a short reign due to his disobedience. ( 2 Chronicles 24). King Amaziah who obeyed the Lord at the beginning of his reign prospered but due to his turning away from the Lord, he died a brutal death. ( 2 Chronicles 25). King Uzziah had a long reign as he followed the Lord but he was punished by having leprosy for his taking on the role of a priest and offering sacrifices. ( 2 Chronicles 26). King Jotham had a peaceful reign of 16 years as he obeyed the Lord. ( 2 Chronicles 27). King Ahaz faced destruction as he disobeyed the Lord and was punished by Assyrian armies. (2 Chronicles 28).

Theme 4: ( 2 Chronicles 29-36). The Lord acts with compassion and allows his people opportunities to repent. Kings act as models for the people and help establish or destroy the worship of the Lord. King Hezekiah drew the people back to the Lord as he worked to reestablish the worship of the Lord. He even made arrangements for all the people in Judah and Israel to celebrate the Passover. ( 2 Chronicles 29-30). He also reestablished the Temple worship ( 2 Chronicles 31) and sought the Lord in prayer when his nation was delivered from the Assyrians. ( 2 Chronicles 32). His son Mannish disobeyed the Lord and worshiped idols . After he was taken captive by the Assyrians he repented and was returned to his kingdom. ( 2 Chronicles 33). King Josiah sought the Lord repairing the temple , reading the law of the Lord and reestablishing the covenant. He also led the people in celebrating the Passover. ( 2 Chronicles 34-35). As a result of their continually disobedience the nation of Judah is taken into captivity in Babylon and Jerusalem is destroyed. ( 2 Chronicles 36).