2 Chronicles focuses on the history of Judah's kings, starting with Solomon's reign and the construction of the temple, highlighting his wisdom and wealth. It then chronicles the subsequent kings, emphasizing their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God. The book illustrates the consequences of turning away from God and the blessings of obedience. It concludes with the Babylonian exile, underscoring themes of repentance, divine justice, and the hope of restoration for those who seek God earnestly.
1. And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.2. Then Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.3. So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.
1. And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.2. And Solomon told out three score and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them. ¶3. And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As you did deal with David my father, and did send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
1. Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.2. And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. ¶3. Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was three score cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
1. Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof. ¶2. Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.3. And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
1. Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God. ¶2. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.3. Why all the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king in the feast which was in the seventh month.
1. Then said Solomon, The LORD has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.2. But I have built an house of habitation for you, and a place for your dwelling for ever.3. And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.
1. 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.2. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.3. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endures for ever. ¶
1. And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,2. That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.3. And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.
1. And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bore spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.2. And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.3. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built,
1. And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.2. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, where he fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.3. And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying,
1. And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.2. But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,3. Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
1. 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. And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,3. With twelve hundred chariots, and three score thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.
1. Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.2. He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.3. And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valor. ¶
1. So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.2. And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:3. For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke down the images, and cut down the groves:
1. And the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded:2. And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him, Hear you me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while you be with him; and if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.3. Now for a long season Israel has been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
1. In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.2. Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelled at Damascus, saying,3. There is a league between me and you, as there was between my father and your father: behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
1. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.2. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.3. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not to Baalim;
1. Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.2. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.3. And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Will you go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as you are, and my people as your people; and we will be with you in the war. ¶
1. And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.2. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Should you help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath on you from before the LORD.3. Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have taken away the groves out of the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.
1. It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.2. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There comes a great multitude against you from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.3. And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
1. Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.2. And he had brothers the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.3. And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
1. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the oldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.2. Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.3. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly.
1. And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.2. And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.3. And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said to them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD has said of the sons of David.
1. Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.2. And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.3. And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters. ¶
1. Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart. ¶3. Now it came to pass, when the kingdom was established to him, that he slew his servants that had killed the king his father.
1. Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.2. He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.3. Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
1. Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: however, he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.3. He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
1. Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:2. For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.3. Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
1. Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. ¶3. He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
1. And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover to the LORD God of Israel.2. For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.3. For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
1. Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. ¶2. And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.3. He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
1. After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.2. And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,3. He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.
1. Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:2. But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. ¶3. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
1. Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. ¶3. 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 from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
1. Moreover Josiah kept a passover to the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.2. And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,3. And said to the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy to the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden on your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
1. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s stead in Jerusalem.2. Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.3. And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
