It’s Time to Begin! {Intro and Resources for 2 Chronicles 1-5}
Cue the Confetti! It’s time to begin!!! I am so excited to begin our Bible study in the Book of 2 Chronicles!
{If you do not have the optional Journal yet – it’s available on Amazon but it will take a few days to ship – so if you want it right now – you can buy the digital version —> here.}
The word “chronicle” means the account of the days.
2 Chronicles “chronicles” the history of God’s people from the reign of Solomon, through the rise and fall of both good and bad kings, eventually leading to the Babylonian exile.
As the book opens, the author focuses on the splendor of Solomon’s kingdom, as he established his throne over a unified nation. Solomon was given the gift of wisdom and he built a magnificent temple for the Lord, according to the plans God had given his father, David.
Under Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, the kingdom divided, and the focus moves to the Southern kingdom of Judah, as we see a succession of kings rising and falling. The kings went from bad to worse and committed idolatry and other evil acts. There are a few bright lights in the midst of these dark days, such as Hezekiah, Josiah, Asa, Jehoshaphat and Joash, who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. They sought to turn the people back to God but in the end, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed.
We learn so many lessons from the history of God’s people. We see that the nation’s leaders reflect the heart of the people and that God rewards faithfulness but disciplines disobedience. We see that God hates sin and will not tolerate it but he forgives and heals those who humbly pray and repent. God wants us to faithfully follow him and worship him alone.
1 & 2 Chronicles cover a lot of what is already written in 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. The main difference is that it is written with a focus on the priestly aspect rather than the prophetic, moral and political aspect. This book was written for those returning from exile with a hope of restoring David’s throne but the hope for David’s throne to be restored would ultimately be fulfilled in Christ.
Overview of 2 Chronicles
The Purpose: 1 Chronicles “chronicles” the history of God’s people from the reign of Solomon, through the rise and fall of both good and bad kings, eventually leading to the Babylonian exile. This book was written for those returning from exile with a hope of restoring David’s throne but the hope for David’s throne to be restored would ultimately be fulfilled in Christ.
The Author: Although the author is anonymous, tradition holds that 2 Chronicles was written by Ezra.
Time Period: This book was written around 450-400 BC.
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.
The Outline:
1. A Unified Kingdom under Solomon (1-9)
- His Wisdom and wealth (1)
- Preparing to build the temple (2)
- Building the temple (3)
- Temple furnishings (4)
- The Ark is brought into the Temple (5)
- Solomon’s prayer of dedication (6)
- Fire from heaven (7)
- The accomplishments of Solomon (8)
- The Queen of Sheba and Solomon’s wealth (9:1-28)
- Solomon’s death and burial (9:29-31)
2. The Divided Kingdom (10-28)
- Rehoboam (10 -12)
- Abijah (13 -14)
- Asa (14 -16)
- Jehoshaphat (17 – 20)
- Jehoram (21)
- Ahaziah (22:1 – 9)
- Athaliah (22:10 – 23:15)
- Joash (23:16 – 24)
- Amaziah (25)
- Uzziah (26)
- Jotham (27)
- Ahaz (28)
3. The Reunited Kingdom (29-36)
- Hezekiah (29 – 32)
- Manasseh (33:1- 20)
- Amon (33:21 – 25)
- Josiah (34 – 35)
- Josiah’s successors (36:1-14)
4. The fall of Jerusalem (36:15-23)
For an even more in-depth Introduction to this week’s reading, watch this video. It is a great explanation of 1 and 2 Chronicles!
NOW LET’S GET STARTED!
This Week’s Bible Reading Plan
(Facebook Leaders: You can use this as your Facebook Header this week. Just right click and “save as” or screen shot it.)
This week’s Reflection & Discussion Questions
(Leaders: Copy and paste these into your groups. If you do not have a group, use these for a personal time of reflection.)
2 Chronicles 1
1 Chronicles ended with the death of King David. Solomon, his son, has inherited the powerful kingdom of Judah from his father David and is now beginning his reign as the new king. Judah had reached its pinnacle of greatness and power under King David, who had laid the groundwork for a solid and successful kingdom that King Solomon will now inherit. King Solomon didn’t just inherit greatness by becoming the new king of glorious land of Judah, however. 2 Chronicles begins by telling us that it was God who made King Solomon great.
When Solomon began his reign, he was in a right relationship before God. Upon becoming king, he went to the tabernacle of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings to God, after which God appeared to him and promised to give him whatever he wanted. Solomon didn’t ask for riches or fame, but for wisdom to rule his people with righteousness and justice. When we seek God first with a humble heart, we will be rewarded with great blessing. What is the greatest desire of your heart right now? Remember, Jesus told us that our greatest desires should be for heavenly treasures.
2 Chronicles 2
Solomon is now beginning to build the temple his father David had wanted to build for the Lord; but this was not to be just any temple, it was going to be a great temple. And yet, we gain great insight into Solomon’s understanding of God when he says, “But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him?” Solomon understood that no matter how big or great a temple may be, it could never contain God because God cannot be contained.
Solomon was aware of the presence of God that was with him everywhere, not just in the temple; and it is no different today. Nothing that man creates can contain God, so while we go to church to worship God, his presence is everywhere we are because not even the highest heaven can contain him. He is with us while we’re driving our kids to sports and while we’re grocery shopping. He is with us while we’re washing dishes and folding laundry. He is with us as we kiss our sleeping kids’ foreheads at night. Wherever we are, he is with us. How often are you aware of God’s presence in your life? Take some time throughout today to periodically focus your mind on the fact that God’s presence cannot be contained by earthly buildings but is with you wherever you go and wherever you are.
2 Chronicles 3
The construction of the temple has begun, and Solomon is sparing no expense. Not only are the materials extravagant, with gold, precious stones, and fine linen, but he is paying the laborers a fair wage. While he understands that the temple doesn’t contain God, he is not going to build a place of worship and sacrifice to God that is second-rate. He is not going to give something to God that costs him little or nothing.
What is significant about the site of the temple is that it was built on Mount Moriah, a place where another man was prepared to sacrifice everything in worship to God. It is where Abraham led Isaac to be sacrificed. It is where God provided a ram. Even more significant is that it is where Jesus became the final sacrifice for sin. While we no longer bring a sacrifice for sin, we still bring a sacrifice of praise to God. Abraham, Solomon, and Jesus spared nothing in their sacrifice. What does your sacrifice of praise cost you? Is there anything in your life that you have held back from him?
2 Chronicles 4
The temple is built, and is now being furnished with the altar, the sea, lampstands, tables, pots, basins, and other furnishings that would be used in worship and sacrifice to God. The furnishings for the temple were made with a specific purpose and function and were not to be used for any other purpose. These particular furnishings were dedicated for temple use alone, and to use them for everyday use would defile them.
Just like the furnishings of the temple in the Old Testament, we were made for a specific purpose, dedicated and set apart for a divine use. We are the temple of God, created to live lives of worship and sacrifice to him in all that we do. Have you ever thought of yourself as the temple of God? Wherever you go, whether to the store or to work; to the PTA or to your child’s sport’s practice, you are carrying God’s presence with you. Ask the Lord to show you today the unique purpose for which he created you and share below one place where you will be carrying God’s presence with you today.
2 Chronicles 5
Dedication day for the temple has come. All the furnishings for the temple are brought in and put into place. The priests have sanctified themselves and are ready for the special ceremony. They bring the Ark of the Covenant into the temple the way God had commanded Moses, and the Levites begin to worship and praise God. Suddenly, the temple is filled with the glory of God.
God’s glory didn’t fill the temple because Solomon had carefully followed David’s instructions. His glory didn’t even fill the temple because the Ark of the Covenant had been brought in and put in the Most Holy Place. God’s glory filled the temple as the Levites began to praise and worship the Lord. His presence was already with them, but the splendor of his presence was felt by them as they worshipped him. Do you spend time each day worshiping God? If it’s been a while since you set aside time to sing and worship God, do that today. As you praise and worship him, ask him to fill you with his glorious splendor so that as you carry his presence with you those around you can also sense the splendor of God.
To print the 20 Reflection and Discussion Questions for 2 Chronicles –> Click Here.
This Week’s Verses of the Day:
(Leaders: You can use these images in your groups by using right click and “save as” or screen shoting them.)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Here’s the Printable Bible Bookmark for 2 Chronicles.
Here’s another explanation of the SOAK Bible Study Method and Bible Coloring Chart if you need more guidance:
Here is the SOAK method I refer to in the video:
And the Bible Coloring Bookmark:
Click HERE to Print the full page Coloring Chart
or Click HERE for the Bookmark Coloring Chart
Here are the highlighters, pens and pencils I refer to in the video:
Highlighters – Acid Free – Bible Hi-Glider
Fine Line Non-bleeding Pens – Micron Archival Ink and Multi-Colored Gel Pens
Colored Pencils – Crayola Twistables and Crayola Colored Pencils
I use the ESV Inductive Study Bible as my personal study Bible.
Don’t Miss the Daily Check-Ins
on Facebook and Instagram!
Join us EVERY weekday morning ANYTIME after 7:00amEST on Facebook
to discuss the day’s reading assignment.
Join the #WomenLivingWell community by following me on Instagram .
Share your insights using the hashtag #WomenLivingWell.
2 Chronicles does not just record history, it gives us lessons from history. We will learn so many spiritual truths from watching the rise and fall of both the good and bad kings, as we see the same pattern that is seen in other Old Testament books. It is a pattern of sin, repentance, forgiveness and restoration of the nation of Israel. This reminds us that God hears our prayers and forgives our sin when we repent. But this book also shows us the consequences of disobedience and rebellion. Because of God’s great love for us, he is faithful and he requires our obedience.
So, let’s get started studying His word! Some of the chapters are quite long, so be sure to leave at least 20+ minutes for your reading each day. I can’t wait to see how God reveals himself personally to each of us, as we read the book of 2 Chronicles together, chapter by chapter.
Have a wonderful week in God’s Word – I’ll see you back here on the blog this Friday as we go deeper into God’s Word together! Don’t forget to join me every weekday morning out on Facebook and Instagram!
Keep walking with the King,
COURTNEY
The 2 Chronicles Journal is available NOW
exclusively on Amazon!
If you’d like to purchase a printable-digital copy
(so you have it right away) at half the price
click the Buy Now Button below.
(for ages 10-110)
