2 Chronicles 1

2 Chronicles 1:1

The break between 1 and 2 Chronicles was made strictly for convenience, since they were originally one very large book. Thus 2 Chronicles takes up exactly where 1 Chronicles leaves off. The dividing point is well chosenbetween David’s and Solomon’s reigns. In 1 Chronicles 29 David established Solomon as his successor. Second Chronicles traces the Davidic line from Solomon to the return of the Jewish remnant from the Babylonian Captivity. First and Second Kings cover basically the same time period, but the emphasis in Chronicles is almost entirely on Judah. The kings of Israel are mentioned only as they relate to the history of Judah. Also, the emphasis of Chronicles is spiritual while that of Kings is historical. Although much of the material is the same in both books, Chronicles sometimes contains details not found in Kings, Chronicles being written at a later date and for a different purpose. We will comment on some of the differences between the two books, but it will be impossible to go into depth about all of them. (Other books have been written for this purpose.)

I. THE KINGDOM OF SOLOMON (Chaps. 19) A. Solomon’s Worship, Wisdom, and Wealth (Chap. 1)1:1-3 First Kings 13 tells what went on between the death of David (1 Chron. 29) and the time when Solomon was established as king. Adonijah and Joab were killed in a power struggle as Solomon secured his father’s throne in accordance with the word of the Lord (1Ch_22:9-10). With his kingdom secured, Solomon called together his subordinates and led them in a solemn procession to Gibeon, where the tabernacle was located. 1:4-6 David had moved the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chron. 1315), but the rest of the furniture of the tabernacle was at Gibeon, including the bronze altar. Upon this altar . . . Solomon . . . offered a thousand burnt offerings, a display of his devotion and loyalty to Jehovah, the God of his father. 1:7-12 God appeared to him that same night in a dream and asked him what he most desired (v. 7; 1Ki_3:5). Solomon’s request for wisdom and knowledge in ruling the people so pleased the Lord that He also promised him unparalleled riches, wealth, and honor. In a sense, God appears to every believer and asks him what he wants. What we want in life largely determines what we get. 1:13-17 Solomon returned to Jerusalem to a reign of great prosperity. These verses dwell on his chariots, horsemen, chariot cities, silver, gold, cedar, and horses. But his prosperity contained the seeds of his eventual failure, as is often the case.