Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Today is Brought to You by 2nd Chronicles


2nd Chronicles was written by Ezra. This book continues the history from 1st Chronicles, telling about the reign of King Solomon and how he built the temple. Then it records the rule of Jeroboam and Rehoboam and the growing apostasy once again of Israel. The kingdom was split into two parts as two tribes accepted Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) as their king and they became known as Judah. The other 10 tribes refused to accept him and were known as the kingdom of Israel. The information in 1st and 2nd Chronicles covers the same history as 1st and 2nd Kings, but focuses more on Solomon and the kings of Judah. The kings of Israel are only talked about when they
have some impact on Judah. There are periods of revival, but every time there was a king who was righteous he was succeeded by a son who became an idolater. It is also interesting to note that in parallel verses from Kings and Chronicles, Chronicles adds many references to the priests and Levites.

Read for yourself in 2nd Chronicles about Solomon’s other activities, building and rebuilding, his visit with the Queen of Sheba and his death. The rest of 2nd Chronicles records the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah and the various kings that ruled Judah. When Solomon died, he left to his son, Rehoboam, a kingdom that was filled with splendor, power and the presence of God.  Unlike his father, Rehoboam was a very foolish and wicked man.  He listened to the advice of young men rather than the elders and, as a result, ten of the tribes rebelled against him and Israel was divided into two kingdoms with the 10 tribes forming the Northern Kingdom.  They chose a man named Jeroboam to be their king and the Northern Kingdom left the worship of Jehovah and fell into idolatry.  The priests and the Levites left the Northern Kingdom and moved to Judah to serve the Lord (2 Chron. 11:13-17).  Throughout 2nd Chronicles in various parallel passages to Kings there are references to the priests and Levites that are missing from the Kings verses.


Parts taken from Crossing the Scriptures

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