May 5, 2025
The Impact of Hezekiah
2 Chronicles 28-31
Emmy Hamilton
Big Book Idea
Good spiritual leaders can have a powerful impact.
Key Verse | 2 Chronicles 29:1-2
Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.
2 Chronicles 28-31
Chapter 28
Ahaz Reigns in Judah
1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done, 2 but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even made metal images for the Baals, 3 and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, 1 28:3 Hebrew made his sons pass through the fire according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. 4 And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree.
Judah Defeated
5 Therefore the LORD his God gave him into the hand of the king of Syria, who defeated him and took captive a great number of his people and brought them to Damascus. He was also given into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force. 6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed 120,000 from Judah in one day, all of them men of valor, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. 7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son and Azrikam the commander of the palace and Elkanah the next in authority to the king.
8 The men of Israel took captive 200,000 of their relatives, women, sons, and daughters. They also took much spoil from them and brought the spoil to Samaria. 9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded, and he went out to meet the army that came to Samaria and said to them, “Behold, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he gave them into your hand, but you have killed them in a rage that has reached up to heaven. 10 And now you intend to subjugate the people of Judah and Jerusalem, male and female, as your slaves. Have you not sins of your own against the LORD your God? 11 Now hear me, and send back the captives from your relatives whom you have taken, for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.”
12 Certain chiefs also of the men of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who were coming from the war 13 and said to them, “You shall not bring the captives in here, for you propose to bring upon us guilt against the LORD in addition to our present sins and guilt. For our guilt is already great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.” 14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the assembly. 15 And the men who have been mentioned by name rose and took the captives, and with the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them. They clothed them, gave them sandals, provided them with food and drink, and anointed them, and carrying all the feeble among them on donkeys, they brought them to their kinsfolk at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.
16 At that time King Ahaz sent to the king 2 28:16 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate (compare 2 Kings 16:7); Hebrew kings of Assyria for help. 17 For the Edomites had again invaded and defeated Judah and carried away captives. 18 And the Philistines had made raids on the cities in the Shephelah and the Negeb of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages. And they settled there. 19 For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had made Judah act sinfully 3 28:19 Or wildly and had been very unfaithful to the LORD. 20 So Tiglath-pileser 4 28:20 Hebrew Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him. 21 For Ahaz took a portion from the house of the LORD and the house of the king and of the princes, and gave tribute to the king of Assyria, but it did not help him.
Ahaz's Idolatry
22 In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the LORD—this same King Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. 24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and he shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 In every city of Judah he made high places to make offerings to other gods, provoking to anger the LORD, the God of his fathers. 26 Now the rest of his acts and all his ways, from first to last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, for they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. And Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.
Chapter 29
Hezekiah Reigns in Judah
1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah 5 29:1 Spelled Abi in 2 Kings 18:2 the daughter of Zechariah. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.
Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple
3 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them. 4 He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square on the east 5 and said to them, “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth 6 29:5 Hebrew impurity from the Holy Place. 6 For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD and turned their backs. 7 They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel. 8 Therefore the wrath of the LORD came on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes. 9 For behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. 10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, in order that his fierce anger may turn away from us. 11 My sons, do not now be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.”
12 Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah; 13 and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; 14 and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. 15 They gathered their brothers and consecrated themselves and went in as the king had commanded, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. 16 The priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it and carried it out to the brook Kidron. 17 They began to consecrate on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the vestibule of the LORD. Then for eight days they consecrated the house of the LORD, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished. 18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king and said, “We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the table for the showbread and all its utensils. 19 All the utensils that King Ahaz discarded in his reign when he was faithless, we have made ready and consecrated, and behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.”
Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship
20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early and gathered the officials of the city and went up to the house of the LORD. 21 And they brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. And he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD. 22 So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests received the blood and threw it against the altar. And they slaughtered the rams, and their blood was thrown against the altar. And they slaughtered the lambs, and their blood was thrown against the altar. 23 Then the goats for the sin offering were brought to the king and the assembly, and they laid their hands on them, 24 and the priests slaughtered them and made a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to make atonement for all Israel. For the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.
25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king's seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the LORD through his prophets. 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27 Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the LORD began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 29 When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. 30 And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped.
31 Then Hezekiah said, “You have now consecrated yourselves to 7 29:31 Hebrew filled your hand for the LORD. Come near; bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.” And the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. 32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD. 33 And the consecrated offerings were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. 34 But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves. 35 Besides the great number of burnt offerings, there was the fat of the peace offerings, and there were the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. Thus the service of the house of the LORD was restored. 36 And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because God had provided for the people, for the thing came about suddenly.
Chapter 30
Passover Celebrated
1 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, the God of Israel. 2 For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second month— 3 for they could not keep it at that time because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem— 4 and the plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly. 5 So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed. 6 So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, “O people of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were faithless to the LORD God of their fathers, so that he made them a desolation, as you see. 8 Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. 9 For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”
10 So the couriers went from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. 11 However, some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12 The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD.
13 And many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very great assembly. 14 They set to work and removed the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for burning incense they took away and threw into the brook Kidron. 15 And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were ashamed, so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. 16 They took their accustomed posts according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests threw the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to consecrate it to the LORD. 18 For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD pardon everyone 19 who sets his heart to seek God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules of cleanness.” 8 30:19 Hebrew not according to the cleanness of holiness 20 And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 21 And the people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with all their might 9 30:21 Compare 1 Chronicles 13:8; Hebrew with instruments of might to the LORD. 22 And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the LORD. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
23 Then the whole assembly agreed together to keep the feast for another seven days. So they kept it for another seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for offerings, and the princes gave the assembly 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. And the priests consecrated themselves in great numbers. 25 The whole assembly of Judah, and the priests and the Levites, and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners who came out of the land of Israel, and the sojourners who lived in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 27 Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.
Chapter 31
Hezekiah Organizes the Priests
1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned to their cities, every man to his possession.
2 And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, each according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the LORD and to give thanks and praise. 3 The contribution of the king from his own possessions was for the burnt offerings: the burnt offerings of morning and evening, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts, as it is written in the Law of the LORD. 4 And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the LORD. 5 As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. 6 And the people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things that had been dedicated to the LORD their God, and laid them in heaps. 7 In the third month they began to pile up the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 8 When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and his people Israel. 9 And Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps. 10 Azariah the chief priest, who was of the house of Zadok, answered him, “Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the LORD, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left, for the LORD has blessed his people, so that we have this large amount left.”
11 Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them. 12 And they faithfully brought in the contributions, the tithes, and the dedicated things. The chief officer in charge of them was Conaniah the Levite, with Shimei his brother as second, 13 while Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers assisting Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the chief officer of the house of God. 14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the east gate, was over the freewill offerings to God, to apportion the contribution reserved for the LORD and the most holy offerings. 15 Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah were faithfully assisting him in the cities of the priests, to distribute the portions to their brothers, old and young alike, by divisions, 16 except those enrolled by genealogy, males from three years old and upward—all who entered the house of the LORD as the duty of each day required—for their service according to their offices, by their divisions. 17 The enrollment of the priests was according to their fathers' houses; that of the Levites from twenty years old and upward was according to their offices, by their divisions. 18 They were enrolled with all their little children, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, the whole assembly, for they were faithful in keeping themselves holy. 19 And for the sons of Aaron, the priests, who were in the fields of common land belonging to their cities, there were men in the several cities who were designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone among the Levites who was enrolled.
20 Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. 21 And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.
Footnotes
[1] 28:3 Hebrew made his sons pass through the fire[2] 28:16 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate (compare 2 Kings 16:7); Hebrew kings
[3] 28:19 Or wildly
[4] 28:20 Hebrew Tilgath-pilneser
[5] 29:1 Spelled Abi in 2 Kings 18:2
[6] 29:5 Hebrew impurity
[7] 29:31 Hebrew filled your hand for
[8] 30:19 Hebrew not according to the cleanness of holiness
[9] 30:21 Compare 1 Chronicles 13:8; Hebrew with instruments of might
Table of Contents
Introduction to 1–2 Chronicles
Timeline
Author and Date
The text nowhere directly identifies its author, but traditionally he has been called “the Chronicler.” He was either a priest or Levite who was employed in the service of the temple during the Persian period (539–332 B.C.). He had scribal training and access to the temple records.
Basic Chronology of 1–2 Chronicles
| Events | Dates | Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation of the Davidic monarchy | c. 1010–931 B.C. | 1 Chronicles 10–2 Chronicles 9 |
| History of Judah from the division of the kingdom until its fall | 931–586 | 2 Chron. 10:1–36:21 |
| Babylonian captivity | 586–538 | 2 Chron. 36:17–21 |
| Cyrus’s decree | 538 | 2 Chron. 36:22–23 |
Theme
The central theme of Chronicles is God’s covenant with David as the basis of Israel’s life and hope. The Davidic covenant is expressed in two institutions: the monarchy and the temple. These institutions are related (1 Chron. 17:10b–14), and together they represent God’s kingdom in Israel (2 Chron. 13:5, 8). The Davidic covenant does not replace the Mosaic covenant but builds on it for the new age of the monarchy and the temple.
Purpose, Occasion, and Background
Judah and Benjamin, the only surviving tribes of Israel, had returned to the land after the Babylonian exile. They had rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. But in many ways it seemed like they were still in exile (see Ezra 9:6–15; Neh. 9:32–36). There were questions about Israel’s place in God’s purposes and the meaning of his ancient promises to David. With such questions in mind, the Chronicler wrote his books to promote spiritual and social renewal. He presented an interpretation of Israel’s past, drawing mainly on the books of Samuel and Kings. He showed how the nation’s unfaithfulness to God had led to disaster but also how its faithful kings and people had experienced God’s blessing.
Key Themes
- The Davidic covenant. God’s covenant with David preserved the nation and enabled Solomon to build the temple. God is committed to preserving the line of David’s descendants even through spiritual unfaithfulness (2 Chron. 21:13) and exile (1 Chron. 3:17–24). Being heirs of God’s covenant with David also involves living according to God’s earlier covenant with Moses.
- The temple. The temple is an expression of the Davidic covenant. David provided for the construction of the temple and organized its personnel. His faithful successors should ensure that the worship is maintained, and that the building is kept in repair and is purified after defilement. The temple personnel should come to the aid of the Davidic dynasty in times of crisis. The Levites played an essential role in maintaining the whole system of worship, and in many ways they are the forerunners of the Christian ministry.
- The people of Israel. The Chronicler sought to address some urgent questions of his day concerning the identity of Israel. He wanted to instill fresh confidence in the people. The genealogies of Israel that begin the work (1 Chronicles 1–9) start by tracing the people’s ancestry back to Adam, a striking reminder that Israel was at the center of God’s purpose from the very beginning of creation.
Second, the genealogies makes it clear that all 12 tribes were descended from Jacob’s sons (1 Chron. 2:1). The Chronicler’s history of the divided kingdom (2 Chronicles 10–36) focuses mainly on Judah and Benjamin. But he tries to show that the northern tribes are still a part of Israel, even though they rebelled against the rightful Davidic king (2 Chron. 13:5).
While the Chronicler does focus on the nation’s kings and its priesthood, he also includes many stories that highlight the participation of ordinary people in the life of the nation.
Outline for 1–2 Chronicles
- A Genealogical Presentation of the Tribes of Israel (1 Chron. 1:1–9:44)
- Adam to Esau (1:1–54)
- The sons of Israel (2:1–2)
- The tribe of Judah (2:3–4:23)
- The tribe of Simeon (4:24–43)
- The Transjordanian tribes (5:1–26)
- The tribe of Levi (6:1–81)
- Other northern tribes (7:1–40)
- The tribe of Benjamin (8:1–40)
- The resettlement of Jerusalem (9:1–34)
- The genealogy of Saul (9:35–44)
- The United Kingdom of David and Solomon (1 Chron. 10:1–2 Chron. 9:31)
- David’s rise to power over Israel (1 Chron. 10:1–12:40)
- David’s transfer of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (13:1–16:43)
- The dynastic promise to David (17:1–27)
- David’s wars (18:1–20:8)
- David’s census and preparation for the temple (21:1–29:30)
- Solomon’s temple preparations (2 Chron. 1:1–2:18)
- Solomon’s building of the temple (3:1–5:1)
- The dedication of the temple (5:2–7:22)
- Solomon’s other accomplishments (8:1–16)
- Solomon’s international relations and renown (8:17–9:31)
- The Kingdom of Judah down to the Exile (2 Chron. 10:1–36:23)
- Rehoboam (10:1–12:16)
- Abijah (13:1–14:1)
- Asa (14:2–16:14)
- Jehoshaphat (17:1–21:1)
- Jehoram and Ahaziah (21:2–22:12)
- Joash (23:1–24:27)
- Amaziah (25:1–28)
- Uzziah (26:1–23)
- Jotham (27:1–9)
- Ahaz (28:1–27)
- Hezekiah (29:1–32:33)
- Manasseh (33:1–20)
- Amon (33:21–25)
- Josiah (34:1–35:27)
- The last four kings (36:1–21)
- Restoration (36:22–23)
The Extent of David’s Kingdom
The Extent of David’s Kingdom
1010–971 B.C.
David’s many battles eventually established Israel as the dominant power in Syria and Palestine. David expanded Israel’s borders until, by the end of his reign, he controlled all of Israel, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Other kingdoms, such as Tyre and Hamath, made treaties with him.
The Extent of Solomon’s Kingdom
The Extent of Solomon’s Kingdom
c. 971–931 B.C.
Solomon’s reign marked the high point of Israel’s power and wealth in biblical times. His father David had given him a kingdom that included Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Solomon would later bring the kingdom of Hamath-zobah under his dominion as well, and his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter sealed an alliance with Egypt. His expansive kingdom controlled important trade routes between several major world powers, including Egypt, Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia (Asia Minor).
Fact: How does Chronicles differ from Samuel and Kings?
How does Chronicles differ from Samuel and Kings? The books of 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings show that the Lord drove Israel and Judah from their land because of their sin. The books of 1–2 Chronicles agree that Israel sinned and suffered exile as a result. They also show that God still had a purpose for his people.
Fact: Do the books of Chronicles have a main theme?
Do the books of Chronicles have a main theme? The central theme of 1–2 Chronicles is how God’s covenant with David provided an enduring hope for Israel, even in its darkest hours.
Fact: Second Chronicles covers a span
Second Chronicles covers a span of more than 400 years and the reigns of 20 different kings.
Fact: What is a scapegoat?
What is a scapegoat? Laying hands on a sacrificial animal (29:23–24) was a symbolic act. It meant that human sin was being placed on the animal and taken away. On the Day of Atonement the people sacrificed a goat in this manner (see Lev. 16:20–22). Thus, today, when a person takes the blame for someone else, he or she may be referred to as a “scapegoat.”
Fact: Generous givers
Generous givers. When Hezekiah asked the people to contribute financially to his temple restoration project, they gave generously (31:5). Their response recalls the time of the tabernacle’s construction. The people gave so freely that Moses actually asked them to stop giving (Ex. 36:3–7).
Syria and Israel Attack Judah
c. 740–732 B.C.
As the Assyrian Empire expanded westward, Syria and Israel sought to compel Judah and the other nearby states to form an anti-Assyrian alliance. Judah refused, leading Syria and Israel to attack Jerusalem. Syria also wrested Elath from Judah and gave it to the Edomites. The Edomites may have also raided Judah and taken captives at this time (see 28:17). The Philistines, who may have been part of the anti-Assyrian alliance, attacked Judah as well, capturing several cities in the Shephelah and the Negeb (see 28:18).
Judah after the Fall of Israel
c. 722 B.C.
During the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, both Israel and Judah had become vassals (semi-independent subjects) of Assyria. Later, however, King Hoshea of Israel rebelled, causing the Assyrians to completely annex Israel as a province of the empire. Philistia was annexed into the empire as well, leaving Judah, Ammon, Moab, and Edom as the remaining vassals in the region.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Afflictions of Assyria against Israel
The Neo-Assyrian period (935–609 B.C.) brought renewed threats from the Assyrians. God used the Assyrians to chasten wayward Israel. In Nah. 1:12 the Lord tells Judah that “Though I have afflicted you [through the Assyrians], I will afflict you no longer.”
| Assyrian Ruler | Reign | Affliction | Significance and Biblical References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shalmaneser III | 858–824 B.C. | Exacted tribute from “Jehu, son of Omri” according to the Black Obelisk | Defeated at Qarqar in 853 B.C. by a Syrian coalition that included “Ahab the Israelite” |
| Adad-nirari III | 811–783 | Exacted tribute from Jehoash of Israel | His attacks on Damascus enabled Jehoash to recover Israelite cities lost previously to Hazael (2 Kings 13:25) |
| Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) | 745–727 | Invaded the land and exacted tribute | To avoid deportation, Menahem paid tribute to Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) (2 Kings 15:19–20); Pul deported the Transjordanian tribes (2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chron. 5:26); Pul aided Ahaz of Judah against Rezin of Damascus and Pekah of Israel (2 Kings 16:5–10; 2 Chron. 28:16–21) |
| Shalmaneser V | 727–722 | Exacted tribute from Hoshea of Israel; took the northern kingdom (Israel) into exile | Hoshea refused to pay tribute and sought Egypt for help, the Assyrians besieged Samaria (2 Kings 17:3–6; 18:9–12) |
| Sargon II | 722–705 | Took credit for the invasion and exile of the northern kingdom (Israel) that began under Shalmaneser V | Sargon II may be the unnamed king of Assyria in 2 Kings 17:6 |
| Sennacherib | 705–681 | Invaded Judah | Sennacherib besieged Lachish and forced tribute from Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:13–16); he besieged Jerusalem and demanded Hezekiah’s surrender (2 Kings 18:17–19:9); the Lord delivered Jerusalem from Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:10–37). See also 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36–37 |
| Esarhaddon | 681–669 | Exacted tribute from Manasseh of Judah | Mentioned at 2 Kings 19:37 as successor to Sennacherib (see also Ezra 4:2) |
| Ashurbanipal | 669–627 | Exacted tribute | Increasing tensions from Babylonia required Assyria’s direct attention. The increased political freedom of the western city-states is reflected in the reforms instituted by Josiah |
Basic Chronology of 1–2 Chronicles
| Events | Dates | Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation of the Davidic monarchy | c. 1010–931 B.C. | 1 Chronicles 10–2 Chronicles 9 |
| History of Judah from the division of the kingdom until its fall | 931–586 | 2 Chron. 10:1–36:21 |
| Babylonian captivity | 586–538 | 2 Chron. 36:17–21 |
| Cyrus’s decree | 538 | 2 Chron. 36:22–23 |
Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings
| 1 Chronicles | 2 Samuel | |
|---|---|---|
| Genealogies | 1:1–9:44 | |
| Death of Saul and sons | 10:1–14 | 1 Sam. 31:1–2 Sam. 1:16 |
| Lament for Saul | 1:17–27 | |
| David king of Judah | 2:1–7 | |
| War between house of Saul and David; Ish-bosheth made king | 2:8–3:1 | |
| David’s sons in Hebron | 3:2–5 | |
| Abner helps David | 3:6–21 | |
| Joab kills Abner | 3:22–39 | |
| Ish-bosheth killed | 4:1–12 | |
| David king of Judah and Israel | 11:1–3 | 5:1–5 |
| Conquest of Jerusalem | 11:4–9 | 5:6–10 |
| David’s mighty men | 11:10–47 | 23:8–39 |
| David’s men at Ziklag | 12:1–22 | |
| Celebration at Hebron | 12:23–40 | |
| Attempted return of ark; death of Uzzah | 13:1–14 | 6:1–11 |
| David’s house built | 14:1–2 | 5:11–12 |
| David’s children in Jerusalem | 14:3–7 | 5:13–16 |
| David defeats Philistines | 14:8–17 | 5:17–25 |
| Spiritual preparation for the ark’s return | 15:1–24 | |
| Ark brought to Jerusalem | 15:25–16:6 | 6:12–19 |
| David and Michal | 6:20–23 | |
| David’s psalm of praise | 16:7–43 | |
| David’s desire to build the temple | 17:1–2 | 7:1–3 |
| Davidic covenant | 17:3–15 | 7:4–17 |
| David’s prayer of praise | 17:16–27 | 7:18–29 |
| David’s victories | 18:1–13 | 8:1–14 |
| David’s officials | 18:14–17 | 8:15–18 |
| David helps Mephibosheth | 9:1–13 | |
| Ammonites defeated | 19:1–15 | 10:1–14 |
| Syrians defeated | 19:16–19 | 10:15–19 |
| Ammonites defeated | 20:1–3 | 11:1; 12:26–31 |
| David and Bathsheba | 11:2–12:25 | |
| Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom | 13:1–14:33 | |
| Absalom’s rebellion | 15:1–19:43 | |
| Sheba’s rebellion | 20:1–26 | |
| Famine; death of Saul’s sons | 21:1–14 | |
| War with Philistines; the Philistine giants | 20:4–8 | 21:15–22 |
| David’s psalm of deliverance | 22:1–51 | |
| David’s last words | 23:1–7 | |
| David’s census | 21:1–27 | 24:1–25 |
| David plans for the temple | 21:28–22:5 | |
| David’s charge to Solomon and the leaders | 22:6–19 | |
| David organizes temple personnel | 23:1–26:32 | |
| Israel’s military | 27:1–15 | |
| Israel’s leaders | 27:16–34 | |
| David’s charge to Israel; affirmation of Solomon | 28:1–10 | |
| Pattern for the temple | 28:11–21 | |
| Offerings for the temple | 29:1–9 | |
| David’s prayer of thanks for the temple | 29:10–19 | |
| 1 Kings | ||
| David and Abishag | 1:1–4 | |
| Adonijah claims the throne | 1:5–27 | |
| Solomon’s coronation | 29:20–25 | 1:28–40 |
| David instructs Solomon | 2:1–9 | |
| Death of David | 29:26–30 | 2:10–11 |
| Solomon establishes his kingdom | 2:12–46 | |
| 2 Chronicles | ||
| Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter | 3:1–3 | |
| Solomon at Gibeon | 1:1–6 | 3:4 |
| God gives Solomon wisdom | 1:7–12 | 3:5–14 |
| Solomon’s wise judgment | 3:16–28 | |
| Solomon’s prosperity | 1:14–17 | 4:20–34 |
| Preparations for the temple | 2:1–18 | 5:1–18 |
| Temple built | 3:1–5:1 | 6:1–38;7:13–51 |
| Solomon’s palace | 7:1–12 | |
| Ark brought to the temple | 5:2–12 | 8:1–9 |
| God’s glory fills the temple | 5:13–14 | 8:10–11 |
| Solomon blesses the people | 6:1–11 | 8:12–21 |
| Solomon consecrates the temple | 6:12–42 | 8:22–61 |
| Fire from the Lord consumes the sacrifices | 7:1–3 | |
| Solomon and the people offer sacrifices | 7:4–7 | 8:62–64 |
| Feast of Tabernacles | 7:8–10 | 8:65–66 |
| The covenant confirmed | 7:11–22 | 9:1–9 |
| Solomon’s territory increases | 8:1–6 | 9:10–19 |
| Solomon’s enemies defeated | 8:7–10 | 9:20–23 |
| Solomon’s religious practices | 8:11–16 | 9:24–25 |
| Solomon’s economic operations | 8:17–18 | 9:26–28 |
| Queen of Sheba visits | 9:1–12 | 10:1–13 |
| Solomon’s wealth | 9:13–28 | 10:14–29 |
| Solomon’s apostasy and adversaries | 11:1–40 | |
| Death of Solomon | 9:29–31 | 11:41–43 |
| Division of the kingdom | 10:1–11:23 | 12:1–33 |
| Man of God from Judah warns Jeroboam (Israel) | 13:1–34 | |
| Ahijah’s prophecy against Jeroboam | 14:1–18 | |
| Death of Jeroboam | 14:19–20 | |
| Shishak invades Judah | 12:1–12 | 14:25–28 |
| Reign of Rehoboam (Judah) | 12:13–16 | 14:21–24,29–31 |
| War between Judah and Israel | 13:1–22 | 15:1–8 |
| Evaluation of Asa (Judah) | 14:1–8 | 15:9–12 |
| Ethiopians defeated | 14:9–15 | |
| Azariah the prophet | 15:1–7 | |
| Asa’s reforms | 15:8–19 | 15:13–15 |
| Asa defeats Syria | 16:1–10 | 15:16–22 |
| Death of Asa | 16:11–14 | 15:23–24 |
| Reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri (Israel) | 15:25–16:28 | |
| Ahab becomes king (Israel) | 16:29–34 | |
| Elijah | 17:1–19:18;21:17–29 | |
| Call of Elisha | 19:19–21 | |
| Ahab conquers Syria, acquires Naboth’s vineyard | 20:1–21:29 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoshaphat (Judah) | 17:1–9 | |
| Expansion of Judah | 17:10–19 | |
| Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab; death of Ahab | 18:1–34 | 22:1–40 |
| Jehoshaphat’s reforms, crisis, and deliverance | 19:1–20:30 | |
| Reign of Jehoshaphat | 20:31–37 | 22:41–50 |
| Reign of Ahaziah (Israel) | 22:51–53 | |
| 2 Kings | ||
| Death of Ahaziah; Elijah’s prophecy | 1:1–18 | |
| Elijah and Elisha | 2:1–25 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoram (Israel) | 3:1–3 | |
| Moab rebels | 3:4–27 | |
| The widow’s oil | 4:1–7 | |
| The Shunammite woman | 4:8–37 | |
| Miracles for the prophets | 4:38–44 | |
| Naaman healed | 5:1–27 | |
| The axe head recovered | 6:1–7 | |
| Chariots of fire | 6:8–23 | |
| Siege of Samaria | 6:24–7:20 | |
| Shunammite’s land restored | 8:1–6 | |
| Hazael kills Ben-hadad | 8:7–15 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoram (Judah) | 21:1–7 | 8:16–19 |
| Edom and Libnah rebel | 21:8–11 | 8:20–22 |
| Warning of Elijah | 21:12–15 | |
| Invasion of Philistia and Arabia | 21:16–17 | |
| Death of Jehoram | 21:18–20 | 8:23–24 |
| Reign of Ahaziah (Judah) | 22:1–9 | 8:25–29; 9:15–16, 27–28; 10:12–14 |
| Reign of Jehu (Israel) | 22:7–9 | 9:1–10:36 |
| Reign of Athaliah (Judah) | 22:10–23:15 | 11:1–16 |
| Jehoiada’s reforms (Judah) | 23:16–21 | 11:17–20 |
| Evaluation of Joash (Judah) | 24:1–3 | 11:21–12:3 |
| Joash repairs the temple | 24:4–14 | 12:4–16 |
| Death of Jehoiada | 24:15–16 | |
| Jehoiada’s son killed | 24:17–22 | |
| Syria invades Judah | 24:23–24 | 12:17–18 |
| Death of Joash | 24:25–27 | 12:19–21 |
| Reign of Jehoahaz (Israel) | 13:1–9 | |
| Reign of Jehoash (Israel) | 13:10–13 | |
| Elisha’s final prophecy and death | 13:14–25 | |
| Reign of Amaziah (Judah) | 25:1–16 | 14:1–20 |
| Israel defeats Judah | 25:17–24 | 14:8–14 |
| Death of Amaziah | 25:25–28 | 14:17–20 |
| Evaluation of Uzziah (Judah) | 26:1–5 | 14:21–22; 15:1–5 |
| Reign of Jeroboam II (Israel) | 14:23–29 | |
| Victories of Uzziah | 26:6–15 | |
| Sinful offering of Uzziah | 26:16–21 | |
| Death of Uzziah | 26:22–23 | 15:6–7 |
| Reign of Zechariah (Israel) | 15:8–12 | |
| Reign of Shallum (Israel) | 15:13–16 | |
| Reign of Menahem (Israel) | 15:17–22 | |
| Reign of Pekahiah (Israel) | 15:23–26 | |
| Reign of Pekah (Israel) | 15:27–31 | |
| Reign of Jotham (Judah) | 27:1–9 | 15:32–38 |
| Evaluation of Ahaz (Judah) | 28:1–4 | 16:1–4 |
| Israel defeats Judah | 28:5–21 | 16:5–9 |
| Ahaz’s idolatry and death | 28:22–27 | 16:10–12 |
| Fall of Israel | 17:1–23 | |
| Resettlement of Israel | 17:24–41 | |
| Evaluation of Hezekiah (Judah) | 29:1–2 | 18:1–8 |
| Hezekiah cleanses the temple | 29:3–19 | |
| Hezekiah restores temple worship | 29:20–36 | |
| Hezekiah restores Passover | 30:1–27 | |
| Hezekiah destroys idols, organizes priests | 31:1–21 | |
| Fall of Israel (restated) | 18:9–12 | |
| Assyria invades Judah | 32:1–23 | 18:13–19:37 |
| Hezekiah’s illness and restoration | 32:24–26 | 20:1–11 |
| Hezekiah’s wealth and foolish pride | 32:27–31 | 20:12–19 |
| Death of Hezekiah | 32:32–33 | 20:20–21 |
| Reign of Manasseh (Judah) | 33:1–9 | 21:1–18 |
| Manasseh’s repentance | 33:10–20 | |
| Reign of Amon (Judah) | 33:21–25 | 21:19–26 |
| Evaluation of Josiah (Judah) | 34:1–2 | 22:1–2 |
| Josiah’s early reforms | 34:3–7 | |
| Josiah repairs the temple | 34:8–13 | 22:3–7 |
| Book of Law discovered; Josiah’s reforms | 34:14–33 | 22:8–23:20 |
| Passover celebrated | 35:1–19 | 23:21–27 |
| Death of Josiah | 35:20–27 | 23:28–30 |
| Reign of Jehoahaz (Judah) | 36:1–3 | 23:31–33 |
| Reign of Jehoiakim (Judah) | 36:4–8 | 23:34–24:7 |
| Reign of Jehoiachin (Judah); Babylonian captivity | 36:9–10 | 24:8–17 |
| Evaluation of Zedekiah (Judah) | 36:11–12 | 24:18–20 |
| Destruction of Jerusalem | 36:13–21 | 25:1–21 |
| Remnant flees to Egypt | 25:22–26 | |
| Jehoiachin released | 25:27–30 | |
| Proclamation by Cyrus | 36:22–23 |
Ahaz
Ahaz was a wicked king whose apostasy led Judah astray and brought the nation to ruin. Rather than worship the God of Israel, Ahaz made images of Baal. He even sacrificed his own children to the false god, a practice strongly condemned by the Lord. Because of his wickedness, God allowed both Syria and Israel to successfully attack Judah. Ahaz did not repent and turn to the Lord for help in his time of distress, but rather sought help from the king of Assyria. The plan backfired, however, when the Assyrians “came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him” (28:20). Even then, Ahaz still turned away from the Lord. Not only did he close the doors of the temple, but also “in every city of Judah he made high places to make offerings to other gods” (28:25). (2 Chronicles 28:22–27)
2 Chron. 28:1 he did not do what was right. See note on 2 Kings 16:1–4.
2 Chron. 28:2 metal images for the Baals. Baal worship was especially associated with Ahab’s dynasty (1 Kings 16:31).
2 Chron. 28:3 Valley of the Son of Hinnom. See 33:6 and Jer. 7:31. The Canaanite practice of child sacrifice is strongly condemned in Lev. 20:1–5.
2 Chron. 28:5–7 See 2 Kings 16:5–7 and Isa. 7:1–6. The attacks by Syria and Israel were acts of divine judgment. The captives taken to Damascus were a sign of the coming exile (2 Chron. 36:20).
Syria and Israel Attack Judah
c. 740–732 B.C.
As the Assyrian Empire expanded westward, Syria and Israel sought to compel Judah and the other nearby states to form an anti-Assyrian alliance. Judah refused, leading Syria and Israel to attack Jerusalem. Syria also wrested Elath from Judah and gave it to the Edomites. The Edomites may have also raided Judah and taken captives at this time (see 28:17). The Philistines, who may have been part of the anti-Assyrian alliance, attacked Judah as well, capturing several cities in the Shephelah and the Negeb (see 28:18).
2 Chron. 28:8–15 Just as Syria has done (v. 5), Israel takes captives with the intention of enslaving them. The intervention by Oded indicates that the northern tribes still belong to “the Israel of God,” even though they are “in rebellion against the house of David” (10:19). The northern and southern tribes are relatives, and both have caused God’s anger by their unfaithfulness (28:9, 11). Both sides need to repent, which the leaders of Ephraim demonstrate.
Syria and Israel Attack Judah
c. 740–732 B.C.
As the Assyrian Empire expanded westward, Syria and Israel sought to compel Judah and the other nearby states to form an anti-Assyrian alliance. Judah refused, leading Syria and Israel to attack Jerusalem. Syria also wrested Elath from Judah and gave it to the Edomites. The Edomites may have also raided Judah and taken captives at this time (see 28:17). The Philistines, who may have been part of the anti-Assyrian alliance, attacked Judah as well, capturing several cities in the Shephelah and the Negeb (see 28:18).
2 Chron. 28:16–21 Ahaz appeals to Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria, rather than God, for help against the Edomites and Philistines, who were invading Judah’s southern borders (see 2 Kings 16:6–7a). This decision misfired. Although Judah received relief from its enemies (including the Syro-Ephraimite coalition, 2 Kings 16:9), it would be controlled by Assyria for 30 years (see Isa. 7:17; 8:7–8).
Afflictions of Assyria against Israel
The Neo-Assyrian period (935–609 B.C.) brought renewed threats from the Assyrians. God used the Assyrians to chasten wayward Israel. In Nah. 1:12 the Lord tells Judah that “Though I have afflicted you [through the Assyrians], I will afflict you no longer.”
| Assyrian Ruler | Reign | Affliction | Significance and Biblical References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shalmaneser III | 858–824 B.C. | Exacted tribute from “Jehu, son of Omri” according to the Black Obelisk | Defeated at Qarqar in 853 B.C. by a Syrian coalition that included “Ahab the Israelite” |
| Adad-nirari III | 811–783 | Exacted tribute from Jehoash of Israel | His attacks on Damascus enabled Jehoash to recover Israelite cities lost previously to Hazael (2 Kings 13:25) |
| Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) | 745–727 | Invaded the land and exacted tribute | To avoid deportation, Menahem paid tribute to Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) (2 Kings 15:19–20); Pul deported the Transjordanian tribes (2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chron. 5:26); Pul aided Ahaz of Judah against Rezin of Damascus and Pekah of Israel (2 Kings 16:5–10; 2 Chron. 28:16–21) |
| Shalmaneser V | 727–722 | Exacted tribute from Hoshea of Israel; took the northern kingdom (Israel) into exile | Hoshea refused to pay tribute and sought Egypt for help, the Assyrians besieged Samaria (2 Kings 17:3–6; 18:9–12) |
| Sargon II | 722–705 | Took credit for the invasion and exile of the northern kingdom (Israel) that began under Shalmaneser V | Sargon II may be the unnamed king of Assyria in 2 Kings 17:6 |
| Sennacherib | 705–681 | Invaded Judah | Sennacherib besieged Lachish and forced tribute from Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:13–16); he besieged Jerusalem and demanded Hezekiah’s surrender (2 Kings 18:17–19:9); the Lord delivered Jerusalem from Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:10–37). See also 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36–37 |
| Esarhaddon | 681–669 | Exacted tribute from Manasseh of Judah | Mentioned at 2 Kings 19:37 as successor to Sennacherib (see also Ezra 4:2) |
| Ashurbanipal | 669–627 | Exacted tribute | Increasing tensions from Babylonia required Assyria’s direct attention. The increased political freedom of the western city-states is reflected in the reforms instituted by Josiah |
2 Chron. 28:26 On the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel, see note on 1 Kings 14:19.
Judah after the Fall of Israel
c. 722 B.C.
During the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, both Israel and Judah had become vassals (semi-independent subjects) of Assyria. Later, however, King Hoshea of Israel rebelled, causing the Assyrians to completely annex Israel as a province of the empire. Philistia was annexed into the empire as well, leaving Judah, Ammon, Moab, and Edom as the remaining vassals in the region.
28:1–27 Ahaz. The account of Ahaz’s reign (735–715 B.C.) shows how his spiritual unfaithfulness brought Judah to ruin. Yet the dark picture of Judah’s decline is lessened somewhat by its northern kinsmen, who respond to the prophetic word (vv. 8–15). Although the Chronicler does not mention it here, the northern kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 B.C., during the reign of Ahaz in the south (see 2 Kings 17:6).
2 Chron. 28:22–27 Compare 2 Kings 16:10–18. Judah reaches its lowest point before the exile when Ahaz desecrates the temple and discourages faithful worship (2 Chron. 28:24; see 29:7, 18–19). Although this will be reversed somewhat by the reforming kings Hezekiah (chs. 29–32) and Josiah (chs. 34–35), Judah is headed for destruction and exile (see 28:5).
Ahaz
Ahaz was a wicked king whose apostasy led Judah astray and brought the nation to ruin. Rather than worship the God of Israel, Ahaz made images of Baal. He even sacrificed his own children to the false god, a practice strongly condemned by the Lord. Because of his wickedness, God allowed both Syria and Israel to successfully attack Judah. Ahaz did not repent and turn to the Lord for help in his time of distress, but rather sought help from the king of Assyria. The plan backfired, however, when the Assyrians “came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him” (28:20). Even then, Ahaz still turned away from the Lord. Not only did he close the doors of the temple, but also “in every city of Judah he made high places to make offerings to other gods” (28:25). (2 Chronicles 28:22–27)
2 Chron. 29:3 Hezekiah opened the doors of the house of the LORD, reversing his father’s action (28:24).
2 Chron. 29:4–5 The filth refers to pagan worship objects in the sanctuary, which were to be removed and burned in the Kidron Valley (v. 16).
2 Chron. 29:6 Unfaithful and forsaken are key terms in Chronicles (see “broke faith” in note on 1 Chron. 2:3–8).
2 Chron. 29:8 an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing. See Jer. 29:18.
2 Chron. 29:16–17 The work of cleansing the temple took two weeks, until the sixteenth day of the first month, two days past the proper date of Passover (see Num. 9:1–11 and note on 2 Chron. 30:2–4).
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
2 Chron. 29:18–19 All the utensils that King Ahaz discarded in his reign . . . we have made ready and consecrated. See note on 1 Chron. 28:11–19.
2 Chron. 29:20–22 sin offering. See Lev. 4:1–5:13.
2 Chron. 29:23 Laid their hands on them recalls the scapegoat ritual of the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:20–22).
Fact: What is a scapegoat?
What is a scapegoat? Laying hands on a sacrificial animal (29:23–24) was a symbolic act. It meant that human sin was being placed on the animal and taken away. On the Day of Atonement the people sacrificed a goat in this manner (see Lev. 16:20–22). Thus, today, when a person takes the blame for someone else, he or she may be referred to as a “scapegoat.”
2 Chron. 29:25–30 The burnt offering signifies the people consecrating themselves to Yahweh (v. 31). the song to the LORD. See 1 Chron. 16:7.
2 Chron. 29:31–36 The sacrifices and thank offerings that the people bring to the temple are individual expressions of worship and thanksgiving.
2 Chron. 30:1 all Israel and Judah. Hezekiah includes the tribes defeated by Assyria in 725–722 B.C. in his invitation. Thus he tries to unite all Israel in worship of the Lord.
2 Chron. 30:2–4 The Passover was delayed until the second month. The law allowed this kind of delay for those who were ceremonially unclean or absent on a journey (Num. 9:9–13). This is an example of the Law of Moses being interpreted to cover new situations. Hezekiah consulted the assembly, as did David (1 Chron. 13:1–5) and Solomon (2 Chron. 1:2–5) before him.
2 Chron. 30:6–9 The letters of invitation are really a call to repentance (return to the LORD). Hezekiah hopes that the people will repent and that God will turn away from his anger and return the Assyrian captives (v. 9).
2 Chron. 30:11 humbled themselves. See 7:14.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
2 Chron. 30:17 the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone. A new, permanent change in their duties (see 35:5–6). It had previously been the responsibility of the elders (Ex. 12:21).
2 Chron. 30:18–20 The people from the northern tribes who came to the Passover were ceremonially unclean and thus, according to the law, they were unable to eat the meal. However, their genuine repentance and Hezekiah’s intercession were enough to make their participation acceptable. “Healing” here is probably symbolic language for forgiveness and spiritual cleansing (compare 7:14; Ps. 41:4; Jer. 30:17).
2 Chron. 30:1–27 Hezekiah demonstrates his commitment to the Law of Moses by holding the Passover celebration immediately after the reconsecration of the temple. The ceremony differs from the usual standards, however, in its date (see note on vv. 2–4) and in its allowing those who are ceremonially unclean to participate (vv. 18–20). The Passover results in a unity between people from the north and south in true worship at the temple (v. 1; 31:1). Earlier kings had tried to achieve unity through military means (see 11:1–4; 13:8) or ungodly alliances (see 18:1; 19:2; 20:35).
2 Chron. 30:23–27 The feast was extended for another week, just as the temple dedication had been. The great joy of this occasion recalls the time of Solomon (7:9–10).
2 Chron. 31:1 all Israel. The festival united Judah and Israel and led to a popular movement to end pagan worship.
2 Chron. 31:3 Hezekiah leads with the example of his own generosity, as David did before (1 Chron. 29:2–5).
Fact: Generous givers
Generous givers. When Hezekiah asked the people to contribute financially to his temple restoration project, they gave generously (31:5). Their response recalls the time of the tabernacle’s construction. The people gave so freely that Moses actually asked them to stop giving (Ex. 36:3–7).
2 Chron. 31:5–6 The firstfruits were for the priests (Num. 18:12–13) and the tithes were for the Levites (Num. 18:21, 24).
2 Chron. 31:7 The gathering of food lasts from the grain harvest in the third month (May–June, the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost) until the fruit and vine harvest in the seventh month (September–October, the Feast of Ingathering or Tabernacles). On these occasions and at Passover, all Israelite men were to come to the temple (Ex. 23:16–17).
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Fact: Generous givers
Generous givers. When Hezekiah asked the people to contribute financially to his temple restoration project, they gave generously (31:5). Their response recalls the time of the tabernacle’s construction. The people gave so freely that Moses actually asked them to stop giving (Ex. 36:3–7).
2 Chron. 31:16–18 Distribution of food was made to priests and their families, including provision for males from three years old, the age by which they had been weaned.
2 Chron. 31:2–21 The final stage in Hezekiah’s reforms is the restoration of the temple services, which evidently ceased when Ahaz closed the temple (28:24). This requires reorganization of the priests and Levites (31:2). It also requires that the people resume their tithes and offerings (vv. 4–19). Because of Hezekiah’s faithful leadership in these reforms, the Lord blesses the nation (vv. 10, 21).
What was the significance of celebrating Passover?
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Chronicles 28-31
Hezekiah sticks out among the kings by foreshadowing Christ. Hezekiah's reign comes after Ahaz's legacy of seeking after foreign gods and abandoning the true God, even shutting up the doors to the temple. In stark contrast, Hezekiah opened and repaired the temple doors in his first month on the throne. Once the temple was cleansed, he called for the people to come to Jerusalem to keep the Passover, which had been sorely neglected for many years. What is remarkable is that he invites not only the people of Judah but all of Israel.
Hezekiah is a breath of fresh air in the Bible's story. He reminds us of David, in whose ways he walked. We see how God is being faithful to keep His covenant with David to preserve his line and to bring the ultimate King from his descendants. Starting with David and here followed by Hezekiah who is David-like, the righteous kings foreshadow the perfectly righteous King who is to come. However, Hezekiah's reign lasted 29 years and then ended. This tells us that Hezekiah is not the final King that God has promised, because we know that "[o]f the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:7). The end of Hezekiah's reign should not discourage us, but rather heighten our anticipation as we hunt hopefully through the Scriptures, looking to find this promised eternal King.
Hezekiah cleansed the temple so that he might restore temple worship. Jesus cleansed the temple and brought a new kind of temple worship. Hezekiah intercedes for the people in prayer so that their ritual uncleanliness might be forgiven in light of their right-heart attitude. Jesus intercedes for us in prayer and gives us new hearts. Under Hezekiah, Judah and Israel celebrated Passover. Under Jesus, the whole world celebrates that the final Passover has come. The people in Hezekiah's reign rejoiced that a righteous king had come to uproot their idols and repair the temple. We rejoice because the righteous King has come to uproot the idols of our hearts and make us His temple.
This month's memory verse
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
– Job 1:21b
Discussion Questions
1. Hezekiah began repairing the temple within his first month on the throne. He did not waste any time in walking in obedience to the Lord. What are ways in your life that you might be delaying getting rid of idolatry, repairing your relationship with the Lord, or walking in obedience to Him?
2. It was necessary that the temple be cleansed before Hezekiah could start making offerings, but the cleansing of the temple took two weeks. It was not an overnight fix. In your own life, where might you be expecting an overnight cleansing in an area that needs more work? Whom can you invite alongside and help you persevere in that?
3. Hezekiah invited Israel to the Passover even though he was only king of Judah. What are ways that you can extend grace and hospitality to those beyond the circle of your domain, to invite them to celebrate the Lord's goodness with you?
4. In response to Hezekiah's prayer, the Lord healed anyone who ate the Passover with a clean heart even if they were ritually unclean. This is a beautiful demonstration of God prioritizing the condition of our hearts over our actions. Do you believe that you partake in the blessings of the Lord based on your clean actions or based on your clean heart in Christ?
5. Second Chronicles 31:21 informs us that in every work that he did, Hezekiah sought the Lord with all his heart. In what works are you not seeking the Lord or serving Him with your whole heart? How can you change your ways or your heart? Who will help you?