Mark Steven C. Salem JOURNEYS ANGLAHI Submitted to: Coach Jane Pagalan Book Study of 2 Chronicles I.

Title

The title of the book in the current English translation is 2 Chronicles but going back through history the earliest known title is Paraleipomenon which means things left out. This is found in the Old Greek versions (Septuagint) and Jeromes Vulgate (in Latin). The name is derived from how the Chronicles supplement much material from 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. It should not be viewed as such though. Its Hebrew title dibre hayyamim meaning the affairs of the days (i.e. daily matters or daily deeds) which is to be understood as annals or chronicles and finally we get our current English translation from Jerome as he wrote in his Prologus galeatus: the chronicle (chronikon) of the whole of sacred history. Jerome who wrote in Latin used a Greek word showing that he saw it as a title.

II. Author Like most books in the Old Testament, the authorship of the book is not state explicitly. Bible scholars then base their theories on the Jewish tradition as well as other supporting documents. According to Talmud (Baba Bathra 15a), Ezra wrote it justifying that Ezra begins as the 2 Chronicles ends. There is also much similarity in style and vocabulary in both books. However, recent scholars have argued that Ezra did not author the book. This view began with the work of Sara Japhet in 1968 when she did a detailed study on the vocabulary used which pointed towards different authorships. Another scholar, Hugh Williamson points out that the outlook and theology of the books of Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah have markedly different concerns. Lastly, others have suggested that a Levite or a member of the Page | 1

musicians guild of Asaph wrote it. In the end, there is no certainty on who wrote this so most scholars settle on calling the author as the Chronicler.

III. Context The book of 2 Chronicles starts with the rule of Solomon up to the fall of Jerusalem. After the rule of Solomon, Israel split into two kingdoms. The two kingdoms that were formed were the (1) kingdom of Israel and (2) the kingdom of Judah. 2 Chronicles focuses on the kings of the Kingdom of Judah and it shows the journey of Gods people during this time. It was written to retell the story of Gods people for an audience late in their history, several decades after the Exile, with special emphasis on the David Covenant, the proper place of worship, and the certainty of Gods punishment. A primary focus on Judah as the vehicle of Gods outworking of His promises does not obscure the vision in these books of a people of God that includes all the faithful of both Israel and Judah. IV. Main Bible Characters

1. Solomon - first king mentioned in 2 Chronicles and the first of the Davidic line of kings. He is the one who is given the privilege of building the Temple. 2. Rehoboam - second of the Davidic kings. Its during his reign that the Kingdom is split into two: (1) the kingdom of Judah - ruled by the Davidic line of Kings, composed Judah and Benjamin and (2) the kingdom of Israel composed of all the remaining ten tribes. 3. Abijah - third king of Judah. He trusted in the Lord and was able to resist the attack of the kingdom of Israel. 4. Asa - fourth king of Judah. He started out trusting in the Lord and doing all in his might to honor Him. He removed the pagan high places and restored the altars on which to worship God. He won against the Cushites because he decided to trust in the Lord and call upon his name. After this he lead his Page | 2

people to put God in his place of honor and peace followed for 35 years. However in his 36th year he relied upon the king of Aram for protection against Israel. This is held against him and a seer, Hanani, was sent to let him know. Asa takes it hard and becomes embittered. Until his death, because he had a severe foot disease, he never asked help from God but instead he hardened his heart. 5. Jehoshaphat - fifth king of Judah. He was one who walked in the ways of God and, though he did not have a perfect story, he is remembered as such in the book of 2 Chronicles. 6. Jehoram he did evil in the Lords eyes by walking in the ways of the kings of Israel. He died in great pain because of a disease in his bowels. 7. Ahaziah-he did evil in the Lords eyes. He was killed by Jehu and his men who were anointed to destroy the house of Ahab. 8. Athaliah-Ahaziahs mother who decided to destroy the line of Judah after her son died. 9. Joash 10. Amaziah 11. Uzziah 12. Jotham 13. Ahaz 14. Hezekiah 15. Manasseh 16. Amon 17. Josiah 18. Jehoahaz 19. Jehoiakin 20. Jehoiaching 21. Zedekiah

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V. Book Outline: (Header; Chapter: Verses) Solomons Splendor; 9:13-28 Solomon Asks for Wisdom; 1:1-14 Preparations Temple; 2:1-17 Solomon Builds the Temple; 3:115 The Temple Furnishings; 4:1-22 & 5:1 The Ark Brought to the Temple; 5:2-14 & 6:1-11 Solomons Prayer of Dedication; 6:12-42 Dedication of the Temple; 7:1-10 The LORD Appears to Solomon; 7:11-22 Solomons Other Activities; 8:1-18 The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon; 9:1-12 for Building the Solomons Death; 9:2-31 Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam; 10:1-18 & 11:1-4 Rehoboam Fortifies Judah; 11:517 Rehoboams Family; 11:18-23 Shishak Attacks Jerusalem; 12:116 Abijah King of Judah; 13:1-22 & 14:1 Asa King of Judah; 14:2-14 Asas Reform; 15:1-19 Asas Last Years; 16:1-14 Jehoshaphat King of Judah; 17:119 Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab; 18:1-27 Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead; 18:28-34 & 19:1-3 Page | 4

Jehoshaphat 19:4-11 Jehoshapat Ammon; 20:1-30

Appoints Defeats

Judges; and

30:1-27 & 31:1 Contributions for Worship; 31:221 Sennacherib Jerusalem; 32:1-23 Hezekiahs Pride, Success and Death; 32:24-33 Manasseh King of Judah; 33:1-20 Amon King of Judah; 33:21-25 Josiahs Reform; 34:1-13 The Book of the Law Found; 34:14-33 Josiah Celebrates the Passover; 35:1-19 The Death of Josiah; 35:20-27, 36:1 Jehoahaz King of Judah; 36:2-4 Jehoiakin King of Judah; 36:5-8 Jehoiaching King of Judah; 36:910 Zedekiah King of Judah; 36:11-14 The Fall of Jerusalem; 36:15-23 Threatens

Moab

The End of Jehoshaphats Reign; 20:31-37 & 21:1--3 Jehoram King of Judah; 21:4-20 Ahaziah King of Judah; 22:1-12 Athaliah and Joash; 22:10-12 & 23:1-21 Joash Repairs the Temple; 24:116 The Wickedness of Joash; 24:1727 Amaziah King of Judah; 25:1-28 Uzziah King of Judah; 26:1-23 Jotham King of Judah; 27:1-9 Ahaz King of Judah; 28:1-27 Hezekiah 29:1-36 Hezekiah Passover; Celebrates the Purifies the Temple;

VI. Lessons

The study of 2 Chronicles has taught me the importance of (1) teachability, (2) humility, and (3) history. First, on a teachable heart and humility, the kings of Judah proved very good examples. The life of Asa taught me that once you allow yourself to be puffed up with pride such that you dont allow yourself to be corrected then you are set up for a fall. It allowed me to appreciate the heart of David more. It was the same thing that happened to David, a very accomplished king,
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when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and when he took the census of his fighting men. He was also confronted, like Asa, but he chose the teachable path. He remembered that he was still a servant of God. He fell but he was able to rise up again. As an AngLahi cadet, my journey is filled with personal failures: Failure to go back to the Truth of God and so I am not able to put things in their right perspective, failure to live and excellent life so that you can lead, failure to love with the love of God. These failures are opportunities for me to rise up. There is always a choice to go the path of Asa and be embittered and hardened so living a dead life or to be like David who took the path of teachability and humility. The next lesson is on the importance of history and how it is presented based upon the needs of the people at that time. First you must always remember that there is a possibility that because of time the lessons of history will become faded. The Chronicler saw the need of the people who had gone through a long time of being an exile. They needed to be reminded of the proper place of worship, of their history of kings, and so the Chronicler met the need of the people. There is a great need for us now to be mindful of history and not just of our own country but also of those around us. Being a part of the 21 st century we, as Filipinos in the flat world, must connect the dots and understand our past so that we can stand along the civilizations. My recent failure in the question and answer portion of our combined Military Science 201, How Should We Then Live 201, and Philippine History 201 where we tackled documentaries on the history of the Aztecs and of Mexico as well as the 700 year Muslim history of Spain which she erased made me appreciate connecting the dots through history up to the present. AngLahi taught me much not only about history but on how to view it so that it would allow me to understand our times. We must also live our lives like the Chronicler who wrote the history of Israel so that they can remember what is necessary for them during their time.
VII. Quotations When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

This verse of Scripture always reminds me of the responsibility of the people of God. We are the ones responsible for the healing of our lands. True healing will come to the country once the Christians go back to God and straighten up. It talks about (1) Gods
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people who are called by His name the Christians, (2) humbling themselves, (3) praying and seeking Gods face, (4) turning away from the evil they do.
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him 2 Chronicles 16:9 (first part)

When Hanani the seer confronted Asa king of Judah these were the words he spoke. It always reminds me how David won over Goliath. The horses will be prepared for battle but the victory is the Lords. We always need to make sure that our actions are done out of faith to God.
VIII. Conclusion The academic and introspective study of 2 Chronicles brought to me many lessons. It allowed me to better understand the role of education in history. We teach history to answer a certain need which our people have at present. Just like the Israelites then who were in exile for a long time that the Chronicler wrote of the Davidic kings and of the proper worship relationship with God as a response. Even the details and particulars of what was inside the Temple of the Lord just to show how much excellence they can do and yet it can never measure up to God and yet He shows grace and sends the cloud of His presence into the temple. All these were done to remind their people of their past so as to have direction when they have decisions to make in the future. On another note, it made me realize the importance of being a leader. We cannot be the ones to lead our people into disobedience to God. It must start with us. We need to be obedient starting in the little things of our lives because we will influence the big decisions of those who look up to us. As a leader we must not be like an Asa who remained stiff necked despite the rebuke.

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