Dr. J. Vernon McGee :: Comments for 2 Chronicles

I. Solomon’s reign, Chapters 1—9

Chapter 1 — Solomon becomes king and prays for wisdom (v. 10), probably at the suggestion of David (1 Chronicles 22:12). Although he is given divine wisdom to rule, he doesn’t seem to have wisdom to order his personal life.

Chapter 2 — Solomon makes preparation to build the temple and enlists a large army of workmen. He enlists technical advice and secures materials from Huram, king of Tyre, a friend of David. He requires skilled workmen because Israelites apparently were given to agriculture (v. 7). The total number of workmen is 153,600 (v. 17).

Chapter 3 — Solomon begins construction of the temple on Mt. Moriah where Abraham had offered Isaac (compare v. 1 with Genesis 22:2). The temple proper is twice the size of the tabernacle (v. 3), and the plan includes many surrounding buildings.

Chapter 4 — The temple is provided with new articles of furniture. Notice that the brazen altar is four times as large as the one in the tabernacle (v. 1), and there are ten lavers in the temple. There are many other additions and changes. The innovations and enlargements take away the simplicity of the tabernacle and the plain references to Christ. The tabernacle, not the temple, became the figure used in the Epistle to the Hebrews to depict the person and work of Christ.

Chapter 5 — The ark from the tabernacle is brought into the new temple from the city of David. An unnumbered multitude of animals are offered (v. 6). The ark is brought now to a permanent place and the staves are removed (v. 9). The pot of manna and Aaron’s rod had been removed from the ark (v. 10). The glory of the Lord fills the temple as it had previously filled the tabernacle (vs. 13, 14). This is God’s approval.

Chapter 6 — Solomon delivers a message and prays a prayer of dedication. Jerusalem was God’s choice as well as David’s choice (vs. 6, 7). Israel entertains no pagan notion that God could dwell in a man-made house when the heavens could not contain Him. Verses 21-42 give the place and plan of the temple in the future relationship of God and Israel. Daniel, in a foreign land, opens his window toward Jerusalem to pray (Daniel 6:10).

Chapter 7 — God accepts the sacrifices (v. 1), and the temple becomes a beehive of activity (v. 6). God appears to Solomon and gives to him the condition of blessing upon Israel in the land. Verse 14 has direct reference to Israel.

Chapter 8 — Reveals the notoriety of Solomon. Note the interesting decision he makes in reference to the daughter of Pharaoh (v. 11).

Chapter 9 — Records the visit of the queen of Sheba to Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:1-13). The witness of Israel to the world was not in going out to the nations but having them come to Jerusalem to worship. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:1, 2). Our command, in contrast to this, is to go to the world. The temple at Jerusalem was for all people (1 Kings 8:41-43; 2 Chronicles 6:32, 33). This chapter reveals the partial success of Israel in witnessing. Remember that from the East came wise men to Jerusalem. In verse 4, “his ascent” should be “burnt offering.” This offering was the most complete and perfect picture of Christ (Romans 3:21, 22; Matthew 12:42). Verses 22, 23 are a further evidence of the witness of Israel. The death of Solomon concludes this chapter.

II. Division of the kingdom and the history of Judah, Chapters 10—36

(See chart of kings at the conclusion of these comments.)

Chapter 10 — The stupidity of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, leads to the division of the kingdom. Jeroboam leads the ten northern tribes of Israel into rebellion.

Chapter 11 — The early reign of Rehoboam is seen in contrast to Jeroboam’s refusal to worship God in Jerusalem.

Chapter 12 — Rehoboam departs from the law of God; Shishak, king of Egypt, invades the land. Rehoboam dies. Notice that his mother’s name is given (v. 13). One of the striking features of this section is the giving of the mothers’ names of both good and bad kings. In God’s sight, the mother shares responsibility.

The Kings of Judah:

(See 1 & 2 Kings for the specific features of the reign of each king.)

The five periods of revival, renewal, and reformation are enlarged upon in this section. Notice the striking features that characterize each period.

A return to the Word of God led to the repentance of the people and the reformation of the nation.

Chapter 21 — Gives the only written prophecy of Elijah (vs. 12-15).

Chapter 36 — Second Chronicles closes with two remarkable incidents:

(1) The explanation of Jeremiah as to the reason God chose 70 years for the duration of the captivity — “To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths; for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years” (v. 21).

(2) The decree of Cyrus for the permission given to Israel to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

The 70 years are passed over entirely, as the people are out of the will of God. God’s clock is not spelled R-O-L-E-X or T-I-M-E-X but I-S-R-A-E-L, and it runs only while Israel is in the land.