Introduction.
THE Second Book of Chronicles is occupied with the reign, works, and career of Solomon, and with the history of the separate kingdom of Judah, omitting altogether the connected history of that of Israel. It goes down to the memorable proclamation of Cyrus, which authorized the return of the captives and sanctioned the rebuilding of the temple. This book embraces the third and fourth divisions of the whole work, once entitled in its unity Chronicles, according to the very obvious fourfold arrangement of it, observed by so many expositors of this historical portion of the Old Testament. The third division, occupied with the reign of Solomon, fills 2 Chronicles 1-9. And the fourth division, occupied with the history of the successive reigns of the separate kingdom of Judah, fills 2 Chronicles 10-36:21. The arrangement of this book, therefore, in parts and sections, with dates of reigns and the synchronisms for them (according to Milman's table) in the line of Israel, so long as it lasted, will be as follows: —
ARRANGEMENT OF 2 CHRONICLES IN PARTS AND SECTIONS.
PART I. CH. 1-9. Solomon and his reign.
His burnt offerings at Gibeon; the vision granted to him, and his prayer; his wisdom, wealth, chariots, and horsemen. 2 Chronicles 1.
His determination to build the temple, and preparations for it. 2 Chronicles 2.
The building of the temple, with its plan, measures, chief features, ornaments. 2 Chronicles 3-5:1.
The dedication of the temple. 2 Chronicles 5:2.
Other buildings, arrangements of labour between "tributaries" and "rulers;" restored appointments of priests and Levites; and the ships given or lent for help by Hiram. 2 Chronicles 8.
The visit and testimony of the Queen of Sheba; the ivory throne of Solomon; his riches and prosperity and presents; his wide dominion, length of reign, and at last death. 2 Chronicles 9.
PART II. 2 Chronicles 10-36:21. The dissension and schism in the kingdom, with the separate history of that division of it which held the capital and the temple and the unbroken succession of David.
The revolt of Jeroboam, and secession of the ten tribes. 2 Chronicles 10.
KINGS OF JUDAH. B.C.
Rehoboam: 2 Chronicles 11:12., — 979
Abijah: 2 Chronicles 13; — 962
Asa: 2 Chronicles 14-16; — 959
Jehoshaphat: 2 Chronicles 17-21:3 —918
Jehoram, or Joram: 2 Chronicles 21; — 893
Ahaziah: 2 Chronicles 22:1; — 885
Athaliah: 2 Chronicles 22:10; — 884
Jehoash: 2 Chronicles 23:11; 2 Chronicles 24; — 878
Amaziah: 2 Chronicles 25; — 838
Uzziah (Azariah): 2 Chronicles 26; — 809
Jotham: 2 Chronicles 27; — 757
Ahaz: 2 Chronicles 28; — 741
Hezekiah: 2 Chronicles 29-32; — 726
Manasseh: 2 Chronicles 33:1; — 697
Amon: 2 Chronicles 33:20-14; — 642
Josiah: 2 Chronicles 34, 35; — 640
Jehoahaz: 2 Chronicles 36:1; — 609
Jehoiakim: 2 Chronicles 36:4; — 609
Jehoiachin: 2 Chronicles 36:9, 2 Chronicles 36:10; — 598
Zedekiah: 2 Chronicles 36:11; — 598
The Captivity, and the destruction of Jerusalem: 2 Chronicles 36:17-14; — 587
The proclamation of Cyrus: 2 Chronicles 36:22, 2 Chronicles 36:23; — 536
KINGS OF ISRAEL. B.C.
Jeroboam I. — 979
Nadab — 957
Baasha — 955
Elah — 932
Zimri — 930
Ahab — 919
Ahaziah — 897
Jehoram — 895
Jehu — 884
Jehoahaz — 855
Jehoash — 841
Jeroboam II — 825
Interregnum — 781
Zechariah and Shallum — 770
Menahem — 769
Pekahiah — 759
Pekah — 758
Interregnum (second) — 737
Hoshea — 728
Samaria taken — 719