With the help of Jehoiada the priest, Joash became a strong king in Judah. 2 Chronicles 24 documents his restoration of the Temple, and how he collected money from the people to complete the repairs. Unfortunately, after Jehoiada’s death, Joash turned from the Lord. He became so evil that he murdered Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, for rebuking him. God punished Joash and he was assassinated by his own servants.

Queen Athaliah was reigning over Judah following her murder of the royal family, but unknown to her, one of the heirs to the throne survived. After being hidden for 7 years, Jehoiada the priest revealed Joash to the people of Judah and declared him king. The people accepted the coronation and had evil Athaliah executed. Jehoiada and Joash began reforms in Judah. They tore down the temple of Baal and made a covenant to serve the true God.

Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram of Judah, became king after his father’s death. He reigned for only one year, before the Lord removed him. He was wicked and followed the counsel of the evil house of Ahab. God used a man named Jehu to kill both Ahaziah and Jehoram (Joram) the king of Israel. After Ahaziah’s death, his mother, Athaliah, killed the royal family and seized power for herself. But she failed to kill one of Ahaziah’s sons, Joash, an oversight that would lead to her downfall 7 years later.

Wicked King Jehoram ascends to the throne of Judah in 2 Chronicles 21. He did not follow in the righteous footsteps of his father Jehoshaphat but introduced all kings of wickedness to God’s people. During his reign God permitted the Arabians and the Philistines to plunder Jerusalem. God punished Jehoram with a bowel disease that eventually killed him.

The armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites marched against Judah. King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and cried out to the Lord, acknowledging their powerlessness against the vast army. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, who prophesied that God would give Judah victory. When Judah met their enemies for battle, God caused their enemies to turn on each other. Judah found themselves victorious without ever having to draw their swords.

2 Chronicles 19 is a short chapter which documents two primary things. First, it records the rebuke that Jehu delivered to King Jehoshaphat after trying to help wicked King Ahab in a military battle to win control of Jabesh-gilead. Second, it tells us how Jehoshaphat appointed judges in all his cities to uphold justice and righteousness. In addition to these judges, the king appointed a council in Jerusalem to decide on disputed cases.

The 18th chapter of 2 Chronicles records a battle between Ahab of Israel and the king of Syria over the city of Ramoth-gilead. Against the advice of the prophet Micaiah, Ahab allied with Jehoshaphat of Judah to try to reclaim Ramoth-gilead. Despite disguising himself for the battle, Ahad was killed by an arrow during the fighting, just as Micaiah predicted. After Ahab’s death, Ahaziah, his son, ruled in his place over Israel.

In 2 Chronicles 17, Jehoshaphat becomes king of Judah and begins reforming the nation. He sent Levites into the cities of Judah to teach the laws of God to the citizens. He tore down idols and high places, and his righteousness brought God’s blessing on the nation. Under Jehoshaphat, Judah grew strong and prosperous.

Baasha, the king of Israel, fortified the city of Ramah to restrict the movement of the people of Judah. Asa, the king of Judah, took money from the Temple and hired the Syrians to attack Israel. Asa’s plan worked but God was displeased with the king because he trusted in Syria instead of the Lord. The end of 2 Chronicles 16 documents the death of Asa at the end of his 41-year reign.

In 2 Chronicles 15, Azariah, the prophet of God, is sent to King Asa of Judah to remind him to seek the Lord and obey His commands. Asa takes the prophet’s words seriously and begins an immediate purge of idolatry from his country. In the 15th year of his 41-year reign, he gathered the citizens of his kingdom together and had them swear an oath to follow God’s law.

In 2 Chronicles 14, Asa became king over Judah after his father’s death. He reigned for 41 years and did righteously in the eyes of God. God gave him victory over Zerah, an Ethiopian who brought 1 million men and 300 chariots to fight against Judah.

In 2 Chronicles 13, Abijah becomes king in Judah after Rehoboam’s death. He waged war with Jeroboam of Israel and defeated his superior army by calling out to God for help. Israel was severely weakened after this defeat, and Jeroboam died not long after. Rehoboam reigned in Judah for 3 years, but he was not always faithful to the Lord. He repeated many of the sins of his father, Rehoboam.

In 2 Chronicles 12, Rehoboam abandoned the Lord and His precepts. Consequently, God allowed Shishak, king of Egypt, to bring a massive military force against Judah and conquer much of Rehoboam’s territory. Rehoboam was able to save Jerusalem, but only by surrendering his autonomy and all the treasures in the Temple. Rehoboam died after reigning 17 years over Judah.

In 2 Chronicles 11, Rehoboam becomes king of the southern Kingdom of Judah, while Jeroboam is appointed king in the northern kingdom of Israel. From this point on, God’s people will be divided and often at odds with one another. Chapter 11 documents the family of Rehoboam, his attempts to fortify the cities under his control, and the migration of the faithful from Jeroboam’s kingdom to Rehoboam’s lands.

Rehoboam’s first move as Israel and Judah’s new king severed the nation. He heeded the advice of his peers rather than the sage advisors of his father. This resulted in the nation of Israel breaking away and appointing Jeroboam as their king. But Jeroboam was not the king Israel needed. He disobeyed the Lord by creating two golden calves in Bethel and Dan to divert the people from worshipping in Jerusalem.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon and admires his wisdom and wealth in the first half of 2 Chronicles 9. The second half of the chapter describes Solomon’s incredible prosperity, his ivory throne, his annual gold income, and his expeditions to foreign lands to bring back treasures.

2 Chronicles 8 is a record of Solomon’s accomplishments and the riches of his kingdom. Solomon had fleets of ships travelling all around the world, collecting gold and other exotic items. He undertook building projects and renovations in the cities he controlled. His kingdom expanded south to the Red Sea and north to the Euphrates River.

After Solomon’s prayer of dedication at the Temple, God’s glory filled the Temple and fire fell from heaven to consume the sacrifices on the altar. Years later, God appeared to Solomon during the night, promising to bless the people if they kept His divine law. God sternly warned Solomon against the temptation of idolatry.

2 Chronicles 6 contains Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. He prayed that God’s blessings would fall on Israel so long as they were faithful to the Lord. He also prayed for future mercy in the event that his people fell into sin.

The Temple of the Lord is completed in Jerusalem. Solomon gathered all the people of Israel to celebrate its completion and to worship God during the momentous occasion of the Ark of the Covenant being placed within the Temple. Songs of praise and sacrifices were offered to God, and the cloud of God’s glory filled the sacred place.