Study
2 Chronicles
How to Study 2 Chronicles
If you haven't studied 1 Chronicles yet, you'll want to do so before you begin your study of 2 Chronicles.
Second Chronicles is filled with truths and lessons for life, which, if heeded, will help you in your pursuit of holiness. Second Chronicles focuses on the reigns of the kings of Judah and their relationship to God and His house from the time of Solomon until the Babylonian exile. Read all the instructions before you begin.
Examine every chapter in the light of the "5 W's and an H." Record your insights in the margin.
Look for three who's: the king, the prophet, and the Lord. Of the three, the Lord and the king are most prominent. Ask: Who are the associates of the king? Who influences, opposes, or assists him?
Look for what each king does, what God does in respect to that king, and what role the prophet plays, if any. In 2 Chronicles the "house" of God takes center stage; therefore, in each reign observe what the king's relationship is to the Lord and to His house.
Also keep track of when events occur. Don't forget to note references to time with a clock ¹.
This is a historical book; watch where things occur and double-underline these references in green.
Observing why events occur will bring insight into the character and sovereignty of God in the affairs of men and nations. Keep asking why. If the king does evil, ask why.
Ask how. How did the king seek the Lord? How did the king do evil? How did God respond?
Record your insights on the kings mentioned in 2 Chronicles.
On an index card make a list of the key repeated words: house, ark, covenant, cry (cried), seek (sought), heart, pray (prayer, prayed), prophet (s), sin, rebellion, glory of the Lord (cloud), the Spirit, humble, pride, did evil, did right. Use this list as a bookmark while you study 2 Chronicles.
In your notebook, record all you learn from marking each of these key words. Note that after chapter 8, ark, one of the key words, is used once more-in chapter 35.
You will also observe key words and phrases that will play a major role in only one or two chapters. Don't miss these. They will come to the surface as you prayerfully read and meditate on a chapter.
As you study each chapter, take notes in the margin of all you learn about God. You will gain rich and perhaps surprising insights. Also mark and record any lessons for life ("LFL").
Remember that 1 and 2 Chronicles were written as on book. Second Chronicles is a continuation of 1 Chronicles. Chronicles have a number of speeches, prophecies, and prayers, some of which are not mentioned in Samuel or Kings. Watch for these and pay attention to what is said, by whom, and why. Highlight or note your insights in the margin.
When you finish reading each chapter, record its theme on Structure of 2 Chronicles and in your Bible. Also watch for the major historical events that occur in 2 Chronicles. Highlight these on the chart.
Complete Structure of 2 Chronicles. As you review the chapter themes you have recorded, see how this book could be segmented and record this under "Segment Divisions." Also, record the book's theme.
Key Words in the NIV and KJV
Key doctrine in 2 Chronicles
Wisdom - Solomon learned that the attainment of wisdom was more important than riches, honor, or victory (1:7-12; 1Kin 3:9; Prov 3:15; 16:7, 8; Matt 7:7; James 1:5)
Blessing - when the king obeyed and trusted the Lord, God blessed and protected him (7:13, 19, 20; 9:13-22; Ex 23:22; Deut 11:27; 1Sam 15:22; 1Chr 11:4-9; 14:8-14; Ps 5:12; 106:3; Eccles 12:13; Is 30:18; Matt 5:6; Luke 11:28)
Judgment - when the king disobeyed God and put his trust in something else, God withdrew his blessing (7:14, 15; Det 28:41; 1Chr 10:1-7; Job 12:23; Ps 78:32, 33; Is 42:24; Ezek 39:23; Hos 4:17 Amos 3:6; 4:10; Mic 6:9; Mal 2:2; Matt 7:22, 23; 13:40-42; John 12:48)
The Davidic covenant - God's promise to Israel to restore a king was not abandoned because of the Exile (3:1, 2; 2Sam 7:1-17; 1Chr 17:7-15; Jer 31:31-34)