2 Chronicles

1. The Reign of Solomon (1:1 - 9:31)

   1. Solomon's wealth and wisdom (1:1-17)

   2. Building the Temple (2:1 - 5:1)

      1. Preparations and arrangements with Hiram (2:1-18)

      2. Construction of the Temple (3:1-17)

      3. Temple furnishings (4:1 - 5:1)

   3. Dedication of the Temple (5:2 - 7:22)

      1. Bringing in the Ark (5:2-14)

      2. Solomon's address and prayer (6:1-42)

      3. God's response and appearance (7:1-22)

   4. Solomon's other achievements (8:1-18)

   5. Visit of the Queen of Sheba (9:1-12)

   6. Solomon's splendour and death (9:13-31)

2. The Kingdom of Judah (10:1 - 36:23)

   1. Division of the kingdom (10:1 - 11:23)

      1. Rehoboam and the split (10:1-19)

      2. Rehoboam's reign in Judah (11:1-23)

   2. Rehoboam's later reign and Egyptian invasion (12:1-16)

   3. Abijah's reign (13:1-22)

   4. Asa's reign (14:1 - 16:14)

   5. Jehoshaphat's reign (17:1 - 20:37)

   6. Jehoram to Ahaziah (21:1 - 22:9)

   7. Athaliah's usurpation and Joash's reign (22:10 - 24:27)

   8. Amaziah's reign (25:1-28)

   9. Uzziah's reign (26:1-23)

   10. Jotham's reign (27:1-9)

   11. Ahaz's reign (28:1-27)

   12. Hezekiah's reign (29:1 - 32:33)

       1. Cleansing and rededication of the Temple (29:1-36)

       2. Celebration of Passover (30:1-27)

       3. Religious reforms (31:1-21)

       4. Sennacherib's invasion and defeat (32:1-23)

       5. Hezekiah's illness and later years (32:24-33)

   13. Manasseh and Amon (33:1-25)

   14. Josiah's reign (34:1 - 35:27)

       1. Religious reforms (34:1-13)

       2. Discovery of the Book of the Law (34:14-33)

       3. Celebration of Passover (35:1-19)

       4. Josiah's death (35:20-27)

   15. Last kings and fall of Jerusalem (36:1-21)

       1. Jehoahaz (36:1-4)

       2. Jehoiakim (36:5-8)

       3. Jehoiachin (36:9-10)

       4. Zedekiah and the fall of Jerusalem (36:11-21)

   16. Cyrus's decree (36:22-23)

2 Chronicles focuses primarily on the history of the kingdom of Judah. The book emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God, proper worship, and the consequences of following or rejecting God's ways. It begins with Solomon's reign and the building of the Temple, and concludes with the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, ending on a note of hope with Cyrus's decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland.

Main Themes

1. Faithfulness to God and Its Consequences:

   1. The book consistently shows that kings who are faithful to God prosper, while those who are unfaithful face troubles.

   2. Examples include the contrasts between Solomon's early faithfulness and later idolatry, Asa's reforms and later disobedience, and Hezekiah's faithfulness versus Manasseh's initial wickedness.

2. The Importance of Proper Worship:

   1. There's a strong emphasis on the Temple, its construction, maintenance, and restoration.

   2. Proper observance of festivals, especially Passover, is highlighted (e.g., Hezekiah and Josiah's Passovers).

   3. The role of priests and Levites in maintaining true worship is emphasized.

3. Divine Retribution and Reward:

   1. The chronicler presents a clear cause-and-effect relationship between obedience and blessing, disobedience and punishment.

   2. This is often more immediate and direct than in the parallel accounts in Kings.

4. The Davidic Covenant:

   1. God's promise to David of an eternal dynasty is a recurring theme.

   2. Even in times of trouble, there's always a descendant of David on the throne until the exile.

5. The Centrality of the Temple:

   1. The Temple in Jerusalem is presented as the only legitimate place of worship.

   2. Its construction, dedication, desecration, and restoration are key events in the narrative.

6. Repentance and Restoration:

   1. The book shows that even after sin, genuine repentance can lead to restoration (e.g., Manasseh's later repentance).

   2. This theme culminates in the final verses with the decree of Cyrus, offering hope of return from exile.

7. God's Sovereignty Over History:

   1. Throughout the narrative, God is portrayed as actively involved in the affairs of the nation.

   2. Both blessings and judgments are seen as coming directly from God's hand.

8. The Importance of Scripture:

   1. The discovery and reading of the Book of the Law during Josiah's reign is a pivotal moment.

   2. Obedience to God's written word is presented as crucial for the nation's wellbeing.

9. Prayer and Its Efficacy:

   1. Several significant prayers are recorded, including Solomon's prayer at the Temple dedication and Hezekiah's prayers during Sennacherib's invasion.

10. The Role of Prophets:

    1. Prophets frequently appear to warn, guide, or encourage the kings and the people.

    2. Their messages often reinforce the themes of faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience.

These themes work together to present a theological interpretation of Judah's history, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God and proper worship, while also offering hope for restoration even after failure.