Book of 2 Chronicles RSV

Summary of the Book of 2 Chronicles

This summary of the book of 2 Chronicles provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 2 Chronicles.

• See Introduction to 1 Chronicles for Outline and other introductory information.

The Building of the Temple in Chronicles

The Chronicler has used the Pentateuchal history as a model for his account of the reigns of David and Solomon. Similarly, the Pentateuchal record of the building of the tabernacle affects his account of the building of the temple:

1. The building of the tabernacle was entrusted to Bezalel and Oholiab (Ex 35:30 -- 36:7), and they provide the Chronicler's model for the relationship of Solomon and Huram-Abi (2Ch 2:13). It is significant that the only references to Bezalel outside the book of Exodus are in Chronicles (1Ch 2:20; 2Ch 1:5).
   
   Solomon is the new Bezalel: (1) Both Solomon and Bezalel are designated by name for their tasks by God; they are the only workers on their projects to be chosen by name (Ex 31:2; 35:30; 36:2; 38:22-23; 1Ch 28:6). (2) Both are from the tribe of Judah (Ex 31:2; 35:30; 1Ch 2:20; 3:10). (3) Both receive the Spirit to endow them with wisdom (Ex 31:3; 35:30-31; 2Ch 1:1-13), and Solomon's vision at Gibeon (2Ch 1:3-13) dominates the preface to the account of the temple construction (2Ch 2-7). (4) Both build a bronze altar for the sanctuary (2Ch 1:5; 4:1; 7:7) -- significantly, the bronze altar is not mentioned in the summary list of Huram-Abi's work (4:12-16). (5) Both make the sanctuary furnishings (Ex 31:1-10; 37:10-29; 2Ch 4:19-22).
   
   Similarly, Huram-Abi becomes the new Oholiab: (1) In the account of the temple building in Kings, Huram-Abi is not mentioned until after the story of the main construction of temple and palace has been told (1Ki 7:13-45); in Chronicles he is introduced as being involved in the building work from the beginning, just as Oholiab worked on the tabernacle from the beginning (Ex 31:6; 2Ch 2:13). (2) Kings speaks only of Huram-Abi's skill in casting bronze (1Ki 7:14); in Chronicles, however, his list of skills is the same as Oholiab's (Ex 31:1-6; 35:30; 36:2; 38:22-23; 2Ch 2:14). (3) Kings reports that the mother of Huram-Abi was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali (1Ki 7:14); Chronicles, however, states that she was a widow from the tribe of Dan (2Ch 2:14), thus giving Huram-Abi the same ancestry as Oholiab (Ex 31:6; 35:34; 38:23). See note on 2Ch 2:13.
   
   
2. The plans for both tabernacle and temple are given by God (Ex 25:1 -- 30:37; see Ex 25:9,40; 27:8; see also 1Ch 28:11-19 -- not mentioned in Samuel and Kings).
   
   
3. The spoils of war are used as building materials for both tabernacle and temple (Ex 3:21-22; 12:35-36; see 1Ch 18:6-11 -- not mentioned in Samuel and Kings).
   
   
4. The people contribute willingly and generously for both structures (Ex 25:1-7; 36:3-7; see 1Ch 29:1-9 -- not mentioned in Samuel and Kings).
   
   
5. The glory cloud appears at the dedication of both structures (Ex 40:34-35; 2Ch 7:1-3).

From the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, 2 Chronicles
Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.