2 Chronicles 1-6

2 Chronicles 1-6

2 Chronicles 1-6

I. Introduction

  1. Second Chronicles covers much of the same information as 1-2 Kings, but it focuses on the southern kings rather than the ten tribes of the north that seceded.
  2. Outline
    1. The Reign of Solomon (1-9)
      1. The Assembly at Gibeon and Solomon’s Might (1)
      2. The Building of the Temple (2:1-5:1)
      3. The Dedication of the Temple (5:2-7:22)
      4. Solomon’s Accomplishment (8-9)
    2. Rehoboam to Uzziah (10-25)
      1. The Reign of Rehoboam (10-12)
      2. The Reign of Abijah (13:1-14:1)
      3. The Reign of Asa (14:2-16:4)
      4. The Reign of Jehoshaphat (17-20)
      5. The Reign of Jehoram (21)
      6. The Reign of Ahaziah (22:1-9)
      7. The Usurpation of Athaliah (22:10-23:21)
      8. The Reign of Joash (24)
      9. The Reign of Amaziah (25)
    3. Uzziah to the Restoration Community (26-36)
      1. The Reign of Uzziah (26)
      2. The Reign of Jotham (27)
      3. The Reign of Ahaz (28)
      4. The Reign of Hezekiah (29-32)
      5. The Reign of Manasseh (33:1-20)
      6. The Reign of Amon (33:21-25)
      7. The Reign of Josiah (34-35)
      8. The Reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin (36:1-10)
      9. The Reign of Zedekiah and the Fall of Jerusalem (36:11-21)
      10. The Decree of Cyrus (36:22-23)
  3. These chapters give us the details of the construction of Solomon’s Temple.
  4. We are the temple of the Lord today.

    1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?[1]

  5. There will be two more temples constructed in Jerusalem
    1. The Tribulation Temple.
    2. The Millennial Temple is described in Ezekiel 40-48 and Zechariah 14:16-21.
  6. The pattern of the Temple is based on the one in heaven.

    Hebrews 8:4–5 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

  7. The temple Solomon built was among the most impressive of the world.

II. Chapter 1

  1. vv. 1-6 Solomon begins his reign by offering 1000 burnt offerings.
    1. These verses tell us that there was regular worship in Gibeon where the tabernacle was.



    2. It was in this location that Solomon offered the animals.
    3. However, the Ark was in the city of David.
  2. vv. 7-12 Solomon asks for wisdom.
    1. v. 12 God gives wisdom and wealth.
      1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
      2. Hearing and heeding the Word of God is wisdom.
  3. vv. 14-17 Solomon sadly multiplied horses, silver, and wives.
    1. The law forbade the multiplication of horses, silver, and wives (Deut 17:14-20).
    2. As Solomon reflected upon these choices later in His life, he understood it was empty.

      Ecclesiastes 2:4–11 4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. 5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. 7 I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. 9 So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.

III. Chapter 2

  1. vv. 1-2 Readies labor force.
  2. vv. 3-11 Asks Hiram, king of Tyre, for wood.
  3. vv. 12-16 Hiram sends Huram to help as a master craftsman.
  4. v. 17 Summary of workers

IV. Chapter 3

  1. v. 1 Build on Moriah.
  2. It was on Mount Moriah that Abraham took Isaac to offer as a sacrifice.



  3. The Lord prevented that sacrifice but instead promised to send His Son to be that spotless sacrifice.
  4. Here are some helpful images.
    1. Show picture of Moriah (Temple Mount).



    2. Picture of Dome of the Rock.

    3. It is here, under the Dome of the Rock, that many believe Abraham attempted to offer Isaac and where the Temple stood.



    4. Dome of the Spirits is a less accepted location espoused by Asher Kaufman but has some interesting points to consider.[2]


  5. Description of the Holy Place and Most Holy Place.
    1. vv. 2-9 The dimensions of the temple and the Most Holy Place.

      • The Most Holy Place is where the Priest would enter once a year on the Day of Atonement and offer the sacrifice on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant for the sins of the nation.



      • It is a copy of the scene in heaven.

        Hebrews 8:4–5 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

      • Familiarize yourself with the Temple, so when you get to heaven you won’t look like a tourist asking a bunch of questions.
  6. v. 14 The veil
    1. The barrier between man and God that no man was allowed to pass through except the High Priest once a year.

      Hebrews 9:7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

    2. When Jesus died on the cross, He removed that barrier both physically and spiritually.

      Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent

      Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body …let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.

    3. v. 15 Large pillars


      1. Huram cast two huge bronze pillars, each 27 feet high and 18 feet in circumference. With their capitals, the pillars were over 34 feet high.
      2. The right pillar—Jachin, meaning He shall establish.
      3. The left pillar—Boaz, meaning in strength.
  7. Before the Most Holy Place was an altar of incense.
    1. This was before the Holy of Holies, and it was an altar of fire where the priests would place specially made incense on it.
      1. The Israelites were forbidden to make this incense as a duplicate for other purposes.
    2. Every morning and evening at the same time, the daily burnt offerings were made. The incense was to be left burning continually throughout the day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
    3. This represented the prayers ascending before God as a sweet-smelling aroma.

      Psalm 141:2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

      Revelation 8:3-4
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

    4. Jesus now ever lives to make intercession for us (Romans 8:34).

V. Chapter 4

  1. v. 1 Bronze Altar for sacrifice
    1. This is where animals and other sacrifices were brought and offered upon the fire of God.
    2. Of course, today there are no offerings because Jesus was that final sacrifice.

      Hebrews 7:27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
      1. Jesus was the lamb sacrificed for us.
  2. vv. 2-5 Sea of bronze


    1. This was 15 feet across its circular rim and 7-1/2 feet high.
    2. There were 4 sets of three oxen supporting the Sea, each set facing either north, south, east, or west.
      1. It is estimated to hold between 11,500 and 17,500 gallons of water.

        “The 12 sculptured bulls that supported it, and it could contain 2,000 baths (ca. 11,500 gallons; cf. niv marg.) of water. This basin served as a reservoir for the temple courtyard. Second Chronicles 4:5 includes the statement that the laver “held 3,000 baths” (ca. 17,500 gallons). Perhaps this was its total capacity but it actually contained 2,000 baths.”[3]
  3. v. 6 Ten lavers on carts
    1. Each one of these lavers was placed on the carts containing 230 gallons of water.
    2. All this water was needed so the priest could wash and be clean as they ministered before the Lord.
    3. Jesus our High Priest washes us clean in the water of His Word.

      Ephesians 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word

      Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled [with blood] to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
  4. v. 7 Lampstand inside the Temple
    1. This was a main source of light and so it served a practical purpose of illumination.

      John 8:12
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
  5. v. 8 Ten tables of showbread
    1. They were called literally “bread of the presence” because it was to be always in the Lord’s presence.
    2. These tables held bread, wine, and salt.
    3. Interestingly, these tables are the emblems of the communion service.

      John 6:35, 49-50 35 I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. . . . 49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.

      Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

VI. Chapter 5

  1. Solomon brings the Ark of the Covenant from the city of David.
    1. Sacrifice beyond number.
    2. Two tablets in the ark.
    3. The jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that had budded are not present.
    4. Singers and musicians praised the Lord.
    5. The Shekinah of God filled the Temple, and the priests ceased ministering for the glory of God.
  2. v. 13 God’s goodness and mercy overwhelmed the priests (Exodus 34:5-7).

VII. Chapter 6

  1. vv. 1-2 The Temple was built for the Lord.
  2. vv. 3-11 The assembly of Israel.
    1. Solomon recounts the plan God had to build the Temple.
    2. God chose David, Solomon, and Jerusalem to be the people and place of worship.
    3. He fulfilled the task.
  3. vv. 12-42 Solomon prays.
    1. He does this on the platform before the assembly.
    2. v. 14 Greatness of God.
    3. vv. 16-17 Solomon asks for the word spoken to David to come true.
    4. v. 18 He acknowledges the temple cannot hold the greatness of God.
    5. v. 19 Hear our prayers
      1. For forgiveness among neighbors.
      2. v. 27 When Israel sins and suffers defeat.
      3. vv. 28-31 When famine comes on the land for the nations’ disobedience.
      4. vv. 32-33 Hear the foreigner when he prays.
      5. vv. 34-35 When we go to war.
      6. vv. 36-40 When they are carried away captive.
        • Daniel made this prayer in Daniel 9.
      7. vv. 41- 42 Closing of prayer.

VIII. A Temple is to be built before the Second Coming of Christ.

  1. Jesus spoke of this Temple, Paul speaks of this Temple, Daniel, and even John in the book of Revelation.
  2. The Tribulation Temple is referenced in Revelation 11:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, and Matthew 24:15.

    Revelation 11:1–2 1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.”
    1. Asher Kaufman has suggested that the Most Holy place was located 280-330 feet to the North under the portico of the Dome of the Spirits.







    2. “A second theory is that of Hebrew University physicist Asher Kaufmann. His research, relying upon details given in Mishnah tractate Middot, along with computations of angles of line-of-sight between the Mt. of Olives (where the red heifer was sacrificed) and the eastern court of the Temple, where the Great Altar stood, as well as physical clues discovered around the outside of the platform (now destroyed or hidden by the Muslims), concludes that the Temple was built on the northwestern corner of the platform about 330 feet from the Muslim Dome of the Rock. He believes that bedrock identifiable within a small cupola at this site, known in Arabic as the Dome of the Tablets, was the Foundation Stone within the Holy of Holies.”[4]
    3. This view has not become widely accepted, but it does have two strong points.
      1. It aligns with the Golden Gate, which fits ancient descriptions of alignment with the Temple.
      2. It allows for an area to be divided on the Temple Mount as described in Revelation 11.

        2 Thessalonians 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

        Matthew 24:15 Therefore when you see the “abomination of desolation,” spoken of by “Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand),

        Daniel 9:26-27 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate
  3. This Temple will be where the Antichrist demands that Israel worship them and begins his persecution of Israel in the second half of the tribulation.

IX. Conclusion

  1. God prepared a way for man to approach Him in the Temple.
  2. It foreshadowed the ministry of Jesus.
  3. Today we are that temple.
  4. One day we will stand in the Temple of Heaven.

[1] All Scripture quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

[2] Asher Kaufman, “Where the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem Stood,” Biblical Archaeology Review 9, no. 2 (March/April 1983): 40–59, https://library.biblicalarchaeology.org/article/where-the-ancient-temple-of-jerusalem-stood/.

[3] John Martin, “1 Kings,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty: Old Testament, ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 501.

[4] Randall Price, Rose Guide to the Temple (Torrance, CA: Rose Publishing, 2021), 43-44.

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