In Today's Email:
Welcome to the Book of II Chronicles
The book of II (second) Chronicles is parallel view of history to that of Samuel and Kings. It begins with Solomon’s reign and then focuses on the Kingdom of Judah until it is conquered by Babylon in 586 B.C.
A few quick facts about II Chronicles:
Ezra is the traditional, and very likely, author.
It begins with the early days of Solomon’s reign in 1013 B.C. and concludes by recording the proclamation of the Persian king Cyrus in 538 B.C. that allowed the Jews to rebuild the Temple.
The key verse is 7:14, where God promises to Solomon: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
A brief outline:
Solomon’s Reign – Chapters 1-9
The Kings of Judah – Chapters 10-36
Key events:
The Construction of the Temple – Chapters 3-4
Asa’s Reforms – Chapter 15
Jehoshaphat’s Reforms
Joash’s Repair of the Temple – Chapter 24
Hezekiah’s Revival – Chapters 29-30
Josiah’s Reforms – Chapters 34-35
I Chronicles 1 Notes
In this chapter Solomon begins his reign, marked by his wisdom and his wealth.
vs. 1-6 – This parallels I Kings 3:2-4. The meeting at Gibeon is given a little more detail than in I Kings. Highlighted here is that, like David, Solomon works through tribal leadership (captains, judges, governors) as he is confirmed as king. Just because David had selected him as heir did not automatically make him king. The people still had to give their assent. The situation of divided worship (Tabernacle at Gibeon, Ark at Jerusalem) will last until the Temple is completed
vs. 7-13 – This parallels I Kings 3:5-15. The account here is slightly abridged from what we see in I Kings. The substance is the same though the wording and emphasis differs somewhat.
vs. 14-17 – This parallels I Kings 10:26-29. The description of Solomon’s wealth is moved ahead of where it is found in the Kings narrative, likely to highlight that the prosperity of his reign was seen even in its earliest days.
I Chronicles 2 Notes
In this chapter Solomon makes treaty with Hiram of Tyre.
vs. 1-16 – This parallels I Kings 5:1-12. This account varies from the Kings account but nothing substantive is different. Hiram’s name is spelled differently (Huram). One difference is the details about the goods Solomon gave in return for Hiram’s aid. In I Kings 5:11 he gave to Hiram 20,000 measures of wheat (about 125,000 bushels) and 20,000 measures of oil (about 115 gallons). In II Chronicles 2:10 he gave to the workers 20,000 measures of wheat (about 125,000 bushels), 20,000 measures of barley (about 125,000 bushels), 20,000 baths of wine (about 115 gallons), and 20,000 baths of oil (about 115 gallons).
vs. 17-18 - This parallels I Kings 5:13-18. One important clarification that is found here is that these workers were not Israelites – they were the remnants of the Canaanite tribes that had remained in the land. The numbering of them by David does not appear to be connecting with his error in numbering Israel, but a separate census to find workers for this project. In vs. 13-14 another Hiram/Huram is found, not the king but a chief artisan to work on the building project. See I Kings 7:13-14.
I Chronicles 3 Notes
In this chapter the Temple is built.
vs. 1-2 – This parallels I Kings 6:1-10. In Kings the timing of the building is highlighted, but in Chronicles the place of the building is highlighted – Mt. Moriah. According to tradition, this is the singular mountain in the “land of Moriah” upon which Abraham offered Isaac in Genesis 22. It is here stated to be the same place that David purchased the land from Ornan/Araunah and offered sacrifice in II Samuel 24:18-25 and I Chronicles 21:18-28.
vs. 4-17 – This parallels I Kings 6:14-22. In vs. 3 we find that the Temple itself was 90 cubits long and 20 cubits wide (135 feet x 30 feet). It is 30 cubits tall (45 feet). The porch is given its own dimensions. It is as wide as the Temple proper (20 cubits or 30 feet) and 10 cubits deep (15 feet). The height of the porch is given exclusively in I Chronicles 3:4 as 120 cubits (180 feet). Critics (and most commentaries) trip over themselves asserting their assumption that a 120-cubit tall porch is too tall. It is four times taller than the Temple proper. Many translations through the centuries have attempted to correct this “mistake” by changing it to 20 or 30 cubits. However, a strong textual case can be made that 120 is correct reading. Such a high porch might be better classified as a kind of turret or tower. Its function may be similar to a church steeple, that is to help people identify and locate the building. I think it is possible that the Temple may have sat on a higher level than the porch, which would have contained the steps to approach it. One other theory, supported by the Talmud and Josephus is that there were additional levels above the Temple proper. Note how gold is everywhere with engravings. I am convinced this is the most beautiful building ever built. Two large cherubim, overlayed in gold, are placed in the Most Holy Place. Two large bronze pillars, 40 cubits tall including their chapiters are placed in front of the Temple.
I Chronicles 4 Notes
In this chapter the Temple is described.
vs. 1-22 - This parallels I Kings 6:23-36 A new brazen altar is constructed, measuring 20 cubits by 20 cubits by 10 cubits (30 feet x 30 feet x 15 feet). A “molten sea” to hold water for washing is constructed. It is 5 cubits deep (7.5 feet). It has a 10-cubit diameter (15 feet) and a 30-cubit circumference (45 feet). Note that mathematically this is very close to pi. To calculate circumference, we use the formula 2 x pi x radius. So, we have 2 x 3.14 x 5 cubits, which equals 31.4 cubits. We are well within a reasonable rounding of numbers with 30 and 31.4. It looks like ancient Israel was capable of fairly advanced geometry for their era. The molten sea stood on a base made of twelve brazen oxen. 10 lavers were created to carry water from the sea. There are 10 golden candlesticks as opposed to 1 in the Tabernacle. These appear to have sat on ten golden tables. There is still one golden altar of incense and one table of shewbread. We tend to focus on the larger elements, but details aregiven of the many other implements needed in service of the Temple.
I Chronicles 5 Notes
In this chapter the Ark is placed in the newly constructed Temple.
vs. 1-14 – This parallels I Kings 8:1-11. It is worth noting that Chronicles does not give an account of the other great buildings of Solomon as found in I Kings 7. The focus is on the Temple. The last phrase of vs. 9 is interesting. The verse itself varies slightly from its parallel in I Kings 8:8 but retains the last phrase of “and there [it is / they are] unto this day.” As far as we know from history the Ark was not present in the Second Temple, so on the surface the statement is not true. However, what this statement shows is that the author (Ezra) was working from original documents and records. He purposefully kept the phrase from the earlier record, which was either the text of I Kings or another record used also as a source for I Kings that has been lost to time. Either way, the inclusion of this phrase proves the reliability of the record and does not in any way indicate an error. The Chronicles account also highlights the place of music in the dedication (vs. 12-13), a detail not in Kings.
Closing Thoughts
If you haven’t caught on yet, the building of Solomon’s Temple is certainly the highlight of the Chronicles narrative. David prepared for it, Solomon built it, and it remained the center of worship over 400 years. There is no building program in history that is its equal. It makes me thankful though that God is not concerned with being worshipped in earthly splendor. Christ told the Samaritan woman in John 4 that true worship is “in spirit and in truth”. While there is much we can glean about serving our majestic God when we look at the Temple, His true desire is simple worship and a relationship with us. Grand buildings are usually distractions to that.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “Lord of Hosts, to Thee We Raise”. It was written by James Montgomery in 1821 for laying of the foundation stone for St. George’s Church in Sheffield, England. I think it fits well with today’s theme of the building of the Temple.
Lord of Hosts, to Thee we raise
Here a house of prayer and praise;
Thou Thy people’s hearts prepare
Here to meet for praise and prayer.
Let the living here be fed
With Thy Word, the heavenly bread,
Here, in hope of glory blessed,
May the dead be laid to rest.
Here to Thee a temple stand,
While the sea shall gird the land;
Here reveal Thy mercy sure,
While the sun and moon endure.
Hallelujah!—earth and sky
To the joyful sound reply;
Hallelujah!—hence ascend
Prayer and praise till time shall end.