The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

by John MacArthur

  1Then athe people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father’s place in Jerusalem.

  21Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.

  3Now the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.

  4Then the king of Egypt made 2Jehoahaz’s brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took 3Jehoahaz his brother and carried him off to Egypt.

  The Reign and Captivity of Jehoiakim

  (2 Kin. 23:34—24:7)

  5bJehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did cevil in the sight of the LORD his God.

  6dNebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in 4bronze fetters to ecarry him off to Babylon.

  7fNebuchadnezzar also carried off some of the articles from the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

  8Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, the abominations which he did, and what was found against him, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Then 5Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.

  The Reign and Captivity of Jehoiachin

  (2 Kin. 24:8–17)

  9gJehoiachin was 6eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD.

  10At the turn of the year hKing Nebuchadnezzar summoned him and took him to Babylon, iwith the costly articles from the house of the LORD, and made jZedekiah,7 8Jehoiakim’s brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem.

  Zedekiah Reigns in Judah

  (2 Kin. 24:18–20; Jer. 52:1–3)

  11kZedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.

  12He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and ldid not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.

  13And he also mrebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he nstiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel.

  14Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.

  The Fall of Jerusalem

  (2 Kin. 25:1–21; Jer. 52:4–30)

  15oAnd the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.

  16But pthey mocked the messengers of God, qdespised His words, and rscoffed at His prophets, until the swrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

  17tTherefore He brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, who ukilled their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, on the aged or the weak; He gave them all into his hand.

  18vAnd all the articles from the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his leaders, all these he took to Babylon.

  19wThen they burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions.

  20And xthose who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, ywhere they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,

  21to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of zJeremiah, until the land ahad enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate bshe kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.

  The Proclamation of Cyrus

  (Ezra 1:1–4)

  22cNow in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of dJeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of eCyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,

  23fThus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a 9house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up!

  2 Chronicles Commentaries

  2 Chronicles 1

  1:1—9:31 This section continues from 1 Chronicles and covers the rule of Solomon (ca. 971–931 B.C.; cf. 1 Kin. 3–11). The major theme is Solomon’s building God’s temple in Jerusalem for the purpose of centralizing and unifying the nation in the worship of God.

  1:3 Gibeon. See notes on 1 Chr. 16:39 and 21:29. The tabernacle remained at Gibeon while the ark resided in Jerusalem, waiting for the temple to be built. tabernacle. Built in the days of Moses, this tent was where God met with the people (cf. Ex. 25:22; 29:42, 43; 40:34–38). The center of worship was there until the temple was built (cf. v. 6).

  1:4 Kirjath Jearim. See note on 1 Chr. 13:5.

  1:5 Bezalel. The Spirit-enabled craftsman who built the bronze altar for the tabernacle (cf. Ex. 31:1–11; 38:1, 2).

  1:7–13 The account is paralleled in 1 Kin. 3:5–15. Every king of Israel needed to heed God’s instructions recorded in Deut. 17:14–20.

  2 Chr. 1:7

  The Spread of Solomon’s Fame

  Solomon’s influence in economic and political affairs was enhanced by the transporatation and trade routes that intersected his kingdom.

  1:9 Your promise. A reference to the Davidic Covenant in 2 Sam. 7; 1 Chr. 17.

  1:10 Solomon had agreed with his father (cf. 1 Chr. 22:5 and 29:1) on his need for wisdom, and that is what he sought from God (cf. 1 Kin. 3:3–15; Prov. 3:15; James 1:5).

  1:14–17 1 Kin. 10:14–29 and 2 Chr. 9:13–28 also extol Solomon’s wealth.

  1:14 chariot cities. Gezer, Hazor, and Megiddo were among the chief cities.

  1:16 Keveh. Possibly Cilicia.

  1:17 six hundred shekels. Assuming a shekel weighs .4 oz., this represents 15 lbs. of silver for one chariot. one hundred and fifty. Assuming the weight is in shekels, this would be about 3.75 lbs. of silver. Deuteronomy 17:16 warned against the king’s amassing horses. the Hittites. People, once expelled from Palestine, who lived N of Israel and NW of Syria.

  2 Chronicles 2

  2:1–18 This section reports how Solomon selected men to gather building materials for the temple. This was in addition to the massive supplies stockpiled by David (cf. 1 Chr. 22, 29). This section parallels 1 Kin. 5:1–16.

  2:1 temple for the name of the LORD. God’s covenant name, Yahweh or Jehovah (cf. Ex. 3:14), is in mind. David wanted to do this, but was not allowed to do any more than plan and prepare (1 Chr. 23–26; 28:11–13), purchase the land (2 Sam. 24:18–25; 1 Chr. 22), and gather the materials (1 Chr. 22:14–16). royal house. See 1 Kin. 7:1–12 for details (cf. 2 Chr. 7:11; 8:1).

  2:2 These numbers are repeated in 2:17, 18. First Kings 5:16 records 3,300 overseers, compared to 3,600 in 2:18. If, however, the additional supervisors (250 in 2 Chr. 8:10, but 550 in 1 Kin. 9:23) are added, then both 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles agree that a total of 3,850 men worked. David had done similarly at an earlier date (1 Chr. 22:2).

  2:3–10 Compare with the contents of 1 Kin. 5:3–6. The differences can be accounted for in much the same way as in the Gospels, by combining the narratives of 1 Kin. 5:3–6 and 2 Chr. 2:3–10 to complete the entire correspondence.

  2:7 send me…a man…skillful. The Israelites were familiar with agriculture, but not metal working. They needed experts for that.

  2:8 algum. A coniferous tree native to Lebanon. Some identify it as sandalwood, a smooth, expensive red wood that could be polished to a high gloss.

  2:10 This listing of goods is more complete than that of 1 Kin. 5:11. Lebanon traded with Israel regularly for food. twenty thousand kors. A kor is the same as a homer and could have measured as much as 7.5 bu., making this am
ount about 150,000 bu. twenty thousand baths. A bath measured about 6 gal. This would be about 120,000 gal. The 20 kors of “pressed oil” in 1 Kin. 5:11 is most likely not a scribal error but rather a finer grade of oil.

  2:11–16 Compare with the context of 1 Kin. 5:7–9.

  2:12 God…who made heaven and earth. This was the common identification of the true God when pagans spoke of or were told of Him (cf. 2 Chr. 36:23; Ezra 1:2; 5:11, 12; 6:10; 7:12, 21, 23; Jer. 10:11, 12; Acts 4:24; 14:15; 17:24–26; Col. 1:16, 17; Rev. 11:1, 6).

  2:13, 14 Huram. First Kings 7:14 states that his mother was of the tribe of Naphtali, not Dan, as reported here. This is resolved if she was of Naphtali by birth, but living in the territory of Dan. Or, if his parents were originally from the two tribes, then he could legitimately claim either. He was the parallel to Bezalel, who constructed the tabernacle. See note on 2 Chr. 1:5.

  2:16 Joppa. A major coastal port of Israel. Later, Jonah would sail from Joppa (Jon. 1:3), and much later Peter would be there to receive God’s call in a vision (Acts 10:5ff.).

  2:17, 18 See note on 2 Chr. 2:2.

  2 Chronicles 3

  3:1–17 Cf. 1 Kin. 6:1–38; 7:15–22 for amplification and additional material on the building of the temple.

  3:1 threshing floor. See notes on Gen. 22:1–18; 2 Sam. 24:18–25; 1 Chr. 21:20–30.

  3:2 second month…fourth year. Ca. Apr.–May, 966 B.C. (cf. 1 Kin. 6:1). The project took 7 years, 6 months to complete ca. Oct.–Nov. 959 B.C. (cf. 1 Kin. 6:37, 38).

  3:3 cubits…former measure. About 18 in. or possibly the royal cubit of 21 in. (cf. Ezek. 40:5).

  3:6 Parvaim. An unknown location.

  3:8 six hundred talents. Equal to almost 23 tons of gold.

  3:9 fifty shekels. Equal to 1.25 lbs. Most likely, this small amount gilded only the spike heads.

  3:10–13 two cherubim. See note on 1 Kin. 6:23. This free-standing set of cherubim was in addition to the more diminutive set on the ark itself.

  3:14 veil. Cf. Ex. 26:31–35 on the veil of the tabernacle. The veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), which was entered once annually by the High-Priest on the Day of Atonement (cf. Lev. 16). This highly-limited access to the presence of God was eliminated by the death of Christ, when the veil in Herod’s temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51). It signified that believers had immediate, full access to God’s presence through their Mediator and High-Priest Jesus Christ, who was the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice (cf. Heb. 3:14–16; 9:19–22).

  3:15 thirty-five cubits. First Kings 7:15, 2 Kin. 25:17, and Jer. 52:21 uniformly describe these cast-bronze pillars as 18 cubits high (about 27 ft.). Most likely this is accounted for because the chronicler gave the combined height of both as they were lying in their molds (cf. v. 17).

  3:17 Jachin…Boaz. Most likely these were so named because of the names’ meaning rather than in honor of particular people. Jachin means “He shall establish” and Boaz means “In it is strength” (cf. 1 Kin. 7:21).

  2 Chronicles 4

  4:1—5:1 See 1 Kin. 7:23–51 for amplification and additional details.

  4:1 bronze altar. This is the main altar on which sacrifices were offered (cf. the millennial temple altar, Ezek. 43:13–17). For comparison to the tabernacle’s altar, see Ex. 27:1–8; 38:1–7. If the cubit of 18 in. was used rather than the royal cubit of 21 in., it would make the altar 30 ft. by 30 ft. by 15 ft. high.

  4:2 the Sea. This large laver was used for ritual cleansing (cf. Ex. 30:17–21 as it relates to the tabernacle). In Ezekiel’s millennial temple, the laver will apparently be replaced by the waters that flow through the temple (Ezek. 47:1–12).

  4:3 oxen. First Kings 7:24 reports “buds,” which is the more likely translation. These were also around the laver, which was set on top of the 12 oxen.

  4:4 twelve oxen. Very likely the 12 oxen represent the 12 tribes who were similarly arrayed around the tabernacle as they set out on their journey in the wilderness (cf. Num. 2:1–34).

  4:5 three thousand baths. A bath equaled almost 6 gal. First Kings 7:26 reads 2,000 baths. This discrepancy has been reconciled by accounting here not only for the water the basin held, but also the water source that was necessary to keep it flowing as a fountain.

  4:6 ten lavers. There were no such corresponding lavers in the tabernacle.

  4:7, 8 ten lampstands…ten tables. The tabernacle had one of each. Everything was large because of the crowds of thousands that came on a daily basis and for special occasions.

  4:11—5:1 See notes on 1 Kin. 7:40–51. All these details emphasize the great care and concern for worship, and served as a manual for the new temple being built by Zerubbabel after the Jews returned from Babylon.

  4:11 Huram. See note on 2:13, 14. He led the actual work which Solomon directed.

  2 Chronicles 5

  5:1 The temple took 7 years, 6 months to build and was completed in Solomon’s 11th year (959 B.C.) in the eighth month (cf. 1 Kin. 6:38). Since it was dedicated in the seventh month (5:3), its dedication occurred 11 months later to coincide with the Feast of Tabernacles. See note on 1 Kin. 8:2. Why is there so much emphasis in the OT on the temple? 1) It was the center of worship that called people to correct belief through the generations. 2) It was the symbol of God’s presence with His people. 3) It was the symbol of forgiveness and grace, reminding the people of the seriousness of sin and the availability of mercy. 4) It prepared the people for the true Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who would take away sin. 5) It was a place of prayer. Cf. 7:12–17.

  5:2–10 See notes on 1 Kin. 8:1–9.

  5:2 The ark was in Jerusalem in a temporary tent (2 Sam. 6:17), not the original tabernacle, which was still at Gibeon (1 Chr. 16:39).

  5:11 Most Holy Place. This was to be the last time anyone but the High-Priest went in, and then only once a year. It took several priests to place the ark in its new home.

  5:12 Asaph…Heman…Jeduthun. See notes on 1 Chr. 25.

  5:13, 14 the glory of the LORD. The LORD’s presence indwelt the temple and the first service of worship was held. In the same manner He descended on the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34–38). He will do likewise on the millennial temple (Ezek. 43:1–5). His glory is representative of His person (cf. Ex. 33), and entering the temple signified His presence.

  2 Chronicles 6

  6:1–11 See notes on 1 Kin. 8:12–21.

  6:11 the covenant of the LORD. The Mosaic law written on tablets of stone (cf. 5:10).

  6:12–40 See note on 1 Kin. 8:22–53. As Solomon led his people in prayer, he asked God to help them in many situations: 1) crime (vv. 22, 23); 2) enemy attacks (vv. 24, 25); 3) drought (vv. 26, 27); 4) famine (vv. 28–31); 5) foreigners (vv. 32, 33); 6) war (vv. 34, 35); and 7) sin (vv. 36–39).

  6:13 knelt. Solomon, in an unusually humbling act for a king, acknowledged God’s sovereignty.

  6:18 Solomon marveled that God would condescend to live there. Cf. John 1:14; Col. 2:9.

  6:41, 42 See notes on Ps. 132:8–10; 1 Kin. 8:54–61.

  2 Chronicles 7

  7:1–3 fire came down. This also occurred when the tabernacle was dedicated (Lev. 9:23, 24). This was the genuine dedication, because only God can truly sanctify.

  7:4, 5 See note on 1 Kin. 8:62.

  7:8–10 Solomon’s celebration included the special assembly to dedicate the altar on the 8th-14th of the 7th month (Sept.–Oct.) which included the Day of Atonement. It was immediately followed by the Feast of Tabernacles (15th-21st) and a special assembly on the 8th day, i.e., 22nd day of the month.

  7:8 Hamath…Brook of Egypt. Lit. from the northern boundary to the southern boundary.

  7:11, 12 See note on 1 Kin. 9:1, 2. Perhaps years had passed since the dedication of the temple in chap. 6 during which he had also built “the King’s house” (cf. 8:1). After all that time, God confirmed that He had heard Solomon’s prayer (v. 12).

  7:13–16 This section is almost all unique to 2 Chronicles (cf. 1 Kin. 9:3), and features the c
onditions for national forgiveness of Israel’s sins: 1) humility; 2) prayer; 3) longing for God; and 4) repentance.

  7:17–22. See notes on 1 Kin. 9:4–9.

  7:17, 18 if…then. If there was obedience on the part of the nation, the kingdom would be established and they would have “a man as ruler.” Their disobedience was legendary and so was the destruction of their kingdom and their dispersion. When Israel is saved (cf. Zech. 12:14; Rom. 11:25–27), then their King Messiah will set up this glorious kingdom (Rev. 20:1ff.).

  2 Chronicles 8

  8:1 twenty years. Ca. 946 B.C., 24 years after Solomon’s reign began.

  8:2 Cf. 1 Kin. 9:10–14. Though these cities were within the boundaries of the Promised Land, they had never been conquered, so Solomon gave Hiram the right to settle them. Hiram, however, returned the Galilean cities which Solomon had given him because they were unacceptably poor. Solomon apparently then improved them and settled Israelites there.

  8:3–6 Here are additional military campaigns and building projects not mentioned in 1 Kin. 9. He was building storage places for his commercial enterprises and fortifying his borders to secure his kingdom from invasion.

  8:3 Hamath Zobah. A city located in Syria, N of Damascus and in close proximity to but S of Hamath.

  8:4 Tadmor. A city 150 mi. NE of Damascus. Hamath. A city N of Damascus.

  8:5 Beth Horon. Two cities NW of Jerusalem. Upper Beth Horon is at 2,022 ft., 11 mi. NW of Jerusalem. Lower Beth Horon is at 1,210 ft., 13 mi. NW of Jerusalem. They were both on a strategic road that connected Jerusalem with Joppa on the coast.

  8:6 Baalath. A city originally in Danite territory (Josh. 19:44) ca. 30 mi. W of Jerusalem.

  8:10 two hundred and fifty. See note on 2 Chr. 2:2.

  8:11 the daughter of Pharaoh. Cf. 1 Kin. 9:24. First Kings 3:1 mentions the marriage and the fact that Solomon brought her to Jerusalem until he could build a house for her. Until that palace was built, Solomon lived in David’s palace, but did not allow her to do so, because she was a heathen and because the ark of God had once been in David’s house. He surely knew his marriage to this pagan did not please God (cf. Deut. 7:3, 4). Eventually his pagan wives caused tragic consequences (1 Kin. 11:1–11).