Written

AROUND 340 BC Covering the time period of 975 BC through 525 BC

Author

Unknown, though the scribe Ezra has been cited as a possible candidate.

Main Themes

Contains the history of King Solomon finishing the temple.

Solomon prays to God for wisdom instead of long life, power, or money, so he is given all.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon.

King Cyrus of Persia rebuilds the temple after releasing Israel from the Great Exile to Babylon.

Key Verses

2 Chronicles 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14  If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 1:11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for riches, wealth, or honor, or for the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life; but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:
12  Wisdom and knowledge are granted to you, and I will give you riches, and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had that were before you, neither will any after you have the same.

Important Points

2 Chronicles starts with the famous story of Solomon asking for wisdom. It continues with information and stories about Solomon building the Temple through Chapter 8.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon in Chapter 9.

2 Chronicles Covers the reigns of all the kings of Israel and Judah after the split of the united kingdom of Kings Saul, David, and Solomon.

Like the Kings, this book gives little snippets about each king and notes whether they grieved or pleased the Lord. (Only a handful, all from Judah, pleased the Lord.)

The closing chapter, 36, summarizes the 70 years of captivity in the Great Exile and also summarizes Cyrus, King of Persia, releasing the Jews to go home and his funding of the rebuilding of the Temple.