Interpretive Commentary_Introduction and Outline

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Interpretive Commentary: 2 Chronicles 26-29 Introduction and Outline Justin Schalow OBST515-B12: Old Testament Orientation I October 1, 2023

Contents Introduction…… .... ……………………………...………………….……………………………1 Historical Setting and Date…………………………………………………………………..1 Authorship and Audience……………………………………………………………………2 Major Theological Themes…………………………………………………………………...3 Commentary Outline…………………………………………………………………………….3 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………...5 ii

1 Introduction This presentation will provide an exegetical study of the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles, chapters 26-29, and offer a comprehensive explanation of the reign of four of the kings who ruled over Judah, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and finally, Hezekiah. 1 and 2 Chronicles parallels the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, as well as the books of 1 and 2 Kings, and it is traditionally held that while the author is officially unknown, these books may have been written by the Jewish priest and scribe, Ezra. 1 Furthermore, Christian scholars identify 1 and 2 Chronicles within the Historical books and agree that within their original form was one scroll. This scroll was separated into two books within the Septuagint, or the Greek version of the Old Testament, around 200 B.C. As such, these books should be studied together rather than separately to understand and appreciate their unity fully. 2 Finally, as this presentation discusses the kings of 2 Chronicles 26-29, it will become apparent that when Judah is led by kingship that is focused on pleasing God, they are a blessed nation. Alternatively, when they are led by kingship focused on self-gain, they plummet into consequence. Historical Setting and Date 1 Chronicles begins with a genealogy (Ch 1-9) and covers the reign of King David (Ch 10-29), while 2 Chronicles begins with the reign of David’s son Solomon (Ch 1-9) and then tracks the kingship of Judah from Rehoboam to Cyrus (Ch 10-36). Focusing on the genealogy found in 1 Chronicles provides insight into historical settings and dates and clearly places the setting within postexilic Judea. However, suggestions for specific times of the writing vary widely. Simon Sherwin observes, “The attention given to priestly duties and temple worship 1 Eugene H. Merrill, 2 Chronicles, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty , eds., John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. (Colorado Springs: Cook, 2000), 589. 2 Ibid.

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2 suggests a date after the dedication of the Second Temple (after 516 B.C.) While the extent of the tracing of the family line of Zerubbabel (cf. 1Chron. 3:19-24) would imply a date later than the mid or low 400s B.C. (that is, after the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah). 3 Authorship and Audience Regarding the authorship of Chronicles, Louis C. Jonker states, When Chronicles was composed and included in the biblical collection of authoritative scriptures, the writer(s)/ composer(s) did not omit or supersede their sources. We know that the writer(s) of Chronicles made use mainly of (probably earlier versions of) Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings (as part of a collection spanning Joshua to Kings referred to as the Deuteronomistic History or Early Prophets) in writing and coping this book. 4 Jonker goes on to assert that according to Jewish Rabbinic tradition, Ezra was definitively the original author of the book, while Nehemiah was the finisher. Further elaborating, “This view indicated, on the one hand, that the book was regarded as very late and that it probably formed the closing phase of the Hebrew Bibles’s origin. On the other hand, this view confirmed the authority of the book by associating a prominent person from the past with it and thus arguing in favor of its canonicity.” 5 However, presently, most scholars agree that the authorship of Chronicles remains anonymous. Nonetheless, the unnamed author expresses particular interest in the Davidic dynasty, the Temple in Jerusalem, its clergy, and its following. 6 Yet, compelling evidence exists to support the thought of Ezra-Nehemiah authorship: Apart from the continuous narrative line, those in favor of such a unity advanced mainly four arguments to prove their theory: (1) An analysis of linguistic evidence shows that Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah stem from the same time and region; (2) 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1-3a present the same quotation from the 3 Simon Sherwin and Frederick J. Mabie, 1&2 Chronicles: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds and Commentary , eds. John H. Walton. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009), eBook. 4 Louis C. Jonker, 1&2 Chronicles: Understanding the Bible Commentary Series , eds., W. Ward Gasque, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., Robert K. Johnston. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013), 5. 5 Ibid., 6. 6 Ibid., 7.

3 Cyrus edict (although the Chronicles version is shorter); (3) the extrabiblical book 1 Esdras includes sections from both Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah; and (4) there are remarkable agreements in terms of theological perspective in Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah. 7 Major Theological Themes The most evident of theological themes identified within the books of Chronicles is the contrast between obedience and disobedience. During times of obedient leadership, Judah is prosperous and fulfilled. Otherwise, during times of disobedience, there are consequences as God removes His hand of protection. Furthermore, it is also evident that the Temple in Jeruselum holds value theologically in the eyes of the author, evidenced by the understanding of the division of time into “before the temple building” and “after the temple building.” 8 Finally, potentially the most significant of theological themes, is that Yahweh is the God of new beginnings. It is the understanding of the author that by interpreting events of the past as hopeful signs for the future. 9 Commentary Outline Chapter 26 i. 26:1-15 Uzziah’s Accession to Kingship Over Judah and Regional Conquests ii. 26: 16-20 Uzziah’s Pride and Consequence iii. 26:21-23 Uzziah’s Downfall and Death Chapter 27 i. 27:1-9 Jotham’s reign and accomplishments Chapter 28 7 Jonker, 1&2 Chronicles. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013), 10. 8 Ibid., 20. 9 Ibid.

4 i. 28:1-4 Ahaz’s Accession to King of Judah ii. 28:5-21 Ahaz’s Conflicts and Judah’s Defeat iii. 28:22-27 Ahaz’s Idolatry and Death Chapter 29 i. 29:1-2 Hezekiah’s Rise to King of Judah ii. 29:3-19 Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple iii. 29:20-36 Hezekiah Restores Worship Within the Temple Bibliography Jonker, Louis C., 1&2 Chronicles: Understanding the Bible Commentary Series , eds., W. Ward Gasque, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., Robert K. Johnston. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013.

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5 Merrill, Eugene H., 2 Chronicles, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty , eds., John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Colorado Springs: Cook, 2000. Sherwin, Simon, and Frederick J. Mabie, 1&2 Chronicles: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds and Commentary , eds. John H. Walton. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.