FocusFaithfulness tested in leadership
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The early kings of Judah are portrayed through worship, conflict, reform, and responses to the LORD.
interpretation 2 Chronicles 15:2
KJVAnd he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
Read it in context
The Prophecy of Azariah
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 15:1 (2 Chronicles 15:1 to 2 Chronicles 15:7).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The early kings of Judah are portrayed through worship, conflict, reform, and responses to the LORD.
- 15:1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
- 15:2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
- 15:3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
- 15:4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
- 15:5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.
- 15:6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
- 15:7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution, while the final compiler is not known with certainty. First and Second Chronicles are parts of the same historical work. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14): Asa, Judah's people and forces, the named prophets, and opposing rulers are involved in his reforms, victories, and later failures. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after exile, especially those concerned with the temple, worship, the Davidic kings, and the call to return and rebuild. Biblical references: 2 Chronicles 36:20; 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Prophecy of Azariah. Read 2 Chronicles 15:1 through 2 Chronicles 15:7 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The early kings of Judah are portrayed through worship, conflict, reform, and responses to the LORD. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account moves from Solomon's reign through the kings of Judah, Jerusalem's fall, and Cyrus' proclamation. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Jerusalem and its temple are central, with episodes in other parts of Judah and neighboring kingdoms and a closing reference to Persia. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Prophecy of Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1 to 2 Chronicles 15:7). Start reading at 2 Chronicles 15:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The Davidic kingship and temple history form part of the setting for the New Testament's account of Jesus. Matthew's genealogy places several of these kings in that line. See 2 Chronicles 7:18, Matthew 1:6, Matthew 1:7, Matthew 1:16. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to the connection between worship and conduct. Promises given to Solomon concerning this temple and people should retain their stated setting and conditions when used in later exhortation. interpretation
Cited: 2 Chronicles 15:1, 2 Chronicles 15:7, 2 Chronicles 7:18, Matthew 1:6, Matthew 1:7, Matthew 1:16
Who wrote it, and how we know
Ezra (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It closes with the decree of Cyrus.
2 Chronicles 36:22
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Ezra.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated.
Related passages
- Hear ye me 2 Chr 13:4 2 Chr 20:15,20 Judg 9:7 Ps 49:1-2 Isa 7:13 Matt 13:9 Rev 2:7,11,17 Rev 2:29
- The Lord 2 Chr 13:12 2 Chr 32:8 Deut 20:1 Jas 4:8
- if ye seek him 2 Chr 15:4,15 2 Chr 33:12 Isa 55:6-7 Jer 29:12-14 Matt 7:7-8
- if ye forsake 2 Chr 12:1-3 2 Chr 24:20 2 Kgs 21:14 1 Chr 28:9 Rom 11:1-2 Heb 10:38 Heb 12:25
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles 15
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
2 Chronicles 7:12 2 Chronicles 36:15 2 Chronicles 36:22
Asa’s Reforms
2 Chronicles 15:8–19FocusFaithfulness tested in leadership
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The early kings of Judah are portrayed through worship, conflict, reform, and responses to the LORD.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return.
2 Chronicles 7:12 2 Chronicles 36:15 2 Chronicles 36:22
Solomon and the temple
2 Chronicles 1:1–9:31FocusWisdom, dedication, and royal glory
Connection to the wholeThe temple's construction and dedication stand at the center of the account of Solomon's reign.
interpretation FocusFaithfulness tested in leadership
Connection to the wholeThe early kings of Judah are portrayed through worship, conflict, reform, and responses to the LORD.
interpretation Successive kings and their choices
2 Chronicles 21:1–28:27FocusReform and rebellion
Connection to the wholeThe sequence of reigns repeatedly connects the kings' choices with the condition of the people and temple worship.
interpretation Hezekiah and Josiah's reforms
2 Chronicles 29:1–35:27FocusRestoring worship amid unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeMajor reforms are set beside the sins of intervening reigns, preserving the tension between renewal and approaching judgment.
interpretation The end of the kingdom and Cyrus' decree
2 Chronicles 36:1–23FocusExile and permission to return
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.