FocusWisdom, 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 2 Chronicles 8:14
KJVAnd he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
Read it in context
Solomon’s Additional Achievements
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 8:1 (2 Chronicles 8:1 to 2 Chronicles 8:18).
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.
The temple's construction and dedication stand at the center of the account of Solomon's reign.
- 8:1 And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,
- 8:2 That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.
- 8:3 And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.
- 8:4 And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.
- 8:5 Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;
- 8:6 And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.
- 8:7 As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel,
- 8:8 But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.
- 8:9 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.
- 8:10 And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.
- 8:11 And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come.
- 8:12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
- 8:13 Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
- 8:14 And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
- 8:15 And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.
- 8:16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.
- 8:17 Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.
- 8:18 And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.
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 8:1–9:31): Solomon's court, workers, trading partners, and the visiting queen of Sheba appear in accounts of his administration and wealth. 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? Solomon’s Additional Achievements. Read 2 Chronicles 8:1 through 2 Chronicles 8:18 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The temple's construction and dedication stand at the center of the account of Solomon's reign. 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 Solomon’s Additional Achievements (2 Chronicles 8:1 to 2 Chronicles 8:18). Start reading at 2 Chronicles 8:1. 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 8:1, 2 Chronicles 8:18, 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
- the courses 2 Chr 5:11 2 Chr 23:4 2 Chr 31:2 1 Chr 24:1-19 Luke 1:5,8
- the Levites 2 Chr 35:10 1 Chr 6:31-48 1 Chr 15:16-22 1 Chr 16:4-6,42 1 Chr 23:1-32 1 Chr 24:20-31 1 Chr 25:1-31 Ezra 6:18
- the porters 1 Chr 9:17 1 Chr 26:1-19
- so had David the man of God commanded Deut 33:1 2 Sam 23:2 1 Kgs 13:1 1 Chr 28:19 Acts 13:22,36
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 8
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
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
FocusWisdom, 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 Judah after the division
2 Chronicles 10:1–20:37FocusFaithfulness 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.