From Revival to Ruin: The Final Kings of Judah

Be God's Glory
6 days ago
11 min read

Welcome to Day 121 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of 2 Chronicles. These final chapters of 2 Chronicles 34-36 highlight the rise of King Josiah, his commitment to spiritual reform, and the tragic decline of Judah following his death. Josiah begins his reign with a passion for God, purging idol worship and restoring the temple. His discovery of the Book of the Law sparks national repentance and a renewed covenant with the Lord. Despite Josiah’s faithfulness, his premature death marks a turning point. His successors—Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah—lead the nation into rebellion and idolatry. Ultimately, Judah’s persistent disobedience results in divine judgment through Babylonian conquest and exile, yet the book closes with a note of hope as King Cyrus of Persia issues a decree allowing the people to return and rebuild the temple.

2 Chronicles 34: King Josiah ascends the throne at just eight years old and becomes one of Judah’s most faithful kings. At sixteen, he begins seeking God, and by twenty, he initiates a nationwide purge of idolatry. He repairs the temple and during the process, the Book of the Law is discovered. Josiah reacts with deep humility and seeks God’s guidance. The prophetess Huldah confirms judgment will come, but not during Josiah’s lifetime due to his sincerity. Josiah gathers the people, renews the covenant with God, and leads the nation in wholehearted obedience.

2 Chronicles 35: Josiah restores the celebration of the Passover with unmatched zeal and precision. The feast is carefully prepared with the help of priests, Levites, and leaders, becoming one of the greatest Passovers in Judah’s history. The chapter then shifts to Josiah’s death—tragically, he disguises himself in battle against Pharaoh Neco and is fatally wounded. His death is deeply mourned across the land, and Jeremiah the prophet laments for him. This marks the end of spiritual revival and the beginning of Judah’s decline.

2 Chronicles 36: This chapter chronicles the rapid downfall of Judah after Josiah’s death. His son Jehoahaz reigns briefly before being taken captive by Pharaoh Neco. Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah follow, each progressively more disobedient and defiant. The people and leaders mock God's prophets and continue in sin, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. The temple is burned, and many are taken into exile. Yet, the book ends with a glimpse of redemption—King Cyrus of Persia issues a decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name "Chronicles" comes from the Latin Chronicon, which was adopted from the Greek word Paraleipomenon, meaning "things left out" or "things omitted." This implies that 1 and 2 Chronicles were seen as a supplement or continuation of the historical narratives found in Samuel and Kings. In the Hebrew Bible, 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally a single book called Divrei Hayamim, meaning “The Matters (or Events) of the Days.” This title reflects the book’s role in chronicling the history of Israel, especially from a priestly and spiritual perspective.

Purpose of the Book:

The purpose of 2 Chronicles is to highlight the religious history of Judah, focusing on the temple, the priesthood, and the Davidic line of kings. Unlike the books of Kings, which cover both Israel and Judah, 2 Chronicles centers almost entirely on the kingdom of Judah, tracing its spiritual fidelity or failure to God's covenant. The book was written to encourage and instruct the returning exiles from Babylon, reminding them of God’s faithfulness, the importance of proper worship, and the need for national and spiritual restoration under God's leadership. It serves as a theological reflection—emphasizing that faithfulness to God brings blessing, while rebellion leads to downfall.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The traditional author of 1 and 2 Chronicles is believed to be Ezra the scribe, based on ancient Jewish tradition and internal evidence. This tradition is supported by:

Jewish Talmudic sources (like Baba Bathra 15a), which state that Ezra wrote Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
The similar writing style, genealogical interest, and spiritual themes found in Ezra-Nehemiah and Chronicles (e.g., emphasis on temple worship, Levitical roles, and the priesthood).
2 Chronicles 36:22–23 ends with the same wording that begins the book of Ezra 1:1–3, suggesting a seamless continuation and possibly the same author or editorial hand.

Though the exact identity of the final compiler isn’t definitively proven, many scholars—both religious and academic—lean toward Ezra or someone in his priestly circle as the most credible authorship.

External References:

The Jewish Encyclopedia and ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) support Ezra's authorship.
Bible commentaries such as those by Matthew Henry, John Gill, and the ESV Study Bible also reflect Ezra as the likely author.
Modern scholars, like those cited in the Anchor Yale Bible Commentary and Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, also affirm Ezra as the most probable candidate, given the shared concerns of Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah.

Key People:

2 Chronicles features numerous significant figures from Israel’s past, but some stand out more than others:

Solomon – Son of David and builder of the Temple in Jerusalem. His wisdom and early devotion to God are foundational to the book.
Rehoboam – Solomon’s son and the first king of Judah after the kingdom divides.
Asa – A king of Judah who led significant religious reforms.
Jehoshaphat – A godly king known for his alliance with Ahab and a strong military.
Hezekiah – A reforming king who reopened the temple and celebrated Passover.
Manasseh – A wicked king who later repents, showing God’s mercy.
Josiah – Known for rediscovering the Book of the Law and restoring temple worship.
Zedekiah – The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile.
Ezra (possibly) – Though not directly named, if Ezra is the author, his priestly focus shapes the narrative.

Conclusion

The book of 2 Chronicles closes with both a solemn warning and a hopeful promise. It reveals the tragic consequences of Judah’s persistent unfaithfulness to God—despite the reforms of good kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, the nation ultimately falls to Babylon due to generations of disobedience, idolatry, and rejection of prophetic warnings. Yet, even in the final verses, God’s mercy shines through. The decree of King Cyrus of Persia, allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the temple, marks a powerful turn in Israel’s story. This moment reminds readers that while sin brings judgment, God’s covenant love remains steadfast.

2 Chronicles ultimately serves as a call to repentance, restoration, and reverence. It urges the people—and us today—to honor God with undivided hearts, to value His presence above all else, and to recognize that true greatness is found in humble worship and faithful obedience. Through kings, priests, and prophets, God revealed His desire for a holy people set apart for His glory. The journey from Solomon’s majestic temple to the destruction and eventual restoration reminds us that God’s purposes will prevail, and His invitation to return to Him is always open.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 2 Chronicles 34, God's character is revealed as holy, just, and responsive to genuine repentance. He honors Josiah’s heart of humility and obedience, rewarding him with peace during his lifetime. God is patient, yet His justice demands consequences for generational disobedience. The lesson here is that true revival begins with personal repentance and leads to national transformation—when we return to God’s Word, He meets us with mercy and guidance.

Though specific Hebrew names of God aren’t explicitly stated in this chapter, the reverence for God’s Word and the response of Josiah show a deep awareness of YHWH (Yahweh)—the covenant-keeping Lord. The emphasis on obedience to the “Book of the Law of the Lord” reflects the centrality of Yahweh as the moral and spiritual authority over Judah. The lesson is that Yahweh, as the personal and covenantal God, responds not to rituals but to surrendered hearts. Josiah’s example teaches us to take God's Word seriously and seek Him in sincerity.

In 2 Chronicles 35, God is revealed in this chapter as a God of order, reverence, and remembrance. Through the Passover celebration, we see that God values sacred traditions that point back to His redemptive power. Josiah's care in observing every command reflects God's desire for wholehearted worship and obedience. The lesson is that honoring God in both spirit and detail matters—our worship should reflect God’s greatness and our gratitude for His deliverance.

While the text doesn’t use distinct Hebrew names like El Shaddai or Jehovah-Jireh, the act of celebrating Passover in obedience to God’s Word honors Yahweh, the Redeemer who brought Israel out of Egypt. The entire festival centers on remembering God's salvation, pointing to His identity as Yahweh Elohim—the Lord God, powerful and personal. The lesson is that God desires remembrance through obedience; He’s not distant but seeks connection through sacred moments of worship and reflection.

In 2 Chronicles 36, God is revealed as long-suffering yet just. For generations, He sent prophets to warn Judah, but they were ignored and mocked. His character here is both merciful—delaying judgment to give room for repentance—and righteous—ultimately allowing Babylon to bring judgment. The lesson is sobering: when people continually reject God's voice, consequences follow. Still, even in judgment, God’s faithfulness remains, as seen in the hopeful decree from Cyrus at the chapter’s end.

This chapter doesn’t use specific Hebrew names of God, but His actions reflect His identity as El Elyon (God Most High), who rules over nations and kings, including Cyrus. His sovereignty over both judgment and restoration reveals a God who controls history. The closing verse highlights that God is faithful to His promises—even after discipline, He provides a path to restoration. The lesson is clear: God is in control, and even in exile, He is working to redeem and restore His people.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

What does God’s response to Josiah’s repentance reveal about His mercy and justice?
How does God demonstrate His patience toward the people of Judah throughout these chapters?
In what ways is God shown to be holy and intolerant of idolatry and disobedience?
How is God's faithfulness evident, even in the face of Judah’s rebellion?
What do these chapters teach us about how seriously God takes His covenant with His people?
How does God honor those who seek Him sincerely, as seen in Josiah’s life?
What does the final decree by King Cyrus reveal about God’s sovereignty over world leaders and events?

Questions About Themes:

What role does repentance and reform play in national and personal revival?
How is obedience to God’s Word emphasized throughout Josiah’s reign?
Why is remembering God's past faithfulness through festivals like Passover important for spiritual renewal?
How do these chapters illustrate the consequences of rejecting God’s warnings?
What theme connects Josiah’s reforms to Judah’s later fall into judgment?
In what ways do leadership and spiritual influence impact the direction of a nation?
How does the theme of restoration emerge even in the midst of judgment and exile?

Reflective Application Questions:

In what areas of your life do you need to return to God’s Word with renewed passion?
Are there any idols—habits, thoughts, or distractions—you need to remove to pursue God more fully?
How can you honor God through your obedience, even in the details of your daily life?
When was the last time you responded to God with genuine repentance? What changed afterward?
How can you be a spiritual leader in your home, community, or church like Josiah was for Judah?
Have you ignored any spiritual warnings or promptings from God lately? How can you respond differently?
What does the hope of restoration in chapter 36 encourage you to believe about your future, even after failure?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans