The Book of 2 Chronicles covers a critical period in the history of Judah, focusing on the reigns of its kings, their faithfulness or rebellion toward God, and the consequences of their actions. The chapters in 2 Chronicles 32 to 36 bring to a close the account of Judah’s kings, detailing the significant events during the reign of Hezekiah, Manasseh, Josiah, and the final downfall of the kingdom.
Below is a detailed exploration of these chapters, with an emphasis on the lessons they offer about leadership, faith, and divine intervention.
Chapter 32: The Threat of Sennacherib and Hezekiah’s Faith
Chapter 32 begins with the reign of King Hezekiah, a righteous king who implemented sweeping religious reforms in Judah. However, despite his faithful leadership, Judah was threatened by the powerful Assyrian Empire under King Sennacherib. Sennacherib invaded Judah, capturing several fortified cities, and eventually laid siege to Jerusalem.
Hezekiah prepared for the invasion by fortifying the city, constructing a water tunnel to bring water inside Jerusalem (an impressive engineering feat known as Hezekiah’s Tunnel), and encouraging his people to remain strong in faith. Hezekiah told his people, “Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed…for there be more with us than with him” (2 Chronicles 32:7). He emphasized that while the Assyrians relied on their armies, Judah had the power of God on their side.
Sennacherib sent messengers to intimidate the people of Jerusalem, mocking Hezekiah’s trust in God and claiming that no god could save them from Assyria. Hezekiah, in response, turned to prayer. Alongside the prophet Isaiah, Hezekiah cried out to the Lord for deliverance.
God answered Hezekiah’s prayer in a dramatic fashion. The angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to retreat back to Assyria, where he was eventually assassinated by his own sons. This miraculous deliverance showed the power of faith and reliance on God in times of overwhelming danger.
The latter part of chapter 32 details Hezekiah’s illness, recovery, and his subsequent pride. God tested Hezekiah by allowing him to grow proud after his many successes. However, Hezekiah humbled himself, and God’s wrath was averted. The chapter ends with Hezekiah’s death and his burial among the honored kings of Judah.
Chapter 33: The Reign of Manasseh and Amon
Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, succeeded him as king, and his reign marked a stark contrast to his father’s righteous leadership. Chapter 33 describes Manasseh as one of the most wicked kings of Judah. He undid many of Hezekiah’s reforms, reintroducing idolatry, building altars to foreign gods, practicing witchcraft, and even sacrificing his own sons. Manasseh’s reign led Judah into deep spiritual corruption, and “he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 33:6).
God, in response, sent the Assyrians to capture Manasseh. They bound him with chains and took him to Babylon. In his affliction, however, Manasseh repented and humbled himself before God. Remarkably, God showed mercy to Manasseh and allowed him to return to Jerusalem, where he attempted to undo the damage he had caused. He restored the worship of the Lord, removed the foreign altars, and tried to lead Judah back to God. Manasseh’s repentance, while genuine, could not fully reverse the spiritual decline that had begun under his reign.
After Manasseh’s death, his son Amon became king. Amon followed in the earlier sinful ways of his father, refusing to repent. His reign was short-lived, as his own servants conspired against him and assassinated him. Amon was buried without honor, and the people made his son, Josiah, king in his place.
Chapter 34: The Reign of Josiah and the Rediscovery of the Law
Chapter 34 introduces Josiah, who became king at the young age of eight. Despite his youth, Josiah would grow into one of the most righteous kings in Judah’s history, comparable to his great-grandfather Hezekiah. Josiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 34:2) and sought to follow God wholeheartedly.
In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah initiated a major renovation of the Temple. During this restoration, the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law, which had been forgotten for many years. When the book was read to Josiah, he was deeply distressed by the realization that Judah had strayed far from God’s commandments. In response, Josiah tore his clothes in grief and immediately sought to make amends.
Josiah consulted the prophetess Huldah, who prophesied that God’s judgment was indeed coming upon Judah for its sins, but because of Josiah’s humility and repentance, the destruction would be delayed until after his death. Josiah then led a nationwide religious reform, destroying idols, purging pagan practices, and renewing the covenant between the people and God. The chapter concludes with Josiah leading the nation in a grand celebration of the Passover, which had not been observed so faithfully since the days of the judges.
Chapter 35: Josiah’s Final Days and Death
Chapter 35 focuses on Josiah’s observance of the Passover, emphasizing the king’s dedication to restoring proper worship. The Passover celebration was conducted with great attention to detail, as commanded in the Book of the Law. The sacrifices were plentiful, and the people of Judah came together in unity to worship the Lord.
Unfortunately, Josiah’s reign ended tragically. In the thirty-first year of his reign, Josiah made a critical mistake by engaging in battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. Necho was passing through Judah on his way to fight in Carchemish, and he warned Josiah not to interfere, claiming that God had sent him on his mission. Despite this warning, Josiah disguised himself and went into battle at Megiddo. He was fatally wounded and died from his injuries.
The death of Josiah was a great loss to Judah. The people mourned deeply for him, and the prophet Jeremiah composed a lament in his honor. Josiah’s death marked the beginning of the end for Judah, as the nation would soon fall into deeper spiritual decline and face impending judgment.
Chapter 36: The Downfall of Judah and the Babylonian Exile
Chapter 36 covers the final kings of Judah and the ultimate downfall of the kingdom. After Josiah’s death, his son Jehoahaz was made king, but his reign lasted only three months before Pharaoh Necho deposed him and placed his brother Jehoiakim on the throne.
Jehoiakim ruled for eleven years and did evil in the sight of the Lord. During his reign, the Babylonian Empire, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, began to rise in power. Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and took Jehoiakim captive, along with many treasures from the Temple.
Jehoiakim’s son, Jehoiachin, briefly succeeded him, but after only three months, he too was captured by Nebuchadnezzar and taken to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar then installed Zedekiah, another son of Josiah, as a puppet king over Judah. Zedekiah ruled for eleven years but also did evil in God’s sight. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and refused to heed the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah.
The chapter describes the final invasion of Judah by Babylon. The Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, destroyed the city, burned the Temple, and took the people of Judah into exile. This marked the fulfillment of God’s warnings about the consequences of forsaking His covenant.
The chapter concludes with a brief note of hope. After seventy years of exile, the Persian king Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. This decree set the stage for the eventual restoration of Judah, which is recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Conclusion: Lessons from 2 Chronicles 32 to 36
The final chapters of 2 Chronicles provide a powerful lesson about the importance of faithfulness to God. Kings like Hezekiah and Josiah led Judah in spiritual renewal and were blessed by God for their efforts. However, the reigns of wicked kings like Manasseh (before his repentance), Amon, and Zedekiah demonstrated the devastating consequences of turning away from God.
These chapters also highlight the inevitability of God’s judgment when a nation persists in rebellion. Despite brief periods of revival, Judah’s continued idolatry and disobedience ultimately led to its destruction and exile.
Yet, the book ends on a hopeful note with the decree of Cyrus, showing that even in judgment, God remains merciful and faithful to His promises. The exile was not the end for God’s people, and He would provide a way for them to return and rebuild. This reminds us of the enduring nature of God’s grace and His willingness to restore those who turn back to Him.
