Thoughts
Chronicles 36
The Final Kings of Judah
- Jehoahaz
- Chosen by the people after Josiah’s death.
- Reigns only three months before Pharaoh Necho deposes him and takes him to Egypt.
- Necho declares Eliakim (renamed Jehoiakim) as king and imposes tribute on Judah.
- Jehoiakim
- Reigns eleven years.
- Does evil in the sight of the Lord.
- Becomes subject to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar.
- Taken captive to Babylon, along with temple articles.
- Jehoiachin
- Reigns three months and ten days.
- Also does evil in God’s sight.
- Nebuchadnezzar deports him to Babylon and plunders the temple.
- Zedekiah, his uncle, is made king in his place.
- Zedekiah
- Reigns eleven years.
- Rebels against Nebuchadnezzar and breaks his oath by God.
- Becomes stubborn and refuses to humble himself to Jeremiah’s words.
- The priests and people follow in great unfaithfulness, defiling the temple.
God sends prophets out of compassion, but the people mock and despise them. “There was no remedy.”
God allows the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem. Young and old are slain, the temple is burned, and treasures taken to Babylon.
Survivors are exiled to serve Babylon until the land enjoys its Sabbath rest (70 years of desolation).
In 539 BC God stirs the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia (In fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy). Cyrus proclaims that the Lord has charged him to rebuild His house in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1
Cyrus declares that the Lord, the God of heaven, has given him all kingdoms of the earth. He invites any of God’s people to return and rebuild, with their neighbors supporting them with silver, gold, goods, and livestock.
- Daniel 6:28 says: “So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” He could have been someone who influenced Cyrus as well.
- Isaiah 44:28-45:4 names Cyrus. Written about 150 years earlier, says: “Cyrus… will say of Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid.’”
Leaders of Judah and Benjamin, priests, and Levites rise up to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of the Lord.
Cyrus brings out the temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem. He entrusts them to Mithredath the treasurer, who counts them out to Sheshbazzar, the prince (likely Zerubbabel).
- A detailed list of gold and silver items:
- 30 gold dishes, 1,000 silver dishes, 29 knives,
- 30 gold bowls, 410 silver bowls, and 1,000 other vessels.
- Total: 5,400 sacred articles.
- Sheshbazzar carries them from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Ezra 2
It is time for God’s people to return home. They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua (Joshua the high priest), Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.
Lists the families and towns of those who returned.
| Family / Clan | Number Returned |
| Parosh | 2,172 |
| Shephatiah | 372 |
| Arah | 775 |
| Pahath-moab (of Jeshua & Joab) | 2,812 |
| Elam | 1,254 |
| Zattu | 945 |
| Zaccai | 760 |
| Bani | 642 |
| Bebai | 623 |
| Azgad | 1,222 |
| Adonikam | 666 |
| Bigvai | 2,056 |
| Adin | 454 |
| Ater (of Hezekiah) | 98 |
| Bezai | 323 |
| Jorah (or Hariph) | 112 |
| Hashum | 223 |
| Gibbar | 95 |
| Town / Region | Number Returned |
| Bethlehem | 123 |
| Netophah | 56 |
| Anathoth | 128 |
| Azmaveth | 42 |
| Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, Beeroth | 743 |
| Ramah & Geba | 621 |
| Michmas | 122 |
| Bethel & Ai | 223 |
| Nebo | 52 |
| Magbish | 156 |
| The other Elam | 1,254 |
| Harim | 320 |
| Lod, Hadid & Ono | 725 |
| Jericho | 345 |
| Senaah | 3,630 |
Priests
| Priestly Line | Number Returned |
| Jedaiah (house of Jeshua) | 973 |
| Immer | 1,052 |
| Pashhur | 1,247 |
| Harim | 1,017 |
| Group | Number Returned |
| Levites: sons of Jeshua & Kadmiel (of Hodaviah) | 74 |
| Singers: sons of Asaph | 128 |
| Gatekeepers: Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, Shobai | 139 |
Temple Servants (Nethinim)
Sons of: Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, Keros, Siaha, Padon, Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, Besai, Asnah, Meunim, Nephusim, Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, Barkos, Sisera, Temah, Neziah, Hatipha.
Descendants of Solomon’s Servants
Sons of: Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazze-baim, Ami (Amon).
Those Who Could Not Prove Their Ancestry
- Sons of Delaiah, Tobiah, Nekoda (652).
- Priests unable to prove lineage: sons of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai
- They were excluded from priestly duties until confirmed by the Urim and Thummim.
Overall Count
| Category | Count |
| Total congregation | 42,360 |
| Male & female servants | 7,337 |
| Singers (male & female) | 200 |
| Horses | 736 |
| Mules | 245 |
| Camels | 435 |
| Donkeys | 6,720 |
Generous Contributions
- When they arrived at the temple site, the heads of families gave freewill offerings for the rebuilding of the house of God.
- Contributed 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments.
Questions
Why did Pharaoh Necho remove Jehoahaz after only three months?
Why did God allow the land to “enjoy its Sabbaths” for seventy years?
How was Cyrus’s heart stirred?
Why did people choose not to return?
Application
2 Chronicles ends tragically with the exile of Judah, even though God sent prophet after prophet to warn them. However in Ezra we learn that God uses a pagan king to decree their return. Even though the temple was burned and the people were scattered, God was still at work. His plan leads us towards restoration. Nothing on this earth can stop His purpose.
Jo Reads The Bible 
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