2 Chronicles 13:22

KJV

And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, [are] written in the story of the prophet Iddo.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Abijah {H29}, and his ways {H1870}, and his sayings {H1697}, are written {H3789} in the story {H4097} of the prophet {H5030} Iddo {H5714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Other activities of Aviyah, together with his ways of doing things and his sayings, are recorded in the commentary of the prophet 'Iddo.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the rest of the acts of Abijah, along with his ways and his words, are written in the Treatise of the Prophet Iddo.

American Standard Version

And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 13:22 serves as a concluding colophon for the reign of King Abijah of Judah, summarizing his remaining deeds, character, and words, while directing the reader to an external, authoritative source—"the story of the prophet Iddo"—for a more comprehensive account. This verse highlights the Chronicler's selective yet historically grounded approach to recording the history of God's people, emphasizing the theological purpose of the biblical narrative over exhaustive historical detail, and underscoring the vital role of prophetic documentation in ancient Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the formal conclusion of the Chronicler's account of King Abijah's three-year reign, which began in [2 Chronicles 13:1](/2-chronicles/13-1 "2 Chronicles 13:1 - Abijah's Reign Begins"). The preceding verses (specifically [2 Chronicles 13:1-21](/2-chronicles/13-1 "2 Chronicles 13:1-21 - Abijah's Victory Over Jeroboam")) focus almost exclusively on a single, pivotal event: Abijah's decisive victory over Jeroboam I of Israel. This battle narrative is presented as a theological object lesson, demonstrating God's favor and intervention on behalf of Judah when they relied on Him, in stark contrast to Israel's apostasy. The Chronicler's brevity regarding other aspects of Abijah's reign, followed by a direct reference to an external source, is a common literary device employed throughout Chronicles (e.g., [2 Chronicles 9:29](/2-chronicles/9-29 "2 Chronicles 9:29 - Solomon's Acts and Prophetic Writings"), [2 Chronicles 12:15](/2-chronicles/12-15 "2 Chronicles 12:15 - Rehoboam's Reign and Iddo's Records")), signaling that the biblical text is a divinely inspired, selective theological history, not an exhaustive secular chronicle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Abijah reigned over the southern kingdom of Judah during a period of ongoing tension and conflict with the northern kingdom of Israel, which had seceded under Jeroboam I. The division of the kingdom, a consequence of Solomon's idolatry and Rehoboam's folly, created a volatile geopolitical landscape. In ancient Near Eastern historiography, it was common practice for scribes and chroniclers to consult and cite older, more detailed records, often kept by royal scribes or prophets. Prophets, in particular, were not merely foretellers of the future but also interpreters of God's actions in history and often served as official court historians, documenting events from a divine perspective. The mention of "the prophet Iddo" as the source for Abijah's "acts," "ways," and "sayings" underscores the cultural expectation that such records would be maintained and consulted, lending credibility and authority to the Chronicler's own narrative by pointing to a known and respected contemporary source.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Chronicles. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Historiography**, illustrating that God's hand is in the recording of history, even through human instruments like prophets. The Chronicler's reliance on and citation of external records like "the story of the prophet Iddo" (also referenced in [2 Chronicles 9:29](/2-chronicles/9-29 "2 Chronicles 9:29 - Iddo's Writings on Solomon") and [2 Chronicles 12:15](/2-chronicles/12-15 "2 Chronicles 12:15 - Iddo's Records on Rehoboam")) underscores the historical grounding of the biblical narrative. Secondly, it highlights the **Authority and Role of Prophetic Records**, emphasizing that prophets were not only messengers of God's word but also diligent chroniclers of their times, providing an inspired perspective on events. Finally, it subtly reinforces the **Theological Purpose of Scripture**, demonstrating that the Bible is not an exhaustive encyclopedia of every event but a divinely curated narrative that includes precisely what is necessary for understanding God's redemptive plan and His covenant dealings with His people, leaving other details to supplementary sources.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Story (Hebrew, _midrash'_):** The Hebrew term מִדְרָשׁ (_midrash_) in this context refers to a "commentary," "exposition," or "narrative account." Unlike the later rabbinic interpretive method known as Midrash, here it denotes a written record that likely provided a more detailed or expansive account of Abijah's reign than the summary given in Chronicles. It implies a thorough, perhaps even interpretive, historical document, suggesting that Iddo's work was more than a mere chronological list of events but offered insights into their significance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the rest of the acts of Abijah":** This phrase serves as a transition, indicating that the Chronicler has concluded his primary narrative concerning Abijah and is now summarizing the remaining, unmentioned aspects of his reign. "Acts" (דְּבָרִים, _devarim_) refers to his deeds, accomplishments, and the significant events of his time as king, beyond the battle highlighted in the preceding verses.
* **"and his ways":** This refers to Abijah's character, conduct, and the overall manner in which he governed and lived. It encompasses his moral and spiritual disposition, reflecting on his faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God, as well as his administrative style and policies.
* **"and his sayings":** This refers to Abijah's words, speeches, or pronouncements. This could include decrees, judgments, or even the significant address he delivered before the battle against Jeroboam (as recorded in [2 Chronicles 13:4-12](/2-chronicles/13-4 "2 Chronicles 13:4-12 - Abijah's Speech to Jeroboam")), suggesting that Iddo's record contained a fuller collection of his utterances.
* **"[are] written in the story of the prophet Iddo":** This clause provides the authoritative source for these additional details. The direct reference to "the prophet Iddo" lends immense credibility, as prophets were divinely appointed figures whose records were considered trustworthy and inspired. This statement confirms that the Chronicler had access to and consulted such historical documents, underscoring the meticulous nature of ancient biblical historiography.

#### Literary Devices
2 Chronicles 13:22 employs several significant literary devices. It functions as a **Colophon**, a concluding statement common in ancient texts that marks the end of a section and often points to a source for further information. This device provides closure to the narrative of Abijah's reign while simultaneously reassuring the reader of the historical depth and availability of more extensive records. Furthermore, the verse is a prime example of **Intertextuality**, as it explicitly references an external document, "the story of the prophet Iddo." This practice highlights the Chronicler's method of **Historiography**, demonstrating that he was not creating history ex nihilo but was compiling and interpreting existing records, often from prophetic sources, to construct a theological narrative. The Chronicler's selective inclusion of details, focusing on Abijah's reliance on God in battle, followed by this general reference, underscores the **Theological Purpose** of his work: to present a divinely guided history that emphasizes obedience and covenant faithfulness, rather than an exhaustive secular account.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores the meticulous nature of divine providence, not only in guiding historical events but also in their preservation and documentation. It affirms that God's hand is present in the recording of history, ensuring that what is essential for His redemptive purposes is transmitted to future generations. The Chronicler's consistent practice of citing external sources, particularly prophetic ones, validates the historical grounding of the biblical narrative while simultaneously highlighting its theological selectivity. It teaches us that while the Bible is historically accurate, its primary aim is not to be an exhaustive historical encyclopedia, but rather a divinely inspired guide for faith and life, presenting God's dealings with humanity from His own perspective. The existence of these external records, now lost to us, serves to confirm the biblical account's rootedness in real events and the diligent research of its ancient compilers.

* [1 Kings 11:41](/1-kings/11-41 "1 Kings 11:41 - Solomon's Acts in the Book of the Acts of Solomon")
* [2 Chronicles 9:29](/2-chronicles/9-29 "2 Chronicles 9:29 - Iddo's Writings on Solomon")
* [2 Chronicles 12:15](/2-chronicles/12-15 "2 Chronicles 12:15 - Iddo's Records on Rehoboam")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 13:22 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that the biblical narrative, though concise in places, is deeply rooted in verifiable historical events, supported by a wealth of ancient documentation. This should bolster our confidence in the Bible's reliability and trustworthiness. Furthermore, it highlights the multifaceted role of prophets, not just as foretellers but as faithful historians and interpreters of God's work in their own times. For us, this means that God continues to work through various means—including scholarly research, historical inquiry, and the faithful witness of His people—to preserve and illuminate His truth. We are called to appreciate the selective wisdom of Scripture, trusting that what God has chosen to reveal is precisely what we need for our spiritual journey, and that His overarching plan for humanity is meticulously unfolded, even if every detail of every life is not exhaustively recorded. This verse encourages us to delve into the depths of the biblical text, knowing that every word is purposeful and points to God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Chronicler's reference to external sources like "the story of the prophet Iddo" strengthen your confidence in the historical reliability of the Bible?**
* **What does the selective nature of the biblical narrative (focusing on theological lessons over exhaustive detail) teach us about God's priorities for our understanding?**
* **In what ways can we, like the prophet Iddo, serve as "chroniclers" or witnesses of God's work in our own time and context?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the prophet Iddo" being cited as a source?**

Answer: The citation of "the prophet Iddo" is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it lends strong historical credibility to the Chronicler's account, indicating that he consulted and relied upon established, authoritative records of his time. Prophets in ancient Israel were not only spiritual leaders but often served as official royal historians, documenting events from a divine perspective. Iddo is mentioned elsewhere as a chronicler for King Solomon ([2 Chronicles 9:29](/2-chronicles/9-29 "2 Chronicles 9:29 - Iddo's Writings on Solomon")) and King Rehoboam ([2 Chronicles 12:15](/2-chronicles/12-15 "2 Chronicles 12:15 - Iddo's Records on Rehoboam")), establishing him as a prominent and trusted figure whose writings were considered reliable. His "story" (מִדְרָשׁ, _midrash_) likely contained a more detailed, perhaps even interpretive, account of Abijah's reign, affirming that the biblical text is a divinely curated, selective history, not an exhaustive secular one.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous recording of history, particularly through prophetic voices like Iddo, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect revelation of God's plan in Jesus Christ. Just as the "acts," "ways," and "sayings" of an earthly king were deemed worthy of detailed documentation, so too the life, ministry, and words of the King of Kings are recorded with divine precision and purpose in the Gospels and throughout the New Testament. The Old Testament's historical accounts, even with their references to external sources, ultimately point to a grander narrative—God's unfolding redemptive plan that culminates in Christ. The prophets, who documented the reigns of kings, were themselves pointing forward to the coming Prophet, Priest, and King, Jesus, who would perfectly fulfill all the Law and the Prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). The very existence of these ancient records, preserved by God's providence, underscores His sovereignty over all history, leading irrevocably to the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). In Christ, all the fragmented stories and prophetic insights find their complete and eternal "story," revealing God's ultimate "acts," "ways," and "sayings" for humanity's salvation ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Speaks Through His Son")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 9:29

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, [are] they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

2 Chronicles 12:15

Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, [are] they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And [there were] wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

2 Chronicles 24:27

Now [concerning] his sons, and the greatness of the burdens [laid] upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they [are] written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.