2 Chronicles 25:26

Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, [are] they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Amaziah {H558}, first {H7223} and last {H314}, behold, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063} and Israel {H3478}?

Other activities of Amatzyah, from beginning to end, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah and Isra'el.

As for the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from beginning to end, are they not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?

Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?

Commentary

2 Chronicles 25:26 serves as a concise concluding summary regarding the reign of King Amaziah of Judah. It is a common literary device found throughout the historical books of the Old Testament, indicating that the biblical account is not exhaustive but points to other, more detailed historical records of the time.

Context

This verse appears at the end of the narrative detailing King Amaziah's reign in 2 Chronicles chapter 25. Amaziah, son of Joash, began his reign doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, though not with a perfect heart (2 Chronicles 25:2). He showed strength in punishing those who assassinated his father and in his military campaigns against Edom. However, his heart turned from God after his victory over Edom, as he brought back and worshipped the Edomite idols (2 Chronicles 25:14). This led to his downfall, including a humiliating defeat by King Joash of Israel and his eventual assassination. The Chronicler, like the authors of Kings, often uses these summary statements to wrap up a king's story, directing readers to more extensive records for full biographical details.

Key Themes

  • Biblical Selectivity and Sufficiency: The Bible does not provide an exhaustive biography of every historical figure. Instead, it selectively presents narratives and events that highlight God's character, His covenant with Israel, the consequences of obedience and disobedience, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. This verse underscores that while the biblical account is sufficient for its theological purpose, it is not the only historical record.
  • Divine Record-Keeping: The mention of "the book of the kings of Judah and Israel" implies that God oversees and uses human history and its documentation. While these external books are not part of our canonical Scripture, their existence attests to the factual basis of the biblical narrative and God's sovereign hand in history.
  • Accountability of Rulers: The phrase "the rest of the acts" (Hebrew: dibre, meaning 'words' or 'affairs') points to the comprehensive record of a ruler's deeds, both good and bad. This suggests an ultimate accountability for their actions, which are preserved in history and ultimately before God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "first and last" (Hebrew: rishonim ve'aharonim) is a common Hebrew idiom meaning 'from beginning to end' or 'in their entirety'. It signifies that the comprehensive record of Amaziah's reign was available in these external historical documents. The "book of the kings of Judah and Israel" refers to a now-lost official state chronicle that was a primary source for the biblical authors of Chronicles and Kings. Similar references can be found throughout these historical books, such as in 1 Kings 15:7 concerning King Abijam.

Practical Application

For modern readers, 2 Chronicles 25:26 reminds us that the Bible is a divinely inspired, purposeful book. It doesn't aim to be a secular history textbook but a spiritual guide, revealing God's work in human events. The fact that fuller historical records existed and were referenced by the biblical authors lends credibility to the historical grounding of Scripture. It also encourages us to focus on the spiritual lessons embedded within the narratives, recognizing that every life, whether fully recorded or summarized, stands before God. Amaziah's story, even in its summarized form, teaches about the dangers of partial obedience and the devastating consequences of turning away from God after experiencing His blessings.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 14:15

    ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

  • 2 Chronicles 20:34

    Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who [is] mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
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