2 Chronicles 28:26

Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

Now the rest {H3499} of his acts {H1697} and of all his ways {H1870}, first {H7223} and last {H314}, behold, they are written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063} and Israel {H3478}.

Other activities of Achaz and his ways [of doing things], 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 Ahaz and all his ways, from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

Now the rest of his acts, and all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 28:26 serves as the concluding formula for the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, a standard practice in the historical books of the Old Testament. It points to more extensive historical records that provided the source material for the biblical narrative.

Context of 2 Chronicles 28:26

This verse marks the end of the detailed account of King Ahaz's rule, which is largely characterized by his profound wickedness, idolatry, and national apostasy. Ahaz was one of Judah's most unfaithful kings, famously closing the temple doors and promoting pagan worship throughout the land (2 Chronicles 28:24). The phrase "the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last" indicates that the biblical author is summarizing a much larger body of information, reassuring the reader that the essential details are presented, with further specifics available in the official state chronicles.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Historical Veracity and Accountability: The reference to "the book of the kings of Judah and Israel" underscores the historical basis of the biblical narrative. It suggests that the actions of kings, whether good or evil, were meticulously recorded and held to account, not only by human scribes but ultimately before God. This emphasis on record-keeping is a recurring motif in the books of Kings and Chronicles, reinforcing the idea of divine oversight over human history.
  • Completeness of God's Word: While the biblical account of Ahaz's reign is selective, it offers a divinely inspired summary. The mention of a more comprehensive secular record implies that the reader is receiving the most pertinent spiritual and historical truths necessary for understanding God's dealings with Judah during this period.
  • The End of a Reign: This concluding statement signifies the close of a significant period in Judah's history, marked by Ahaz's disastrous choices that led to national decline and judgment. It prepares the reader for the transition to the next king, Hezekiah, whose reign would offer a stark contrast.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "first and last" (Hebrew: ri'shonim v'acharonim) is a common idiomatic expression in Hebrew literature, signifying the entirety or the complete scope of something. In this context, it simply emphasizes that all of King Ahaz's actions, from the beginning to the end of his reign, were documented in the national annals.

Related Scriptures

This concluding formula is consistent with those found throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. For example, similar phrasing concludes the reign of King Rehoboam in 1 Kings 14:29 and King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16:11. These references highlight the structured way in which biblical history was compiled, drawing from official state records.

Practical Application

Though this verse is historical in nature, it offers a timeless principle: all actions, whether good or evil, are observed and recorded, both in human history and in God's eternal memory. For believers today, this can serve as a reminder to live a life of integrity and faithfulness, knowing that our deeds have lasting consequences and are ultimately accounted for before God. Just as Ahaz's "ways" were documented, so too are our lives part of a larger divine narrative, prompting us to consider the legacy we build.

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 16:19

    Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

  • 2 Kings 16:20

    And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 27:7

    Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they [are] written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

  • 2 Chronicles 27:9

    And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

  • 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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