2 Kings 1:18

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

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Ahaziah {H274} which he did {H6213}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}?

Other activities of Achazyah are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

As for the rest of the acts of Ahaziah, along with his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Commentary

2 Kings 1:18 serves as a concluding formula for the brief and ill-fated reign of King Ahaziah of Israel. This verse, common throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, signifies the end of the scriptural account for a particular monarch and points to a larger, external historical record for further details of his rule.

Context

King Ahaziah was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, inheriting their idolatrous ways. His reign (c. 853-852 BC) was short, lasting only two years, and was marked by unrighteousness. The preceding verses in 2 Kings 1:2-17 detail his fatal injury and his defiance of God by inquiring of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, instead of the Lord. The prophet Elijah famously confronted him and pronounced judgment, leading to Ahaziah's swift death.

The phrase "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" does not refer to the biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, but rather to official state annals or royal records maintained by the Israelite monarchy. These non-biblical historical documents served as a comprehensive register of royal activities, wars, and administrative matters. The biblical authors frequently referenced such sources, indicating their reliance on existing historical documentation to frame their divinely inspired narrative. Similar concluding formulas appear for other kings, such as Jeroboam I in 1 Kings 14:19 or Ahaziah's father, Ahab, in 1 Kings 22:39.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Selection of History: This verse underscores that the biblical narrative is not an exhaustive historical record but a divinely inspired selection. It focuses on what God deemed essential for understanding His character, His covenant with Israel, and the spiritual lessons derived from the kings' obedience or disobedience.
  • Verification and Authenticity: By referring to external chronicles, the biblical text subtly affirms its historical grounding. While these specific "chronicles" are no longer extant, their mention suggests that the events recorded in Scripture were verifiable within the historical context of the time.
  • The Brevity of Earthly Reigns: Ahaziah's short and ignominious reign is quickly summarized and concluded, highlighting the fleeting nature of human power, especially when disconnected from God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated as "book of the chronicles" is sepher dibre hayyamim (ืกึตืคึถืจ ื“ึผึดื‘ึฐืจึตื™ ื”ึทื™ึผึธืžึดื™ื), which literally means "book of the words/events of the days." This emphasizes a meticulous, day-by-day or year-by-year record-keeping practice within the royal administration, similar to modern annals or diaries of state affairs.

Practical Application

For us today, 2 Kings 1:18 reminds us that while human history is meticulously recorded, God's ultimate assessment of our lives goes beyond mere acts or achievements. The Bible's selective focus on Ahaziah's spiritual rebellion, rather than a comprehensive list of his political endeavors, teaches us that our relationship with God and our obedience to His commands are what truly matter in the divine record. It prompts us to consider what will be "written" about our lives from God's eternal perspective, emphasizing not just what we did, but who we served and how we lived in light of His truth, anticipating the day when the books are opened in judgment.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 22:39

    Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

  • 1 Kings 14:19

    And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
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