2 Kings 13:8

KJV

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Jehoahaz {H3059}, and all that he did {H6213}, and his might {H1369}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Other activities of Y'ho'achaz, all his accomplishments and his power are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse functions as a standardized concluding formula within the Book of 2 Kings, signaling the end of the narrative summary for King Jehoahaz of Israel's reign. It serves to inform the reader that a more exhaustive historical account of his actions, achievements, and military strength existed in official state records, distinct from the divinely inspired biblical narrative. This formula underscores the Bible's selective, theological purpose, which focuses on God's redemptive plan rather than providing an exhaustive secular history, while simultaneously affirming the historical grounding of the events it describes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the conclusion of the biblical summary of King Jehoahaz's reign, which began in [2 Kings 13:1](/2_kings/13-1 "2 Kings 13:1 - Jehoahaz Begins to Reign"). It is a formulaic statement, repeatedly employed throughout the books of Kings (e.g., [1 Kings 11:41](/1_kings/11-41 "1 Kings 11:41 - Solomon's Other Acts"), [2 Kings 10:34](/2_kings/10-34 "2 Kings 10:34 - Jehu's Other Acts"), [2 Kings 14:15](/2_kings/14-15 "2 Kings 14:15 - Joash's Other Acts")), to transition from one king's account to the next. Its consistent use indicates that the biblical author is drawing from and referring to external, more comprehensive historical documents, implying that the biblical account is a selective, theologically driven summary rather than an exhaustive chronicle of every royal deed. The following verse, [2 Kings 13:9](/2_kings/13-9 "2 Kings 13:9 - Joash Becomes King"), immediately introduces the next king, Joash, Jehoahaz's son.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, ruled over Israel for seventeen years (c. 814-798 BC). His reign was marked by the nation's persistent idolatry and, as a consequence, severe oppression at the hands of the Arameans (Syrians) under King Hazael, as detailed in [2 Kings 13:1-7](/2_kings/13-1 "2 Kings 13:1-7 - Jehoahaz's Reign and Aramean Oppression"). The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" refers not to the canonical Books of Chronicles in our modern Bibles, but to official state annals or court records maintained by royal scribes in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. These records meticulously documented daily occurrences, military campaigns, building projects, and other significant events of the kingdom. Such annals were common in the ancient world, serving as official historical archives for the ruling dynasty. The biblical authors, while divinely inspired, often utilized and referenced these existing historical documents, grounding their theological narrative in verifiable historical realities.

* **Key Themes:** This formulaic verse contributes to several key themes within the Books of Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **historical verifiability** of the biblical account, demonstrating that the authors were aware of and referenced external historical records, thus rooting their narrative in actual events. Secondly, it underscores the **theological selectivity of Scripture**. The Bible's primary purpose is not to provide an exhaustive secular history but to convey spiritual truths, God's character, and His covenant dealings with humanity. Therefore, it often summarizes or omits details deemed less crucial for its overarching theological message, directing readers elsewhere for more extensive historical data. This selectivity is evident throughout the Old Testament, from the concise genealogies in [Genesis 5](/genesis/5 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam") to the focused accounts of Israel's kings. Finally, it subtly points to **divine oversight of history**. Even the seemingly mundane details of historical record-keeping speak to God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations and kings. Every act, every reign, is part of a larger divine plan, whether fully recorded in the Bible or in other historical annals, demonstrating that God is actively involved in the unfolding of human history, even when His direct intervention is not explicitly detailed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chronicles (Hebrew, _dibrê hayyāmîm_):** This phrase literally translates to "matters of the days" or "events of the days." It refers to the official court records, annals, or state archives maintained by the scribes of the kings of Israel (and Judah). These were comprehensive historical documents that recorded the daily occurrences, administrative decisions, military campaigns, and other significant events of a king's reign. It is crucial to distinguish these ancient state annals from the canonical biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, which are a later, divinely inspired theological re-telling of Israel's history from a different perspective.
* **Might (Hebrew, _gevurah_):** This word denotes strength, power, valor, or heroic deeds. When applied to a king, it typically refers to his military prowess, the strength of his army, his success in battles, or his ability to defend and expand his kingdom. The inclusion of "his might" in the formula indicates that these secular records would have detailed Jehoahaz's military campaigns, his successes, and perhaps even his failures, providing a more complete picture of his reign from a human perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz":** This opening phrase is a standard literary device used by the biblical author to indicate that the preceding account of Jehoahaz's reign is not exhaustive. It signals to the reader that there were many other deeds, decisions, and events from his time as king that are not detailed in the biblical narrative.
* **"and all that he did, and his might":** This expands on "the rest of the acts," encompassing the full scope of Jehoahaz's activities, including his administrative decisions, his personal conduct, and specifically his military strength and achievements. The mention of "his might" highlights the importance of military power and success in the evaluation of ancient Near Eastern kings.
* **"[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?":** This is a rhetorical question that functions as an affirmative statement. It confirms the existence of external, official historical records where a more comprehensive account of Jehoahaz's reign could be found. This serves as a verifiable historical reference point for the ancient reader, lending credibility to the biblical narrative's selective summary.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Formulaic Language**, a recurring literary device throughout the Books of Kings. This specific concluding formula ("Now the rest of the acts of [King's Name]... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel/Judah?") serves as a consistent structural marker, signaling the end of a king's reign summary and providing a transition to the next. Its repetitive nature creates a rhythmic pattern that unifies the historical narrative. Furthermore, the phrase "[are] they not written..." functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, which is not intended to elicit an answer but to make a strong affirmation. In this context, it emphatically confirms the existence and accessibility of the external "book of the chronicles." This device also highlights the **Intertextuality** or **Referentiality** of the biblical text, as it explicitly points beyond itself to other historical documents, demonstrating that the inspired authors were aware of and utilized broader historical records.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though seemingly a mere historical footnote, carries profound theological implications. It reminds us that God's sovereign hand is at work in all of history, not just the parts explicitly detailed in Scripture. While the biblical narrative is selective, focusing on God's covenant relationship with Israel and His unfolding redemptive plan, it affirms that the broader stream of human history, with all its kings, battles, and daily events, is also under His comprehensive knowledge and ultimate control. Every act, every decision, and every life, whether recorded in human annals or not, is known to God. This truth encourages a life lived with eternal perspective, knowing that our "chronicles" are being written before the divine gaze.

* [Malachi 3:16](/malachi/3-16 "Malachi 3:16 - The Book of Remembrance")
* [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Opened at Judgment")
* [Psalm 139:16](/psalm/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Book of Our Days")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry historical note in 2 Kings 13:8 offers a powerful invitation to personal reflection. Just as the acts and might of King Jehoahaz were recorded in official chronicles, our own lives are continuously being "written." Every decision, every word, every deed, whether public or private, contributes to the narrative of our existence. This "chronicle" is not only observed by those around us but, more significantly, is known fully by God. Understanding that God sees and remembers all our "acts" should inspire us to live with intentionality, integrity, and a deep commitment to faithfulness. Furthermore, the Bible's selective focus on what is eternally significant—God's character, His covenant, and His redemptive work—challenges us to prioritize spiritual truths over transient worldly achievements. What kind of "chronicle" are we creating with our lives? Are we striving for a record that honors God and reflects His purposes, or are we merely accumulating deeds that ultimately hold no eternal weight?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "chronicles" are being written about my life today, and what kind of story do they tell?**
* **How does the Bible's selective focus on God's redemptive plan influence what I prioritize and deem truly important in my own life?**
* **In what ways does knowing that God sees and remembers all my "acts" motivate me to live with greater faithfulness and integrity?**

### FAQ
**What is "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "The book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (and its counterpart for Judah) refers to official, secular state annals or court records maintained by royal scribes in ancient Israel and Judah. These were comprehensive historical documents that meticulously recorded the daily events, administrative decisions, military campaigns, and significant occurrences during each king's reign. They were essentially the official archives of the kingdom. It is crucial to distinguish these ancient state records from the canonical biblical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, which are part of our modern Bible. The biblical books of Chronicles are a later, divinely inspired theological history of Israel, written from a different perspective and with a distinct purpose, primarily focusing on the Davidic covenant and the temple worship. The references in 2 Kings, like [2 Kings 13:8](/2_kings/13-8 "2 Kings 13:8 - The Book of Chronicles"), indicate that the biblical authors were aware of and utilized these existing secular historical records, grounding their divinely inspired narrative in verifiable historical facts.

**Why does the Bible refer to other books if it is divinely inspired and sufficient?**

Answer: The Bible's references to external "books of the chronicles" serve several important purposes, even though it is divinely inspired and sufficient for faith and practice. Firstly, it affirms the **historical grounding** of the biblical narrative. By pointing to verifiable external records, the biblical authors demonstrate that the events they describe are rooted in actual history, not myth or legend. Secondly, it highlights the **theological selectivity** of Scripture. The Bible's primary purpose is not to provide an exhaustive secular history of every king's reign or every national event. Instead, it focuses on God's unfolding redemptive plan, His covenant relationship with humanity, and the spiritual lessons derived from historical events. Therefore, it often summarizes or omits details not directly pertinent to its theological message, directing readers to other sources for more comprehensive historical data. This shows that God works through and within human history, even the parts not explicitly detailed in His revealed Word. Finally, it underscores the **authority and trustworthiness** of the biblical text; the authors were not fabricating stories but presenting a divinely guided interpretation of real events, often drawing from established historical records.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 13:8 appears to be a simple historical reference, it subtly points to the ultimate "chronicle" of God's redemptive work, which culminates in Jesus Christ. The "acts" and "might" of earthly kings, however significant in their time, are but faint shadows compared to the supreme "acts" and divine "might" of the Son of God. All human history, including the reigns of kings like Jehoahaz and the records kept about them, ultimately points forward to or backward from the pivotal moment of Christ's incarnation, life, death, and resurrection. He is the true King, whose reign is eternal and whose "might" is not merely military but spiritual, triumphing over sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The ultimate "book of chronicles" is God's eternal plan, fully revealed and accomplished in Christ, who is the [Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega"), the one who holds all history in His hands. Our greatest hope is not that our earthly deeds are recorded in human annals, but that our names are written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/20-15 "Revelation 20:15 - The Book of Life"), a testament to the ultimate act of God's grace in Christ. His story is the true, comprehensive chronicle that gives meaning to all other histories.

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

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.

1 Kings 14:20

And the days which Jeroboam reigned [were] two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 14:29

Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

1 Kings 11:4

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father.

2 Kings 10:34

Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

2 Kings 10:35

And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 14:31

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.