2 Kings 14:15

KJV

¶ 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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Jehoash {H3060} which he did {H6213}, and his might {H1369}, and how he fought {H3898} with Amaziah {H558} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, 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'ash that he did, his power and how he fought Amatzyah king of Y'hudah are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the rest of the acts of Jehoash, along with his accomplishments, his might, and how he waged war against Amaziah king of Judah, 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 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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 14:15 serves as a standard concluding formula for the reign of King Jehoash (or Joash) of Israel, a common literary device employed throughout the Books of Kings. This verse encapsulates the essence of his rule, particularly highlighting his strength and his significant conflict with King Amaziah of Judah, while simultaneously directing the reader to external, non-canonical historical records—the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel"—for a more exhaustive account of his deeds. It underscores the biblical author's selective yet authoritative presentation of history, focusing on God's redemptive narrative rather than providing a comprehensive secular chronicle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as the formal conclusion to the narrative of King Jehoash's sixteen-year reign over Israel, immediately following a detailed account of his military triumph over King Amaziah of Judah. The preceding verses, specifically [2 Kings 14:8-14](/2_kings/14-8 "2 Kings 14:8-14 - The War Between Jehoash and Amaziah"), describe the challenge issued by Amaziah, Jehoash's dismissive parable, and the subsequent decisive victory of Israel over Judah at Beth-shemesh, culminating in the capture of Amaziah and the plundering of Jerusalem. The formulaic nature of [2 Kings 14:15](/2_kings/14-15 "2 Kings 14:15 - Conclusion of Jehoash's Reign") is consistent with the Deuteronomistic Historian's pattern of summarizing each monarch's reign, often pointing to external records for further details, as seen for other kings like [Jeroboam I in 1 Kings 14:19](/1_kings/14-19 "1 Kings 14:19 - Jeroboam I's Chronicles") and [Jehu in 2 Kings 10:34](/2_kings/10-34 "2 Kings 10:34 - Jehu's Chronicles"). This literary device signals the end of the biblical author's focused narrative on a particular king, transitioning to the next.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jehoash reigned during a period of fluctuating power dynamics between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. His reign (c. 798-782 BC) followed a period of Aramean oppression, from which he, like his father Jehoahaz, began to recover territory and strength, fulfilling prophecies of Elisha (cf. [2 Kings 13:14-19](/2_kings/13-14 "2 Kings 13:14-19 - Elisha's Prophecy to Jehoash")). The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" refers to official state annals or court records maintained by scribes in the royal archives. Such chronicles were common in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, serving as detailed historical records of royal decrees, military campaigns, building projects, and other significant events. These were distinct from the inspired biblical text, yet the biblical authors confidently referenced them, demonstrating their awareness of and reliance on contemporary historical documentation for factual corroboration.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within the Books of Kings. Firstly, it underscores the **historical veracity and reliability of the biblical narrative**, demonstrating that the authors were not inventing stories but were drawing from and referencing known, verifiable historical sources. This lends credibility to the accounts presented. Secondly, it highlights the **selective nature of biblical narration**. While acknowledging more exhaustive records existed, the inspired text deliberately focuses on events and details that are spiritually significant and relevant to God's covenant dealings with His people, rather than providing a comprehensive secular history. This selectivity emphasizes the Bible's primary purpose: to reveal God's character and His redemptive plan. Finally, the consistent reference to these external chronicles subtly implies **God's sovereign oversight of history**, not only in the events themselves but also in their documentation and preservation, ensuring that the necessary truths would be recorded and accessible for future generations, even if not fully canonized.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"rest of the acts" (Hebrew, _hayyeter_):** This phrase, often translated as "the remainder" or "what was left," signals that the biblical account is not exhaustive but rather a curated selection of events from a king's reign. It implicitly acknowledges that more details existed in external records. In the context of 2 Kings, it serves as a literary bridge, closing one king's narrative while pointing to a broader historical backdrop, reinforcing the idea that the biblical narrative is part of a larger, divinely orchestrated history.
* **"are they not written" (Hebrew, _halo-hemmah kĕtûbîm_):** This is a powerful rhetorical question in Hebrew, functioning as a strong affirmation. It emphatically means, "Indeed, they are written!" or "Surely they are written!" This device serves to underscore the certainty and public accessibility of these historical records to the original audience, thereby reinforcing the factual and verifiable basis of the biblical account. It is a confident assertion that the events described are not fabricated but are grounded in known historical documentation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did":** This opening clause introduces the concluding summary for King Jehoash of Israel. The "rest of the acts" signifies that the biblical narrative has presented the most pertinent details of his reign from a theological perspective, but acknowledges that a more complete historical record exists elsewhere.
* **"and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah":** These specific phrases highlight key aspects of Jehoash's rule that were particularly noteworthy. "His might" refers to his strength, military prowess, and perhaps his ability to restore Israel's standing after previous defeats. The explicit mention of his conflict with Amaziah King of Judah points back to the significant and detailed account of their war in the preceding verses ([2 Kings 14:8-14](/2_kings/14-8 "2 Kings 14:8-14 - The War Between Jehoash and Amaziah")), emphasizing its importance within the biblical narrative of his reign.
* **"[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?":** This rhetorical question, as analyzed above, serves as a strong affirmation that these deeds are indeed recorded in the official state annals. It directs the reader to these external, non-canonical historical sources, affirming the historical grounding of the biblical account and demonstrating the biblical author's reliance on and knowledge of such records. It also subtly reinforces the idea that the Bible is a divinely inspired theological history, not a mere secular chronicle.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs a **Formulaic Conclusion**, a recurring literary device throughout the Books of Kings. This standardized phrase marks the end of a king's reign summary, providing a concise overview and directing the reader to external historical records. This pattern creates a sense of continuity and structure across the historical narrative. Additionally, the phrase "are they not written?" is a powerful **Rhetorical Question**. This device is not meant to elicit an answer but to make a strong, affirmative statement, emphasizing the certainty and public accessibility of the historical records being referenced. It functions as a confident assertion of the historical basis of the biblical account. Finally, the verse engages in **Intertextuality** or **Allusion** by explicitly referencing the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." This demonstrates the biblical author's awareness of and interaction with other historical documents of the time, validating the biblical narrative by grounding it in verifiable historical sources, even while maintaining its distinct theological purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Second Kings 14:15, while seemingly a mere historical footnote, carries significant theological weight. It subtly reinforces the trustworthiness of God's Word by demonstrating the biblical authors' reliance on verifiable historical records, suggesting that the divine narrative is firmly rooted in real-world events. This transparency fosters confidence in the Bible's historical claims. Furthermore, the verse highlights the principle of divine selectivity in revelation; God, through His inspired authors, chose to include only what was necessary for His redemptive purposes, trusting that the broader historical context was sufficiently documented elsewhere. This reminds us that the Bible is not an exhaustive encyclopedia of all human history, but a focused revelation of God's interaction with humanity, culminating in His plan of salvation. The existence of these external chronicles, even if not preserved for us, speaks to God's meticulous oversight of history, ensuring that the essential truths for His people's faith and understanding are preserved within the canon.

* [1 Kings 14:19](/1_kings/14-19 "1 Kings 14:19 - Jeroboam I's Chronicles")
* [2 Kings 10:34](/2_kings/10-34 "2 Kings 10:34 - Jehu's Chronicles")
* [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Cannot Contain All of Jesus' Acts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane concluding formula of 2 Kings 14:15 offers profound lessons for the modern believer. It invites us to trust in the robust historical grounding of Scripture, recognizing that the biblical narrative is not a collection of myths but a divinely inspired account woven into the fabric of real human history. This confidence should strengthen our faith, knowing that the God who acts in history is the same God who reveals Himself in His Word. Moreover, this verse encourages us to appreciate the Bible's purposeful selectivity. Just as the ancient chroniclers recorded vast details, and the biblical authors chose what was spiritually significant, so too should we seek to discern the core message of God's redemptive plan within the broader sweep of His historical dealings. It reminds us that while all history is God's history, the Bible provides the essential, salvific narrative, guiding us to understand His character, His covenant, and His ultimate purposes for humanity. We are called not merely to accumulate historical facts, but to grasp the spiritual truths that transform lives and reveal the path to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the biblical author's reference to external historical records strengthen your confidence in the Bible's historical reliability?**
* **In what ways does the Bible's "selective narration" (choosing what to include and what to omit) help us understand its primary purpose?**
* **How does recognizing God's sovereign hand over all history, even events not fully detailed in Scripture, impact your view of current events?**
* **What are you most eager to learn about God's character and plan from the "chronicles" He has chosen to reveal in His inspired Word?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible frequently refer to external books like "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" if those books are not part of the Bible?**

Answer: The frequent references to external chronicles serve several crucial purposes. Firstly, they underscore the historical veracity and groundedness of the biblical narrative. By pointing to publicly accessible, contemporary records, the biblical authors affirm that their accounts are not fabricated but are based on real historical events and figures. This lends credibility to the biblical record for its original audience and for us today. Secondly, it highlights the selective nature of the biblical text. The Bible is not intended to be a comprehensive secular history of Israel and Judah, but rather a theological history—a narrative focused on God's covenant relationship with His people, His redemptive plan, and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. The authors included only the details necessary to convey these spiritual truths, acknowledging that more exhaustive historical information could be found elsewhere. This demonstrates the Bible's unique purpose as an inspired guide for faith and life, rather than a mere historical archive.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 14:15 speaks of the earthly chronicles of an earthly king, it subtly points forward to the ultimate King whose "acts" are recorded in a far more significant and eternally relevant way. Jehoash's "might" and "fight" with Amaziah are but shadows of the true King, Jesus Christ, whose power is demonstrated not in conquering earthly kingdoms but in triumphing over sin, death, and the grave (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The "rest of the acts" of Jehoash were left to external chronicles, but the "acts" of Jesus are exhaustively, yet inexhaustibly, revealed in the inspired Gospels, which are themselves the definitive "chronicles" of His life, ministry, death, and resurrection. While [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Cannot Contain All of Jesus' Acts") notes that the world itself could not contain all the books if everything Jesus did were written, the New Testament provides the complete and sufficient revelation necessary for salvation and discipleship (cf. [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-Breathed")). Jesus' reign is not confined to a specific historical period or earthly kingdom, but is eternal and universal, establishing a spiritual kingdom that endures forever (cf. [Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom")). Thus, the pattern of referring to chronicles in 2 Kings 14:15 ultimately anticipates the perfect and complete "chronicle" of God's ultimate King, whose story is not merely recorded in human annals but is the very heart of divine revelation, inviting all to enter His eternal reign (cf. [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ")).

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.

2 Kings 13:12

And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

2 Kings 13:13

And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.

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.