2 Kings 14:18

KJV

And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Amaziah {H558}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Other activities of Amatzyah are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

American Standard Version

Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 14:18 serves as a standard concluding formula for the reign of King Amaziah of Judah, a common literary device throughout the Books of Kings. This verse indicates that the biblical narrative, while divinely inspired and entirely trustworthy, is a selective account of a king's rule, not an exhaustive historical record. It points to external, official state annals—"the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah"—as the repository for the fuller details of Amaziah's "rest of the acts," thereby affirming the historical grounding of the biblical narrative while underscoring its profound theological purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the conclusion of the account of Amaziah's reign in 2 Kings 14, immediately following a summary of his final, ill-fated challenge to King Jehoash of Israel and his subsequent assassination by conspirators in Lachish. The preceding verses detail Amaziah's initial righteous actions, such as punishing the murderers of his father, King Joash, and his decisive victory over Edom in the Valley of Salt. However, his later apostasy, including worshipping Edomite idols and his prideful challenge to Israel, led directly to his humiliating defeat and eventual demise. The formulaic question, "are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?", is a standard concluding remark found for nearly every king of Judah and Israel in the Books of Kings. This consistent pattern signals the end of the biblical summary of their rule and directs the reader to more extensive, non-canonical historical records, highlighting the selective nature of the biblical narrative which prioritizes theological lessons over exhaustive historical detail.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" refers to official court annals or state records meticulously kept by royal scribes in ancient Judah. Such detailed record-keeping was a common administrative practice throughout the ancient Near East, where kingdoms documented significant events, royal decrees, military campaigns, and the reigns of their rulers. These "chronicles" (Hebrew: _divrei hayyamim_, "the words of the days" or "daily records") were distinct from the canonical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles in our modern Bibles, though the biblical authors likely drew upon these official state archives, among other sources, when compiling their inspired accounts. The existence of these external records provides a historical anchor for the biblical narrative, demonstrating that the biblical authors were dealing with actual historical figures and events, even as they filtered and presented them through a theological lens. This practice underscores the historical reliability of the biblical text within its ancient Near Eastern context.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several crucial themes within the Books of Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **divine selectivity of Scripture**, emphasizing that the Bible provides precisely what is necessary for understanding God's redemptive plan and His dealings with humanity, rather than an exhaustive historical account. The biblical authors, under divine inspiration, chose specific details to convey profound theological truths about obedience, disobedience, covenant faithfulness, and the consequences of sin. Secondly, it highlights the **accountability of kings**, as their actions were publicly recorded and would stand as a testimony to their rule, implicitly pointing to a greater divine judgment. Thirdly, it reinforces the **reliability and historical grounding of the biblical narrative**, by referencing verifiable external sources, even if those sources are not preserved for us today. This formulaic conclusion assures the reader that the events recounted are rooted in historical reality, as seen in similar references throughout Kings for figures like [King Rehoboam](/1_kings/14-29 "1 Kings 14:29 - Rehoboam's Chronicles") or [King Asa](/1_kings/15-23 "1 Kings 15:23 - Asa's Chronicles"), validating the historical claims of the inspired text.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rest (Hebrew, _yether'_):** This term (H3499) signifies an "overhanging," "excess," "remainder," or "residue." In this context, it explicitly indicates that the biblical account of Amaziah's reign is not comprehensive but rather a summary. The authors acknowledge that more details about his rule existed in other records, implying a purposeful and divinely guided selection of material for the inspired narrative.
* **acts (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This word (H1697) is highly versatile, meaning "word," "matter," or "thing," and by implication, "deed" or "affair." Here, in conjunction with "rest," it refers to the totality of Amaziah's deeds, events, and matters of his reign that are not explicitly detailed in the biblical text. It encompasses the full scope of his administration, military campaigns, and personal life beyond what is recorded in 2 Kings.
* **written (Hebrew, _kâthab'_):** This verb (H3789) means "to grave," "to inscribe," or "to write." Its use here confirms that the referenced "chronicles" were tangible, inscribed documents—official, permanent records. This emphasizes the historical nature of these external sources and the meticulous record-keeping practices of the ancient Judean monarchy, lending credibility to the biblical authors' claims.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah,"**: This opening clause immediately informs the reader that the biblical narrative concerning King Amaziah is not exhaustive. It implies that there were many other events, decisions, and details of his reign that, while historically real and recorded elsewhere, were not deemed essential for the theological purposes of the Book of Kings. This sets the stage for understanding the selective nature of divine revelation.
* **"[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"**: This rhetorical question serves multiple critical functions. Firstly, it confirms the actual existence of external, official historical records maintained by the Judean monarchy, thereby lending historical credibility and verifiability to the biblical account. Secondly, by posing it as a question with an undeniable affirmative answer, it implicitly directs the reader to these external sources for further historical information, while simultaneously highlighting the deliberate and selective nature of the inspired text. The biblical author is not concealing information but rather focusing on what is spiritually and theologically significant for the audience.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 2 Kings 14:18 is a **Rhetorical Question**. The question "are they not written...?" is not posed to elicit information but to make a declarative statement with an implied affirmative answer. It serves to confirm the existence of external records and to signal the conclusion of the biblical summary of Amaziah's reign, directing the reader's attention to the broader historical context. This verse also exemplifies **Formulaic Language**, as this exact phrase or a very similar one is used repeatedly throughout the Books of Kings to conclude the account of nearly every monarch's rule, both in Judah and Israel. This consistent formula provides structural cohesion to the narrative, aids reader comprehension, and reinforces the selective nature of the biblical record. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Intertextuality** by explicitly referencing an external, non-canonical historical source. This reference acknowledges a broader historical context beyond the immediate biblical narrative, validating its historical claims while maintaining its unique theological focus and purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple archival reference carries profound theological weight, revealing much about the nature of divine inspiration and the purpose of Scripture. It underscores that the Bible is not an exhaustive historical encyclopedia but a divinely curated narrative designed to reveal God's character, His covenant faithfulness, and His unfolding redemptive plan for humanity. By pointing to external "chronicles," the biblical authors affirm the historical reality of the events while simultaneously asserting that the details preserved in Scripture are precisely those God intended for His people to know for their spiritual instruction, admonition, and growth. This highlights God's sovereign control over what is revealed and what is left unstated, ensuring that His Word is sufficient for faith and life, providing all necessary truth for salvation and godliness.

* [1 Kings 11:41](/1_kings/11-41 "1 Kings 11:41 - Solomon's Chronicles")
* [1 Kings 14:29](/1_kings/14-29 "1 Kings 14:29 - Rehoboam's Chronicles")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and Profitable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The reference to "the book of the chronicles" in 2 Kings 14:18 invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of our own lives and the divine record. Just as the kings' deeds were meticulously documented, so too are our lives lived before an omniscient God who sees, knows, and remembers all (cf. [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - God's Omniscience")). This profound truth should inspire us to live with intentionality, integrity, and a keen awareness of our ultimate accountability to our Creator. Every action, word, and even thought contributes to the "chronicle" of our existence before Him. Furthermore, this verse reminds us that while God has revealed all that is necessary for salvation and spiritual growth in His inspired Word, He has not revealed every single detail of history, science, or future events. Our trust should be in the sufficiency and authority of Scripture for matters of faith and practice, rather than seeking exhaustive answers to every conceivable question outside of its divinely appointed scope. It encourages us to appreciate the selective wisdom of God's revelation, focusing our attention on what truly matters for our eternal well-being and our relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's reference to external "chronicles" strengthen your understanding of its historical reliability and its unique, theological purpose?**
* **If our lives are like "chronicles" being written before God, what kind of story are you intentionally crafting with your daily actions, choices, and attitudes?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be seeking exhaustive details or answers outside of God's revealed Word, when He has already provided sufficient revelation for faith and action?**

### FAQ

**What exactly were "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah"?**

Answer: "The book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" (Hebrew: _sepher divrei hayyamim le-malkhei Yehudah_) refers to official, non-biblical court records or state annals maintained by royal scribes in the kingdom of Judah. These were detailed historical documents that would have recorded the significant events, decrees, military campaigns, administrative details, and perhaps even daily occurrences of each king's reign. They were distinct from the canonical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles in our modern Bibles, though the biblical authors of Kings likely consulted these and other historical sources when compiling their inspired narratives. The mention of these chronicles validates the historical grounding of the biblical account, indicating that the biblical writers were drawing from real, verifiable historical records of their time.

**Why does the Bible frequently refer to external sources like these chronicles instead of including all the details within its own narrative?**

Answer: The Bible refers to external sources like "the book of the chronicles" to underscore its unique purpose: it is a divinely inspired theological narrative, not an exhaustive historical encyclopedia. By pointing to these external records, the biblical authors affirm the historical reality of the events and reigns they describe, providing a historical anchor for their accounts. However, their primary goal was to convey God's dealings with His people, their obedience or disobedience to the covenant, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Therefore, they selectively included only those details pertinent to their theological message, trusting that the "rest of the acts" could be found elsewhere for those interested in a more comprehensive historical record. This practice highlights the sufficiency of Scripture for faith and life, even as it acknowledges a broader historical context and God's sovereign choice in what He reveals.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 14:18 appears to be a mere historical footnote, it subtly points to the ultimate "chronicle" of God's redemptive work, which culminates in Jesus Christ. The reigns of the kings of Judah, with their successes and failures, their obedience and apostasy, are but individual chapters in God's grand narrative of salvation, a narrative that consistently foreshadows the coming of a perfect King. The "rest of the acts" of all human history, meticulously recorded or selectively presented, ultimately find their meaning and purpose in the person and work of Christ. He is the true King of Judah, the Son of David, whose "acts" are not merely written in earthly chronicles but are eternally inscribed in the heavens and proclaimed throughout the earth. The Gospels themselves are selective "chronicles" of Jesus' life, focusing on His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection—the essential "acts" that bring salvation to humanity (cf. [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - Purpose of John's Gospel")). All the historical records, including those of Amaziah, ultimately serve to prepare the way for the one whose reign is eternal, whose kingdom is unshakable, and whose "acts" of redemption are the very foundation of our faith (cf. [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - 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

2 Kings 13:8

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?

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 11:41

¶ And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, [are] they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?

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?