2 Kings 15:21

KJV

And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Menahem {H4505}, and all that he did {H6213}, 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 Menachem and all his accomplishments are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the rest of the acts of Menahem, along with all his accomplishments, 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 Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse concludes the biblical account of Menahem's ten-year reign over the Northern Kingdom of Israel, employing a formulaic statement common throughout the Books of Kings. It serves to acknowledge the existence of more extensive historical records, while simultaneously highlighting the biblical author's selective focus on the theological and spiritual implications of a monarch's rule rather than providing an exhaustive secular history. The rhetorical question implicitly affirms the accessibility of these external "chronicles," signaling the transition to the next king in the unfolding narrative of Israel's decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the close of the narrative segment dedicated to Menahem, immediately following the description of his violent ascension to the throne, the brutal sacking of Tiphsah, and his tributary payment to the Assyrian king Pul (Tiglath-Pileser III) to secure his rule, as detailed in [2 Kings 15:16-20](/2_kings/15-16 "2 Kings 15:16-20 - Menahem's Reign and Tribute"). The phrase "And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?" is a recurring literary device, a concluding formula used for nearly every king in the books of Kings, signaling the end of one monarch's account and the imminent introduction of the next, such as for Pekahiah in [2 Kings 15:26](/2_kings/15-26 "2 Kings 15:26 - Pekahiah's Concluding Formula"). This formula provides a structural rhythm to the historical accounts, allowing the biblical author to move efficiently through the reigns while implicitly referencing external sources for further historical detail.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Menahem's reign (c. 752-742 BC) falls within a tumultuous period for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, characterized by political instability, assassinations, and the growing threat of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Menahem himself came to power through a coup, reflecting the internal chaos. His decision to pay a massive tribute of a thousand talents of silver to Tiglath-Pileser III (Pul) of Assyria, mentioned in [2 Kings 15:19](/2_kings/15-19 "2 Kings 15:19 - Menahem's Tribute to Assyria"), was a desperate attempt to solidify his precarious position and prevent Assyrian invasion, a common practice among smaller kingdoms seeking to appease the dominant regional power. The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" refers to official state annals or royal archives maintained by scribes in the Northern Kingdom, distinct from the canonical books of Chronicles found in the Bible. Such records were common in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, meticulously documenting royal decrees, military campaigns, building projects, and other significant events of a king's reign.

* **Key Themes:** This concluding formula contributes to several overarching themes in the Books of Kings. Firstly, it underscores the **Biblical Historiography** of the author, who, while divinely inspired, openly acknowledges drawing upon and referencing external, non-canonical historical records. This demonstrates that the biblical narrative is grounded in verifiable historical events, even as its primary purpose remains theological—to interpret history through the lens of God's covenant with Israel. Secondly, it highlights the **Selective Nature of Divine Revelation**, as the biblical account, despite referencing more exhaustive secular histories, focuses only on details pertinent to God's covenant relationship, the kings' obedience or disobedience to the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")), and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Thirdly, the phrase implies the **Accountability of Rulers**, suggesting that the actions of kings, whether righteous or wicked, were meticulously recorded and ultimately subject to divine judgment, a principle echoed throughout Scripture (e.g., [Psalm 75:7](/psalm/75-7 "Psalm 75:7 - God Judges")). Finally, it subtly reinforces the **Continuity of God's Narrative** amidst human political flux, as the divine story progresses from one reign to the next, demonstrating God's sovereign hand over history regardless of the character of human leadership.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Acts (Hebrew, _dibrê_):** This word, often translated "deeds" or "words," refers to the totality of a king's public and private conduct, including his political decisions, military campaigns, religious policies, and personal character. In the context of the Books of Kings, "acts" are not merely neutral historical events but are evaluated against the standard of God's covenant, particularly regarding idolatry and faithfulness to the Jerusalem temple (for Judah) or the calves at Dan and Bethel (for Israel).
* **Chronicles (Hebrew, _dibrê hayyāmîm_):** Literally "the words of the days," this phrase denotes official, day-by-day records or annals. These were not the canonical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles but rather the state archives, meticulously kept by royal scribes. The reference validates the historical grounding of the biblical narrative while distinguishing its theological purpose from a purely secular historical account.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did":** This introductory phrase signals that the biblical author is concluding the detailed account of Menahem's reign. It acknowledges that the biblical narrative has provided a summary, focusing on the most significant, often theologically relevant, aspects of his rule, such as his violent ascent and his tribute to Assyria. It implies that Menahem's life and reign encompassed many more events and decisions than those recorded in the biblical text.
* **"[are] they not written":** This is a rhetorical question, a common Hebrew literary device (known as an _affirmative rhetorical question_ or _qn-question_). It functions not as a genuine inquiry but as a strong affirmation, meaning "Indeed, they are written!" It serves to assure the reader that further details about Menahem's reign are available in external, reliable sources, thereby lending credibility to the biblical author's selective historical presentation.
* **"in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?":** This specifies the precise external source for additional information. This "book" refers to the official state annals of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which would have contained a more comprehensive, secular record of each king's reign. The repeated reference to such "chronicles" throughout the Books of Kings underscores the biblical authors' reliance on and interaction with existing historical documentation, grounding their theological narrative in verifiable historical reality.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [2 Kings 15:21](/2_kings/15-21 "2 Kings 15:21 - Concluding Formula for Menahem") is an **Affirmative Rhetorical Question**. This is not a genuine query but a strong assertion, functioning to confirm the existence and accessibility of the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." By posing the question, "are they not written?", the author emphatically states, "Yes, they are written!" This device serves multiple purposes: it lends an air of authority and verifiability to the biblical account by pointing to external, known sources; it efficiently concludes the narrative segment for a particular king without needing to provide exhaustive secular details; and it maintains the reader's focus on the theological trajectory of the narrative, which prioritizes God's interaction with His people over comprehensive political history. This formulaic repetition across the Books of Kings also creates a sense of **Structural Cohesion** and **Narrative Rhythm**, guiding the reader through the succession of monarchs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple concluding verse carries profound theological weight, revealing insights into divine sovereignty, the nature of biblical historiography, and the principle of accountability. It demonstrates that God's overarching narrative of salvation unfolds within the real, messy details of human history, even through the reigns of ungodly kings like Menahem. The biblical author, by referencing external chronicles, affirms the historicity of the events while simultaneously asserting the theological purpose of the biblical record: it is not merely a historical timeline but a divinely inspired interpretation of history, highlighting what truly matters in God's eyes—faithfulness to the covenant and the consequences of disobedience. This selective focus ensures that the reader grasps the spiritual lessons embedded in the historical account, pointing always to God's ultimate plan.

* [1 Kings 14:19](/1_kings/14-19 "Concluding Formula for Jeroboam")
* [2 Chronicles 32:32](/2_chronicles/32-32 "Reference to Chronicles of Kings for Hezekiah")
* [Luke 10:20](/luke/10-20 "Names Written in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The concluding formula for King Menahem, though brief, offers rich ground for contemporary reflection. It reminds us that our lives, like the reigns of ancient kings, are unfolding narratives. While we may not have "chronicles of the kings" documenting our every move, the principle remains: our actions, choices, and character are noted, not just by those around us, but ultimately by God. This brings both a sober awareness of accountability and a profound encouragement. It prompts us to consider what "acts" of our lives truly matter in the divine record – not just our worldly achievements, but our faithfulness, our pursuit of justice, our acts of love, and our obedience to God's will. The Bible's selective focus on Menahem's spiritual failures, despite the existence of more comprehensive secular records, challenges us to prioritize eternal values over temporal successes and to live in light of God's ultimate judgment and grace. Our lives are part of a larger, divine story, and how we participate in it is of eternal significance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "acts" in your life do you believe are most significant in God's eyes, and why?**
* **How does the Bible's selective historical record challenge or affirm your understanding of what truly matters in life?**
* **In what ways does the concept of divine accountability for rulers (and by extension, for all people) shape your daily choices and priorities?**

### 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" refers to official, non-biblical state annals or royal archives maintained by scribes in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. These were detailed historical records of each king's reign, documenting political events, military campaigns, building projects, and other significant occurrences. They were distinct from the canonical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles that are part of our Bible today. The biblical authors frequently referenced these external historical documents to ground their theological narrative in verifiable historical reality, while selectively presenting only the details pertinent to God's covenant relationship with Israel and the spiritual trajectory of the nation. This practice is evident throughout the Books of Kings, for example, in the account of Jeroboam in [1 Kings 14:19](/1_kings/14-19 "1 Kings 14:19 - Jeroboam's Concluding Formula").

**Why does the Bible refer to these external chronicles rather than providing all the details itself?**

Answer: The biblical narrative's primary purpose is not to provide an exhaustive secular history, but rather a theological interpretation of history. By referencing external chronicles, the biblical author acknowledges the broader historical context and the availability of more detailed information for those who might seek it, while maintaining focus on the spiritual and covenantal aspects of each king's reign. The Bible is selective, highlighting events and decisions that reveal God's character, His covenant faithfulness, the consequences of obedience or disobedience, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. This approach ensures that the reader grasps the divine perspective on history, understanding that even the reigns of ungodly kings like Menahem fit within God's sovereign purposes, ultimately pointing towards the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, as foreshadowed in passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Kingdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 15:21 appears to be a mere historical footnote, it subtly contributes to the overarching biblical narrative that culminates in Christ. The continuous succession of flawed kings, each with their "acts" recorded, underscores humanity's persistent failure to perfectly rule and obey God, highlighting the deep need for a perfect King. The "chronicles" mentioned point to a meticulous divine record-keeping, not just of human history, but of God's unfolding plan. This foreshadows the ultimate "chronicle" of God's redemptive work, fully revealed in Jesus Christ. Unlike Menahem, whose reign was marked by violence and tribute to earthly powers, Jesus, the true King of Israel, paid the ultimate tribute—His own life—to secure not a temporary throne, but eternal redemption for His people (as seen in [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His "acts" were perfectly righteous, fulfilling all the Law and the Prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). The very existence of these historical records, referenced by the biblical author, points to the historical grounding of God's redemptive story, which culminates in the incarnate Word, Jesus, who is Himself the ultimate "chronicle" of God's glory and grace, making God known to us (as beautifully articulated in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") and [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). The brevity of Menahem's biblical summary, contrasted with the exhaustive detail of Christ's life and ministry in the Gospels, further emphasizes that Jesus is the true focus and fulfillment of all God's historical dealings with humanity.

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.