2 Kings 8:23

KJV

And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, [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 Joram {H3141}, 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 Judah {H3063}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Other activities of Yoram and all his accomplishments are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the rest of the acts of Jehoram, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

American Standard Version

And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 8:23 concludes the account of King Joram of Judah with a common editorial formula found throughout the Books of Kings. This verse serves as a historical marker, signaling the end of the biblical author's selective narrative concerning Joram's reign and directing the reader to external, comprehensive state annals for further details. Implicitly, this formula underscores the historicity of the biblical account while also subtly pointing to the divine record-keeping of all human actions, even those of a wicked king whose deeds were largely displeasing to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the conclusion of Joram's eight-year reign over Judah (2 Kings 8:16-24), a period characterized by his profound wickedness. Preceding verses detail his apostasy, particularly his marriage to Athaliah, daughter of King Ahab of Israel, which led him to "walk in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab" ([2 Kings 8:18](/2_kings/8-18 "2 Kings 8:18 - Joram's Evil Reign")). Despite Joram's unfaithfulness, the narrative highlights God's enduring covenant faithfulness to David, stating that the Lord "would not destroy Judah for the sake of David his servant, as he promised him to give him a lamp always through his sons" ([2 Kings 8:19](/2_kings/8-19 "2 Kings 8:19 - God's Covenant with David")). Following this concluding formula, the narrative immediately transitions to the reign of Joram's son, Ahaziah, in [2 Kings 8:24](/2_kings/8-24 "2 Kings 8:24 - Ahaziah Becomes King").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Joram reigned in Judah from approximately 848-841 BC. His marriage to Athaliah, a princess from the idolatrous Northern Kingdom, was a politically motivated alliance that had devastating spiritual consequences for Judah, introducing Baal worship and other abominations. The practice of keeping meticulous royal annals was a common and essential feature of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, including Israel and Judah. Royal scribes were employed to record daily events, decrees, military campaigns, and administrative details. These "chronicles" served as official state archives, providing a comprehensive historical record for the kingdom, affirming the legitimacy of the monarch, and preserving national memory. The biblical authors, in referencing these external records, acknowledge their existence and utilize them as a source, demonstrating the historical grounding of their narrative.
* **Key Themes:** The verse, though formulaic, contributes to several key themes within the Books of Kings. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, as Joram's evil reign led to significant losses for Judah, including the revolt of Edom ([2 Kings 8:20-22](/2_kings/8-20 "2 Kings 8:20-22 - Edom's Revolt and Libnah's Rebellion")) and the rebellion of Libnah. Secondly, it subtly highlights **God's Enduring Covenant Faithfulness**, as despite Joram's wickedness, God preserved the Davidic line in accordance with His promise to David ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). Finally, the reference to the "book of the chronicles" underscores the **Historicity and Verifiability of Scripture**, demonstrating that the biblical narrative is not a mythical account but is rooted in actual historical events and verifiable records, even if the biblical authors selectively present information for theological purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"rest of the acts" (Hebrew, _yeter divrei_):** This phrase is a standard editorial marker used frequently in Kings (e.g., [1 Kings 11:41](/1_kings/11-41 "1 Kings 11:41 - The Rest of Solomon's Acts")). It signifies that the biblical account of the king's reign is not exhaustive but is selective, focusing on details pertinent to the theological message of the book. It indicates that more comprehensive historical information was available to the original readers in external sources.
* **"book of the chronicles" (Hebrew, _sepher divrei hayyamim_):** This specific term refers to the official state annals or daily records kept by the royal scribes of Judah. These were not the canonical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles that we have in our Bibles, but rather the primary source documents from which much of the historical information in Kings (and later, the biblical Chronicles themselves) was derived. This points to a meticulous system of record-keeping in the ancient Near East, affirming the historicity of the biblical narrative.
* **"kings of Judah" (Hebrew, _malkhei yehudah_):** This precise designation distinguishes the records of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) from those of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), which also had its own set of chronicles (e.g., [1 Kings 14:19](/1_kings/14-19 "1 Kings 14:19 - The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel")). It emphasizes the distinct historical and theological trajectory of the Davidic monarchy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did":** This opening clause functions as a comprehensive summary of Joram's entire reign. It encapsulates all his deeds, both the publicly known and the privately performed, signaling the biblical author's decision to conclude the detailed account of this particular king. It implies that while the biblical text provides the theologically significant narrative, a fuller, perhaps more mundane, civil history exists elsewhere.
* **"[are] they not written":** This is a rhetorical question, a common stylistic feature in Hebrew narrative. It is not an inquiry seeking information, but rather a strong affirmation that the information *is* indeed recorded and readily accessible. This device lends authority and credibility to the biblical narrative by pointing to external, verifiable sources, assuring the reader that the account is grounded in historical fact.
* **"in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?":** This final phrase precisely identifies the external archive where further details of Joram's reign could be found. It underscores the meticulous record-keeping within the Judean monarchy and the biblical author's reliance on and acknowledgment of these historical archives, thereby lending credibility and historical weight to the biblical account.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Formulaic Language**, a recurring editorial device throughout the Books of Kings. This standardized phrase signals the conclusion of a king's reign and serves as a bibliographic reference, directing the reader to external historical annals. This formula provides structural coherence, marks narrative transitions, and reinforces the historical grounding of the biblical account. Additionally, the phrase "[are] they not written?" functions as a **Rhetorical Question**. This device is used not to elicit an answer, but to make an emphatic assertion, confirming that the information is indeed recorded and available. This adds a layer of authority and certainty to the reference, assuring the reader of the verifiability of the historical claims. Implicitly, the verse also demonstrates **Intertextuality** by referencing external, non-canonical historical documents, acknowledging that the biblical narrative exists within a broader historical context and interacts with other forms of ancient record-keeping.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The formulaic reference to the "book of the chronicles" transcends mere historical detail, carrying profound theological implications. It reminds us that all human actions, whether of powerful kings or ordinary individuals, are observed and recorded. This concept points to God's omniscience and His meticulous knowledge of history, implying that nothing is hidden from Him. While human scribes kept earthly chronicles, there is a divine ledger where every deed, word, and intention is known and remembered by God, ultimately leading to accountability. This truth serves as a sober reminder of our responsibility before a holy God, whose comprehensive knowledge encompasses all of history and every individual life.

* [Ecclesiastes 12:14](/ecclesiastes/12-14 "Ecclesiastes 12:14 - God Will Bring Every Deed into Judgment")
* [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books of Judgment")
* [Malachi 3:16](/malachi/3-16 "Malachi 3:16 - The Book of Remembrance for Those Who Feared the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry historical note in 2 Kings 8:23 offers a profound invitation to reflect on the "chronicle" of our own lives. Just as Joram's actions were recorded, so too are ours, not just in human memory or historical documents, but in the divine record. This truth should not evoke fear in the believer, but rather a deep sense of accountability and purpose. It encourages us to live intentionally, knowing that every choice, every word, and every deed contributes to the narrative of our existence before God. What story are we writing? Is it a chronicle of faithfulness and obedience, or one marked by compromise and self-interest? This verse challenges us to consider our legacy, not merely in earthly terms, but in light of eternity, striving to live in a way that honors God and reflects His character, building a "chronicle" that brings Him glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "chronicle" are you writing with your life's actions, and how does it align with God's will and purpose for you?**
* **How does the knowledge of God's comprehensive record-keeping influence your daily decisions, your integrity, and your long-term goals?**
* **In what ways can we live lives that leave a legacy of faith and obedience, even when facing challenging circumstances or cultural pressures, much like Joram faced in his time?**

### FAQ
**Are the "book of the chronicles" mentioned in Kings the same as the biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles?**

Answer: No, they are distinct. The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" (or Israel) refers to the official, non-canonical state annals kept by royal scribes in ancient Israel and Judah. These were primary historical records, often serving as source material for the biblical authors of Kings. They contained comprehensive details of royal administration, military campaigns, and daily events. The biblical books of [1 Chronicles](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles - Genealogy from Adam to Saul") and [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/1 "2 Chronicles - Solomon's Reign to the Exile"), while also historical, are theological retellings of Israel's history from a different perspective, often focusing on the Davidic covenant, the temple, and the southern kingdom of Judah. They were compiled much later, likely after the Babylonian exile, and present a theological interpretation of history rather than a mere factual record.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 8:23 points to the earthly chronicles of a flawed king, it implicitly foreshadows the ultimate, perfect record kept by God concerning all humanity, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Joram's "acts" were largely characterized by wickedness and apostasy, leading to judgment. In stark contrast, Jesus's "acts" constitute a perfect chronicle of obedience, righteousness, and self-sacrifice. He is the true and eternal King in the line of David, fulfilling God's covenant promise to establish a "lamp" for David's house forever ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus, Son of David, King Forever")). Our own "chronicles" of sin, which stand condemned before God's perfect standard, are dealt with through Christ's atoning work. His death and resurrection are the ultimate "acts" that reconcile humanity to God, allowing our names to be written not in a book of judgment, but in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those Written in the Lamb's Book of Life"). Thus, the seemingly mundane historical reference in Kings ultimately points to the comprehensive and redemptive work of the Messiah, who perfectly fulfills all righteousness and offers eternal life to all whose faith is recorded in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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 15:23

The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.

2 Chronicles 21:11

Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah [thereto].

2 Chronicles 21:20

Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.

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?

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?

2 Kings 15:6

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

2 Kings 15:36

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