2 Kings 14:18

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

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}?

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of 2 Kings 14:18

This verse concludes the biblical account of King Amaziah's reign in the book of 2 Kings, serving as a transitional statement typical for many kings of Judah and Israel within the books of Kings. King Amaziah of Judah, whose reign began with a period of righteousness, later turned from the Lord, leading to his defeat by King Jehoash of Israel and ultimately his assassination. The preceding verses summarize his key actions, particularly his war against Edom and his subsequent challenge to Israel. This verse signals to the reader that the biblical narrative is a concise, divinely inspired summary, not an exhaustive historical record, and that more details could be found in external, official chronicles.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Historical Record-Keeping: The verse highlights the existence of official, secular records maintained by the kingdom of Judah. It underscores the meticulous way ancient societies, particularly monarchies, documented significant events and the reigns of their rulers.
  • Divine Selection of Information: By pointing to external chronicles, the biblical authors emphasize that their narrative is purposeful and selective. It includes only the details necessary to convey God's dealings with His people, their obedience or disobedience, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The Bible focuses on the spiritual and theological significance of events rather than purely historical minutiae.
  • Accountability of Kings: The mention of these chronicles serves as a reminder that the actions of kings were publicly recorded and would stand as a testimony to their rule. This implicitly points to a greater divine accountability for their leadership and moral choices.
  • Reliability of Scripture: While referencing external sources, the Bible presents itself as a trustworthy and sufficient account for understanding God's truth. The "book of the chronicles" validates the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative without needing to reproduce every detail.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" translates from the Hebrew sepher divrei hayyamim le-malkhei Yehudah. The term divrei hayyamim literally means "the words/acts of the days" or "daily records." This refers not to the canonical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles in our Bible, but to official court annals or state records kept by the royal scribes. These were likely detailed historical documents from which the biblical authors drew information, selecting what was pertinent to their theological narrative. This formula, this formula appears frequently, indicating that the biblical narrative is a selective, theologically-driven account drawn from broader historical archives.

Practical Application

This verse, though seemingly a simple archival reference, offers profound insights for today. It reminds us that:

  1. Our Lives are Recorded: Just as the kings' deeds were chronicled, our lives are lived before an omniscient God who sees and remembers all (see Hebrews 4:13). This encourages us to live with intentionality and integrity.
  2. The Importance of History: Understanding the past, both personal and collective, is crucial for learning and growth. The Bible itself is a grand historical narrative, guiding us through God's interactions with humanity.
  3. God's Selective Revelation: God reveals to us what is essential for our salvation and spiritual growth, not every possible detail. We can trust that the Bible contains all we need for faith and life, even if it doesn't answer every historical or scientific question.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 13:8 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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?