Chronicles retells Judah's history to show what happens when kings seek the Lord. Asa prays, “We rest on thee,” and is delivered, but later trusts in physicians and foreign alliances. Facing an overwhelming army, Jehoshaphat prays, “Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee,” and sends singers ahead of his soldiers. Uzziah grows strong and then proud. Hezekiah invites even the scattered northern tribes to Passover, and prays that the Lord will pardon every heart prepared to seek Him.
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Study guide
Chronicles retells familiar history with a purpose. These notes help you read it for its message: seek the Lord, trust His prophets, and beware of pride.
How to read this week
Know who Chronicles was written for. Jews returning from exile, rebuilding their temple. It emphasizes worship, seeking the Lord and the consequences of each king's faithfulness.
Track the phrase “seek the LORD.” It recurs throughout (14:4; 15:2, 12; 16:12; 17:4; 20:3; 26:5; 30:19). Mark where kings seek Him and where they stop.
Notice the late failures. Asa (ch. 16) and Uzziah (ch. 26) start well and finish poorly. Success can breed self-reliance.
Read 2 Chronicles 20 as a model. Fear, fasting, prayer, a prophetic answer, praise before the victory. The manual uses it for trusting God in hard times.
See Hezekiah's Passover as reconciliation. He reaches out to the northern tribes, and prays for those who were sincere but not ritually ready.
Kings of Judah in these chapters
Asa — Reforms, deliverance, then late reliance on others (chs. 14–16)
Jehoshaphat — Teaching the law; victory through praise (chs. 17–20)
Uzziah — Prosperity, then pride and leprosy (ch. 26)
Hezekiah — A Passover for all Israel (ch. 30)
Images and ideas to recognize
Passage
Image
What it means
2 Chr 16:9
The eyes of the Lord
God watching to strengthen the wholehearted.
2 Chr 20:12
Eyes upon the Lord
Looking to God when we don't know what to do.
2 Chr 20:21
Singers before the army
Praise and faith before the outcome.
2 Chr 26:19
Leprosy on Uzziah's forehead
The consequence of pride overstepping sacred bounds.
2 Chr 30:6
Letters to all Israel
An invitation for the scattered to return.
Restoration connections
D&C 88:63 — “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.”
D&C 21:4–6 — Receiving the prophet's words “as if from mine own mouth.”
Alma 32:13–16 — Humility, by choice or by circumstance.
3 Nephi 18:22–25 — The Savior's command not to cast anyone out of worship.
Questions for the week
When have you not known what to do, and kept your eyes on the Lord anyway (20:12)?
What helps you keep seeking the Lord after a period of success (26:5, 15–16)?
How have you been blessed for believing the prophets (20:20)?
How could praise or gratitude change how you face a current challenge (20:21–22)?
Whom could you invite back, as Hezekiah invited the northern tribes (30:6–9)?
Conference talks & Church resources
Talks the Church's lesson points to this week, plus other Church resources that teach from these chapters.
Scholarly papers
Faithful scholarship from BYU and related publishers, tagged with the chapters each one discusses.
Podcasts & video
The 2022 study year didn't include 2 Chronicles as its own lesson, so fewer episodes cover it.