Old Testament
The Second Book of Chronicles
The Second Book of Chronicles is the fourteenth of the 46 books of the Old Testament: 36 chapters and 822 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it 2 Paralipomenon.
About 2 Chronicles
About 2 Chronicles · Liturgical history
The second book of Chronicles continues the Chronicler's retelling from Solomon to the exile, keeping the temple at the center of every reign. Written for the post-exilic community, it judges each king almost entirely by his care for right worship, and it lingers on the reformers — Hezekiah, Josiah — as models for its readers. It ends not with destruction but with Cyrus's decree to rebuild, so that the last word of the Hebrew Bible's history is an invitation to go home and start again.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 14 of 46, 14 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 36 |
| Verses | 822, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | 2 Paralipomenon |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 36 chapters · 10 notes |
| Catechism | 1 paragraph cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 36 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
2 Chronicles 1
17 versesSolomon offereth sacrifices at Gabaon. His choice of wisdom which God giveth him.
2 Chronicles 2
18 versesSolomon's embassy to Hiram, who sends him a skilful workman and timber.
2 Chronicles 3
17 versesThe plan and ornaments of the temple: the cherubims, the veil, and the pillars.
2 Chronicles 4
22 versesThe altar of brass, the molten sea upon twelve oxen, the ten loaves, the candlesticks and other vessels and ornaments of the temple.
2 Chronicles 5
14 versesThe ark is brought with great solemnity into the temple: the temple is filled with the glory of God.
2 Chronicles 6
42 versesSolomon's blessings and prayer.
2 Chronicles 7
22 versesFire from heaven consumeth the sacrifices. The solemnity of the dedication of the temple. God signifieth his having heard Solomon's prayer: yet so if he continue to serve him.
2 Chronicles 8
18 versesSolomon's buildings and other acts.
2 Chronicles 9
31 versesThe queen of Saba admireth the wisdom of Solomon. His riches and glory. His death.
2 Chronicles 10
19 versesRoboam answereth the people roughly: upon which ten tribes revolt.
2 Chronicles 11
23 versesRoboam's reign. His kingdom is strengthened.
2 Chronicles 12
16 versesRoboam for his sins is delivered up into the hands of the king of Egypt: who carrieth away all the treasures of the temple.
2 Chronicles 13
22 versesAbia's reign: his victory over Jeroboam.
2 Chronicles 14
15 versesThe reign of Asa: his victory over the Ethiopians.
2 Chronicles 15
19 versesThe prophecy of Azarias. Asa's covenant with God. He deposeth his mother.
2 Chronicles 16
14 versesAsa is reproved for seeking help from the Syrians: his last acts and death.
2 Chronicles 17
19 versesJosaphat's reign: his care for the instruction of his people: his numerous forces.
2 Chronicles 18
34 versesJosaphat accompanies Achab in his expedition against Ramoth; where Achab is slain, as Micheas had foretold.
2 Chronicles 19
11 versesJosaphat's charge to the judges and to the Levites.
2 Chronicles 20
37 versesThe Ammonites, Moabites, and Syrians combine against Josaphat: he seeketh God's help by public prayer and fasting. A prophet foretelleth that God will fight for his people: the enemies destroy one another. Josaphat with his men gathereth the spoils. He reigneth in peace, but his navy perisheth, for his society with wicked Ochozias.
2 Chronicles 21
20 versesJoram's wicked reign: his punishment and death.
2 Chronicles 22
12 versesThe reign and death of Ochozias. The tyranny of Athalia.
2 Chronicles 23
21 versesJoiada the high priest causeth Joas to be made king: Athalia to be slain, and idolatry to be destroyed.
2 Chronicles 24
27 versesJoas reigneth well all the days of Joiada: afterwards falleth into idolatry and causeth Zacharias to be slain. He is slain himself by his servants.
2 Chronicles 25
28 versesAmasias' reign: he beginneth well, but endeth ill: he is overthrown by Joas, and slain by his people.
2 Chronicles 26
23 versesOzias reigneth prosperously, till he invadeth the priests' office, upon which he is struck with a leprosy.
2 Chronicles 27
9 versesJoatham's good reign.
2 Chronicles 28
27 versesThe wicked and unhappy reign of Achaz.
2 Chronicles 29
36 versesEzechias purifieth the temple, and restoreth religion.
2 Chronicles 30
27 versesEzechias inviteth all Israel to celebrate the pasch; the solemnity is kept fourteen days.
2 Chronicles 31
21 versesIdolatry is abolished; and provisions made for the ministers.
2 Chronicles 32
33 versesSennacherib invadeth Juda: his army is destroyed by an angel. Ezechias recovereth from his sickness: his other acts.
2 Chronicles 33
25 versesManasses for his manifold wickedness is led captive to Babylon: he repenteth, and is restored to his kingdom, and destroyeth idolatry: his successor Amon is slain by his servants.
2 Chronicles 34
33 versesJosias destroyeth idolatry, repaireth the temple, and reneweth the covenant between God and the people.
2 Chronicles 35
27 versesJosias celebrateth a most solemn pasch. He is slain by the king of Egypt.
2 Chronicles 36
23 versesThe reigns of Joachaz, Joakim, Joachin, and Sedecias: the captivity of Babylon released at length by Cyrus.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, 2 Chronicles is read at the principal Mass on 2 days in the US calendar. The next 4 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome | Alleluia | 2 Chronicles 7:16 | |
| Fourth Sunday of Lent | First Reading | 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 | |
| computed | Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome | Alleluia | 2 Chronicles 7:16 |
| computed | Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome | Alleluia | 2 Chronicles 7:16 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.