2 Kings 15 11

2 Kings 15:11 kjv

And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15:11 nkjv

Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, indeed they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15:11 niv

The other events of Zechariah's reign are written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15:11 esv

Now the rest of the deeds of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15:11 nlt

The rest of the events in Zechariah's reign are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15 verses

2 Kings 15 11 Meaning

This verse marks the standard concluding formula for a king's reign in the book of Kings. It signifies that while the biblical narrative provides a focused account of Zechariah's actions, particularly those relevant to God's covenant and judgment, a more comprehensive record of his reign existed and was accessible in the official royal archives of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It emphasizes the historical basis of the biblical account and subtly points to the sovereign control of God over human history, whose actions are meticulously documented, both by human and divine hands.

2 Kings 15 11 Context

Verse Context: 2 Kings 15:11 concludes the account of Zechariah's short and evil reign as king of Israel. Verses 8-10 describe Zechariah's accession, his wicked rule following the sins of Jeroboam, and his violent assassination by Shallum. This assassination fulfills the prophecy in 2 Kings 10:30, which declared that Jehu's dynasty would last four generations, and Zechariah was the fourth.

Chapter Context: 2 Kings Chapter 15 provides a stark and rapid overview of the political instability and moral decline in both the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) during a turbulent period. It recounts the reigns of six kings of Israel (Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah) and one of Judah (Jotham). Most Israelite kings reign briefly, rule wickedly, and meet violent ends, illustrating the consequence of turning away from God. The chapter highlights the escalating idolatry and political chaos that would eventually lead to the fall of Israel to Assyria.

Historical Context: This period in the 8th century BC was characterized by significant external pressure from the rising Assyrian Empire. Internal weakness and constant changes in leadership in Israel, combined with persistent idolatry and disregard for the covenant with God, made the Northern Kingdom highly vulnerable. The mention of "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" signifies the existence of official court annals and royal records, which were common practice in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. These secular historical documents provided source material for the biblical authors, underscoring the historicity of the biblical accounts, even while the biblical writers select and interpret events through a theological lens.

2 Kings 15 11 Word analysis

• Now: Hebrew: wəyatĕr (וְיֶ֕תֶר) - "and the rest," or "now the remainder." It serves as a transitional conjunction, signaling the conclusion of the immediate narrative about the king and directing attention to the fuller, extra-biblical historical records.
• the rest of the acts: Refers to a more complete, comprehensive detailing of the king's entire reign and deeds, which are not included in the condensed biblical summary. It implies that the biblical account is selective, focusing on divinely significant aspects, particularly regarding covenant obedience or disobedience.
• of Zechariah: Specifies the king whose additional records are referenced. Zechariah was the son of Jeroboam II and the last king of Jehu's dynasty, ruling only six months. His rule, like most Israelite kings, was marked by following the sins of Jeroboam.
• and indeed they are written: Hebrew: hinnām ketuvim (הִנָּ֤ם כְּתוּבִים֙) - "behold, they are written." This phrase emphasizes the certainty, veracity, and documented nature of the information. It validates the biblical historian's reference to existing historical records, affirming the factual basis of the narrative. It subtly highlights God's sovereignty over history, as even secular records ultimately testify to His unfolding plan.
• in the book: Singular, suggesting a specific, official repository of royal information. This implies a continuous record-keeping tradition within the monarchy.
• of the chronicles: Hebrew: divrei hayyamim (דִּבְרֵ֣י הַיָּמִ֔ים) - literally "words of the days," or "events of the days." This term denotes royal annals, daily records, or official historical accounts. It refers to a type of public or court record, distinct from the canonical biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles. These were the state records of the Northern Kingdom.
• of the kings of Israel: Specifically refers to the monarchy of the Northern Kingdom, established after the division of the united monarchy under Solomon. This kingdom was marked by continuous idolatry, political instability, and a series of violent successions, a narrative consistently woven throughout the Books of Kings.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah: This formulaic expression efficiently wraps up the brief account of Zechariah's reign. It communicates that the Bible, in its role as a theological history, doesn't intend to provide a complete secular biography but rather to focus on key events and their spiritual implications. The brevity of Zechariah's entry, particularly given its historical fulfillment of prophecy, demonstrates this selective focus.
• and indeed they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel: This phrase serves as a formal literary device characteristic of the Books of Kings. It assures the ancient reader of the availability of more detailed accounts in official state archives. The reference validates the biblical author's information by pointing to known and reliable secular sources. Theologically, it affirms the grounding of God's work in real human history and politics. It underscores the precision of divine providence that is meticulously recorded, whether in the immediate biblical account or through the wider historical documentation.

2 Kings 15 11 Bonus section

• The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel/Judah" referenced repeatedly in Kings refers to separate royal annals kept by the monarchies of Israel and Judah. These are distinct from the biblical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, which are canonical scriptures. The biblical Books of Chronicles offer a different theological perspective, often focusing more on the Davidic lineage, the Temple, and a priestly interpretation of history, whereas Kings often highlights prophetic fulfillment and judgment based on the Mosaic covenant.
• The phrase divrei hayyamim (chronicles) in Hebrew, points to official state records, demonstrating a level of administrative sophistication in the ancient Israelite kingdoms. This tradition of record-keeping reflects a broader Ancient Near Eastern practice.
• The regularity with which this formula appears, particularly after negative reigns or violent ends for Israelite kings, implicitly serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over history and His detailed knowledge of human affairs, even down to the full record of a ruler's ignominious life. This pattern also highlights the accelerating moral decay and instability within the Northern Kingdom that directly preceded its destruction.

2 Kings 15 11 Commentary

2 Kings 15:11 functions as a crucial structural marker within the Books of Kings, consistently appearing at the conclusion of accounts for various kings of both Israel and Judah. It's more than a simple bibliographic reference; it serves several theological and historical purposes. First, it affirms the historicity of the biblical narrative by pointing to extant (though now lost) official court records. This provides confidence that the events described are not legendary but grounded in documented reality. Second, it highlights the selective nature of the biblical text. The Books of Kings are not exhaustive historical encyclopedias but rather a divinely inspired theological history. They meticulously select details relevant to God's covenant with His people, particularly regarding idolatry, obedience, and divine judgment. For Zechariah, a king of a brief and wicked reign, this formula often follows the immediate judgment of his violent death, implicitly connecting divine wrath to the thoroughness of historical records. Third, the consistent use of this formula reinforces a cyclical pattern in Israel's history: reigns, sins, judgments, and a perpetual turning away from the Lord. This constant referencing to enduring historical accounts reminds both the immediate and future generations of readers that divine truth is observable within history, recorded for their learning and admonition.