2 Kings 16:19 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

2 Kings 16:19 kjv

Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 16:19 nkjv

Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 16:19 niv

As for the other events of the reign of Ahaz, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 16:19 esv

Now the rest of the acts of Ahaz that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

2 Kings 16:19 nlt

The rest of the events in Ahaz's reign and everything he did are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah.

2 Kings 16 19 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference Note
1 Kgs 14:29	Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred… are they not written...	Standard ending for King Jeroboam
1 Kgs 15:7	Now the rest of the acts of Abijam and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Abijam
1 Kgs 15:23	Now the rest of all the acts of Asa and all his might… are they not written...	Standard ending for King Asa
1 Kgs 22:45	Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Jehoshaphat
2 Kgs 1:18	Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written...	Standard ending for King Ahaziah
2 Kgs 8:23	Now the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written...	Standard ending for King Joram
2 Kgs 10:34	Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Jehu
2 Kgs 12:19	Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Joash
2 Kgs 14:18	Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written...	Standard ending for King Amaziah
2 Kgs 15:6	Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Azariah/Uzziah
2 Kgs 15:11	Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, indeed they are written...	Standard ending for King Zechariah
2 Kgs 15:15	Now the rest of the acts of Shallum, and the conspiracy... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Shallum
2 Kgs 15:21	Now the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Menahem
2 Kgs 15:26	Now the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Pekahiah
2 Kgs 15:31	Now the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Pekah
2 Kgs 15:36	Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Jotham
2 Kgs 20:20	Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah… indeed they are written...	Standard ending for King Hezekiah
2 Kgs 21:17	Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did... are they not written...	Standard ending for King Manasseh
2 Chr 9:29	Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last... are they not written...	Mentions multiple books, not just the royal annals
2 Chr 20:34	Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat... indeed they are written in the book...	Chronicler's reference to Jehu's work
2 Chr 28:26	Now the rest of his acts and all his ways, from first to last, indeed they are written...	Parallel reference in Chronicles for Ahaz
Mal 3:16	Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another... and a book of remembrance was written...	Divine record keeping, echoing human practice
Dan 7:10	A river of fire was flowing... A thousand thousands served Him... The court was seated, and the books were opened.	Divine judgment involves written records
Rev 20:12	And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened...	God's comprehensive record of human deeds

2 Kings 16 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

2 Kings 16 19 Meaning

This verse serves as a concluding statement for the narrative summary of King Ahaz's reign in the Book of 2 Kings. It signifies that for a fuller account of his "acts" or deeds, the reader should refer to the more extensive, albeit now lost, state annals titled "The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah." It acts as a historical reference, asserting that the biblical account is not exhaustive but selective, pointing to a wider body of historical documentation.

2 Kings 16 19 Context

This verse is found within 2 Kings, which chronicles the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, primarily focusing on their obedience or disobedience to God's covenant. Chapter 16 specifically details the exceedingly wicked reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Ahaz introduces significant idolatry, setting up pagan altars and even sacrificing his son. Faced with a Syro-Ephraimite coalition, he defiantly rejects Isaiah's prophetic call to trust in God and instead appeals for help from Tiglath-Pileser III, the king of Assyria, effectively making Judah a vassal state and bringing foreign influence into Jerusalem. The chapter ends by highlighting Ahaz's idolatry and rebellion against God, underscoring Judah's spiritual decline under his leadership. Verse 19 concludes the summary of his reign, serving as a transitional marker to the next king while also affirming that more detailed historical information on Ahaz existed in official records accessible to the original audience or biblical compilers. This editorial practice throughout Kings and Chronicles reinforces the historicity of the accounts presented while maintaining a specific theological focus.

2 Kings 16 19 Word analysis

Now the rest of the acts: This phrase marks a common transition device found repeatedly throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles. "Acts" is from the Hebrew dibrê (דִּבְרֵי), which literally means "words of" or "matters of." In this context, it refers to the collected events, deeds, or official dealings of the king's reign, encompassing everything done, from wars to building projects, judicial decisions, and personal life, but as recorded by the state.
of Ahaz: Refers to Ahaz, the 12th king of Judah. His specific name pinpoints the subject of the royal records being referenced.
which he did: This participial phrase emphasizes that the records concern Ahaz's personal agency and responsibilities during his reign. The focus is on the concrete actions undertaken.
are they not written: This is a rhetorical question in Hebrew (hă-lō hēm kĕtūvīm הֲלֹא־הֵם כְּתוּבִים), used to assert a strong affirmative: "Indeed they are written," or "Certainly they are written." It validates the existence and accessibility of the historical records. It assures the reader that the information, while summarized, is grounded in factual documentation.
in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah: This precise title refers to a specific type of ancient Near Eastern governmental record: royal annals or state archives.
- Book (Sēper סֵפֶר): Implies a written scroll or codex, indicating a formal, official document.
- Chronicles (Dibrê HaYamim דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים): Literally "words of the days" or "daily events." These were official, year-by-year accounts meticulously maintained by court scribes, recording significant happenings, royal decrees, public works, and military campaigns. It is crucial to distinguish this specific source, the ancient royal annals, from the canonical biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, which were composed much later, drawing on various sources including such annals.
- of the Kings of Judah (lĕMalkê Yĕhûdâ לְמַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה): Specifies that these annals pertain specifically to the monarchs who ruled over the Southern Kingdom of Judah, setting them apart from the annals of the Kings of Israel mentioned for the Northern Kingdom.

2 Kings 16 19 Bonus section

The recurring "rest of the acts" formula found in Kings and Chronicles acts as a vital literary framework. It establishes a consistent structural rhythm throughout the books, creating a sense of authoritative completeness within their specific theological scope while acknowledging the existence of more expansive historical data. This rhetorical practice underscores that while the Bible draws on real-world events and verifiable historical records, its ultimate aim is not merely to transmit historical data but to convey theological truth about God's dealings with His people, their covenant faithfulness, and the consequences of their actions. The authors imply that their readers can cross-reference these external state documents to confirm details, even though their own purpose is higher and more interpretive. The consistent usage across many kings strengthens the sense of a unified, purposeful literary work being presented to the reader.

2 Kings 16 19 Commentary

2 Kings 16:19 is a key editorial device used repeatedly in the Books of Kings, signaling the end of a particular king's account and pointing the reader to external, comprehensive state records for further details. This "not-written-in" formula serves several important functions. Firstly, it authenticates the biblical narrative by asserting its grounding in verifiable historical documentation that was presumably available to the original audience or at least known to the compilers. It implies that the biblical account is not fabricating history but rather distilling it from existing records. Secondly, it highlights the selective nature of the biblical historian's purpose. The authors of Kings were not simply compiling a factual encyclopedia; they were presenting a theological history, interpreting events through the lens of God's covenant with Israel. Their primary concern was not exhaustive historical detail but rather to show how each king's reign exemplified obedience or disobedience to the Torah and the prophetic word, ultimately explaining why Israel and Judah met their respective fates (exile). Therefore, the biblical account focuses on the king's spiritual disposition and major covenant-related actions, directing those seeking secular, exhaustive information elsewhere. The reference to the "Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah" confirms the historicity while underscoring the spiritual emphasis of the biblical text itself.