The Son of David, the Greater Temple, and
Hope Beyond Exile
For the majority of the See JESUS in the Old Testament reading plan, we can simply follow each book with chapters moving sequentially, but the history of Israel’s kings is recorded across 1-2 Kings and 1-2 Chronicles. These books often cover the same periods, just from different angles. So, for this portion of Part II, the readings will move chronologically across these four books of the Bible.
Kings & Chronicles traces Israel’s monarchy from the final days of David through Solomon, the divided kingdom, the fall of Israel, the fall of Judah, and the exile. Read together, they give us two complementary perspectives on the same history. 1-2 Kings emphasizes covenant faithfulness, prophetic warning, and the judgment that comes when kings and people repeatedly turn from the LORD. 1-2 Chronicles looks back on much of that same history with special attention to David’s line, the temple, worship, repentance, and GOD’s continuing promises. Across both, one truth becomes increasingly clear: even the best earthly kings are not enough. Israel needs a righteous Son of David who will faithfully rule GOD’s people and never fail.
That hope points directly to JESUS. The covenant GOD made with David promises an enduring royal line, and throughout these books the Davidic dynasty is preserved even through rebellion, judgment, and exile. Solomon builds the temple and GOD’s glory fills it, but the temple is later defiled and ultimately destroyed. Yet the temple itself points beyond the building to the greater reality of GOD dwelling with His people, fulfilled in JESUS, the true and greater Temple. The failures of Solomon and the kings who follow also sharpen the longing for the greater Son of David — the King of kings who perfectly obeys, reigns forever, and brings the blessing GOD promised to His people and the nations.
These readings move chronologically through that story to highlight the Son of David, the Greater Temple, and Hope Beyond Exile. You’ll see David prepare for the temple and Solomon build it; Solomon’s wisdom, prosperity, and eventual failure; the kingdom divide; prophets like Elijah and Elisha confront idolatry; faithful kings such as Hezekiah and Josiah lead reform; and persistent rebellion against GOD bring first Israel and then Judah into exile. Yet exile is not the end. 2 Kings closes with a surviving heir of David, and 2 Chronicles closes with Cyrus’s decree allowing the people to return and rebuild the temple. The kingdom is broken, the temple is gone, and the people are scattered — but GOD’s promises remain.
The story leaves us looking ahead to JESUS, the true Son of David, the greater Temple, and the King whose Kingdom will never end.
Let’s dive in together and see JESUS in 1-2 Chronicles and 1-2 Kings!
- August 13 — 1 Chronicles 1
The genealogy from Adam sets Israel’s story within GOD’s larger plan for all humanity. - August 14 — 1 Chronicles 2
The genealogy narrows to Judah and David’s family line, tracing the promise toward the King GOD would raise up for His people. - August 15 — 1 Chronicles 6
The genealogy of Levi traces the priestly line and temple servants, showing the importance of worship and sacrifice among GOD’s people. - August 16 — 1 Chronicles 22
David prepares Solomon to build the temple, pointing ahead to the greater Son of David who will bring GOD’s presence to His people. - August 17 — 1 Chronicles 28
David charges Solomon to build the temple according to the LORD’s plan, preparing for the place bearing GOD’s name and presence. - August 18 — 1 Chronicles 29
David and the people give willingly for the temple, praising the LORD as the true King whose Kingdom and glory belong to Him forever. - August 19 — 1 Kings 1
Solomon is anointed king as David’s successor, showing the LORD preserving the throne through the son of David He had chosen. - August 20 — 1 Kings 2
David charges Solomon to walk in the LORD’s ways, and Solomon’s kingdom is established as judgment and justice come to David’s house. - August 21 — 1 Kings 3
Solomon asks the LORD for wisdom to rule His people, showing both the promise of David’s son and the need for a King whose wisdom is perfect. - August 22 — 1 Kings 4
Solomon’s kingdom enjoys peace and abundance, giving a glimpse of the blessing GOD’s people long for under the Son of David’s reign. - August 23 — 1 Kings 6
Solomon builds the temple in Jerusalem, preparing a dwelling place for the name and presence of the LORD among His people. - August 24 — 1 Kings 8
Solomon dedicates the temple with prayer and sacrifice, asking the LORD to hear, forgive, and dwell with HIs people according to His covenant. - August 25 — 2 Chronicles 7
The LORD fills the temple with His glory and calls His people to repentance, promising mercy while warning that unfaithfulness will bring judgment. - August 26 — 1 Kings 10
Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, and glory draw the nations to Jerusalem, giving a glimpse of the Kingdom blessing under the Son of David. - August 27 — 1 Kings 11
Solomon turns from the LORD to worship other gods, and the kingdom fractures because even the wisest king cannot keep the covenant. - August 28 — 1 Kings 12
The kingdom divides between Rehoboam and Jeroboam, showing the ruin that comes when GOD’s people reject Him and turn to false worship. - August 29 — 1 Kings 17
God provides for Elijah, the widow, and her son during the famine, showing His power to preserve life when His people have turned from Him. - August 30 — 1 Kings 18
GOD answers Elijah by fire on Mt. Carmel, exposing the emptiness of Baal and calling His people back to Himself. - August 31 — 1 Kings 19
GOD meets Elijah in his fear and weariness, sustaining him and reminding him that His work continues even when His servant feels alone. - September 1 — 1 Kings 21
Ahab and Jezebel’s murder of Naboth exposes the injustice of Israel’s corrupt kings, bringing the LORD’s judgment against their house. - September 2 — 2 Kings 2
The LORD takes Elijah up and confirms Elisha as his successor, showing that His Word and work continue through the servant He appoints. - September 3 — 2 Kings 4
GOD works through Elisha to provide for the needy, give life to the barren, and raise up the dead, displaying His mercy and power in times of need. - September 4 — 2 Kings 5
GOD heals Naaman the Syrian through Elisha, showing grace to an outsider who humbly receives His Word by faith. - September 5 — 2 Kings 13
Even after Elisha’s death, GOD shows mercy to Israel and preserves them because of HIs covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. - September 6 — 2 Kings 17
Israel is carried into exile because they persistently reject the LORD, showing the ruin that comes from generations of idolatry and unbelief. - September 7 — 2 Chronicles 20
The LORD delivers Judah as Jehoshaphat leads the people to seek Him in prayer and praise, showing that the battle belongs to the LORD. - September 8 — 2 Chronicles 23
The LORD preserves the line of David through Joash and restores him to the throne, showing His faithfulness to keep His covenant promises. - September 9 — 2 Kings 18
Hezekiah trusts the LORD and leads Judah in faithfulness, standing as one of David’s better sons while pointing beyond himself to a greater King. - September 10 — 2 Kings 19
The LORD answers Hezekiah’s prayer and delivers Jerusalem from Assyria, showing that salvation belongs to Him and His Word will not fail. - September 11 — 2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah reopens the temple and restores worship, calling Judah back to the LORD through cleansing, sacrifice, and praise. - September 12 — 2 Chronicles 30
Hezekiah calls all Israel and Judah to keep the Passover, inviting people to return to the LORD who is gracious and merciful. - September 13 — 2 Chronicles 33
Manasseh’s wickedness brings judgment, but his repentance shows the mercy of the LORD to humble sinners who turn back to Him. - September 14 — 2 Kings 22
Josiah hears the book of the Law and humbles himself before the LORD, showing the power of GOD’s Word to expose sin and call His people back. - September 15 — 2 Kings 23
Josiah leads Judah in covenant renewal and reform, removing idols and restoring the Passover as he seeks to turn the people back to the LORD. - September 16 — 2 Kings 24
Judah’s final kings return to rebellion as Babylon rises against Jerusalem, showing that GOD keeps His promises of judgment against unfaithfulness. - September 17 — 2 Kings 25
Jerusalem falls, the temple is destroyed, and Judah is carried into exile, showing the devastating judgment brought by covenant unfaithfulness. - September 18 — 2 Chronicles 36
Judah’s exile comes after generations of rejecting the LORD’s Word, yet Cyrus’s decree opens a door of hope beyond judgment.
Continue in the See JESUS in the Old Testament readings as we begin Part III!
Just Keith Harris 