I Kings 14:19-20 · Bible study
1 Kings 14:19-20 Commentary: What Is the 'Book of the Chronicles'?
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the meaning of the 'book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel' and why the author of Kings repeatedly cites it to frame Jeroboam's reign.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The standard closing formula for a king in the book of Kings, pointing to official annals and emphasizing the selective, theological nature of the biblical account.
- Key words: yeter (rest), nilkham (he waged war), shakhav (he lay down / slept), tachat (in place of).
- Main debate: Whether the 'book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel' refers to a lost historical source or is a literary device; most scholars see it as a reference to actual court records.
- Theological theme: Human kingship stands under divine judgment; even long reigns are judged by covenant faithfulness, not political success.
- Best use: To illustrate how Scripture is both anchored in history and shaped by divine selection, and to teach that our legacy before God outweighs our earthly accomplishments.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
19As for the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he waged war and how he reigned, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.
20And the length of Jeroboam’s reign was twenty-two years, and he rested with his fathers, and his son Nadab reigned in his place.
WEB World English Bible 2000
19The rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he fought and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
20The days which Jeroboam reigned were twenty two years; then he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.
KJV King James Version 1769
19And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
20And the days which Jeroboam reigned were two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
19And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
20And the days which Jeroboam reigned were two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
19And the rest of the matters of Jeroboam, how he fought, and how he reigned, lo, they are written on the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel.
20And the days that Jeroboam reigned are twenty and two years, and he lieth with his fathers, and reign doth Nadab his son in his stead.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
19And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
20And the days that Jeroboam reigned were twenty-two years; and he slept with his fathers. And Nadab his son reigned in his stead.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
19And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he fought, and how he reigned, behold they are written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Israel.
20And the days that Jeroboam reigned, were two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers: and Nadab, his son, reigned in his stead.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Kings 14:19
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the phrase 'the rest of the acts of Jeroboam... are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel' is a standard closing formula used throughout the book of Kings. Gill explains that this 'book of the chronicles' is not the canonical Book of Chronicles, but the official annals or court records of the northern kingdom, from which the inspired author selected what to include. Barnes notes that the wars referenced here cover two main conflicts: the ongoing struggle with Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:30) and the more serious defeat at the hands of Abijam (2 Chronicles 13:1-20). The Cambridge Bible adds that Jeroboam's death, after a reign of twenty-two years, is described in 2 Chronicles 13:20 as a sudden visitation, 'the Lord struck him, and he died.' Despite the formulaic phrasing, the brevity of the account underscores the author's theological focus: Jeroboam's reign is remembered chiefly for its sin and judgment, not its military or political accomplishments.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Lost royal annals: The phrase is taken as a literal citation of a separate court record, now lost, which the author used (cf. 1 Kings 14:29 and parallel formulas in 1 Kings 15:31, etc.).
- Literary formula: The reference functions as a rhetorical device to signal selectivity and authority, whether or not a specific physical document existed; it appears so consistently that it becomes a pattern rather than a discrete source citation.
What is clear: The author of Kings uses a consistent closing formula for Israelite and Judean kings, indicating that the biblical account is selective and draws on other historical sources, with the theological aim of presenting each reign under God's covenant evaluation.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of the 'book of the chronicles' | All commentators agree it is not the canonical Book of Chronicles but a separate, non-biblical source. | Some (e.g., Gill) describe it as official annals kept by court scribes; others focus on its function as a rhetorical reference that vets the account without needing the original document. |
| Meaning of 'he slept with his fathers' | It is a euphemism for death, used regularly in Kings for both faithful and unfaithful kings. | Some traditions question whether Jeroboam actually received burial with his ancestors given his covenant rebellion, while others see it as a standard idiom that does not imply a peaceful spiritual state. |
| Length of Jeroboam's reign | All sources accept twenty-two years (c. 931, 910 BC) based on the clear Hebrew text. | There is minor debate on the exact chronological synchronisms with Rehoboam and Asa of Judah, but the figure itself is undisputed. |
| Significance of the wars mentioned | The wars against Rehoboam and Abijam are historically attested and referenced in both Kings and Chronicles. | Whether Jeroboam's defeat by Abijam (2 Chronicles 13) was the direct cause of his death or a separate event is discussed; Cambridge Bible notes that 2 Chronicles 13:20 depicts a sudden divine striking. |
Historical & Cultural Context
These two verses function as the formal conclusion to Jeroboam I's reign, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the split from Judah. The closing formula, 'the rest of the acts... how he warred, and how he reigned... behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel', appears repeatedly for both Israelite and Judean kings (see 1 Kings 14:29, 15:31, 16:5, 16:14, 16:20, 16:27, 22:39). This recurring pattern reveals that the author of Kings drew on pre-existing royal annals and selected material to convey a theological message about covenant faithfulness and divine judgment.
The 'book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel' likely refers to an official court record kept by scribes, similar to the annals of surrounding nations. These records would have included building projects, wars, and administrative matters, but the biblical author omits most of those details. For Jeroboam, the focus falls entirely on his sins, especially the establishment of golden calves at Dan and Bethel, and the prophecy of judgment delivered through Ahijah. The phrase 'he slept with his fathers' (a euphemism for death using the Hebrew verb shakhav, 'to lie down') is applied even to Jeroboam, though some traditions question whether he received a proper burial with his ancestors because of his idolatry. The twenty-two-year reign placed his death in the second year of Asa of Judah (1 Kings 15:9-10, 25). The mention of his son Nadab succeeding him sets the stage for the swift fulfillment of the prophetic curse against Jeroboam's house (1 Kings 15:25-30).
The surrounding context of 1 Kings 14 includes the death of Jeroboam's son Abijah, mourned by all Israel because 'in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel' (v.13). This contrast between Abijah's piety and Jeroboam's persistent rebellion heightens the tragedy of the king's legacy. The formula in verses 19-20, then, serves as a quiet epitaph for a reign that began with divine promise but ended in disaster.
Textual Notes
The consulted commentaries and translations report no significant textual variants for 1 Kings 14:19-20. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts, and the verse-closing formula appears in nearly identical form for other kings in Kings.
Reception History
In the history of interpretation, 1 Kings 14:19-20 has often been treated as a routine summary, receiving less attention than the dramatic prophecy of Ahijah earlier in the chapter. Early Jewish and Christian readers understood the 'book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel' as a reference to lost historical records, confirming the reliability of the biblical author's sources. In the Reformation, commentators like Calvin and Luther used these verses to teach that Scripture is not exhaustive but sufficient: God provides what we need for faith and obedience, not every detail of the past. Matthew Henry and other devotional writers found significance in the phrase 'he slept with his fathers,' noting that even a sinful king shares the common human fate and that earthly thrones end in the grave. Modern scholarship has focused on the formula as a key redactional feature of the Deuteronomistic History, highlighting the historian's editorial work and theological purpose.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The formulaic close, The author uses a standard pattern to indicate that his account is selective, drawing from official records to highlight what God wants remembered.
- Wars and reign, Jeroboam's conflicts with Rehoboam and Abijam are noted, but no details are given; the brevity itself speaks: his reign was defined by struggle and failure from a spiritual perspective.
- Death and succession, 'He slept with his fathers' and Nadab took the throne, but the house built on idolatry would not stand. The next chapter confirms the end of Jeroboam's dynasty.
Five-point outline
- Source behind the text, The 'book of the chronicles' reminds us that Scripture is rooted in history and uses contemporary records.
- Selectivity of the biblical account, Not every act is recorded; the Spirit guides the author to include what serves the covenant story.
- The king's wars, The terms 'warred' and 'reigned' frame his leadership as conflict-ridden, both politically and spiritually.
- The length of days, Twenty-two years seems long, yet the account covers little; a long reign can be empty of lasting good if it lacks obedience.
- The transition of power, Nadab's succession appears routine, but the reader knows the judgment is coming. God's word stands over every throne.
Illustration hooks
- Think of an obituary that lists a person's accomplishments but skips major moral failures. The formula here does the opposite: it points to the available records but chooses not to elaborate, because the real story is theological.
- A company's annual report might include a summary of numbers and projects. This passage is like a report from a different angle, declaring that the only vital metric is fidelity to God.
- When someone dies, we often hear a standard phrase like 'he lived a full life.' Here, 'he slept with his fathers' is said even for a king under judgment, reminding us that death comes to all, regardless of spiritual state.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Bible sometimes seem to pass over lots of history very quickly? What makes the writers skip certain details?
- If Jeroboam was so sinful, why does the text say he 'slept with his fathers'? Does that mean he went to heaven?
- What can we learn from a passage that mostly just points to a book we don't have anymore?
Leading a Discussion
These two verses look like a routine sign-off for a king's reign, but they open a window into how the biblical writers used historical sources to teach spiritual truths. The closing formula appears over and over in Kings, reminding readers that God's word is selective and purposeful.
Discussion questions
- What kind of details does the author include in verses 19-20, and what does he leave out? Why do you think he chooses this approach?
- The phrase 'the rest of the acts... are written in the book of the chronicles' suggests that there was more information available. Why might the Holy Spirit have chosen not to include those details in the Bible?
- Look at 1 Kings 14:30 and 2 Chronicles 13:1-20. How do those passages fill in the picture of Jeroboam's wars? What do they reveal about God's involvement in history?
- The Hebrew word for 'rest' (yeter) often carries the sense of 'remainder' or 'excess'. In what way does the rest of Jeroboam's story weigh down his legacy?
- Why does the author mention that Jeroboam 'slept with his fathers'? How does this phrase function for a king who was openly rebellious against God?
- This formula is used for both good and bad kings in Kings. What does that tell us about how God views the reigns of all human rulers?
- How can a passage that seems merely factual (a reign length and a death) help us trust the accuracy and authority of Scripture?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 14:29 | Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? |
| I Kings 14:30 | There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. |
| I Kings 15:31 | Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? |
| I Kings 16:5 | Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? |
| I Kings 16:14 | Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? |
| I Kings 16:20 | Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he committed, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? |
| I Kings 16:27 | Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he showed, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? |
| I Kings 22:39 | Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he built, and all the cities that he built, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke directs the reader to the parallel account in 2 Chronicles for fuller details on Jeroboam's reign. He suggests that the chronicler preserves important particulars about this period that are not found in the Kings record.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes distinguishes two phases in Jeroboam's military conflicts: first his wars against Rehoboam, then his war against Abijam. He also notes that this information comes from the official record, the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge note draws together the chronological data from Kings and Chronicles, showing that Jeroboam's 22-year reign ended with a sudden divine judgment in Asa's second year. It also observes that only two sons, Abijah and Nadab, are named in Scripture, though the text hints there may have been others.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill clarifies that the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" refers to court annals or diaries, not the inspired biblical book of Chronicles. He notes that later biblical writers, guided by God, selected material from these secular records to preserve for future generations.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB observes that Jeroboam's reign ended without any reform, even after God's threatenings against his family. None of the judgments predicted by the prophet produced a change in his policy or government. His hardness of heart is the lasting impression.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that Jeroboam’s sin surpassed all previous rulers because he made unlawful worship a state institution and enforced it for political gain, whereas Solomon only permitted idolatry from his wives. The phrase “cast me behind thy back” conveys the strongest possible contempt for God, far beyond ignoring His law.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry stresses the terrible irony of Jeroboam's fall: God lifted him from common status to make him king, yet he repaid that honor by doing more evil than any before him. The specific accusation is that he not only made idols but deliberately turned his back on God. Matthew Henry holds up David as the stark contrast — a king who followed God wholeheartedly — to show how much more guilty Jeroboam was for failing to do the same.