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 16:19KJV
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2 Kings 16:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 16:19 mean?

2 Kings 16:19 closes its account of King Ahaz’s actions by pointing readers to a royal record for more information. The question assumes that the answer is yes: other acts of Ahaz were recorded in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah.

The narrator addresses the reader rather than quoting someone speaking to Ahaz. The question gives the account a formal ending, before verse 20 records Ahaz’s death and names his successor.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 16:19

  • “acts” — דָּבָר (davar): This word can refer to a matter or event as well as a deed. Here it covers the remaining affairs of Ahaz’s reign, not just one kind of action.
  • “chronicles” — דָּבָר (davar) and יוֹם (yom): These words carry the sense of “matters” and “days.” Together they describe a record of events, the kind of account the narrator points readers toward.

Why 2 Kings 16:19 matters

  • The record named here is a royal source about Judah’s kings. The phrase “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” identifies a record by its subject; it should not simply be assumed to be the same as the Bible’s books of 1 and 2 Chronicles.
  • The verse presents the account of Ahaz as selective. By mentioning “the rest of the acts of Ahaz,” the narrator acknowledges that more was known than had been included in this account.

Where else these words appear

“Ahaz” Hebrew H271 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:38 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.

“rest” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 28:26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.