Today's first reading describes the major accomplishments of King Solomon, including the construction or rebuilding of countless cities. It also highlights the importance Solomon placed on worship, which is the greatest attribute that 2 Chronicles describes anyone having (even greater than Solomon's renowned wisdom).
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
The second selection tells how Egypt invaded Judah -- the southern Jewish kingdom -- after Solomon's death. Evidently, the Jewish armies are incapable of stopping the Egyptians, who evidently even looted the Temple in Jerusalem. However, Judah was able to keep some freedom by becoming a vassal state of Egypt -- a relationship that will ultimately protect Judah from the Assyrians (who capture the northern kingdom), but not from Babylon.
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If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Chronicles 8-14 today.
