This is a companion volume to Andrew Thomson?s excellent ?Opening Up 1 Chronicles?. Following on from his earlier narrative and exposition, he skilfully analyses the important teaching of the second Book of Chronicles and demonstrates how God?s care of His people continues, despite their unfaithfulness and departure from truth. This is helpfully divided into two parts ? the kingdom of Solomon and the kingdom of Judah ? but skilfully written to give both an exposition of the second Book of Chronicles and the overarching themes. This is a very readable study with a format that encourages further reading of the Bible books and provokes items to think more on and discuss with others. There are good current examples and illustrations ? many very pertinent ones on government and rule on Biblical principles ? and many character studies of godly and ungodly kings, their dedication and repentance and what the author calls ?their compromised worst and prayerful best?. Each of the ten chapters is thoughtfully written and very lively ? the little introduction at the beginning of each chapter is a good measure of the themes that each deals with. Alongside its companion volume by the same author on Opening Up 1 Chronicles, I would commend this as an excellent addition to personal and small group study guides. This is a book that brings history alive and we should be thankful to writers like Andrew Thomson for refreshing our interest in Bible books like Chronicles and leading us back to the inspiration and applications we can draw from scripture.