Log inSign up

2 Chronicles 22 · a question people ask

Was Ahaziah forty-two or twenty-two when he began to reign?

In the text

2 Chronicles says, "Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem" (22:2). 2 Kings says, "Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem" (2 Kings 8:26). Both give one year in Jerusalem, and both name his mother Athaliah the daughter of Omri (22:2; 2 Kings 8:26). Neither book explains the difference in age, and these notes don't try to. 2 Kings 8's honest question sets the same two verses side by side; both are set here as they stand.

The verses

“Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.”
2 Chronicles 22:2 · World English Bible
“Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the daughter of Omri king of Israel.”
2 Kings 8:26 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Chronicles 22

2 Chronicles 22: Hidden in God's house

2 Chronicles gives two causes for Ahaziah's fall side by side: his counselors, "to his destruction" (22:4), and God (22:7), with two different Hebrew words. And when all the royal offspring were destroyed, one son was stealthily rescued by his father's sister, a priest's wife, and kept "hidden in God’s house six years" (22:12).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week2 Chronicles 22 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 2 Chronicles 22

All questions about 2 Chronicles →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions