Trump to read from 2 Chronicles in Washington event
Ruth Graham
President Donald Trump has a complicated relationship with the Bible. He often called the book his favorite, posed with it for photographers outside the church, and sold his own print for $60.
But he also had a hard time naming a favorite passage or even choosing a favorite Testament between the two.
Fresh off a week in which he clashed with the Pope and Christians accused him of blasphemy, Trump will take part in a marathon reading of the entire Bible in Washington, event organizers announced on Friday (US time).
The leader of the event, a conservative activist who once ran for Congress in Texas, described it as “a national reading of God’s law.”
The White House released a statement Friday praising the incident. America Reads the BibleAs an opportunity to “honor the Scriptures, renew our faith, lead a historic revival of religion on the shores of America, and rededicate the United States as one Nation under God.”
Organizers said Trump recorded part of the reading from the Oval Office. He read a passage from the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles that has become a touchstone for many Christian supporters, interpreting it as a call to national repentance and subsequent sanctification.
The central verse in 2 Chronicles 7 reads: “If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
“The quoting of this particular passage has become a hallmark of the religious right,” said Matthew D. Taylor, a visiting scholar at Georgetown University’s Center on Faith and Justice.
Bible scholars emphasize that this passage relates to the author’s understanding of a specific covenant between God and the ancient Israelites. The books of Chronicles cover centuries of Jewish history, including the reigns of kings David and Solomon.
In recent years, this verse has been the subject of songs, prayers, and sermons that interpret it as a promise with direct political implications for the contemporary United States. For example, during the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, the founder of a group called Cowboys for Trump shouted over the crowd chanting “Fight for Trump!” He prayed for passage through the megaphone chanting the slogan. in response.
Trump’s comment comes after a tumultuous series of self-inflicted challenges to his relationship with his staunchest Christian supporters. This past weekend, the president released an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ performing a miraculous healing.
Reaction from Christians was swift, with many calling the image blasphemous. Trump deleted the post the next day and said he believed the photo depicted him as a doctor.
Trump also launched a lengthy diatribe against Pope Leo XIV, who criticized the war in Iran. The president’s tirade, calling the Pope “weak on crime,” was met with surprise and disgust by many American Catholics.
Bunni Pounds, the event’s organizer, said in an interview that Trump recorded his Bible reading from 2 Chronicles on Tuesday.
Pounds said the event has been in the works for more than a year and was designed in part as an invitation for leaders to “humble themselves before the American people” as they await the nation’s 250th anniversary. Under the Trump administration, official celebrations appear poised to highlight the Christian roots of the nation’s founding.
America Reads the Bible It will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for a week, starting with Genesis 1 on Sunday (US time) and ending with the final chapter of Revelation on Saturday evening. Most participants will read their passages live at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, but some high-profile participants have pre-recorded their parts.
Trump’s speech will air between 6pm and 7pm Eastern on Tuesday (8am-9am AEST on Wednesday), in a block that also includes former housing secretary Ben Carson and homeschooling advocate Heidi St John.
The list, which includes about 500 readers, is comprised of Trump’s staunchest Christian supporters, including those in his current administration.
Participants included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth; and Transport Minister Sean Duffy.
Other readers include pastors, activists, influencers, entertainers, revivalists and a host of current and former elected officials, all Republicans. (Organizers say they invited dozens of Democratic members of Congress and none responded.) The vast majority are evangelical Christians.
Many will read passages chosen to align with their own work or the current moment.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott will read from Isaiah 43, which includes a verse frequently cited following last summer’s deadly floods in the state: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overflow you.”
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles will read Proverbs 31, which includes a comprehensive list of the qualities of a “wife of noble character” that has become a touchstone for many Christian women.
