1 & 2 Chronicles – Page 5

2 Chronicles 24:1-16 – The Good Years

Read 2 Chronicles 24:1-16

We read several times that these good years lasted while the priest, Jehoiada was alive to mentor King Joash. Accordingly, this reading recognizes King Joash as having pleased the LORD. The Chronicler wants to showcase Joash’s restoration plan for the Temple as one of the God-pleasing actions. Many generations had passed since the temple was built by Solomon, and not all of Judah’s kings had taken good care of God’s residence.

Joash was fortunate to have a spiritual leader in Jehoiada. Do you have a mentor like that who keeps you grounded and focused on your obedience to the LORD? We should all be so lucky.

2 Chronicles 23:12-21 – Bye-Bye Evil Queen

Read 2 Chronicles 23:12-21

With all the rejoicing underway, the evil queen was bound to realize some momentous occasion was happening in the temple. Before she could plot any sort of revenge, the priest, Jehoiada, had the queen removed from the festivities. Queen Athaliah met her demise that day, some distance away from the Temple.

How do you think the young king felt when he received so much attention? The Chronicler does a good job of describing the scene. It sounds like the people were fed up with the evil queen’s leadership. God had prepared their hearts to be ready for Jehoiada’s plan to play out. “Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people.” Note how the priest inserts himself into this covenant, it wasn’t just between the king and God. Jehoiada’s desire is clear. He wants to reinstate the godly kingship of David.

2 Chronicles 22:1-12 – A Family Affair

Read 2 Chronicles 22:1-12

God will always make a way for his will to be done—especially when a divine promise is involved. Jehoram’s remaining and youngest son, Ahaziah had a very short, yearlong reign. His mother, Athaliah, interferes, but God doesn’t allow her to kill of the potential heirs to the throne as Ahaziah’s replacement. Brilliant!

It’s helpful to remember that Ahaziah’s mother was the daughter of King Ahab, the evil king that had ruled Israel. The evil of that nation had tremendous influence it seems with Judah’s last two rulers. The intermarriage between Israel and Judah a generation ago was wreaking havoc on God’s plan for his people.

2 Chronicles 21:1-20 – Not a Good Guy

Read 2 Chronicles 21:1-20

I wonder what was so intriguing about these pagan traditions? How could children from good upbringing, particularly Jehoram having witnessed a faithful father, choose anyone but the LORD to worship? I can’t say as though I was shocked, however. How distraught the LORD must have been to have such an evil king leading his people. Yet God remained true to his promise to David. Jehoram was not a good guy or a good king.

I must admit I was shocked when I read about how Jehoram just up and killed his brothers. There doesn’t seem to be any point to their senseless murders. The text says Jehoram was “established” as king, so there wouldn’t be any threats from his siblings, would there? Maybe there was petty jealousy that was driving Jehoram mad. The text doesn’t say, so I’m just imagining.

2 Chronicles 20:1-37 – God’s Victory

Read 1 Chronicles 20:1-37

How can you read a passage like this and not be changed? What I mean by that is how life-changing it is to see God at work. Reading accounts of God’s mighty intervention in the lives of his people is both encouraging and uplifting.

It’s easy for us to get caught up in our routines and start taking our blessings for granted. At some point, we are likely to hit a wall or be tempted or be ridiculed for our faithful living. How quickly our perfect existence can be marred by the unexpected attack.