1 & 2 Chronicles – Page 6

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.

2 Chronicles 19:1-11 – Justice is Served

Read 2 Chronicles 19:1-11

Jehoshaphat received the message loud and clear that the LORD was not pleased with him for his diversion in aiding King Ahab. What would you do if someone told you the LORD was angry with you? It appears Jehoshaphat’s next plan was to show his honor to God by establishing judges again to rule the people.

Jehoshaphat spent time setting the stage for this justice system by traveling among the people. He reminded them of their roots by “encouraging the people to return to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.” If the king is setting that kind of example, the people should pay attention, right?

2 Chronicles 18:9-34 – When the Truth Hurts

Read 2 Chronicles 18:9-34

Is that how you thought Ahab’s life would end? Despite all his efforts to defy Micaiah’s prophecy from the LORD, Ahab still died, just as the LORD had said. Clearly, Ahab chose not to let the prophet’s message from God stop him from his attempt to take over Ramoth-gilead.

I had to wonder why Jehoshaphat went along with Ahab after hearing the warning from God. Was Jehoshaphat secretly trying to get rid of Israel’s king by going along with this war? How could Jehoshaphat sit back and not stop his “friend” from signing his death warrant by marching off to war?