1 & 2 Chronicles – Page 8

2 Chronicles 12:1-16 – Bad Things Happen

Read 2 Chronicles 12:1-16

We see in this reading what can happen when leaders are not following God. All the efforts of fortifying cities Rehoboam did in our last reading could not stop the invasion when God was allowing it. The prophet “Shemaiah told them, “This is what the Lord says: You have abandoned me, so I am abandoning you to Shishak.” What does that say to us today?

The leaders accepted God’s response and promptly humbled themselves. Seeing this, God relented from his plan of destruction. What if these leaders had not understood God’s disapproval and discounted the prophet’s warning?

1 Chronicles 11:1-23 – Be Fortified!

Read 2 Chronicles 11:1-23

Our last reading had Rehoboam running for the safety of Jerusalem. We pick up here with what Rehoboam did when he got to Jerusalem. He got prepared for war, to defend his kingdom. Rehoboam must have had some idea he would be unpopular if he did what he threatened to do.

Rehoboam did what he thought was wise by fortifying certain cities and locations. He was cautioned against aggression against Jeroboam and the ten other tribes of his people. Thankfully, he listened, at least for now, and bloodshed was averted thanks to God’s message through the prophet, Shemaiah.

2 Chronicles 10:1-19 – The Revolt

Read 2 Chronicles 10:1-19

Solomon’s son, Rehoboam became the new king. Very quickly, it seems, his kingdom shrank to only two of the twelve tribes. Realizing that the revolt had to happen according to God’s will makes it a little easier to accept.

What’s hard for me is that the name of the king God chose for the northern tribes was Jeroboam. Couldn’t his name have been a little less similar? If you’re curious about how God called Jeroboam, you can read about that in 1 Kings 11:26-40.

2 Chronicles 9:13-31 – Over the Top!

Read 2 Chronicles 9:13-31

I admit I got caught up in the details of this reading. I can’t fathom that many horses and that much gold! To say Solomon was a wealthy king is a definite understatement. After all, the LORD promised him wealth in addition to the wisdom Solomon had asked for. God always keeps his promises.

Perhaps I am amazed because I live in a developing nation and witness poverty every day, not elaborate palaces. I see how people live simply and contentedly. God has miraculously taken away any desire or expectation for extravagant wealth my heart may have ever had, too. Just perfect for a couple of missionaries situated in Mexico!

2 Chronicles 9:1-12 – The Queen’s Visit

Read 2 Chronicles 9:1-12

It sounds as if Solomon hosted the Queen of Sheba with ease and grace. She had come to see for herself how wise and powerful King Solomon actually was. Interesting to imagine how news like that traveled in those days. Solomon didn’t disappoint, either. In fact, the Queen was more impressed that she imagined possible.

The Queen’s land of Sheba (or Saba) would have been on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula in present day Yemen. The Sabeans were known for as trade partners of gold and precious gems with Africa and India. The Queen was not drawn to Solomon to be a trade partner, however. She wanted to be enlightened by his great wisdom.