Devotions-Through-The-Bible-14-II-Chronicles

Through The Bible

14 II Chronicles

May 10 - II Chronicles 1 - 5

Chapter 1 begins with King Solomon on the throne. "And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly." (II Chronicles 1:1) He offered a thousand burnt offerings and that night God appeared to him and and said, "Ask what I shall give thee."

"10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:

12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like." (II Chronicles 1:10-12)

The king gathered silver and gold, and horses and chariots. In Chapter 2 Solomon began to build the house of the Lord. "And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?" (1:5-6) Solomon engaged the help of Huram (spelled Hiram in I Kings 5:1) in providing cedar trees and a wise man to help in many ways.

"13 And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,

14 The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.

15 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:

16 And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem." (1:13-16)

Solomon numbered all the strangers in the land of Israel and put them to the work. "Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite." (3:1) You may remember Abraham and the land of Moriah. "And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." (Genesis 22:2) And we recently read about David purchasing the threshingfloor of Ornan to sacrifice to the Lord in I Chronicles 21:18-24. The rest of the chapter gives the instructions that Solomon had for building the house of God, also found in I Kings 6. Chapter 4 continues with the altar, the molten sea that was on 12 oxen, the lavers, the candlesticks and vessels, and more. In Chapter 5 the house of the Lord was finished and they brought in the ark of the covenant.

"11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:

12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God." (5:11-14)

May 11 - II Chronicles 6 - 9

A verse to remember... "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14)

"1 Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

2 But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

3 And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.

4 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying,

5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:

6 But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

8 But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:

9 Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.

10 The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

11 And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel." (6:1-11)

The chapter continues with Solomon's prayer. He begins with thanksgiving to God for His covenant with David. He acknowledged the greatness of God. "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!" (6:18) And he asked God to hear and forgive when they prayed to Him. "Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house: Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)" (6:29-30)

"1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.

3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.

5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood." (7:1-6)

The Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said, "I have heard thy prayer,..." Then we have that wonderful promise of II Chronicles 7:14. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." The Lord warned Solomon that if His people turned away and forsook His commandments and served other gods, He would pluck them up by the roots out of His land. Chapter 8 tells of the cities that Solomon built, the offerings he made, and the work that he did. Chapter 9 gives us the story of the visit from the Queen of Sheba, which we saw in I Kings 10.

"5 And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:

6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.

7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.

8 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.

9 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon." (9:5-9)

The chapter continues describing his great riches. "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart." (9:22-23) King Solomon reigned 40 years in Jerusalem over all Israel, and after he died, his son, Rehoboam reigned in his stead.

May 12 - II Chronicles 10 - 13

Chapter 10. After Rehoboam was made king over all Israel, Jereboam and the people went to him and told him that King Solomon had made their yoke grievous. They asked him to ease the servitude he had put on them. Rehoboam asked counsel of the old men that had stood with King Solomon and they advised him to please the people and they would be his servants forever. He also asked the young men that were brought up with him and they told him to add to their service, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions." (II Chronicles 10:14) Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the elders and took the advice of his peers, and only the tribes of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah stayed with him. When he sent Hadoram, who was over the tribute, to Israel, they stoned him and Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem. In Chapter 11 he gathered men to fight against Israel but the Lord sent him word through Shemaiah not to fight against Israel and the men returned from fighting against Jeroboam.

"14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:

15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.

17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon." (11:14-17)

"1 And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

2 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD," (12:1-2)

Shemaiah the prophet told Rehoboam that he had forsaken the Lord and that was why Shishak had come up against him, so the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "The Lord is righteous."

"7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made." (12:7-9)

Rehoboam was 41 when he began to reign and he reigned 17 years in Jerusalem. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. His son Abijah reigned in his stead. Chapter 13 begins with war between Abijah, king over Judah, and Jeroboam, king over Israel. Abijah had 400,000 men and Jereboam had 800,000 men. Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim and told Jereboam and all Israel that God had given the kingdom to David and his sons forever. He said they had cast out the priests of the Lord and were serving golden calves.

"10 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:

11 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

12 And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper." (13:10-12)

Jereboam caused an ambush to go up behind them, but they cried to the Lord and the priests sounded with their trumpets.

"15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.

16 And the children of Israel fled before Judah: and God delivered them into their hand.

17 And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.

18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.

20 Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died." (13:15-18 & 20)

May 13 - II Chronicles 14 - 16

A verse to remember... "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him..." (II Chronicles 16:9)

Chapters 14 and 15 tell of the victories of King Asa because he followed the Lord.

"1 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.

2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:

3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:

4 And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.

5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him." (14:1-5)

"8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.

10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.

11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled." (14:8-12)

"1 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:

2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.

5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries.

6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.

7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD." (15:1-8)

They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul. God gave them peace and there was no more war unto the 35th year of the reign of Asa. In Chapter 16 Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah. Asa took the silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's treasures and sent to Benhadad of Syria to help him against Israel. So Benhadad sent the captains of his armies against Israel.

"7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.

9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.

12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians." (16:7-10 & 12)

May 14 - II Chronicles 17 - 20

Life Lesson...Sometimes we need to "...stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD..." (20:17)

In Chapter 14 Jehoshaphat the son of Asa reigned and the Lord was with him because he began his reign walking in the ways of David and sought the Lord. All Judah brought him presents and he had riches and honor in abundance. He sent the Levites to his princes and throughout all Judah to teach them the book of the law of the Lord.

"10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem." (II Chronicles 17:10-13)

In Chapter 18 Jehoshaphat joined with Ahab, king of Israel. Ahab asked him to go with him to war against Ramothgilead. Jehoshaphat wanted him to inquire of the 400 prophets. All of the prophets told them to go to the war and God would deliver them. Johoshaphat asked if there was another prophet and Ahab told him there was one more but he never prophesied good for him. They brought in Micaiah and at first he told them to go to war, but the king told him to say nothing but the truth. "Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?" (18:16-17) The king commanded that the prophet be put in prison until he returned in peace. "And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people." (18:27) The king of Syria told his captains not to fight with anyone but the king of Israel. The army saw Jehoshaphat and the king cried out and the the Lord helped him. "And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died." (18:33-34)

"1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,

6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment." (19:1-6)

In Chapter 20 Moab and the Ammonites went against Jehoshaphat in battle. Judah gathered together to ask the Lord to help them, and Jehoshaphat prayed, "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee." (20:12) Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel.

"15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD." (20:15-18)

They rose early in the morning and Jehoshaphat told the people to believe the Lord and they would prosper. He appointed singers to praise the beauty of holiness as they went out before the army. When they began to praise the Lord, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir and they were smitten. Jehoshaphat and his people went to their camp and carried away an abundance of riches and precious jewels. "And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about." (20:29-30) Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he began to reign and he reigned 25 years in Jerusalem.

May 15 - II Chronicles 21 - 24

After the death of Jehoshaphat, his son Jehoram reigned in his stead. And he killed his brothers and some of the princes of Israel. He was 32 years old and reigned 8 years in Jerusalem. "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever." (II Chronicles 21:6-7) God sent Elijah with a message to the king, that because of his sin, a great plague would smite his people, his children, his wives, and his goods. Also, he would have a great sickness and his bowels would fall out from the sickness day by day. The last verse says that he "departed without being desired."

"1 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.

3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly." (22:1-3)

Ahaziah was called "Jehoahaz" in II Chronicles 21:17 and "Azariah" in 22:6. You can read more about Ahaziah and how he was killed by Jehu, king of Israel, in II Kings 9 and 10.

"10 But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land." (22:10-12)

In Chapter 23 the priests and Levites guarded Joash and made him king, at the age of 7. When Athaliah heard that he had been made king, she said, "Treason, Treason" and Jehoiada the priest had her killed. "And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD'S people. Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars." (23:16-17) "And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword." (23:21) Chapter 24 tells that Joash reigned 40 years in Jerusalem and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. He had a chest made for people to put money in, and it was used to repair the house of the Lord. Jehoiada the priest died at 130 years old, and after his death the king and princes of Judah left the house of the Lord God and served idols.

"19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.

20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.

23 And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.

24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.

25 And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings." (24:19-25)

May 16 - II Chronicles 25 - 28

In Chapter 25 Amaziah, the son of Joash, was 25 years old and reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart." (II Chronicles 25:2) He gathered 300,000 men to go to war, and hired 100,000 out of Israel to fight against the Edomites. A man of God told him not to let Israel go with him for the Lord was not with Israel, and if they did, then they would fall before the enemy. "Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger." (25:10) They won the battle against Edom, and took their false gods to worship. "But the soldiers of the army which Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Bethhoron, and smote three thousand of them, and took much spoil." (25:13) Then Amaziah wanted to go to war against Israel, and Joash the king of Israel broke down part of the wall of Jerusalem and took gold and silver from the house of God and treasures of the king's house and hostages. After his death, his son Uzziah (called Azariah in II Kings 14:21) began to reign at 16 years old and reigned 52 years in Jerusalem. Chapter 26 tells of the battles he won, the towers he built to fortify Jerusalem, the wells he dug for livestock, and the army he had. "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper." (II Chronicles 26:4-5)

"15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:

18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.

19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar." (26:15-19)

He was a leper until he died and his son Jotham was over the king's house judging the people of the land. Chapter 27 tells us that Jotham was 25 when he began to reign and he reigned 16 years, and did right in the sight of the Lord. He built cities and castles and towers. He had victory over the Ammonites and they paid him in silver and food. "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God." (27:6) In Chapter 28 Ahaz, his son reigned after him, and he did not follow the ways of the Lord. He served Baalim and burnt his children in sacrifices to false gods. God delivered him into the hand of Syria and also the king of Israel.

"8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.

9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.

10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?

11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you." (28:8-11)

(We will see a contrast of verse 9, where their rage reached up to heaven, in 30:27 the voice of the prayer of the Levites reached even unto heaven.) So they clothed the captives and gave them shoes, and gave them food and drink, then took them to Jericho and they returned to Samaria. Ahaz sent money to the kings of Assyria to help him in battle against the Edomites and the Philistines. "And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not." (28:20) Instead of turning to the Lord, Ahaz sacrificed to the gods of his enemies, "... But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel." (28:23) After his death, his son Hezekiah reigned in his stead.

May 17 - II Chronicles 29 - 32

Life Lesson... Don't depend on the arm of flesh, we have the Lord to fight our battles. (II Chronicles 32:7-8)

Hezekiah was 25 when he began to reign and he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. He did right in the sight of the Lord. He gathered the priests and the Levites and told them to cleanse the house of the Lord. Then they offered sacrifices on the altar and praised the Lord with musical instruments. They sang praises to the Lord and bowed their heads and worshiped. In Chapter 30 King Hezekiah sent letters to all Israel and Judah to keep the Passover of the Lord in Jerusalem. Some "laughed them to scorn, and mocked them" but others humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem.

"22 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.

23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.

24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.

25 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.

27 Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." (II Chronicles 31:22-27)

In Chapter 31 the people returned to their homes and threw down the altars of the false gods. He appointed the king's portion of his substance for the offerings and commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and Levites. "And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps." (31:5-6) "And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered." (31:21) In Chapter 32 Sennacherib king of Assyria encamped against Judah.

"3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.

4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?

5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.

6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,

7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:

8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." (32:3-8)

Sennacherib wrote letters to defy the God of Israel.

"20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side." (32:20-22)

We also read in II Kings 19:35, "And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses."

Hezekiah was sick and going to die but he prayed for a sign and the Lord healed him. His heart was lifted up in pride, but he later humbled himself. "This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart." (32:30-31) It is very interesting to look online and see photos of the tunnel that he made to bring water into the city.

May 18 - II Chronicles 33 - 36

We are finishing up the book of II Chronicles. Most of the information had been covered in Kings, so we were able to go through several chapters at a time. Chapter 33 begins with Manasseh. He was 12 years old when he began to reign and was king 52 years. He was not a good king like his father had been, but he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He built altars for all the host of heaven and caused his children to "pass through the fire".

"9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God." (II Chronicles 33:9-13)

After the death of Manasseh, his son Amon reighed 2 years, and did evil in the sight of the Lord. His servants conspired to kill him and his son, Josiah was made king. Chapter 34 tells us that Josiah was 8 when he began to reign and he did right in the sight of the Lord. He broke down the images and altars. He fulfilled the prophecy in I Kings 13:2, "And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem." (34:5) He repaired the house of the Lord and the priest found the book of the covenant of the Lord. When Josiah heard the words of the law he rent his clothes and gathered the people together to hear the words of the book. He made a covenant to walk after the Lord and keep His commandments and caused all that were present to stand to it. "And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers." (34:33) Chapter 35 tells of the Passover that Josiah kept. "And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem." (35:18) King Josiah went to fight against Necho the king of Egypt and was hit by the archers and died. The last chapter tells of the reign of Jehoahaz the son of Josiah. He was 23 and reigned 3 months. The king of Egypt put him down and made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and turned his name to Jehoiakim. He was 25 and reigned 22 years in Jerusalem. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon bound him and carried him to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the vessels of the house of the Lord to put in his temple in Babylon. (We will see more about this in Daniel 5:1-4.) The next king was Jehoiachin who was 8 years old and reigned only 3 months and 10 days. He also did evil in the sight of the Lord. King Nebuchadnezzar carried him to Babylon with more vessels of the house of the Lord and made his brother Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem. He was 21 and reigned 11 years, and also was evil in the sight of the Lord. God's people turned away from Him until there was "no remedy." The book and chapter end with the proclamation of Cyrus king of Persia for God's people to go and build Jerusalem. I hope that you will continue with us as we go into the books of Ezra and Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem.

"15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

17 Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.

18 And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.

19 And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.

20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:

21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up."