In Today's Email:
II Chronicles 13 Notes
In this chapter covers the reign of Abijah
vs. 1-2 – This parallels I Kings 15:1-2. Called Abijam in I Kings. Abijah’s short reign of three years is not given much space (only 8 verses) in I Kings, but here he is given a full chapter.
vs. 3-20 – Here is recording a battle between the divided tribes. Abijah and the Southern Kingdom have 400,000 men and Jeroboam and the Northern Kingdom have 800,000. Outnumbered, Abijah proclaims his trust in the Lord before the battle. As his men were being surrounded, he again calls on the Lord and Judah surged forward to victory. Abijah captures some of the disputed territory between the two rival kingdoms and Jeroboam is greatly weakened in defeat.
vs. 21-22 - This parallels I Kings 15:21-22. No doubt these marriages and children have to include those that predate his short three years on the throne. Reese calculates that he was 36 when he died. Abijah is succeeded by Asa.
II Chronicles 14 Notes
In this chapter Asa begins his reign.
vs. 1-5 – This parallels I Kings 15:9-11. Asa leads in a revival and turns away from the ways of his father and grandfather.
vs. 6-7 – Asa uses the ten years of peace and revival to strengthen his defenses and hold on territory.
vs. 8-15 - Asa fields an army of 300,000 spearmen from Judah and 280,000 archers from Benjamin. These are called to defend against Zerah the Ethiopian and his 1,000,000-man army. The armies meet at Mareshah (“crest of a hill”) and God gives Judah a great victory.
II Chronicles 15 Notes
In this chapter Asa brings religious reforms.
vs. 1-7 – The prophet Azariah appears with a message from God for Asa following his great victory.
vs. 8-18 – This parallels I Kings 15:12-15. The gathering in vs. 10 appears to be Pentecost. The zeal with which they recommitted themselves to follow God is remarkable. They shouted and sounded trumpets. They decided those who would not follow God should be put to death. Idolatry was purged from the land, and the wicked queen-mother was deposed.
vs. 19 - The time marker of the 35th year has confused some. Many believe this cannot be taken at face value since Asa and Baasha battled throughout their reigns (I Kings 15:16). Some suggest this must be an error or perhaps be interpreted as the 35th year of the kingdom of Judah. However, there really is no discrepancy at all. Whatever skirmishes happened between Judah and Israel were not all out war and did not involve foreign powers. Because the beginning of this time of peace is marked by the defeat of a foreign army (Zerah and his men), it makes sense to say that the ending of it would be with another case of foreign involvement. What we see in the next chapter is foreign involvement – Syrian mercenaries.
II Chronicles 16 Notes
In this chapter Asa wrongly uses Syrian aid to defeat Israel.
vs. 1-6 – This parallels I Kings 15:17-22. Baasha and Israel had fortified Ramah in attempt to control the area north of Jerusalem, likely in part to stop those of the Northern Kingdom from going to worship at Jerusalem. Asa has a lapse of faith and instead of relying on God he seeks foreign mercenaries from Syria. Benhadad and his forces then attack Israel on their common border north of the Sea of Galilee. Baasha has to turn north to deal with this new threat, allowing Asa to dismantle Ramah and fortify the area himself.
vs. 7-10 – The prophet Hanani (“gracious”) confronts Asa for his actions in allying with the Syrians. Asa has him thrown in prison, and evidently does the same to others who say likewise.
vs. 11-14 - This parallels I Kings 15:23-24. In Asa’s last battle – his health – he again fails to turn to God as he ought. His son Jehoshaphat succeeds him.
II Chronicles 17 Notes
In this chapter we see the good start to Jehoshaphat’s reign.
vs. 1-5 – Jehoshaphat was a good king that truly followed the Lord. He worked to restore true worship and strengthen his nation.
vs. 6-9 – One of the most interesting actions that Jehoshaphat took to promote reform and revival was to send out princes and Levites to teach the people the Law. He understood that they could not follow what they did not understand.
vs. 10-19 – We read here of the might and wealth of Jehoshaphat’s kingdom. It seems there are echoes of Solomon’s greatness in Jehoshaphat.
Closing Thoughts
I am always amazed when I am reminded that Jehoshaphat sent out teachers as part of his attempts to reform the nation. I think there is a great need for this even today. Too often we assume people know the Bible or understand Christianity. There may have been a time like that, but today is not it. When you evangelize in so-called “Christian” nations you have to assume people know as much as the most isolated tribe.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “We Rest on Thee”, written by Edith Gilling Cherry in 1895. Its theme of trusting God in conflict is appropriate for our reading today.
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Yes, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
In Thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.
We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise;
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.