DBG - May 22 - II Chronicles 24-28

In this chapter is about the fall of Joash after Jehoiada passed.

vs. 1-3 – This parallels II Kings 12:1-3.  Note vs. 3. Jehoiada acting as regent arranges two marriages for Joash. No doubt the fruits of the unholy union between the houses of David and Omri/Ahab caused extra care here.

vs. 4-14 – This parallels II Kings 12:4-16. We read in vs. 7 of the mischief caused by the “sons of Athaliah”. Since she killed all the royal seed, if these are true offspring then this either took place before those murders or are non-royal sons by a different marriage. I propose a third option that is much simpler: these are not blood relations, but rather followers of Athaliah’s wickedness.

vs. 15-16 – The faithful priest Jehoiada passes at 130 years of age and is buried with honor among the kings. This is a turning point for Joash (see vs. 2).

vs. 17-19 – The wicked leaders persuade Joash to turn to idolatry. God sent prophets to correct the wayward king, but he refused to listen.

vs. 20-22 – The prophet-priest Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, was martyred for his denunciation of the people’s sins. This likely occurred shortly before Jehoiada’s death.  “The LORD look upon it, and require it” is spoken as a prayer for justice by Zechariah. God hears and will answer this prayer.

vs. 23-24 – This parallels II Kings 12:17-18.  Hazael and the Syrians made a major campaign into the Promised Land during this time. See also II Kings 13:3-7,22-23 for their battles with Israel. Not only was Judah defeated militarily, but they were also forced to give tribute and according to II Kings the Temple was spoiled of its treasures.

vs. 23-27 - This parallels II Kings 12:19-21. II Chronicles tells us of diseases that had befallen the king, reminiscent of those of Jehoram. These appear to have left him bedridden, for there he was slain.

In this chapter we find see the good start but evil finish of Amaziah.

vs. 1-4 – This parallels II Kings 14:1-7. II Chronicles does not mention anything about him not destroying the high places (II Kings 14:4).

vs. 5-13 – This parallels II Kings 14:7.  Much more information about the campaign against Edom is found here. He numbers his troops and has 300,000, but he despairs for more. He hires 100,000 soldiers from the Northern Kingdom for 100 talents of silver ($2,591,282).5 This works out to be 3 shekels ($26) per man, so it is certain there was a promise of spoils to be added to that pay. A nameless prophet tells Amaziah to send the Northern mercenaries back home and that God will give him the victory. Amaziah promised that he will make up for the lost 100 talents paid to the mercenaries. Amaziah’s campaign was a success with a decisive victory in the Valley of Salt. However, the Northern mercenaries take the occasion to harass Judah and pillage unchecked.  The 3,000 that were slain were likely the small militia force left to defend the area.

vs. 14-16 – Amaziah brings some of the Edomite idols back with him and begins to worship them. A nameless prophet confronts him. The king tries to silence him, and God’s judgment was pronounced on the king.

vs. 17-24 – This parallels II Kings 14:8-14. Amaziah attempts a campaign against Israel but is defeated at Bethshemesh.

vs. 25-28 - This parallels Note the acts of Amaziah are divided into “first and last” in vs. 26.  He started well but did not finish well.

In this chapter we read of Uzziah’s reign.

vs. 1-5 – This parallels II Kings 14:22. Uzziah (called Azariah in II Kings) was greatly influence for good by a man named Zechariah.

vs. 6-15 – Uzziah’s army consisted of 307,500 soldiers and 2,600 mighty men. He also developed artillery and siege craft. He had great success against the Philistines, Arabians, Mehumins (descendants of Maon), and Ammonites. He greatly strengthened and fortified the land.

vs. 16-20 – Like so many other leaders, Uzziah fell through pride.  He attempted to usurp the role and leadership of the High Priest in offering incense in the Temple.  He was struck with leprosy for his sin.

vs. 21-23 - This parallels II Kings 15:5-7. Jotham reigned as a co-ruler or regent during the final days of Uzziah because of his leprosy.

In this chapter we see the short reign of Jotham.

vs. 1-9 – This parallels  II Kings 15:32-38. Jotham was a good king. He followed the better paths that Uzziah walked. The phrase “howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD” means that he did not attempt to act like Uzziah and encroach upon the priestly office. Note the end of vs. 2 – “And the people did yet corruptly”. Despite good leadership, the nation was still in bad shape.  He defeated the Ammonites and laid a tribute on them. For three years they sent 100 talents of silver ($2,591,282) and 10,000 measures (kor) each of wheat and barley (62,000 bushels each).

In this chapter we see the evil and eventful reign of Ahaz.

vs. 1-5 – This parallels II Kings 16:1-4. Ahaz is a wicked king that promotes and practices idolatry in its vilest forms.

vs. 6-8 – This parallels II Kings 16:5-6. Pekah, king of Israel, and Rezin, king of Syria, led a combined attack against Judah with terrible consequences. 120,000 men fall in a single battle. A warrior named Zichri (“memorable”) killed the king’s son Maaseiah (“the work of Jehovah”), Azrikam (“help against the enemy”) the steward of the king’s house, and Elkanah (“God-provided”) the prime minister of the kingdom. 200,000 people are taken captive and the land spoiled of its riches.

vs. 9-15 – The prophet Obed (“restoring”) rebukes the victorious army of Israel for taking their brethren captive. He demands in the name of the Lord that the captives be returned to Judah. Some of the leaders are moved to agree with Obed. The army is forced to surrender the captives and spoils back to them. The captives are graciously cared for and taken to Jericho to send them back home.

vs. 16 – This parallels II Kings 16:7-9.  During this chaotic time Ahaz allies with Assyria, which leads to the downfall of Syria.

vs. 17-21 - The Edomites and Philistines take the opportunity to attack Judah, capturing territory, prisoners, and spoils. The Assyrians did not aid Judah against these enemies and instead laid tribute upon Judah.

vs. 22-25  - This parallels II Kings 16:10-18.  Ahaz forsakes any vestige of serving God after his defeats and turns to the pagan gods of Syria.

vs. 26-28 - This parallels II Kings 16:26-27.  You can tell a lot about a person by how they are mourned.  Ahaz was not honored in his death by being buried with the previous kings.

Three straight kings (Joash, Amaziah, and Uzziah) all began their reigns well but stumbled in the end.  It is a reminder to us that faithfulness is not measured in days, weeks, months, or even years.  Faithfulness should be life-long. 

Our hymn today is “Jesus I My Cross Have Taken”, written by Henry Fracnis Lyte in 1825.  It reflects the determination necessary to stay faithful to God throughout one’s life. 

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
all to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition,
all I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and Heaven are still mine own.

Let the world despise and leave me,
they have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me,
show Thy face and all is bright.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come, disaster, scorn and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
with Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, Abba, Father;
I have set my heart on Thee:
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,
all must work for good to me.

Man may trouble and distress me,
’twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me;
heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me
while Thy love is left to me;
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me,
were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Take, my soul, thy full salvation;
rise o’er sin, and fear, and care;
Joy to find in every station
something still to do or bear:
Think what Spirit dwells within thee;
what a Father’s smile is thine;
What a Savior died to win thee,
child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?

Haste then on from grace to glory,
armed by faith, and winged by prayer,
Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
swift shall pass thy pilgrim days;
Hope soon change to glad fruition,
faith to sight, and prayer to praise.