2 Chronicles

THE SLIDE clicks, and our eyes focus on the

image flashed onto the screen in the dark-

ened sanctuary. “This idol,” explains the mis-

sionary, “is made of stone and is worshiped

daily. The natives believe that this will guar-

antee good crops and healthy children.” With

condescending smiles, we wonder at their

ignorance. How could anyone worship an

object? Idols are for the naive and the super-

stitious! But after the presentation, we return home to our idols of wealth, prestige, or self-fulfillment. Whatever we put in God's place we worship, despite what we profess. Our experience parallels israel’s. They were chosen by God to represent him on earth. But too often they forgot the truth and their calling, stumbling blindly after idols as the neighboring nations did. Then prophets, priests, and judgment would push them abruptly back to the one true God. Second Chronicles relates this sordid history of Judah’s corrupt and idolatrous kings. Here and there a good king would arise in Judah, and for a time revival would follow, but the downward spiral would continue—ending in chaos, destruction, and captivity. The chronicler writes this volume to bring the people of Israel back to God by reminding them of their past. Only by following God would they prosper! As you read 2 Chronicles, you will catch a vivid glimpse of Judah’s history (the history of Israel, the northern kingdom, is virtually ignored), and you will see the tragic results of idolatry. Learn the lessons of the past: Determine to get rid of any idols in your life and to worship God alone. Second Chronicles continues the history of 1 Chronicles. David’s son Solomon was inaugurated as king. Solomon built the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, thus fulfilling his father’s wish and last request (chapters 2—5). Solomon enjoyed a peaceful and prosperous reign of 40 years that made him world famous. After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam assumed the throne, and his immaturity divided the kingdom. In Judah there were a few good kings and many evil ones. The writer of Chronicles faithfully records their achievements and failures, noting how each king measured up to God's standard for success. Clearly a good king obeyed God's laws, eliminated the places of idol worship, and made no alliances with other nations. Judah’s good kings include Asa, Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, Hezekiah, and Josiah. Of its many evil ones, Anaz and Manasseh were perhaps the worst. Eventually the nation was conquered and taken captive, and the Temple was destroyed. The writer's purpose was to reunite the nation around the true worship of God after the Captivity. In these pages, he reminds the people of their past. He clearly broadcasts his message through one of the best-known verses in Scripture, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (7:14). As you read 2 Chronicles, listen to God’s voice and obey him; and receive his redemptive, healing touch.

Solomon achieved much in business and government, but most important, he was the man God used to build the glorious Temple. This beautiful building was the religious center of the nation. It symbolized the unity of all the tribes, the presence of God among them, and the nation’s high calling. We may achieve great things in life, but we must not neglect any effort that will help nurture God’s people or bring others into God’s Kingdom. It is easy for us to get the wrong perspective on what's really important in life. Throughout the reigns of 20 kings, the nation of Judah wavered between obedience to God and apostasy. The reigning king’s response to God determined the spiritual climate of the nation and whether or not God would send judgment upon his people. Our personal history is shaped by our response to God. Just as Judah’s failure to repent brought them captivity in Babylon, so the abuse of our high calling by sinful living will ultimately bring us catastrophe and destruction.

EY PLACES IN

2 CHRONICLES

Everyone but the tribes of Judah and

Benjamin deserted Rehoboam and set

up their own kingdom to the north

called tsrael. Rehoboam returned to

Jerusalem as ruler over the southern

kingdom called Judah (10:1—12:16).

The remainder of 2 Chronicles records

. / the history of Judah.

Mediterranean =f 4 Hill Country of Ephraim —Abijah

> ‘I became the next king of Judah, and

’ soon war broke out between Israel

and Judah. When the armies of the

two nations arrived for battle in the

hill country of Ephraim, Israel had

twice as many troops as Judah. It

tooked like Judah's defeat was certain.

But they cried out to God, and God

gave them victory over Israel. In their

4 history as separate nations, Judah

* had a few godly kings, who instituted

*s«,} reforms and brought the people back

to God. Israel, however, had a succes-

oe sion of only evil kings (13:1-22).

“"") 5 Aram (Syria) Asa, a godly king,

removed every trace of pagan worship

from Judah and renewed the people’s

covenant with God in Jerusalem. But

King Baasha of Israel built a fortress

to control traffic into Judah. Instead

of looking to God for guidance, Asa

took the silver and gold from the

Temple and sent it to the king of

Aram, requesting his help against

King Baasha. As a result, God became

angry with Judah (14:1—16:14).

6 Samaria Although Jehoshaphat was

a godly king, he allied himself with

Israel’s. most evil king, Ahab. Ahab’s

capital was Samaria. Ahab wanted

heip fighting against Ramoth-gilead.

Jehoshaphat wanted advice, but rather

than listening to God's prophet who

had promised defeat, he joined Ahab

in battle (17:1—-18:27).

7 Ramoth-gilead The alliance with

ae et User ad israel against Ramoth-gilead ended Brat is SPE EOTE LR besn EES in defeat and Ahab's death. Shaken The broken lines (—-—-) indicate modern boundaries. by his defeat, Jehoshaphat returned

to Jerusalem and to Gad. But his son

Jehoram was a wicked king, as was 1Gibeon David's son Solomon became king over Israel. his son Ahaziah, and history repeated itself. Ahaziah formed He summoned the nation’s leaders to a ceremony in Gibeon. an alliance with Israel’s king Joram to do battle with the Ara- Here God told Solomon to ask for whatever he desired. means at Ramoth-gilead. This led to the death of both kings Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to rule Israel (18:28—22:9). * (1:1-12). 8 Jerusalem The rest of Judah’s history recorded in 2 Chroni- 2 Jerusalem After the ceremony in Gibeon, Solomon returned cles centers on Jerusalem. Some kings caused Judah to sin to the capital city, Jerusalem. His reign began a golden age for by bringing idol worship into their midst. Others cleaned up Israel. Solomon implemented the plans for the Temple, which the idol worship, reopened and restored the Temple, and in the had been drawn up by his father, David. It was a magnificent case of Josiah, tried to follow God’s laws as they were written construction. {t symbolized Solomon’s wealth and wisdom, by Moses. In spite of the few good influences, a series of evil which became known worldwide (1:13—9:31). kings sent Judah into a downward spiral that ended with the 3 Shechem After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam was Babylonian Empire overrunning the country. The Temple was ready to be crowned in Shechem. However, his promise of burned, the walls of the city were broken down, and the people higher taxes and harder work for the people led to rebellion. were deported to Babylon.