Kingdom Divided Lesson 7 – 2 Chronicles 17:1 – 21:3

 

Note:  For clarity the Kings of Israel are coded in Orange and Kings of Judah are coded in Blue.  Also, last week and this week’s lessons can be confusing, but they are parallel stories.  Last week was focused on the northern kingdom of Israel.  This week is focused on the reign of Jehoshaphat of the southern kingdom of Judah.

2 Chronicles 17 – Jehoshaphat’s Reign

King Asa of Juda was generally a good king.  His son Jehoshaphat became king and followed in his footsteps.  The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of king David before David fell into murder and adultery.  He brought military and spiritual reforms.  He was loyal to the Lord and removed the high places for idol worship and cut down the images of the false gods.  He sent teachers throughout the land to teach the Book of the Law of the Lord.  He realized that this was important and the people should know how God wanted them to live.

Jehoshaphat recognized his kingdom was in danger from the northern kingdom of Israel so he strengthened his defenses.  He became very powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah and had large supplies in the  towns.  He kept experienced fighting men stationing them in the fortified cities.

2 Chronicles 18 – Death of Ahab

Jehoshaphat allied with King Ahab of Israel during a time of peace.  He married Ahab’s daughter which brought comprise and trouble.  We read last time about how the prophet Micaiah warned against going to war with Ramoth Gilead, but Jehoshaphat compromised with Ahab and they went to war.  Ahab was killed, but Jehoshaphat returned safely. 

Jehoshaphat took many risks by allying with Ahab.  He risked his life and the lives of his army and his people.  He risked God’s anger toward him. 

2 Chronicles 19 – Jehu’s Prophecy

God showed mercy to him by allowing him to return from war safely.  When the war was over and Jehoshaphat returned to his palace, the Lord sent the prophet Jehu to meet him (This is not to be confused with King Jehu who we will learn of in lesson 9).  The Lord was angry with him because he had gone to help Ahab.  Jehu told him he should not help the wicked or love those who hate the Lord.  The Lord didn’t want Jehoshaphat to be crushed by the disapproval so He included a word of encouragement by saying there was some good in Jehoshaphat.

The king went personally to every part of his kingdom to persuade the people to turn back again to the Lord.  He appointed judges in each city, gave them serious and necessary advice, and told them they were not responsible to anyone.  They were responsible to the Lord alone.  They had to know and how to apply the law.  The judges he appointed were Levites, priests and heads of families to administer the law and to settle disputes.    

2 Chronicles 20:1-37 – 21:3 – Jehoshaphat’s Victory

Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah faced an attack by an army from Moab, Ammon, and some Meunites.  The news of this large army spread which made Jehoshaphat afraid, but he responded to the crisis by trusting God rather than his own army.  He told the people to fast and to pray to the Lord.  They all came to the temple and he led them in prayer.

In his prayer he proclaimed God’s might, recalled God’s past faithfulness, claimed God’s promise, acknowledged their helplessness, and asked God for help.  “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” –  2 Chronicles 20:12b.  Then God sent encouragement through the prophet Jahaziel who spoke to the people, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” – 2 Chronicles 20:15b.  The people were humbled and bowed down in worship.

The next morning Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise Him as they went out to meet the enemy.  “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” – 2 Chronicles 20:21b. They were saying that they trusted and rested on the enduring mercy of God.

As they sang and praised, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy armies and they were defeated.  Fear came upon all the kingdoms of other countries when they heard of the victory and how the Lord fought the enemy.  Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace.

God fights on behalf of His people.  He still saves people today from the enemies of sin and death.  We can praise God that Jesus has fought the battle for our salvation and has rescued us from the judgment of God that we so rightly deserve.  This makes us more than conquerors in Jesus.  “… we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37b.  On the cross, Jesus paid the debt we owe for our sin.  He overcame death when He rose from the dead.  When we trust in Jesus, we become safe forever in Him.  He is our Savior.

Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king of Judah and he reigned for 25 years.  “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” -  2 Chronicles 20:32b.  2 chronicles 20:33 tells us he did not remove the high places, while we read previously that he did remove the high places.  Which is it?   I think he removed them, but the people put up new one because they were not fully reformed.  Jehoshaphat was a reformer, but the people would not be thoroughly reformed. 

Jehoshaphat went into business with the wicked king Ahaziah to construct a fleet of trading ships.  Because he had done this, God destroyed all the ships.  God did this because he had been warned in 2 Chronicles 19:2 not to help the wicked.  God did this to protective Jehoshaphat and also to punish him for disobeying.

Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the City of David.   Jehoram his son succeeded him as king.       

Principles: 

Unwise compromise is costly.

God fights on behalf of His people.

God is greater than any enemy we face.

A true leader is characterized by seeking God in prayer.

This week’s attribute of God is He is Savior.  He saved Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and He still saves people today from the enemies of sin and death.  He sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross and save us completely from the penalty of sin.

Key verses:

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” –  2 Chronicles 20:12b.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged… For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” – 2 Chronicles 20:15b. 

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – 2 Chronicles 20:17b.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” – 2 Chronicles 20:21b. 

Next week we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided with 2 Kings 2-3.  Hope to see you here. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

 

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

Kingdom Divided Lesson 6 – 1 Kings 22 - 2 Kings 1

 

Note:  For clarity the Kings of Israel are coded in Orange and Kings of Judah are coded in Blue.

1 Kings 22 – Prophesies Against Ahab

King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah to help him in a dispute against Syria.  Ahab asked his 400 prophets if he should go to war.  Keep in mind these prophets were called by Ahab not by God.  They agreed with Ahab to go to war, but Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from the true prophet of the God, Micaiah. 

Ahab hated Micaiah because of his prophesies even though Ahab’s real conflict was with God.  It’s natural to respond negatively to truth, especially when it’s something you don’t want to hear.  You should take time to reflect on your plans, seek God and make sure you are going in the right direction.

The unfaithful 400 prophets tried to get Micaiah to agree with them, but he would only speak what God said to him.  At first Micaiah agreed with the unfaithful prophets to go to war.  Maybe he spoke in sarcasm or maybe he was mocking them.  Scripture doesn’t say.  Then he spoke the truth and predicted there would be failure in battle.  He described there would be confusion and disunity because of their ungodly leader, Ahab.  The king didn’t like Micaiah’s honesty and it landed him in prison.

Did you notice 1 Kings 22:23?  “So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours.  The Lord has decreed disaster on you.”  Scripture teaches that God is truth and impossible for Him to lie.  He commands us not to lie.  Ahab was very wicked and had hardened his heart.  He had already made up his mind and just needed his false prophets to tell him what he wanted to hear.  God used an evil spirit to put lies in the prophets’ mouths.  The spirit couldn’t do this on his own.  He had to get permission from God (see 1 Kings 22:21-22).  God has authority over all even the forces of evil which He used to accomplish His good purposes.  God is not promoting lying, but permitting it to bring judgment on evil.

Principle:  Before making a decision, seek Godly counsel.

What is a prophet?  A true prophet speaks for God.  He interprets what God reveals to him.  He always speaks the truth.  Prophets are sometimes persecuted for their messages.  Micaiah was a true prophet.  This is the only place we read of this Micaiah, but his courage in the face of intense political pressure stands as a model for us.  His truth-telling led to persecution, but his words came true since they were from God.

Ahab didn’t listen to Micaiah and led the armies into battle.  Ahab and Israel were defeated just a Micaiah predicted.  Ahab died and was brought back to Samaria and buried.  2 Chronicles 18:31 we’re told that during battle Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord and the Lord rescued him.  He rededicated himself to the spiritual reform of Judah (2 Chronicles 19:4).  The words of the prophet Micaiah were true and the fulfillment of God’s word came through Elijah in 1 Kings 21:19.

We don’t know exactly why Jehoshaphat agreed to have a temporary unity with Ahab.  Maybe he understood that their kingdoms were related and he sought to strengthen Judah by strengthening ties with their brothers in the north.  The kings wanted two different things.  Ahab wanted land and Jehoshaphat wanted unity.

Principle:  Cry out to God in the midst of trouble, He can still redeem and protect.

Jehoshaphat was a good king and followed in the footsteps of his father Asa.  “… he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” – 1 Kings 22:43b.  1 Kings 22:41-50 gives us a summary some of the accomplishments of Jehoshaphat.  2 Chronicles 17-20 tell us his other accomplishments.  He sent teachers of God’s word to the entire kingdom, stablished a permanent military along the northern border, trained and equipped his army, implemented judicial reforms, and controlled the caravan route to the south.  God blessed his reign so that neighboring nation were afraid to make war with him. 

Jehoshaphat died and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father.  Jehoram his son succeeded him.  He gave his son Jehoram to Athaliah in marriage.  She was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 18:1).  This was a serious error.

Ahab reigned 22 years then his son Ahaziah became king and reigned only two years.  “He did evil in the sight of the Lord, because he walked in the ways of his father and mother and in the ways of Jeroboam …” – 1 Kings 22:52.  He served and worshiped Baal and provoked the Lord to anger.

2 Kings 1 – Judgment on Ahaziah

After King Ahab died and his son Ahaziah became king, the people in Moab rebelled against Israel.  Ahaziah had a serious accident by falling through a window in his palace.  He sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron to see if he would recover.  God told Elijah what was happening and sent word to the messengers that the king would not recover and because of his sin he would die in his bed.  His sin was he worshiped and sought Baal-Zebub instead of God. 

King Ahaziah knew who Elijah was and sent soldiers to capture him.  Two times he sent a captain and fifty men.  The proud officers opposed God and tried to arrest him.  Each time God send fire from the sky and killed the captains and their men.  He sent a captain and fifty men a third time, but this time the captain was humble and recognized Elijah was a man of God.  He asked him to be merciful to them.  God told Elijah to not be afraid so he went with them.  Elijah delivered the message to the king that he would die because of his sin. 

God hates when you turn somewhere else before you turn to Him.  Three times the message was declared, ”Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?  Therefore you will not leave the bed you are lying on.  You will certainly die!” – 2 Kings 1:3, 6, 16. 

God wants you to come to Him first when there is something you want or need.  Where you turn first is your idol.  In your difficulty and desperation, did you think to pray first?  He is waiting for you and He is hurt when you don’t turn to Him.  He hates it when you don’t turn to Him.  He wants you to give your concerns to Him.

God showed mercy to Ahaziah.  He told him something that few people know.  His death was imminent but he had time to repent and prepare to meet God.  Elijah’s prophecy was fulfilled and the king died.  He had no son so his brother, Joram succeeded him as king.

We can learn from the behavior of the third officer  He was humble and had the right attitude to have in front of a man of  God.  He respected God’s servant and he respected God.  We must always respect God.  He deserves the greatest honor.  He is not a cruel God.  John 12:47 – “For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.”

Principles: 

In difficulties and troubles, go to God first.

Refusing to seek God leads to destruction.

This week’s attribute of God:  He is Just.  He has perfect justice.  He doesn’t show favoritism.  All His judgments are fair and right, because He is righteous.  If you continue to refuse to follow God, it is only fair that you face God’s judgment.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23.

Next week we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided with 2 Chronicles.  Hope to see you here. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

 

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

Kingdom Divided Lesson 5 – 1 Kings 19-21

 

1 Kings 19 – Elijah’s Depression and Call

Elijah showed great courage before Ahab at Mt. Carmel.  He witnessed God’s provision by the brook, in the widow’s home, in the years of famine, in the fire from heaven that consumed the sacrifice, the rain, and he even outran Ahab.  But when he was faced with death from the queen Jezebel, he became discouraged, afraid, and ran into the desert.  He was mentally, physically and spiritually exhausted.  He was depressed.  He sat down under a broom tree and prayed for his life to end.

God restored the prophet back to his ministry.  He provided for him by giving him much needed rest and sleep under the juniper tree.  God knew Elijah’s physical needs should be cared for before his spiritual needs.

The angel of the Lord came to Elijah.  This angel was probably the Savior Himself who came to personally minister to the prophet.   The angel spoke to him telling him to get up and eat.  After the angel spoke to him a second time, he ate and drank and became strengthened.  Still running, he traveled for 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.  There he went into a cave for the night.

The Lord came to Elijah and ask him where he was going.  Elijah was still focused on himself and his failures.  The Lord ignored him and told him to come out of the cave and to stand before the Him.  Elijah experienced the presence of the Lord when rocks shattered and a dreadful earthquake occurred followed by fire.  All this then a gentle whisper followed.  Elijah then knew it was the God. 

God is all-powerful and can do what He wants and speak to us the way He wants.  He could have appeared to in the wind or the fire or the earthquake, but it’s His kindness, mercy, compassion, love that draws us in.  Here the tender nature of God is revealed.  God still speaks to us in that still small voice.  He speaks to us through our conscience, which is the Holy Spirit convicting us.  He speaks to us through His inspired Word.  Scripture is alive and powerful and is God breathed.  His voice is not audible, but in the words of Scripture.  It’s sharper than a two-edged sword.  It’s also in the sermons preached and taught.  Listen to His voice and be restored like Elijah.

Principle:  It’s God’s tenderness, kindness, mercy, compassion, and love that draws us in.

The Lord asked him what he was doing there.  God knew he needed something to do to focus on something other than himself.  He needed to get on with what God wanted him to do.  Elijah was told to go back the way he came and anoint Hazael king over Aram, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed him as prophet.  Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazel and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.  God encouraged Elijah telling him He had reserved 7,000 in Israel who did not bow to Baal.  Elijah did as God commanded.

God provided Elijah with a friend and assistant, Elisha.  Elijah found Elisha plowing in the field and commissioned him to ministry.  Elisha followed with no questions asked.

Depression is very common today.  There were many great men in OT times who knew this awful feeling.  We all struggle with external and internal pressures because we live in a broken world.  Elijah was more like us than you could imagine – fear, discouragement.  Like Elijah we get depressed and feel like we cannot go on.  James 5:17 says, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours”.  These are times when Satan attacks us, because he knows we are vulnerable.  The devil knows the right time to attack us with depression.  He attacks us when our bodies feel tired and have no energy, when are spirits are low, and when we least expect it.  When we are depressed, we are unable to see the facts of our situation. 

At times like these we know we can turn to God for help.  Go to a quiet place and prepare to meet with Him.  He comes to us when all is quiet.  He can help us see our life as it really is.  He provides help and friendship of other Christians.  Sometimes He knows all we need is a good sleep and good food.  God always gives us what we need just as he did Elijah.

When have you been discouraged or depressed?

How did you experience God’s provision?

What is keeping you from trusting God with your pain?

Principle:  God always works to restore and renew our lives.

1 Kings 20-21 – Grace to a Rebellious King

God sent armies against Ahab’s kingdom to draw His people back to Himself.  God also sent him an unnamed prophet with a message declaring God would give victory over Ahab’s enemies so the people would know that He is God.  Ahab followed God’s direction and he won victory over his enemies twice.  These victories were completely underserved.  Still Ahab had no gratitude.  He doesn’t praise God for the Lord’s victories. He continued rejecting God and became angry and resentful.  He chose to not repent even though God continued to reach out to him through prophets.

Naboth was a land owner near the palace of Ahab and Ahab desired to have his vineyard.  Ahab offered to trade it for another piece of land or pay Naboth for the vineyard.  Naboth declined because this land was his ancestral inheritance.  Acting out of selfishness Ahab continued to serve himself, not God.  He pouted because he didn’t get his way and refused to eat.  Jezebel took control.  She plotted against Naboth and ordered that he be murdered.  Jezebel and Ahab abused their power and caused Naboth’s death and stole his vineyard.  Ahab and Jezebel were self-centered and evil.  They would face serious consequences and disgrace for their hardened hearts.

Elijah heard from the Lord what they had done.  He confronted this wicked king and queen and charged them with crimes of murder and theft.  The Lord would punish them for what they had done.  Ahab would pay by bringing disaster on him and consume his descendants and take away all his support.  As for Jezebel, her end would be horrible and disgraceful - wild dogs would eat her.  When Ahab heard these words, he humbled himself before God.  Then God decided He would not bring these judgements in his lifetime, but on his house in the days of his son.  This shows the power of prayer and humble repentance.  God was giving Ahab mercy.

“There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.” – 1 Kings 21:25.  Ahab’s sin was not only because of the sin itself, but because by his permission his wife stirred him up to do it.   This reminds me of what God said to Adam in the Garden of Eden: “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it’”. – Genesis 3:17.  Sounds to me like God hold husbands who follow their wives into sin to a special accountability. 

Is God calling you to repent?

What is keeping you from recognizing the conviction and guidance of the Holy Spirit?

How quickly do you repent when God reveals your sin?

Principle:  God is perfectly loving and perfectly just.

This week’s attribute of God is He is Provider.  He provides for everyone and every creature He has made.  God provides for the weak and faithful people like Elijah.  He also continues to reach out to the obstinate and the underserving like Ahab.  He offers hope and calls us to trust Him.

Another attribute of God is He is Just.  He is also loving and fair.  A judge must punish sin because it wouldn’t be fair to allow someone to break the law and not be punished.  In the same way, God must punish sin.

Note:  Kings of Israel are coded in Orange and Kings of Judah are coded in Blue for the purpose of clarity.

Next time we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided with 1 Kings 22.  Hope to see you here. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

 

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

 

My research and my insights are from:

Bsfinternational.org studies (BSF - Bible Study Fellowship)

Enduringword.com

The Holy Bible NIV