Spring/Summer 2024             2 Chronicles 10 – 23

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Introduction

In the preceding section of Chronicles we watched as all Israel gathered around the Jerusalem temple. After the death of Solomon, however, everything changes. The once-united nation now divides into two separate kingdoms. The northern kingdom is called Israel, and the southern kingdom, Judah. Our texts follow the line of the southern kings, the dynasty stemming from David. Although we will read about seven kings of Judah, the largest amount of textual space is devoted to Rehoboam, Asa, and Jehoshaphat.

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The first of two themes that dominate this section is the justice of God. Second Chronicles 19:7 summarizes: “There is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality, or taking bribes.” In these chapters, kings who are faithful to the Lord receive tangible blessings from his hand. Judgment, however, falls immediately upon those who abandon him. Kings who pray and seek the Lord are able to fortify the nation and experience military success. Kings who turn away from the Lord are defeated in battle or have their lives cut short. Especially injurious to oneself is the making of alliances with Gentile nations or with the rebellious northern kingdom. This is because such alliances represent a king’s failure to trust in the Lord.

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The first theme emphasizes human responsibility. Meanwhile, the second theme highlights God’s redemptive purposes. These come to pass no matter what humans do. In Chronicles, the sins of the kings of Judah multiply to such a degree that the ongoing existence of the line of David is threatened. Nonetheless, “the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever” (2 Chronicles 21:7). In fact, God’s covenant faithfulness preserved the line of David until it reached its fulfilment in David’s descendant, our Lord Jesus Christ. For this, let us rejoice and give thanks!

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Schedule

Apr 14:    2 Chron 10                  "That the LORD might fulfill his word."                     (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Apr 21:    2 Chron 11                   "They walked in the way of David and Solomon."   (Stefan Matzal)

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Apr 28:   2 Chron 12                  "He abandoned the law of the LORD."                     (Nathaniel Jackson)

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May 5:    2 Chron 13                  “The LORD gave the kingship to David.”                 (Nathaniel Jackson)

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May 12:   2 Chron 14:1 – 15:15   “We have sought the LORD our God.”                     (Stefan Matzal)

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May 19:   2 Chron 15:16—16:14  “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro….”                   (Nathaniel Jackson)

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May 26:  2 Chron 17                  “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat.”                           (Stefan Matzal)

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Jun 2:     2 Chron 18:1—19:3      “He made a marriage alliance with Ahab.”              (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Jun 9:     2 Chron 19:4—20:37  “Believe in the Lord your God.”                                (Stefan Matzal)

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Jun 16:    2 Chron 21                  “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.”      (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Jun 23:   2 Chron 22—23         “The house of Ahaziah had no one able to rule.”   (Stefan Matzal)

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Jun 30:                                       TOPICAL                                                                     (Stefan Matzal)

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--The Eldership: April 2024