Archive for December 2016

One of the most often quoted portions of scripture is found in this chapter, which we’ll see soon. As to the “why” Asa sought an alliance with Syria and Ben-Hadad isn’t made clear here. We do know that this alliance was displeasing to the Lord, as we read in verse eight. What all had been…

Jehoshaphat assumed the throne from his father Asa, working with the heart of God as did his ancestor King David. He was a monarch who “sought God,. . .walked in His commandments”. As a result of his godly walk, the “Lord established the kingdom in his hand”. When a nation’s leadership have hearts that are…

Upon Jehoshaphat’s return to Samaria, he was met by Jehu who prophesied to the king; reproving him for the unholy alliance with Israel and Ahab, while at the same time approving him for spiritually cleansing the land and having prepared his heart to “seek God.” The king’s response was to go throughout from Dan to…

Jehoshaphat was blessed with an abundance of material wealth, which led to alliances that led him to a near death experience with Ahab; the account is also given in 1 Kings 22. On a visit to Ahab, the king of Samaria, Ahab solicited his help in battle against Syria at Ramoth Gilead. Due in large…

One of the most often quoted portions of scripture is found in this chapter, which we’ll see soon. As to the “why” Asa sought an alliance with Syria and Ben-Hadad isn’t made clear here. We do know that this alliance was displeasing to the Lord, as we read in verse eight. What all had been…

The only reference we have of Azariah is found in this portion of scripture. This prophet essentially affirms Asa’s pursuit of the Lord; but with a warning that should Judah ever depart from pursuing the Lord, they would be left to their own desires. Asa “took courage” from hearing the prophetic word and made a…

The reign of Asa, Abijah’s son, had a span of ten years of peace; most likely after having defeated the Ethiopians, who were likely joined by the Libyans as well. Removing the altars of foreign gods, their high places and the destruction of wooden idols; provided an opportunity or window to worship the Lord. He…

In reading this chapter there are three lessons that can be learned, if we take to heart the record of Rehoboam after he “had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself”. After five years of reigning Judah, Shishak king of Egypt placed a siege around Jerusalem, as a direct result of having Judah “transgressed against…

This is a repetition from 1 Kings 12 with interesting insights into the divided nation’s religious bearings. Rehoboam established one hundred and eighty thousand warriors to insure that he maintained control over Benjamin, Judah and as we’ll see shortly Levi. He had set these warriors to battle against Jeroboam, but as a result of a…

As we’ve discovered, both books of Chronicles are for the most part condensed versions of 1 & 2 Kings; in this case it is 1 Kings 12, that gives record of the initial days of Rehoboam commencing his reign over all of Israel and the return of Jeroboam. Jeroboam was the spokesman for Israel, requesting…