2 Chronicles 27 - Jotham - all good

27:1-4

Jotham became king at the age of twenty five, and he reigned for sixteen years. He “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”, taking after his father Uzziah, without entering the temple of the Lord. But the people continued “their corrupt practices”. Jotham also rebuilt the Upper Gate, along with other work.

27:5-9

He waged war against the Ammonites and conquered them. He took riches from them. Jotham grew powerful because he followed the Lord. There is no record of him failing in this. He died nd was succeeded by his son Ahaz.

2 Chronicles 26 - Uzziah, pride was his downfall

26:1-8

Uzziah was now made king, he was only sixteen years old. He rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. It seems that Zechariah was an important prophet in his life. He instructed Uzziah in the fear of God. “As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success”. This sentence sums up the history of Israel in Kings and Chronicles. He went to war against the Philistines, and rebuilt various towns God gave him aid and he became very powerful.

26:9-21

He also fortified Jerusalem, and built cisterns in the wilderness because he had much livestock there. So Uzziah was a competent leader, but he became proud, and this led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord and burned incense, only the priests should have done this. We need to be on our guard when we are successful, for pride can easily take hold. God gave Paul his thorn in the flesh to stop him becoming proud.Azariah the priest and eighty other “courageous priests” confronted him, and warned him that what he was doing was wrong. However, pride had truly taken hold of Uzziah and he became angry, he was afflicted with leprosy. He had leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house.

26:22,23

Uzziah is mentioned by the prophet Isaiah, after he dies he was succeeded by his son Jotham

2 Chronicles 24:17-28 - Joash fails

24:17-22

Things deteriorated after the death of Jehoiada, the temple was abandoned, and worshipped Asherah poles and idols instead. The Lord sent prophets to warn them, but the prophets were not listened to. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, spoke clearly to the people, but instead of listening they stoned him to death, even on the orders of the king.Zechariah issued a rebuke to the king before breathing his last. This is a sad demise of Joash.

24:23-28

The army of Aram marched against Joash  and killed all the leaders. Israel lost because they had abandoned the Lord. Joash was severely wounded and died. His son Amaziah succeeded him as king.

2 Chronicles 24:1-16 - Joash

24:1-5

Joash reigned for forty years. Most importantly, “he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” Jehoiada chose two wives for him. That is one too many but moderate compared to Solomon! He then decided to restore the temple. He told the Levites to collect money for the repair of the temple, but they were rather tawdry in acting.

24:6-10

Joash summoned Jehoiada in order to get things sorted out. The sons of the wicked Athaliah had broken into the temple and taken the sacred objects for idol worship. Judah was in a terrible state. So a chest was made and placed outside the gate of the temple, the people were to place their “temple tax” into the chest. The people gladly brought their offerings. When leaders lead, people often follow.

24:11-16

The money was used to help restore the temple. The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the work progressed. During Jehoiada’s time the proper offerings were made. Jehoiada died at the age of a hundred and thirty, he was buried with the kings in the city of David.

2 Chronicles 23 - Jehoiada installs Joash

23:1-13

Jehoiada was a priest and married the  sister of king Azaliah. In fact it was Jehosheba whom he married, she who his Joash, Jehoiada made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred. Jehoiada believed God’s promise concerning the house of David.. Jehoiada was carefully planning a coup. All this was geared towards making Joash king. The measures were largely aimed at protecting Joash from the murderous Athaliah. Joash was crowned king. Athaliah was distraught at what was happening, crying out “treason, treason”, though she was the really treacherous one.

23:14

Jehoiada had Athaliah put to death, along with anyone who followed her. He then made a covenant with the Lord, smashed altars and idols, and the priest of Baal was killed. The Levitical priests were then put in charge of the temple. The king was then seated on the royal throne, the people of the land rejoiced. It is good for the people when there is godly rule.

" Chronicles 22 - Jehoram

22:1-9

Jehoram’s youngest son, Ahaziah, became king because raiders had killed all his older sons. He became king at age twenty two, but only reigned for one year. Sadly he followed the ways of Ahab, encouraged by his mother, he allied himself with Joram, son of Ahab. Ahaziah went to see Joram, son of Ahab, who was wounded, but the Lord brought about his downfall. The message of Chronicles is that the determining factor is whether or not we follow the Lord.

22:10-12

His evil mother, Athaliah, saw that her son was dead, so she proceeded to destroy the  whole royal family. However, Jehosheba rescued Joash and kept him safe, he would become a good king. He remained hidden for six years while Athaliah ruled.

2 Chronicles 20:1-37 - Jehoshaphat - success and failure

20:1-14

We now see the good side of Jehoshaphat. A vast army from Moab and Ammon attacked Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was alarmed, but reacted in the right way by enquiring of the Lord. He also proclaimed a fast for the nation and all Judah sought the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord came upon  Jahaziel, who then spoke to the assembly.

20:15-30

The word encouraged Jehoshaphat not to be afraid. God told him to attack, and made him aware of the enemy's tactics. The Lord would win the victory. The Korahites stood up and praised the Lord. Jehoshaphat organised the army  and plundered the enemy. They returned to Jerusalem full of joy because of the victory the Lord had given them, The fear of the Lord came upon the surrounding kingdom.

20:31-37

Jehoshaphat’s reign ended sadly. Having failed once by helping Ahab, and having been rebuked for it, he made an alliance with the wicked king Ahaziah of Israel. God sent a prophet to rebuke him, and his reign came to an end.