Day 138, 2 Chronicles 19-22

Today started with Jehoshaphat’s reforms. He returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem, but a seer met him and said, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asherahs out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

Jehoshaphat went out into the country among the people, to bring them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed the judges in the land and told them they did not judge for man, but for the Lord. The Lord was with them in giving judgments. So they were to be careful with what they did, for there was no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.

Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgement for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat in Jerusalem. He gave them instructions.

After this, their enemies came against Jehoshaphat for battle. He was told a great multitude were coming for him, and he was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah, and Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord, from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court and prayed. “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you…”

Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their entire families. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, and the Lord spoke through him. He said, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them…You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.”

Then they all bowed their heads with their faces to the ground and worshiped the Lord. The next morning they rose, and Jehoshaphat said to them, “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Then they started to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army. They sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” As they sang, the Lord set an ambush against their enemies devoting them to destruction.

Then it discussed how the Lord delivered Judah, and it took them three days to take their spoils from the battle. They took goods, clothing, and precious things until they could carry no more. On the fourth day, they assembled and blessed the Lord.

They returned to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had delivered them from their enemies. They played harps, lyres, and trumpets at the house of the Lord, and the fear of God went upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave them rest all around.

Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah, and was thirty-five years old when he began to reign. He reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. He walked in the way of Asa his father and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. However, he did not take down the high places; and the people had not yet set their hearts upon the God of their fathers.

After this, Jehoshaphat joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly, and the Lord destroyed what they had made, which at this point happened to be ships.

When Jehoshaphat died he was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place. He had brothers and their father gave them all great gifts, but gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the first born.

When Jehoram ascended the throne of his father and was established, he killed all his brothers with the sword. He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done; for he had married the daughter of Ahab.

He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He struck down the Edomites so they revolted from the rule of Judah. Libnah also revolted from his rule, because he had forsaken the Lord.

Moreover, he made high places in the hill country of Judah and led the inhabitants into whoredom and made Judah go astray.

He got a letter from Elijah the prophet explaining that what he was doing by not following the Lord would result in a plague on all the people, and he would get a severe disease in his bowels.

The Lord stirred against Jerhoram the anger of the Philistines and the Arabians. They went against Judah and carried away all the possessions that belonged to the kings house, and his sons and wives except Jehoahaz, his youngest son.

After all this, the Lord struck him in his bowels with an incurable disease. At the end of two years, his bowels came out, and he died in great agony. His people made no fire for him, and he departed with no one’s regret. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

Ahaziah, Jehoram’s youngest son, became king and reigned in Judah. He was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother Athaliah counseled him and made him act wickedly, and do evil in the sight of the Lord.

When he was killed, Athaliah his mother destroyed all the royal family, except one child who was taken away and hidden for six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.

Ahaziah’s evil ways, his death, and Athaliah taking over was all previously studied and discussed on Day 118, 2 Kings 10-12.