SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 17-19
2 Chronicles 17:
Jesoshaphat became king of Israel. The Lord was with Jesoshaphat because he walked in the ways his father David had in the early years. He had great wealth and honor. He was devoted to the Lord, and he removed the high places. He sent officials to teach the people throughout Jesus about God. There was peace, and many brought Jesoshaphat gifts. He became more powerful, and he built an army.
2 Chronicles 18:
There was peace between Aram and Israel for three years until Jehoshaphat king of Judah went to see the king of Israel, Ahab. Israel and Judah looked to make an alliance to take Ramoth Gilead back, but Jesoshaphat requested to inquire of the Lord first. The only prophet left was Micaiah whom Ahab did not like because he prophesied against him. All of the other prophets said to go to war and Micaiah was urged to agree. However, Micaiah refused, saying he could only say what the Lord had told him.
When Micaiah arrived when summoned for his inquiry unto the Lord, he told them that the Lord would entice them to go to war against Ramoth Gilead, but the war will be a disaster for them and that their leader would die. Zedekiah slapped Micaiah in the face, and he was ordered back to Amon to go to prison with nothing but bread and water till Ahab returns safely.
Ahab and Jehoshaphat defied Micaiah’s prophecy and went to battle for Ramoth Gilead. Ahab went disguised, while Jehosphaphat wore royal robes. The king of Aram only wanted to fight against the king of Israel, so they left Jehoshaphat alone. The king of Israel, Ahab, was hit by a random arrow. He died that night and his blood was licked by dogs as the Lord had prophesied. His son, Ahaziah, succeeded him as king.
2 Chronicles 19:
Jehoshaphat returned safely to the palace. The seer Jehu told him that the wrath of God was upon him because he made alliances with those who hate God. However, he did rid the land of Asherah poles and he does seek God. He appointed God-fearing judges to rule over his people. He appointed priests to administer the law and to settle disputes with the fear of the Lord. Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the Lord, and Zebadiah will be over youin any matter concerning the king. The Levites will be officials.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 7, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 17-19
3a) Jehoshaphat stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim. He sought God and followed his commands. He removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah. He sent officials to teach the people throughout Jesus about God. There was peace, and many brought Jesoshaphat gifts. He became more powerful, and he built an army. He built forts in Judah and store cities. He had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem.
b) Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor. He put the fear of the Lord (Himself) on all the kingdoms surrounding Judah so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat. Some Philistines brought him gifts and silver as tribute. The Arabs brought him flocks. He prospered.
4a) He risked God’s anger towards him. He risked his own life. He risked the lives of his own people.
b) Jehoshaphat returned safely to his palace despite his anger at him allying with Ahab who hated God.
c) LOL! Yep! I’d say every day, but there may be a couple of days I haven’t made one. God has always provided a way out. Always. And He has used it for good to be with Him and near him.
5a) “Consider carefully what you do because you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
b) We must all remember that the work we do, from our every day job to raising our kids, is for God, not for anyone else. He is with us, always, watching us. Everything we do is for Him and His glory.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 7, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 17-19
I love reading the parallel accounts. It not only reinforces what is happening, but there’s always another nugget to be gleaned.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 7, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 17-19
2 Chronicles 17:
The example is those who walked NOT in the ways of Israel.
Jehoshaphat is blessed by the Lord because he walked in God’s ways. He strengthened the kingdom. He brought the word of God to the people. Jehoshaphat and his kingdom was exalted above all other nations.
2 Chronicles 18:
King Ahab asked King Jehoshapat to ally with him against Syria. Ramoth-Gilead was only 40 miles from Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.
Jehoshaphat only picked prophets that told him what he wanted to hear. Knowing this Jehoshapat wanted to hear from a prophet of the Lord.
The two rulers sat at the gate of Samaria, which was a traditional place to make decisions. The unfaithful prophets all said what the king of Israel wanted to hear.
Apparently, Micaiah was already in prison (1 Kings 22:26). The assistants to King Ahab tried to persuade Micaiah to repeat the words of the 400 other prophets, but Micaiah refused. Ahab hated anyone who opposed him. Micaiah mocks the other prophets by repeated what they had said, and then tells the truth when prompted by Ahab.
On the right side of God sits the host of heaven on the left sits fallen angels. A fallen angel would lead Ahab into battle. Ahab would pay with his life for his fallen leadership, while Israel paid for following false gods.
Micaiah was met with violence upon this news and anger. Yet, God’s plans never fail.
Many Bible scholars are unsure why Jehoshaphat agrees to go to battle against God’s word. Maybe he wanted to save grace or perhaps he wanted to die. It was not a smart decision on either’s part.
Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord, and he was saved.
The arrow that pierced King Ahab was not by chance; nothing is by chance with God. God orchastrated it.
The war ended with Ahab’s death.
Elijah prophesied about the dogs licking the blood of Ahab. 1 Kings 21:19 This just took place in a different location that prophesied.
We also see a prophecy come to fruition with 1 Kings 20:42, where Ahab spared Ben-Hadad’s life.
Despite the wealth of Israel, the people were spiritually poor.
2 Chronicles 19:
Jehoshaphat was saved by God’s mercy. Yet, he is still rebuked by God for his actions, but encouraged, too.
We see Jeru when he prophesies to Baasha the king of Israel (1 Kings 16:1, 16:7).
Jehoshaphat concentrates on bettering Jerusalem. He offers judicial reforms and improves the laws.
Remember, God’s wrath is His holy response to sin.
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