II CHRON 16-20 OBSERVATIONS

CHAPTER 16

Asa Wars Against Baasha

· 36^th year of Asa’s reign

· Baasha (king of Israel) came against Judah

· Asa takes treasure from temple and gives to Ben-Hadad, king of Damascus requesting him to help him fight against Baasha.

· Beh-hadad did

· When Baasha heard this he abandoned his fight with Judah.

Asa Imprisons the Prophet

· The prophet Hanani tells Asa he did wrong depending on Ben Hadad instead of the Lord.

· God says Asa did foolishly depending on something other than God:
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB) ⁹“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”

CHAPTER 17

Jehoshaphat Succeeds Asa

· Jehoshaphat was Asa’s son

Jehoshaphat is a Good King

· Good reign because he followed David’s example and did not seek foreign gods:
2 Chronicles 17:3 - 6 (NASB) ³The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek the Baals, ⁴but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. ⁵So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. ⁶He took great pride in the ways of the LORD and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.

CHAPTER 18

Jehoshaphat Becomes and Ally with Ahab

· Jehoshaphat marries Ahab’s (daughter/sister?)
2 Chronicles 18:1 (NASB) ¹Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab.

· Ahab then asks him to go to war with him against Ramoth-gilead.

· Jehoshaphat wants to get God’s perspective

· He assembles 400 prophets to ask counsel of the Lord

· They all say he’ll win.

· But Jehoshaphat asks if there is not a prophet of God that we may inquire of Him?

· They bring Micaiah

· He first prophecies sarcastically that he will succeed.

· The king calls him on this and says to tell him God’s message STRAIGHT.

· Micaiah does and says he saw all Israel scattered on the mountains.
2 Chronicles 18:15 - 16 (NASB) ¹⁵Then the king said to him, “How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” ¹⁶So he said, “I saw all Israel Scattered on the mountains, Like sheep which have no shepherd; And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”

· King responds by saying, see I told you so…he never prophecies good for me.

· He puts Micaiah in prison.

Ahab is Defeated and Dies

· Ahab decides to go to war anyway…and disguises himself.

· But a stray arrow finds him and he dies.

CHAPTER 19

Jehu Rebukes Jehoshaphat

· Jehu the son of Hanani

· Says to Jehoshaphat

· Why do you help the wicked?

· Why do you love those who hate the Lord?

· These are BAD

· BUT there is SOME GOOD in you

· You removed Asheroth

· You set your heart to seek God

Reforms Instituted

· What Jehoshaphat did:

o 2 Chronicles 19:5 - 11 (NASB) ⁵He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.

o ⁶He said to the judges,

§ “Consider what you are doing, for

§ you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment.

§ ⁷“Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you;

§ be very careful what you do,

§ for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”

o ⁸In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel,

§ for the judgment of the LORD and

§ to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

o ⁹Then he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

o ¹⁰“Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities,

§ between blood and blood,

§ between law and commandment,

§ statutes and ordinances,

§ you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the LORD, and wrath may not come on you and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty.

o ¹¹“Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and

o Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king.

o Also the Levites shall be officers before you.

o Act resolutely, and the LORD be with the upright.”

CHAPTER 20

Judah Invaded

· Moab wars against Jehoshaphat

· Jehoshaphat was afraid

· Seeks the Lord

· Proclaims a fast

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

· GOD ITS ALL ABOUT YOU FIRST OF ALL
2 Chronicles 20:6 - 8 (NASB) ⁶and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. ⁷“Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? ⁸“They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying,

· SHOULD EVIL COME ON US…YOUR NAME IS AT STAKE
2 Chronicles 20:9 (NASB)

o ⁹‘Should evil come upon us,

o the sword, or

o judgment, or

o pestilence, or

o famine,

o we will stand before this house and before You

o (for Your name is in this house) and

o cry to You in our distress, and

o You will hear and deliver us.’

Jahaziel Answers the Prayer

· Spirit of the Lord comes on Jahaziel to Judah:

o 2 Chronicles 20:15 - 17 (NASB) ¹⁵and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you,

o ‘Do not fear or

o be dismayed

o because of this great multitude, for

o the battle is not yours but God’s.

o ¹⁶‘Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.

o ¹⁷‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.

o ’ Do not fear or be dismayed;

o tomorrow go out to face them, for

o the LORD is with you.”