Year 1, Week 49, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 49, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 2 Chronicles 10-12.

Today’s reading parallels the same historical details as 1 Kings 12-14. One of the things that will be noticed as a difference between the historical record of Kings and Chronicles during the era of the divided kingdom, is that the Chronicler will provide a minimum of details of the reign of the kings in the Northern Kingdom. The primary concern of the Chronicler is the faithfulness of worship through the Davidic King. Thus, even the amount of coverage that the Chronicler gives to the kings of the Southern Kingdom will be conditioned on their faithful worship of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 10 notes the rupture of Israel, under the reign of Rehoboam, into two distinct kingdoms. 2 Chronicles 11 records the beginnings of the Kingdom of Judah under the reign of Rehoboam, including the addition of priests who fled the Northern Kingdom: “And the priests and the Levites who were in all Israel presented themselves to him from all places where they lived” (2 Chronicles 11:13). 2 Chronicles 12 describes the Egyptian raid on Israel’s treasuries: “So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. He took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house. He took away everything” (2 Chronicles 14:9).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the slightly more positive assessments that the Chronicler provides of Judah: “So King Rehoboam grew strong in Jerusalem and reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put his name there” (2 Chronicles 12:13). I am not suggesting that the accounts of Kings and Chronicles contradict one another, but the Chronicler adds information that includes more positive aspects. For instance, the Chronicler’s statement, “So King Rehoboam grew strong”, is not added to the parallel account in 1 Kings 14:21. Through both accounts acknowledge that Rehoboam did evil (see 1 Kings 14:22; 2 Chronicles 12:14).

That Rehoboam was positively assessed but also negatively critiqued may sound puzzling, but Rehoboam did evil as well as good. As Rehoboam initially faced the fact that Jeroboam would be leading ten tribes in a breakaway kingdom, Rehoboam wanted to assemble the troops to immediately restore the nation. But the LORD spoke otherwise: “But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God: “Say to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, ‘Thus says the LORD, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives. Return every man to his home, for this thing is from me.’” (2 Chronicles 11:2-4a). Rehoboam turned back from his urge to fight: "So they listened to the word of the LORD and returned and did not go against Jeroboam” (2 Chronicles 11:4b). Rehoboam listened to the Word of the LORD. Instead, Rehoboam used the resources that perhaps would have been consumed in battle, to fortify the Southern Kingdom: “Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built cities for defense in Judah….He made the fortresses strong, and put commanders in them, and…he put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin” (2 Chronicles 11:5-12). Rehoboam’s foolishness triggered division; his wisdom provided a strong defense.

The Chronicler provides additional details surrounding the King of Egypt’s raid upon Judah. In particular, the important role of the prophet, Shemaiah, who was used to prevent Rehoboam from going to war against Jeroboam, was used again as the Egyptians came against Jerusalem: “Thus says the LORD, You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.’” Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is righteous” (2 Chronicles 12:5b-6). When Rehoboam and Judah repented, the LORD intervened on their behalf: “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless, they shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries” (2 Chronicles 12:7b-8). The Egyptian King would still raid the treasuries and Judah would still be under the chastisement of servitude, but through their humble repentance, they would be spared a complete destruction. Judah and Rehoboam would still experience consequences of their evil, yet the LORD was quick to respond to their repentance: “And when he humbled himself the wrath of the LORD turned from him, so as not to make a complete destruction. Moreover, conditions were good in Judah” (2 Chronicles 12:12). The promises that the LORD made to Solomon as the Temple was dedicated are shown to be in action: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe