Week 17: 2 Chronicles 6 - 28

Reading material for this week:

• Weekend:   2 Chronicles 6 - 8
• Monday:    2 Chronicles 9 - 12
• Tuesday:   2 Chronicles 13 - 16
• Wednesday: 2 Chronicles 17 - 20
• Thursday:  2 Chronicles 21 - 25
• Friday:    2 Chronicles 26 - 28

This week’s reading encompasses sixty-four percent of 2 Chronicles (23 of 36 chapters).  You will see King Solomon at the zenith of his reign, consecrating Israel's new temple with a prayer of dedication that culminated in one of the most dramatic displays of God’s glory recorded in Scripture.  Solomon was “greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (9:22).  He “made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills” (9:28).

In the readings later this week, however, you will encounter a series of kingly successors that illustrate the importance of finishing well.  Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, abandoned the wise counsel of his father’s advisors, which led to Israel’s fracture.  From that point on, Israel was a divided kingdom.  Kings that consistently rebelled against the Lord governed Israel’s ten tribes to the north, and David’s successors – some good, some not so good, and others wholeheartedly wicked – governed the two tribes to the south, Judah and Benjamin.  Scripture refers to the northern territory as Israel and to the southern territory as Judah.

Throughout this week’s reading and beyond, you will encounter a number of chronological notes that the writer of Chronicles inserts into the narrative, which are not included in 1 or 2 Kings.  Here’s a list for your convenience: 11:17; 15:10, 19; 16:1, 12-13; 17;7; 21:20; 24:15, 17, 23; 26:16; 27:5, 8; 29:3; 34:3; 36:21. 

The writer uses these chronological references to introduce cycles of obedience and blessing and disobedience and punishment. 

As you read this week, prayerfully consider the importance of maintaining an intimate relationship with God throughout your entire life.  Several of these kings started well, but turned their backs on God as their lives drew to a close.  Let’s remember that God’s desire for us is to finish the good work he began in our lives (see Philippians 1:3-6).

Have a great week!
Chuck