Day 79 Reading Schedule: 2 Chonicles 14-18

2 Chronicles 14: King Asa's Selection and Victory

[Overview]

This chapter records the reign of Asa, the third king of Judah, and the content continues up to chapter 16. The content of this chapter is characterized by its relatively detailed content, unlike the simple content in Kings. If we categorize the content of this chapter, it records the first religious reform of Asa during the first ten peaceful years (verses 1-8) and the victory over Zerah the Cushite's million-strong army through faith (verses 9-15). Following this chapter, chapter 15 records the second religious reform, and chapter 16 records a series of religious deviations by Asa.

[Explanation]

Chapters 1 through 16 record the reign of Asa, the third king of the southern kingdom of Judah. ​​Among them, this chapter describes the events that occurred during the first ten years of Asa's reign. God, who favored Asa's piety and reform, brought peace to the kingdom of Judah under his rule and even defeated the invasion of Cush. 

2 Chronicles 15: Asa's Reform Movement

[Summary]

This chapter records the incident in which King Asa, who defeated the Cushite army and entered Jerusalem singing a triumphant song, heard the prophetic message proclaimed by Azariah and carried out the second religious reform. When looking at the kings of Israel, there was not a single king who carried out religious reform twice like King Asa. That is why Asa's actions have greater historical significance. This chapter, which contains this meaning, can be divided into Azariah's prophecy (verses 1-7) and Asa's reform and covenant renewal that followed (verses 8-19). 

[Explanation]

This chapter introduces in detail the content and significance of the religious reform carried out in the southern kingdom of Judah during Asa's reign. After hearing the admonition of the prophet Azariah, King Asa of Judah carried out a religious reform that destroyed all the idols in the country. Because of this, God gave peace to the nation of Judah. ​​

2 Chronicles 16: Asa's Misdeeds and Death

[Summary]

Chapters 14 and 15 mainly describe the fact that Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord, but from this chapter on, in contrast, the misdeeds he did are described. It records a series of negative events that occurred in the last years of his reign, including the fact that Asa relied on people rather than on the Lord and made mistakes by relying on his own rational judgment. Asa used King Ben-hadad of Aram to effectively defend against Baasha's attacks (vv. 1-6). At that time, the prophet Hanani appeared and rebuked him for relying on the king of Aram rather than on the Lord, but Asa became angry and persecuted Hanani (vv. 7-10). The following chapter deals with the fact that Asa relied on doctors more than on God when he was sick and in danger, and his death (verses 11-14). 

[Explanation] 

This chapter introduces the later years of Asa, who led the southern kingdom of Judah well as a reforming king. Unlike the early and middle periods, Asa's later reign was a path of unbelief, relying on people more than on Jehovah. King Asa, who did not accept the rebuke of the seer Hanani and instead persecuted him, eventually became ill and suffered until he died. 

2 Chronicles 17: Jehoshaphat's Good Politics 

[Overview] 

This chapter begins with the reign of Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of southern Judah. ​​This content continues until 2 Chronicles 20, and his achievements are mentioned in relative detail. Jehoshaphat was Asa's son and one of the three great kings of Judah, and ruled from 872 to 847 B.C. His reign, although it had some errors, was generally consistent with good governance, and his religious reforms were very resolute and comprehensive. Looking at the records of his reign in this book, it first summarizes Jehoshaphat’s good governance (verses 1-6), and records his sending out of the law teachers (verses 7-9). Then, it reveals that Jehoshaphat continued to grow stronger (verses 10-12), and then introduces his army (verses 13-19). In a word, this chapter can be said to be Jehoshaphat’s first reform. 

[Explanation]

Chapter 20 introduces the achievements of Jehoshaphat, who succeeded Asa as the fourth king of Judah. ​​Among them, this chapter records the education and national defense projects that Jehoshaphat, one of the three great kings of Judah (Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah), implemented at the beginning of his reign. Following David, he followed the ways of Jehovah with all his heart. 

 2 Chronicles 18: Jehoshaphat and Ahab's Alliance

[Summary]

This chapter records the fact that Jehoshaphat, who was faced with the greatest challenges of the nation, the division of the country and the division of the people, attempted to renew the relationship between the two countries by allied with Ahab of the Northern Kingdom for the first time since the era of the divided kingdom and participated together in the Battle of Ramoth-Gilead. Jehoshaphat was so focused on reconciliation with King Ahab that he accepted the prophecies of King Ahab and 400 false prophets rather than heeding the prophecy of the prophet Micaiah. This chapter records the alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab (verses 1-3) and the two kings asking God's will (verses 4-11). In addition, Micaiah's prophecy (verses 12-22), the persecution of Micaiah (verses 23-27), and the death of Ahab (verses 28-34) are recorded.

 [Kang Hae]

The scene unfolds in this chapter about the alliance between Ahab and Jehoshaphat and the war that was waged based on that alliance, leading to Ahab's death. Ahab is the king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who is evaluated as the most evil king in the Old Testament. Jehoshaphat, who was more thorough in his faith in Jehovah than anyone else, formed an alliance with King Ahab, which can be said to be the greatest stain on his life.