1 Chronicles 1-2 Genealogies, Genealogies, Genealogies

From 1 Chronicles 1-2

Introduction

First and Second Chronicles, originally one book, was written sometime after Judah began to return from the Babylonian exile in 538 B.C. (1 Chron. 9:1–2; 2 Chron. 36:23). It focuses primarily on the history of Judah, the southern kingdom of divided Israel. First Chronicles begins with several genealogies, with special emphasis on David and Solomon. The “chronicler” moves next to the history of the kingdom under David, stressing David’s deep interest in worship and his detailed plans for the construction of the temple—which would be built by his son Solomon. First Chronicles was probably written to reassure the returned exiles of God’s faithfulness toward his people. Its author is unknown, although many have thought that Ezra was the principal writer.

(The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (1 Ch). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.)

Overview

1 Chr 1.1-24; Genealogy; From Adam to Abraham

1 Chr 1.28-54; Genealogy; From Abraham to Jacob

1 Chr 2.1-55; Genealogy; A Genealogy of David

Overview of 2 Kings

2 Ki 1.1-18; Jehoshaphat; Ahaziah-Elijah; Elijah Denounces Ahaziah

2 Ki 2.1-14; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elijah; Elijah Taken to Heaven

2 Ki 2.15-25; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Elisha Succeeds Elijah

2 Ki 3.1-27; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Moab Rebels Against Israel

2 Ki 4.1-7; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Elisha and the Widow’s Oil

2 Ki 4.8-17; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Elisha and the Shunammite Woman

2 Ki 4.18-37; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son

2 Ki 4.38-44; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Elisha Purifies the Deadly Stew

2 Ki 5.1-14; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Naaman Healed of Leprosy

2 Ki 5.15-27; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Gehazi’s Greed and Punishment

2 Ki 6.1-7; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; The Axe Head Recovered

2 Ki 6.8-23; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Horses and Chariots of Fire

2 Ki 6.24-33; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Siege of Samaria

2 Ki 7.1-2; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Elisha Promises Food

2 Ki 7.3-20; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; The Syrians Flee and the lepers share the good news

2 Ki 8.1-6; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; The Shunammite’s Land Restored

2 Ki 8.7-15; Jehoshaphat; Jehoram-Elisha; Hazael Murders Ben-hadad

2 Ki 8.16-24; Jehoram; Jehoram-Elisha; Jehoram Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 8.25-29; Ahaziah; Jehoram-Elisha; Ahaziah Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 9.1-13; Ahaziah; Jehu-Elisha; Jehu Anointed King of Israel

2 Ki 9.14-29; Ahaziah; Jehu-Elisha; Jehu Assassinates Joram and Ahaziah

2 Ki 9.30-37; Ahaziah; Jehu-Elisha; Jehu Executes Jezebel

2 Ki 10.1-17; Ahaziah; Jehu-Elisha; Jehu Slaughters Ahab’s Descendants

2 Ki 10.18-27; Ahaziah; Jehu-Elisha; Jehu Strikes Down the Prophets of Baal

2 Ki 10.28-36; Ahaziah; Jehu-Elisha; Jehu Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 11.1-3; Athaliah; Jehoahaz-Elisha; Athaliah Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 11.4-20; Joash; Jehoahaz-Elisha; Joash Anointed King in Judah

2 Ki 11.21-12.3; Jehoash; Jehu-Elisha; Jehoash Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 12.4-18; Jehoash; Jehu-Elisha; Jehoash Repairs the Temple

2 Ki 12.19-21; Joash; Jehu-Elisha; The Death of Joash

2 Ki 13.1-9; Joash; Jehoahaz-Elisha; Jehoahaz Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 13.10-13; Joash; Jehoash-Elisha; Jehoash Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 13.14-25; Joash; Jehoash-Elisha; The Death of Elisha

2 Ki 14.1-22; Amaziah; Joash; Amaziah Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 14.23-28; Amaziah; Jeroboam; Jeroboam II Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 15.1-7; Azariah; Jeroboam; Azariah Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 15.8-12; Azariah; Zechariah; Zechariah Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 15.13-16; Uzziah; Shallum; Shallum Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 15.17-22; Azariah; Menahem; Menahem Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 15.23-26; Azariah; Pekahiah; Pekahiah Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 15.27-31; Azariah; Pekah; Pekah Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 15.32-38; Jotham; Pekah; Jotham Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 16.1-20; Ahaz; Pekah; Ahaz Reigns in Judah and desecrates the Temple

2 Ki 17.1-5; Ahaz; Hoshea; Hoshea Reigns in Israel

2 Ki 17.6; Ahaz; Hoshea; The Fall of Israel

2 Ki 17.24-41; Ahaz; Assyria Resettles Samaria

2 Ki 18.1-12; Hezekiah; Hezekiah Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 18.13-37; Hezekiah; Sennacherib Attacks Judah

2 Ki 19.1-7; Hezekiah; Isaiah Reassures Hezekiah

2 Ki 19.8-13; Hezekiah; Sennacherib Defies the LORD

2 Ki 19.14-19; Hezekiah; Hezekiah’s Prayer

2 Ki 19.20-37; Hezekiah; Isaiah Prophesies Sennacherib’s Fall

2 Ki 20.1-11; Hezekiah; Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery

2 Ki 20.12-21; Hezekiah; Hezekiah and the Babylonian Envoys

2 Ki 21.1-9; Manasseh; Manasseh Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 21.10-18; Manasseh; Manasseh’s Idolatry Denounced

2 Ki 21.19-26; Amon; Amon Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 22.1-2; Josiah; Josiah Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 22.3-7; Josiah; Josiah Repairs the Temple

2 Ki 22.8-20; Josiah; Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law

2 Ki 23.1-20; Josiah; Josiah’s Reforms

2 Ki 23.21-27; Josiah; Josiah Restores the Passover

2 Ki 23.28-30; Josiah; Josiah’s Death in Battle

2 Ki 23.31-35; Jehoahaz; Jehoahaz’s Reign and Captivity

2 Ki 23.36-24.7; Jehoiakim; Jehoiakim achin Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 24.10-17; Jehoiachin; Jerulon

2 Ki 24.18-20; Jehoiachin; Zedekiah (Mattaniah)

2 Ki 25.1-24; Jehoiachin; Fall and Captivity of Judah

2 Ki 25.22-26; Jehoiachin; Gedaliah Made Governor of month

2 Ki 25.27-30; Jehoiachin; Jehoiachin Released from Prison

2 Kings 23-25 Still the LORD did not turn

From 2 Kings 23-25

Overview

2 Ki 23.1-20; Josiah; Josiah’s Reforms

2 Ki 23.21-27; Josiah; Josiah Restores the Passover

2 Ki 23.28-30; Josiah; Josiah’s Death in Battle

2 Ki 23.31-35; Jehoahaz; Jehoahaz’s Reign and Captivity

2 Ki 23.36-24.7; Jehoiakim; Jehoiakim achin Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 24.10-17; Jehoiachin; Jerulon

2 Ki 24.18-20; Jehoiachin; Zedekiah (Mattaniah)

2 Ki 25.1-24; Jehoiachin; Fall and Captivity of Judah

2 Ki 25.22-26; Jehoiachin; Gedaliah Made Governor of month

2 Ki 25.27-30; Jehoiachin; Jehoiachin Released from Prison

Passage and Comments

Besides finding the book of the Law. Josiah is famous for the reinstating the Passover. The festival of memorial remembering the LORD’s rescue of Israel out of Egypt.

21 And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” 22 For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem. (2 Ki 23.21-23)

It seems that the previous kings lapsed in its practice. The Passover represents Israel’s birthday. In a sense that is how their nation came to exist. Through the LORD’s act of salvation. If the previous kings have not continued in observing the Passover they have forgotten what the LORD has done for them and who they are.

24 Moreover, Josiah put away the mediums and the necromancers and the household gods and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might establish the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. 25 Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. (2 Ki 23.24-25)

Like the other good kings before him, Josiah will undo all the pagan worship in Judah. He is highly commended by the author as a result. The fact that none will be like him after him is foreboding. Because;

26 Still the LORD did not turn from the burning of his great wrath, by which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him. 27 And the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.” (2 Ki 23.26-27)

Regardless of Josiah and his faithfulness Judah will still be punished because of the hundreds of years where they had abandoned the LORD and committed idolatry. Is this the end?

28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 29 In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went to meet him, and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo, as soon as he saw him. 30 And his servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place. (2 Ki 23.28-30)

Josiah eventually goes to battle and he dies straight away. As soon as they saw him they sought him out and killed him. Jehoahaz, one of his son’s is made king in his place.

Story of Israel

Jehoahaz does evil in the sight of the LORD. Egypt invades Judah, takes Jehoahaz captive and he dies in Egypt. Pharaoh makes another of Josiah’s sons the king. His Hebrew name is Eliakim, but Pharaoh changed his name to Jehoiakim.

Jehoiakim does evil in the sight of the LORD and Babylon invades Judah and takes what Egypt had. Initially Jehoiakim paid tribute to the Babylonians, but he rebelled against them and they break Judah. Jehoiakim has a son named Jehoiachin.

Jehoiachin does evil in the sight of the LORD. The king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem and Jehoiakim surrendered. The king of Babylon takes him prisoner and takes him to Babylon. We need to watch Jehoiachin because he is the remaining heir of judah’s line. The king of Babylon instates Jehoiachin’s uncle Mattaniah king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.

18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 19 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 20 For because of the anger of the LORD it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. (2 Ki 24:18–20)

The Babylonians capture Jerusalem. Is this the end?

6 Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and they passed sentence on him. 7 They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains and took him to Babylon. (2 Ki 25:6–7)

He dies there. So Judah was taken into exile out of its land (2 Ki 25.21). Is this the end? A little bit later in the text, we see some hope. Jehoiachin is still alive.

27 And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. 28 And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 29 So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table, 30 and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived. (2 Ki 25.27-30)

Story of Jesus

Jehoiachin is the last king we hear about for a long time in Judah’s history. His line is preserved. God had a promise to David that a son of his would have an eternal kingdom. Lets have a look at David’s and Jehoiachin’s genealogy;

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and

Isaac the father of Jacob, and

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and

Judah the father of Perez and

Zerah by Tamar, and

Perez the father of Hezron, and

Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and

Ram the father of Amminadab, and

Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and

Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and

Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and

Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and

Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and

Jesse the father of David the king.

6b And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and

Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and

Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and

Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and

Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and

Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and

Uzziah the father of Jotham, and

Jotham the father of Ahaz, and

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and

Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and

Manasseh the father of Amos, and

Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and

Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers,

at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12 And after the deportation to Babylon:

Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and

Abiud the father of Eliakim, and

Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and

Azor the father of Zadok, and

Zadok the father of Achim, and

Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and

Eliud the father of Eleazar, and

Eleazar the father of Matthan, and

Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and

Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. (Mt 1:1–17)

Was it the end? No. Jesus, who is called Christ is still to come.

2 Kings 20-22 Book of the law in the house of the LORD

From 2 Kings 20-22

Overview

2 Ki 20.1-11; Hezekiah; Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery

2 Ki 20.12-21; Hezekiah; Hezekiah and the Babylonian Envoys

2 Ki 21.1-9; Manasseh; Manasseh Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 21.10-18; Manasseh; Manasseh’s Idolatry Denounced

2 Ki 21.19-26; Amon; Amon Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 22.1-2; Josiah; Josiah Reigns in Judah

2 Ki 22.3-7; Josiah; Josiah Repairs the Temple

2 Ki 22.8-20; Josiah; Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law

Passage and Comments

Hezekiah faces some serious tests of his faith through his reign. The biggest is the attack of the Assyrians. But the LORD was faithful to him and Judah and an angel won a terrific victory over them by an angel of the LORD. Probably the biggest defeat in biblical history. 185000 dead. Afterwards Hezekiah gets a bit too comfortable and shows some visiting Babylonians all his wealth. Little did he care that after his reign the Babylonians would eventually conquer Judah because she will abandon the LORD just as Israel did.

After Hezekiah’s reign came Manasseh. Manasseh was particularly bad and introduced all the pagan worship back into Judah. The LORD vows he will bring disaster on Judah because they have forsaken him and done evil in his sight. This was the last straw for the LORD. Manasseh’s son who followed him continued in the same kinds of evil.

Following this king we have another rare good king. His name is Josiah. He did right in the eyes of the LORD walking in the way of David his father (2 Ki 22.2). When he grows up he cleans out and repairs the temple which seems to need ongoing attention because of all the idolatrous kings. During the repairing they find a book.

8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. (2 Ki 22.8-10)

Unlike now, books then were rare. There may not have been many copies of the Book of the Law at all. Its kind of a sad state of affairs that they find it because it means it wasn’t being used and read. But that is about to change. The book is read before the king. It must have been a long read.

11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” (2 Ki 22.11-13)

Near the end of the Book of the Law (Deuteronomy) are the blessings and curses for breaking the covenant (Dt 28). The last punishment will involve them getting kicked out of the promised land. Chapter 30 discusses what will happen if this happens. Eventually the LORD will restore them. Josiah takes this seriously.

14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. 15 And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. (2 Ki 22.14-17)

Its too late as I mentioned above. They can’t do anything to avert the LORD’s punishment. The LORD will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants.

18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, 19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. 20 Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.’ ” And they brought back word to the king. (2 Ki 22.18-20)

Josiah heard the word. He humbled himself on behalf of himself and the people and he grieved deeply. The LORD noticed and Josiah was given a little grace. The calamity is put forward till after his reign.

Story of Israel

Because of the scarcity of books and the ability to copy them not many had access at all to the scriptures in Israel and Judah. If the current king was an idolater. Even less because the temple may have been overrun with pagan worship. The people were dependent on the LORD to send prophets to speak his word. The LORD was faithful and he did that. But the optimal solution is to have faithful priests reading and teaching the Law at the temple of the LORD.

Judah will suffer the consequences. But the book of the Law predicts their return.

5 And the LORD your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 7 And the LORD your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you. 8 And you shall again obey the voice of the LORD and keep all his commandments that I command you today. 9 The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Dt 30:5–10)

And it predicts them coming again to the Book of the Law to learn of the commandments and his statutes of the LORD.

John Calvin, the great reformer wrote in his tome Institutes of the Christian Religion.

Therefore, while it becomes man seriously to employ his eyes in considering the works of God, since a place has been assigned him in this most glorious theatre that he may be a spectator of them, his special duty is to give ear to the Word, that he may the better profit. Hence, it is not strange that those who are born in darkness become more and more hardened in their stupidity; because the vast majority, instead of confining themselves within due bounds by listening with docility to the Word, exult in their own vanity. If true religion is to beam upon us, our principle must be, that it is necessary to begin with heavenly teaching, and that it is impossible for any man to obtain even the minutest portion of right and sound doctrine without being a disciple of Scripture. Hence, the first step in true knowledge is taken, when we reverently embrace the testimony which God has been pleased therein to give of himself. For not only does faith, full and perfect faith, but all correct knowledge of God, originate in obedience. And surely in this respect God has with singular Providence provided for mankind in all ages. Calvin, J., & Beveridge, H. (1845). Institutes of the Christian religion (Vol. 1, p. 86). Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society.

The obedience Calvin refers to is reading and hearing the word of God. Through the scriptures we gain knowledge of God and faith. Judah suffered for the lack of the book of the Law. But none the less the predictions in it proved true with their return.

The reading of the book of the Law continues with;

11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. (Dt 30:11–14)

Story of Jesus

The prophecy that predicted their return also is used by Paul to describe the coming of the Christ

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Rom 10:5–11)