Psalm 92 and 2 Chronicles 20 - 23
In summary:
Through the devotion of His people, Yahweh saves Judah and the house of David from two foreign threats.
Through the devotion of His people, Yahweh saves Judah and the house of David from two foreign threats.
In more detail:
While the author of 1 and 2 Kings covered the kings of Israel and the ministry of Elijah and Elisha in great detail and also included his treatment of the kings of Judah, the Chronicler focuses almost exclusively on these latter kings. This is very evident in the chapters of today’s reading which include few references to the kings of Israel (in 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 and 21:6, for example) and a single letter by Elijah containing only four verses (2 Chronicles 21:12-15). The Chronicler nowhere mentions Elisha. Stop a moment and think – the kingdom of Israel enjoyed much more than Judah the miraculous, renowned and faithful ministry of these two outstanding prophets of Yahweh… and was the first of the two kingdoms to abandon Him. This suggests that genuine faith in Yahweh is based not only on miracles and the powerful ministry of faithful prophets – there are many other factors that must be taken into consideration for a faith that endures.
And according to the Chronicler, one of these factors is humble prayer in unity, directed by the house of David, prayer that seeks Yahweh attentively according to the covenant with Abraham. He gives us this example in 2 Chronicles 20 when Jehoshaphat imitates Solomon’s prayer in the temple but this time to request Yahweh’s protection
against the Moabite and Ammonite alliance. In agreement with Solomon’s prayer that
recognized Yahweh as being exalted above all creation (2 Chronicles 6:18), Jehoshaphat recognizes that He is exalted and sovereign over all the nations: “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6). As Solomon established his prayer on the foundation of the Davidic covenant (2 Chronicles 6:16), Jehoshaphat established his on the covenant with Abraham: “Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7) He confirms Yahweh’s response to Solomon’s prayer when He committed Himself to answer the prayers offered in the temple: “And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a
sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you – for your name is in this house – and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save’” (2 Chronicles 20:8-9). Repeating the history lesson that Moses gave in Deuteronomy 2:4-5, 9, 19, he points out the evil intent of the Moabite and Ammonite alliance: “And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy – behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit” (2 Chronicles 20:10-11). With humility, he recognizes his dependence and waits on Yahweh: “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Yahweh’s Spirit responds by confirming His love through the covenant in agreement with what He had declared before: “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:7); and: “You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples” (Exodus 19:5): “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). He will protect and help His people miraculously, just as He fought for
them in Egypt, without their having to take up a weapon: “‘You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow
go out against them, and the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).
In response, the most powerful man in Judah, one who would never have to bow before any other on earth, bows down before Yahweh: “Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD” (2 Chronicles 20:18).
Prayer requests changed to praises, and Yahweh won one of the most decisive victories in Israel’s history (2 Chronicles 20:19-28). Just like His amazing acts of deliverance executed against Egypt in the first chapters of the book of Exodus (Exodus 15:15-17): “And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around” (2 Chronicles 20:29-30).
But as we saw in yesterday’s reading, Jehoshaphat lacks discernment in his evaluation of his allies: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?
Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD” (2 Chronicles 19:2). Besides his alliance with Ahab of Israel, we’re told, “After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah
joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber” (2 Chronicles 20:36). The author of 1 Kings also tells us about this event but only to tell us that the ships were wrecked and that Ahaziah offered his servants to accompany Jehoshaphat’s on the voyage, but
Jehoshaphat refused (1 Kings 22:48-49). The Chronicler adds the connection with Yahweh: “Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.’ And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish” (2
Chronicles 20:37). Therefore he refused to continue the project in 1 Kings 22:49.
Although it is not said explicitly, the lesson for the community returning from exile is the same that the apostle Paul pointed out many centuries later: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)
But the rotten influence of Israel’s idolatry and paganism under Ahab already has entered David’s house. The Chronicler informs us of Jehoshaphat’s son, King Jehoram, “He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the
daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 21:6). His abandonment of Yahweh and promotion of paganism (2 Chronicles 21:11) reaches consequences more destructive than the loss of ships – Edom y Libnah
rebel against Judah’s dominion; the Philistines, Ethiopians and Arabians invade the land and carry away the king’s possessions, even the royal family, and Jehoram suffers a painful disease that ends in death (2 Chronicles 21:10-20).
And paganism explodes in violence against David’s house when Athaliah exterminates the royal line except for one child (2 Chronicles 22:10). Yahweh in His grace preserves the house of David through Jehoshabeath, a daughter of the king and
wife of Jehoiada the priest who hides the child in Yahweh’s house for six years (2 Chronicles 22:11-12). Jehoiada’s devotion to Yahweh and His anointed unites the people of Judah with their king once again. He reveals and supports the king, orders Athalia’s death and destroys the idolatry that had entered Jerusalem. In summary: “Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the LORD’s people” (2 Chronicles 23:16). Jehoiada restores that unity among the temple, all the people and the house of David, a cooperation that the Chronicler longs to see in his day as well: “And he took the captains, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD, marching through the upper gate to the king’s house. And they set the king on the royal throne. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword” (2 Chronicles 23:20-21).
Therefore, today’s reading underlines a double-salvation of Judah – salvation from the threat of the Moabite and Ammonite alliance and salvation from Israelite paganism – all by Yahweh’s grace. As Psalm 92 announces, “But you, O LORD, are on high forever.
For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered” (Psalm 92:8-9). Instead: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God… to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Psalm 92:12-13, 15).
While the author of 1 and 2 Kings covered the kings of Israel and the ministry of Elijah and Elisha in great detail and also included his treatment of the kings of Judah, the Chronicler focuses almost exclusively on these latter kings. This is very evident in the chapters of today’s reading which include few references to the kings of Israel (in 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 and 21:6, for example) and a single letter by Elijah containing only four verses (2 Chronicles 21:12-15). The Chronicler nowhere mentions Elisha. Stop a moment and think – the kingdom of Israel enjoyed much more than Judah the miraculous, renowned and faithful ministry of these two outstanding prophets of Yahweh… and was the first of the two kingdoms to abandon Him. This suggests that genuine faith in Yahweh is based not only on miracles and the powerful ministry of faithful prophets – there are many other factors that must be taken into consideration for a faith that endures.
And according to the Chronicler, one of these factors is humble prayer in unity, directed by the house of David, prayer that seeks Yahweh attentively according to the covenant with Abraham. He gives us this example in 2 Chronicles 20 when Jehoshaphat imitates Solomon’s prayer in the temple but this time to request Yahweh’s protection
against the Moabite and Ammonite alliance. In agreement with Solomon’s prayer that
recognized Yahweh as being exalted above all creation (2 Chronicles 6:18), Jehoshaphat recognizes that He is exalted and sovereign over all the nations: “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6). As Solomon established his prayer on the foundation of the Davidic covenant (2 Chronicles 6:16), Jehoshaphat established his on the covenant with Abraham: “Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7) He confirms Yahweh’s response to Solomon’s prayer when He committed Himself to answer the prayers offered in the temple: “And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a
sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you – for your name is in this house – and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save’” (2 Chronicles 20:8-9). Repeating the history lesson that Moses gave in Deuteronomy 2:4-5, 9, 19, he points out the evil intent of the Moabite and Ammonite alliance: “And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy – behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit” (2 Chronicles 20:10-11). With humility, he recognizes his dependence and waits on Yahweh: “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Yahweh’s Spirit responds by confirming His love through the covenant in agreement with what He had declared before: “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:7); and: “You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples” (Exodus 19:5): “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). He will protect and help His people miraculously, just as He fought for
them in Egypt, without their having to take up a weapon: “‘You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow
go out against them, and the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).
In response, the most powerful man in Judah, one who would never have to bow before any other on earth, bows down before Yahweh: “Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD” (2 Chronicles 20:18).
Prayer requests changed to praises, and Yahweh won one of the most decisive victories in Israel’s history (2 Chronicles 20:19-28). Just like His amazing acts of deliverance executed against Egypt in the first chapters of the book of Exodus (Exodus 15:15-17): “And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around” (2 Chronicles 20:29-30).
But as we saw in yesterday’s reading, Jehoshaphat lacks discernment in his evaluation of his allies: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?
Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD” (2 Chronicles 19:2). Besides his alliance with Ahab of Israel, we’re told, “After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah
joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber” (2 Chronicles 20:36). The author of 1 Kings also tells us about this event but only to tell us that the ships were wrecked and that Ahaziah offered his servants to accompany Jehoshaphat’s on the voyage, but
Jehoshaphat refused (1 Kings 22:48-49). The Chronicler adds the connection with Yahweh: “Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.’ And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish” (2
Chronicles 20:37). Therefore he refused to continue the project in 1 Kings 22:49.
Although it is not said explicitly, the lesson for the community returning from exile is the same that the apostle Paul pointed out many centuries later: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)
But the rotten influence of Israel’s idolatry and paganism under Ahab already has entered David’s house. The Chronicler informs us of Jehoshaphat’s son, King Jehoram, “He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the
daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 21:6). His abandonment of Yahweh and promotion of paganism (2 Chronicles 21:11) reaches consequences more destructive than the loss of ships – Edom y Libnah
rebel against Judah’s dominion; the Philistines, Ethiopians and Arabians invade the land and carry away the king’s possessions, even the royal family, and Jehoram suffers a painful disease that ends in death (2 Chronicles 21:10-20).
And paganism explodes in violence against David’s house when Athaliah exterminates the royal line except for one child (2 Chronicles 22:10). Yahweh in His grace preserves the house of David through Jehoshabeath, a daughter of the king and
wife of Jehoiada the priest who hides the child in Yahweh’s house for six years (2 Chronicles 22:11-12). Jehoiada’s devotion to Yahweh and His anointed unites the people of Judah with their king once again. He reveals and supports the king, orders Athalia’s death and destroys the idolatry that had entered Jerusalem. In summary: “Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the LORD’s people” (2 Chronicles 23:16). Jehoiada restores that unity among the temple, all the people and the house of David, a cooperation that the Chronicler longs to see in his day as well: “And he took the captains, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD, marching through the upper gate to the king’s house. And they set the king on the royal throne. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword” (2 Chronicles 23:20-21).
Therefore, today’s reading underlines a double-salvation of Judah – salvation from the threat of the Moabite and Ammonite alliance and salvation from Israelite paganism – all by Yahweh’s grace. As Psalm 92 announces, “But you, O LORD, are on high forever.
For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered” (Psalm 92:8-9). Instead: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God… to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Psalm 92:12-13, 15).
