Jehoram II Chronicles 21

II Chronicles 21:1 "Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead."

Jehoram is the ultimate example of a son who rebelled against the teachings of his father. He set out to do wrong from day one. He was made king by virtue of being the firstborn. He had brothers but apparently no love for them.

v4 "Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself and slew all his brethren with the sword and divers also of the princes of Israel."

He killed his brothers, probably to prevent an rivals to the throne. He also killed many princes of the land.

Next, he rebelled against God by following the false gods of Israel. He was heavily influenced by his wife who was the daughter of Ahab.

v6 "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife; and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.

We will hear more from his wife later.

God had made a promise that he would carry on David's line in the kingdom. That is the only reason the entire house of Jehoram was not destroyed.

v7 "Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever." This is the coming light Jesus Christ of the seed of David after the flesh.

So war broke out all around: the Edomites, the Libnah,Arabians, Philistines.

Jehoram's action prompted a letter from Elijah who was in Israel dealing with Ahab and his crew. Elijah told Jehoram that he would become very sick and that his people would die of a plague, and so they did.

Jehoram reigned for 8 years from the time he was 32. Such is the price of rebellion. His burial reflected his disfavor with the people.

v20 "Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings."

Psalm 37:16 "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."

Jehoram a really bad king who died a really bad death.

Battle is God's II Chronicles 20

Jehoshaphat

II Chronicles 20:15 "And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's" Refer Ephesians 1:19, 6:10-18 Philippians 2:13

There were some people that Israel encountered while on the way to Canaan that God told them not to fight. They ended up going around them. Now these people are coming against Judah and the people are afraid.

Jehoshaphat comes before the LORD as do the people.

v3 "And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."

They stood at the house of the LORD before the new court. v5 The prayer he prayed was a very pleading prayer. He recalls the journey to Canaan, the inhabitants they did not fight, and the sanctuary they built for the name of the LORD.

v13 "And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children."

Then comes our text verse where the LORD answered them. He told them three things: 1) Be not afraid 2) nor dismayed 3) this battle is God's. v15

Then in verse 16 tells them where the enemy is. Verse 17 tells them what to do:

v17 "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you , O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you."

It sounds like a parent talking to a frightened child. Just go over there and stand, everything will be alright. I'll take care of things.

Everything was alright. The enemy was destroyed and Judah reaped the spoils where the enemy had carried treasures into battle.

v20 "And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper."

It took three days for Judah to haul away all the spoils. They came to Jerusalem playing music and praising God. The balance of the chapter tells of Jehoshaphat later years. He did well except when he joined himself to Ahaziah to build ships. It was his old sin Chapter 19 verse 2) , like when he joined with Ahab. The ships did not float though and so that project was a failure.

Jehoshaphat reigned a good long time (25 years starting when he was 35 years old) and slept with his fathers.

Psalm 147:1 "Praise ye the LORD; for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely."

Jehoshaphat goes to battle but God does the fighting.

Note: I am by no means an authority on the scripture. As I study, I learn more and more. So if you look back on previous studies, there may be times where my comments are different from later commetns. I am learning as I go. I hope you are picking up some new insight as well.

Jehoshaphat and Ahab II Chronicles 18

II Chronicles 18:1 "Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab."

You know how it is, you come into some money and the estranged kinfolk suddenly make you a feast.

v2 "And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead."

Ahab threw him a part then took him on a little road trip. I always like to drive my own car so I can leave when I want to. I don't know if Jehoshaphat felt obligated or what but Ahab put the next step of his plan in play.

v3 "And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art and my people as thy people, and we will be with thee in the war."

Jehoshaphat asked Ahab to inquire of the LORD. Ahab pretended to seek the blessings of God by calling in hundreds of prophets. They were not true prophets though and Jehoshaphat must have suspected as much.

These prophets all said to go on to war and that God was with them.

v6 "But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?"

Ahab said there was such a man but he would only bring bad tidings, nevertheless he was called and told them the truth.

At first the prophet did as he was told by Ahab's people and agreed with the false prophets but at the prompting of Jehoshaphat, he told the true prophesy.

v16 "Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountain, as sheep that have no shepherd; and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace."

Ahab had the prophet thrown in prison and went off to battle. Just in case Ahab disguised himself but let Jehoshaphat wear his kings clothes. The enemy went after the king thinking it was Ahab but turned back when they saw that it was not.

By chance, a man shot an arrow and injured Ahab. He later died. Jehoshaphat returned to his people and was reprimanded by a prophet who met him in the next chapter.

Jehoshaphat fell into a trap set by Ahab. It was a lesson hard learned.

Proverbs 10:23 "It is as sport to a fool to do mischief, but a man of understanding hath wisdom."

Jehoshaphat is led astray by Ahab.

Jehoshaphat II Chronicles 17

II Chronicles 17:3 "And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; v4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel."

Jehoshaphat was a good king. This chapter details how he set up his kingdom. First and foremost, he sought the LORD. He apparently knew the family history. For he picked out the good things and did those.

v6 "And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD; moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah."

v7 "...to teach in the cities of Judah." He wanted the people to know the right thing to do according to the law and not to just follow him blindly.

v11 "Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks..." You remember the Philistines, i.e. Goliath and his brothers. God gave Jehoshaphat rest from his enemies and many gifts were brought to him so that he became very rich.

I found the phrase in verse 3 very interesting where it speaks of Jehoshaphat walking in the first ways of David. We remember the zeal David had for the LORD but also his failure with Bathsheba and Uriah and numbering the people. But Jehoshaphat picked out the good in David and followed after those things. We can do the same with people. People are people. They falter sometimes but that does not discount the good they do.

You might also notice the sevens in verse 11 7,700 rams, 7,700 goats. I don't read anything into the numbers but 7 does pop up often in scripture.

v19 "These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah."

This verse comes after a list of the thousands of fighting men who came to the king an those who were placed in cities ready to defend.

Jehoshaphat was not perfect or all wise. He fell into a trap in the next chapter.

Colossians 1:14 (Speaking of Jesus) "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"

Jehoshaphat, a good king, reigns in Judah. II Chronicles study guide.