2 Chronicles 16:1-18:34 Comments by Stephen Ricker
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Jehoshaphat, King of Judah
Comments for Study 6

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Memory Verse: 16:9
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MAPS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH
A MAP OF THE DIVISION OF CANAAN
A MAP OF JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPL.
A MAP OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ISRAEL
A MAP OF JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPLE
A LIST OF ISRAEL'S KINGS AND PROPHETS
A TIMELINE OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY
A TIMELINE FROM BABYLON TO ROMAN EMPIRES

SORRY, THE COMMENTARY THIS BOOK HAS NOT BEEN FINISHED.
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I. Asa, King of Judah's Last Years (16:1-14)

>1. What did king Baasha do to stop traffic between Israel and Judah? (1) Why might he want to stop traffic? How did Asa, king of Judah respond? (2-3) Was is right to take money from the temple to do this? Did his plan succeed?

* 2 Chronicles 16:1-6 "In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. 2 Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the LORD's temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. 3 "Let there be a treaty between me and you," he said, "as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me." 4 Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim and all the store cities of Naphtali. 5 When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and abandoned his work. 6 Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using. With them he built up Geba and Mizpah."

* 1 Kings 15:18-22 also record this event. However, they do not include Hanani the seer's words to Asa.

* "In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign" -The Chronicler(s) here and in 15:19 is dating from the schism in Israel rather than from the year number of Asa's reign: Since Rehoboam had reigned 17 years and Abijah 3, 20 years are deducted with the result that the 35th and 36th years of Asa are in fact the 15th and 16th years of his reign. This would make Baasha's attack come as a possible response to the defecions from the northern kingdom (15:9). (NIV Study Bible)

* "Baasha king of Israel" -Bassha became king of Israel in the third year of Asa king of Judah (1 Kings 15:33) in 908 B.C.

* "Ramah" -Ramah means "high" in Hebrew. It is usually associated with a stronghold. Several cities are called Ramah. This one was in the inheritance of Benjamin listed along with Gibeon, Beeroth, Jerusalem, and others (Josh. 18:25). It is to be identified with modern er-Ram five miles north of Jerusalem. The city was between the rival kingdoms of Israel and Judah, which led to dire consequences (1 Kings 15:16-22; 2 Chron. 16:1, 5,6).

The traditional site of Rachel's tomb was connected with Ramah (1 Sam. 10:2; Jer. 31:15). Deborah, the prophetess, dwelt and judged Israel from the Ramah vicinity (Judg. 4:4,5). Hosea mentioned Ramah (Jos. 5:8), and Isaiah prophesied that the approaching Assyrian army would march through Ramah (Isa. 10:29).

The Babylonians apparently used Ramah as a prisoner-of-war camp from which captives of Jerusalem were processed and sent into Babylonian Exile. There Jeremiah was released from his chains and allowed to remain in Judah (Jer. 40:1-6). People returning from captivity settled there (Ezra 2:26; Neh. 7:30).

* "to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah" -Any Israelite who wanted to worship at the temple of Jerusalem would not be able to. Baasha was more concerned about losing subjects than protecting him boarder.

* "Ben-Hadad king of Aram" -Personal name or royal title meaning, "son of (the god) Hadad." His reign is believed to have been from 885 B.C. to 865 B.C.

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* Israel did not calculated a king's ascension and reign as other nations. After Israel and Judah split Judah kept calculating to "old way" and Israel switched and started calculating the way other nations did around them. Read "The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings" by Edwin Richard Thiele for more understanding on how Israel and Judah calculated the dates of their king's ascension and reign.

>2. What did Hanani the seer tell king Asa? (7-9) What does the Lord look for in everyone on earth? (9) What did Jesus have to say about this? (Luke 10:25-28)

* 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 "At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8 Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."

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>3. How did king Asa respond? (10) What other evil thing did he do? How did he die? (11-12) What can be learned about what it means to fully dedicated to the Lord?

* 2 Chronicles 16:10-14 "Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people. 11 The events of Asa's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. 13 Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers. 14 They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a huge fire in his honor."

* "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa" -Asa was an old man. He reigned Judah a total of 41 years (910-869 B.C.)

* "in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died" -The year was 869 B.C. During Asa's reign in Judah the following were kings of Israel; Jeroboam I, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, Omri, and Ahab. (1 Kings 15:25-16:28)

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II. Jehoshaphat King of Judah (17:1-19)

>4. Who was Jehoshaphat? (1) What is important about his life in God's eyes? (3-6a; 1 Kings 22:43a) What did he try to do just as his father, Asa try to do and why was it wrong to offer sacrifices on the high places? (6b; 14:5; 15:17; 20:33; 1 Kings 22:43b)

* 2 Chronicles 17:1-6 "Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured. 3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed. He did not consult the Baals 4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. 5 The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. 6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah."

* 1 Kings 22:41-50 also record Jehoshaphat king of Judah.

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* "he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah" -Repeatedly the good kings of Judah removed the places of false religious in Judah only to have the people build them up again. Though some kings of Judah followed the Lord like Jehoshaphat most of the people did not follow the Lord their God.

* 2 Chronicles 20:33 "The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers."

* 1 Kings 22:43b "The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there."

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>5. How was his faith displayed in his actions as king? (7-9; 1 Kings 22:45-46)

* 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 "In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. 8 With them were certain Levites--Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-Adonijah--and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people."

* 1 Kings 22:45-46 "As for the other events of Jehoshaphat's reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa."

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>6. How did his relationship with God effect the kingdom Jehoshaphat ruled? (10-11, 20:29-30; 1 Kings 22:44, 47)

* 2 Chronicles 17:10-19 "The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat. 11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats. 12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah 13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem. 14 Their enrollment by families was as follows: From Judah, commanders of units of 1,000: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 fighting men; 15 next, Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000; 16 next, Amasiah son of Zicri, who volunteered himself for the service of the LORD, with 200,000. 17 From Benjamin: Eliada, a valiant soldier, with 200,000 men armed with bows and shields; 18 next, Jehozabad, with 180,000 men armed for battle. 19 These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah."

* 1 Kings 22:44 "Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel."

* 1 Kings 22:47 "There was then no king in Edom; a deputy ruled."

* 2 Chronicles 20:29-30 "The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side."

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10th Century Middle East

* The map to the right is 10th century Middle East. Israel is shown as one nation in the map. Use the link above to see a map of the kingdom divided.

III. Micaiah Prophesies Against King Ahab (18:1-34)

>7. How was Jehoshaphat involved with King Ahab? (1-3) How did Jehoshaphat show his faith in the Lord? (3)

* 2 Chronicles 18:1-4 "Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage. 2 Some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to attack Ramoth Gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat replied, "I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war." 4 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD."

* 1 Kings 16:29-34 record the beginning of the reign of Ahab, king of Israel. Samaria was Israel's capital city.

* 1 Kings 17:1-22:40 deal with Ahab King of Israel in great detail, especially his interactions with the prophets of the Lord.

* 1 Kings 22:1-40 also is about Jehoshaphat king of Judah and Abab King of Israel meeting together and plot a war against Aram.

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>8. What was the message of Ahab's lying prophets? (6, 9-11) What did Jehoshaphat realize about these prophets? (7) What did Jesus warn us about false prophets? (Matt. 7:15-20)

* 2 Chronicles 18:5-6 "So the king of Israel brought together the prophets--four hundred men--and asked them, "Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" "Go," they answered, "for God will give it into the king's hand." 6 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?"

* 2 Chronicles 18:9-11 "Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance to the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. 10 Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns, and he declared, "This is what the LORD says: 'With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.'" 11 All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. "Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious," they said, "for the LORD will give it into the king's hand."

* 1 Kings 22:10-12 "Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns and he declared, "This is what the LORD says: 'With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.'" All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. "Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious," they said, "for the LORD will give it into the king's hand."

* Matthew 7:15-20 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

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>9. Who was Micaiah? (7-8) Even though he was instructed by man what to say what was Micaiah's prophecy? (12-17) What vision did Micaiah see in regard to the lying prophets? (18-22) What can be learned about the Lord?

* 2 Chronicles 18:7-8 "The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king should not say that," Jehoshaphat replied. 8 So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, "Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once."

* 2 Chronicles 18:12-16 "The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, "Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably." 13 But Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what my God says." 14 When he arrived, the king asked him, "Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" "Attack and be victorious," he answered, "for they will be given into your hand." 15 The king said to him, "How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?" 16 Then Micaiah answered, "I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, 'These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.'"

* 2 Chronicles 18:17-22 "The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?" 18 Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing on his right and on his left. 19 And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' "One suggested this, and another that. 20 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' "'By what means?' the LORD asked. 21 "'I will go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said. "'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.' 22 "So now the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The LORD has decreed disaster for you."

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Death of Ahab

* See a wood engraving by Gustave Dore (1832-1883) to the right depicting the death of Ahab. Dore's drawings were in Bibles that are now in public domain. This one was scanned in by creationism.org.

>10. How did Ahab treat Micaiah? (23-27; Prov. 9:7-9) What can be learned about being a servant of the Lord in a sinful generation? (Mark 8:38, 13:13)

* 2 Chronicles 18:23-27 "Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. "Which way did the spirit from the LORD go when he went from me to speak to you?" he asked. 24 Micaiah replied, "You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room." 25 The king of Israel then ordered, "Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king's son, 26 and say, 'This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.'" 27 Micaiah declared, "If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me." Then he added, "Mark my words, all you people!"

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>11. Why does what a king wears matter when going into battle? (28-29) How can the hand of the Lord be seen in Ahab's death as prophesied? How did Israel's army react to the news of the death of their king?

* 2 Chronicles 18:28-34 "So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. 30 Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, "Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel." 31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "This is the king of Israel." So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, 32 for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him. 33 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told the chariot driver, "Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I've been wounded." 34 All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then at sunset he died."

* 2 Kings 9:30-36 mentions the death of Jezebel, the evil wife of Ahab.

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