2Ch 35:2

HE… ENCOURAGED THEM IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD’S TEMPLE: “Josiah seems to have been a great encourager, and the encouragement he gave multiplied itself further through his officials and his kingdom.

“He encouraged the priests in the service of the LORD’s temple. He encouraged the Levites to do their duties and to prepare themselves to do it. He gave the people sheep and goats for the Passover offering. Spurred on by his example, his officials contributed voluntarily to the people, priests and Levites by giving offerings for them all.

“The Levites encouraged the priests by preparing for the Passover for them, while the priests were still working. They also prepared for the singers and the gatekeepers who were still doing their jobs.

“Let us be encouraged by this story to show some encouragement ourselves. Let us especially encourage those who are working hard in the service of the LORD, whether it be by words of encouragement, instructions, giving gifts, setting examples or serving each other. All of these are ways different people find it easiest and most effective to encourage each other. So encourage someone you know this week and spur them on to love and good deeds” (RP).

2Ch 35:7

In this great generosity of the king, there is a picture of the generosity of God — who is His grace provided for our salvation without restraint. What a superabundance of grace there is for us if we choose to accept it!

2Ch 35:24

Josiah was the most righteous and useful man of his age; yet he died at the age of thirty-nine, when — had he remained alive — he could have done so much good. This sort of thing can seem like such a mystery; yet it teaches us: (a) that the God of heaven is no respecter of persons; (b) that death is remorseless and irresistible; (c) that there is nothing and no one on this fleeting earth on which we should set our hearts, or put our trust; and (d) that there must be a resurrection and life eternal for God’s faithful servants, for “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

And it teaches us one more thing besides: “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil” (Isa 57:1). Great evil and judgment was soon to fall upon the nation of Judah, but God’s faithful servant Josiah was to be taken away before the worst of it arrived. And so we learn, that death — far from a punishment — can in fact be a real blessing; and that we should trust in God alone and recognize that, in all things, He knows what is best, and He does what is best for us.

2Ch 35:25

THE LAMENTS: Or “the lamentations” (AV). Not the same as the Book of Lamentations — which was written AFTER the fall of Jerusalem. This lament here is included among a group of dirges, which are generally shorter (ie, 2Sa 1:17-27; Eze 28:12-19; etc), and not of book length.

2Ch 28:15

Cp the parable of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:30-37.

2Ch 28:21

AHAZ TOOK SOME OF THE THINGS FROM THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD AND FROM THE ROYAL PALACE… AND PRESENTED THEM TO THE KING OF ASSYRIA: Literally, Ahaz “divided up — or set aside — a portion of the temple” — giving it to the Assyrian soldiers as a place to rest and reside. (A similar policy was followed by the Assyrians with other vassal nations; cp also the Roman garrison prominently established next to the Temple in NT times.) Similar ideas are expressed in Isa 63:18; 64:11; Psa 74:3-8; 79:1; Isa 7:13; 11:9; 52:1; Mic 5:5.

Here is a clear example of what Jesus later called “giving dogs what is sacred, and throwing your pearls to pigs”. And sure enough, it wasn’t long before the Assyrians were trampling them under their feet, and turning and tearing Judah to pieces (Mat 7:6).

2Ch 29:1

Hezekiah began reigning in approx 715 BC (there are some issues and problems with the chronology of this OT period) and ruled for 29 years.

Regarding his faith Hezekiah was the greatest king of Judah (v 5). He did not depart from Yahweh later in life (v 6). Consequently God’s blessing rested on him (v 7; cf 2Ki 18 — 20). His rebellion against Sennacherib (v 7) precipitated Assyria’s invasion of Judah (2Ki 18:3 — 19:36). This was a reversal of his father Ahaz’s policy of allying with Assyria (2Ki 16:7-9).

Hezekiah as a type of the Messiah:

1. A child of promise (“Immanuel”), his great work was prophesied beforehand.
2. He came to a nation estranged from God.
3. He cleansed the temple of God, and sanctified the priests for renewed worship.
4. He called worshipers from the north and from Jerusalem to keep a new Passover.
5. Even the defiled were accepted through his faith and merits and prayers.
6. He offered sacrifices for himself and for the people.
7. He provided living water (“Siloam”, Hezekiah’s Conduit) to a people ready to perish.
8. He was afflicted with an incurable sickness (possibly leprosy — the “sin-disease”), and was in danger of dying without a “seed”.
9. But by a mighty manifestation of the Glory of the Lord, he was miraculously healed on the third day.
10. The great Invading Adversary was destroyed, and Israel was saved, through his faith.
11. Afterward, the Land was freed from its enemies, the captives and exiles were restored…
12. …And the king was acknowledged as the Anointed of Yahweh by all nations.

2Ch 29:3

IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS REIGN: At the very beginning! Hezekiah had been planning this reformation for some time, while he chafed under the increasingly corrupt regime of his father Ahaz.

Ahaz had closed the temple and had set up other centers of worship throughout the land (2Ch 28:24-25). Hezekiah reopened the temple and cleansed it in preparation for reusing it (vv 3, 5). Whereas the writer of Kings described Hezekiah’s religious reforms in only one verse: 2Ki 18:4), the chronicler devoted three chapter to them (2Ch 29 — 31). Hezekiah wanted to rededicate the nation to God (v 10).

HE OPENED THE DOORS OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD AND REPAIRED THEM: “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Isa 22:22).

Open doors: for restored communion (2Ch 29:3); deliverance from prison (Act 5:19); surrender (Rev 3:20); service (1Co 16:9); and opportunity (Rev 3:8).

Shut doors: for safety (Gen 7:16); privacy and communion (Mat 6:6); faith and prayer (2Ki 4:5,21,33); self-sufficiency (Rev 3:20); and separation and rejection (Mat 25:10).

2Ch 29:11

NEGLIGENT: Sw is elsewhere translated “deceive” (or “deceitful”). We must take this to heart as we are also “chosen to stand before Him”. Consider Gal 6:7,8 in this context.

2Ch 29:16

THE LEVITES TOOK IT AND CARRIED IT OUT TO THE KIDRON VALLEY: Cp 2Ch 30:14. Idols cast into the Kedron. Cp idols buried under the oak at Shechem (Gen 35:4; Jos 24:23-26).

2Ch 29:35

THE SERVICE OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD WAS REESTABLISHED: Or “set in order” (AV). Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7;,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Nothing on 2Ch 27.

2Ch 25:4

FATHERS SHALL NOT BE PUT TO DEATH FOR THEIR CHILDREN, NOR CHILDREN PUT TO DEATH FOR THEIR FATHERS; EACH IS TO DIE FOR HIS OWN SINS: Cit Deu 24:16: We are all responsible for our own actions. This is a recurring theme in Scripture. However, we like to blame someone else for our errors.

2Ch 25:6

A HUNDRED TALENTS OF SILVER: This looks like a very low rate of pay per soldier. Maybe they had also been promised the chance to plunder the enemy if they won the battle.

2Ch 25:9

AMAZIAH ASKED THE MAN OF GOD, “BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HUNDRED TALENTS I PAID FOR THESE ISRAELITE TROOPS?” THE MAN OF GOD REPLIED, “THE LORD CAN GIVE YOU MUCH MORE THAN THAT”: “A very important question this seemed to be to the king of Judah, and possibly it is of even more weight with the tried and tempted Christian. To lose money is at no times pleasant, and when principle involves it, the flesh is not always ready to make the sacrifice. ‘Why lose that which may be so usefully employed? What shall we do without it? Remember the children, and our small income!’ All these things and a thousand more would tempt the Christian to put forth his hand to unrighteous gain, or stay himself from carrying out his conscientious convictions, when they involve serious loss. All men cannot view these matters in the light of faith; and even with the followers of Jesus, the doctrine of ‘we must live’ has quite sufficient weight.

” ‘The Lord is able to give thee much more than this’ is a very satisfactory answer to the anxious question. Our Father holds the purse-strings, and what we lose for His sake He can repay a thousand-fold. It is ours to obey His will, and we may rest assured that He will provide for us. The Lord will be no man’s debtor at the last. Saints know that a grain of heart’s-ease is of more value than a ton of gold. He who wraps a threadbare coat about a good conscience has gained a spiritual wealth far more desirable than any he has lost. Let the worst come to the worst, let all the talents go, we have not lost our treasure, for that is above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Meanwhile, even now, the Lord maketh the meek to inherit the earth, and no good thing doth He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (CHS).

2Ch 26:1

2Ch 26,27: “Uzziah gained great help from his contemporaries, such as Zechariah (2Ch 26:5). There was also Amos (Amo 1:1), Hosea (Hos 1:1), and Isaiah (Isa 1:1; esp Isa 6:1). but the king usurped his authority in the matter of the temple, and received the physical consequences of his folly. The record sets out: [1] Uzziah reigns by popular acclaim: vv 1-4. [2] His great prosperity: v 5. [3] His international successes: vv 6-8. [4] The mighty fortifications: vv 9,10. [5] His powerful army: vv 11-15. [6] His abject folly: vv 16-21. [7] His reign summarised: vv 22,23. [8] Jotham’s good reign: 2Ch 27:1,2. [9] Preparations for defence: vv. 3,4. [10] International relationships: vv 5,6. [11] His reign summarised: vv 7-9.

“Uzziah was appointed king by the people, when the throne was left vacant in Jerusalem through the foolish affinity of Jehoshaphat in allowing his son Jehoram to marry Athaliah, and by the flight of Amaziah, whose name is excluded in the chronology of Matthew. Jehoshaphat thus confused the marriage covenant and compromised the ecclesia by associating with those of the north — and the effects were now being felt in Judah. Compromise always brings confusion and conflict. Like so many others, Uzziah commenced well (2Ch 26:5), but allowed pride to overtake him (v 16). Uzziah’s sin was mentally conceived before it was actually committed. The leprosy he received thus appropriately struck him in the forehead. Ct his leprous forehead with the forehead of the High Priest with the same name, who bore the mitre: Yahweh Kadesh, Holiness to Yahweh (Exo 28:36-38). Leprosy was a living death, figurative of sin’s flesh. Thus in the sight of the startled priests, the sign of pollution was clearly manifest. In the following reign of Jotham gave encouragement to the faithful. He exceeded his father in righteousness (2Ch 27:6), but his reign ended in growing international troubles as a turbulent period of history was about to overshadow the ecclesia in Judea” (GEM).

2Ch 26: Uzziah as a type of modern Israel: The life of Uzziah was one of great achievement through divine blessing and was only marred in the last ten years of his reign by a foolish act of presumption by which he lost everything. (Uzziah attempted to enter the Temple to offer sacrifice to God, thus usurping the role of the High Priest in Israel. Possibly this was a misguided attempt to demonstrate that he was the Messiah — which Scripture promises will be a king and a priest!)

The king who sought to become Israel’s Messiah in the end became a remarkable type of modern Israel. (Some modern Israelis believe the nation itself IS the “Messiah”.) The following is a brief list of the achievements of Uzziah and the way they foreshadowed the success of the State of Israel in recent years. The humbling of Uzziah is also clearly used in the Bible as a type of the humbling of the Jews by the events of Armageddon. The events of 2Ch 26 in chronological order are: (1) Uzziah captured and rebuilt Elath into a trading port. So Israel did in 1956. Elath today is a trading port of the utmost importance. (2) He captured the Shephelah and the Negev. Israel captured these areas in 1948 and 1949. (3) He defeated both the Arabs and the peoples of modern Jordan. In successive wars, modern Israel has also in part defeated both peoples. (4) He fortified Jerusalem against attack. All new buildings in Jerusalem today are specially constructed to withstand modern warfare. (5) He built a prosperous agricultural society. The ‘miracle’ of modern Israel’s agricultural prosperity is world-famous. (6) Uzziah found water supplies in the wilderness. Israel’s innovative ‘Water Carrier’ has brought water to barren parts. (7) Uzziah had an army of 300,000 trained in guerrilla warfare. Israel’s army is approximately 300,000 and is perhaps the world’s best guerrilla force. (8) He developed a unique missile capacity (engines for throwing missiles: v 15). Israel invariably updates missile systems purchased from the super-powers. (9) He was helped by God to achieve his military and economic success. Modern Israel has indisputably been helped by God. (10) Uzziah attributed his success to his own strength and abilities. Israel today believes its success is by its own strength. (11) Uzziah was humbled by an earthquake. Israel will be humbled by the events of Armageddon, including an earthquake likened to that which occurred in the days of Uzziah (Zec 14:5). (12) Smitten and humbled, Uzziah dwelt in a house apart to contemplate his sin. So the remnant of Israel will dwell apart until they realize the extent of their iniquities and pride (Zec 12:12-14). (GN 1995).

2Ch 26:6

There were 5 major Philistine cities (1Sa 6:17; Josh 13:3), but in later days the prophets carefully leave Gath out of the picture (Amo 1:6-8; Zeph 2:4; Jer 25:20; Zec 9:5,6). Why? Uzziah, in his war against the Philistines, smashed up Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod (2Ch 26:6). The last of these was evidently strategic enough to warrant rebuilding (Isa 20:1), but the other two disappeared from history — and from prophecy also.

2Ch 26:10

During Uzziah’s day, there was a grievous famine in the Land: Hos 2:9,12; 4:3, etc; Amo 1:2; 4:6,9, etc.

2Ch 26:16

AFTER UZZIAH BECAME POWERFUL, HIS PRIDE LED TO HIS DOWNFALL: Cp Deu 32:15,16. The same thing might be said of David and Hezekiah.

AND ENTERED THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD TO BURN INCENSE ON THE ALTAR OF INCENSE: The king who wanted to be a priest. A King-Priest! Did Uzziah begin to think of himself as the Messiah?

2Ch 26:19

LEPROSY BROKE OUT ON HIS FOREHEAD: Ct the High Priest, with “holiness” on his forehead: Exo 28:36-38. The one who exalted himself to be a priest will be revealed as the worst kind of sham. And now the disease in his forehead revealed that it was his THINKING which was at fault.

2Ch 26:23

UZZIAH RESTED WITH HIS FATHERS AND WAS BURIED: In the year king Uzziah died (Isa 6), the prophet Isaiah saw the great vision in the Temple, of the Glory of the LORD — suggesting the Messiah, the great King-Priest who was to come: the one whom Uzziah unsuccessfully tried to imitate.

2Ch 21:10

LIBNAH REVOLTED AT THE SAME TIME: Libnah, a priestly city, rebelling against the sin of the king.

2Ch 21:16

THE LORD AROUSED AGAINST JEHORAM THE HOSTILITY OF THE PHILISTINES…: Many times the LORD “stirred up” individuals (1Sa 26:19; 1Ki 11:14; 2Ch 36:22; Ezr 1:1; Hag 1:14) — sometimes for good, and sometimes for ill. In the case of faithful men who respond to His word, He is willing to work to encourage those who first respond to him: “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (Jam 4:8).

2Ch 22:1

Concerning Athaliah (2Ch 22): “The influence of a woman over a man may be tremendous, either for good or evil. It is a power that is unique. Applied in the right direction it can work wonders of transformation, and the quiet operation of this power for good may be many a woman’s crown of salvation. But it is a two-edged sword and Athaliah portrays the other edge. How important, then, is marriage ‘only in the Lord’!” (GVG).

2Ch 22:2

TWENTY-TWO: The KJV has 42, which is plainly incorrect (2Ki 8:26). Ahaziah’s father, Jehoram, had died at 40 (cp 2Ch 21:20) — so it is impossible that Ahaziah could have been 42 at that time!

GRANDDAUGHTER: Not “daughter”, as KJV.

2Ch 22:3

HIS MOTHER: Who was Ahab’s daughter!

2Ch 23:1

2Ch 23: “Jehoiada gathered his forces for a counter-revolution. It was significantly in the ‘seventh year’ (v 1), a type of the greater millennium 7th period, in which the forces of Truth will be exercised against the Sin-power. With Jehoiada were ‘captains of thousands’, and Yahshua the Anointed will similarly gather his great ones, the saints of the covenant, with him. The men of Jehoiada went about to attract others to their policies (v 2), as the Lord has been gathering out of the Gentiles a people for his Name. Priests, Levites and military were used. They were divided into thirds as was normal. Under Jehoiada, the priesthood was raised to an importance it never afterwards lost. Through the priesthood the lineage of David had been saved, and the worship of Yahweh restored. During the minority of Joash, Jehoiada reigned as King-Priest, and was regarded as the second founder of that order (Jer 29:26). The wicked Athaliah was removed from power (2Ch 23:15). Disturbed by the noise Athaliah emerged from the palace to see the Levites and guards in military order. Hastening to the temple she entered the court to be barred by the guard (v 10). The whole scene described in v 13, met her startled gaze, and soon she was removed: as will all those who elevate the power of the flesh for personal gratification and prestige. All opposition being crushed, the people were again called together to enter into a solemn covenant with Yahweh and His viceroy on earth (2Ch 23:16,17), typical of the covenant of immortality to be enjoyed by the people under Christ (cp Joh 3:3-6). Thus the full worship was restored (2Ch 23:18,19). All sacrificial arrangements were ascribed to the Law; all musical and temple appointments to David. Thus Jehoiada restored a Davidic form of worship on the basis of the Law, as it will be under Christ (cp 2Ch 24:17)” (GEM).

2Ch 23:6

// 2Ki 11:6: it was the house of the Lord that was to be guarded. This was the job of the people — not the priests. Everyone had a responsibility to keep the watch of the house of the Lord. The lessons for ourselves are clear. The action taken here is described in 1Ch 23:28-32.

2Ch 23:11

LONG LIVE THE KING: The KJV has “God save the king”, but it should be, more correctly, “Let the king live”: 1Sa 10:24; 2Sa 16:16; 2Ki 11:12; 2Ch 23:11.

2Ch 23:17

THEY SMASHED THE ALTARS AND IDOLS AND KILLED MATTAN THE PRIEST OF BAAL IN FRONT OF THE ALTARS: Far from being an overly harsh approach, this was required by the law: “You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people… you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. Destroy it completely, both its people and its livestock” (Deu 13:9,15).

2Ch 24:1

2Ch 24: A summary of some elements of the life of Jehoash is instructive: (a) 2Ki 12:1,2: Reigned 40 years — from 7 years old. Was good all the days of Jehoiada the priest. (b) 2Ch 24:3: Jehoiada takes Jehoash two wives. (c) 2Ch 24:15: Jehoiada the priest dies, 130 years old. (d) 2Ch 24:17,18: false worship. (e) 2Ch 24:19-21: …so God sends prophets, including Jehoiada’s son, whom they stoned. Jehoash did not remember the kindness of Jehoiada. (f) 2Ki 12:17,18: Hazael (of Syria) takes Gath and comes against Jerusalem. Jehoash gives riches from temple to Hazael who departs. (g) 2Ch 24:24: Syrians debased Judah because Jehoash forsook the Lord. (h) 2Ch 24:25 Jehoash was diseased and was slain by his servants. He was buried in city of David, but not in the “sepulchres of the kings.”

Thus we can see that, when the good influence of Jehoiada ceased. so did Jehoash’s goodness.

2Ch 24:16

HE WAS BURIED WITH THE KINGS IN THE CITY OF DAVID: Jehoiada had ruled as king-regent for the young child Joash.

2Ch 24:18

ASHERAH: See Lesson, Asherah.

2Ch 24:20

The Spirit of God: in Daniel (Dan 5:11); in Joseph (Gen 41:38); clothed Gideon (Jdg 6:34); clothed Amasai (1Ch 12:18); clothed Zechariah (2Ch 24:20); came upon Balaam (Num 24:2); came upon Saul (1Sa 10:10).

2Ch 24:21

The son of Jehoiada was unjustly killed in a cruel way by the jealousy of mankind, just like the Son of God was to be. It is amazing how quickly such a turnaround is possible from good to evil. We need to heed this truth about the nature we all bear and beware.

2Ch 24:25

BUT NOT IN THE TOMBS OF THE KINGS: Ct the resting place of Jehoiada the High Priest (v 16).