2 Chronicles 21

2 Chronicles 21

2 Chronicles 21:1 Jehoshaphat lied down with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jehoram became king in his place.

2 Chronicles 21:2 He had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of King Jehoshaphat of Judah.

2 Chronicles 21:3 Their father had given them many gifts of silver, gold, and valuable things, along with fortified cities in Judah. Still, he gave the kingdom to Jehoram because he was the firstborn.

2 Chronicles 21:4 When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened his position by killing with the sword all his brothers as well as some of the captains of Israel.

2 Chronicles 21:5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 21:6 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, because Ahab’s daughter was his wife. He did what was evil in Yahveh’s sight,

2 Chronicles 21:7 But for the sake of the covenant Yahveh had established with David, he was unwilling to put an end to the house of David since Yahveh had promised to give a lamp to David and his sons forever.

2 Chronicles 21:8 During Jehoram’s reign, Edom rebelled against Judah’s control and appointed their own king.

2 Chronicles 21:9 So Jehoram crossed into Edom with his captains and all his chariots. Then, at night, he set out to attack the Edomites who had surrounded him and the chariot captains.

2 Chronicles 21:10 Edom is still in rebellion against Judah’s control today. Libnah also rebelled against his control at that time because he had abandoned Yahveh, the God of his ancestors.

2 Chronicles 21:11 Jehoram also built high places in the hills of Judah, caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute[1] themselves, and led Judah astray.

2 Chronicles 21:12 Then a letter came to Jehoram from the prophet Elijah, saying: This is what Yahveh, the God of your ancestor David, says: “Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or the ways of King Asa of Judah

2 Chronicles 21:13 but have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves like the house of Ahab prostituted itself, and also have killed your brothers, your father’s house, who were better than you,

2 Chronicles 21:14 Notice, Yahveh is now about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a horrible affliction.

2 Chronicles 21:15 You will be struck with many illnesses, including a disease of the intestines, until your intestines come out day after day because of the disease.”

2 Chronicles 21:16 Yahveh roused the breath of the Philistines and the Arabs who lived near the Cushites to attack Jehoram.

2 Chronicles 21:17 So they went to war against Judah and invaded it. They carried off all the possessions found in the king’s house and his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son.

2 Chronicles 21:18 After all these things, Yahveh afflicted him in his intestines with an incurable disease.

2 Chronicles 21:19 This continued day after day until two full years passed. Then his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died from severe illnesses. But his people did not hold a fire in his honor like the fire in honor of his fathers.

2 Chronicles 21:20 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one’s regret and was buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

[1] זָנָה = be a prostitute. 2 Chronicles 21:11, 13.

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The 2 Chronicles shelf in Jeff’s library

WITH THE LORD

WITH THE LORD

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 NET.

¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Introduction

If you listen to the way many Christians talk about death, you’ll hear a familiar phrase: “When I die, I’ll go to be with the Lord.” It’s sincere. It’s comforting. It’s well‑intended. But it’s not actually what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4.

The Thessalonian believers were grieving. Some of their brothers and sisters had died, and they were confused. They wondered: What happens to believers who die before Jesus returns? Are they missing out? Are they at a disadvantage?

Paul could have settled the whole matter by saying, “Don’t worry — the believing dead are already with the Lord.” But he didn’t say that. Not once. Instead, he said something very different — something far more powerful, far more hopeful, and far more in line with the gospel story.

He said the dead are asleep.
He said they will rise.
He said they will rise when Jesus descends.
And he said that only then will we all be “with the Lord forever.”

This is the hope Paul gives.
This is the comfort Paul offers.
This is the truth we must cling to.

I. The Dead Are Asleep — Not Already Raised (vv. 13–15)

Paul begins by addressing their grief:
“I do not want you to be uninformed… so that you will not grieve as the rest who have no hope.”

He does not deny grief.
He does not rebuke grief.
He redefines grief.

Why?
Because the dead in Christ are not lost. They are not conscious spirits floating in heaven. Paul says they are asleep — a word he uses twice in this passage (vv. 13 and 15).

Sleep is temporary.
Sleep anticipates waking.
Sleep is the posture of waiting for resurrection.

Paul’s point is simple:
The believing dead are not ahead of us — they are waiting with us.

If Paul believed the dead were already with the Lord, he would have said so.
But he didn’t.
He said they are asleep, awaiting the same moment we are awaiting: the return of Christ.

II. The Lord Himself Will Descend (v. 16)

Paul now shifts from the condition of the dead to the certainty of Christ’s return.

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven…”

Not an angel.
Not a messenger.
Not a symbolic event.
The Lord Himself.

And when He comes, it will not be quiet.

A shout — the command of a King.
The voice of the archangel — heaven’s announcement.
The trumpet of God — the signal of victory and resurrection.

This is not a secret coming.
This is not a private moment.
This is the public unveiling of the King of kings.

And what happens when He comes?

III. The Dead in Christ Will Rise First (v. 16)

Here is Paul’s answer to the Thessalonians’ fear:

“The dead in Christ will rise first.”

Not “are already risen.”
Not “are already with the Lord.”
Not “have already received their reward.”

They will rise — future tense.
They will rise first — priority.
They will rise bodily — resurrection.

This is the consistent teaching of Scripture:

Jesus is the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:20).
Those who belong to Him will be raised at His coming (1 Cor. 15:23).
We will be made alive when He appears (Col. 3:4).

The dead are not ahead of us.
They are not behind us.
They are waiting for the same moment we are waiting for:
The return of Christ and the resurrection of the body.

IV. Then We Who Are Alive Will Be Caught Up Together With Them (v. 17)

Paul now includes the living.

“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them…”

Notice the emphasis:

Together — no separation.
With them — no advantage for the living.
In the clouds — the meeting place of divine glory.
To meet the Lord — the King we have longed for.

And then Paul gives the climax of the passage:

“And so we shall always be with the Lord.”

Not at death.
Not in a disembodied state.
Not in some intermediate condition.

But after the resurrection,
After the reunion,
After the return of Christ.

This is the moment when we will be “with the Lord forever.”

V. Therefore, Comfort One Another With These Words (v. 18)

Paul ends with a command:
“Comfort one another with these words.”

Not with speculation.
Not with sentiment.
Not with vague ideas about heaven.

With these words.
The words he just wrote.
The words of resurrection hope.
The words of Christ’s return.

When we face our own death, we need comfort.
When we stand beside a grave, we need comfort.
When we lose someone we love, we need comfort.

But our comfort must be the comfort God actually gives.

And what comfort does He give?

Not “They’re already with the Lord.”
But “They will rise.”
Not “They’re watching over us.”
But “The Lord Himself will descend.”
Not “They’re in a better place.”
But “We will be together with them.”
Not “They’re at peace now.”
But “We will always be with the Lord.”

The second coming is the blessed hope.
The resurrection is the blessed hope.
The reunion is the blessed hope.

This is the comfort Paul commands us to give.

Conclusion

Paul does not point us to death as our hope.
He points us to Christ’s return.
He points us to the resurrection of the dead.
He points us to the reunion of God’s people.
He points us to the everlasting presence of the Lord.

This is our hope.
This is our comfort.
This is our future.

So, we pray:

Lord, thank you for the promise of a resurrection and reunion at your return.
Fix our hope not on death, but on Your coming.
Strengthen our hearts with the comfort You Yourself have given.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

2 Chronicles 20

2 Chronicles 20

2 Chronicles 20:1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to fight against Jehoshaphat.

2 Chronicles 20:2 People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; notice, they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi).

2 Chronicles 20:3 Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to cry out to Yahveh. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah,

2 Chronicles 20:4 who gathered to seek Yahveh. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek him.

2 Chronicles 20:5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem in Yahveh’s house before the new courtyard.

2 Chronicles 20:6 He said: Lord, God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in the sky, and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hands, and no one can stand against you.

2 Chronicles 20:7 Are you not our God who dispossessed[1] the inhabitants of this land before your people, Israel, and who gave it permanently to the seed[2] of Abraham whom you cared for?

2 Chronicles 20:8 They have lived in the land and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name and have said,

2 Chronicles 20:9 “If disaster comes on us — sword or judgment, pestilence or famine — we will stand before this house and before you, for your name is in this house. We will cry out to you because of our distress, and you will hear and rescue.”[3]

2 Chronicles 20:10 Now notice the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not exterminate[4] them.

2 Chronicles 20:11 Notice how they repay us by coming to drive us out of your inheritance that you gave us to take possession of.

2 Chronicles 20:12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.

2 Chronicles 20:13 All Judah was standing before Yahveh with their dependents, their wives, and their children.

2 Chronicles 20:14 In the middle of the congregation, the Breath of Yahveh came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants),

2 Chronicles 20:15 and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Yahveh says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

2 Chronicles 20:16 Tomorrow, go down against them. You will notice them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the open country of Jeruel.

2 Chronicles 20:17 You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of Yahveh. He is with you, Judah, and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahveh is with you.'”

2 Chronicles 20:18 Then Jehoshaphat knelt low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before Yahveh to worship him.

2 Chronicles 20:19 Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise Yahveh, the God of Israel, shouting loudly.

2 Chronicles 20:20 In the morning, they got up early and went out to the open country of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahveh your God, and you will be established; believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

2 Chronicles 20:21 Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for Yahveh and some to praise the splendor of his holiness. When they went out in the face of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to Yahveh, for his covenant faithfulness endures permanently.

2 Chronicles 20:22 The moment they began their shouts and praises, Yahveh set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.

2 Chronicles 20:23 The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, set them apart for destruction[5] and exterminated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.

2 Chronicles 20:24 When Judah came to a place overlooking the open country, they looked for the large army, but noticed there were only corpses[6] lying on the ground; nobody had escaped.

2 Chronicles 20:25 Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to capture the plunder. They found among them an abundance of goods on the bodies and valuable[7] Items, so they stripped[8] They carried them until nobody could carry any more. Because there was so much, they captured the plunder for three days.

2 Chronicles 20:26 They collected in the Valley of Beracah on the fourth day, because there they praised Yahveh. Therefore, that place is still named the Valley of Beracah today.

2 Chronicles 20:27 Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem turned back with Jehoshaphat their leader, returning joyfully to Jerusalem, for Yahveh enabled them to rejoice over their enemies.

2 Chronicles 20:28 So they came into Jerusalem to Yahveh’s house with harps, lyres, and trumpets.

2 Chronicles 20:29 God’s terror was upon all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Yahveh had fought against Israel’s enemies.

2 Chronicles 20:30 Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was quiet, for his God allowed him rest on every side.

2 Chronicles 20:31 Jehoshaphat became king over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king and reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi.

2 Chronicles 20:32 He walked in the ways of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it but did what was right in Yahveh’s sight.

2 Chronicles 20:33 The high places were certainly[9] not taken away; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.

2 Chronicles 20:34 Notice, the rest of Jehoshaphat’s reign, from beginning to end, is written in the Events of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of Israel’s Kings.

2 Chronicles 20:35 After this, Judah’s King Jehoshaphat allied with Israel’s King Ahaziah, who was guilty of wrongdoing.

2 Chronicles 20:36 Jehoshaphat allied with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer, son of Dodavahu of Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you formed an alliance with Ahaziah, Yahveh has broken up what you have made.” So, the ships were wrecked and could not go to Tarshish.

[1] יָרָשׁ = take possession of, dispossess. 2 Chronicles 20:7, 11; 28:3; 33:2.

[2] זֶרָע = seed. 2 Chronicles 20:7; 22:10.

[3] יָשַׁע = save, help, rescue. 2 Chronicles 20:9; 32:22.

[4] שָׁמַד = exterminate, be exterminated. 2 Chronicles 20:10, 23; 33:9.

[5] חָרָם = set apart for destruction. 2 Chronicles 20:23; 32:14.

[6] פֶּגֶר = corpse. 2 Chronicles 20:24.

[7]חמד

[8] נָצַל = strip. 2 Chronicles 20:25; 25:15; 32:11, 13, 14, 15, 17.

[9] אַךְ = certainly. 2 Chronicles 20:33; 30:11.

links:

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The 2 Chronicles shelf in Jeff’s library

2 Chronicles 19

2 Chronicles 19

2 Chronicles 19:1 King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned to his house in Jerusalem in peace.

2 Chronicles 19:2 Then Jehu son of the seer Hanani went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Do you help the wicked and care for those who hate Yahveh? Because of this, Yahveh’s wrath is on you.

2 Chronicles 19:3 However, some good is found in you, for you have burnt up the Asherah poles from the land and have decided to seek God.”

2 Chronicles 19:4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to Yahveh, the God of their ancestors.

2 Chronicles 19:5 He appointed judges in all the fortified cities of the land of Judah, city by city.

2 Chronicles 19:6 Then he said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for a mere mortal, but for Yahveh, who is with you in the matter of judgment.

2 Chronicles 19:7 And now, may the terror of Yahveh be on you. Guard what you do, for there is no injustice or partiality or taking gifts[1] with Yahveh our God.”

2 Chronicles 19:8 Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites and priests and some of the Israelite family heads in Jerusalem to decide Yahveh’s judgment and settle the disputes of the residents of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 19:9 He commanded them, saying, “In the fear of Yahveh, with integrity, and wholeheartedly, you are to do the following:

2 Chronicles 19:10 For every dispute that comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities — whether it regards differences of bloodguilt, instruction, commandment, prescribed tasks, or judgments — you are to warn them, so they will not incur guilt before Yahveh and wrath will not come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.

2 Chronicles 19:11 “Notice that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to Yahveh, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters related to the king, and the Levites are officers[2] in your presence. Be strong; may Yahveh be with those who do what is good.”

[1] שֹׁחַד = gift (bribe). 2 Chronicles 19:7.

[2] שֹׁטֵר = officer. 2 Chronicles 19:11; 26:11; 34:13.

links:

boundaries crossed
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bringing them back

The 2 Chronicles shelf in Jeff’s library

2 Chronicles 18

2 Chronicles 18:1 Jehoshaphat had riches and reward in abundance, and he allied with Ahab through marriage.

2 Chronicles 18:2 Then, after some years, he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab sacrificed many sheep, goats, and cattle for himself and for the people who were with him. Then he persuaded him to attack Ramoth-gilead,

2 Chronicles 18:3 for Israel’s King Ahab asked Judah’s King Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He replied to him, “I am as you are, my people as your people; we will be with you in the battle.”

2 Chronicles 18:4 But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what Yahveh’s will is.”

2 Chronicles 18:5 So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?” They replied, “March up, and God will hand it over to the king.”

2 Chronicles 18:6 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yahveh here anymore? Let’s ask him.”

2 Chronicles 18:7 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man who can inquire of Yahveh, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah, son of Imlah.” “The king shouldn’t say that,” Jehoshaphat replied.

2 Chronicles 18:8 So the king of Israel invited an officer and said, “Hurry and get Micaiah son of Imlah!”

2 Chronicles 18:9 Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, clothed in royal attire, were each sitting on his throne. They were sitting on the threshing floor at the entrance to Samaria’s gate, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.

2 Chronicles 18:10 Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what Yahveh says: ‘You will gore the Arameans with these until they are finished off.'”

2 Chronicles 18:11 And all the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “March up to Ramoth-gilead and succeed, for Yahveh will hand it over to the king.”

2 Chronicles 18:12 The agent[1] who went to invite Micaiah instructed him, “Notice, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable for the king. So let your words be like theirs and speak favorably.”

2 Chronicles 18:13 But Micaiah said, “As Yahveh is living, I will say whatever my God says.”

2 Chronicles 18:14 So he went to the king, and the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war, or should I refrain?” Micaiah said, “March up and succeed, for they will be handed over to you.”

2 Chronicles 18:15 But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the reliable in the name of Yahveh?”

2 Chronicles 18:16 So Micaiah said: I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And Yahveh said, “They have no lord; let each return to his house in peace.”

2 Chronicles 18:17 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster?”

2 Chronicles 18:18 Then Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of Yahveh. I saw Yahveh sitting on his throne, and the whole sky army was standing at his right hand and his left hand.

2 Chronicles 18:19 And Yahveh said, ‘Who will entice King Ahab of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? ‘ So one was saying this and another was saying that.

2 Chronicles 18:20 “Then a breath came forward, stood before Yahveh, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ “Yahveh asked him, ‘How?’

2 Chronicles 18:21 “So he said, ‘I will go and become a lying breath in the mouth of all his prophets.’ “Then he said, ‘You will entice him and prevail. Go and do that.’

2 Chronicles 18:22 “Now, notice, Yahveh has put a lying breath into the mouth of these prophets of yours, and Yahveh has pronounced disaster against you.”

2 Chronicles 18:23 Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah came up, struck Micaiah on the cheek, and demanded, “Which way did the breath from Yahveh leave me to speak to you?”

2 Chronicles 18:24 Micaiah replied, “Notice, you will soon see when you go to hide in an inner chamber on that day.”

2 Chronicles 18:25 Then the king of Israel ordered, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon, the captain of the city, and Joash, the king’s son,

2 Chronicles 18:26 and say, ‘This is what the king says: Place this guy in the house of confinement and let him consume him only a little bread and water until I come back safely.'”

2 Chronicles 18:27 But Micaiah said, “If you ever return safely, Yahveh has not spoken through me.” Then he said, “Listen, all you people!”

2 Chronicles 18:28 Then the king of Israel and Judah’s King Jehoshaphat went up to Ramoth-gilead.

2 Chronicles 18:29 But the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal attire.” So, the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.

2 Chronicles 18:30 Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot captains, “Do not fight with anyone at all except the king of Israel.”

2 Chronicles 18:31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they shouted, “He must be the king of Israel!” So, they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahveh helped him. God drew them away from him.

2 Chronicles 18:32 When the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

2 Chronicles 18:33 But a man drew his bow without taking special aim and struck the king of Israel through the joints of his armor. So, he said to the charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!”

2 Chronicles 18:34 The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then he died at sunset.

[1] מַלְאָךְ = agent. 2 Chronicles 18:12; 32:21; 35:21; 36:15, 16.

links:

assisting evil
boundaries crossed

The 2 Chronicles shelf in Jeff’s library