Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

We are continuing our study through the divided kingdom that began last week when Rehoboam’s foolish decision to not follow the wise counsel of Solomon’s counselors.

Beginning in chapter 10 and going through the rest of 2 Chronicles, we are going to see all of the kings of Judah lifted up alongside their father David and compared to him in their faithfulness to God and His law, and whether or not they had a heart that sought the LORD like David.

Last week, you all saw that when Rehoboam walked in the ways of his father David for part of his reign, but then he abandoned the LORD after his kingdom was strengthened.

He did not determine in his heart to seek the LORD like David did.

Then you have Abijah and Asa.

Abijah was given success because of his trust in the LORD in his battle against Jeroboam and the LORD gave Abijah’s kingdom peace for ten years.

Then with Asa, at the beginning, he “did what was good and right in the sight of the LORD” (14:2) and gained victory in battle also when he cried to the LORD for help in prayer (14:11).

There was great reforms.

They people renewed their covenant with the LORD, to seek him with all their heart.

But then all falls apart for Abijah in ch16.

He stops trusting in the LORD.

He stops following in the ways of David when he went out to battle against Aram.

Then he later on got a deadly disease, and at this point he did not trust the LORD or seek him, but only sought help from the medical professionals of his day.

In these kings and the ones who follow, how their reigns & battles go, and even how their health is, depends on whether or not they have walked in the ways of David and if they have sought God with all their heart consistently.

Keep this in mind as we go through the rest of this book.

So we will being today in ch17.

Jehoshaphat takes center stage in Chronicles’ account of the Divided Monarchy (chapters 10–28), exemplifying many of Chronicles’ key themes that we have talked about many times.

He is a man of prayer and faith who removes idolatrous symbols, gives God’s law new priority, and has a special concern for the Levites.

In typical Chronicles fashion, he is blessed with a strong army, new buildings, wealth, and international recognition.

On the other hand, his willingness for compromise with the northern kingdom is a notable weakness, and neither he nor his people are fully committed to God for the duration of his reign, just like his father Asa.

But in general, Jehoshaphat’s reign was remembered for his devotion to the Lord, which is the focus of chapter 17.

He was thought of as a good king in Judah.

Look at 17:3-4:

“Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David.

He did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked by his commands, not according to the practices of Israel.”

(, CSB)

In verse 5, we are told that Jehoshaphat, in his mind, “rejoiced in the LORD’s ways.”

These are the kinds of things that you want stated of the leaders of God’s people.

He followed the right example: his father David and not the ways of Israel.

He found joy in doing what God wanted him to do.

This is why we are told in v3 that the LORD was with him.

The LORD blessed him as he did David and Solomon with wealth and honor from the people.

And He also gave Jehoshaphat peace for now, bringing the terror of the LORD on the surrounding nations (v10).

And also, Jehoshaphat’s army grew at this time.

It was double the size of Asa’s army.

He also increased the number of fortified cities within Judah.

Rehoboam and Asa both built many also.

So Judah is really being strengthened against enemy attack.

29:2

He also increased the number of fortified cities within Judah.

Rehoboam and Asa both built many also.

In verses 7-9, we have one of my favorite things mentioned about Jehoshaphat.

We are told that Jehoshaphat sent his officials and the Levites into the cities of Judah.

And what they are doing is great.

They were going throughout the cities of Judah teaching the people the law of the LORD.

The levites are fulfilling one of their most important duties of teaching God’s people.

This is the way you bring religious reform to a nation.

The word goes out.

You don’t keep it to yourself.

You share it so others can know the LORD also.

Josiah is the other…

In verses 7-9, we have one of my favorite things mentioned about Jehoshaphat.

We are told that Jehoshaphat sent his officials and the Levites into the cities of Judah.

And what they are doing is great.

They were going throughout the cities of Judah teaching the people the law of the LORD.

The levites are fulfilling one of their most important duties of teaching God’s people.

This is the way you bring religious reform to a nation.

The word goes out.

You don’t keep it to yourself.

We will see later on how there were kings who were good and were devoted to God’s law, but it did not impact the people.

May it be the case that these kings did not go to the extent that Jehoshaphat does here?

Maybe.

His fighting forces grew in strength (17:10–19), and the surrounding nations were terrified, not of Judah in particular, but of the LORD who gave them their strength.

Jehoshaphat’s reign (872–869 B.C.) was remembered for his devotion to the Lord, which is the focus of chapter 17.

He sent Levites throughout the territory of Judah to instruct the people in the Book of the Law (17:1–9).

“The Lord was with Jehoshaphat” (17:3) and gave him peace.

His fighting forces grew in strength (17:10–19), and the surrounding nations were terrified, not of Judah in particular, but of the LORD who gave them their strength.

“The Lord was with Jehoshaphat” (17:3) and gave him peace.

His fighting forces grew in strength (17:10–19), and the surrounding nations were terrified, not of Judah in particular, but of the LORD who gave them their strength.

APPLICATION

Those who love the LORD delight in His ways.

They don’t view God’s laws as burdensome, but joyously desire to obey.

As David is lifted up as the example of how to love and trust the LORD, we need to lift up “David” also as an example to ourselves.

Our David: Jesus, is the ultimate example for us to aim to follow.

Following in the steps of David/Jesus brings success.

Not only do GOd’s people find joy in devoting themselves to the law of the LORD, but also in helping others know the LORD.

In both Old and New Testaments, God desired that his servants teach his laws to the people.

We all, as God’s priesthood, have this duty.

Those who know the LORD share the LORD with others.

Now, in ch18, things start to go downhill a little bit for Jehoshaphat.

He makes an alliance with the last person you would think a king of Judah would make an alliance with: the wicked king Ahab of Israel.

Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab through marriage, giving his son Jehoram to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah (, ).

This will be condemned by the prophet Jehu in ch19, and it will have terrible consequences for kings who reigned after him.

Let’s skip ahead for a moment to ch19 and look at 19:1-3:

Now, in ch18, things start to go downhill a little bit for Jehoshaphat.

He makes an alliance with the last person you would think a king of Judah would make an alliance with: the wicked king Ahab of Israel.

Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab through marriage, giving his son Jehoram to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah (, ).

This will be condemned by the prophet Jehu in ch19, and it will have terrible consequences for kings who reigned after him.

Let’s skip ahead for a moment to ch19 and look at 19:1-3:

Jehoshaphat had allied himself with Ahab through marriage, giving his son Jehoram to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah (, ).

He was persuaded to join Israel in a campaign against the Arameans at Ramoth Gilead.

In contrast to Ahab, Jehoshaphat insisted on hearing from a prophet of the Lord.

Ahab reluctantly called for Micaiah, whom he had imprisoned (; ).

“King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned to his home in Jerusalem in peace.

Then Jehu son of the seer Hanani went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Do you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?

Because of this, the Lord’s wrath is on you.

However, some good is found in you, for you have eradicated the Asherah poles from the land and have decided to seek God.””

(, CSB)

Jehu has some strong words for Jehoshaphat here.

He was helping the wicked and loving those who hated the LORD.