1 Chronicles 22
2 Chronicles 22 deals with the accession of Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, the brief and tragic reign that followed, and the appearance of Athaliah. The main focus of the passage is on how Ahaziah was king for only one year, his alliance with Jehoram (king of Israel), and the incident in which he was killed by Jehu.
1verseThen David said, “This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
2verseDavid gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut dressed stones to build God’s house.
3verseDavid prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates and for the couplings, and bronze in abundance without weight,
4verseand cedar trees without number, for the Sidonians and the people of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.
5verseDavid said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6verseThen he called for Solomon his son, and commanded him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel.
7verseDavid said to Solomon his son, “As for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God.
8verseBut the LORD’s word came to me, saying, ‘You have shed blood abundantly and have made great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.
9verseBehold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of peace. I will give him rest from all his enemies all around; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
10verseHe shall build a house for my name; and he will be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
11verseNow, my son, may the LORD be with you and prosper you, and build the house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning you.
12verseMay the LORD give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.
13verseThen you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid and don’t be dismayed.
14verseNow, behold, in my affliction I have prepared for the LORD’s house one hundred thousand talents of gold, one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron without weight; for it is in abundance. I have also prepared timber and stone; and you may add to them.
15verseThere are also workmen with you in abundance—cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skillful in every kind of work;
16verseof the gold, the silver, the bronze, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and may the LORD be with you.”
17verseDavid also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying,
18verse“Isn’t the LORD your God with you? Hasn’t he given you rest on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD and before his people.
19verseNow set your heart and your soul to follow the LORD your God. Arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the LORD’s name.”
Structure of the Chapter and Key Events
- Verses 1-4: Ahaziah’s accession and background, his relationship with the house of Ahab, and his mother Athaliah’s influence
- Verses 5-9: Ahaziah goes to war with Jehoram king of Israel in Gilead and is killed through Jehu
- Verses 10-12: After Ahaziah’s death, Athaliah kills all the royal family and hides and preserves the infant Joash
Overall Meaning and Reflection
This chapter reveals the deadly consequences of a leader’s choices and influence, and of a life moved away from God, for the community and future generations. Athaliah’s idolatrous influence and the alliance with the house of Ahab draw the kingdom of Judah into crisis. The rapid destruction of the dynasty and the protection of the young Joash show that even amid human desires and plans, God’s providence and protection continue to unfold.
Points for Reflection
- Who is the person who has influence on me and those around me, and who am I being influenced by?
- Can I trust that God’s protection and providence are still at work even in places no one can see?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When facing important decisions in life, I reflect on whether I am following spiritual standards and the right kind of influence, rather than relying on external success or human relationships.
- I look to the belief that even amid crisis and confusion, God is holding on to my life.
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