1 Chronicles 28
2 Chronicles 28 focuses on the reign of Ahaz, the sixteenth king of the kingdom of Judah. This chapter describes how, after Ahaz came to the throne, he did evil in the sight of God, and as a result, Judah suffered great hardship at the hands of many nations. It is structured so that Judah’s spiritual decline, conflicts with surrounding nations, and God’s warnings and mercy alternate in view.
1verseDavid assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies who served the king by division, the captains of thousands, the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem.
2verseThen David the king stood up on his feet and said, “Hear me, my brothers and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the LORD’s covenant, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building.
3verseBut God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for my name, because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’
4verseHowever the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever. For he has chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel.
5verseOf all my sons (for the LORD has given me many sons), he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the LORD’s kingdom over Israel.
6verseHe said to me, ‘Solomon, your son, shall build my house and my courts; for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.
7verseI will establish his kingdom forever if he continues to do my commandments and my ordinances, as it is today.’
8verseNow therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the LORD’s assembly, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.
9verseYou, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
10verseTake heed now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.”
11verseThen David gave to Solomon his son the plans for the porch of the temple, for its houses, for its treasuries, for its upper rooms, for its inner rooms, for the place of the mercy seat;
12verseand the plans of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the LORD’s house, for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of God’s house, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things;
13versealso for the divisions of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the LORD’s house, and for all the vessels of service in the LORD’s house—
14verseof gold by weight for the gold for all vessels of every kind of service, for all the vessels of silver by weight, for all vessels of every kind of service;
15verseby weight also for the lamp stands of gold, and for its lamps, of gold, by weight for every lamp stand and for its lamps; and for the lamp stands of silver, by weight for every lamp stand and for its lamps, according to the use of every lamp stand;
16verseand the gold by weight for the tables of show bread, for every table; and silver for the tables of silver;
17verseand the forks, the basins, and the cups, of pure gold; and for the golden bowls by weight for every bowl; and for the silver bowls by weight for every bowl;
18verseand for the altar of incense, refined gold by weight; and gold for the plans for the chariot, and the cherubim that spread out and cover the ark of the LORD’s covenant.
19verse“All this”, David said, “I have been made to understand in writing from the LORD’s hand, even all the works of this pattern.”
20verseDavid said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the LORD’s house is finished.
21verseBehold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing man who has skill for any kind of service shall be with you in all kinds of work. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.”
Flow and Structure of the Content
- Ahaz’s apostasy (Verses 1–4): Ahaz abandons God and worships idols, following the practices of the kings of Israel. He even causes severe spiritual confusion, offering sacrifices by burning his children in the fire.
- Judah’s military defeat (Verses 5–8): Because of his wicked deeds, Judah is attacked by various peoples such as Aram, the northern kingdom of Israel, and Edom, and suffers serious losses.
- God’s mercy toward Israel (Verses 9–15): Although the northern kingdom of Israel takes Judah’s people into captivity, at the counsel of the prophet Oded they release them and send them back. This shows God’s mercy and the practice of peace among the people.
- Ahaz’s continued decline (Verses 16–25): Instead of relying on God in the face of threats from outsiders, Ahaz asks Assyria for help, but even greater difficulties follow. The emphasis is on how he continues to worship idols and leave God to the very end.
- The death of Ahaz (Verses 26–27): Ahaz is excluded and buried, and the consequences of his corrupt life are brought to a symbolic conclusion.
Points for Reflection
- Consider how much influence a spiritual leader’s actions can have on an entire nation and all the people.
- Notice the traces of mercy that remain even amid God’s warnings and discipline (the return of the captives).
- Look at what results when, in times of crisis, people rely on something other than God.
Apply It to My Life
- Check whether in my life I depend on things other than God—such as material possessions, people, power, and so on.
- Think about what decision I need to make in order to maintain an attitude of seeking God’s will even in times of difficulty.
- Stay sensitive to the message of God’s warnings and mercy, and keep your heart open so you do not miss the opportunity to repent.
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