Recap

So far in 1-2 Chronicles we’ve read through the introductory genealogies, king David and Solomon’s reigns and started reigns of Judah's kings from Rehoboam to the exile. While separate books in our Bible 1-2 Chronicles tell one story, giving a recap of the Old Testament from Adam to the Jews' return from exile.

We read through the opening chapters of the book dedicated to the genealogies of God's people. These covered from Adam to David, focusing on Judah, the tribe of the royal family, Levi, the tribe of the priests, and Benjamin, the tribe of the first king Saul. There were also genealogies of the people who returned from exile.

As we moved into the section of the book focused on David, we saw the author use David as a model for what an ideal future king will look like. He was a shepherd, a ruler, a priest. He united the tribes, defeated their enemies, established peace. He served as a second Moses, designing the temple, gathering its resources, and organising the Levites and priests. David did everything he could to set Solomon up well. He then stepped back to allow Solomon to be king. 

Starting 2 Chronicles, Solomon immediately set himself apart from other kings, asking God not for wealth or power, but wisdom. Because of this, God granted Solomon the wisdom that he asked for, and the wealth and success that he hadn't. Solomon gathered the remaining resources for the temple and then had it built. He brought in the Ark of the Covenant and all the gold dedicated to God. Solomon prayed over the temple and the people and God's presence fell. God then warned Solomon that as long as his people remained humble and repented of their sin, God would forgive and rescue them. But if they don't, God will cast them from their land and destroy this temple.

Solomon went on to build more cities and establishing trade routes before passing on reign to his son Rehoboam. Under Solomon, the people had prospered, but they were also overworked. Because of this, they came to Rehoboam, and asked if he planned to lead them as his father did, or whether he would be more lenient on them. Rehoboam told them he would be harsher, which caused ten of the twelve tribes to secede and set up Jeroboam as king of the new Israel in the north.

The two southern tribes became known as just Judah. Despite Rehoboam's early mistake, he led quite well in his early year. But then he turned away from God and God removed his protection. Egypt came up and sacked Jerusalem, taking away its wealth. It was only because Rehoboam realised the error of his ways and repented to God so that Egypt wouldn’t destroy them completely. After Rehoboam came Abijah.

2 Chronicles 13-17

During Abijah's reign, there was a war between Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Israel's troops out numbered Judah's troops two to one, but Abijah wasn't afraid. He pointed out that by attacking Judah, Israel were actually fighting against their own God.

They had already abandoned him by removing all of his priests and setting up their own. They had their own places of worship, and golden calves that they bowed down before. Not only did Israel have more troops, but they had planned an ambush as well. But God was with Judah, and they easily defeated Israel's superior numbers. Judah defeated their enemy and reclaimed land from them.

Next up was king Asa, who worked tirelessly to remove all worship of other gods from Judah. He used the peace time to reinforce Judah's cities, protecting them from attack. The king of Ethiopia came to attack Judah and again his troops outnumbered Asa's a little over two to one. But Asa turned to God and relied on him, so God helped them defeat their enemies. Judah chased them all the way back to their land and returned home with much loot.

A little later, one of God's prophets came to Asa and challenged him that the people were slipping back into their worship of other gods. With renewed vigour, Asa went out and again removed the worship of foreign gods. He gathered the people and caused them to recommit themselves to God, making many sacrifices. There were a few places that Asa failed to get rid of, but on the whole, Asa's heart and intent were with God.

But then the new king of Israel in the north came and started building new cities that would cause problems for Judah. Rather than turn to God, this time Asa turned to the king of Syria and offered him gold to stop supporting Israel and attack them instead. The king of Syria agreed, and Israel quickly dropped the new cities they had been building to defend themselves from this new attack.

But God was angry and sent one of his prophets to tell Asa that because he sought the help of Syria rather than turning to God, Judah would be plagued by wars for years to come. Unfortunately, Asa refused to repent and instead became cruel in his anger. Asa’s reign ended with him diseases riddled, unwilling to turn to God for help.

After Asa came Jehoshaphat, who was faithful to God. He fortified more of Judah's cities and organised officials and Levites to go around the nation teaching the people God's ways. God's favour was on Judah during this time, and he allowed it to prosper. Their enemies saw that God was with them and so decided to offer gifts rather than attack.

Psalm 72

This psalm is attributed to Solomon and falls into the category of a royal psalm. It was likely read at the coronation of a new king. As with most royal psalms, this psalm can be read through a messianic lens, as though talking about the future king, Jesus.

It’s also the psalm that ends the second book of the Psalms, which covered Psalms 42-72. The last three verses are a doxology that ends the book, rather than just end the psalm.

Psalm 72:1-6 - A prayer for the king; for justice and provision

Psalm 72:7-11 - A prayer for peace

Psalm 72:12-14 - The king will deliver the poor and oppressed

Psalm 72:15-17 - Blessings for the king

Psalm 72:18-20 - Final doxology

The psalmist opens with the request that God grant the king justice and righteous. We’ve seen through many psalms now that justice is a core beat of God’s heart, and it is to be the same for their king.

The king is to lead with justice and righteousness, and when he does, it leads the people to prosperity. They are to defend the poor and needy, and resist and defeat the oppressors.

This then leads to peace in the land, both internally as righteous people flourish, but also with the surrounding nations. Other nations will want to trade and bring gifts.

And then the psalmist turns back to justice. The king is when who delivers the poor, the weak, and the needy. He rescues them from violence and oppression.

Having prayed that the king might rule well, the psalmist now prays for the king himself. May the king live a long life and be blessed with wealth. May others continue to pray for him and offer him their support. May we see the nation flourish because of him, so that his name lives on forever as a good king.

In this, we see a good principle for leadership. The people are to pray for and support their leader, and the leader is to use their position to benefit the people they lead, not themselves. And in it all, both the people and the leader must recognise that the real power and authority is God himself.

Which is where the psalmist ends. Bless be the God of Israel. He is the one who does miraculous things and may his name be lifted high. Then comes the phrase “The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.” This suggests we’re meant to read this as David’s prayer for Solomon before he passes on the crown to him.

The strongest push to see this psalm as a messianic psalm, that talks about the future king that would be found in Jesus, is the fact that no king of Israel ever lives up to this psalm. At face value, Solomon comes closest. But the more you dig into his story, you see the people were burdened with heavy taxes while Solomon grew richer.

The messiah would be one that serves the poor and the needy, that leads with righteousness and justice, and that brings peace, not just to Israel but to the whole earth.