The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

by John MacArthur

  19:2 Hanani. This same prophet had earlier given Jehoshaphat’s father, Asa, a similar warning (2 Chr. 16:7–9).

  19:4–11 Jehoshaphat put God’s kingdom in greater spiritual order than at any time since Solomon. To insure this order, he set “judges” (v. 5) in place and gave them principles to rule by: 1) accountability to God (v. 6); 2) integrity and honesty (v. 7); 3) loyalty to God (v. 9); 4) concern for righteousness (v. 10); and 5) courage (v. 11). All are essentials to spiritual leadership.

  2 Chronicles 20

  20:1, 2 The offspring of Lot, i.e., Moab and Ammon, located E of the Jordan, and those from Edom to the S (the offspring of Esau), had intentions of dethroning Jehoshaphat. They had come around the S end of the Dead Sea as far N as En-Gedi, at the middle of the western shore. This was a common route for enemies since they were invisible to the people on the other side of the mountains to the W.

  20:3, 4 Jehoshaphat made the appropriate spiritual response, i.e., the king and the nation appealed to God in prayer and fasting. The fast was national, including even the children (v. 13). Cf. Joel 2:12–17; Jon. 3:7.

  20:5–12 Jehoshaphat stood in the redecorated center court praying for the nation, appealing to the promises, the glory, and the reputation of God which were at stake since He was identified with Judah. In his prayer he acknowledged God’s sovereignty (v. 6), God’s covenant (v. 7), God’s presence (vv. 8, 9), God’s goodness (v. 10), God’s possession (v. 11), and their utter dependence on Him (v. 12).

  20:10 Mount Seir. A prominent landmark in Edom.

  20:14–17 The LORD responded immediately, sending a message of confidence through the prophet Jahaziel.

  20:16 Ascent of Ziz…Wilderness of Jeruel. These areas lie between En-Gedi on the Dead Sea and Tekoa, which is 10 mi. S of Jerusalem and 17 mi. NW of En-Gedi. This is the pass that leads from the valley of the Dead Sea toward Jerusalem.

  20:18–21 Here was the praise of faith. They were confident enough in God’s promise of victory to begin the praise before the battle was won. So great was their trust that the choir marched in front of the army, singing psalms.

  20:21 the beauty of holiness. The LORD is beautiful in holiness (cf. Ex. 15:11; Ps. 27:4), but the text here would better be translated “in holy attire,” which was referring to the manner in which the Levite singers were clothed in symbolic sacred clothing (cf. 1 Chr. 16:29) in honor of the LORD’s holiness.

  20:22–24 Similar to God’s intervention in Gideon’s day (Judg. 7:15–23), God caused confusion among the enemy, who mistakenly turned upon themselves and slaughtered each other. Some think this may have been done by angels who appeared and set off this uncontrolled and deadly panic. The destruction was complete before Jehoshaphat and his army ever met the enemy (v. 24).

  20:25–28 They went back just as they had gone out—with music (cf. vv. 21, 22).

  20:29 This is the second time in Jehoshaphat’s reign that fear came on the nations (cf. 2 Chr. 17:10), which was similar to that when Israel came out of Egypt (Ex. 23:27; Num. 22:3; Josh. 2:9–11; 9:9, 10).

  20:31—21:3 See notes on 1 Kin. 22:41–49.

  2 Chronicles 21

  21:2–5 When the co-regency with his father ended at his father’s death, Jehoram killed all who might have threatened his throne.

  21:4–20 The reign of Jehoram (ca. 853–841 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 8:16–24. Most likely, Obadiah prophesied during his reign.

  21:4–10 See notes on 2 Kin. 8:16–22.

  21:11 led Judah astray. Undoubtedly he was influenced by his marriage to Ahab’s daughter (cf. v. 6) and was influenced in the alliance just like his father (2 Chr. 18:1). They had not learned from Solomon’s sinful example (cf. 1 Kin. 11:3, 4). His wicked wife, Athaliah, later became ruler over Judah and tried to wipe out David’s royal line (2 Chr. 22:10).

  21:12–15 Elijah, best known for his confrontations with Israel’s Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kin. 17–2 Kin. 2:11), confronted prophetically Jehoram’s sins of idolatry and murder (21:13). The consequences from God’s judgment extended beyond himself to his family and the nation (21:14, 15). This event undoubtedly occurred in the early years of Jehoram’s co-regency with his father Jehoshaphat and shortly before Elijah’s departure to heaven, ca. 848 B.C. (cf. 2 Kin. 2:11, 12).

  21:16–20 The consequences of his sin were far-reaching. He suffered military losses, his country was ravaged, his capital taken, his palace plundered, his wives taken, all his children killed but the youngest, he died with a painful disease, and was buried without honor (21:16—22:1).

  21:20 eight years. These were the years of his exclusive reign, not including his co-regency with his father.

  2 Chronicles 22

  22:1–9 The reign of Ahaziah (ca. 841 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 8:25–29; 9:21–29.

  22:1–6 See notes on 2 Kin. 8:25–29.

  22:2 forty-two. This is a copyist’s error, easily made due to the small stroke that differentiates two Heb. letters. The reading from 2 Kin. 8:26 of “twenty-two” should be followed.

  22:3 his mother advised…wickedly. Athaliah and the rest of Ahab’s house who were in the young king’s life taught him wickedness and led him to moral corruption, idolatry, and folly in being induced to war with the Syrians (vv. 5, 6).

  22:7–9 See notes on 2 Kin. 8:28—9:29.

  22:10—23:21 The reign of Athaliah (ca. 841–835 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 11:1–20.

  2 Chronicles 23

  23:3 as the LORD…said. This is one of the most dramatic moments in messianic history. The human offspring of David have been reduced to one—Joash. If he had died, there would have been no human heir to the Davidic throne, and it would have meant the destruction of the line of the Messiah. However, God remedied the situation by providentially protecting Joash (22:10–12) and eliminating Athaliah (23:12–21).

  23:11 Testimony. The usual meaning is a copy of the law (cf. Deut. 17:18; Job 31:35, 36).

  2 Chronicles 24

  24:1–27 The reign of Joash (ca. 835–796 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 11:17—12:21. Most likely, Joel prophesied during his reign, and his prophecy provides much helpful background to the time.

  24:1–14 See notes on 2 Kin. 11:17—12:16.

  24:15, 16 Jehoiada. This man was the High-Priest of Athaliah’s and Joash’s reigns (cf. 2 Chr. 23:1—24:16), who championed God’s cause of righteousness during days of evil by: 1) leading the fight against idols; 2) permitting the coup against Athaliah; and 3) granting the throne to Joash to bring about the subsequent revival.

  24:17, 18a After Jehoiada’s death, the leaders of Judah convinced King Joash that they needed to return to idolatry. With the death of the old priest came the turning point in the reign of Joash. He “listened” means Joash gave consent for the idol worship and thus it began.

  24:18b, 19 God’s righteousness judged the evil of Judah, while at the same time His mercy sent prophets to preach the truth of repentance.

  24:20–22 The specific example of Zechariah, son of Jehoiada (not to be confused with Zechariah, son of Berechiah [Zech. 1:1; Matt. 23:35]) is alluded to by NT writers in such texts as Acts 7:51, 52; Heb. 11:37. This priest told the people that faithfulness to the LORD is the condition for blessing (cf. 12:5; 15:2). The conspiracy against this man who spoke the truth was with the king’s full authority, and he bore the greatest guilt for the murder (v. 22). See note on Matt. 23:35.

  24:22 did not remember. Cf. 2 Chr. 22:11, where Jehoiada’s wife preserved Joash from certain death as an infant, or 2 Chr. 23:1—24:1, where Jehoiada devised a plan to dethrone Athaliah and crown Joash king, or 2 Chr. 24:2, where Jehoiada is acknowledged as the voice of righteousness for Joash. Yet, Joash willfully ignored all that. Zechariah died pronouncing the just doom that would eventually come.

  24:23–25 As Zechariah had prayed (24:22), so God repaid Joash’s apostasy with defeat by Syria and death at the hands of his own people.

  24:24 small company. As the LORD had previously given victory to Judah’s smaller army because of their faithfulness (2 Chr. 13:2–20; 14:9–15), He gave Juda
h defeat at the hands of a lesser force because of their wickedness.

  24:25 Unlike righteous Asa (2 Chr. 16:13, 14), but like unrighteous Jehoram (2 Chr. 21:18–20), Joash died an ignominious death and received burial without honor.

  24:26, 27 See notes on 2 Kin. 12:19–21.

  2 Chronicles 25

  25:1–28 The reign of Amaziah (ca. 796–767 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 14:1–20.

  25:1–4 See notes on 2 Kin. 14:1–6.

  25:4 Cf. Ezek. 18.

  25:5–16 This section is an elaboration of 2 Kin. 14:7.

  25:5–13 Amaziah gathered his army, which was small compared to the army of Jehoshaphat, which was over 1,000,000 (cf. 17:14–19). This shows how the southern kingdom had declined in 80 years.

  25:6 one hundred talents. If a talent weighs 75 lbs., this represents almost 4 tons of silver. This wealth was paid to the king of Israel, Jehoahaz, who ordered the mercenaries of Israel to aid Amaziah against Edom.

  25:7 man of God. This is a technical term used about 70 times in the OT, always referring to one who spoke for God. He warned Amaziah not to make idolatrous Israel his ally because the LORD was not with Ephraim, i.e., Israel, the capital of idolatry. See note on Deut. 33:1.

  25:8 God has power. See note on 2 Chr. 24:24. The man of God reminded the king sarcastically that he would need to be strong, since God wouldn’t help.

  25:9, 10 The man of God told Amaziah to cut his losses and trust the LORD. The king obeyed and sent the Israelite mercenaries home in anger.

  25:11 Valley of Salt. Most likely this is located at the southern end of the Dead Sea, where David had several centuries before been victorious (cf. 1 Chr. 18:12, 13). Seir. Another name for Edom.

  25:12 rock. This mode of execution was common among pagan nations (cf. Ps. 137:9).

  25:13 Samaria. This was the well-known town of Israel from which they launched their attacks. Beth Horon. See note on 2 Chr. 8:5.

  25:14–16 Amaziah did the unthinkable from both a biblical and political perspective—he embraced the false gods of the people whom he had just defeated. Perhaps he did this because he was seduced by the wicked pleasures of idolatry and because he thought it would help him in assuring no future threat from Edom. However, it only brought destruction to the king, who just wanted to silence the voice of God.

  25:17–28 See notes on 2 Kin. 14:8–19.

  2 Chronicles 26

  26:1–23 The reign of Uzziah, a.k.a. Azariah (ca. 790–739 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 14:21, 22; 15:1–7. Hosea (Hos. 1:1), Amos (Amos 1:1), Jonah, and Isaiah (Is. 6) ministered during his reign.

  26:1–4 See notes on 2 Kin. 14:21, 22; 15:1–4.

  26:5 Zechariah. An otherwise unknown prophet during Uzziah’s reign, not the priestly spokesman of 24:20, nor the prophet Zechariah who wrote the prophetic book to Judah ca. 520 B.C. sought…prosper. This summarizes a major theme in 2 Chronicles.

  26:6–15 A summary of Uzziah’s prosperity in the realm of: 1) conquering the Philistines (26:6–8); 2) domestic affairs (26:9, 10); and 3) military might (26:11–15).

  26:6–8 A description of Judah’s military success to the W, E, and S. Israel to the N is not mentioned.

  26:6 Gath…Jabneh…Ashdod. Key Philistine cities to the SW of Jerusalem.

  26:7 Arabians…Gur Baal. Most likely a nomadic group who lived in an area whose location is unknown. Meunites. A nomadic people living in Edom (cf. 2 Chr. 20:1).

  26:8 Ammonites. Offspring of Lot who lived E of the Jordan.

  26:9 Corner Gate. Located in the NW section of Jerusalem. Valley Gate. Located in the SW section of Jerusalem. corner buttress. Located in the E section of Jerusalem.

  26:10 Carmel. Though there was a mountain range called Carmel, it was not in the territory under Uzziah, so most likely this should not be taken as a proper name, but rather translated as “fertile field,” which also fits the rest of the general references in the verse.

  26:11–15 With over 300,000 in the army and the development of new weapons, he posed a threat to would-be assailants and thus secured the nation in peace.

  26:16–18 Uzziah attempted to usurp the role of the priest which is forbidden in the Levitical code (cf. Num. 3:10; 18:7). Proverbs 16:18 indicates that pride precipitates a fall, and it did in his case. Even the king could not live above God’s law.

  26:19, 20 God judged the king’s refusal to heed the law but was merciful in that He did not kill Uzziah. With leprosy, Uzziah had to submit to the priests in a new way according to the laws of leprosy (cf. Lev. 13, 14), and endure isolation the rest of his life from the temple as well.

  26:21–23 See notes on 2 Kin. 15:5.

  26:22 Not the canonical book of Isaiah, but rather a reference to some other volume that the prophet wrote.

  26:23 It was in that very year that Isaiah had his vision of God’s glory (cf. Is. 6:1ff.).

  2 Chronicles 27

  27:1–9 The reign of Jotham (ca. 750–731 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 15:32–38. Isaiah (Is. 1:11) and Hosea (Hos. 1:1) continued to minister during his reign, plus Micah (Mic. 1:1) prophesied during that time also.

  27:1–4, 7–9 See notes on 2 Kin. 15:33–37.

  27:3 wall of Ophel. Located on the S side of Jerusalem.

  27:5 Ammonites. See note on 2 Chr. 26:8. Jotham repelled the invasion, pursuing the enemy into their own land and imposing a yearly tribute, which they paid for two years until Rezin, king of Syria and Pekah, King of Israel revolted and attacked. Jotham was too distracted to bother with the Ammonites (cf. 2 Kin. 15:37). one hundred talents. If a talent is about 75 lbs., this represents almost 4 tons of silver. ten thousand kors. If a kor is 7.5 bu., this represents 75,000 bu.

  27:6 His one failure was in not removing the idolatrous high places and stopping idol worship by the people (cf. v. 2; 2 Kin. 15:35).

  2 Chronicles 28

  28:1–27 The reign of Ahaz (ca. 735–715 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 16:1–20. Isaiah (Is. 1:1), Hosea (Hos. 1:1), and Micah (Mic. 1:1) all continued to minister during his reign. Second Kings 17:1–9 reports that it was after the 12th year of Ahaz, when Hosea was king in Israel, that the Assyrians took Israel into captivity (722 B.C.).

  28:1–5a See notes on 2 Kin. 16:1–6.

  28:2 Baals. See note on 17:3.

  28:5b–8 Ahaz’s gross disobedience earned him God’s wrath, by which both Syria and Israel defeated his army, as they had in Jotham’s day (cf. 2 Kin. 15:37). This was likely a continuation of the same campaign against Judah begun earlier.

  28:5, 6 Damascus. The capital city of Syria, NE of Judah. Pekah. King of Israel (ca. 752–732 B.C.).

  28:8 Samaria. The capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel.

  28:9 Oded. An otherwise unknown prophet, with the same name as an earlier Oded (cf. 15:1, 8). The prophet said that Israel had won the victory because God was judging Judah. But he protested the viciousness of the killing and the effort to enslave them (v. 10) and warned them of God’s wrath for such action (v. 11). Amazingly the apostate and hostile Israelites complied with the prophet’s warning (vv. 12–15).

  28:16 kings of Assyria. Most likely sing. “king,” as per marginal note, who was Tiglath-Pileser (ca. 745–727 B.C.).

  28:18 cities…lowland. To the SW of Jerusalem.

  28:20, 21 Tiglath-Pileser. See note on 2 Chr. 28:16. In spite of temporary relief by the conquest of Damascus and slaughter of Rezin (2 Kin. 16:9), little benefit came from this king to Ahaz because he allied with Assyria.

  28:22–27 Ahaz surrendered himself to idolatry with the ignorance of a wicked pagan and a ruthless defiance of God that ruined him and his nation. He was justly dishonored in his burial (v. 27).

  2 Chronicles 29

  29:1—32:33 The reign of Hezekiah (ca. 715–686 B.C.). Cf. 2 Kin. 18:1–20:21; Is. 36–39. Second Kings 18:5 notes that Hezekiah’s trust in the LORD had not been equaled by any king who preceded him nor by any who followed (cf. 2 Chr. 31:21). Isaiah (Is. 1:1), Hosea (Hos. 1:1), and Micah (Mic. 1:1) prophesied during his reign.

  29:1, 2 See notes on 2 Kin. 18:1, 2.r />
  29:3 first year…first month. Hezekiah addressed the spiritual problems first, which reflected his life priorities. Hezekiah correctly diagnosed Judah’s ills—she had abandoned the true worship of God. So the king stepped in to reverse the policy of his father (28:22–25) and to repair the temple and return proper temple worship as God had prescribed in His Word (vv. 3–7). He knew such a revival of devotion to God would turn God’s wrath away from Judah (v. 10).

  29:12–14 Fourteen leaders undertook to collect and prepare for the cleansing of the temple.

  29:12 Kohathites…Merari…Gershonites. The 3 familial lines of Levi (cf. 1 Chr. 6:1).

  29:13, 14 Elizaphan. An important leader among the Kohathites (cf. Num. 3:30; 1 Chr. 15:8). Asaph…Heman…Jeduthun. The 3 lines of Levitical musicians (cf. 1 Chr. 25:1).

  29:15–19 to cleanse. Beginning with the outer courts and working for 8 days, they then went inside. But as the Levites were not allowed within the walls of the holy places, the priests had to bring out all the debris to be carted off. This took 8 more days.

  29:16 Brook Kidron. To the E of Jerusalem, between the temple and the Mt. of Olives.

  29:20–36 Hezekiah restored true temple worship as practiced in the time of David and Solomon, producing great joy (v. 36).

  29:26 instruments of David. The instruments David had made for the temple (cf. 1 Chr. 23:5).

  29:34 Levites were more diligent…than the priests. Perhaps the priests had become used to participating in all the idol sacrifices they had instituted (cf. 28:25).

  2 Chronicles 30

  30:1–27 Hezekiah reached back to restore the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover (Ex. 12:1–20; Lev. 23:1–8) which apparently had not been properly and regularly observed in some time, perhaps since the division of the kingdom 215 years earlier (v. 5). The Passover would later be revived again by Josiah (2 Chr. 35:1–9) and Zerubbabel (Ezra 6:19–22). It celebrated God’s forgiveness and redemption of His believing people.