SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
2 Chronicles 21:1 through 32:33

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.” (2 Chronicles 29:8)

BACKGROUND

In this portion of 2 Chronicles, the author continues his history of the kings of Judah. He traced the achievements and failures of nine rulers, beginning with King Jehoram in 848 B.C. and continuing through the reign of King Hezekiah, which ended with his death in 687 B.C. Of these rulers, only four—Joash, Amaziah, Jotham, and Hezekiah—followed God and led the people in renewing their commitment to Him. Although not perfect in every regard, those four attempted to obey God’s laws, did away with the places of idol worship, refrained from alliances with ungodly nations, and generally encouraged the people in the worship of the one true God. One other king, Uzziah, had a positive beginning and accomplished much good for Judah, but pride was his downfall near the end of his rule. 

Today’s text reveals that throughout the history of Judah, the nation fluctuated between obedience to God and apostasy. The reigning king’s response to God affected the spiritual condition of the people and determined whether or not God would send judgment upon the nation. When David’s descendants on Judah’s throne were faithful to God, Judah experienced victory in battle, success in government, and peace with other nations. Conversely, when the rulers led the people into idolatry, the nation suffered. 

Just as Judah’s faithfulness to God was key to her peace and survival as a nation, so our obedience to God as individuals is vital to our peace and spiritual survival today. If we forget that all our blessings and benefits come from God, we are in danger of the same spiritual and moral collapse that Judah ultimately experienced.

SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS‍

1. Chapter 21 describes the reign of King Jehoram, who succeeded his father Jehoshaphat on the throne of Judah. He was married to Athaliah, the idolatrous daughter of Israel’s wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Verse 6 of chapter 21 notes that Jehoram “walked in the way of the kings of Israel.” This was a negative evaluation, because while the Southern Kingdom of Judah had both godly and wicked kings, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had only evil rulers. According to verses 8-10, what were some of the consequences to Jehoram and Judah because he forsook the God of his fathers?
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   Verses 8-10 tell of the revolt of Edom and Libnah, nations that had been under the control of Judah. Point out to your class that when the kings of Judah remained true to God, they were able to keep the surrounding nations in subjection; but seemingly as soon as they revolted from God, these nations rebelled. 
   
   Further troubles during the reign of Jehoram are recorded in verses 16-17, when the Philistines and Arabians invaded—another revolt of subjugated peoples against Judah. All Jehoram’s sons were killed (see 2 Chronicles 22:1) in this invasion except for the youngest, Ahaziah (also known as Jehoahaz). Verses 18-20 describe the plague that fell upon Jehoram and his gruesome death. Point out to your group that punishment for sin is not always immediate or as dramatic as the judgment in this passage, but those who ignore God’s laws will eventually suffer the consequences of sin. There is no escape from judgment unless the relationship with God is made right.
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2. Chapter 22 of 2 Chronicles relates that Athalia used the death of her son Ahaziah (Jehoahaz) to assume control of the kingdom. She immediately destroyed all the royal family—her own grandchildren—to eliminate any who might resist her efforts to gain the throne. The only survivor was Ahaziah’s youngest son, Joash. Ahaziah’s sister, Jehoshabeath, and her husband, Jehoiada the high priest, concealed the baby Joash in the Temple and then kept him hidden for six years before establishing him on the throne of Judah. Why do you think this couple risked their own lives to preserve the life of the young prince?
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   Your group may respond with suggestions such as human empathy for a helpless baby, a desire to do right before God by protecting the innocent, etc. However, the point should emerge that no doubt God led them to take this action. Joash was the last rightful heir to the throne of Judah from the lineage of David. God had promised that the reign of King David’s descendants would continue forever (see 2 Samuel 7:16), and Jehoiada was a godly man who was determined to restore the throne to David’s rightful heir. While Jehoshabeath and Jehoiada courageously risked their lives to protect the young heir, it was ultimately God who worked in a miraculous way to preserve David’s line. 
   
   It is possible that some in your class will wonder about the promise that David’s kingdom would be established forever, since Judah had already fallen to the army of Babylon by the time the books of Chronicles were written. When Judah was overthrown because of her idolatry and disobedience to God, the royal line continued and was protected in captivity, through the return of the exiles, and until Jesus was born. He was and is the rightful King—a descendant of David who will one day reign forever.
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3. After establishing Joash upon the throne of Judah, Jehoiada continued to be a powerful influence for good in the kingdom. Verses 16-17 of chapter 23 record that he led the people in making a covenant of recommitment to God and then in destroying the temple of Baal at Jerusalem. In verse 18-21, Jehoiada reinstituted worship practices based on what God had revealed to Moses and David. What significance do you see in the statement in 2 Chronicles 24:2 that Joash did what was right in God’s sight “all the days of Jehoiada the priest”?
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   Your group should conclude that Joash clearly was guided and encouraged in his walk with God by Jehoiada. However, he evidently lacked the spiritual fortitude to resist evil once the influence of Jehoiada was gone. He listened to counsel that led him into evil, and after a short time, even ordered the death of Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son. 
   
   As a follow up, ask your group what men and women of God have been an influence and encouragement to them, and how. You will want to come prepared with a personal example to share with your class to start the discussion. Likely some of your students will be able to point to parents, grandparents, teachers, or other godly men and women. This question can also encourage some healthy self-evaluation. What kind of example are we setting? Is our behavior influencing people toward godliness? It is important that the impact we have on others be a positive one!
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4. Chapter 25 is a record of the twenty-nine-year reign of Amaziah, who ascended the throne of Judah following the death of his father, Joash. While Amaziah began his reign doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, verse 2 indicates that he did not serve God with a perfect heart. What do you think “a perfect heart” means in this context? What actions of Amaziah as described in verse 14 support your evaluation?
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   Your students will explain the phrase “perfect heart” in a variety of ways, but the conclusion should be reached that it is a heart that desires above all else to live in a manner pleasing to God. Amaziah’s obedience and commitment to God was half-hearted at best. God does not expect absolute perfection from us in the same sense that God is perfect. Even when we are wholeheartedly following God, we will still have the limitations and frailties that are a part of being human. A perfect heart is one that is perfect in motive and in subjection to God, but not mentally, physically, or emotionally perfect. 
   
   In response to the second question, verse 14 indicates that after winning a decisive victory over the Edomites, Amaziah reverted to idolatry and began to burn incense to the idols of the very nation over which God had given him victory.
   
   Discuss as a group how important it is to maintain a wholehearted commitment to God. Grudging compliance, a casual attitude toward God’s blessings, or a neglect of God’s requirements will quickly become a downward spiral into outright rejection of God.
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5. The fifty-two-year reign of King Uzziah, described in chapter 26, was the second longest in Judah’s history. Uzziah had a positive beginning and accomplished much good for Judah. Read verses 6-15 and summarize what material changes Uzziah made for the nation.
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   A summary of these verses should bring out that:
      • Uzziah expanded the territory of Judah to nearly the size it had been during its glory days of David and Solomon. This brought prosperity, as tribute was paid to him and he controlled areas of commerce—trade routes along the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea to Arabia (verses 6-8).
      • He built up Jerusalem, which had been damaged during a war in his father’s reign and perhaps from the earthquake that occurred during his reign (see Amos 1:1).
      • He built up a large farming operation with great herds, large tracts of land, and many farmers and vineyard workers.
      • He “built towers in the wilderness”—fortresses and outposts (verses 9-10).
      • He maintained a large, well-equipped army, with over 300,000 soldiers. He distributed newly invented equipment to defend the towns of Judah, and as a result, there was prosperity and peace in the kingdom (verses 11-15).
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6. After accomplishing so much for the Kingdom of Judah, what led to Uzziah’s downfall? 2 Chronicles 26:16
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   The pride of Uzziah, referenced in verse 16 by the phrase “his heart was lifted up,” was what led to his downfall. To follow up, ask your group to specify what action Uzziah did that showed pride. They should note that though warned by Azariah and eighty valiant priests, Uzziah took upon himself a function that belonged to the priesthood alone and burned incense in the Temple. As a result, God smote him with leprosy—a disease that lasted for the remainder of his life.
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   Discuss with your group the difference between the satisfaction that results from a job well done, and the type of pride that God hates. You may also ask your students to identify ways we can guard against the incursion of pride in our lives.
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7. Verses 9-15 of chapter 28 tell of a remarkable act of courage: the intervention of the prophet Oded, who reproved Israel’s military leaders as they were returning home from battle. What did he tell them and what was the result?
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   Oded told Israel’s military leaders that judgment had come upon Judah because God was angry with them, but that judgment would fall upon Israel as well if they took captives of their brethren. Remarkably, the leaders responded favorably to his words, and the captives were fed, clothed, and escorted back to Judah.
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8. If we face circumstances in our lives that require courage, what can we learn from the prophet Oded that might help us?
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   You may want to begin your discussion of this question by explaining that the dictionary defines courage as “the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, or withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” At times, people are applauded by the world for some “courageous” departure from what the Word of God teaches, but they are not really courageous at all. 
   
   Oded displayed moral courage—he did what was right despite potential opposition or retaliation. One lesson we can learn from him is that he was “a prophet of the Lord” (verse 9) and spoke on His behalf. When we have a relationship with God and are obedient to Him, we can have confidence no matter how adverse our circumstances may be. 
   
   It is noteworthy that Oded was not championing a personal cause or calling for action that would benefit himself. Rather, he was pointing out that these leaders would incur the wrath of God if they continued their wrong actions. 
   
   Your group should conclude that in a world where fear of repercussions often seems to immobilize people, we must not be afraid to do what is right. Remind your class that the most repeated admonition in Scripture is “Be not afraid”! Facing challenges courageously will not always be easy but when we do so in the strength of the Lord, we can be assured of victory in the end.
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9. Chapters 29 through 32 of 2 Chronicles are a record of the twenty-nine-year reign of King Hezekiah, who is considered by many Bible scholars to be the greatest of the reformer kings of the nation. Verse 2 of chapter 29 states that “he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.” The people of Judah had turned from God to idols, but Hezekiah attempted to completely wipe out all vestiges of idolatrous worship—he destroyed or removed pagan altars, idols, and temples. Based on the following verses, what other actions did Hezekiah take toward reform in Judah? 2 Chronicles 29:3-5, 10, 20-21; 30:1; 31:2
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   Class review of these verses will bring out that Hezekiah took the following actions.
      • 2 Chronicles 29:3-5—He ordered that the house of the Lord be cleansed and the doors repaired.
      • 2 Chronicles 29:10—He renewed the covenant with the Lord God of Israel.
      • 2 Chronicles 29:20-21—He re-established the Temple sacrifices.
      • 2 Chronicles 30:1—He re-instituted the Passover observance.
      • 2 Chronicles 31:2—He organized the priests and resumed the work of the Temple according to the plan originally set up by David. 
   
   You may wish to follow up by asking your group how Hezekiah’s actions can serve as a model for us, particularly when we are seeking for spiritual renewal or revival.
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10. In Hezekiah’s time, the Assyrian Empire was the superpower that controlled most of the Middle East. Chapter 32 records how Sennacherib tried to overthrow Judah in order to force the people to pay tribute. Hezekiah made diligent efforts to fortify Jerusalem against the expected assault: he strengthened the city walls, added another wall around the city, and prepared armament. He also diverted the spring outside the city that provided Jerusalem with water, channeling the water through an underground tunnel to provide a water supply in event of a siege. Based on 2 Chronicles 32:6-8 and 20, what other and even more important actions did Hezekiah take to prepare for the assault?
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    Verses 6-8 record that Hezekiah encouraged the people by reminding them that the Lord would help them and fight their battle. Hezekiah understood that the defense of Judah did not depend only on walls, towers, shields, and water but on the courage and determination of the soldiers fortified by confidence in God. 
    
    Verse 20 indicates that he prayed. (The words of his prayer are recorded in 2 Kings 19:15-19.) Point out to your group that when Hezekiah became aware of the threat against Judah, he did not lose hope or give up. While he knew how serious their predicament was, he also knew that God could save them and he trusted God to do so. The number of their opponents was immaterial with God on their side. 
    
    Discussion should bring out that at times we may face battles in life in which no solution is apparent. However, we serve a God who is unlimited in resources and power. He can work for us in ways we cannot even imagine. An amazing example of this is found in our text: verse 21 of chapter 32 records that the Lord sent an angel, which “cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria.” The parallel text in 2 Kings 19 records that the angel smote 185,000 men in the camp of Assyria that night, and Sennacherib departed.‍‍
     

CONCLUSION

The history recorded for us by the author of Chronicles teaches that a nation that does not follow God and abide by His instructions will never be successful.