May 26 Daily Devotional

2 Chronicles 21–25

After Jehoshaphat, Jehoram ruled for eight years. He married Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel, who was determined to introduce Baal worship into Judah. He killed his brothers “who were better than he.” The Arabians and Philistines came and plundered Jerusalem. Jehoram received a letter from Elijah, the prophet, reminding him of his sinful life and saying, “with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people … and thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.” So it came to pass, and he “departed without being desired.”

After Ahaziah had ruled for a short while, (“Athaliah, his mother, was his counsellor to do wickedly,”) he was killed. When his mother heard that her son was dead, all the fierceness of her mother Jezebel arose in her. She seized the princes of the family of David and killed them. She made herself the queen and ruler over the land of Judah. She shut up the house of the Lord and built a temple for Baal; and for six years she led the people of Judah in all wickedness. Her miserable career of bloodshed came to an end in her own death by the hands of the people.

Joash was the next king. He was crowned at the age of seven. Jehoiada, the high priest, who was his uncle, placed him on the throne, and was the real ruler as long as Joash lived. He cleaned the land of the worship of Baal. The temple was repaired and the worship of the Lord was restored. King Joash told the priests and Levites to go through the land and ask the people for money to be spent in the rebuilding of the temple. He caused a large chest to be made and had it placed at the door of the temple for collecting gifts of money. The people were glad and offered their gifts willingly. The chest was filled many times, until there were funds in abundance to make the necessary repairs. Joash “did right all the days of Jehoiada.” But when he died, the princes of the land led Joash into wicked ways after he had done so well. He set up idols. God was not pleased with him and allowed the Syrians from the north to come upon the land. They robbed the cities and left Joash sick and poor. He was killed by his servants.

Amaziah was the next king. He worshipped the Lord, but not with a perfect heart. The high places were not taken away. He gathered a large army to make war on Edom. He gained a great victory, but was cruel to the people and killed many of them. He brought with him the idol gods from Edom, and burned incense to them. His punishment was not delayed. Joash, king of Israel met him in battle. Amaziah was beaten, many of his men were slain. Later his nobles arose against him and slew him.