What prophecies of Elisha were fulfilled in the events that followed?

How was the property of the Shunammite restored to her? What did Elisha predict concerning Ben-hodad?

How was Judah infected with the sin of Israel?

Was Jehu’s cruelty justified by the purpose behind it?

What influence shaped the early life of Joash?

What covenant was fulfilled by the coronation of Joash?

What great work did Joash accomplish in the early part of his reign?

How did his reign come’ to an end? What was the result of the conflict between Jehoahaz and Syria?

What did Israel lose through the unbelief of Joash?

(Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding

How is the character of Amaziah to be regarded?

What distinguished the reigns of Uzziah and Jeroboam I?

What was the character of the reign of Menahem?

Why did Pekah conspire against Pekahiah? For what is Jothan remembered?

To whom did Ahaz turn for aid when threatened by Syria and Israel?

What high-handed idolatry did Ahaz practice?

How did the downfall of Israel come about?

Of what sins were Judah and Israel guilty?

What is said of the later religious life of Samaria?

What wise step did Hezekiah take in the beginning of his reign?

What mistake did Hezekiah make in dealing with

Why were the Jews silent before the taunts of Rabshakeh ?

Who was the firmest figure in this crisis of Judah? Why?

What’ was the answer to Sennacherib’s challenge?

What was God’s promise concerning the safety of Jerusalem ?

What sign was given to Hezekiah that his life should be prolonged?

What did Isaiah predict concerning the treasures of Jerusalem ?

What truth is illustrated in the continued wickedness of Manasseh’s son Amen?

What remarkable discovery was made in the reign of Josiah ?

What covenant did the people make under Josiah’s leadership ?

What radical measures did Josiah take in dealing with idolatry?

What is said of the Passover which Josiah celebrated?

Why did the Lord surrender Judah to her enemies?

What did Nebuchadnezzar do with the conquered people?

How were two apparently contradictory prophecies concerning Zedekiah fulfilled?

What happened to the Temple and its furnishings?

What was Gedaliah’s counsel and how was it rewarded?

The books of Kings and Chronicles are often regarded as much alike, but there are marked differences between them The books of Kings present mainly political annals from the time of Solomon to the fall of Jerusalem. The northern and southern kingdoms receive equal attention. The books of Chronicles cover a much longer period, longer indeed than that surveyed by any other portion of Scripture. They are a summary of religious history from the creation of the world down to the time when they were written, subsequent to the Captivity. From the time of the division of the kingdom the history of Judah only is recorded, the writer's purpose excluding any account of apostate Israel.

The books are drawn from a great variety of sources, many of which are named in the text. Though it is impossible to determine the author with certainty, probability strongly favors Ezra.

2 Chron. 26:1-15. The reign of Uzziah was, to all appearance, extremely prosperous; but his personal character deteriorated, as though it could not bear an unbroken succession of prosperity. Proofs of his genius for empire are furnished by his successful wars, vs. 6, 7, his widespread fame, v. 8, his buildings and husbandry, vs. 9, 10, and his armies and engines of war, vs. 11, 15. Im all these ‘‘he was marvelously helped.”’ How many ean bear the same glad witness concerning God’s dealings with them! The best preventive of pride is to recognize all blessing as coming from the marvelous help of God.

When we review our earlier life and think of the position to which God has raised us, can we do other than ery, ‘‘Marvelous! Marvelous!’’? We cannot understand why God has so signally favored us, but we are persuaded that only by his grace we are as we are. Let us not forget that we are made strong in order to help the weak. Whatever we have must be viewed as a precious talent for helping forward the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus. The secret of prosperity is given in Psalm 1:3.

2 Chron. 26: 16-23. The offices of priest and king were rigorously kept apart throughout the history of Israel. Melchizedek’s dual office is typical of the priestly reign of Christ, and had no counterpart in the Mosaic and Levitical ritual. Zechariah’s prediction indicated an absolutely new era, Zech, 6:12, 13. The rash act of Uzziah was resisted by the priests, and the issue was decided by the terrible brand of leprosy which ap-

peared suddenly upon his forehead. As the result of his attempt to flout the solemn sanctions of divine origin and authority, he lost even the religious privileges which he had enjoyed before.

However great God’s goodness, and whatever be the position of usefulness to which we may attain, there are prescribed limits beyond which we may not go. We must not cast ourselves in wilful abandonment from the pinnacle of the Temple. God’s dearest children must not presume on their familiarity, and take liberties with his rules and ways.

2 Chron. 27:1-9. This story of Jotham is memorable if only for one sentence: that he became mighty because he ordered his way before the Lord his God. We should order our lives, as we order our prayers. First things must come first. We should always consider, in anticipating any course of action, how best to promote God’s glory and the interests of his Kingdom. As far as lies in our power, we should adopt and follow some plan or program, such as he will reveal to us. An ordered life is a mighty life. The people that make themselves felt in the world are those who ean say with Paul, ‘‘This one thing I do.’ They are invulnerable and invincible. Repressed in one place, they break out in another; cast down, they are not destroyed; perplexed, they are not in despair. An ordered and mighty life draws its supplies from God. However well-laid our plans, or single our purpose, nothing avails apart from God. It is by him that we become strong; and his power, allied with us and wer ing through us, make us more than conquenors.

2 Chron. 28: 1-11. The reign of Ahaz was marked by terrible and rapid degeneration. He not only restored idolatry and offered his children to Moloch, but as the

difficulties of his reign increased, he made an alliance with the king of Assyria, notwithstanding the vehement protests of Isaiah. His extreme wickedness made him notorious. ‘‘This is that king Ahaz,’’ v. 22. The instruments used for his punishment were the kings of Syria and Israel, vs. 5, 6; and his sin led to the suffering of his people, carried from their homes to Samaria. When a nation or an individual life turns from the love and life of God, it becomes at once a prey to enemies that are lurking near, as an anemic constitution is liable to the microbes of disease.

It was a noble act on the part of the prophet Oded to denounce the captivity of so many brethren and sisters; and his splendid protest touched the finest chords in the conquerors’ hearts. We must never flinch from holding up God’s standard before the minds of our contemporaries. It will often arrest evil and incite to nobleness of action.

2 Chron. 28:12-27. This sending of the captives home, clothed, shod, and anointed was a beautiful act, and anticipates the spirit of Christianity. This is the true way of making and maintaining peace. Magnanimity is, after all, the best solvent of national hatred, and lays the foundations of enduring brotherhood. The Edomites and Philistines smote. Judah and weakened it, but they were only the instruments. We are distinctly told that the Lord brought Israel low, v. 19. The relief bought from the king of Assyria at so great a sacrifice secured a temporary respite. See 2 Kings 16:7-9. In the end, however, it only added to his distress, v. 20. None can help the man who has forfeited the help of God. If he is against us, who can be for us!

The more distressed Ahaz was, the more he trespassed. See Iso. 1:5, 6. With blind infatuation he went step by step farther from God, sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, and offered wanton insult to God’s

house. The detestation of the people was evidenced in their treatment of his remains. See Proverbs 10: 7.

2 Chron. 29: 1-11. It was a blessing for Judah that Ahaz left as successor a son who inherited none of his father’s traits. Hezekiah ranks as one of the best kings that occupied the throne of David. This chapter is full of illustrative and interesting incident. In the first month of his reign, the young king began his work of reform by assembling to his help the priests and Levites, and bidding them make all possible speed to cleanse the Temple.

The clarion call of this exhortation rings yet and bids us cleanse the inner shrine of our heart from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Let us hasten to open the doors, kindle the lamps, and burn incense in the inner prayer-chamber of the heart. And what is true for the individual applies equally to the national conscience. Religion is the safeguard of our prosperity; and they who secure a healthy religious sentiment contribute as much to the well-being of their fatherland as the statesmen and politicians of world-wide fame.

2 Chron. 29: 12-24. The names of the assisting Levites are specially mentioned, because their obedient co-operation counted for so much in the national reconstruction. For eight days the priests and they wrought in the great work of cleansing the Temple of the filthiness which had accumulated through neglect. The drift of the sand-storm, the havoc of weeds, the multitudes of living things that come from the air and the earth to brood and breed in neglected buildings, had wrought sad disfigurement and dilapidation in the holy and beautiful house which David and Solomon had built for God. Deterioration of heart and life, of Church and State, is the sure result of neglect. The

garden of the sluggard could hardly be more useless or perilous to the ordered cultivation around, than is the heart of man, when it neglects the culture of its spiritual affinities. We were made for God and cannot be perfectly healthy or happy apart from him. These sins must be expiated by blood. A deep lesson is contained in vs. 20-24. See Heb. 9: 22.

2 Chron. 29: 25-36, Among the usual sacrifices following the cleansing, the burnt-offering occupied a conspicuous place, as expressive of sincere and entire devotion to God. Notice that as the burnt-offering began the song began also. Self-sacrifice and the surrender of heart and life to God always lead to joy. First cleansing, then forgiveness and the blotting out of sin, and finally reconsecration to God—such are the inevitable steps that conduct the soul from the depths of depression into the joy of God’s salvation. It is the selfabsorbed and self-contained life which is miserable. Notice how contagious the joy of God is. From Hezekiah it spread to his people and led to the uplift of the entire nation. It is interesting to learn that this happy outbreak of religious fervor sprang from a divine preparation, which had for long been working below the surface of the national life.

2 Chron. 30: 1-12. Though one of the most important feasts, the Passover had long been neglected. When a spiritual revival takes place, men naturally begin to observe the old sacred institutions, through which religious feeling can express itself. As the proper month for observing it had gone, rather than miss the whole year, the king and his people resolved to observe their annual festival in the second month, as provided in Numbers 9:10, 11. The quickened life of Judah revealed itself in a fervent yearning for national unity,

and the invitation to share in celebrating the Passover was distributed from Dan to Beersheba. Many mocked, imputing Hezekiah’s appeal to low motives of ambition and self-aggrandizement. We cannot doubt that Isaiah prompted the king to suggest that if Israel would accept the invitation and join in a common act of penitence and faith, it would probably lead to the rehabilitation of their national life. In putting aside this suggestion, Israel not only flouted the royal proposal, but destroyed one of the last methods of undoing the ruin which had already commenced in the Northern Kingdom.

2 Chron. 30: 13-27. As a necessary preliminary to the right observance of the approaching feast, the removal of the altars erected by Ahaz was resolved upon. The feast and its antitype can be observed only as the leaven of evil is put away, 1 Cor. 5:7. So great was the zeal of the people, that it shamed the priests and Levites into a new earnestness. There were irregularities in the celebration, as, for instance, the Levites slaughtered the paschal victims for every one that had not passed through the usual process of ceremonial cleansing. But the intention of the crowds was right, and in answer to Hezekiah’s prayer, no penalty was inflicted for these violations of the prescribed ritual. Another proof is thus afforded that the main thing with God is the attitude of the heart, Psa. 69:31.

When spiritual captivities are turned, there is an outburst of singing. Each great revival has had its Gregorian chants, its Luther’s hymns, its Charles Wesley, its Havergal, its Sankey.

The immense numbers of slaughtered beasts were necessitated by the presence of vast multitudes of people, who needed to be supported while at Jerusalem. Only a small portion of the animal was presented on the altar, the remainder being eaten by the offerers.

2 Chron, 31: 1-10. This Passover left a permanent impression on the nation, and led to the complete overthrow of idolatry. The pure worship of God was now established throughout the land, and the people returned to their homes, in confident expectation that a long period of national prosperity was now in store. Hezekiah therefore turned his attention to provide for the maintenance of the Temple worship and the proper provision of revenues for the priests and Levites. As an example to his people, the king followed in the steps of David and Solomon, providing out of his own purse for the expenses of the altar.

Following on this good example, a proclamation was made to the nation, with the result that contributions of first-fruits and tithes poured in with great liberality from the children of Israel, as well as Judah. There had been an abundant harvest, as the great heaps testifield. It is not often that ministers of religion are in the same happy condition as Azariah was, but they are partly to blame for not instructing their people to give systematically. Everyone should set apart a stated portion of his income for God.

2 Chron. 31: 11-21. There are several noticeable expressions in this paragraph. We are told that they brought in the dedicated things faithfully, v. 12; and that the small as well as the great received their share, even as the daily portion of each required, v. 16, R. V. margin; also that the priests sanctified themselves in holiness, v.18, as though touched and quickened by the generous gifts of the people. And in consequence of their entire devotion to the service of the sanctuary, adequate provision was made for their wives and children; while officers were appointed to distribute equal rations to all in the cities of the priests, who, from age or other reasons, were not able to serve in the Temple.

The closing expression about Hezekiah, that he began nothing into which he did not put his heart and that God placed the crown of prosperity on him and his work, presents a striking contrast to the tale of disaster in the reign of Ahaz, and is an incentive to all of us to go and do likewise. See Rom. 12:11.

& Chron. 32:1-15. We might have supposed that Hezekiah’s faithfulness in cleansing the Temple and restoring the worship of Jehovah would have secured for him and his people complete immunity from invasion. Surely for such a loyal servant, God would graciously interpose and defend from Sennacherib’s encampment on the sacred soil of the south country. We are taught the lesson that faith is not rewarded by the unbroken summer of prosperity, but tried, tested, and matured by the stormy blasts of attack and peril. The great Husbandman pruned Hezekiah that he might bring forth more fruit.

These careful preparations made by the king and his people for cutting off the water-supply and equipping the soldiers and fortifications against attack, were perfectly consistent with a true faith. Hezekiah’s ultimate confidence was not in these things, but in that Greater One who was undoubtedly with them, v. 7. There was considerable subtlety in Sennacherib’s messages, but he did not understand how much that one altar meant, and how different Jehovah was from the idols of the nations, vs. 12 and 15.

2 Chron. 32: 16-23. Sennacherib’s generals were even more insolent than himself. Their aim was to discourage the people and undermine their faith. To destroy confidence in God is the surest method of attack and victory. A significant description of their braggart boastfulness is given in v.19. The only effect, however, was to drive the king and the prophet to prayer, v. 20.

This is the talisman of victory. Isaiah tells how Hezekiah spread out the blasphemous letter of the invader before God, and challenged his help, that the kingdoms of the earth might know his power, inasmuch as his character was at stake before the heathen.

One angel sufficed for the work of deliverance and Sennacherib returned home a discredited man, to be murdered by his own children. The Lord not only saved Israel, but ‘‘guided them’’ on every side. Shall we not claim similar treatment? And when we are true to God, we may rely on him to give us favor with men, and enrich our lives with his hid treasures. ‘‘Them that honor me, I will honor.’’

2 Chron. 32:24-83. What this sign was is more clearly told in Isaiah 38:1-8. Great interpositions on the part of God impose corresponding responsibilities. If you have received special benefits, be sure to render again according to the benefit done. When visited by the Babylonian ambassadors, as in 2 Kings 20:13, Hezekiah received them in a spirit of vanity—all too natural to most of us—and displayed a conceit in his acquisitions which shut out such acknowledgment of the divine love and care as was due. In man’s view, that was merely a little weakness, something to be smiled at and excused, but it was inconsistent with the intimacy into which Hezekiah had been introduced by his heavenly Friend.

However pious and devoted a man may be, if he does not walk carefully, he will break down in some crucial test. It is easier to withstand the invasion of Sennacherib than the flattery of Babylon. We need to guard against pride of heart. Compare vs. 25 and 31. Hezekiah’s ostentatious display of his wealth and treasure excited the cupidity of the Babylonian envoys, and sowed the seed of Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion, though the blow was temporarily averted by the repentance of the king and nation, v. 26.

2 Chron. 33:1-138. Because of his youth Manasseh was probably the more easily influenced by the reactionary party, who came back to power on Hezekiah’s death; but afterward, in his early manhood, he pursued still further these evil courses, and made Judah and Jerusalem to err. Warning voices protested in vain, until there was no alternative save the hooks and fetters of the king of Assyria. But in his dungeon in the far country he came to himself and God.

The words describing his penitence are very strong, suggesting long-continued tortures of conscience, and much agony of remorse. How quickly God heard him, and how incredible was his restoration! Here was a captive for life, as it seemed; yet he is not only set free, but actually restored to his kingdom and established on his throne. There is much hope for us all in this. If we truly repent of our sins, we shall be forgiven, and not only forgiven but restored again to our kingdom. Let us believe that God not only casts away our sins, but restores our soul,