# Old Testament History # Overview of Old Testament History 1# Joshua # Introduction to the Book of Joshua # Joshua ## Introduction ### Writer Joshua an Ephraimite and servant of God to Moses, in all Jewish traditions, is the writer. Josh. 1:1; 24:29 His lineage is given in I Chron. 7:27. Joshua was a commander leading a military campaign. He was nearly forty years old when he shared in the triumph of the Exodus. He was mentioned first in connection with the fight against Amalek at Rephidim when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites. (Ex. 17:9) Afterwards he was one of the twelve spies Moses sent (Num. 13:8, 16; 14:6-10) ### Style This book is a history of the military campaign against Canaan—5-7 years of war and 15 years of rest. (11:18, 23) “He brought us out to bring us in.” Deut. 6:23. Moses was considered top quality as an “orator” and prophet; Joshua was a top quality “general.” Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and Napoleon have to take a back seat behind these two men: Joshua and Moses. They kept their qualities on top by staying in fellowship with God. Joshua is to the Pentateuch what Acts is to the Gospels. Ephesians is its N.T. counterpart. ### Name This book gets its name from its contents: the acts of Joshua in leading Israel to the conquest of the land. It also records his death and burial. Joshua is called The Book of Conquest or The Fight against the Canaanites. It is especially attractive to the Overcomer. Every spiritual soldier may overcome his foes and possess what God has for him in Christ. ### Key Words “War” (17 x’s) & “Possession/Possess” (18 x’s) Christians have Conquest /War , but Possession /Victory should be the results. KEY PHRASE: 10:14 “The LORD fought for Israel” ### Key Verses 1:5—There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 24:15—And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. ### Types in the Book of Joshua Canaan Land is a type of the fullness of the Christian experience. (Life in the Spirit) Our inheritance in Christ – Heb. 3:7-4:13; Eph. 1:11-14. The land of promise is a place of conflict as well as a place of victory. Joshua is a type of Christ in that: a. his name – (Jehoshua) means Jehovah – Saviour. Num. 13:16 (The name Joshua has the same meaning as the name Jesus. Heb. 4:8) b. He is Captain – Josh. 3:7, 4:14, 5:13,14; Heb. 2:10 c. Advocate in defeat – Josh. 7:5-9; I John 2:1 d. Christ, like Joshua, leads His people to victory. Rom. 8:37; Josh. 8:1-29 e. Christ like Joshua allots to His people their portion. Eph. 1:11; Col. 3:24; Josh. 14:1 We obtain our inheritance in Christ through the obedience of faith. Josh. 14:8-9; 14; Acts 6:7; Rom. 1:5; 15:18; 16:26; Heb. 4:1-11; I Peter 1:3-5; 13-14; 22; II Peter 1:5-9 ### Setting: PREPARATION for CONQUERING and POSSESSING THE PROMISED LAND > Joshua 1:1—Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, The people's hearts were broken over the passing of Moses and gripped with a deep sense of grief and anguish for he had helped them to follow the Lord. Through God, Moses had founded and established the nation of Israel. Joshua had fallen in a spirit of despair over the death of Moses, lingering in grief, God forcefully spoke to the heart of Joshua and gave him an arousing call. > “ Moses My servant is dead! Arise! Fill the gap! Take up the mantle of leadership! Prepare the people to cross the Jordan River into the Promised land.” Joshua was ready to begin to lead the people of God into the promises of God at 80 years old. The book of Joshua begins with the death of Moses. Moses shortly before his death was directed (Num. 27:18) to invest Joshua with authority over the people. God gave Joshua charge by the mouth of the dying lawgiver. (Deut. 31:7, 14, 28) # Outline of the Book of Joshua ### I. The Entrance into Canaan, (Ch. 1-5) ### II. The Conquest of Central Palestine, (Ch. 6-9) ### III. The Conquest of Southern Palestine, (Ch. 10) ### IV. The Conquest of northern Palestine,(Ch. 11) ### V. Summary of Israel’s Conquests,(Ch. 12) ### VI. The Division of the Land, (Ch. 13-21) ### VII. The Altar of Witness at Jordan, (Ch. 22) ### VIII. Joshua’s parting Councils and Death,(Ch. 23, 24) # ALL FOLLOWING PAGES # I. The Entrance into Canaan, Ch. 1-5 Chapters 1-5. The Israelites were to defeat all enemies by the Presence of God. God promised to be with them, to never leave them nor forsake them. God gave three wonderful Promises to Joshua and the Israelites: - The Promised Land (Joshua 1:3-4) - The Promise of Conquering All Enemies (Joshua 1:5) - The Promised Presence and Rest of God (Joshua 1:5) In Chapter 1, God gave a forceful charge to Joshua, to be "strong and courageous" in his task of leading Israel to inherit the Promised land (Joshua 1:6). He was the military commander of an army that faced formidable enemies, and he knew warfare lay ahead. The Enemy was spied out in Chapter 2. In Chapters 3 to 4, the Israelites cross Jordan miraculously and erected memorial stones. In Chapter 5, Israel is encamped at Gilgal where circumsion is reminded, the passover kept and the Captain of the Lord's host appears to Joshua. # II. The Conquest of Central Palestine, (Ch. 6-9) The Conquest of Central Palestine, Ch. 6-9 The siege and capture of Jericho, Ch. 6 GOD’S ARMY POSITIONED Jos 6:2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. 6:6-9 Vs. 3 “And ye shall compass the city all ye Men of War” Joshua 7:12—Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. B. The conquest of Ai, Ch. 7, 8 GOD’S ARMY SANCITIFIED 1. Israel faces first near defeat 2. Achan’s sin discovered and put away 3. Final victory through strategy from God. 7:13 “Up sanctify the people”(You won’t get anywhere without being sanctified.) You won’t get anywhere without the Lord being with you. 8:1, 2 Thou shalt do to Ai as thou hast done to Jericho. 8:29 Grave stones – death 8:30-32 Altars of whole stones – unbroken law Death is now under the law of God Matt. 5:17 Law is fulfilled by Christ; death hath no more dominion over the believer. Rom. 6:9, 11, 14, 22; Ex. 20:25, 26; Deut. 27:9-26 8:12 – “ Gerizim” – People of the desert (Blessing) Simeon, Levi, Judah “To Bless” Issachar, Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh), Benjamin 8:13 -- “Ebal” – (Stony) Reuben, Gad, Asher “To Curse” Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali The eyes on the mountains are watching to bless the obedient and curse the disobedient. II Chron. 16:9 Zech. 4:10; 3:9; Rev. 5:6; Amos 9:8; Joshua 6:17-19; 7:1 Israel was disobedient. How was the record cleared? Because God used Joshua 7:6; Because of Jesus I John 2:1 C. The league with Gibeon, Ch. 9 ISRAEL DECEIVED 1. The deception of the Gibeonites 2. Their exposure and enslavement 9:22 “Beguiled” – cheated, charmed 9:1 All the kings 9:2 “gathered themselves together” 9:2 “Accord” – In Hebrew means one mouth Think of the pressure upon Joshua and Israel as all the kings and armies scream as they charge upon Israel. Israel heard the wrong voice and was pressured into a mistake. Jos 9:14 …asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD # III. The Conquest of Southern Palestine,(Ch. 10) The Conquest of Southern Palestine, Ch. 10 ISRAEL REASSURED 10:8 (The Promise Repeated) 10:8; 1:5; 8:11-14; 21; 24-29; 10:40-42 The confederacy of five kings against Israel Their attack on Gibeon C. Israel defeats them at Bethheron 1. God fights for Israel with hail stones 2. The sun and moon stand still The five kings captured and slain at Makkeda E. All the cities at the south captured and burned # IV. The Conquest of northern Palestine, (Ch. 11) # V. Summary of Israel’s Conquests, (Ch. 12) # VI. The Division of the Land, (Ch. 13-21) # VII. The Altar of Witness at Jordan, (Ch. 22) # VIII. Joshua’s parting Councils and Death, (Ch. 23, 24) The Conquest of northern Palestine, Ch. 11 ISRAEL’S REST 11:23, 18-20; 15-16; 6 Northern tribes under king Jabin gather at Lake Merom B. Joshua defeats them and subjugates their cities Summary of Israel’s Conquests, Ch. 12 ISRAEL UNDEFEATED 12:24 UNDEFEATED 🡪 31 wins – 0 losses Eastern Palestine conquered under Moses B. Western Palestine conquered under Joshua The Division of the land, Chpt. 13-21 A. Eastern Palestine divided between Reuben, Gad, Manasseh (1 ½ tribes), Ch. 13 ISRAEL REMINDED --13:1,2,6 (The Task Repeated) 1:4 Caleb given Hebron as an inheritance, Ch. 14 ISRAEL’S INHERITANCE 14:1,5 Vs. 3 Other side Jordan by Moses 13:33 None for the Levites Num. 18:20-24 14:4 Children of Joseph – “Two tribes” Double portion Both tribes received a double portion – Jos. 17:14-18 Look at the area on the map that Ephraim and Manasseh cover and how they reach out like hands to the other tribes. Judges 1:25; Gen. 49:22-24; Josh. 14:6 Num. 14:24; Josh. 14:7-15 Caleb’s Inheritance Hebron Western Palestine divided by lot to the 9 ½ tribes, Ch. 15-19 15:19 BLESSING OF GOD Not the world vs. 18 (Not a “field”) vs. 1 Edom Flesh/Carnal Life We do not want the world controlling us.God helps us to capture the flesh (Edom) and crucify it and allow God to control our Land (life). Amos 9:15 Obadiah 17-21 15:19 “Give me a blessing” Upper springs - Lower springs 15:20 Judah was first to receive an inheritance of the tribes on the West side Jordan All things are possible with the blessing of God. Judges 1:1 1:8, 19; Josh. 15:63; Judges 1:15 Upper springs and lower springs flowing in our life. II Sam. 5:6-7 David of the tribe of Judah conquered the Jebusites and Jerusalem. Judges 1:19 II Sam. 5:10 Rev. 21:3 Heb. 7:14 16 and 17 HANDS OF FAITH a. Covering two chapters b. Vs. 1 The children of Joseph Ephraim and Manassseh 2 tribes – 2 hands c. Hands stretched out from other side Jordan East side to the Great Sea - West side 16:1-3; 7, 8 SONG – “We are able to go up and take the country, To possess the land from Jordan to the sea, though the giants may be there our way to hinder, God will surely bring the victory.” 16:4 Ephraim and Manasseh took their inheritance. 16:5-9 Ephraim’s Inheritance Vs. 9 They had cities also among Manasseh linking Those together – hands were joined. faith to faith Faith provides for sons and daughters 17:3-6. Men of faith say “more” “me too” 17:14-18 Faith increases your desire and responsibility……but also enables you. Sin increases your desire and responsibility……but disables you. Strong hands prevail. Weak hands fail. Josh. 16:10; 17:13; Judges 1:27-29; Judges 1:34, 35 Joshua 19:40 – 42 46 47 Ajabn Japho Leshem – Dan Judges 1:34,35It seems as though the Amorites were satisfied with forcing Dan into the mountain, but also take over the mountain. Yet the hand of Joseph prevailed. God helps us join our hands together and use both our hands in destroying our enemies, not toiling with them as “tributaries.”Gen. 49:22-26; Heb. 4:2 Moses – Ex. 17:12 Aaron – Lev. 16:12 Jonathan – I Sam. 23:16 18:1 ISRAEL TAKING UP THE SLACK Vs. 1 “assembled together at Shiloh and set up the tabernacle.” Vs. 2 “seven tribes which had not yet received” Vs. 3 “How long are ye slack to go to possess the land? Vs. 4 36 men Josh. 7:5 – God still has His men. Vs. 5 “Seven parts” Vs. 11 Benjamin’s lot and inheritance Lot #1 Acts 19:2 - Have ye received your inheritance? Eph. 1:13, 14 YOUR Promise Acts 2:39 “For the promise is unto you.” I. The Holy Ghost Promised John 14:26; John 16:7-16, 20; Luke 12:12 II. The Holy Ghost Given John 20:22; Acts 2:1-4; 4:8, 31; 5:32; 8:15-17; 9:17, 18; 10:44-48; 11:15, 16, 24; 13:9; 19:2; II Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14 III. Praying For the Holy Ghost Baptism Acts 2:37-42; 4:31;8:15; 9:17; 19:6; Eph. 3:16; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; Luke 1:21 Who had received? Josh 18:7 Gad, Rueben, ½ tribe Manasseh, 18:5 Judah and Levi, Also the House of Joseph - Ephraim and Manasseh – North, Judah – South Levi did not have an inheritance to them. They received what was shared with them from other tribes. If the other tribes were slack, the Levites would go without. God help us to be faithful and take up the slack in our lives. It is affecting others. Who had not received their inheritance? Benjamin 18:11 Simeon 19:1 Zebulun 19:10 Issachar 19:17 Asher 19:24 Naphtali 19:32 Dan 19:40 19:1-51 LAST O F THE LOTS Simeon’s inheritance Lot #2 19:1, 9 “within the inheritance of Judah” Judah means – Praising God; Simeon means – Hearing God’s Word Zebulun’s inheritance Lot #3 19:10-16 Issachar’s Inheritance Lot #4 19:17-23 Asher’s inheritance Lot #5 19:24-31 Naphtali’s inheritance Lot #6 19:32-39 Dan’s inheritance Lot #7 19:40-48 19:49 Joshua received an inheritance among them. Treated like a tribe, Treated like a king. Like a man of God should be treated. The assignment of the Cities of Refuge, Ch. 20 CITIES OF REFUGE 20:7, 8 Three on each side Jordan West side East side Kedesh- a sanctuary Bezer-an inaccessible spot Shechem-shoulder Ramoth-heights Hebron-seat of association Golan-captive All six cities of refuge portray Christ as our Savior. 🡪Heb 6:18 E. Forty-eight cities assigned to the Levites, Ch. 21 LEVI’s 48 CITIES 21:45 “All came to pass” This life is temporary (Heb. 11:8-10, 13-16) - Songs 🡪 This world is not my home This old world can never hold me “I’m getting ready to leave this world” This old world is loosing its hold on me “I’m gonna be gone” I’ll soon be done with troubles & trials The Altar of Witness at Jordan, Chpt. 22 TIME TO GO HOME The Call 22:1-9 The Test 22:10-20 The Witness 22:21-34 Joshua blesses and dismisses the 2 ½ tribes They erect an altar at Jordan C. The western tribes pacified when the purpose explained Joshua’s parting Council and Death, Ch. 23, 24 EXHORTATION Joshua’s exhortation and words of warning to Israel 23:3, 4Former benefits 5-10 Promises & conditions 23:11-16 Threatenings Examine the Samson of the bible and see if this is just a threat. Josh. 23:12, 13 Judges 14-16 He loved a Philistine and lost his 2 eyes. Jg 16:4…he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. Jg 16:21 But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, … Each tribe experienced why it is necessary to drive the enemy completely out …snares…traps…scourges…thorns…blindness II Peter 2:9; John 8:12 24:15 “Serve the Lord” the choice is yours. Remember the eyes in the mountains are watching you. Remember the Promise. Joshua 1:3-9 His death and burial C. The burial of Joseph’s remains in Shechem # 1 & 2 Chronicles Overview ## Introduction - 1 & 2 Chronicles - **SO LITTLE TO REMEMBER** 2 Passages is usually the limit for what is remembered as uniquely from the Chronicles: 1) 2 Chronicles 7:14 "if my people who are called..." and 2) 2 Chronicles 20:21 "singers...went out before the army" - 2 new to **DOUBLE THE LIST**: - 1 Chronicles 15:13 "in due order" (1 Corinthians 14:26 descriptive vs. prescriptive; each person has something versus let each person have something); Example 2, Acts 2 requires a bit of work to find the prescriptions. - 2 Chronicles 36:23 "Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up." - **A BIBLE READER'S CHALLLENGE**. **WHERE DO THE GENEAOGIES END?** The First 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are geneaology with sparse historical details sprinkled in. - **PETE AND REPEAT?** Isn't most of of thise already covered in 1 Samuel to 2 kings? There is precedence for this in the Bible: a) Creation has at least 2 accounts (Genesis 1 & Genesis 2) b) There are 4 Gospels of the life of Jesus and c) Parables are repeated in different gospels to communicate different messages. In Luke 15 the parable of the Lost sheep is a message to the sinner to be saved and in Matthew 15 it appears as a message to the backslider. - Chronicles emphasizes the priestly elemments of the narratives found in Samuel and Kings: the priesthood, temple worship and purity - COMPARE The RETURNING OF THE ARK TO JERUSALEM: 2 Samuel 6:1-23 (a personal and political celebration, david danced) & 1 Chronicles 13, 15-16 (priestly procedure and order, "1Ch 15:13 For because ye (the priests) did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.") - **A CATEGORY ERROR.** The Hebrew canon consists of 24 books. - (5 books) THE TORAH: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy - (4 books) THE PROPHETS - FORMER: Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings - (4 books) THE PROPHETS - LATTER: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel (the "3") followed by 1 book of "the 12" (minor prophets) - (11 books) THE WRITINGS - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Esther, Daniel, Ezra–Nehemiah and 1&2 Chronicles (Ketuvim) - How does Chronicles being in the writings change interpretation? Samuel & Kings being books of "spokespersons of God" empahsize the foibles of the the kings as a deterant warrning. Chronicles emphasizes the good as a call to RETURN. Samuel & Kings were penned sometime before the babylonian captivity, whereas Chronicles is written near its end or after it has ended. > Chronicles sit as the very last books of the the Hebrew canon: "The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up" \[to Jerusalem\]. ## I. 1 Chronicles Chapters 1-9 - First Chronicles opens with nine chapters of lists and genealogies that trace the postexilic community’s ancestors back to Adam and point to the importance of David. - A. **Adam to Israel (1:1–54)** The first list traces the history of Israel from Adam to Israel. - B. **The Tribes of Israel (2:1-9:1)** While all twelve of Israel’s tribes are represented in these lists, the lists have been carefully arranged to emphasize the royal tribes of Judah (David) and Benjamin (Saul) as well as the priestly tribe of Levi. - C. **The Restored Jerusalem Community (9:2-34)** These lists from Nehemiah 11:3-24 help to identify the postexilic generations as the continuation of the history just presented in chapters 1-8. - D. **Saul (9:35-44)** Saul’s genealogy (9:35-44, repeated from 1 Chronicles 8:29-38) anticipates the Chronicler’s presentation of Saul’s death in chapter 10. ## II. The United Monarchy (David & Solomon), Part One: David (1 Chronicles 10:1-29:30) In Chronicles, the reigns of David and Solomon are seen as a unity, though this is obscured by the artificial split of Chronicles into two books. The rest of 1 Chronicles narrates the first part of the united monarchy, David as Israel’s ideal king. Part two of the united monarchy begins in 2 Chronicles 1. A. **Saul (10:1-14)** Only the final chapter in the life of Israel’s first king, Saul, is presented. Here it serves as an example of exile as the result of unfaithfulness. B. **David Becomes King over All Israel (11:1-12:40)** All Israel immediately recognizes David as king. C. **David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem (13:1-16:43)** The narration of David bringing the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem illustrates the Chronicler’s primary concern: the establishment of proper worship. D. **God’s Promise to David (17:1-27)** In this pivotal chapter, God promises that David will always have a son on the throne of Judah (vv. 1-15), and David responds with thanks and praise (vv. 16-27). E. **David’s Wars (18:1-20:8)** The LORD makes David victorious over neighboring nations, and David gains wealth that will go toward building the Temple. F. **David Prepares for the Temple (21:1-29:30)** The shared segment of David and Solomon is presented with the preparations for the building of the Temple in chapters 21-22 and 28-29, framing David’s organization of the Temple personnel in chapters 23-27. ## III. The United Monarchy, Part Two: Solomon (2 Chronicles 1:1-9:31) In Chronicles the reigns of David and Solomon are seen as a unity, though this is obscured by the artificial split of Chronicles into two books. The first part of 2 Chronicles tells the story of Solomon as the chosen builder of the Temple without reference to his other exploits so familiar from 1 Kings. Part one of the united monarchy is found in 1 Chronicles 10-29. *5 Periods of Reformation in 2 Chronicles* 1. Under King Asa, ch. 15 2. Under King Jehoshaphat, ch. 17:6-10 3. Under the priest, Jehooida, and King Joash, ch. 23:16-19 4. Under King Hezekiah, ch. 29-31 5. Under King Josiah, ch. 34,35 ### A. Solomon’s Wisdom and Wealth (2 Chronicles 1:1-17) The reign of Solomon is introduced by lifting up his gift of wisdom and his vast wealth. ### B. Initial Preparations for the Temple (2 Chronicles 2:1-18) Solomon’s preparations for the construction of the Temple, as described in correspondence between Solomon and Huram, complete the extensive preparations initiated by his father, David, in 1 Chronicles 22. ### C. Temple Construction (2 Chronicles 3:1-5:1) The books of Chronicles have been building to this point. Now the central activity of Solomon’s reign is related in a report of the Temple’s construction that emphasizes its splendor. ### D. Temple Dedication (2 Chronicles 5:2-7:22) Sharing a central position with the construction of the Temple is the worship service in which the ark is finally placed in the Temple, and the Temple itself is dedicated. ### E. Completion of the Temple (2 Chronicles 8:1-16) Solomon’s other building activities are briefly recounted, followed by the king’s offerings of sacrifices on the altar and the installation of the priests and Levites. ### F. Solomon’s Wisdom and Wealth (2 Chronicles 8:17-9:31) The Chronicler’s portrait of Solomon ends, just as it had begun, with special emphasis upon Solomon’s wisdom and wealth. ## IV. The Divided Monarchy (2 Chronicles 10:1-28:27) Following Solomon’s death, the ideal of a united Israel ruled by a Davidic king and worshiping in the Jerusalem Temple is destroyed when the nation splits into two kingdoms: Judah in the south, comprised of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, which had remained loyal to David’s house; and Israel in the north, comprised of the ten northern tribes that broke away. ### A. Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:1-12:16) After the death of his father Solomon, Rehoboam fails to win ratification from the ten northern tribes because of his arrogance (and, according to 2 Kings but not Chronicles, Solomon’s apostasy). These ten tribes break away from the south and form the Northern Kingdom of Israel with its capital in Samaria. ### B. Abijah and Asa (2 Chronicles 13:1-16:14) Two kings, Abijah and Asa, illustrate the necessity of reliance upon God for the Chronicler. Chronicles’ favorable view of Abijah is at odds with that of Kings, where Abijah is known as Abijam. His famous speech (2 Chronicles 13:4-12) is often seen as the clearest exposition of the Chronicler’s distinctive theology. Asa begins his reign trusting in the Lord and is successful. The closing portion of his reign, however, illustrates the dire consequences of Asa’s lack of trust. ### C. Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:1-21:1) Jehoshaphat, as one of the Chronicler’s favorite kings, embodies several of his desirable traits: piety, expressed in prayer and the removal of idols; establishment of the Law; and concern for the Levites. His willingness to form alliances with the north, however, is problematic and depicted as such. ### D. Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:2-22:1) The Chronicler deems Jehoram’s alliance with Ahab in the north responsible for the series of disasters that accompany his reign: defeat in war, plague, and personal illness culminating in an early death. ### E. Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 22:2-9) Ahaziah is completely controlled by northern influences, more so than any other king. Chief among those northern influences is his mother, Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and granddaughter of Omri, the powerful king of Israel. ### F. Athaliah (2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21) After taking the throne by force, and during her six-year reign, Athaliah, Judah’s only non-Davidic ruler, attempts to destroy the house of Judah. God thwarts her attempts through the courage of Jehoshabeath, the half-sister of Ahaziah and the wife of the priest Jehoiada. ### G. Joash (2 Chronicles 24:1-27) Joash, under the tutelage of Jehoiada the priest, starts off well and even carries out needed Temple repairs. But following the death of his mentor, he lapses into apostasy and is assassinated in his bed by his servants (biographical content absent from the parallel narrative in 2 Kings 12). ### H. Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:1-26:2) Like his predecessor, Amaziah starts off as a pious king, but his reign ends in apostasy (again information not found in the report in 2 Kings 14). ### I. Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:3-23) The Chronicler suggests that Uzziah’s pride in taking priestly duties for himself accounts for his ignominious death while suffering from leprosy. ### J. Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:1-9) The brief reign of Jotham essentially reports his building activities. He is, however, a refreshing model of obedience and blessing. ### K. Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:1-27) In Chronicles, Judah sinks to its lowest point with the reign of Ahaz (not Manasseh, as in 2 Kings). ## VI. The Reunited Monarchy (2 Chronicles 29:1-36:23) Following the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel to Assyria in 722 BCE, the divided monarchy comes to a close. Hezekiah, as a new David and Solomon, unites the people once again around the Jerusalem Temple. ### A. Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33) Hezekiah purifies the Temple, renews Temple worship, invites the defeated northern Israelites to a renewed celebration of the Passover, and defends Jerusalem against Sennacherib’s invading army. ### B. Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:1-20) In 2 Kings, Manasseh is portrayed as Judah’s worst king. In Chronicles, we hear of a startling repentance during his exile in Babylon, followed by extensive reforms. ### C. Amon (2 Chronicles 33:21-25) Amon undoes all the reforms of his repentant father, Manasseh. ### D. Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:1-36:1) Josiah is another of the Chronicler’s model kings. Much more space is allotted to his faithfulness in seeking God, his extensive reforms, and his Passover celebration than in 2 Kings. ### E. Exile and Restoration (2 Chronicles 36:2-23) The demise of Judah is rapidly related through reports of the continued apostasy of their last four kings, culminating in the Babylonian invasion. Following the exile, Cyrus issues a proclamation encouraging the exiles to go home.