2 Chronicles 25

2 Chronicles 25:1-28

Prosperity followed by disaster (25:1-28:27) Succeeding kings of Israel are passed over in silence . Judah was to have nothing to do with the northern kingdom, not even to the hiring of Israelite soldiers. Amaziah took the advice, and was rewarded with victory in a battle against Edom. But the victory, instead of increasing his dependence on God, gave him a feeling of independence. He turned from God and worshipped idols. The ungodly northern kingdom then became God’s instrument to punish the rebellious southern kingdom . Under the rule of Jeroboam II in the north and Uzziah (or Azariah) in the south, both kingdoms enjoyed remarkable growth and prosperity. Unfortunately, this made Uzziah proud, and he arrogantly took to himself the rights of a priest. The writer points out that although the priesthood and the kingship were both appointed by God, they were separate and independent systems.

One could not take over the functions of the other . Jotham followed the good policies of his father, while being careful not to repeat his father’s errors. In the Chronicler’s view, Jotham’s fear of God was the source of his strength and success . The great prosperity throughout both kingdoms was followed by unbelievable chaos. In the north the kingdom of Israel almost collapsed , and in the south the disastrous reign of Ahaz almost brought destruction to Judah . Within a short time the northern kingdom was conquered by Assyria and its people carried away captive. This was the end of the northern kingdom .