II Chronicles 12-16
Chronicles gives us some details that we do not get in Kings. We see some positive features of both Rehoboam and Abijah, and shortcomings in Asa. Asa is still clearly the most godly of these first three kings of Judah, as he works to eradicate idolatry. But late in his reign, after years of walking in the ways of the LORD and enjoying His blessings, Asa slips. For whatever reason, he turns from faith in the LORD toward human solutions. And when he is rebuked, he refuses to listen. (II Chronicles 16:7-10) Asa starts so well, but ends poorly. How sad!
May we all take Asa’s story to heart. May we always continue in faith, but if we slip, may we quickly turn back to the Lord, and not refuse His grace and mercy. Let’s not rest on past performance. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. Let’s finish the race, and finish well. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
John, I am running about a week behind right now, because I was out of town for two weekends, but I have a question on 1 Kings 16:34. On looking it up, I found two different meanings for this verse. Most say that this was the result of Joshua’s curse on the town of Jericho, and this was God’s fulfillment of it. At least one implied that the man Hiel sacrificed his sons here. Have you read more on this?
No, I have not seen anything different. Of course, the text itself points out that the death of Hiel’s two sons is according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun — in other words, as a result of that curse. But the text says nothing explicit about how those sons died. To me, it seems that the most obvious explanation would be by construction accidents of some kind, so that is where I would lean. But I certainly would not rule out the idea that Hiel might have offered them up as pagan human sacrifices — in keeping with the apostasy “in vogue” in Israel at the time. Regardless, the fact that they rebuilt Jericho at all — directly contrary to Joshua’s pronouncement — indicates a high level of contempt for the LORD.