Faithful Leadership and Unfaithful Legacies: A Journey Through Justice, Battle, and Betrayal

Be God's Glory
Apr 27
10 min read

Updated: Apr 27

Welcome to Day 116 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of 2 Chronicles. These chapters highlight the sharp contrast between godly and ungodly leadership. Jehoshaphat demonstrates faithful obedience by setting up just systems and seeking the Lord, especially when Judah faces a terrifying invasion. His reliance on God brings miraculous victory without a sword being lifted. However, the story takes a dark turn with Jehoram, Jehoshaphat’s son, whose reign is marked by betrayal, idolatry, and cruelty. The rise and fall of these leaders show how leadership choices leave lasting spiritual impacts on nations and families.

2 Chronicles 19: After surviving the alliance with Ahab, Jehoshaphat is confronted by Jehu the prophet, who challenges him for aiding a wicked king. However, Jehoshaphat’s heart remains committed to seeking God, so he immediately works to strengthen Judah spiritually and judicially. He travels throughout the nation, appointing judges to uphold justice with integrity and fear of the Lord. Jehoshaphat emphasizes that judgment belongs to God, urging the leaders to be careful and faithful in their duties. His reforms aim to bring the nation back to true covenant faithfulness.

2 Chronicles 20: When Judah is threatened by a massive coalition, Jehoshaphat turns immediately to God, declaring a national fast and leading the people in prayer. He confesses their helplessness and asks for divine intervention. God responds through the prophet Jahaziel, assuring them that the battle is His, not theirs. The next day, Judah marches out singing praises, and God miraculously causes the enemy armies to turn on each other. Judah gathers the spoils of victory without fighting and returns to Jerusalem with great joy and peace.

2 Chronicles 21: Jehoram’s reign marks a tragic departure from Jehoshaphat’s godly leadership. Instead of strengthening Judah, Jehoram kills his own brothers and leads the nation into idolatry. His actions provoke God’s wrath, resulting in rebellions by Edom and Libnah. A letter from Elijah warns him of devastating consequences, including the loss of his family and severe illness. True to the prophecy, Jehoram suffers a painful death and dies unloved and unmourned, showing the devastating results of a life lived in rebellion against God.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name "Chronicles" comes from the Latin Chronicon, which was adopted from the Greek word Paraleipomenon, meaning "things left out" or "things omitted." This implies that 1 and 2 Chronicles were seen as a supplement or continuation of the historical narratives found in Samuel and Kings. In the Hebrew Bible, 1 and 2 Chronicles were originally a single book called Divrei Hayamim, meaning “The Matters (or Events) of the Days.” This title reflects the book’s role in chronicling the history of Israel, especially from a priestly and spiritual perspective.

Purpose of the Book:

The purpose of 2 Chronicles is to highlight the religious history of Judah, focusing on the temple, the priesthood, and the Davidic line of kings. Unlike the books of Kings, which cover both Israel and Judah, 2 Chronicles centers almost entirely on the kingdom of Judah, tracing its spiritual fidelity or failure to God's covenant. The book was written to encourage and instruct the returning exiles from Babylon, reminding them of God’s faithfulness, the importance of proper worship, and the need for national and spiritual restoration under God's leadership. It serves as a theological reflection—emphasizing that faithfulness to God brings blessing, while rebellion leads to downfall.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The traditional author of 1 and 2 Chronicles is believed to be Ezra the scribe, based on ancient Jewish tradition and internal evidence. This tradition is supported by:

Jewish Talmudic sources (like Baba Bathra 15a), which state that Ezra wrote Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
The similar writing style, genealogical interest, and spiritual themes found in Ezra-Nehemiah and Chronicles (e.g., emphasis on temple worship, Levitical roles, and the priesthood).
2 Chronicles 36:22–23 ends with the same wording that begins the book of Ezra 1:1–3, suggesting a seamless continuation and possibly the same author or editorial hand.

Though the exact identity of the final compiler isn’t definitively proven, many scholars—both religious and academic—lean toward Ezra or someone in his priestly circle as the most credible authorship.

External References:

The Jewish Encyclopedia and ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) support Ezra's authorship.
Bible commentaries such as those by Matthew Henry, John Gill, and the ESV Study Bible also reflect Ezra as the likely author.
Modern scholars, like those cited in the Anchor Yale Bible Commentary and Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, also affirm Ezra as the most probable candidate, given the shared concerns of Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah.

Key People:

2 Chronicles features numerous significant figures from Israel’s past, but some stand out more than others:

Solomon – Son of David and builder of the Temple in Jerusalem. His wisdom and early devotion to God are foundational to the book.
Rehoboam – Solomon’s son and the first king of Judah after the kingdom divides.
Asa – A king of Judah who led significant religious reforms.
Jehoshaphat – A godly king known for his alliance with Ahab and a strong military.
Hezekiah – A reforming king who reopened the temple and celebrated Passover.
Manasseh – A wicked king who later repents, showing God’s mercy.
Josiah – Known for rediscovering the Book of the Law and restoring temple worship.
Zedekiah – The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile.
Ezra (possibly) – Though not directly named, if Ezra is the author, his priestly focus shapes the narrative.

Conclusion

The book of 2 Chronicles closes with both a solemn warning and a hopeful promise. It reveals the tragic consequences of Judah’s persistent unfaithfulness to God—despite the reforms of good kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, the nation ultimately falls to Babylon due to generations of disobedience, idolatry, and rejection of prophetic warnings. Yet, even in the final verses, God’s mercy shines through. The decree of King Cyrus of Persia, allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the temple, marks a powerful turn in Israel’s story. This moment reminds readers that while sin brings judgment, God’s covenant love remains steadfast.

2 Chronicles ultimately serves as a call to repentance, restoration, and reverence. It urges the people—and us today—to honor God with undivided hearts, to value His presence above all else, and to recognize that true greatness is found in humble worship and faithful obedience. Through kings, priests, and prophets, God revealed His desire for a holy people set apart for His glory. The journey from Solomon’s majestic temple to the destruction and eventual restoration reminds us that God’s purposes will prevail, and His invitation to return to Him is always open.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 2 Chronicles 19, God's character is revealed as righteous, just, and merciful. He is a God who desires integrity in leadership and fairness among His people. Through Jehoshaphat’s reforms, we see that God cares deeply about justice and expects leaders to rule with the fear of the Lord, not favoritism. Even when Jehoshaphat errs by allying with Ahab, God corrects him firmly but graciously, showing both His holiness and His mercy.

In this chapter, God is often referred to in terms that point to His role as the ultimate Judge (Hebrew: Elohim Mishpat, meaning "God of Justice"). Although not explicitly stated, the theme strongly reflects this aspect of His character. The lesson God teaches here is that leadership must be accountable to Him, and that judgment must be done with reverence, truth, and impartiality. God desires leaders and people who honor Him first above all earthly alliances.

In 2 Chronicles 20, God shows Himself as a mighty Deliverer and Faithful Protector. He listens to the humble cries of His people and acts on their behalf when they seek Him sincerely. God proves He is powerful beyond human strength and is willing to fight battles for those who trust in Him. His character shines as compassionate, responsive, and victorious.

Two significant Hebrew names are reflected here: Jehovah Elohim Avoteinu ("LORD God of our Fathers") in Jehoshaphat’s prayer, and Jehovah Shaphat ("The LORD Judges") when God assures Judah that He will handle their enemies. The lesson is that when God's people fully depend on Him rather than their own abilities, He moves mightily in their favor. Trust and worship unlock divine intervention and victory.

In 2 Chronicles 21, God’s character is revealed as just and holy, but also patient before executing judgment. Despite Jehoram’s wickedness, God does not act immediately but sends a prophetic warning through Elijah. God’s justice demands consequences for rebellion, but His patience gives time for repentance, showing that even His discipline is filled with purpose.

There are no specific Hebrew names of God highlighted in this chapter. Instead, the focus is on God's righteous judgment and faithfulness to His covenant with David, even amid human failure. The lesson is that turning away from God brings painful consequences, but God remains faithful to His promises — His justice cannot be mocked, and His patience should not be mistaken for approval.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

What do these chapters reveal about God's expectations for leadership and justice?
How does God balance correction with mercy in His dealings with Jehoshaphat?
In what ways does God demonstrate His faithfulness when His people seek Him wholeheartedly?
How is God's patience evident even when His people or leaders turn away from Him?
What aspects of God's character are displayed in how He responds to Jehoshaphat's prayer in chapter 20?
How do we see God's holiness and intolerance of sin in the story of Jehoram?
What do these chapters teach us about God's role as both Judge and Deliverer?

Questions About Themes:

How does the theme of accountability before God shape the actions of leaders in these chapters?
What role does prayer and fasting play in securing victory for Judah?
How does the theme of consequences for disobedience unfold in Jehoram’s reign?
What is the connection between seeking God and experiencing His peace and protection?
How does God honor or dishonor rulers based on their faithfulness to Him?
What do these chapters suggest about the long-term impact of a leader’s faith or lack of faith?
How does worship lead to breakthrough in the face of overwhelming challenges?

Reflective Application Questions:

In what areas of my life am I tempted to compromise my integrity like Jehoshaphat initially did?
How can I be more diligent about seeking God before facing challenges, like Judah did through fasting and prayer?
Am I acting justly and leading others with the fear of the Lord in my family, work, or community?
What steps can I take to ensure I rely on God's power rather than my own strength in spiritual battles?
How can I cultivate a heart of worship and trust even when facing overwhelming circumstances?
In what ways do I need to repent and turn back to God before small compromises lead to larger failures?
How can I leave a lasting legacy of faithfulness to God rather than the painful legacy we see with Jehoram?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans