Trust, Triumph, and Tragedy: Lessons from the Reigns of Asa and Jehoshaphat

Be God's Glory
Apr 26
11 min read

Welcome to Day 114 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of 2 Chronicles. Chapters 16–18 of 2 Chronicles present a contrast between two kings—Asa and his son Jehoshaphat—revealing the consequences of trusting in human alliances versus trusting in the Lord. Asa, once a faithful king, ends his reign poorly by depending on foreign help instead of God, leading to prophetic rebuke and his eventual downfall. Jehoshaphat, on the other hand, strengthens his kingdom by walking in God’s ways, receiving God’s favor and peace. However, in chapter 18, his alliance with the wicked King Ahab brings complications, showing the dangers of compromise even for godly leaders. These chapters serve as a reminder that our choices in leadership, partnerships, and faith have long-reaching consequences.

2 Chronicles 16: Asa faces a threat from the northern kingdom of Israel and chooses to make a treaty with Ben-Hadad of Syria instead of seeking God's guidance. This strategic move causes Israel to retreat, and Asa feels victorious, but the Lord is displeased with his lack of trust. The prophet Hanani confronts Asa, reminding him of past victories when he relied on God, but Asa reacts with anger and imprisons the prophet. Asa's heart begins to harden, and even when he falls seriously ill, he refuses to turn to God for healing. His reign ends in spiritual decline, a stark contrast to his earlier years of faithfulness. Asa’s story warns us that even a strong start in faith doesn’t guarantee a faithful finish without continued trust in God.

2 Chronicles 17: Jehoshaphat begins his reign by seeking the God of his father and refusing to follow the ways of Israel. God honors his devotion by establishing his kingdom and causing fear to fall on surrounding nations, preventing war. Jehoshaphat also takes a bold spiritual step by sending out officials, Levites, and priests to teach the people God’s law—an early model of discipleship and national reform. His kingdom flourishes economically and militarily as a result. Fortified cities, strong armies, and divine favor characterize his early reign. Jehoshaphat’s leadership exemplifies how godly priorities bring peace and prosperity to a nation.

2 Chronicles 18: Jehoshaphat’s alliance with King Ahab begins to show cracks when they plan a joint attack on Ramoth-Gilead. Ahab gathers prophets who all give a false assurance of victory, but Jehoshaphat insists on hearing a true word from the Lord. The prophet Micaiah delivers a sobering prophecy of defeat, revealing a heavenly scene where God allows a lying spirit to influence Ahab’s prophets. Ahab, rejecting the warning, disguises himself in battle while Jehoshaphat wears royal robes. In the chaos of war, Ahab is fatally wounded by a random arrow, fulfilling the prophecy. Jehoshaphat survives but is left with the consequences of his unwise partnership, teaching a vital lesson on spiritual discernment and the cost of compromise.

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 16, God is revealed as all-seeing and desiring full devotion from His people. Through the prophet Hanani, we see that the Lord searches throughout the earth to strongly support those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. God is displeased when His people choose human wisdom over divine guidance, and Asa’s actions show that pride and reliance on self can lead to spiritual downfall. This chapter teaches that even past faithfulness does not exempt us from the consequences of present disobedience—God desires our continuous trust.

While no specific Hebrew names like El Shaddai or Jehovah Jireh are explicitly mentioned in this chapter, God’s nature is reflected in the phrase, “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth” (v. 9), emphasizing His omniscience (El Roi, “the God who sees”). This title is not named directly here but is thematically present. God is teaching that He rewards those who remain dependent on Him. The lesson is that spiritual compromise invites correction, and ignoring God’s voice hardens the heart and hinders healing.

In 2 Chronicles 17, God is shown as a protector, provider, and blesser of those who walk in His ways. Jehoshaphat’s early reign is marked by a deep desire to follow God, and as a result, God blesses Judah with peace, prosperity, and favor. God’s character here is generous and faithful, responding to righteousness with security and abundance. The lesson is that when leadership and people honor God, He establishes their path and surrounds them with divine peace.

Though no explicit Hebrew names are stated, God’s actions align with Jehovah Shalom (“The Lord is Peace”) and Jehovah Sabaoth (“The Lord of Hosts”), seen in how He gives rest from enemies and builds Judah’s strength. God’s peace rests upon a nation that pursues His law, and His might backs those who trust in His leadership. The lesson here is that a God-centered nation is a strong nation, and when God’s Word is taught and valued, stability follows.

In 2 Chronicles 18, God’s character is shown through His justice, truthfulness, and sovereignty. Even though King Ahab surrounds himself with false prophets, God still sends a true prophet, Micaiah, to reveal His will. God’s sovereignty is seen in His control over the outcome of the battle and His willingness to let people experience the consequences of their choices. This teaches that even when people reject the truth, God ensures that it is made known—and He honors those who speak boldly on His behalf.

There are no specific Hebrew names for God mentioned in this chapter, but His authority and truthfulness reflect El Emeth (“God of Truth”) and Jehovah Elohim (“The Lord God”), emphasizing that God cannot be mocked or manipulated. The lesson God teaches here is to listen to His voice, even when it’s unpopular, and to avoid compromising with ungodly influences. Aligning with those who oppose God will ultimately bring judgment, not victory.

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 how God responds to faith versus fear?
How does God's reaction to Asa's reliance on Syria (in 2 Chronicles 16) show His desire for relational trust?
What does God’s support of Jehoshaphat in chapter 17 tell us about His nature toward righteous leadership?
In what ways does God's omniscience appear in these chapters, particularly through His prophetic warnings?
How is God’s justice displayed in the fall of Ahab despite his attempts to manipulate the outcome?
How do these chapters portray God's mercy, even when leaders make poor decisions?
What do the actions of God through the prophets (Hanani and Micaiah) show us about His commitment to truth?

Questions About Themes:

What theme do you see repeated in the consequences of relying on human alliances instead of divine guidance?
How do these chapters contrast godly leadership with compromised leadership?
What can we learn about spiritual integrity and consistency through the lives of Asa and Jehoshaphat?
How does God's Word, delivered through His prophets, play a central role in these chapters?
What theme is evident in Jehoshaphat's choice to spread the Word of God throughout Judah?
How does the theme of discernment versus deception emerge in chapter 18?
What does the shift from blessing to judgment in Asa’s life reveal about the danger of turning away from God?

Reflective Application Questions:

In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on human solutions rather than seeking God first?
How do you respond to correction or rebuke from God or godly counsel? Do you listen or react in pride?
Are you consistent in your faith like Jehoshaphat, or do you find yourself drifting like Asa?
What influences or alliances in your life could be pulling you away from God’s best for you?
How can you be more intentional about spreading God’s Word in your home, church, or community?
When facing tough decisions, how can you ensure you are hearing God's truth and not just what you want to hear?
What lessons from these chapters challenge the way you view success, strength, or spiritual leadership?

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