2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 21: A lamp for David's house

Begin in prayer

Before we hear about King Jehoram, a hard chapter, let us pray. Ask God to show us His faithfulness to a promise, and to lead us to Jesus, the Son of David.

For you will light my lamp, Yahweh. My God will light up my darkness.

Psalm 18:28

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Thank You that You keep Your promises, and show us Jesus, the Son of David. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jehoshaphat dies, and his son Jehoram becomes king. Jehoram strengthens himself and kills his brothers, who were sons of Jehoshaphat. He walks in the way of the kings of Israel, and he does evil in the LORD's sight. Yet the LORD will not destroy David's house, because of His covenant with David. Edom and Libnah revolt, and Jehoram makes high places and leads Judah astray. Elijah sends him a letter, and the LORD strikes his family and then Jehoram himself, and he dies without being missed.

As you read 2 Chronicles 21, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD kept His promise to David, and did not destroy David's house, though Jehoram did evil.

Jehoshaphat gave his other sons great gifts, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, the firstborn (verses 1 to 3). Jehoram then killed all his brothers with the sword, and he walked as Ahab's house did (verses 4 and 6). The text says he did evil in the LORD's sight, and the chapter is dark from start to end. One verse stands out, “Yahweh would not destroy David’s house, because of the covenant that he had made with David” (verse 7). A lamp meant that David's family would not be put out, and the LORD had promised David a lamp (verse 7). The text gives no reason in Jehoram, only the covenant the LORD had made. Edom and Libnah revolted, and Libnah revolted because Jehoram had forsaken the LORD (verses 8 to 10). Elijah's letter said the LORD would strike his family, and He stirred up the Philistines and Arabians (verses 12 to 16). This shows a God who is faithful to His covenant when kings are not, and who still judges sin.

How does 2 Chronicles 21 show us that the LORD kept His promise to David, and did not destroy David's house, though Jehoram did evil?

Jehoram did evil, as the kings of Israel did.

Jehoram killed all his brothers with the sword when he had strengthened himself (verse 4). He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as Ahab's house did (verse 6). Edom revolted, and Libnah revolted, because he had forsaken the LORD (verses 8 to 10). He made high places and led Judah astray (verse 11).

The LORD would not destroy David's house, because of His covenant.

The LORD would not destroy David's house, because of the covenant He had made with David (verse 7). He had promised to give David and his children a lamp always (verse 7). Jehoram was evil, and the LORD kept His promise anyway. The text does not say that Jehoram earned this, only that the LORD made a covenant.

The LORD struck Jehoram, and he died without being missed.

Elijah's letter said the LORD would strike Jehoram's people and family and bring a great sickness on him (verses 12 to 15). The LORD stirred up the Philistines and Arabians against him (verse 16). They carried away his sons, except Jehoahaz the youngest (verse 17). After the LORD struck him with an incurable disease, Jehoram died and was not missed (verses 18 to 20).

Jesus is the Son of David, the Bright and Morning Star.

Matthew begins with Jesus Christ, the son of David (Matthew 1 verse 1). Jesus says He is the root and the offspring of David and the bright morning star (Revelation 22 verse 16). The lamp that the LORD promised to David was kept burning in the end by Jesus.

Memorise

because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his children always.

2 Chronicles 21:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I deserve, and will I run to Jesus, the Son of David?

The LORD would not destroy David's house, “because of the covenant that he had made with David.” Jesus is the son of David (Matthew 1 verse 1). He says He is the bright morning star (Revelation 22 verse 16).

Jehoram deserved to lose everything, and so do we. Yet God kept His promise through a Son of David who took the judgment. At the cross Jesus suffered for His people, and by His death every debt was paid once for all. He rose, and His throne will never end.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven, even when their sin is great.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD kept His promise to David even when Jehoram did evil, and that Jesus is David's Son. Parents, verses 4, 11 and 15 to 19 tell of killing, idol worship and a terrible sickness, so please explain them gently. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He keeps His promises, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.

Revelation 22:16

Father, thank You that You keep Your promises, even when people do evil. Thank You for Jesus, the Son of David, who died and rose for sinners. Please keep us from sin and bring us to trust Him. Amen.