Lessons From the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel and Judah
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Previously unpublished.
“Then all the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord, and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” [1 Chronicles 29:9.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 1
“Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation and David said, Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, forever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee. For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers; our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 2
“O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee an house for Thine holy name cometh of Thine hand, and all is Thine own. I know also, my God, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now I have seen with joy Thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto Thee. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thought of the heart of Thy people, and prepare their heart unto Thee; and give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace; for which I have made provision. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 3
“And David said to all the congregation. Now bless the Lord your God. And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshiped the Lord, and the king. And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings unto the Lord, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel; and they did eat and drink before the Lord on that day with great gladness. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 4
“And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.” [Verses 10-25.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 5
“And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.” [2 Chronicles 1:1.] One night God appeared to Solomon, and said, “Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O Lord my God, let Thy promise unto David my father be established; for Thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now knowledge and wisdom, that I may go out and come in before this people: [for who can judge this Thy people], that is so great? 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 6
“And God said unto Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge My people, over whom I have made thee king; wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.” [Verses 7-12.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 7
“And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the Lord, and an house for his kingdom. And Solomon told out three score and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and four score thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred men to oversee them. And Solomon sent unto Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel. And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods. But who is about to build Him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? who am I then that I should build Him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before Him?” [2 Chronicles 2:1-6.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 8
“Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared.” [2 Chronicles 3:1.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 9
After the temple had been finished, Solomon “stood before the altar of the Lord, in the presence of all the congregation of Israel. ... And he kneeled down upon his knees in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven, and said, O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like Thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and showest mercy unto Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their hearts; Thou which hast kept with Thy servant David my father that which Thou hast promised him; and spakest with Thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with Thine hand, as it is this day. Now therefore, O Lord God of Israel, keep with Thy servant David my father that which Thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in My sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in My law, as thou hast walked before Me. Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let Thy word be verified, which Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant David. But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have built! 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 10
“Have respect therefore unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which Thy servant prayeth before Thee; that Thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof Thou hast said, that Thou wouldest put Thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant prayeth toward this place. Hearken therefore unto the supplications of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place; hear Thou from Thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when Thou hearest, forgive.” [2 Chronicles 6:12-21.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 11
“And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and strengthened it himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.” [2 Chronicles 12:1.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 12
Rehoboam acted as ungodly men today will act when placed where they can govern and control. His experience shows the great danger of men in high positions being drawn away from their allegiance to God through connecting with worldly influences. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 13
“And it came to pass that in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the Lord, with twelve hundred chariots and three score thousand horsemen; and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt. ... And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 14
“Then came Shemaiah the prophet of Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the Lord, ye have forsaken Me, and therefore I have left you in the hands of Shishak. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 15
“Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves, and they said, The Lord is righteous. And when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance and My wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know My service, and the service of the kingdoms of the country. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 16
“So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the king’s house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made. Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king’s house. And when the king entered into the house of the Lord, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 17
“And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, that He would not destroy him altogether; and also in Judah things went well. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 18
“So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned; for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem. ... And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. ... And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.” [Verses 2-14, 16.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 19
The greater part of Abijah’s reign was occupied in wars with Jeroboam, king of Israel. At his death, his son Asa took the throne, and of him we read: 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 20
“Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.” [2 Chronicles 14:2.] He made determined efforts to bring about reform, just such as will have to be made at the present time. “He took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves; and commanded Judah and his family to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images; and the kingdom was quiet before him. ... 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 21
“And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots. ... Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, Thou art our God; let not men prevail against Thee. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 22
“So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar; and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before His hosts; and they carried away very much spoil. And they smote all the cities round Gerar; for the fear of the Lord came upon them; and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.” [Verses 3-5, 9-14.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 23
“And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Azaria, the son of Oded; and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found of them. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 24
“And in those days there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city; for God did vex them with all adversity. Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 25
“And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord that was before the porch of the Lord. And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon; for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 26
“So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. And they offered unto the Lord the same time of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen, and seven thousand sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 27
“And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their hearts, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them; and the Lord gave them rest round about.” [2 Chronicles 15:1-15.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 28
“And in the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come into Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasure of the house of the Lord, and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Syria, saying, There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father; behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. And Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captain of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. And it came to pass that when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease. ... 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 29
“And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa the king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand.” [2 Chronicles 16:1-5, 7.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 30
Mark these words, all who suppose that it is a light matter to follow their own judgment contrary to the will of God: The Lord will trouble any man, whatever his former calling may have been, who turns from Him, as some today are doing, defying the Lord God of Israel. He will deal according to their works with those who have exalted the men who have been bringing dishonor to the truth and spoiling the faith of God’s people. Medical missionary workers are now called upon to vindicate the truth, refusing to be led and guided by sophistry. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 31
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. Therein thou hast done foolishly; therefore from thenceforth thou shalt have wars. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 32
“Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time. ... And Asa, in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet; until his disease was exceeding great; yet in his disease he sought not unto the Lord, but unto the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.” [Verses 9, 10, 12, 13.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 33
“And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; but sought to the Lord God of his fathers, and walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honor in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord; moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 34
“Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. ... And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. And the fear of the Lord fell upon the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.” [2 Chronicles 17:1-7, 9, 10.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 35
There was a religious revival throughout the kingdom. An earnest effort was made to understand God’s requirements and to lessen transgression. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 36
This is the work that the Lord expects His people today, living at the close of this earth’s history, to do. A determined effort is to be made to walk in the fear of the Lord. God’s people are to live lives that will convince unbelievers of the power of the grace of Christ. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 37
But this work has been neglected by the church of today. The cities and towns have not been worked. There is a dearth of means, because money has been invested in a way that is not in accordance with the will of the Lord. The medical missionary work has greatly deteriorated. Embarrassment has come because men have been following blind leaders. The cause of God must not be hindered by being obliged to take up the load (of debt), while the one who has brought about this condition of things stands without making one confession, without taking one step to regain the favor of God. The Lord’s offers of mercy have been rejected and His love abused. Those who have done this must bear the consequences of their self-will. God calls upon those who have had the light to stand on His side as faithful witnesses for Him. Let no man dare to encourage impenitence and to sneer at humility and confession. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 38
“And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed exceeding great, and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.” [Verses 11, 12.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 39
Much exaltation spoils a man. The worldly honor shown to Jehoshaphat worked unfavorably to his piety. His prosperity made him self-sufficient. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 40
2 Chronicles [19] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 41
“And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and help them which hate the Lord? Therefore is wrath upon thee from the Lord.” [Verses 1, 2.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 42
This is the question we would ask of those who have united with Dr. Kellogg, to partake of his spirit, to hold up his hands, to strengthen him in the work that he is doing in opposition to the men whom he cannot induce to unite with him in his devising. Against these men Dr. Kellogg has felt the bitterest hatred. The Lord is weighing his actions. Those who have given no heed to the testimonies that have been printed must now have the words of the Lord that have been withheld in the hope that repentance would be seen. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 43
“Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 44
“And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers. And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, Take heed what ye do; for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed, and do it; for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.” [Verses 3-7.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 45
Excellent advice, showing that righteousness exalts a nation. We are bound by the Word of God to have exalted views of His precepts; for every spot in the universe and every member of the human family requires and receives His care. The angelic hosts, ascending and descending between heaven and earth, bring with them a power that sustains those who do righteousness and guides every mind that desires to be guided aright. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 46
“Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren; this do, and ye shall not trespass. ... Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.” [Verses 8-11.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 47
“And it came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. And there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria. ... And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together to ask help of the Lord; even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek help of the Lord. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 48
“And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven? and rulest not Thou over the kingdoms of the heathen? and in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that there is none able to withstand Thee? ... And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom Thou wouldst not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given us to inherit. O Lord, our God, wilt Thou not judge them; for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee.” [2 Chronicles 20:1-6, 10-12.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 49
God is the strength of His people today. They are not to trust in princes or set men in the place of God. They are to remember that human beings are fallible and erring, and that God is their strong tower of defense. They are not to look at supposed impossibilities, but to Him who has all power. In every emergency they are to feel that the battle is His. His resources are limitless, and apparent impossibilities will make the victory all the greater. To the terror-stricken people came the Word, “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of their great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go ye down against them; behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them; for the Lord will be with you. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 50
“And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.” [Verses 15-18.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 51
“And they arose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Here me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established: believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 52
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth forever. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 53
“And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir [which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir], utterly to slay and destroy them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. And when Judah came toward the watchtower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.” [Verses 20-24.] “And they returned every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord. And the fear of the Lord was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel. 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 54
“So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest round about.” [Verses 27-30.] 19LtMs, Ms 80, 1904, par. 55