2 Chronicles 17 & 18: I Hate Him
Verse of the Day: (18:7) And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

1. Heart (17:1-19)
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. (17:6)

Jehoshaphat of Judah succeeded his father, Asa, and he was a godly king. Jehoshaphat humbled and purified his heart before God, and taught His Word to all his people, and God blessed and prospered them, so that no nation would dare to make war with them as God’s fear was throughout all the kingdoms. Indeed, let us humble and purify our hearts before God, and draw near to Him, and He shall bless and draw near to us. (James 4:6-10)

2. Hate (18:1-30)
Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. (18:1)

The one fatal mistake that godly Jehoshaphat made was to associate himself with ungodly Ahab of Israel. It was the start of Jehoshaphat’s fall from God’s grace. Ahab was bent to do evil, and he hated God’s prophets and their prophecy. However, he reluctantly commanded Micaiah, God’s prophet, to come and prophesied to them when Jehoshaphat insisted upon consulting God. However, Ahab and Jehoshaphat still proceeded to battle against Syria at Ramothgilead even when Micaiah prophesied that they would surely be defeated. One of Ahab’s man then struck Micaiah’s cheek before Ahab threw him into prison just because he was God’s prophet speaking God’s truth. Indeed, let us be sober and vigilant as the world and the devil hate us because we are God’s people, and let us trust our faithful God who shall see us through all our life crises. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
 
3. Help (18:31-34)
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. (18:31)

During the battle, God allowed a soldier to randomly shoot an arrow at Ahab, and he subsequently died from his injury. Though Ahab disguised himself so that the Syrians would not recognise him, yet he was killed. Though Jehoshaphat wore his royal robe, yet he escaped death, because he called upon God. Our lives are in God’s hands, and let us call upon Him, and He shall deliver us, as He is our God and Helper. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that the world hates and rejects me, because I love You.

2 Chronicles 15 & 16: Seek The LORD
Verse of the Day: (15:12) And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

1. Be Strong (15:1-7)
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. (15:7)

God’s Spirit came to Azariah to encourage King Asa of Judah to be strong in Him, and to seek Him so that His blessings shall be upon him and Judah and their work. However, God shall judge and chastise them if they would rebelled against Him. For a long time both Israel and Judah refused to seek God, but instead they worshipped the idols that they had made for themselves. Indeed, let us only seek and worship God, and be strong and sufficient in His grace, otherwise His judgment shall be upon us. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

2. Be Seeking (15:8-19)
That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man of woman. (15:13)

Asa covenanted with his people to seek the Lord with all their hearts and souls, and those who refused shall be put to death. He then put away all the idols and sacrificed 700 oxen and 7,000 sheep before God and renewed His altar. Indeed, let us seek and set our hearts upon God and His Word and He shall grant us the desires of our hearts. (Colossians 3:1-3)

3. Be Submissive (16:1-14)
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. (16:10)

It is not just how well we start our Christian race, but also how well we finish it. Sadly in Asa’s latter years, he failed God as he built alliance with King Ben-hadad of Syria by giving him treasures from God’s and his house instead of trusting in God. When King Baasha of Israel began to build Ramah before Judah to besiege it, Asa called upon Ben-hadad who then attacked and stopped Israel from the construction of Ramah. However, God was displeased with Asa, and He sent His seer, Hanani, to rebuke him for trusting Ben-hadad instead of Him as He had time again delivered Judah from her enemies, the likes of the Ethiopians and the Lubims. Instead of accepting Hanani’s rebuke, Asa threw him into prison, and at the same time oppressed his people. God chastised Asa, and his feet were diseased. However, Asa still stubbornly refused to turn to God but relied on his physicians even until his death. Asa’s life was a tragic story of a godly leader who in his later years suffered much because he rebelled against God. Indeed, let us submit to God, as no matter how well prepared we are, He is in control of everything. (Proverbs 21:31)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to seek You first, and fully submit to You in everything.

2 Chronicles 13 & 14: A Covenant Of Salt
Verse of the Day: (13:5) Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and his sons by a covenant of salt? 

1. Salt (13:1-12)
But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business:

Even after Abijah became the king of Judah upon the death of his father, King Rehoboam, there was still wars between him and King Jeroboam of Israel. Abijah led 400,000 soldiers to battle against Jeroboam who had 800,000 soldiers. Abijah then reminded Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant, and the 10 tribes of Israel, that God had promised his forefather, King David, by the covenant of salt, that he and his descendants shall rule Israel forever, and that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shall come forth from them, through the tribe of Judah. However, Jeroboam and the ten tribes of Israel refused to take heed to Abijah’s warnings and fought against him. They rebelled against God as they made for themselves gods of golden calves for their worship, and subsequently God judged and punished them. Indeed, the covenant of salt represents God’s love for Israel for all eternity as salt is a preservative. (Numbers 18:19) Let us be God’s salt and light as we preserve and reflect His righteousness and love in this world of sins. (Matthew 5:13-16)

2. Slaughter (13:13-22)
And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. (13:17)

Though Jeroboam’s army was twice that of Abijah’s yet Abijah triumphed over them because God fought for them and He slaughtered Jeroboam and half a million of his men. Indeed, with God, even the gate of hell shall never prevail against us. (Matthew 16:17-19)

3. Seek (14:1-15)
And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. (14:5)

Asa became the king of Judah when Abijah, his father died. Asa was a godly king, and God grant Judah peace and prosperity. Asa then built many fenced cities and raised an army of 300,000 soldiers from Judah and 280,000 soldiers from Benjamin. However God began to test Asa’s faith when He sent Zerah, the Ethiopian, with an army of 1 million soldiers and 300 chariots to invade Judah. Asa was overwhelmed with Zerah’s great army and he cried to God. God heard Asa’s prayer, and He immediately destroyed and defeated the Ethiopians. Indeed, let us pray and seek God and His righteousness, and everything, especially His peace, joy and victory shall be with us now and forever. (Matthew 6:33-34)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be the salt of the earth reflecting Your righteousness.

2 Chronicles 9 & 10: Happy Are Thy Men
Verse of the Day: (9:7) Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.

1. Happy (9:1-12)
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. (9:1)

God richly blessed King Solomon with His wisdom so that people, including the queen of Sheba, from all over the world visited and pay tribute to him with their treasures such golds, precious stones and spices. They also came to prove Solomon’s wisdom with hard questions and also to see the magnificent house of God in Israel. In return, Solomon generously gave his visitors all that they desired. The people of Israel were happy to have Solomon as their king, and to hear his wisdom and follow him as he followed God. Indeed, let us be happy and joyful serving our God, even amid intense sorrow and suffering, as one day we shall enjoy His presence forever in glorious heaven. (James 5:11)

2. Heart (9:13-31)
And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. (9:23)

Solomon became the wisest and richest king on earth as people, including kings and queens, from all over the world, came to Israel to hear his wisdom that God had put in his heart, as well as to pay tribute to him. However, most importantly, through Solomon many came and believed in his God, the true God of Israel. Sadly, in his later years, Solomon became proud and sinned against God. After his death, his kingdom was split into 2; one ruled by his son, Rehoboam, and the other by his servant, Jeroboam. Indeed, let us always humble and purify our hearts in whatever we do, be it our work or ministry, knowing that everything that we have is from and of God and His grace. (James 4:6-10)

3. Heavy (10:1-19)
And he answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. (10:14)

Tragically, King Rehoboam who took over from his wise father, Solomon, failed in his leadership. Instead of listening to the matured men of his father’s generation to be kind to his people, he listened to his contemporaries who advised him to give them more work. The people then revolted, and the kingdom split. Indeed, let us be wise as serpents and harmless as doves as we lead our people in God’s love and for His glory. (Matthew 10:16)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to serve You with joy and happiness now and forever.

2 Chronicles 11 & 12: Never Fight With Your Brothers
Verse of the Day: (11:4) Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

1. Fight (11:1-4)
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. (11:1)

After a great empire came a fallen nation because of the pride of man. Though God blessed King Solomon with wisdom and a great empire, he failed God in his later years because of pride. After his death, Rehoboam, his son, took over him, and the kingdom split as Rehoboam also failed because of pride. Instead of uniting the people of Israel, he gathered the warriors from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and declared war with his own people led by Jeroboam who was now leading the 10 tribes of Israel. God through Prophet Shemaiah then told Rehoboam never to fight with his brothers. Indeed, let us dwell in unity and never fight one another, as we are made in God’s image. (Psalms 133)

2. Fortify (11:5-23)
And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine. (11:11)

King Rehoboam could not trust Jeroboam as he fortified his cities in Judah and Benjamin with provision of food, oil and wine, and armed his people with swords, spears and shields, and ready to fight against Jeroboam and his 10 tribes. However, he led his people to forsake God and His Word, and he married many wives, and subsequently God severely punished them. Indeed, let us love and obey God, as He is our Rock and Fortress, and only He is able to protect and preserve our lives now and forever. (Psalms 18:1-2)

3. Forsake (12:1-16)
And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. (12:1)

God allowed King Shishak of Egypt to invade and defeat Jerusalem because Rehoboam and his people forsook God. However, God delivered them from the Egyptians when they humbled themselves and turned to Him. Nevertheless, God humbled them by making them served the Egyptians. It was a humbling experience for Israel as once they were the most powerful nation on earth under David and Solomon, and now they were servants to the Egyptians. Indeed, let us humble ourselves, and trust and obey God, knowing that He is our Helper and Deliverer, and He shall never leave nor forsake us.  (Hebrews 13:1-6) 

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love and never fight with my brothers for Your sake.

2 Chronicles 7 & 8: Seek God’s Face
Verse of the Day: (7:14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

1. Fire (7:1-11)
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. (7:1)

God shown His pleasure of the completion of His majestic house by filling His glory in His house as well as sending fire from heaven to consume the burnt offering and sacrifices after King Solomon had ended his prayer of thanksgiving to Him. The people then worshipped, praised and thanked God, and acknowledged that He is good and His mercy endures for ever. Indeed, let us only please God, and worship Him with reverence and godly fear, as He is a consuming fire who judges all our sins. (Hebrews 12:28-29)

2. Face (7:12-22)
And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. (7:12)

After the completion of God’s house and Solomon’s house, God appeared to Solomon in the night, and reminded him that He shall richly bless Israel if they would trust and obey Him, however, He shall severely chastise them if they would rebel and disobey Him. Sadly, Israel chose to rebel and disobey God, and they reap the consequences of their sins even until today. However, God already knew the heart of Israel, and He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the whole world, and whoever believes in Him shall never perish in hell but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. God then chooses the church, a group of His believers, instead of Israel, as the light of the world in this dark world of sins. Indeed, let us humble ourselves, pray and seek God, and turn from our sinful ways, and one day in heaven, we shall see His face, and His name shall be on our foreheads, and we shall serve Him, and also reign with Him forever. (Revelation 22:1-5)

3. Foundation (8:1-18)
Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected. (8:16)

God was with Solomon in every stage of His building project, from his father, David’s preparation of the materials, to its foundation and final completion. Indeed, God is with us in every stage of our lives, from our struggles on earth to our promotion to heaven, and let us only build our foundation on Him, as only He shall never fail us. (2 Timothy 2:19)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to seek Your face, trust and obey You now and forever.

2 Chronicles 5 & 6: Only God Knows Our Hearts
Verse of the Day: (6:30) Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

1. House (5:1-14)
Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God. (5:1)

Finally, King Solomon completed the construction of God’s magnificent house which David, his father, desired to build for Him. Besides using the abundant of materials that David had prepared for the building project, Solomon kept the rest of the gold and silver and all the instruments in the treasury of God’s house. Solomon then assembled the leaders, and commanded the Levites to carry God’s ark into the most holy place of His house. Solomon also commanded the priests to sacrifice countless sheep and oxen before the ark thanking God for His forgiveness of their sins. Only Moses’ 2 tables of God’s 10 commandments were found in His ark. God’s commandments could be summed up as loving Him and the people. (Exodus 24:12-18) God’s glory and a cloud then filled His own house so that the priests could not even stand to minister. We are indeed God’s house, as His Spirit dwells in us, and let us trust and obey Him. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

2. Heart (6:1-31)
And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: (6:14)

After the completion of God’s house, Solomon thanked Him for choosing him to build His house. Solomon then promised God that he would lead Israel to obey Him with all their hearts. Indeed, let us obey God and His Word with all our hearts. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

3. Heaven (6:32-42)
Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name. (6:33) 

God commanded Solomon to lead Israel to be the light of the world so that all the people of the earth shall believe that He is the true God. Indeed, all must worship God, and prayed towards His house in Israel. Today, since Jesus, God’s Son, came from heaven to earth, and died for our sins, we now worship God in spirit as He is a Spirit. (John 4:21-24)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, only You know my heart that I long to be with You now and forever.

2 Chronicles 3 & 4: The Most Holy Place
Verse of the Day: (4:22) And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.

1. Moriah (3:1-17)
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 in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. (3:1)

Mount Moriah, the site where King Solomon built God’s majestic and magnificent house of God was also the same site as the threshingfloor of Ornan, the Jebusite, where He appeared before David as the latter built an altar and sacrificed his burnt offering to Him as he had sinned against Him by numbering Israel. (1 Chronicles 21). In fact, mount Moriah was also the site where God tested Abraham’s faith as He commanded him to offer his only son, Isaac as a sacrifice to Him. (Genesis 22:1-14) Most importantly, mount Moriah was the site where God sacrificed His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, at Golgotha or mount Calvary which is the highest point of mount Moriah. (Matthew 27:33-3) Indeed, by God’s abundant mercies and amazing grace, we are now God’s houses as well as living sacrifices at our own “mount Moriah” as the Holy Spirit dwells in us once we believe in and receive the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour. (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)   

2. Make (4:1-18)
Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out. (4:18)

Solomon made everything from the most important mammoth foundation to the little snuffer according to God’s specification and with the best materials and workmanship. There was no short-cut or cutting corners in the entire construction of the building project as everything was done with hard and heart work for God’s glory and praise. Let us therefore love and serve the Lord with all our hearts knowing that we have victory through Him and our labour is never in vain in Him. Indeed, we never die, as when we die we actually sleep to be waking up in heaven to see our Saviour Jesus. (John 11:25-26)

3. Most (4:19-22)
And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the showbread was set; (4:19)

God commanded Solomon to that all the snuffers, basons, spoons, censers, the entry of the house and inner doors must be made of pure gold. Indeed, let us give our best in whatever we do, be it our study, work or ministry in the name of Jesus Christ, as we are His most holy place, and He indwells us once we believe in Him. (Colossians 3:17-25)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your most holy place is in me as I believe in You.

2 Chronicles 1 & 2: Wonderful And Great
Verse of the Day: (2:9) Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.

1. Wisdom (1:1-17)
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? (1:10)

Solomon became the king of Israel after David, his father, went to be with God. God was with Solomon, and one night He appeared before him and asked him what he required of Him. Solomon asked God for wisdom to rule and judge the people in his vast kingdom that his father had left him. God immediately gave wisdom to Solomon as He was pleased with his request as he did not ask for riches or the lives of his enemies or longevity. Indeed, let us pray to God for wisdom, which is to fear Him, and keep His commandments, because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10)

2. Wonderful (2:1-16)
And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. (2:3)

Wise Solomon hired the skilful men of King Huram of Tyre, who had earlier dealt with his father in the construction of the latter’s house. Solomon also asked Huram to supply him with abundance of timber from Tyre for the construction of the mammoth building project beside those materials that his father had prepared for him. Solomon sourced out the best materials as well as hired the best people from overseas so that God’s house shall be wonderful and great not only in Israel but throughout the entire world. Indeed, as believers of God, let us do our best, be it our study, sports, career, or ministry, as there shall be no more earthly activities the day we die, but we shall serve and worship God in our heavenly activities when we all get to heaven, the home of God. (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10)

3. Work (2:17-18)
And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work. (2:18)

Beside the people in Israel, Solomon hired thousands of foreign workers to supervise and work for his building project. He was determined not only to complete the construction of God’s house, but to follow every detail of the architectural design that God, through David, had passed to him, so that His house shall be the most magnificent and majestic building in the entire world. (1 Chronicle 28:19) Indeed, let us be busy serving and following God and His Word, as an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. (Psalms 119:105)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to do everything wonderful and great for Your glory.

1 Chronicles 27 & 28: The Captain
Verse of the Day: (27:1) Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand. 

1. Captain (27:1-22)
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah: (27:16)

God’s ministry is a very personal and protective one as He through King David appointed 12 captains by their names to be in charge of 24,000 soldiers on a monthly rotational basis to protect Israel from their enemies. David also appointed rulers by their names to rule the respective tribes of Israel. Today, national security is of utmost importance after the world had experienced 2 World Wars that resulted in the loss of millions of lives. Indeed, let us believe in Jesus, the Son of God, as He is coming soon to judge the world, and this time, He shall not destroy it by the great flood, but by a great fire. (2 Peter 3:9-10)

2. Counsellor (27:23-34)
And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion: (27:33) 

Beside national defence, the next important ministry of Israel, was the welfare and survival of the people. God through David appointed counsellors and treasurers for Israel so that they could lead and provide for them. David also appointed Ahithophel as his personal counsellor, and Hushai as his companion, as two are better than one, because when one falls, the other will lift him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) However, Jesus, the Son of God, is our best Counsellor and Friend, as He is our Saviour. Let us thus seek God and His Word in our daily life because He shall never fail or forsake us. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

3. Courage (28:1-21)
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. (28:20)

David was now in the last chapter of his life as he prepared for Solomon, his son, whom God had appointed him to be his successor, and also to build His house. God told David that he could only prepare the architectural design and materials, because he was a man of war and had shed much blood. David gladly accepted God’s will, and even encouraged Solomon to be strong and courageous, and to finish God’s work for His glory. Indeed, he was thankful to God for forgiving his sins, and saving his wretched soul. (Psalms 51)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I shall not fear as You are my Captain for all eternity.