2 Chronicles, Part II (cont'd): More back and forth

After Hezekiah unites the people of Judah and some of the people of Israel at Passover, all who are present go out and break down pillars, sacred poles, and high places—all of the pagan shrines. Hezekiah then commands the people of Jerusalem to pay taxes to the priests and Levites, “so that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord.” The people give in abundance, and the priests and Levites are reorganized and strengthened. Much of this shadows the version in 2 Kings, but the Chronicler makes no mention of, among other things, Hezekiah’s consultations at this time with the prophet Isaiah or faith in foreign alliances.

Despite Judah’s faithfulness, it suffers an invasion by Assyria. Hezekiah gathers his troops and plans to stop the flow of water into Jerusalem, where the Assyrians are headed. He also builds towers and walls and makes weapons and shields. He tells the people that they shouldn’t fear the Assyrians because the people have God on their side. The Assyrian king sends his servants to deliver a message to the people in Jerusalem. The messengers warn them against relying on Hezekiah and point out that no other nation’s god has been able to stop the Assyrian attack. But Hezekiah and Isaiah pray together, and God responds by wiping out the Assyrian army.

As in 2 Kings (but told here in a far shorter version), Hezekiah subsequently falls ill. God heals him after prayer, but Hezekiah “did not respond according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud.” God's wrath comes down on the king and Judah, but then Hezekiah humbles himself “so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.” It’s coming, though—make no mistake about that.

After Hezekiah’s death, his son Manasseh succeeds him. Over his long reign, he primarily acts in an evil way, rebuilding high places, altars, and sacred poles and practicing child sacrifice. He goes so far as to set a carved image of an idol in the house of God. Further, he “misled Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the people of Israel.” Contrary to Kings, however, Manasseh repents—although not until he is captured by Assyria and taken to Babylon in manacles. I’d think that would cheapen things. Nonetheless, “God received his entreaty, heard his plea, and restored him again to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.” His successor and son Amon doesn’t follow his lead. “He did not humble himself before the Lord.” His servants kill him, but then the people kill the servants. They proceed to make his son Josiah king.

According to the notes, “Josiah is the best of all Judean kings in following the example of David.” He purges Judah of the high places, etc. and oversees the restoration of the house of God. When the book of law is discovered during the repair process, Josiah reacts dramatically, tearing his clothes. He sends the priest Hilkiah to inquire of God about the book. The prophet Huldah conveys God’s message: “I will indeed bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book … because they have forsaken me.” And yet, “because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before God … I also have heard you … I will gather you to your ancestors and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring on this place and its inhabitants.” So another generation is spared God’s wrath.

Josiah renews the covenant with God, making “all who were present in Jerusalem and in Benjamin pledge themselves to it.” He also leads the people in a grand celebration of Passover. “No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel.” Unfortunately, though, Josiah will falter, leading to his downfall. More later.