2 Kings 13-25, 1 Chronicles 18-22, 28-29; 2 Chronicles 1-9 pretty much wrap up the Kings of the divided Kingdom. We are limiting our time in 1 & 2 Chronicles because much content from Kings is repeated, and was assembled at a later date to encourage the people as they returned from 80 years of captivity (see chart below).”
It can be discouraging to consider the kings of the divided kingdom because their wandering, disobedient hearts often make their stories sad ones – and it didn’t need to be that way. Saul had no heart, David a whole heart, and Solomon a half heart. The kings of Judah and Israel emulated all three examples to varying degrees – most following the examples of Saul and Solomon (no heart and half heart).
Truly sad. God is being clear here: choose idolatry – and pay with your heart.
“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with the Devil, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’
“Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘And do not touch what is unclean.’ And I will welcome you. “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.”
– 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” – 1 John 5:21