2 Chronicles (TOTC) by Martin J. Selman

Author:Martin J. Selman [Selman, Martin J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783592357
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press
Published: 2008-09-18T16:00:00+00:00

v. Concluding formula (20:31–21:1)

20:31–34—cf. 1 Kings 22:41–45 (EVV) / 41–46 (MT)

20:36–21:1—cf. 1 Kings 22:48–50 (EVV) / 49–51 (MT)

This is an extended version of the concluding formula, which includes an additional paragraph (vv. 35–37) inserted into the usual pattern (vv. 31–34; 21:1). Jehoshaphat’s twenty-five year reign (v. 31) included a three-year co-regency during his father Asa’s final illness (cf 2 Chr. 16:12–13; 17:7), so that his twenty-two years (cf. 2 Kgs 3:1; 8:16) as sole king would be approximately 869–848 BC (Thiele) or 876–852 BC (Hughes). The favourable comparison with Asa (v. 32) and mention of the high places (v. 33) hark back to the introduction (17:3, 6). Although the statements about the high places seem contradictory (cf. 14:3, 5; 15:17), the hint about the superficial standards of popular religion (v. 33) may give a clue as to why they persisted in some areas. It is also a salutary reminder about the limited success of Jehoshaphat’s campaigns for religious and legal reform (17:7–9; 19:4–11). Though the king had set his heart on God (19:3; cf. 1 Chr. 29:18; 2 Chr. 30:19), his example was not widely followed (cf. 2 Chr. 12:14). Further information is typically to be found in a prophetic source (v. 34; cf. 19:2), which is included in a larger work. Kings of Israel really means kings of Judah, indicating as usual that this small kingdom remained the true Israel (cf. 16:11; 27:7).

The final paragraph shows a number of changes from Kings, with the aim of concentrating on Jehoshaphat’s relationship with Ahab’s son Ahaziah. Out go statements about his wars (presumably because of fuller details in chs. 18, 20), the male cult prostitutes (all four references in Kgs are omitted in Chr.), and arrangements in Edom (1 Kgs 22:45–47). Also, the brief details of his alliance with Ahaziah are quite different, the description of his building a fleet of ships as a result of an alliance contrasting with 1 Kings 22:48–49 where Ahaziah’s offer of assistance follows the wrecking of the ships. In fact, the chronological differences may not be so great, especially if the beginning of Ahaziah’s offer in 1 Kings 22:48 is translated, ‘At that time, Ahaziah had said …’.57 Chronicles’ point, however, is to underline through two particular Hebrew words the implications of the link between Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah. The first is made an alliance with (NIV, GNB), which occurs once each in verses 35–37 but not at all in 1 Kings 22. This same word also described Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab (18:1), indicating that Jehoshaphat is repeating his error (this is brought out clearly in REB, NEB, ‘he did wrong in joining with him’, vv. 35–36). The second important word is destroy (v. 37, NIV, etc.; ‘bring to nothing’, REB, NEB), which has previously occurred in 1 Chronicles 13:11; 15:13 as ‘break out’ (Heb. pāraṣ), also with God as the subject. It speaks of God’s wrath bringing human plans to a sudden end on both occasions. Eliezer’s prophecy (he is unknown elsewhere) is to be

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