Nehemiah 1-3

Overview of chapter 1
Nehemiah asked one of his brothers how the escaped Jews were doing in Jerusalem, and he was told that they were in great distress.

The news caused Nehemiah to weep, pray, and fast.

Nehemiah asked God to forgive the sins of Israel and gather them back together, and he asked for compassion as he approached the king (Nehemiah was his cupbearer).

Overview of chapter 2
When Nehemiah brought King Artaxerxes his wine, the king noticed that Nehemiah looked sad, and asked him why.

Nehemiah explained to the king the news about the Jews in Jerusalem.

The king offered to help, and after a quick prayer Nehemiah asked if he could go rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and if the king would give him letters so he could pass through safely, to which the king agreed.

Some of the non-Jews in Jerusalem were disappointed the king allowed Nehemiah to go.

Nehemiah secretly inspected the wall, then he asked all the people to help him rebuild the wall and they agreed.

They were mocked by the non-Jews who did not want to see this project succeed.

Overview of chapter 3
The priest, Levites, leaders, nobles, and common people worked side by side making repairs to the walls.

Reflection
Are you noticeably sad when you see things not going well for the people of God? When you see that others in the church are in need does it cause you to weep, pray, and fast? Do you offer up quick prayers during times of immediate need or stress? Are you actively working side by side with your brothers and sisters in Christ to build up the church?

For Further Study
King Artaxerxes: Ezra 7

Ezra 8-10

Overview of chapter 8
A list of those who went with Ezra to Jerusalem.

When Ezra assembled the people at the river he noted there were no Levites, so he sent a message to Iddo.

Iddo sent about 250 Levites to join Ezra.

Ezra proclaimed a fast so that God would protect them on their journey.

Ezra gave the gold and silver to 22 men to watch over during the journey.
They made it to Jerusalem.

Overview of chapter 9
The princes and rulers told Ezra that they had been intermarrying with other nations, and Ezra was humiliated.

Ezra was ashamed and embarrassed and mourned before God.

Overview of chapter 10
Some men suggested that they make a new covenant with God to separate from their foreign wives and kids.

Ezra called all the people to Jerusalem so he could call them to repentance.

Only a handful of people opposed sending away their foreign wives.

A list of priests who had intermarried with foreigners is given.

Reflection
When was the last time you fasted leading into a major decision or change in your life? Would you choose God over your family?

For Further Study
Fasting: Judges 20:24-28, Psalm 35:13, Isaiah 58:1-12, Matthew 4:2, Matthew 6:16-24, Matthew 9:14-17, Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:2-3.

Congratulations of finishing the book of Ezra!

Ezra 4-7

Read Jamieson, Fausett & Brown's commentary on Ezra 4:

Jamieson, Fausett & Brown on Ezra 4

Read Jamieson, Fausett & Brown's commentary on Ezra 5:

Jamieson, Fausett & Brown on Ezra 5

Read Jamieson, Fausett & Brown's commentary on Ezra 6:

Jamieson, Fausett & Brown on Ezra 6

Read Jamieson, Fausett & Brown's commentary on Ezra 7:

Jamieson, Fausett & Brown on Ezra 7

Ezra 1-3

Overview of chapter 1
The Lord stirred the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

The king commanded that his people should support this rebuilding, and help the surviving Israelites return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

All the offerings of the people as well as the articles of the house of the Lord were brought up with the Israelite exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Overview of chapter 2
An accounting of the number of exiles from each family that returned to their cities in Judah is given.

An accounting of the number of Priests, Levites, and family members of Solomon’s servants is given.

Some of the Priests were removed from service because they could not prove their ancestry.

Overview of chapter 3
In the seventh month the people of Israel gathered in Jerusalem.

The altar was rebuilt, and the feast of Booths was celebrated.

All the offerings were reinstated as written in the Law.

Money was given to workers to begin rebuilding the temple.

In the second month of the second year Levites began overseeing the temple.

Everyone praised the Lord, and those who were still living who had seen the original temple wept.

Reflection
Has the Lord ever stirred your spirit to do anything? Do you support those who are building the kingdom of God? As you look forward to God’s heavenly kingdom do you praise the Lord?

For Further Study
Praising God with Instruments: 2Samuel 6:5, 1Chronicles 15:16-28, Nehemiah 12:27, Psalm 150, 1Corinthians 13:1.

2Chronicles 35-36

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 35:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 35

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 36:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 36

CONGRATULATIONS!

YOU FINISHED THE BOOK OF 2CHRONICLES!

2Chronicles 32-34

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 32:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 32

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles33:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 33

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 34:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 34

2Chronicles 28-31

Overview of chapter 28
Cross reference 2Kings 16:1-18.

Ahaz becomes king of Judah at the age of 20, he reigned for 16 years and he did evil in the sight of the Lord.

Ahaz made images of the Baals and burned incense to false Gods.

Because of this, God caused the Arameans, Edomites, Philistines, and their brothers from Israel to attack them.

They suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties, and many more were taken as slaves.

The Israelites also took some of the people of Judah as slaves, but a prophet warned them that was a bad idea so they returned the captives.

King Ahaz attempted to make a treaty with the Assyrians, but the Assyrian king double crossed Ahaz and took his money, but was not faithful to the treaty.

Ahaz closed the temple of the Lord, destroyed some of the utensils, and made more altars to be the gods of other nations throughout Jerusalem.

Ahaz died and his son Hezekiah became king in his place.

Overview of chapter 29
Cross reference 2Kings 18:1-8

Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king of Judah, he reigned for 29 years and did right in the sight of the Lord.

In the first month of his reign Hezekiah reopened the house of the Lord and brought back the priests and the Levites, instructing them to consecrate themselves.

The priests and Levites cleaned the house of the Lord for eight days removing all the unclean things and taking them out of the city.

Hezekiah instructed the priests and Levites to sacrifice burnt and sin offerings to make atonement for the sins of all Israel.

As the sacrifices burned the whole assembly worshipped the Lord with instruments and signing of Psalms.

The house of the Lord was now available for the people to bring sacrifices and offerings, and all the people rejoiced.

Overview of chapter 30
Hezekiah sent letters to all Israel on both sides of the Jordan inviting them to celebrate the Passover.

The date was moved to an alternate date because there were not initially enough priests consecrated to celebrate (Numbers 9:6-14).

The couriers carrying the letters were mocked and harassed by most of Israel.

Some men from tribe’s Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.

Before celebrating the Feasts of Unleavened bread and Passover the people went through Jerusalem and removed all the altars to foreign gods.

Many people who came to the feasts were considered unclean, but Hezekiah prayed for them and God healed them.

Hezekiah spoke words of encouragement to the Levites because they were consecrated and took up the slack of the priests that were slow about their obedience.

The people decided to extend the feast an extra week, and all Judah rejoiced because there had been nothing like this in Judah since the days of Solomon.

Overview of chapter 31
After the celebrations the people of Judah returned to their cities and removed all the altars, pillars, and Asherim.

Hezekiah reinstalled the morning and evening, Sabbath, new moon, and fixed festival offerings.

Hezekiah reinstalled the tithe to provide for the priests and Levites.

So many tithes and offerings were brought that all the priests, Levites, and their families ate abundantly and the rest was stored.

Each city appointed men to oversee the provisions for the priests and Levites.

Everything King Hezekiah did prospered because he sought God with his whole heart.

Reflection
Do you ever pause to reflect on your obedience to God when things are going poorly in your life? What reforms currently need to be instituted in your life? What things need to be removed? When you give, tithes and offerings to God do you truly rejoice? Do you seek after God with your whole heart in everything you do?

For Further Study
Passover: Exodus 12, Numbers 9, Matthew 26, Luke 2:41.

2Chronicles 25-27

Overview of chapter 25
Cross reference 2Kings 14:1-14.

Amaziah became king of Judah at the age of 25, he reigned 29 years, and he half heartedly served the Lord.

King Amaziah gathered a large army and slaughtered the Edomites.

The King took the Edomites gods (how sad that their gods can be captured) and began to worship them.

Amaziah picked a fight with Joash the king of Israel and lost, and Israel destroyed the walls of Jerusalem.

Amaziah died.

Overview of chapter 26
Cross reference 2Kings 14:21-27.

Amaziah’s son Uzziah became king at the age of 16, he reigned 52 years, and did right in the sight of the Lord.

Uzziah fought and defeated the Philistines, Arabs, and Meunites, and was famous all the way to Egypt.

King Uzziah gathered an elite army of 307,500 men and developed new weapons of war.

The king’s success made him prideful, and he decided to burn incense in the temple in place of the priest.

God gave smote him with leprosy, and he lived the rest of his life in solitude while his son judged the people.

His son Jotham became the king of Judah in his place.

Overview of chapter 27
Cross reference 15:32-38.

Jotham was 25 when he became the king of Judah, he reigned 16 years, and did right in the sight of the Lord (unfortunately the people he ruled were corrupt).

King Jotham built fixed up the temple, built cities, fortresses, and towers and defeated the Ammonites.

The king died at the age of 41 and his son became the king in his place.

Reflection
If you were to define your whole life by a few sentences, what would they be? If you had to categorize yourself as evil, half hearted, or good in the sight of the Lord which would it be?

For Further Study
Leprosy: Exodus 4:1-10, Numbers 12: 1-15, Leviticus 13-14, Matthew 8:1-4.

2Chronicles 21-24

Overview of chapter 21
Cross reference 2Kings 8-9

Jehoshaphat died and his son firstborn son Jehoram became king of Israel in his place.

Jehoram was 32 when he became king and reigned for 8 years. He did evil in the sight of the Lord.

Edom (not part of Judah, but a nation under Judah’s control) revolted against Judah, as well as the city of Libnah (who did so because Jehoram was led Judah away from God).

Elijah wrote a letter to King Jehoram warning him that he would die of a bowel sickness because of his evil actions.

The Philistines and the Arabs attacked Judah and took the family and treasure of the king, except his youngest son Jehoahaz (also known as Ahaziah).

Jehoram died in great pain from a stomach illness that God gave him, and everyone was happy to see him go.

Overview of chapter 22
Cross reference 2Kings 9-10

Jehorams youngest, and only living son, Ahaziah (also known as Jehoahaz) was made king.

Ahaziah was 22 when he became king and reigned for 1 years. He was evil according to the counsel of his mother Athaliah.

Joram (the son of Ahab, king of Israel) and Ahaziah fought the Arameans together, but Joram (also known as Jehoram, but not the Jehoram who was king of Judah) was injured and went to Jezreel to heal from his wounds.

Ahaziah and all his family (except his mom, and one son) were killed by Jehu.

Athaliah had all the royal offspring of the house of Judah and appointed herself as queen.

Ahaziah’s sister took his one son and hid him with her husband Jehoiada the priest in the house of God for six years.

Overview of chapter 23
Cross reference 2Kings 11

Seven years after Athaliah appointed herself as queen, Jehoiada the priest planned her overthrow.

The Levites and the heads of households were brought to Jerusalem and made a covenant with the king to be.

The priests and the Levites surrounded the king to be and stood watch at the gates, using David’s weapons that had been stored in the temple.

The new king was anointed, and the people all cheered “long live the king.”

Athaliah heard the noise and came to see what was up, but she was taken outside and killed as well as anyone who followed her.

The people of Judah then made a covenant with the Lord to be his people, and they destroyed the house of Baal, his altars, idols, and killed his priests.

The Levites were restored to their positions as the Law of Moses instructed.

The king (Joash) was placed on the throne and all the people rejoiced.

Overview of chapter 24
Cross reference 2Kings 12

Joash became king at the age of seven. He reigned for 40 years, and did what was right while Jehoiada the priest was alive, but evil after he died.

Joash took up a collection and rebuilt the temple, and offerings were again offered up.

Jehoiada the priest died at the age of 130, and was buried with the kings of Israel.

After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah convinced king Joash to serve the Asherim.

The Spirit of God spoke through Jehoiada’s son Zechariah, and he told the people that God was going to forsake them because they had turned away from Him.

Joash had Zechariah killed.

God sent the Arameans to attack Judah, and the small Aramean army defeated the large Judean army.

Joash got sick after the Arameans left with all his treasure, and while he was in bed his servants killed him.

His son Amaziah became king in his place.

Reflection
How would you respond if you received a letter from your pastor telling you that you are outside God’s will, anger, indifference, repentance, or a combination? If your parents are unsaved, what counsel should you accept from them after you leave the house? What other Christian has steered you in the right direction most often in your life? If that person was taken away would you continue to serve the Lord? How young is too young to stand up for, and serve the Lord?

For Further Study
Israel kills Prophets: Matthew 23:34-39, Luke 11:47-51, Luke 13:34, Acts 7:52, Romans 11:3, 1Thessalonians 2:14-16.

2Chronicles 18-20

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 18:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 18

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 19:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 19

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 20:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 20

2Chronicles 13-17

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Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 13

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 14:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 14

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 15:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 15

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 16:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 16

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 17:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 17

2Chronicles 9-12

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Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 9

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 10:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 10

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 11:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 11

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 12:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 12

2Chronicles 6-8

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Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 6

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 7:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 7

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 8:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 8

2Chronicles 2-5

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Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 2

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 3:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 3

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 4:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 4

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 5:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 5

1Chronicles 28 - 2Chronicles 1

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 28:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 28

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 29:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 29

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 2Chronicles 1:

Matthew Henry on 2Chornicles 1

1Chronicles 25-27

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 25:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 25

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 26:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 26

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 27:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 27

1Chronicles 22-24

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Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 22

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 23:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 23

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Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 24

1Chronicles 22-24

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Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 22

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 23:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 23

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 24:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 24

1Chronicles 18-21

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Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 18

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 19:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 19

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 20:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 20

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 21:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 21

1Chronicles 15-17

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Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 15

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 16:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 16

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 17:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 17

1Chronicles 12-14

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Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 12

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 13:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 13

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 14:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 14

1Chronicles 9-11

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 9:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 9

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 10:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 10

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 11:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 11

1Chronicles 7-8

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 7:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 7


Read Matthew Hentry's commentary on 1Chronicles 8:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 8

1Chronicles 6

Read Matthew Henry's commentary on 1Chronicles 6:

Matthew Henry on 1Chornicles 6

1Chronicles 3-5

Overview of chapter 3
The sons of David.

The sons of Solomon.

Overview of chapter 4
The sons of Judah.

The prayer of Jabez.

The sons of Simeon.

Overview of chapter 5
The sons of Reuben.

Reuben Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh fought for God.

The two and a half tribes find other Gods and are taken captive.

Reflection


For Further Study