Solomon
Category: Dedication & endurance in worship
Could avoid: Rule like other kings without centralising worship.
“Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 3:1)
Cross-Refs: 1 Kings 6:1; John 2:17.
Chose: Built and dedicated the temple with prayer.
“Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” (2 Chronicles 6:40)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 132:7–9; Matthew 21:13.
Endured: Great labour, long building process, weight of leadership.
“All the work Solomon had done for the temple of the LORD was finished.” (2 Chronicles 5:1)
Cross-Refs: Haggai 1:14; John 4:34.
Why: Desired God’s presence to dwell among His people.
“But will God really dwell on earth with humans?” (2 Chronicles 6:18)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 25:8; Revelation 21:3.
Result: God’s glory filled the temple.
“The priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple.” (2 Chronicles 5:14)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 40:34; Acts 2:2–4.
Asa
Category: Reliance on God in battle & reform zeal
Could avoid: Depend on alliances or compromise.
“Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with an army of thousands upon thousands.” (2 Chronicles 14:9)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 33:16–17; Isaiah 31:1.
Chose: Prayed and relied on God for victory.
“LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, LORD our God.” (2 Chronicles 14:11)
Cross-Refs: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Philippians 4:13.
Endured: Battle against overwhelming forces, reforms against idolatry.
“He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.” (2 Chronicles 14:3)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 23:24; Ephesians 5:11.
Why: Trusted God to fight for His people.
“We rely on the LORD, and in his name we have come against this vast army.” (2 Chronicles 14:11)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 20:4; Romans 8:31.
Result: Victory over Cushites, peace for many years.
“The LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah.” (2 Chronicles 14:12)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 44:3; Hebrews 11:33.
Jehoshaphat
Category: Faith in crisis & national prayer
Could avoid: Panic and surrender to invading armies.
“A vast army is coming against you from Edom.” (2 Chronicles 20:2)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 112:7; Isaiah 41:10.
Chose: Sought the LORD with fasting and prayer.
“Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” (2 Chronicles 20:3)
Cross-Refs: Joel 2:12; Philippians 4:6.
Endured: Fear, pressure of leadership, threat of destruction.
“We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 25:15; Hebrews 12:2.
Why: Believed God’s battle belonged to Him.
“Do not be afraid… For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 14:14; Romans 8:37.
Result: God defeated the enemies without Judah fighting.
“The LORD set ambushes… and they were defeated.” (2 Chronicles 20:22)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 54:17; Revelation 12:11.
Hezekiah
Category: Reform & trust under threat
Could avoid: Leave idols and compromise with Assyria.
“He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.” (2 Chronicles 31:1)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 20:3–4; 2 Corinthians 6:17.
Chose: Restored temple worship and called people back to God.
“Now I intend to make a covenant with the LORD… so that his fierce anger will turn away from us.” (2 Chronicles 29:10)
Cross-Refs: Joshua 24:15; Romans 12:1.
Endured: Assyrian threats, ridicule, siege.
“Do not let Hezekiah deceive you… Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria?” (2 Chronicles 32:15)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 36:18–20; Psalm 46:1–2.
Why: Trusted God as deliverer.
“With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” (2 Chronicles 32:8)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 19:19; Ephesians 6:10.
Result: Assyria defeated, Judah delivered.
“So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib.” (2 Chronicles 32:22)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 91:7–8; Hebrews 11:33.
Josiah
Category: Zeal for reform & wholehearted obedience
Could avoid: Continue corrupt practices of his fathers.
“He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” (2 Chronicles 34:2)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 5:32; Philippians 2:15.
Chose: Restored worship, tore down idols, renewed the covenant.
“Then the king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 34:31)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 23:3; Romans 12:11.
Endured: Opposition, national sin, eventual judgment.
“He removed from all the territory belonging to the Israelites all the detestable idols.” (2 Chronicles 34:33)
Cross-Refs: 1 Kings 15:11–12; Acts 19:19.
Why: Turned to God with all his heart, soul, and strength.
“Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength.” (2 Chronicles 34:25)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37.
Result: God delayed judgment during his reign.
“Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God… your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring.” (2 Chronicles 34:27–28)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 57:15; James 4:6.