Here are my thoughts and highlights from II Chronicles as I continue my journey through the Bible:

  • God said, "What do you want from me? Ask." God isn’t waiting for perfect prayers.
  • Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge. God gave him that plus money, wealth and fame. I wonder if having money and fame would be a blessing or a curse.
  • "The house I am building has to be the best, for our God is the best." Am I giving my best?
  • In the process of constructing the temple, Solomon chose paneling for the main hall made out of cypress and veneered with fine gold. Palm trees were engraved into the gold. If the "While You Were Out" crew ever shows up at my house, I hope Solomon is my interior designer.
  • God is good!
  • God fulfills his promises. He does what he says he will do.
  • There’s no one without sin. Including me.
  • Apparently Maacah was Rehoboam’s favorite wife. The Bible says "He loved her more than all his other wives and concubines put together." I’m guessing Maacah loved it when Rehoboam looked her in the eyes and said, "I love you more that the other 77 women I sleep with."
  • "God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him."
  • Jehoshaphat (I love that name) said, "Before you do anything, ask God for guidance." Jumping Jehoshaphat! That’s good advice.
  • "Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow–God is with you."
  • I find it interesting that Jehoshaphat appointed a choir, dressed them in robes and sent them out to march ahead of his troops. I’ve heard choirs like that sing before, and they can certainly afflict a lot of damage.
  • Jehoram abandoned God, so God gave him "a terrible disease of the colon." Jehoram thought he could go through life without God, but he learned that God always gets his way in the end.
  • Hezekiah organized the groups of people for various tasks, handing out job descriptions for conducting services of worship. Hezekiah was simply strategic guy.
  • Be strong! Take courage! God fights for us!
  • Shallum, son of Tokhath, was in charge of the palace wardrobe. It’s a little know fact that he’s the first person to ever use the phrase, "Pink is the new black."
  • Move forward!