2 Chronicles

Chapter 1

3–6. See EGW on 1 Kings 3:4, Vol. 2, p. 1025.

7–10. See EGW on 1 Kings 3:5–9, Vol. 2, p. 1025.

7–12. See EGW on 1 Kings 3:5–15, Vol. 2, p. 1026.

Chapter 2

3–14. See EGW on 1 Kings 5:3–18, Vol. 2, p. 1026.

13, 14. See EGW on 1 Kings 7:13, 14, Vol. 2, p. 1030.

Chapter 4

11. See EGW on 1 Kings 7:13, 14, Vol. 2, p. 1030.

Chapter 5

7,8,12–14. See EGW on 1 King 6:23–28, Vol. 2, p. 1030.

Chapter 6

13 (1 Kings 8:54). Kneel for Prayer in Public Worship.—I have received letters questioning me in regard to the proper attitude to be taken by a person offering prayer to the Sovereign of the universe. Where have our brethren obtained the idea that they should stand upon their feet when praying to God? …

[Luke 22:41; Acts 9:40; 7:59, 60; 20:36; 21:5; Ezra 9:5, 6; Ps. 95:6; Eph. 3:14 quoted.] …

Both in public and private worship it is our duty to bow down upon our knees before God when we offer our petitions to Him. This act shows our dependence upon God. …

[2 Chron. 6:1–13 quoted.] …

Is it possible that with all the light that God has given to His people on the subject of reverence, that ministers, principals, and teachers in our schools, by precept and example teach young men to stand erect in devotion as did the Pharisees? Shall we look upon this as significant of their self-sufficiency and self-importance? Are these traits to become conspicuous? …

We hope that our brethren will not manifest less reverence and awe as they approach the only true and living God than the heathen manifest for their idol deities, or these people will be our judges in the day of final decision. I would speak to all who occupy the place of teachers in our schools. Men and women, do not dishonor God by your irreverence and pomposity. Do not stand up in your Phariseeism and offer your prayers to God. Mistrust your own strength. Depend not in it; but often bow down on your knees before God, and worship Him.

And when you assemble to worship God, be sure an bow your knees before Him. Let this act testify that the whole soul, body, and spirit are in subjection to the Spirit of truth. Who have searched the Word closely for examples and direction in this respect? …

Man must come on bended knee, as a subject of grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy. And as he receives daily mercies at the hand of God, he is ever to cherish gratitude in his heart, and give expression to it in the words of thanksgiving and praise for these unmerited favors (NL 37, pp. 1–3).

The prayer offered by Solomon during the dedication of the temple, was not made while he stood upon his feet. The king knelt in the humble position of a petitioner.

Herein is a lesson for God’s people today. Our spiritual strength and our influence are not increased by conformity to a worldly attitude during prayer. … Let man come on bended knee, as a subject of grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy. Thus he us to testify that the whole soul, body, and spirit are in subjection to his Creator (RH Nov. 30, 1905).

Chapter 8

14. See EGW on 1 Chron. 23:1–5.

Chapter 9

17–22. See EGW on Eccl. 1:14.

22, 23 (1 Kings 10:23, 24). God Endows Man With Talent.—[2 Chron. 9:22, 23 quoted.] This honor was not brought about by Solomon himself. God gave to him the talents of influence and of great wisdom. Let all remember that tact and ability do not come from the natural man. Those who depend upon ministers or upon any other men whom they regard as superior to themselves, should understand that God is the One who endows man with talent.

We see danger in the bestowal of rich gifts or of words of commendation upon human agencies. Those who are favored by the Lord need to be on guard constantly, lest pride or self-esteem obtain the supremacy. He who has an unusual following, he who has received words of commendation from the Lord, needs the special prayers of God’s faithful watchmen, that he may be shielded from the danger, of cherishing thoughts of self-esteem and spiritual pride. Never is such a man to manifest self-importance, or attempt to act as a dictator or a ruler. Faithfully should his brethren warn him of his dangers; for, if left to himself, he will surely make mistakes, and reveal human frailties.

In studying Solomon’s history, we can see clearly that the very ones who flattered and praised and glorified the man of ability are the ones who did not recognize and glorify God for the blessings He bestowed upon them through the human instrumentality. They supported and glorified the man; God was dishonored; and therefore the Lord found the vessel He had ordained and used in His sacred service, becoming unclean. The sentiments, the spirit, and the likeness of the natural man began to appear, and he who once was doing God’s will, became corrupted through human exaltations. Then the feebleness and weakness of man was revealed by the choice of injudicious friends, whose course of action helped the tempter to ensnare the man. The Lord allowed him to be ensnared, because he went on to exalt his own wisdom, and made not God his trust. He would not be counseled; he would walk in his own way. …

The Lord sets men in positions of responsibility to carry out not their own will, but God’s will. He gives wisdom to those who seek Him and depend upon Him as their Counselor. So long as men represent the pure principles of His government, will continue to bless and maintain them as His instrumentalities to carry out His purposes concerning His people. He cooperate with those who cooperate with Him. … The test by which Solomon was measured, is used to measure all (MS 81, 1900).

Chapter 14

11. God Will Work With Us When We Trust Him.—[2 Chron. 14:11 quoted.] This is an appropriate prayer for us to make. Our prospects are anything but flattering. There are vast numbers arrayed against the truth, whom we must meet in presenting the light to others. Our hope is not in our knowledge of the truth, and in our own ability, but in the living God. … There should be … living faith for the mighty God to manifest His power, else all will prove a failure. God defeated the enemies of Israel. He put their forces into disorder. They fled they knew not whither. Who can stand before the Lord God of Israel?

Now we are not warring against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. The Lord would encourage us to look to Him as the source of all our strength, the One who is able to help us. We may look to men, and they will give us counsel, and yet this may be defeated; but when the God of Israel undertakes He work for us, He will make it a success. We want to know that we are right before God; if we are not right before Him, then we want to make an earnest effort to come in right relation to Him. We must individually do something ourselves. We are not to risk our eternal interest upon guesswork. We must set everything right; we must follow out the requirements of God, and then expect God to work our efforts. 2 Chron 20:15. God works in us by the light of His truth. We are to be obedient to all His commandments.

Oh, that we could take this point into consideration, that the work in which we are engaged is not our work, but God’s work, and we as humble instruments are laborers together with Him; and with an eye single to God’s glory, not mistake the beginning of the Christian life for its consummation, but see the necessity of training upon the earth to prepare us for doing God’s will! We are not to to lift up ourselves, not to be self-confident, but to trust in God, knowing that He is willing and able to help us. God will work with His people, but we want to be in that position where our trust and confidence will become firm in Him (RH May 10, 1887).

Chapter 17

3–7, 9, 10. Obedience Brings God’s Favor.—[2 Chron. 17:3–7, 9, 10 quoted.] Obedience to the Lord always brings favor, and a faithful discharge of righteous principles will bear the divine credentials; but the Lord is dishonored when those who are placed as stewards of God’s flock, sustain and sanction an evil work.

The outward signs of fasting and prayer, without a broken and contrite spirit, are of no value in God’s sight. The inward work of grace is needed. Humiliation of soul is essential. God looks upon this. He will graciously receive those who will humble their hearts before Him. He will hear their petitions and heal their backslidings.

Ministers and people need the work of purification in their souls, that God’s judgments may be turned away from them. God is waiting, waiting for humiliation and repentance. He will receive all who will turn unto Him with their whole heart (MS 33, 1903).

Chapter 26

16–21 (2 Kings 15:5). Success Must Not Lift One Up.—[2 Chron. 26:16–21 quoted.] The case of Uzziah the king reveals how God will punish the sin of presumption. … The Lord has ordained men to certain positions in His church, and He would not have them step out of the places to which He has appointed them. When the Lord gives them a measure of success, they are not to become lifted up, and think themselves qualified to do a work for which they are not fitted, and to which God has not called them (RH Aug. 14, 1900).

Chapter 33

9–13. The Way God Works.—In the case of Manasseh the Lord gives us an instance of the way in which He works. [2 Chron. 33:9–13 quoted.]

The Lord has often spoken to His people in warning and reproof. He has revealed Himself in mercy, love, and kindness. He has not left His backsliding people to the will of the enemy, but has borne long with them, even during obdurate apostasy. But after appeals have been made in vain, He prepares the rod for punishment. What compassionate love has been exercised toward the people of God! The Lord might have cut down in their sins those who were working at cross purposes with Him, but He has not done this. His hand is stretched out still. We have reason to offer thanksgiving to God that He has not taken His Spirit from those who have refused to walk in His way (Letter 94, 1899).

Chapter 34

18, 19. See EGW on 2 Kings 22:10, 11, Vol. 2, p. 1038.

21 (2 Kings 22:13). Word of the Lord Still Binding.—[2 Kings 22:13 quoted.] Josiah did not say, “I knew nothing about this book. These are ancient precepts, and times have changed.” He appointed men to investigate the matter, and these men went to Huldah, the prophetess. [2 Kings 22:15–20 quoted.]

In Josiah’s day the Word of the Lord was as binding, and should have been as strictly enforced, as at the time it was spoken. And today it is as binding as it was then (GCB April 1, 1903).

22 (2 Kings 22:14). Huldah Visited by Most Honored of the Kingdom.—Josiah sent as messengers to the prophetess, the highest and most honored of the people. He sent the first men of his kingdom,—men who occupied high positions of trust in the nation. Thus he conferred honor upon the oracles of God (GCB April 1, 1903).

29–31. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:1–3, Vol. 2, p. 1038.

30. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:2, Vol. 2, p. 1039.

26–33. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:29, 30, Vol. 2, p. 1039.

Chapter 35

20–24. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:29, 30, Vol. 2, p. 1039.

Chapter 36

11–13. See EGW on 2 Kings 24:17–20, Vol. 2, p. 1040.

14–21. Jews Exemplified Termination of God’s Forbearance.—The Jewish nation is before us as an example of the termination of God’s long forbearance. In the destruction of Jerusalem the destruction of the world is typified. The lips of Him who ever pronounced blessings upon the penitent, and spoke encouragement to the poor and suffering, and brought gladness to the humble, pronounced a curse upon those to whom He had presented light, who would not appreciate or accept light. Those who thought to evade the clear, distinct Word of God, and cherish man—made traditions, He declared would be found guilty of all the blood of the prophets which had been slain from the foundation of the world.

Again and again God had arrested the Jews in their wicked course by severe chastisement, but they provoked Him by their wicked works, casting away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and finally refusing to reverence His only-begotten Son. Each century of transgression treasured up wrath against the day of wrath. Jesus bade the stubborn and impenitent nation to fill up the measure of their iniquity. Their wicked works were not forgotten nor over-looked. When the time of retributive judgment was fully due, the mandate was sent forth from the sacred place of the Most High for the vindication of God’s honor and the magnifying of His law (Undated MS 145).

19. See EGW on 2 Kings 25:9, Vol. 2, p. 1040.

20. See EGW on 2 Kings 24:10–16, Vol. 2, p. 1040.