2 Chronicles 21:1-7: a reflection

1Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in David’s city; and Jehoram his son reigned in his place. 2He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariah, Michael, and Shephatiah. All these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. 3Their father gave them great gifts of silver, of gold, and of precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn. 4Now when Jehoram had risen up over the kingdom of his father, and had strengthened himself, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also some of the princes of Israel. 5Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did Ahab’s house, for he had Ahab’s daughter as his wife. He did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight. 7However the LORD would not destroy David’s house, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his children always.

Jehoram becomes king of Judah, and he is a wicked one: to secure his throne, he murders all his brothers, and he walks in the evil ways of the house of Ahab. By all rights, such wickedness might have brought the end of his line. But the passage adds a striking note: Yet the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his descendants forever. God kept his promise, despite the wickedness of the king.

Notice what preserved David's house: not the worthiness of the king, but God's covenant faithfulness. Jehoram was wicked, a murderer of his own brothers; by his own deserving, his line should have been cut off. But God had made a promise to David, to keep a lamp for his house always; and God kept that promise, despite Jehoram's wickedness. The house of David survived not because its kings were faithful, but because God was faithful to his covenant, keeping the lamp burning even through unworthy kings.

That is a reassuring truth about God's faithfulness to his promises: he keeps them not because we deserve it, but because he is faithful. God had promised to preserve David's line, and he kept that promise even when the king was wicked and undeserving; his faithfulness to his promise did not depend on the worthiness of those it concerned. Take comfort that God's faithfulness to his promises does not depend on your worthiness, but on his own faithfulness. When you fail and are undeserving, God's promises do not therefore fail; he keeps them, as he kept the lamp for David's house through unworthy kings, because he is faithful. Rest not on your own worthiness to secure God's promises, which would always be in doubt, but on God's own faithfulness, which is sure. He kept his promise to David despite Jehoram's wickedness; he will keep his promises to you, not because you deserve it, but because he is faithful.

Lord, Jehoram was a wicked king who murdered his own brothers, and by his deserving his line should have been cut off; yet you would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant you had made, and your promise to give a lamp to David and his descendants forever. Show me what preserved David's house: not the worthiness of the king, but your covenant faithfulness. The house of David survived not because its kings were faithful, but because you were faithful to your covenant, keeping the lamp burning even through unworthy kings. Reassure me by that truth about your faithfulness to your promises: you keep them not because we deserve it, but because you are faithful. You kept your promise to David even when the king was wicked and undeserving; your faithfulness did not depend on the worthiness of those it concerned. Let me take comfort that your faithfulness to your promises does not depend on my worthiness, but on your own. When I fail and am undeserving, your promises do not therefore fail; you keep them, as you kept the lamp for David's house, because you are faithful. Help me rest not on my own worthiness to secure your promises, but on your faithfulness, which is sure, Lord. You keep your promises because you are faithful; thank you.