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Narrator
A reading from the book of 2 Chronicles.
Asa
In the 36th year of the reign.
Hanani
Of Asa, Baasha, king of Israel, went up against Judah and built Ramah that.
Asa
He might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa, king of Judah. Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's house and sent them to Benadad, king of Syria, who.
Hanani
Lived in Damascus, saying, there is a covenant between me and you, as there.
Asa
Was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you silver and gold.
Hanani
Go break your covenant with Baasha, king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.
Asa
And Benhadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel.
Hanani
And they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abelmaim, and.
Asa
All the store cities of Naphtali.
Hanani
And when Baasha heard of it, he.
Asa
Stopped building Ramah and let his work cease.
Hanani
Then King Asa took all Judah and.
Asa
They carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building.
Hanani
And with them he built Geba and Mizpah.
Asa
At that time, Hanani the seer came to Asa, king of Judah, and said.
Hanani
To him, because you relied on the king of Syria and did not rely.
Asa
On the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped.
Hanani
You were not the Ethiopians and the.
Asa
Libyans, a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen. Yet because you relied on the Lord and he gave them into your hand, for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for.
Hanani
From now on you will have wars.
Asa
Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in.
Hanani
Prison, for he was in a rage.
Asa
With him because of this.
Hanani
And Asa inflicted cruelties upon some of.
Asa
The people at the same time.
Hanani
The acts of Asa from first to.
Asa
Last are written in the Book of.
Hanani
The Kings of Judah in Israel.
Asa
In the 39th year of his reign, Asa was diseased in his feet and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians.
Hanani
And Asa slept with his fathers, dying in the 41st year of his reign.
Asa
They buried him in the tomb that he had cut for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that had been filled with various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer's art.
Hanani
And they made a very great fire in his honor.
Asa
Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel.
Hanani
He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in.
Asa
The land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa, his father, had captured.
Hanani
The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David.
Asa
He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and.
Hanani
Walked in his commandments, and not according.
Asa
To the practices of Israel. Therefore, the Lord established the kingdom in.
Hanani
His hand and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat. And he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord.
Asa
And furthermore, he took the high places.
Hanani
In the Asherim out of Judah.
Asa
In the third year of his reign.
Hanani
He sent his officials, Benhael, Obadiah, Zechariah.
Asa
Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah.
Hanani
Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemeramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadanijah.
Asa
And with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the Lord with them.
Hanani
They went about through all the cities.
Asa
Of Judah and taught among the people. And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah.
Hanani
And they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents.
Asa
And silver for tribute. And and the Arabians also brought him.
Hanani
7700 rams and 7700 goats. And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater.
Asa
He built in Judah fortresses and store.
Hanani
Cities, and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah.
Asa
He had soldiers, mighty men of valor.
Hanani
In Jerusalem, this was the muster of them by fathers, houses of Judah, the commanders of thousands.
Asa
Adnah, the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valour.
Hanani
And next to him, Jehoanan, the commander, with 280,000. And next to him, Amasiah, the son of Zikri, a volunteer for the service.
Asa
Of the Lord with 200,000 mighty men of valor.
Hanani
Of Benjamin Eliada, a mighty man of.
Asa
Valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield. And next to him, Jehozabad, with 180,000 armed for war. These were in the service of the.
Hanani
King, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
Asa
Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep.
Hanani
And oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced.
Asa
Him to go up against Ramoth Gilead.
Hanani
Ahab, king of Israel, said to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, will you go with.
Asa
Me to Ramoth Gilead?
Hanani
He answered him, I am as you are, my people, as your people, we.
Asa
Will be with you in the war.
Hanani
And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, inquire first for the word of the Lord. Then the king of Israel gathered the.
Asa
Prophets together, 400 men, and said to.
Hanani
Them, shall we go to battle against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain? And they said, go up, for God.
Asa
Will give it into the hand of the king.
Hanani
But Jehoshaphat said, is there not here.
Asa
Another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?
Hanani
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, there is yet one man by.
Asa
Whom we may inquire of the Lord.
Hanani
Micaiah the son of Imlah.
Asa
But I hate him, for he never.
Hanani
Prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.
Asa
And Jehoshaphat said, let not the king say so. Then the king of Israel summoned an.
Hanani
Officer and said, bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah. Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat.
Asa
The king of Judah were sitting on their thrones and arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria.
Hanani
And all the prophets were prophesying before them. And Zedekiah the son of Canaanah made.
Asa
For himself horns of iron and said.
Hanani
Thus says the Lord, with these you.
Asa
Shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.
Hanani
And all the prophets prophesied so and said, go up to Ramoth, Gilead and triumph.
Asa
The Lord will give it into the hand of the king. And the messenger who went to summon.
Hanani
Micaiah said to him, behold, the words.
Asa
Of the prophets with one accord are.
Hanani
Favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them and speak favorably. But Micaiah said, as the Lord lives, what my God says that I will speak.
Asa
And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to.
Hanani
Battle, or shall I refrain? And he answered, go up in triumph.
Asa
They will be given into your hand. But the king said to him, how many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?
Hanani
And he said, I saw all Israel.
Asa
Scattered On the mountains as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, these have no master. Let each return to his home in peace.
Hanani
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, did I not tell you that.
Asa
He would not prophesy good concerning me but evil? And Micaiah said, therefore hear the word of the Lord. I saw the Lord sitting on his throne and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. And the Lord said, who will entice.
Hanani
Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth, Gilead?
Asa
And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood.
Hanani
Before the Lord saying, I will entice him.
Asa
And the Lord said to him, by what means? And he said, I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.
Hanani
And he said, you are to entice him, and you shall succeed.
Asa
Go out and do so. Now therefore, behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these your prophets. The Lord has declared disaster concerning you. Then Zedekiah the son of Kenaanah, came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, which way did the spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?
Hanani
And Micaiah said, behold, you shall see on that day when you go into.
Asa
An inner chamber to hide yourself.
Hanani
And the king of Israel said, seize.
Asa
Micaiah and take him back to Ammon, the governor of the city, and to.
Hanani
Joash, the king's son, and say, thus says the king, put this fellow in.
Asa
Prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.
Hanani
And Micaiah said, if you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.
Asa
And he said, hear all you peoples.
Hanani
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah went up to Ramoth, Gilead.
Asa
And the king of Israel said to.
Hanani
Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself.
Asa
And they went into battle. Now, the king of Syria had commanded.
Hanani
The captains of his chariots fight with.
Asa
Neither small nor great, but only with.
Hanani
The king of Israel.
Asa
As soon as the captains of the.
Hanani
Chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, it is the king of Israel.
Asa
So they turned to fight against him.
Hanani
And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him. For as soon as the captains of.
Asa
The chariots saw that it was not.
Hanani
The king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. But A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate.
Asa
Therefore he said to the driver of.
Hanani
His chariot, turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.
Asa
And the battle continued that day.
Hanani
And the king of Israel was propped.
Asa
Up in his chariot, facing the Syrians until evening. Then at sunset, he died.
Narrator
A reading from the Book of Psalms to the choirmaster.
David
A psalm of David.
Narrator
O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices. And in your salvation, how greatly he exalts. You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah, for you meet him with rich blessings. You set a crown of fine gold upon his head. He asks life of you.
David
You gave it to him length of.
Narrator
Days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation, splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever. You make him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the.
Hanani
Most High, he shall not be moved.
Narrator
Your hand will find out all your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them as a blazing oven. When you appear, the Lord will swallow them up in his wrath and fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth and their offspring from among the children of man. Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed, for you will put them to flight. You will aim at their faces with your bows. You will be exalted, O Lord, in your strength we will sing and praise your power. A reading of the Gospel according to Matthew.
David
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, you know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.
Judas Iscariot
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace.
David
Of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to.
Judas Iscariot
Arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.
David
But they said, not during the feast.
Judas Iscariot
Lest there be an uproar among the people. Now, when Jesus was at Bethany, in.
David
The house of Simon the Leper, a.
Judas Iscariot
Woman came up to him with an.
David
Alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and.
Judas Iscariot
She poured it on his head as.
David
He reclined at table.
Judas Iscariot
And when the disciples saw it, they.
David
Were indignant, saying, why, this waste? For this could have been sold for.
Judas Iscariot
A large sum and given to the poor. But Jesus, aware of this, said to.
David
Them, why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
Judas Iscariot
In pouring this ointment on my body.
David
She has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this.
Judas Iscariot
Gospel is proclaimed in the whole world. What she has done will also be.
David
Told in memory of her. Then One of the 12, whose name was Judas Iscariot.
Judas Iscariot
Went to the chief priests and said.
David
What will you give me if I deliver him over to you? And they paid him 30 pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Judas Iscariot
Now, on the first day of unleavened bread.
David
The disciples came to Jesus saying, where will you have us prepare for you.
Judas Iscariot
To eat the Passover?
David
He said, go into the city to.
Judas Iscariot
A certain man and say to him, the Teacher says, my time is at hand.
David
I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.
Judas Iscariot
And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them.
David
And they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the 12.
Judas Iscariot
And as they were eating, he said.
David
Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me.
Judas Iscariot
And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him, one after another.
David
Is it I, Lord? He answered, he who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me.
Judas Iscariot
The Son of Man goes as it.
David
Is written of him.
Judas Iscariot
But woe to that man by whom.
David
The Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. Judas, who would betray him, answered, is it I, Rabbi? He said to him, you have said so. Now, as they were eating, Jesus took bread.
Judas Iscariot
And after blessing it, broke it and.
David
Gave it to the disciples and said, take, eat. This is my body. And he took a cup, and when.
Judas Iscariot
He had given thanks, he gave it.
David
To them, saying, drink of it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink.
Judas Iscariot
Again of this fruit of the vine.
David
Until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Judas Iscariot
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
David
Then Jesus said to them, you will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, I will strike the shepherd. And the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee. Peter answered him, though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away. Jesus said to him, truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster.
Judas Iscariot
Crows, you will deny me three times.
David
Peter said to him, even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.
Judas Iscariot
And all the disciples said the same.
David
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, sit.
Judas Iscariot
Here while I go over there and pray. And taking with him Peter and the.
David
Two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, my soul is very sorrowful, even to death.
Judas Iscariot
Remain here and watch with me. And going a little farther, he fell.
David
On his face and prayed, saying, my.
Judas Iscariot
Father, if it be possible, let this.
David
Cup pass from me.
Judas Iscariot
Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping.
David
And he said to Peter, so could you not watch with me one hour?
Judas Iscariot
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.
David
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Judas Iscariot
Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed.
David
My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.
Judas Iscariot
And again he came and found them.
David
Sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
Judas Iscariot
So leaving them. Again he went away and prayed for.
David
The third time, saying the same words again.
Judas Iscariot
Then he came to the disciples and.
David
Said to them, sleep and take your rest later on.
Judas Iscariot
See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into.
David
The hands of sinners.
Judas Iscariot
Rise. Let us be going.
David
See, my betrayer is at hand.
Judas Iscariot
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the 12. And with him a great crowd with.
David
Swords and clubs from the chief priests.
Judas Iscariot
And the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a.
David
Sign saying, the one I will kiss is the man. Seize him.
Judas Iscariot
And he came up to Jesus at.
David
Once and said, greetings, Rabbi. And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, friend, do what you came to do.
Judas Iscariot
Then they came up and laid hands.
David
On Jesus and seized him.
Unnamed Disciple
And.
David
And behold, one of those who were.
Judas Iscariot
With Jesus stretched out his hand and.
David
Drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Judas Iscariot
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father. And he will at once send me more than 12 legions of angels?
David
But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?
Judas Iscariot
At that hour Jesus said to the.
David
Crowds, and have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to capture me?
Judas Iscariot
Day after day I sat in the temple teaching.
David
And you did not seize me.
Judas Iscariot
But all this has taken place that.
David
The scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
Judas Iscariot
Then all the disciples left him and fled. Then those who had seized Jesus led.
David
Him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.
Judas Iscariot
And Peter was following him at a.
David
Distance as far as the courtyard of.
Judas Iscariot
The high priest and going inside.
David
He sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole.
Judas Iscariot
Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus.
David
That they might put him to death. But they found none. Though many false witnesses came forward.
Judas Iscariot
At last two came forward and said, this man said, I am able to.
David
Destroy the temple of God and to.
Judas Iscariot
Rebuild it in three days.
David
And the high priest stood up and said, have you no answer to make?
Judas Iscariot
What is it that these men testify against you?
David
But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, I adjure you by the living God.
Judas Iscariot
Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.
David
Jesus said to him, you have said so, but I tell you, from now.
Judas Iscariot
On you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of.
David
Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his robes and said, he has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment? They answered, he deserves death. Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, prophesy to us, you, Christ, who is it that struck you?
Judas Iscariot
Now Peter was sitting outside in the.
David
Courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him and said, you also were with Jesus the Galilean.
Judas Iscariot
But he denied it before them all.
David
Saying, I do not know what you mean. And when he went out to the.
Judas Iscariot
Entrance, another servant girl saw him.
David
And she said to the bystanders, this.
Judas Iscariot
Man was with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied it with an.
David
Oath, I do not know the man.
Judas Iscariot
After a little while, the bystanders came.
David
Up and said to Peter, certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.
Judas Iscariot
Then he began to invoke a curse.
David
On himself and to swear, I do.
Judas Iscariot
Not know the man.
David
And immediately the rooster crowed, and Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, before the.
Judas Iscariot
Rooster crows, you will deny me three times.
David
And he went out and wept bitterly.
Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry
Episode Title: July 24
Scripture Readings: 2 Chronicles 16–18; Psalm 21; Matthew 26
Release Date: July 24, 2025
In this episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year," host Jackie Hill Perry guides listeners through a rich tapestry of biblical narratives and prayers. Covering passages from 2 Chronicles, Psalm 21, and Matthew 26, Perry delves into the complexities of leadership, divine favor, and the profound events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Overview: The episode begins with a dramatic recounting of King Asa's reign in Judah, highlighting his initial faithfulness, political maneuvers, and subsequent spiritual decline.
Key Points:
Asa's Alliance with Benadad (2 Chronicles 16):
Asa's Response and Downfall:
Asa's Final Years and Death (2 Chronicles 16:35–16:16):
Transition to Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17–18):
Insights: Jackie Hill Perry emphasizes the dangers of relying on human alliances instead of divine guidance. The interplay between Asa's political decisions and prophetic warnings serves as a cautionary tale about faithfulness and obedience.
Overview: Psalm 21 is a royal psalm attributed to King David, celebrating God's blessings and favor upon the king. It reflects gratitude for divine support in achieving desires and protection against enemies.
Key Themes:
Divine Favor and Blessing:
Protection and Victory:
God's Judgment on Enemies:
Insights: Perry highlights the psalm's portrayal of God as both protector and judge, reinforcing the message that true security and success stem from a relationship with Him. The king’s reliance on God serves as a model for leadership grounded in faith.
Overview: The episode transitions to the New Testament, where Matthew 26 narrates the pivotal events of the Last Supper, Judas' betrayal, Jesus' agony in Gethsemane, and Peter's denial. These passages underscore themes of sacrifice, obedience, and prophecy fulfillment.
Key Points:
The Plot to Kill Jesus (Matthew 26:1–5):
Anointing at Bethany (Matthew 26:6–13):
The Last Supper (Matthew 26:17–30):
Prediction of Peter's Denial (Matthew 26:31–35):
Gethsemane Prayer (Matthew 26:36–46):
Jesus' Arrest and Peter's Denial (Matthew 26:47–75):
Insights: Jackie Hill Perry draws connections between divine sovereignty and human frailty. Matthew 26 serves as a testament to Jesus' unwavering commitment to God's redemptive plan, even in the face of personal suffering and betrayal. The narrative also highlights the cost of discipleship and the reality of human weakness.
This episode intricately weaves together narratives of leadership, divine favor, sacrifice, and fulfillment of prophecy. From King Asa's political and spiritual struggles to King David's reliance on God's protection, and culminating in the profound events of Jesus' final hours, Perry underscores the consistent thread of God's sovereignty and faithfulness.
Key Themes:
Reliance on God vs. Human Alliances:
Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency:
Faithfulness in Leadership:
Final Notable Quote: [16:14] Jesus responds to using force, “But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so,” highlighting His mission's necessity over personal defense.
Closing Thoughts: Jackie Hill Perry's deep exploration of these scriptures offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the unfolding of God's plan across both Testaments. By examining the strengths and failures of biblical leaders and the profound sacrifice of Jesus, the episode invites reflection on faith, obedience, and the enduring nature of God's promises.