The decline of the kings continues in these chapters except for a small era when a priest, Jehoiada, hides a son of a dead king while his mother rages and kills off all his siblings so that she can rule.

When the child is aged seven, the priests plot to overthrow the mother by simply placing the king in the temple and surrounding him with coronation celebrations.

It’s quite interesting if you’re interested in kingmaking, but for faith-nurturing, these are depressing chapters.

So I will choose a few lines from the Psalm to quote and cheer myself up:

“Blessed is the one You choose, and cause to approach You, so that he (or she) may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your Holy Temple.

“By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far-off seas….

“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.”

Dear God, You do crown us with your blessings when we remember You and follow Your ways. Thank you for that. Please help us face the hard times with courage, and please never let the hard times separate us from You. Please help C’s aunty, who is facing a faith crisis after a terrible loss. Please watch over my Uncle M and also P and N. I know they are precious to you my beloved Father, In Jesus’ name, Amen