Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah and had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem. – 2 Chronicles 17:12-13

Today’s Scripture Reading (November 25, 2019): 2 Chronicles 17

Narmer reigned as Pharaoh in Egypt late in the fourth century B.C.E. He came to power at a time when Egypt was divided against itself. City-states had evolved along the Nile River that ruled over small areas of the country. Gradually these city-states began to coalesce into provinces with authority over regions of the country. Narmer, who is likely also known as Menes and was probably the King Scorpion in Egypt, sought to take power away from the states and invest it into a central government under his control. Narmer was a crucial historical leader because he is the first ruler to attempt a centralized government. And Narmer’s attempt to centralize the government was successful.

Centralized governments were important in the concept of developing nations. Under these enterprising rulers, a group of territories began to be ruled by one ruler, with one direction and a single purpose. Centralized governments featured a universal ruler, a joint military, and often a common religion.

One of the problems that Israel suffered under was that it often seemed that the tribes pulled against each other. And even within the tribes, the city-states were often very independent in what the actions that they desired to undertake. Under some kings, the government was centralized. Part of the success of David was that he was able to unite the tribes and get them to act together, and in the process they accomplished a common purpose. But under Solomon, the neglect of the tribes began to cause division to reign among the nation. This division set the stage for the northern tribes to secede from the country under the leadership Jeroboam in the days following the death of Solomon. The success of Israel and Judah seemed to depend on the degree that the government was centralized in the capital cities; Jerusalem in Judah and Shechem followed by Samaria in Israel.

The success of Jehoshaphat was that he, like David, was successful in centralizing the government in Jerusalem. He was able to get Judah moving in the same direction, worshipping the same God and actively removing the high places wherever they were found, and contributing to a joint military that was headquartered in Jerusalem. In return, Jehoshaphat had influence in the cities and towns of Judah. He maintained a presence in the cities, contributed to their defense, and was able to build stores of supplies in the various towns, and that contributed to a bright future. And because he was successful in these things, the king became more and more powerful.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 17