Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and articles of value, as well as fortified cities in Judah, but he had given the kingdom to Jehoram because he was his firstborn son. – 2 Chronicles 21:3

Today's Scripture Reading (March 3, 2026): 2 Chronicles 21

An heir and a spare. The concept that, in hereditary circles, families need someone to take the mantle of leadership, and a backup just in case the unthinkable happens. In British Royalty, we don't have to go back too far to find a moment of the unthinkable. On December 11, 1936, Edward VIII abdicated after less than 11 months on the throne of the United Kingdom, and George VI, the spare, became King. Elizabeth, who became one of the longest serving monarchs, was less than a spare at the time of Uncle Ed's abdication. It seems that George VI was okay with being a spare, never really wanting to be King. But the reluctant King was one of the leaders the British Empire needed during the Second World War.

Not all spares have been comfortable with the idea. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, seems to have been one of those who were uncomfortable with the reality of living as a "spare." As a result, he disengaged himself from the working Royals and left the Empire for a greener pasture, he thought might have been available for him in the United States. Of course, as happens in Royal families, today, Harry is less than a spare in the family. The true spare at this moment in time is actually Princess Charlotte.

With the release of the "Epstein Files," a lot has been made of the troubles of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. We have seen pictures of the Prince with young girls, but we probably have no idea of Andrew's actual involvement with the "Epstein girls." I sometimes wonder how much the concept of being "the spare" had to do with some of the former Prince's later actions. Andrew was born second in the British line of succession, but his position has eroded, and today he is eighth in line for the throne. That does not excuse his actions, but it might shed light on why he made such horrible decisions rather than sticking up for the weak who were being exploited around him.

When Jehoshaphat died, he had made some good decisions regarding his heir and the spares in the family. First, he gave the "spares" gifts of silver, gold, and other valuables. These items were theirs to dispose of as they willed, but there was no more coming once this wealth was gone. But he also spread them throughout the nation and gave them ways to live substantial, important lives. To Jehoram were given the keys of the Kingdom, but his brothers held substantial positions and jobs that were relatively unconnected with the King and the other princes. And maybe that at least had the potential to keep the brothers away from trouble. At the very least, it would hopefully keep them from plotting the overthrow of the heir in favor of one of the spares.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 1