The Naughty Child King

2 Chron 36 When I read this chapter, I was immediately transported back to my 3rd grader, Keith or also known as Keebo. He was much like Jehoiachin in our reading; rebellious and evil to the core. I remember Keith starting a fight, and I was the target of his punches. One black eye later, he was removed but only for a day. Children like these two *(see note below)* eight yr. olds are out of control. Keith, the child of the projects, had as his role model a father who was a pimp. Who was the role model for Jehoiachin but his evil father, much like my boy Keith. The author of Chronicles says he was a ‘naughty boy.” He did evil in the sight of the Lord. [2Chron 36:9]

Why does this story resonate with me? It is because I see children today behaving much like these two eight yr. olds whose role models are wicked. They are not taught godly principles and behaviors. Proverbs tells us to raise up children “Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” [Prov 22:6] If children are not taught or have good role models, they will be evil or wicked.  The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. [Jer 17:9-10] As parents and teachers, we have the responsibility to do just that. The fault of both of these naughty boys lies at the feet of their parents. I often wonder what happened to my Keith and also what happened to this child king, Jehoiachin. 

Blessed reader, today choose to raise your children in the sight of the Lord so you and they will be blessed. Use Psalm 1 as your teaching tool. 

Reader: please note different translations as eight or eighteen.