He carried away all Jerusalem and all the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained, except the poorest people of the land. (2 Kings 24:14 ESV) The recounting of the disastrous reigns of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Mattaniah in the twenty-fourth chapter of 2 […]
Read More The Kings II 24 – Beginning of the EndThe degree to which Josiah committed himself to the word that he heard was incredible. Remarkable to the extent that he stood out among the kings of Israel and Judah. What’s of great interest is that Josiah was already a godly king before he heard the book of the covenant read to him. He had […]
Read More The Kings II 23 – Covenant CommitmentThe 26 year old monarch had established himself as a refreshingly godly kind of King. For the majority of his conscious life he ruled the kingdom of Judah and endeavoured to do so in a way like David the standard of kings. So it was understandable that he would have a concern for the temple […]
Read More The Kings II 22 – Torn: Look What I FoundHezekiah had represented a great height of integrity and devotion to God from the throne in the southern kingdom of Judah. It is strange, then, that his son who succeeded him, would be such a complete contrast. The twenty-first chapter of 2 Kings, however, depicts Manasseh, a king so wicked that he had no issue […]
Read More The Kings II 21 – Judgment of JudahAssyria were on a roll. Their successes had seen them defeat a string of nations including the northern kingdom of Israel. Meanwhile Judah had a new king. The previous king Ahaz had been a wicked king disobeying God and worshipping foreign gods even sacrificing one of his sons. His successor, Hezekiah was a complete contrast. […]
Read More The Kings II 18 – Assyria vs Judah Part 1: The ChallengeIn the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maakah, Janoah, Kedesh and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria. (2 Kings 15:29 NIV) The writer of the account in Kings rattles through a number […]
Read More The Kings II 15 – Unrest and Upheaval in IsraelYou have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also? (2 Kings 14:10 NIV) Unlike their Northern brothers, Judah did not completely reject Yahweh. Indeed on occasion Judah would be lead back to […]
Read More The Kings II 14 – The Cost of ArroganceJehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord ’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. (2 Kings 11:17 NIV) Jehu’s actions in killing the kings of Israel and Judah led to significant change in both countries. Where he […]
Read More The Kings II 11 – Judah Returns to GodAhab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” “I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.” (1 Kings 21:20) The fix was in. He never stood a chance. He signed his own death sentence the moment he had dared to […]
Read More The Kings 21 – No Room for Injustice (Ahab: Strike Two)He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been. (1 Kings 15:3 NIV) History records the life and times of various leaders and rulers by different standards. Their goodness might be connected to […]
Read More The Kings 15 – The Bad, The Good and The Ugly
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