Dei Time

Babylon!

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2 Kings 24: - 25:30

The people proclaimed Josiah's son, Jehoahaz, king. He was evil, returning to all of the sins of those before Josiah. Was this a sign of the people's rejection of Josiah's loyalty to God? Sounds like it. But, he only reigned three months before Judah's current master, Egypt, hauled him off the throne and imprisoned him. The pharaoh then placed another son of Josiah, Jehoiakim, as king of Judah. He was as bad, apparently, as his brother, but paid tribute to Egypt without complaint.

Then, however, Babylon conquered Egypt, taking control of all of the country plus its vassal states—including Judah. Babylon entered Judah to affirm its control. All of the leaders of the nation (any who might lead a rebellion) were deported to Babylon and a puppet king was placed in Jerusalem. Daniel was one of the people deported at the time. This "First Deportation" took place in 605 B.C., almost 20 years before the final collapse of Judah.

Jehoiakim submitted to Babylon for awhile but then rebelled. Jehoiachin replaced Jehoiakim as king in 597 just as Nebuchadnezzar showed up to quash the rebellion and command a second deportation of people from Judah to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah on the throne. Jehoiachin had ruled only three months.

Zedekiah continued as puppet to Babylon for nine years, until 588 B.C. Then he rebelled against Babylon and that finally brought Babylon to Jerusalem for the last time. The city was placed under siege and fell in July of 586 B.C. The organized and total destruction of the city began about a month after the fall.

As we read on in Chronicles and especially in the accounts of the prophets, we'll learn more about the arrogant and rebellious attitude of the people that brought about their destruction. According to the prophets, God's people believed that they could not be destroyed; that God had an obligation to save them. It is an interesting story. We may even find striking spiritual parallels between Judah, Israel, and other powerful nations in history (including our own).

Next time: Chronicles, Stories behind the Stories

Good King Josiah

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2 Kings 22:1 - 23:37

The excitement that the book of the Law (vs.8) caused is understandable if you compare Judah's age with the age of our own country. It seems that only a few years passed between Solomon's death and Josiah's reign, but that's because only the story's "high points" are recorded. The kingdoms had actually split about 291 years before. Our Revolutionary War began less than 240 years ago, yet archaeologists make new discoveries every year about early American lifestyles. In Judah, finding the book of the Law was almost literally a case of finding a forgotten book while cleaning the temple basement. During the years that the scrolls were missing, the nation lost track of what was written in them and king after king had rejected the prophets who reminded them of the truth.

Huldah the prophetess (vs.14) is fascinating because she was a woman. This story is all that we know about her. In male-dominated Judaism, God often chose women as leaders--Deborah the judge, and now Huldah the prophet. In the New Testament we will find more women in leadership roles. When feminists claim that God is against women, they expose their ignorance of His word. All of the male priests close to King Josiah respected Huldah enough to go to her. God trusted her enough to grant her the privilege of telling the high priest, "Thus says the Lord…."

Egypt had allied with Assyria to help the latter against Babylon. Josiah must have believed that destroying Babylon would bring Assyria back to Jerusalem's door. He misread the situation—Assyria was in decline and Babylon was about to take control of the area.

Josiah went to fight against Egypt to prevent her from aiding Assyria, and was killed in the battle (23:29).

Egypt gained control of Judah after Josiah's death (vs.31-35) because in that very year (609 B.C.) the Assyrian Empire tumbled. It was the last step, for Nineveh, its capital, had been conquered by Babylon in 612.

Next Time: Babylon!

Manasseh the Tyrant

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2 Kings 21:1 – 26

Manasseh spent his 55-year rule (vs.1) over Judah (began as co-regent with his father) dominated by Assyria, now at its greatest power. Even Egypt had fallen to the Assyrians, who marched into Memphis. When Egypt tried to rise against its conquerors, Asshurbanapal of Assyria crushed the nation again.

Historian John Bright says that though King Manasseh had no choice but to bow to Assyria, he did so with gusto, welcoming the astral gods of Assyria into Jerusalem. Manasseh's actions "went far beyond the mere perfunctory." The evil in Manasseh's reign surpassed that of the Canaanites who had been conquered centuries before. The king's son was sacrificed to Molech (vs.6). Other pagan gods were brought to Judah and worshipped; magic and divination, popular in Assyria, became common in God's nation. It was as though Manasseh searched for the greatest offences to God and instituted them in the land.

During Manasseh's later years trouble began for Assyria. The empire, too widely spread, faced more rebellion in Egypt, followed by renewed rebellion from Babylon—led by the Assyrian king's own brother. Years of battle ensued during which Manasseh tried to stay out of sight and out of mind because Judah existed geographically right in the middle of the whole mess.

Verse 16 removes any sense of pity for Manasseh, implying that anyone who tried to challenge his rebellion against God was killed by royal decree. (Tradition says that he executed Isaiah by putting him in a hollow log and then having the log sawed in half.)

The trouble that Manasseh faced and the sin which Judah pursued were all due to his evil. His father had started the nation back onto God's path, but Manasseh deliberately destroyed it all.

Manasseh's son, Amon, followed his father's example and was murdered after a two-year reign (vs.23). His killers, perhaps power-hungry themselves, were in turn killed and "the people of the land" (vs.24) placed Josiah on the throne at age eight. It was 640 B.C. Jerusalem would be devastated in 586.

Next Time: Good King Josiah

God’s Word to Hezekiah

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2 Kings 19:29-20:21

God did not promise Hezekiah that Jerusalem would not suffer the crushing defeat that had come to Israel, but unlike Israel the nation of Judah would continue, even after the devastation. The "remnant" (vs.30) refers to the people of faith in the nation. They were present in Israel and in Judah, but were a minority. As a whole, Judah and Israel rejected God and suffered punishment for that rebellion.

God promised Hezekiah, however, that Assyria would not destroy His city (vs.32). The Assyrian boast that Jerusalem was doomed to fall to her army remained unfulfilled. That night the Assyrian army just died. Their king returned home. Soon after, Sennacherib was assassinated while worshipping his false god.

Chapter 20 begins with Hezekiah's serious illness (he was about 39 at the time). In response to his call, Isaiah came to him with God's message. Fifteen years more would be granted the king. The year most likely was 701 B.C. during or close to the time of Assyria's siege of Jerusalem. God delayed Hezekiah's death until 686 B.C., just 100 years before Judah's collapse.

About that time, Hezekiah made a grave mistake. Honored by a visit from the king of Babylon (the nation that has almost broken from under the control of Assyria), he showed the visitor all of the riches of Jerusalem. At this time, he did not recognize the growing power and threat of Babylon.

In response to his naïve error, Isaiah revealed to the king God's word that it would be Babylon that would one day loot the city.

Does God rule over all nations today? If He still controls the world and its path, then He does. Even atheist nations rule their lands only as long as God allows. Though we often don't understand why things happen as they do, we know that God's desire will ultimately be done in our whole world.

This passage also mentions what has become known as Hezekiah's Tunnel—more on that as we read 2 Chronicles a couple of weeks from now.

Next Time: Manasseh the Tyrant

Assyria Comes Back

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2 Kings 18:13 - 19:28

A few years after the fall of Israel, Babylon rebelled against Assyria, keeping the stronger nation away from its attention to Judah. During that time Hezekiah and her allies readied to resist Assyria when it returned. Twenty-one years after the fall of Israel (701 B.C.) Assyria swept back into the area and the alliance crumbled. Sennacherib (then king of Assyria) approached Jerusalem demanding tribute, which Hezekiah paid (vs.15-16). Apparently deciding he had overestimated Judah's power, Sennacherib marched on the city demanding its surrender. His messengers had little regard for the intelligence of the Judeans, who knew Assyria's reputation as the cruelest of conquerors. No sane person would believe their promises (vs.31). The picture of the Assyrian (who was bi-lingual) standing in the sun of the day speaking loudly so that the curious people lining the city wall could hear is fascinating. The people of Jerusalem trusted Hezekiah and obeyed his command to them, "Do not answer him." (vs.36)

In chapter 19, Hezekiah consults the prophet Isaiah. Chapters 18 and 19 demonstrate the absolute arrogance of Assyria. They were the rulers of the world, terrorizing the entire region.

The poem that Isaiah spoke in the name of the Lord is fantastic. The king of Assyria had overstepped his God-allowed authority, and God made it clear that Sennacherib's blasphemy would be punished. Though he was sure in his own mind of his own power, God tells him that he will never take Jerusalem.

In 19:30 the "remnant" refers to the ever present people of faith in Judah. There were always faithful people in Israel and in Judah, but they were a minority. As a whole, Judah and Israel rejected God and were punished for that rebellion.

Does God rule over all nations today? If He still controls the world's path, then He does. Even nations like the former USSR or China rule their lands only as long as God allows. Though we often don't understand why things happen as they do, God's desire will ultimately be done in the world.

Next time: God's word to Hezekiah

King Hezekiah

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2 Kings 17:1 – 18:12

Chapter 17 tells the story of the final years of Israel. King Hoshea paid tribute to Assyria, but tried to back out of the obligation, asking Egypt to join him as an ally. Egypt however, had problems of her own, and Hoshea ended up a prisoner in Assyria. Assyria proceeded to place a siege on Samaria. When Israel fell, it dissolved in history and was never restored.

The writer spends the rest of the chapter explaining that what happened to Israel was due solely to its rebellion against God. Nor does he whitewash Judah, but says that she also followed the path of Israel in rebellion against God. In the books of the prophets we will read just how rebellious these two sibling nations were.

Assyria sent settlers into Israel to resettle the land and cement its control. Problems of the new settlers inspired Assyria to allow a priest of Israel to return to the land to "teach them the custom of the god of the land." (vs.27) This resulted in an interesting group of people of mixed religion that we will again meet in the New Testament.

As Hoshea ruled the dying Israel, Hezekiah assumed the throne in Judah. The times were frightening. Aram (Syria) had been crushed; Israel was a puppet-state; Egypt struggled with its own civil unrest. Unlike his father (Ahaz) Hezekiah reversed Judah's slide into idolatry. He even destroyed the bronze snake held up by Moses in the wilderness because it had become a prop for false worship—probably because snakes were an important part of Canaanite cult practices (18:4). Hezekiah looked at what was happening around him and realized the need to turn to God better than any of his predecessors or successors. He followed the Lord faithfully.

A few years after the fall of Israel, Babylon rebelled against Assyria, keeping the stronger nation busy for a time in quashing the insurrection. During that time Hezekiah united with some other nations, enjoyed a time of freedom, and stood ready to resist Assyria when it returned.

Next time: Assyria Comes Back

Israel Comes Under Assyria’s Heel

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2 Kings 15:1 - 16:20

Ahaziah's reign in Judah is more detailed in Chronicles, but he was a good king. His fortification projects and territorial expansions will be detailed in later writings.

Meanwhile Israel suffered political chaos. As the kingdom approached its end, few kings died of old age.

Menahem (15:17) managed to stay in power ten years, but only by paying tribute to Assyria (vs.19-20). His brutality against his own people warned all of Israel that he would not be denied his place as king.

The Assyrian king, Pul (15:19), was Tiglath-Pileser III. Assyrian writings indicate that Menahem paid him tribute sometime around 743 to 738 B.C. Only 16 years before Assyria destroyed Israel. (More on Assyria-- http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/HIGH/OI_Museum_Assyria.html and http://www.aina.org/aol/nimrud/ )

Menahem's son, Pekahiah, ruled two years before being murdered by Pekah (15:23-25). Pekah ruled 22 years. Assyria gained more power in Israel during his reign (more on this in 2 Chronicles).

While Israel hurried toward its end, Jotham, son of Uzziah (who was also known as Azariah (vs.1-7, 8,13,17,23,) ruled well in Judah, as had his father.

However, Jotham's son, Ahaz brought trouble to Judah. He even sacrificed his son to pagan gods (16:3).

This seems odd because his grandfather's 52-year reign and his father's 16-year reign were for the most part good. These men had tried to follow God—something rare among the rulers of his time. (Note how many kings lived and died in Israel during Uzziah's rule in Jerusalem.) Why Ahaz turned out so miserably is a question.

The book of Isaiah will add to the story for us. Apparently Aram (Syria) and Pekah of Israel wanted Ahaz to join them against Assyria. Ahaz refused, was attacked (vs.5), and requested Assyria's aid (vs.7-9). Assyria agreed, knowing that Judah would then become her vassal. When the resulting "rescue" was over, Aram (or Syria) belonged to Assyria, and Judah was indeed a vassal of the powerful Assyrians.

Assyria allowed Israel's king to continue his rule, but there was a major deportation of the nation's leadership. Meanwhile, Ahaz sent plans for a pagan altar to Jerusalem and added to his sin against God (vs.10-18).

And there was still more disaster to come upon the nations of Israel and Judah.

Next time: King Hezekiah

NOTE: as we begin reading the prophetic books (Isaiah, for instance, more and more of this history of God's people, and how it relates to us today, will become clear.)

Elisha’s Death

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2 Kings 13:14 - 14:29

Joash visited Elisha when he heard that the prophet was about to die. Apparently his visit and his words were sincere. As for Elisha, he continued to be frustrated by the kings of Israel to his last breath. The prophet gave instructions to the king that would have enabled him to crush the Arameans forever, but the king still lacked the faith in God necessary for the task. He would be victorious over them only three times.

Joash was challenged by Amaziah of Judah. In their own colorful language they exchanged messages. Joash did not want to fight, but Amaziah apparently assumed that his defeat of Edom (more on this in 2 Chronicles) was only the prelude to another victory, over Israel. He was wrong. God did not bless him in battle and Joash of Israel not only won the day, but captured Amaziah and looted Jerusalem. Though still recovering from years of dominance by Aram, Israel could still trounce her sibling.

Joash's son, Jeroboam II, actually recaptured the original territory of Solomon's reign (except for Judah), but military might can never make up for spiritual blindness. At the king's death Israel was the largest nation on the eastern Mediterranean coast but only 32 years later it would be obliterated.

Meanwhile in Judah, Amaziah, though he outlived Joash of Israel by fifteen years, was finally assassinated by his own leadership. Jereboam II, Joash's son reigned in Israel for 41 years. (14:27 says that God used Jereboam to save and restore the nation.)

In chapter 15 the stories of the succession of kings moves along. Both nations are headed for disaster for their rebellion against God, but only the prophets are willing to admit it or even talk about it. There were still some golden days left for the nations. Uzziah (or Azariah) reigned in Judah for 51 years, and they were years of prosperity. But even this king did not stop the idol worship in Judah, and suffered leprosy for many years for this disobedience.

Next time: How Israel Fell Under the Heel of Assyria (chapters 15-18)

Meanwhile in Israel…

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2 Kings 13:1 - 13

[Note: Kings and Chronicles can be really confusing because the names of the kings of Israel and Judah were often similar or even the same. Some are shortened by translators to try to avoid confusion, but it's still hard to keep them straight. Keeping track of the kings on a chart of the time period is a great help in keeping their stories straight. Also, the writer at times backs up to pick up a story from a different point of view.]

In exploring Kings one thing does become clear. The "experts" who accuse God of being cruel in the Old Testament, or even a different God from Jesus' Father, have not read the Old Testament carefully. Time after time God uses Israel's enemies and Judah's enemies to try to draw them back into His arms. They are like rebellious children who hate the Father who loves them. Out of His love, God responded to their pleas for His mercy time after time.

Increasing political intrigue and war plagued Israel and Judah. During Jehoahaz' reign God allowed Aram (Syria) to dominate the nation. He also used Assyria (the "deliverer" in vs.5) to pull Aram back from controlling Israel, but after gaining their freedom, Israel again turned away from God. At the king's death, Israel's end was less than eighty years away. Assyria would be the instrument of her end.

The huge difference between the two nations; one that contributed to Israel's early demise-- was the fact that many family dynasties ruled in Israel, while, as God had promised, David's descendants continued to rule in Judah until that nation's exile. That brought greater stability to the south.

Jehoahaz' son, Jehoash, new king of Israel, proved to be militarily superior to Judah's leader. At his death a second king named Jeroboam reigned in Israel and expanded the nation's territory almost to the size of Solomon's kingdom. But before detailing these stories the writer pauses to reflect on the loss of Israel's greatest citizen.

Next time: Elisha's Death

A Daughter of Jezebel in Judah

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2 Kings 11:1 – 12:21

Athaliah, mother of Ahaziah, king of Judah was also the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. She had married into the Davidic lineage in Judah. When she hears of her son's death, her Jezebel-like character is exposed. Her first move is to kill all challengers to the throne, including her own grandsons, in order to take the throne herself—a true daughter of Jezebel—trying to eliminate the chosen royal line of David.

Jehosheba, a sister of Ahaziah, saved one young prince, Joash. After six years, Jehosheba's husband, Jehoiada, brought forth the seven-year old. God had used the couple to protect the boy and restore David's family to the throne.

After Athaliah was killed while shouting "Treason!" the boy was placed on the throne. As the young king's advisor, Jehoiada led in the destruction of Baal worship in Jerusalem.

The priests assigned to repair the temple just couldn't seem to get around to the job so the king took the project out of their hands and gave it to someone else. He also arranged for further financing so that the job could be completed.

Still, the "high places" of worship were not eliminated. Joash wasn't the only Judean king to fail to do this, although he seems to have been anxious to do all that the Lord required. One commentator cites a viable reason when he says that the high places simply did not seem to be a problem. It appears that the people were worshiping the Lord in these places though Mosaic law said that sacrifices should be given only at the temple. Defining worship according totheir own interpretation, the kings and priests had apparently accepted the high places as a tradition in the worship life of Judah. They just assumed that it was an okay thing to do.

In Chronicles we will read a more detailed account of Joash's reign and perhaps better understand his actions and his assassination. In that book is also a more detailed account of Hazael's victory over Israel and his pressure on Jerusalem.

Next time: Meanwhile in Israel…