What action did Jehu take against the remaining members of Ahab’s house?
[A] Jehu wrote letters to the rulers of Samaria, Jezreel, and to the guardians of Ahab’s sons (male descendants). In the letters he challenged the guardians of Ahab’s sons to select the fittest of Ahab’s sons, set him on the throne, and fight it out with him. When they considered the fate of Joram and Ahaziah, the guardians of Ahab’s sons decided to cooperate with Jehu (2 Kings 10:1-5).

[B] Jehu wrote a second letter to the guardians stating that if they were indeed on his side they were to deliver the heads of Ahab’s sons to him in Jezreel. The guardians slew Ahab’s sons, put their heads in baskets, and delivered them to Jehu in Jezreel. Jehu ordered that the heads be placed in two heaps at the entrance of the gate to the city (the traditional seat of judgment) where Jehu told the people that God’s Word against Ahab’s house had been fulfilled. In addition, Jehu slew anyone associated with Ahab’s reign, including “all of his great men and his acquaintances and his priests, until he left him without a survivor” (2 Kings 10:6-11 and also 2 Kings 10:15-17).

[C] While en route to Samaria, Jehu encountered a group of Ahaziah’s relatives who, apparently, had not yet heard about the events that had transpired. Jehu had all forty-two of these men put to death (2 Kings 10:12-14).

How did Jehu destroy the worship of Baal in Israel?
Jehu devised a clever plan to destroy the worship and worshipers of Baal. He feigned allegiance to Baal and ordered that all devotees of Baal (prophets, worshipers, and priests) gather for a solemn assembly. He ordered that everyone be provided with garments for the worship of Baal.

Once everyone was assembled and the ceremony began, Jehu ordered his men (eighty of them) to kill every worshiper of Baal. In addition, they ransacked the house of Baal “and made it a latrine [cesspool, thus degrading the house of Baal and making the site ritually unclean] to this day” (2 Kings 10:18-28). Jehonadab assisted Jehu with the task of eradicating the Baal worshipers and destroying the house of Baal (see 2 Kings 10:15-17, 23). “Thus Jehu eradicated Baal out of Israel” (2 Kings 10:28).

How does the Scripture appraise Jehu’s reign?
[A] While Jehu is commended with eradicating the worship of Baal from Israel (2 Kings 10:28), he failed to forsake the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan (2 Kings 10:29). He “was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord” (2 Kings 10:31).

[B] Because he fulfilled his commission to abolish the house of Ahab, God promised Jehu that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations (2 Kings 10:30). This promise was fulfilled in the reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoash (Joash), Jeroboam II, and Zechariah. (see 2 Kings 15:12)

Practical Considerations: True reformation must begin with the individual.
The words of an old hymn state, “Lord, send a revival, and let it begin in me.” According to 2 Kings 10:16 Jehu invited Jehonadab to “Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord.” According to 2 Kings 10:31 however, “Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord.” Somehow Jehu’s outward expressions of zeal had no deep foundation in his inward being. He did right things on the outside but was not right on the inside. He destroyed sinful things on the outside while allowing them to remain on the inside. Revival must not only begin with me, it must begin in me.

Why did Jehu stop short of removing the golden calves that were at Bethel and Dan?
Jehu, the man who “eradicated Baal out of Israel” (2 Kings 10:28) certainly could have removed and destroyed the golden calves as well. Perhaps he stopped short of doing so for the same reasons for which Jeroboam erected them, namely to insure that the northern kingdom have its own worship centers lest the people travel to Jerusalem to worship. While it was politically expedient for Jehu to destroy the house of Ahab, it was not politically expedient for him to remove the golden calves.

Practical Considerations: Half reforms are always unsatisfactory.
Jehu is to be commended for destroying the evil house of Ahab and eradicating Baal out of Israel. He failed however, to remove and abolish the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. Jehu destroyed Baalism but failed to depart from the sins of Jeroboam. Such half reforms are unsatisfactory. See Practical Considerations Item 6 on page 8 of these notes.

What did the Lord allow to happen to Israel during Jehu’s twenty-eight year reign?
Because of their sin, “the Lord began to cut off portions from Israel” (2 Kings 10:32-33). God used Hazael to so chastise His people. See 1 Kings 19:15-17 and 2 Kings 8:12-13.

What does the Bible tell us about Athaliah?
[A] She was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Kings 8:26).

[B] She married Jehoram (Joram), the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah.

[C] She was the mother of Ahaziah, the fifth king of Judah, who was slain by Jehu’s men.

What did Athaliah do when she learned of her son’s death?
After Ahaziah’s death, Athaliah “rose and destroyed all the royal offspring,” that is, everyone who had survived Jehu’s purge (2 Kings 11:1 and 2 Chronicles 22:10). She usurped the throne and had all of her grandchildren killed so that no one would threaten her unlawful reign. She was as wicked as her mother and brought the dynasty of David to the brink of ruin. Athaliah reigned for six years (2 Kings 11:3).

Practical Consideration: Evil always looks for an opportunity.
Athaliah wasted no time in usurping the throne of Judah when she learned of the death of her son. Evil always looks for an opportunity to promote its godless agenda and will go to any extreme to gain an advantage.

Who was Jehosheba and what role did she play when Athaliah seized the throne of Judah?
Jehosheba was the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah. Some feel that she was not the daughter of Athaliah, but of Joram by another wife. When Athaliah began her murderous purge of Ahaziah’s offspring, Jehosheba stole and hid away a son of Ahaziah named Joash. She hid the boy and his nurse in the house of the Lord during the six-year reign of Athaliah (2 Kings 11:2 and 2 Chronicles 22:12). Joash, a helpless baby, would eventually become the instrument of Athaliah’s fall (see Psalm 8:2).

Practical Consideration: One person can make a difference.
One person can make a difference in the face of great odds. Jehosheba placed herself at great risk when she rescued Joash from Athaliah’s murderous purge. Jehoiada also placed himself at great risk when he hid the infant heir to the throne within the walls of the house of God. Each of these individuals made a difference. They played a key role in insuring that David would continue to have an heir on the throne.

Who was Jehoiada and what role did he play in restoring the throne of Judah to a descendant of David?
Jehoiada was the high priest and the husband of Jehosheba (2 Chronicles 22:11). He helped to hide and protect Joash. In the seventh year of Athaliah’s reign, Jehoiada set a plan in motion to restore the throne of Judah to a descendant of David. This plan included:

[A] Jehoiada brought together military, religious, and civil leaders into the house of the Lord and made a covenant with them and put them under an oath (probably of loyalty and support for the coup) and then showed them the king’s son (2 Kings 11:4 and 2 Chronicles 23:2).

[B] He organized the military and religious leaders in such a fashion as to insure the protection of Joash (2 Kings 11:5-8 and 2 Chronicles 23:4-8).

[C] He armed some of the participants with the weapons of David that were stored in the house of the Lord (2 Kings 11:9-10 and 2 Chronicles 23:9). Probably no one imagined that the weapons of David would be used years later to insure that he had an heir on the throne.

[D] Once everyone was armed and in position on the Sabbath, Jehoiada brought Joash out and crowned and anointed him king. Notice also that he “gave him the testimony,” that is, put the law of the Lord in the young king’s hands. All of the people shouted their support by saying, “Long live the king!” (2 Kings 11:12 and 2 Chronicles 23:10-11).

Practical Consideration: We must not be afraid to stand for right.
Jehoiada was indeed a courageous man. He patiently waited for the right moment to set in motion the events that would depose the wicked Athaliah and restore the throne to its rightful heir. When that moment came, he boldly stood for what is right and motivated the people to do what was necessary to put Joash on the throne.

How did Athaliah respond to the commotion surrounding the coronation?
When Athaliah heard all of the noise and commotion, she went to the house of the Lord to see what was happening (2 Kings 11:13). It was then that she discovered that her purge had not been as thorough as she had believed. Her grandson Joash was wearing the crown and had the support of the people. Athaliah then tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!” (2 Kings 11:14). Jehoiada promptly issued an order that she be executed (but not in the house of the Lord) along with anyone who might follow her (2 Kings 11:15). Athaliah was put to death with the sword “at the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king’s house” (2 Chronicles 23:12-15 and 2 Kings 11:16, 20). Her death brought rejoicing in the land! (2 Kings 11:20). No one cried at her funeral!

What did Jehoiada and the people do following the death of Athaliah?
[A] “Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the Lord’s people, also between the king and the people” (2 Kings 11:17 and also 2 Chronicles 23:16).

[B] The people destroyed the house of Baal and killed Mattan the priest of Baal ( 2 Kings 11:18 and 2 Chronicles 23:17).

[C] Officers over the house of the Lord were appointed (2 Kings 11:18 and 2 Chronicles 23:18-19).

[D] Joash, the seven-year-old king, was seated on the royal throne in the king’s house (2 Kings 11:19 and 2 Chronicles 23:20).

[E] The people rejoiced at the events of the day (2 Kings 11:20 and 2 Chronicles 23:21).

Practical Consideration: We have a responsibility to use our influence for good.
Jehoiada used his influence to call the people back to God. He led the people and the young king to enter into a covenant with God. He placed the law of the Lord in the hands of the young king and charged him with the responsibility of being a godly leader. Jehoiada never used his influence to promote himself or to try to advance himself in religious and political ranks. He used his influence for altruistic ends.

How does the Scripture appraise the reign of Joash?
[A] He became king when he was seven years old and reigned forty years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 11:21-12:1).

[B] He “did right in the sight of the Lord all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him” (2 Kings 12:2). After the death of Jehoiada, Joash went astray (2 Chronicles 24:15-19). He listened to the wrong people and consequently “abandoned the house of the Lord” and stopped listening to the prophets of God. He even ordered the stoning of Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, because he called the nation to accountability for sinning against God (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). The Scripture records that Joash “did not remember the kindness which [Zechariah’s] father Jehoiada had shown him” (2 Chronicles 24:22).

[C] He did not remove the high places (2 Kings 12:3 and also 2 Chronicles 24:18).

Practical Consideration: We should listen to wise counsel.
After the death of Jehoiada, Joash lost his moral and spiritual bearings. He listened to people who had an agenda contrary to what is pleasing to God. As a result, he permitted and tolerated things that were displeasing to God. When God sent his prophets, and Jehoiada’s son, to call him to accountability, he did not listen to them. He opposed the wise counsel of God’s prophets and even had Jehoiada’s son killed. This course of action had serious consequences both for Joash and the nation.

What charge did Joash give to the priests and Levites?
“Joash decided to restore the house of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 24:4). Apparently, the house of God had fallen into disrepair (2 Kings 12:5) and suffered abuse during the period of Ahaziah’s reign and Athaliah’s evil influence (2 Chronicles 24:7). The deterioration of God’s house was evidence of the national deterioration.

Joash instructed the priests and Levites to collect monies from throughout the land to fund the project. Joash displayed great zeal for repairing the house of God, the place where, as a child, he found sanctuary. The Levites however, seemed less enthusiastic. The Scripture records, “But the Levites did not act quickly” (2 Chronicles 24:5).

Did the priests and Levites fulfill the king’s charge?
As stated above, the priests and Levites “did not act quickly.” In fact, Joash called them to account for why the work on the house of God had not been done (2 Kings 12:6-8 and 2 Chronicles 24:6).

What actions did Joash take to repair the Temple?
[A] A chest was made to collect monies and placed outside the house of the Lord (2 Kings 12:9 and 2 Chronicles 24:8).

[B] A proclamation was made that people place their offerings in the chest (2 Chronicles 24:9-11).

[C] The funds were used to hire workmen to repair the house of the Lord (2 Kings 12:11-14 and 2 Chronicles 24:12-14). The workmen were so honest that they were not required to give an accounting of how they spent the money (2 Kings 12:15-16), and, in fact, returned whatever monies they did not use to the king and Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:14).

Practical Consideration: We should be concerned about the condition of the church’s facilities.
Joash expressed great zeal in promoting the repair and restoration of the house of the Lord. He organized the leaders and implemented a plan to raise the funds for the repair work. We too, should be concerned about the condition of the church’s facilities. Our facilities should be carefully maintained so that the present and future generations may use them in the service of the Lord.

What does the Bible tell us about Joash’s military exploits?
[A] After Hazael fought against and captured the Philistine city of Gath, “he set his face to go up to Jerusalem” (2 Kings 12:17). Joash placated Hazael by giving him items from among the treasuries of the temple and the king’s house (2 Kings 12:18).

[B] A small Syrian force defeated Judah’s forces on a later occasion. Judah’s defeat in battle was a direct result of the nation’s spiritual decline (2 Chronicles 24:23-24).

How did Joash die?
His own servants murdered Joash as he lay ill on his bed. The reason he was murdered was “because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest” (2 Chronicles 24:25-26). His death fulfilled the dying words of Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, “May the Lord see and avenge!” (2 Chronicles 24:22). He was buried in the city of David but not in the tomb of the kings (2 Chronicles 24:26). What a sad end to a reign that began with the shouts, “Long live the king!” and a covenant to follow the Lord’s leadership (2 Kings 11:12, 17). “Then Amaziah his son became king in his place” (2 Chronicles 24:27).

Who was Jehoahaz and how does the Scripture appraise his reign?
[A] He was the son of Jehu (2 Kings 10:35 and 13:1).

[B] He became king over Israel during the twenty-third year of Joash’s forty-year reign in Judah (2 Kings 13:1). This was the year that Joash had the chest built to collect funds for the rebuilding of the house of the Lord (see 2 Kings 12:6).

[C] Like every king of Israel before him, “he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam” (2 Kings 13:2, 6).

Practical Consideration: The evil that men do is always “in the sight of the Lord.”
The formula used to appraise the reigns of the kings of Israel is the same in every case, “and he did evil in the sight of the Lord.” The evil, and the good, that men do is always “in the sight of the Lord.” No man does evil “behind the Lord’s back.” The fact that God is watching should motivate men to hold on to their integrity and do that which is pleasing in the sight of God.

Practical Consideration: The partial reformation of Jehu became a snare to the next generation.
The reforms of Jehu stopped short of removing the golden calves that were at Bethel and Dan (see Item 12 on page 29 of these notes for additional information). This failure to completely remove the things that were not pleasing to God became a snare to the next generation. Someone has said, “May those who come behind us find us faithful, and may the footprints that we leave lead others to believe.”

What did Israel experience throughout the reign of Jehoahaz?
God’s anger was kindled against Israel because the nation persisted in its sin. He allowed the Syrians (under Hazael and Ben-hadad) to oppress Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:3, 22). God’s aim in allowing the Syrians to oppress Israel was redemptive in nature. He hoped that such pressure would cause Israel to repent.

Practical Consideration: Spiritual apostasy leads to personal and national decay.
Israel suffered as a nation because of a stubborn refusal to forsake “the sins of the house of Jeroboam.” The national decay was a result of spiritual decay. God allowed other nations to oppress Israel in the hope that they would repent and turn from their wicked ways. There is no health and well being apart from a right relationship with God.

Did Israel experience any respite from Syrian oppression?
Yes. According to 2 Kings 13:4-5, “Jehoahaz entreated the favor of the Lord, and the Lord listened to him … and the Lord gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans.” Adversity finally drove the king to prayer. In spite of God’s grace and compassion (see 2 Kings 13:23) however, the nation continued in its sin (2 Kings 13:6). The prayer of Jehoahaz was not followed by reformation.

Practical Consideration: God takes notice of humility.
Adversity drove Jehoahaz to his knees. He cried out to God in desperation and the Lord listened. James 4:6 reminds us that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Who was the “deliverer” provided by the Lord?
Although the “deliverer” is not specifically named, there are several interpretations regarding who was the “deliverer.”

[A] Some believe that the “deliverer” was the son and grandson of Jehoahaz. These men regained many of the cities and regions taken by the Syrians during the reign of Jehoahaz. See 2 Kings 13:25.

[B] Others believe that the “deliverer” was an Assyrian king (perhaps Adadnirari III, 810-793 B.C.) who was a threat to Hazael and drew his attention from Israel.

[C] The reference “and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly” (2 Kings 13:5b) suggests that the respite Israel experienced from Syrian oppression probably was sometime after the reign of Jehoahaz when the people felt they could leave the security of their walled cities to live in tents among their flocks. It is not likely that the people “lived in their tents as formerly” during the reign of Jehoahaz. 2 Kings 13:3 and 22 suggest that the people of Israel lived under the threat of invasion throughout the reign of Jehoahaz.

What was the condition of Israel’s army after years of oppression by the Syrians?
Israel’s army was severely reduced to “not more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and 10,000 footmen” (2 Kings 13:7). This illustrates the great price Israel paid for her apostasy. God used the Syrians to chastise His people yet they refused to forsake their sin.

Who became king after the death of Jehoahaz?
Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz, became king over Israel after the death of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:9-10). He is not to be confused with Jehoash (Joash) of Judah. He reigned a total of sixteen years. The Scripture appraises his reign in the same way as the kings before him, “and he did evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam” (2 Kings 13:11). After his death, his son Jeroboam (Jeroboam II) sat on the throne (2 Kings 13:13).

What encounter did Jehoash (Joash) the king of Israel have with Elisha?
“When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die,” Jehoash, who apparently had great respect for the dying prophet, visited him (2 Kings 13:14). Elisha instructed the king to shoot an arrow out of the east window of the room (toward Syria). The king did as he was instructed after “Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands” (2 Kings 13:16). Elisha referred to the arrow as “The Lord’s arrow of victory. . .over Aram” (2 Kings 13:17).

Elisha then instructed the king to take the arrows in his hand and strike the ground. The king did as he was instructed and struck the ground three times (2 Kings 13:18). Elisha was angry with the king for only striking the ground three times because each strike represented a victory in battle over Syria (see 2 Kings 13:25). Had the king struck the ground five or six times he could have led Israel to destroy Syria (2 Kings 13:19).

What was the final miracle associated with Elisha?
Some men were in the process of burying a man when they were surprised by an invading band of Moabites. With no time to complete the burial, the men cast the dead man into the tomb of Elisha. The dead man’s body came in contact with the bones of Elisha and as a result “he revived and stood up on his feet” (2 Kings 13:21).

Practical Consideration: We should be concerned about our posthumous influence.
Elisha’s influence continued on even after his death. The incident of the dead man who was revived because he came in contact with Elisha’s bones is instructive. It reminds us that we should be concerned about our witness and influence even after we die. May we live in such a manner that people who come in contact with our influence after we die will be blessed.

Who was Amaziah?
[A] He was the son of Joash king of Judah (2 Kings 14:1). “His mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem” (2 Kings 14:2).

[B] He became king of Judah after the death of his father (2 Kings 12:21). He was twenty-five years old when he became king and reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 14:2).

How does the Bible appraise the reign of Amaziah?
He was a good king in that “he did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father” (2 Kings 14:3). He is compared to his father rather than to David because he did not serve the Lord with a whole heart (2 Chronicles 25:2). This is seen in that the high places were allowed to remain during his reign (2 Kings 14:4) and he brought back idols from his battle with the Edomites (2 Chronicles 25:14-16).

Practical Consideration: We must serve the Lord with a whole heart.
If someone were to publish an appraisal of how we lived our life, would they be able to write that we served the Lord with a whole heart? Amaziah did not serve the Lord with a whole heart. God desires our complete loyalty and devotion. He is not pleased when we serve Him with a lukewarm commitment (see Revelation 3:15-16).

What did Amaziah do to the men who killed his father?
The men who murdered Joash are named in 2 Chronicles 24:26. Once Amaziah was secure in his reign he killed the men who murdered his father (2 Kings 14:5 and 2 Chronicles 25:3). As per the law of Moses, Amaziah spared the children of his father’s murderers (2 Kings 14:6 and 2 Chronicles 25:4).

How did Amaziah plan to defeat Edom?
Amaziah recruited an army of 300,00 men from Judah (2 Chronicles 25:5) and hired 100,000 mercenaries from the Northern Kingdom of Israel (2 Chronicles 25:6). Before going to battle against Edom however, a man of God warned Amaziah that his alliance with the soldiers from Israel would mean defeat because “the Lord is not with Israel nor with any of the sons of Ephraim” (2 Chronicles 25:7-8).

At the insistence of the man of God, Amaziah dismissed the mercenaries and sent them home. The mercenaries “returned home in fierce anger” (2 Chronicles 25:9-10) and pillaged several cities in Judah on their way back to Israel (2 Chronicles 25:13). Amaziah then went to battle against Edom, without the help of the mercenaries from the Northern Kingdom, and was victorious (2 Kings 14:7 and 2 Chronicles 25:11). He captured 10,000 men and brutally disposed of them by throwing them down from the top of a cliff “so that they were all dashed to pieces” (2 Chronicles 25:12).

What did Amaziah bring home from his military campaign against Edom?
Amaziah did not bring home any prisoners (see 2 Chronicles 25:12). Instead, “he brought the gods of the sons of Seir, set them up as his gods, bowed down before them, and burned incense to them” (2 Chronicles 25:14). Amaziah thus provoked God to anger. God sent a prophet to Amaziah to ask him why he was worshiping gods incapable of delivering their devotees in Edom (2 Chronicles 25:15). Amaziah silenced the prophet. The prophet then informed Amaziah that God would destroy him for failing to heed his counsel (2 Chronicles 25:16).

Note: Like father like son! Amaziah’s father (Joash) also lapsed into idolatry and refused to listen to the prophets sent by God and to Zechariah the son of Jehoiada (see 2 Chronicles 24:19-22 and Item 7 on page 33 of these notes for more information).

Practical Consideration: No man can serve two masters.
Jesus said that no man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Our attitude toward one master will determine our attitude toward the other. The more we love one master the more we will hate the other. Amaziah turned his affections toward the gods of the Edomites and consequently away from the true God. This greatly displeased God and brought the judgment of God upon Amaziah (see 2 Chronicles 25:20).

Practical Consideration: We reject wise counsel only at personal risk.
Amaziah refused to heed the counsel of the prophet sent to admonish him for worshiping the gods of the Edomites. As a result, he put himself in danger of judgment which came in the form of humiliating defeat in battle and his eventual assassination. Proverbs 19:20 states, “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.”

What did Amaziah do after his victory over Edom?
Amaziah challenged Jehoash (Joash) king of Israel to battle (2 Kings 14:8). Perhaps he challenged Israel to war because he wanted to avenge the pillage of Judean cities by the mercenaries (see 2 Chronicles 25:13). Perhaps he felt powerful and invincible after his victory over Edom, intoxicated with his success. King Jehoash suggested in his reply to Amaziah that he had become proud after his victory over Edom and advised him to stay home (2 Kings 14:10 and 2 Chronicles 25:19).

How did Jehoash (Joash) king of Israel respond to Amaziah’s challenge?
Jehoash responded to Amaziah’s challenge with a fable that demonstrated the utter foolishness of such a challenge. Jehoash likened Judah to a thorn bush and Israel to a cedar. The two clearly are not equal. Jehoash’s analogy depicted the weak thorn bush being trampled by a wild beast. Such would be the fate of Judah, said Jehoash, should she persist in the challenge to war (2 Kings 14:9 and 2 Chronicles 25:18).

The Scripture records that “Amaziah would not listen” (2 Kings 14:11 and 2 Chronicles 25:20) and went to war against Israel. 2 Chronicles 25:20 states that Amaziah’s insistence on going to war fit into God’s plan to punish him for worshiping the gods of Edom (see also 2 Chronicles 25:16).

What was the outcome of the war between Judah and Israel?
Judah and Israel faced each other in battle at Beth-shemesh in northern Judah (2 Kings 14:11 and 2 Chronicles 25:21) where Judah suffered a humiliating defeat (2 Kings 14:12 and 2 Chronicles 25:22). Amaziah was captured by Jehoash who took him back to Jerusalem (2 Kings 14:13 and 2 Chronicles 25:23). There, Joash tore down a substantial portion of Jerusalem’s wall, pillaged the house of God and the king’s house, took hostages, and returned victorious to Samaria (2 Kings 14:13-14 and 2 Chronicles 25:23-24). See also Proverbs 16:18.

Practical Consideration: The consequences of a foolish decision are far-reaching.
Amaziah’s foolish and proud decision to engage in war with Israel had far-reaching consequences. Jehoash not only defeated Amaziah in battle, he pillaged the city of Jerusalem and took with him hostages to Samaria. Many people died and suffered as a result of one man’s foolish course of action. Our decisions can have a great and far-reaching impact for either good or bad.

How did Amaziah’s life end?
Amaziah outlived Jehoash by fifteen years (2 Kings 14:17 and 2 Chronicles 25:25). He spent his final days hiding in Lachish because of a conspiracy to kill him (2 Kings 14:19 and 2 Chronicles 25:27). Amaziah was assassinated in Lachish and his body was returned to Jerusalem for burial (2 Kings 14:19-20). His son Azariah (Uzziah) became king in his place (2 Kings 14:21 and 2 Chronicles 26:1). Thus was the word of the prophet fulfilled (see 2 Chronicles 25:16 and 27).

Note: Like father like son! Amaziah died at the hands of assassins just like his father (see 2 Chronicles 24:25-26 and Item 12 on page 34 of these notes for more information).

Who was Jeroboam II?
He was the son of Joash king of Israel and became king after the death of his father (2 Kings 13:13 and 14:23). He reigned a total of forty-one years (2 Kings 14:23). Like every king of Israel before him, “he did evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam” (2 Kings 14:24). Some believe that he was the, or one of the, deliverers God sent in response to the prayer of Jehoahaz (see 2 Kings 13:4-5) because he regained much of the territory Israel lost to Syria (see 2 Kings 14:25-28).

Practical Consideration: A failure to correct a wrong course can lead to destruction.
Not one of Israel’s kings learned good lessons from the bad examples of the preceding kings. Every king of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and navigated the disastrous course set by Jeroboam. As a result, the nation was eventually steered to destruction. We too, will experience problems if we fail to order our course according to God’s instructions and make necessary course corrections as we are prompted by God’s Holy Spirit.

Who was Azariah (Uzziah)?
He was the son of Amaziah king of Judah. He became king at the age of sixteen when his father died (2 Kings 14:21, 15:1-2, and 2 Chronicles 26:1). He was also known as Uzziah (see 2 Chronicles 26:1). He reigned a total of fifty-two years (2 Kings 15:2 and 2 Chronicles 26:3). “His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem” (2 Kings 15:2 and 2 Chronicles 26:3). He was a powerful and successful leader (2 Chronicles 26:8-15).

How does the Scripture appraise the reign of Azariah (Uzziah)?
“He did right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 15:3 and 2 Chronicles 26:4) but he failed to remove the high places (2 Kings 15:4). “He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah” (2 Chronicles 26:5). We do not know for certain the identity of this particular Zechariah. Like Joash of Judah who did what was right while Jehoiada was alive (see 2 Chronicles 24:2), Uzziah did right “in the days of Zechariah.” The Scripture adds that “as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him” (2 Chronicles 26:5).

Practical Consideration: God is under no obligation to bless those who do not seek Him.
The Scripture records that “as long as [Uzziah] sought the Lord, God prospered him” (2 Chronicles 26:5). 2 Chronicles 16:9 states, “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” David wrote, “For it is Thou who dost bless the righteous man, O Lord, Thou dost surround him with favor as with a shield.” God is under no obligation to bless any man who does not seek Him. We cannot live lives that are displeasing to God and expect to experience the blessings of God.

What were some of the accomplishments of Uzziah?
He was successful in his military campaigns against the Philistines, Arabians, Meunites, and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 26:6-8). He fortified the nation militarily and had a well- organized army (2 Chronicles 26:6-15). He had a reputation that was far-reaching (2 Chronicles 26:8, 15).

What was Uzziah’s undoing?
2 Chronicles 26:16 summarizes the causes of Uzziah’s undoing: “But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. ”

Uzziah’s pride was his undoing. He entered the temple of the Lord and presumed to do the work of a priest. Azariah the priest and a contingency of 80 priests entered the temple to confront Uzziah who became enraged at the confrontation (see 2 Chronicles 26:17-19). At that moment leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests (see 2 Chronicles 26:19-20).

Uzziah then hastened out of the temple and spent his last years of life as a leper. His son Jotham assumed administrative/judicial responsibilities during Uzziah’s last years as a leper (see 2 Chronicles 26:21).

Practical Consideration: The road to destruction is paved with pride.
Uzziah became increasing filled with himself with every success. He lost his spiritual bearings when he focused his attention on his accomplishments. He lost sight of God when he turned his eyes on himself. Pride blinds men to anything bigger or greater than themselves. Men become corrupt and presumptuous when they are intoxicated with pride. Pride pays in dividends of destruction. Proverbs 16:18a states, “Pride goes before destruction.” Proverbs 29:23a records, “A man’s pride will bring him low.” The road to destruction is paved with pride. Uzziah’s pride was his undoing.

Who was Zechariah?
He was the son of Jeroboam who became king of Israel after his father’s death (2 Kings 15:8). Like all of the kings of Israel before him, “he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done; he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam” (2 Kings 15:9). He was killed by a man named “Shallum the son of Jabesh” (2 Kings 15:10). Zechariah reigned only six months (2 Kings 15:8). He was the final king in the line of Jehu to sit on the throne of Israel as promised by God (2 Kings 15:12 and see also 2 Kings 10:30 and Item 1 1 on page 29 of these notes for more information).

How long did Shallum the usurper reign?
Shallum reigned a total of one month in Samaria (2 Kings 15:13) before he was assassinated by Menahem (2 Kings 15:14). His reign was the second shortest in Israel’s history. Zimri’s reign was the shortest, lasting only seven days (1 Kings 16:15).

Practical Consideration: Men who advance themselves by dishonest means must “sleep with one eye open!”
Israel had several men who usurped the throne by assassinating the reigning king. Zechariah was assassinated by Shallum. Shallum was assassinated by Menahem. Menahem’s son Pekahiah was assassinated by Pekah. Pekah was assassinated by Hoshea. Proverbs 10:9 states, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.” The man who advances himself by dishonest means must always look over his shoulder lest he be overtaken by another as wicked as himself.

How long did Menahem reign over Israel?
Menahem’s reign lasted ten years (2 Kings 15:17). His ten year reign was characterized by evil and a failure to depart from the sins of Jeroboam (2 Kings 15:18). He also perpetrated some terrible atrocities on the people of Tiphsah because they refused to open the city to him (2 Kings 15:16). During his reign, Pul (better known as Tiglath-pileser), the king of Assyria, came against Israel. Menahem paid a thousand talents of silver (about $2,000,000) to Pul to keep him from devastating Israel. He then exacted the money from the wealthy people of Israel (2 Kings 15:19-20). After his death, his son Pekahiah became king in his place (2 Kings 15:22).

Practical Consideration: It is difficult to deal with problems without help from the Lord.
When the Assyrian King Pul invaded the land of Israel, King Menahem of Israel gave him a great deal of money to keep him from devastating Israel. When King Ahaz of Judah was having problems with his adversaries he took treasures from the house of the Lord and his own treasuries to try to secure the help and cooperation of the King of Assyria. The Bible tells us that ‘it did not help him” (2 Chronicles 28:21). The Lord invites us to turn to Him for help when we are in trouble. He invites us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us (see 1 Peter 5:7). There are only two ways to deal with problems, with or without the Lord’s help.

Who was Pekahiah?
Pekahiah was the son of Menahem and became king of Israel after his father’s death (2 Kings 15:23). He became king of Israel two years before Azariah (Uzziah) king of Judah died (2 Kings 15:23 and 15:2). His evil reign lasted only two years (2 Kings 15:23-24). He was assassinated by “Pekah son of Remaliah” (2 Kings 15:25), an officer in his army.

Practical Consideration: We should do good while we have the opportunity.
The writer of Kings found nothing noteworthy in the reign of Pekahiah. The Biblical record simply indicates that his two year reign was characterized by evil and a failure to depart from the sins of Jeroboam. How sad that when Pekahiah became king he did not use his position and influence and reign to do good. How sad that when the deeds of his life were totaled the sum of the equation was evil.

What does the Bible tell us about the reign of Pekah?
Pekah became king over Israel the year that Azariah (Uzziah) king of Judah died (2 Kings 15:27 and 15:2). His reign was evil and displeasing to the Lord like that of every king of Israel who preceded him (2 Kings 15:28). The Northern Kingdom lost much of its territory to the Assyrians during Pekah’s twenty year reign (2 Kings 15:29). He was assassinated by “Hoshea the son of Elah” who “became king in his place” (2 Kings 15:30).

What does the Bible tell us about Jotham?
Jotham was the son of Uzziah. He became king of Judah when he was twenty-five years old and reigned a total of sixteen years (2 Kings 15:32 and 2 Chronicles 27:1). The Bible tells us that “he did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 15:34) and “became mighty because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 27:6). He led his kingdom in several building projects (2 Chronicles 27:3-4) and successful military campaigns against the Ammonites who paid him tribute for three years (2 Chronicles 27:5). His son Ahaz became king when he died (2 Kings 15:38 and 2 Chronicles 27:9).

Practical Consideration: God’s way is always best.
Some people see God’s way and instructions as an alternative or an option. Some people like to pick and choose what part of God’s law they will obey. Some people do not like to be inconvenienced by commands in God’s Word that require them to forsake sinful ways. Some people prefer their relationship with God and His Word to be on their terms and not His. We must realize that God’s way is always best. King Jotham of Judah did what was right in God’s sight and understood that God’s way is always best. The Living Bible paraphrases 2 Chronicles 27:6, “King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to follow the path of the Lord.”

What does the Bible tell us about Ahaz?
Ahaz, the son of Jotham, was twenty years old when he became king of Judah and reigned a total of sixteen years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:1-2). Unlike his father, “he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord his God” (2 Kings 16:2). The Scripture outlines his evil deeds: “he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and even made his sons pass through the fire. . .and he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. . .” (2 Kings 16:3-4 and 2 Chronicles 28:3-4) and “made molten images for the Baals” (2 Chronicles 28:2).

What military problems did Ahaz face during his evil reign?
Ahaz faced some difficult military problems because of his sin (see 2 Chronicles 28:5 and note the word “Wherefore,” and see also 2 Chronicles 28:19). God allowed “Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel” (2 Kings 16:5 and 2 Chronicles 28:5) to invade Judah. Rezin and Pekah first began to pressure Judah during the reign of Jotham (2 Kings 15:37). Rezin was successful in recovering Elath for Aram (2 Kings 16:6). Ahaz and Judah suffered great losses. Many people were killed or taken captive, Ahaz’s son

Maaseiah was killed, and one of the top officials in Ahaz’s administration was also killed (2 Chronicles 28:6-7). All of this happened to Ahaz and Judah “because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 28:6). Pekah, the king of Israel, took 200,000 captives and a great deal of spoil with him to Samaria. Pekah intended to make slaves of his captives when he was warned by Oded, a prophet of the Lord, to release them lest he and the nation add to their guilt before the Lord and further provoke His anger. The officers of the army then fed and clothed the captives and led them to Jericho where they were released (2 Chronicles 28:8-15).

Practical Consideration: We forfeit security when we forsake the Lord.
The last six kings of the Northern Kingdom had little peace and no national security. While some of them had an occasional military victory, the nation became increasingly vulnerable to outside invasion. They were harassed by their enemies and lost multiplied millions of dollars in their efforts to appease their oppressors. There was constant turmoil in the government as the throne was violently usurped on several occasions. We too, forfeit security when we forsake the Lord.

Where did Ahaz turn for help against his adversaries?
Rather than turn to the Lord for help against his adversaries (which included the Syrians, Northern Kingdom, Edomites, Philistines – see 2 Chronicles 28:16-18), Ahaz took silver and gold from the Lord’s house and his own treasuries and used it to try to secure the help and cooperation of Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria (2 Kings 16:7-8). The king of Assyria captured Damascus and put Rezin to death (2 Kings 16:9).

According to 2 Chronicles 28:21 however, the tribute Ahaz paid to the Assyrian king “did not help him” (see 2 Chronicles 28:20-21). In desperation, Ahaz sacrificed to the gods of the Syrians reasoning that because these gods had helped them perhaps they would help him. “But they became the downfall of him and all Israel” (2 Chronicles 28:22-23).

Ahaz went a step further and “closed the doors of the house of the Lord, and made altars for himself in every corner of Jerusalem. And in every city of Judah he made high places to bum incense to other gods, and provoked the Lord, the God of his fathers, to anger” (2 Chronicles 28:24-25 and see also 2 Kings 16:10-18). See also Isaiah 7:1-13 regarding the role Isaiah played in trying to get Ahaz to trust the Lord for help and Ahaz’s refusal to do so.

Practical Consideration: It is difficult to deal with problems without help from the Lord.
When the Assyrian King Pul invaded the land of Israel, King Menahem of Israel gave him a great deal of money to keep him from devastating Israel. When King Ahaz of Judah was having problems with his adversaries he took treasures from the house of the Lord and his own treasuries to try to secure the help and cooperation of the King of Assyria. The Bible tells us that ‘it did not help him” (2 Chronicles 28:21). The Lord invites us to turn to Him for help when we are in trouble. He invites us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us (see 1 Peter 5:7). There are only two ways to deal with problems, with or without the Lord’s help.

Who was Hoshea and what happened to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during his reign?
Hoshea was the last king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:1). While he did evil in the sight of the Lord, he was not as wicked as the kings before him (2 Kings 17:2). He was a vassal of Shalmaneser V (the son of Tiglath-pileser III) king of Assyria (2 Kings 17:3).

He secretly turned to Egypt for help to get out from under Assyria’s thumb but was arrested and imprisoned by Shalmaneser when he learned of this conspiracy (2 Kings 17:4). Afterwards Shalmaneser invaded Israel and began a siege of Samaria that would last for three years (2 Kings 17:5) and would be completed by his brother and successor Sargon II. In the ninth year of Hoshea, Samaria fell to the Assyrians.

The Assyrians took the people of Israel into exile and dispersed them and repopulated the land with foreign peoples (2 Kings 17:6, 24) in 722 B.C. (see Deuteronomy 28:58-68). Someone noted, “God does not pay at the end of every day, but at the end – He pays.”

Practical Considerations: God will not keep His anger forever.
God gave the Northern Kingdom of Israel repeated opportunities to repent and return to Him. He sent His prophets and even used other nations to redemptively chastise His people in an effort to call them back to Himself. The leaders and people of Israel continually turned a deaf ear to God’s prophets and failed to learn from their national calamities. As a result, there was no recourse but to judge the nation. When the judgment of God finally came, the Northern Kingdom was carried away into exile and forever ceased to exist as a nation. Psalm 103:9 reminds us, “He will not always strive with us; nor will He keep His anger forever.”

What are some of the reasons why Israel fell?

Compromise: Compromise says, “It’s o.k.”

[A] “because the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God” (2 Kings 17:7). God does not act capriciously. He does things for a reason.

Departure: Departure says, “Walk away.”

[B] “and walked in the customs of the nations. . .and in the customs of the kings of Israel which they had introduced” (2 Kings 17:8 and 15b-17 and also 20-22).

[C] “did things secretly which were not right, against the Lord their God” (2 Kings 17:9).

[D] “set for themselves sacred pillars and Asherim” (2 Kings 17:10-11).

[E] “and they served idols” (2 Kings 17:12).

Rejection: Rejection says, “Turn away.”

[F] “they did not listen [to God’s warnings through His prophets], but stiffened their neck” (2 Kings 17:13-14). God mercifully and patiently warned the people through His prophets. See also Proverbs 29:1.

Apostasy: Apostasy says, “Stay away.”

[G] “they rejected His statutes and His covenant” (2 Kings 17:15) and “they forsook all the commandments of the Lord their God” (2 Kings 17:16).

Practical Consideration: We spurn God’s Word at great personal risk.
Proverbs 13:13 states, “The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” The Living Bible paraphrases this verse, “Despise God’s Word and find yourself in trouble. Obey it and succeed.” One scholar has commented, “The whole Bible is an exposition of this text.” The truth of this verse is poignantly illustrated in Israel’s rejection of God’s Word and subsequent fall.

Did the Southern Kingdom of Judah learn anything from Israel‘s fall?
Apparently not. Judah engaged in some of the same evil practices that resulted in the destruction of Israel (see 2 Kings 17:19).

What happened in the land of Israel after the fall?
The Assyrians repopulated the land with foreign peoples (2 Kings 17:24). These new inhabitants had more than their share of difficulties (2 Kings 17:25) and concluded that they needed to learn about the particular “god of the land” (2 Kings 17:26), so as not to offend and provoke his wrath. The Assyrians therefore sent a priest back to the land to instruct the new inhabitants, but a syncretistic religion evolved (2 Kings -17:27-32) and the people “feared the Lord and served their own gods” (2 Kings 17:33 and 34-41). These new inhabitants intermarried with the Israelites that were not carried into captivity and became known as Samaritans.

What does the Bible tell us about Hezekiah?
Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, became king over Judah at the age of twenty-five and reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:20 and 18:1-2). His mother’s name was Abi (Abijah in 2 Chronicles 29:1) the daughter of Zechariah (2 Kings 18:2). Although his father Ahaz was an absolutely wicked monarch (2 Kings 16:2-4), Hezekiah “did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done” (2 Kings 18:3 and 2 Chronicles 29:2). Some scholars credit his mother as the godly influence in his life. Her name as given in Kings (Abi) means “my father,” and as given in Chronicles (Abijah) means “my father is the Lord.”

What did Hezekiah do that others kings did not do?
Hezekiah “removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah” (2 Kings 18:4 and see also 2 Chronicles 31:1). To understand the significance of this accomplishment, it is helpful to review the tolerance for and failure on the part of the kings of Judah (beginning with Rehoboam) to remove the high places.

King Solomon: The high places were used during the reign of Solomon. 1 Kings 3:2 records, “The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the Lord until those days.” Even Solomon “sacrificed and burned incense on the high places” (2 Kings 3:3). Ironically, while Solomon built the house of the Lord (1 Kings 6:1-2), he also “built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab … and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods” (1 Kings 11:7-8).

King Rehoboam: Even Solomon’s son Rehoboam allowed the people of Judah to build “for themselves high places and sacred pillars and Asherim” (1 Kings 14:23).

King Abijam: Rehoboam’s son Abijam “walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him” (1 Kings 15:3), which included a tolerance of the high places.

King Asa: Abijam’s son Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord and instituted many good reforms, “but the high places were not taken away” (1 Kings 15:14).

King Jehoshaphat: Asa’s son Jehoshaphat also did what was right in the sight of the Lord, “however, the high places were not taken away” (1 Kings 22:43).

King Jehoram: Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram did nothing to remove the high places. He married Ahab’s daughter and did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 8).

King Ahaziah: Jehoram’s son Ahaziah also did evil in the sight of the Lord and did nothing to remove the high places (2 Kings 8).

Queen Athaliah: Ahaziah’s mother Athaliah usurped the throne when she heard of his death and perpetrated her evil agenda for six years.

King Joash: Ahaziah’s son Joash, rescued from Athaliah’s murderous purge, did right in the sight of the Lord (for a period of time), “only the high places were not taken away” (2 Kings 12:3).

King Amaziah: Joash’s son Amaziah also did what was right in the sight of the Lord, “only the high places were not taken away” (2 Kings 14:4).

King Azariah (Uzziah): Amaziah’s son Uzziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord as his father had done, “only the high places were not taken away” (2 Kings 15:4).

King Jotham: Uzziah’s son Jotham also did what was right in the sight of the Lord, “only the high places were not taken away” (2 Kings 15:35).

King Ahaz: Jotham’s son Ahaz was a thoroughly wicked monarch who “sacrificed and burned incense on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree” (2 Kings 16:4).

King Hezekiah: Hezekiah, the son of the wicked King Ahaz, finally did what no other king before him had done — he “removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah” (2 Kings 18:4 and see also 2 Chronicles 31:1). One can only speculate regarding how different Judah’s history might have been had the high places been removed generations before Hezekiah.

What did Hezekiah destroy in addition to the high places?
Hezekiah “also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan” (2 Kings 18:4). The term “Nehushtan” means “a brass thing,” or contemptuously, “only a piece of brass.” This relic with an interesting history (see Numbers 21:4-9) had become an object of worship and veneration, and as such, an idol. Hezekiah destroyed it rather than allow it to continue distracting the people from the proper worship of God.

Practical Consideration: We should not tolerate anything that cools our love for God.
For generations the kings of Judah had either tolerated the high places or stopped short of removing them as they initiated their respective reforms. As a result, the succeeding generation was distracted from a proper worship of God. Hezekiah finally led the nation of Judah to remove the high places and return to a proper worship of God. He also destroyed the bronze serpent of Moses because it had become an object of worship and veneration to the people. We too, should not tolerate anything in our lives that keeps us from being rightly related to God. We should remove from our lives anything that threatens to cool or compromise our love for God.

What characterized the life of Hezekiah?
Hezekiah “trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel” (2 Kings 18:5). This immediately sets him apart from many of the kings of Judah who trusted in their political alliances, military strength, and idols rather than in the Lord. Hezekiah also “clung to the Lord” (2 Kings 18:6). This is a reference to Hezekiah’s loyalty to the Lord (see Joshua 23:6-8 for more on the matter of clinging to the Lord). This loyalty was evidenced in the fact that “he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses” (2 Kings 18:6).

Because of his close relationship with the Lord, the Scripture records that “the Lord was with him; and wherever he went he prospered” (2 Kings 18:7). His loyalty to the Lord motivated him to rebel against the Assyrians and to defeat the Philistines, nations that on many occasions, imposed their idolatrous worship on their neighbors and vassals (2 Kings 18:7-8).

What grim event did Hezekiah witness during his reign?
Hezekiah witnessed the destruction of the Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians. This event occurred during the sixth year of Hezekiah’s reign and probably had a sobering impact on him.

What military crisis did Hezekiah face during his reign?
The Assyrians, under the leadership of Sennacherib (the son of Sargon II), invaded Judah in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign (701 B.C.). The Assyrians “came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them” (2 Kings 18:13). Hezekiah confessed to Sennacherib that he had done wrong in rebelling against Assyria (see 2 Kings 18:7) and agreed to pay tribute to Sennacherib in an effort to deter him from doing further damage to Judah. In order to meet the heavy tribute demanded by the Assyrians, Hezekiah exhausted the silver and gold in the treasuries of his own house and the house of the Lord and even stripped the gold that overlaid the doors and doorposts of the temple (2 Kings 18:14-16).

Practical Consideration: Trouble is no respecter of persons.
Even though Hezekiah was a man who trusted in and was loyal to God, he experienced personal trouble and problems. Trouble is no respecter of persons. God can however, use troubles to shape, mold and strengthen us. As someone noted, “Trouble is a divine factor in human life.”

Did Hezekiah’s payment of tribute deter the Assyrians?
Hezekiah’s payment of tribute did not deter the Assyrians from their determination to subjugate Judah. Sennacherib sent three of his top officials (2 Kings 18:17) to Judah in an effort to intimidate the people into surrendering. These top officials were the “Tartan” (a word which means field marshal or commander in chief), the “Rab-saris” (a word which means chief eunuch), and the “Rabshakeh” (a word which means chief cupbearer). A large army accompanied these officials (2 Kings 18:17).

Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, three of Hezekiah’s officials went out to meet them (2 Kings 2:18:18). The three Assyrian officials then proceeded to ridicule Hezekiah’s dependence upon the Lord and said that he would find no help from the Lord or even from a political alliance with Egypt (2 Kings 2:19-21 and 2 Chronicles 32:9-11). They suggested that Hezekiah erred in removing the high places and that they had been commissioned by God to destroy Judah (2 Kings 18:22 and 25 and 2 Chronicles 32:12).

To boast about their superiority, the Assyrians offered the Judeans two thousand horses if they thought they could muster up enough men to ride them (2 Kings 18:23-24). Rabshakeh told the assembled crowd that they were foolish to follow Hezekiah or to trust in the Lord (2 Kings 18:28-30 and 32b and see also 2 Chronicles 32:7-8). He told the crowd to not listen to Hezekiah’s rantings about trusting in the Lord but rather to peacefully surrender and enjoy the beneficent goodness of Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:31-32 and 2 Chronicles 32:18), after all, none of the gods of their defeated foes had been able to deliver their followers from the mighty Assyrian army (2 Kings 18:33-35 and 2 Chronicles 32:13-15). Hezekiah’s three officials then proceeded to report to him the message from Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:36-37).

How did Hezekiah respond to the report of the Assyrian’s intimidating message?
When Hezekiah received the report of the Assyrian’s message, he “tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 19:1). He also sent messengers to Isaiah the prophet (2 Kings 19:2) to inform him of the situation and to ask him to “offer a prayer for the remnant that is left” (2 Kings 19:4).

When the messengers presented their mournful message to Isaiah (see 2 Kings 19:3-4), they received a hopeful message from the prophet. Isaiah instructed the messengers to tell Hezekiah not to fear because of the Assyrian’s message. He stated that the Lord would intervene by causing Sennacherib to hear a rumor that would cause him to return to his own land where he would “fall by the sword” (2 Kings 19:6-7).

Practical Consideration: We should set a good example in times of trouble.
People take notice of how we handle both our troubles and triumphs. All eyes were on the king when the nation of Judah found itself in trouble. Hezekiah went into the house of the Lord and sent for God’s prophet when he encountered trouble. He set a proper example for the people of Judah by taking his troubles to the Lord. We too, should turn to the Lord in our times of trouble. We should also seek counsel from godly individuals even as Hezekiah sought counsel from Isaiah. We should set a good example for others in our times of trouble by taking our burdens to the Lord.

Practical Consideration: We should ask for the prayers of others when we find ourselves in the midst of troubles and trials.
Hezekiah asked Isaiah to pray for the nation because of the threats of the Assyrians. We too, should ask others to pray for us and with us as we deal with the troubles and trials of life. Someone commented, “Every praying agency we can set in operation is a positive gain.”

How did Sennacherib respond when he learned that his plan of intimidation failed?
When Rabshakeh departed from Jerusalem, he found Sennacherib “fighting against Libnah” (2 Kings 19:8). Sennacherib heard a rumor that Tirhakah king of Cush (Ethiopia) was coming up to fight against him (2 Kings 19:9). He then sent a letter (2 Chronicles 32:17) by messengers to Hezekiah informing him once again of the futility of trusting in the Lord for deliverance. Sennacherib even offered his military victories as indication that no god or army was able to stand before the Assyrians. With such a record Hezekiah should surrender or be prepared to meet the same fate (2 Kings 19:9-13).

What did Hezekiah do when he received Sennacherib’s letter?
Hezekiah read the letter and then went into the house of the Lord “and spread it out before the Lord” (2 Kings 13:14). He acknowledged the sovereignty of God (2 Kings 19:15) and insolence of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:16 and 2 Chronicles 32:19). While he affirmed the Assyrian’s victories over other nations, he attributed those victories to the fact that the gods of those defeated nations were no gods at all, but merely the work of men’s hands (2 Kings 19:15-18). He then asked the Lord to deliver Judah from the boastful Assyrians “that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that Thou alone, O Lord, art God” (2 Kings 19:19).

The prophet Isaiah acknowledged that God had indeed heard Hezekiah’s prayer (2 Kings 19:20 and 2 Chronicles 32:20) and would grant Judah deliverance from the arrogant Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:21-28). God promised that Sennacherib would not so much as shoot an arrow against Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:32) but would return home (2 Kings 19:33). The Lord promised that He Himself would defend the city of Jerusalem for His sake and that of His servant David (2 Kings 19:34).

Practical Consideration: Our heart is more important than our words in prayer.
We do not always know how to pray as we should. We sometimes find ourselves without words to express our concerns and anguish in prayer. That is why we must remember that God is not so much concerned with our words in prayer or with the length of our prayers. In the words of Bunyan, “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.” The recorded prayers of Hezekiah are brief, but from an earnest and sincere heart. As a result, God heard Hezekiah’s prayers.

Practical Consideration: We should cast all our cares upon God.
God invites us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us (see Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7). When Hezekiah received Sennacherib’s arrogant and intimidating letter he did not respond in kind. Instead he took the letter into the house of the Lord and spread it out before Him. He allowed God the opportunity to answer the letter. We too, should take our concerns before the Lord in prayer “that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

What caused Sennacherib to return home?
During the night “the angel of the Lord went out, and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians” (2 Kings 19:35 and 2 Chronicles 32:21). This loss caused Sennacherib to return to Nineveh (2 Kings 19:36) where sometime later his own sons assassinated him “as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god” (2 Kings 19:37 and 2 Chronicles 32:21). Esarhaddon, his son, succeeded him (2 Kings 19:37).