2 Kings 01

For a good chart on the kings of Judah and Israel and the pre-exile prophets, see The Bible Knowledge Commentary, page 513.
v 1. The secular “Moabite Stone” indicates that Omri was a strong king and had fought and defeated Moab. Ahab was also strong,  but Moab apparently felt they could rebel when Ahaziah took the throne.
v 2. Ahaziah only reigned two years and was wicked, 1 Ki. 22:51-53. We don’t know if it was his sickness or other reason why he fell through the lattice to the ground, but his wickedness is seen in sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the fertility god, 40 miles away concerning recovery.
v 3.4. The angel of the Lord commanded Elijah to intercept the messengers with a rebuke to Ahaziah for inquiring of a Baal-zebub, instead of God, with the further information that because of that, he would not recover but die in his bed.
v 5-8. Ahaziah was surprised at their quick return and asked what manner of man had given them that message. Their description of the rough garb, characteristic of what prophets wore to illustrate repentance, assured him that it was Elijah.
v 9. These men were sent out to arrest this man of God like he was a common criminal. The captain recognized him as a prophet, but was just following orders.
v 10. Elijah was not fearful now, as when he fled from Jezebel, and called down fire from heaven. This seems drastic, but God was dealing with a drastic situation.
v 11,12. The king disregarded their deaths with a more urgent command to come down quickly. This group was consumed like the first group.
v 13-16. The king was as undaunted as a general sending soldiers to known slaughter, but this captain begged Elijah for mercy. This time the angel told Elijah to go without fear, and he personally gave Ahaziah the same message of death for sin.
v 17,18. Ahaziah died shortly thereafter as told, and since he had no son, his brother Jehoram reigned in his stead. The kings of Israel and Judah both had the same name, but for distinction, the NIV calls the king of Israel Joram and the king of Judah Jehoram. 

2 Kings 02

v 1-8. Many events in Elijah’s life were of a dramatic nature, such as going to heaven in a whirlwind without dying, typical of believers caught away at the Rapture. Elisha performed amazing miracles too, but his were usually for the well-being of others. Three times in these verses Elijah says to “tarry”, but Elisha persists in following him. Some feel Elijah was testing him, while others believe Elijah, out of humility, wanted privacy, and God was testing Elisha’s persistence. The sons of the prophets (students at the schools for prophets), as well as Elisha and Elijah, knew Elijah was going to be called away, but they probably did not know how. Elisha was not rude, but didn’t want to discuss it. Fifty of them gathered near the Jordan to witness the event, so they also witnessed the dividing of the water.
v 9-11. Elijah knew Elisha was following in the anticipation of receiving a parting blessing, so he asks what he desired. Elisha was not asking for twice what Elijah had, but as a firstborn receives a double blessing, Deut. 21:17, Elisha, first among the prophets, asks for a double portion of the Spirit that the other prophets receive. This was not in the hands of Elijah, but the Lord. He could merely assure Elisha that if he saw him depart, that would be a sign that God would grant his desire. The two were separated by the chariot and horses of fire, but it was a whirlwind which took Elijah up to heaven. The horses and chariots of fire are again mentioned in 2 Ki. 6:17. We find in Ps. 68:17 that they are actually” twenty thousand, even thousands of angels”, and symbolized military power. They may have actually appeared as wheels of a chariot, Ezek. 1:19, 10:16. Possibly the Lord was among them as at Sinai.
v 12-14. Having seen Elijah’s departure, Elisha acted in faith and tore his own garments apart before retrieving Elijah’s mantle. He immediately appropriated that faith by striking the water and calling on God to part them as He had for Elijah.
v 15-18. Having seen the whirlwind catch away Elijah and the parting of the Jordan twice, the prophets bowed in respect for Elisha. Perhaps they had not been permitted to see the angels, so they thought Elijah may have been dropped in some remote area. Elisha knew better, but to avoid appearing cold hearted, he allowed them to search. When they returned, he merely reminded them what he had said, and they respected his  word more after that.
v 19-22. Elisha was still at Jericho, so this must have happened soon after. The men of the city quickly learned of Elisha’s promotion and came to him with their problem. The water had apparently turned bad enough that it destroyed the crop they were irrigating  The new bowl perhaps represented new leadership through Elisha. The unlikely use of salt illustrated that the Lord was greater than Baal, and He, not the fertility god Baal, would bring fertility to their land. Permanent healing was a continuing reminder of the power of the Lord.
v 23. These little children could better be translated young men, probably those who were training at Bethel to be false prophets of Baal. Elisha’s head was probably covered, but the expression “bald head”, a common disrespect for shaved leper. They didn’t believe Elijah’s translation, and challenged Elisha to go up the same way. He did not condemn them for his own sake, but for their disregard for the Lord. Probably these bears had been robbed of their whelps and wounded these 42 young men. His trip to Mount Carmel was probably for spiritual refreshment before further service.

2 Kings 03

v 1-3. Jehoram was evil, but not as bad as his father and mother, Ahab and Jezebel. He put down the image of Baal which his father had made, but continued in a degree of Baal worship and other sins.
v 4,5. The secular “Moabite Stone” indicates that Omri was a strong king and had fought and defeated Moab. Ahab was also strong,  but Moab apparently felt they could rebel when Ahaziah took the throne, 1:1. This rebellion may have been ineffective and Moab is rebelling again against Jehoram by not paying their levy of lambs and rams which they had promised to Omri.
v 6-8. Jehoram decided to enforce the payment, but the north of Moab was heavily fortified, so he chose to go through Judah and Edom and attack from the south. Jehoshaphat unwisely agreed to go with him, perhaps another result of the marriage of his son with Ahab’s daughter, 2 Chr. 21:6.
v 9-12. Edom was subject to Judah at this time, so both nations joined the king of Israel. They ran out of water, one reason the south of Moab was less fortified, and Jehoram thought they would have to surrender to Moab for survival. However it was told Jehoshaphat that Elisha was in the area to call upon. He would not have been with the armies, but God arranged for him to be in the area at just the right time.
V 11. Pouring water over hands is the method of washing there yet today.
v13-15. Elisha taunted Jehoram that he should be calling on his false gods, but he pled his desperate situation. Because of his wickedness, Elisha only talked to him out of respect for Jehoshaphat. Music soothes the soul and is an aid to worship. David played to calm Saul, and he composed many psalms for his own benefit.
v 16-20. Jehoram was commanded to dig ditches and they would fill with water without him knowing about rain, to show him it was an easy thing from God. Moab had also been wicked, so the Lord used these ruthless measures as judgment upon it.
v 21-25. God could have simply filled the ditches, but more likely, He caused rain in the highlands to the south which flooded the area. I experienced this as a child when Grand River started running in after a long dry spell. The neighbors I told thought I was lying, but next morning it was overflowing. God caused sunrise to make the water appear blood, so the quickly assembled Moabites rushed in for the spoils. They no doubt assumed the armies had killed each other as they had done, 2 Chr. 20:23. The combined armies smote and pursued Moab, reeking destruction as the Lord had commanded. The slingers smote the fortified capitol in preparation for general assault.
v 26,27. The king of Moab tried a counterattack with 700 chosen men against the mercenary soldiers of Edom, but was unsuccessful. In an attempt to appease his false gods, whom he assumed had allowed this defeat, he offered his own son, the future ruler, as a burnt offering on the wall. This was so repugnant to Judah and Edom that they ceased battle and all returned to their own land. The king of Moab claimed on the Moabite Stone that he won the battle, but the truth was that the others just quit fighting him, and that is what spared the city. 

2 Kings 04
.
v 1-7. This chapter has five kindly miracles performed by Elisha. The first involves the widow of one of the sons of the prophets coming to Elisha for help, pleading the faithfulness of her husband. She needed to pay off creditors or her two sons would be taken as slaves. As in our own lives, God started with what she had. He said to Moses, Ex. 4:2, “What is that in thine hand?” He told her to borrow many pots from neighbors and pour from her remaining bottle of oil into them. She poured until all the pots were full, then returned to report the miracle. She was told to sell oil to pay off the debts and live on the remainder. If she had borrowed more vessels, she would have had more oil, just as our blessings increase with our faith.
v 8-17. The second was of a wealthy woman who supplied room and board for Elisha when he passed through, asking nothing in return. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, told him she would probably like a son, but when Elisha told her she would have, she thought he was bluffing. She soon found out it was true and she bore a son.
v 18-31. The third  miracle is very similar to the death and healing of the son of the woman of Zarephath by Elijah, 1 Ki. 17:9. The child had followed the reapers to the field, and when he complained about his head, possibly heat stroke, his father had him carried to the house, where he died on his mother’s lap. Without any explanation she asked for the ass to be saddled and rode hard to see Elisha. She refused to explain to Gehazi and grabbed Elisha by the feet in her grief. Gehazi would have thrust her away, but Elisha could tell she had a problem which the Lord had not revealed to him. She implied it had been better if the boy had never been born than to be taken away, so Elijah assumed he had died. Gehazi’s instruction to go in haste and not greet or respond to anyone was due to the Oriental custom of long greetings. The woman refused to leave Elisha until she was sure everything was alright. Gehazi met them and tactfully reported that the boy had not awakened, leaving the impression there was still hope, but laying the staff upon him did not help. Perhaps this was good, all credit would have to go to God, not a fetish or mere symbol of God.
v 32-37. Elisha closed the door on the dead child and himself, and stretched himself upon him, and the flesh of the child became warm. After walking in the house, no doubt praying, he returned and again stretched himself upon the child. This time the child sneezed seven times, signifying God’s action, and opened his eyes. Gehazi was told to summon the woman, and Elisha told her to take up her son. She again fell at Elisha’s feet, this time in gratefulness and worship to God, then took up her son.
v 38-41. The fourth miracle involved a meal with the sons of the prophets. Due to famine they were “living off the land”, but put in some wild gourds they did not know to be poisonous. At their alarm, Elisha had some meal brought which he cast into the pot. It was not the meal, it probably already had some, but the power of God which healed.
v 42--44. The fifth miracle of this chapter was a smaller scale, but just as real as Jesus feeding the 5000. Being too far from Jerusalem, the first fruits were given to Elisha. The twenty loaves could have been consumed by twenty men, but it increased in volume during the eating so that after feeding 100, there was some left over. God multiplies our limited resources, which the people knew Baal, the god of fertility, could not do.

2 Kings 05

v 1-3. All the prestige and authority of Captain Naaman did not prevent him from getting loathsome leprosy. The little maid was a captive, but she had come to love and respect her owners. She was a faithful witness even in her unfortunate circumstances.
v 4-7. Naaman was valuable to the king, and he was willing to pay a good price for his healing. The king of Israel was a follower of false gods and did not even think about Elisha. The absurdity of himself curing the man left him with the assumption that the king of Syria was only using his inability as an excuse for war.
v 8,9. Elisha heard of the king’s distress and told him to send Naaman to him, not just to heal the man, but that Naaman might know God through His prophet. Naaman and his entourage quickly came to Elisha’s door.
v 10-12. Naaman was angry that Elisha didn’t even come to the door to meet someone of his prestige. He expected a dramatic healing event. Washing in the muddy Jordan instead of the clear water of his native rivers added insult to injury.
v 13-14. His servants talked sense into him, and doing as told, he became healed completely. This is typical of people who reject God’s plan of salvation. They scoff at simple faith and believe there is some great work they should do. Had Naaman gone to one of his rivers in disobedience, he would not have been healed.
v 15-19. Naaman returned to Elisha, convinced this was a miracle of the one true God of Israel, but Elisha refused payment. Offerings to the prophets were acceptable, but he wanted to show this Syrian that he did not extract payment as was done to the false gods, and that he was healed by God. Naaman showed his faith by asking for dirt to take from Israel that he might make an altar to worship the true God just as if he was in Israel. He desired to worship only God, but he realized he would be obligated to assist his master when he worshipped false gods. He asks advance forgiveness  for having to bow before a false god with his master. This was acceptable to Elisha and he sent him in peace, dealing gently with him as a new convert. This was no doubt proper for this new believer whose life would have been in jeopardy had he refused his master. Believing Negro slaves in our own country had to go along with their master’s Godless ways. Daniel and his fellows were established believers and they refused to bow before anything but God. Mature believers should set an example and teach babes in Christ till they are convicted in making right choices. 
v 20-24. Gehazi was overcome with greed and thought he would take advantage of the gifts his master had refused. After brazenly lying, he accepted an even greater gift than what he had requested. He was careful to take the items from Naaman’s servants and conceal them in the house so Elisha wouldn’t find out. (House was on a “Tower”  hill or “mound”. Same word here is used for “mounds”, emerods, 1 Sam. 5:6)
v 25-27. Gehazi must have been sweating when he again lied to Elisha that he had not gone anyplace. The Lord had revealed his actions to Elisha  (Cp. Ac. 5:1-10), and he rebuked him for taking pay for what God freely provided. It was a just thing that he was given the leprosy which had been upon Naaman. That his family would also have this plague (Cp. Ex. 20:5) was no doubt because they were following in his sins.
Leprosy, like sin, grows, engulfs and destroys, and in those days could only be divinely healed. We are hopelessly “sick” and only God can heal by His grace, no work on our part, just trust and accept His way. Titus 3:5.

2 Kings 06

v 1-7. The young prophets had outgrown their school and persuaded Elisha to go with them to build a larger place near Jordan. When an ax head fell off into the water, Elisha responded to the man’s concern over losing a borrowed ax. He threw a stick into the water and the ax floated up to where the man could retrieve it. The stick was a mere illustration of the power of God.
v 8-14. When the king of Syria camped on the border to raid Israel, Elisha warned of his location several times, so the king of Israel defended it with his army. The Syrian king thought he had a disloyal subject who was giving the warning, but a servant told him that Elisha knew every thing the king said. When he learned Elisha was in Dothan, Syria stupidly sent a host with horses and chariots and surrounded the city.
v 15-17. Elisha’s servant (still Gehazi, 8:4, or this is not in chronological order) was alarmed by the host, so Elisha prayed for the Lord to open his eyes. He was able to see they were surrounded by more angels than the enemy had soldiers. (horses and chariots of fire, Ps. 68:17, are actually” twenty thousand, even thousands of angels”, and symbolized military power. They may have actually appeared as wheels of a chariot, Ezek. 1:19, 10:16.) 
18-23. Elisha prayed for the Lord to blind the enemy, and he led them into the center of the city of Samaria. The king of Israel calls Elisha “father” a term of respect, and wondered if he should kill them, but Elisha told him to treat them with hospitality and release them. According to Eastern custom, an enemy was protected under your roof, likewise the enemy were bound by custom not to attack them. This ended their threat for some time.
v 24-29. Eventually Ben-hadad of Syria besieged Samaria with a vast army instead of the raiding bands of v 23, which is mindful of how America has given aid to many nations, but they try to destroy us. The resulting famine was so severe that a donkey’s head (undesirable and from unclean animal) sold for about two pounds of silver. The original words for dove’s dung have no where else been translated as fecal material. It can best be considered one half pint of some type of seed pods ordinarily used for animal feed. The woman protested to the king that she agreed with another woman to cook and eat their sons, but the other woman’s turn came and she hid hers.
v 30-33. The king put on garments of sorrow, but he certainly didn’t repent for his sins, because he put the blame on Elisha and on impulse sought to kill him. Verse 33 perhaps explains why Jehoram was putting the blame on Elisha. Elisha had the messenger detained and waited for King Jehoram to come personally. Apparently Elisha had  previously told Jehoram to wait for the Lord’s deliverance, and instead of seeking now to kill Elisha, he now uses better sense and asks him why he should wait any longer on the Lord. 

2 Kings 07

v 1,2. In a continuation of 6:33, Elisha informs the king that the wait is over and the next day food will be about normal price, seven quarts of flour for about two fifths ounce of silver, and 13-14 quarts of barley for the same price. The officer assisting the king expressed doubt God could do such a thing, so he was warned that he would see it but would not eat of it.
v 3-11. The four lepers decided they would probably die anyway, so they would submit to the Syrians. They found the camp empty because the Lord  had caused the Syrians to hear a noise like many horses and chariots approaching, and they fled for their lives. The lepers started gorging themselves and hiding spoils till they realized it was wrong to do that while people were starving. They reported to the king by way of the gate keeper that the enemy horses were tied but they were all fled.
v 12-16. The kings advisors suspected an ambush and sent men on two of the remaining horses to check it out. They found that the Syrians had cast off personal items in flight clear to the Jordan. So the people came out for spoils and the food price dropped just as Elisha had said.
v 17-20. The king’s assistant who doubted God’s ability had been placed in charge of the gate to try to control an orderly exit. The people were so anxious to get out to the food that they ignored him and he was trampled in the gate. This was God’s punishment on him for scoffing at God’s ability to provide, just as Elisha predicted. 

2 Kings 08

v 1,2. This is the same Shunamite woman as in chapter four, whose son had died and been restored to life at Elisha’s prayer. He has gone back and instructed her to move elsewhere during the seven years of drouth which would follow, and they did.
v 3-7. At the end of the seven years with the Philistines, she came to appeal to the king that others had taken over her land. The king was inquiring as a matter of curiosity concerning Elisha’s miracles, and in God’s timing, Gehazi had just been telling the king about the restoration of this woman’s son to life. The king got the same story from the woman, and assigned an officer to see that she got everything restored that was due her. (This is not in chronological order if Gehazi is not yet a leper.)
v 8-12. Elisha wandered far at God’s command, and ended up in Damascus. Ben-hadad was sick and sent his captain, Hazael with a bountiful present to ask Elisha if the king would recover. Elisha probably refused the gift, but told him the king could recover but he would die. He began to be sorrowful and wept until Hazael asked him to proceed. He then explained he was weeping because of all the destruction Hazael would bring upon the Israelites. This was a cruel thing of some countries to rip up pregnant women. Even Israel’s King Menahem did this, 2 Ki. 15:16.
v 13-15. Hazael acted insulted and suggested he would be a dog to do the things Elisha said. However, he went home and told the king he would recover, but he must have already had designs on the throne, because the next day he smothered the king. He may have already been anointed by Elijah, 1 Ki. 19:15 or this may have been considered it, but at any rate, he wasn’t going to wait for God to remove Ben-hadad.
v 16-19. The narrative shifts to the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram.  This is quite confusing because the kings of Israel and Judah both have the name. This is the Jehoram that Jehoshaphat had given to Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter, Athaliah, as a marriage alliance. This is another warning against believers marrying unbelievers. She caused him to do great evil, but the Lord did not destroy Judah for David’s sake. 2 Chr. 21:1-7 adds information here and to 1 Ki. 22:50. Jehoshaphat had given all his sons wealth and cities, but he had given Jehoram, his firstborn, the kingdom. As Jehoram increased in power, he killed those who might pose a threat to his kingdom, including all his brothers ( probably jealous because, they were better than him, v 13). The reason, very simply, was that he had married Ahab and Jezebel’s wicked daughter, Athaliah, and she influenced him into sinful behavior.
v 20-22. Edom had surrounded Joram, but he surprise attacked at night and threw them off, but could not get them under control. Libnah also revolted because he had forsaken the Lord, built high places, and led Judah to sin. Read 2 Chr. 21:8-11. 
v 23-27.  Insert here comments from 2 Chr. 21:12-20.
2 Chr. 21:12-15. This part of history is out of context because it is presumed Elijah was translated before this. It may be that Elijah was writing prophetically and left this letter with Elisha to be delivered at a later time. At any rate, plague came upon the people and his family because they were participants in his sin. However, he was responsible, and the loathsome bowel disease came upon him only.
2 Chr. 21:16,17. God instigated his enemies to bypass the other people and seek only the family and possessions of Jehoram. As he had killed all his brothers, the enemy now carries off and kills, 22:1, all his sons but Jehoahaz. He was also called Ahaziah, 22:1, and was spared only because of God’s promise to David.
2 Chr. 21:18-20. Jehoram’s loathsome disease made him even more repulsive to the people, and he died a lonely man and with an ignoble burial for a king.
In 2 Chr. 22.v 1-4. Ahaziah’s age, 42, is a scribal error, as he was only 22, 2 Ki. 8:26. Athaliah was the granddaughter of Omri. Not only did she teach her son to sin, but her other relatives, the in-laws, did too.
v 28,29. Because of their influence, he assisted Joram of Israel in the defense of Ramoth-gilead against Hazael. Joram was wounded and later Ahaziah came to see his uncle, Athaliah’s brother, where he had gone to Jezreel to recover. This visit was part of God’s timing for the destruction of wicked young Ahaziah.  It is important to the setting of chapter 9.  

2 Kings 09

v 1-3. This is by proxy anointing of Jehu which God commanded to Elijah, 1 Ki. 19:16, Elijah is not to be faulted for not personally doing this. Jehu, a captain of the army, is still holding Ramoth-gilead following the battle in which Jehoram was wounded The young prophet who was to take the oil to anoint Jehu was to have his clothes tucked up so he would be prepared to run. This for his own protection after giving a message to kill the king, and his possible incrimination.
v 4-10. At his request, Jehu took the prophet to a private place where he anointed Jehu king of Israel and gave him his instructions from the Lord. Every male of Ahab’s family was to be destroyed for his and their wickedness, and for Jezebel killing prophets. She would be slain without burial in Jezreel, where Jehoram was wounded. These would fulfill 1 Ki. 21:21 concerning Ahab, and 21:23 concerning Jezebel.
v 11-13. The way the prophet was dressed and the way he ran made the officers think he was crazy. Jehu tried to evade their questions by implying the man probably as crazy as were his words. Still, they knew the man was a prophet, and persisted until Jehu admitted the full impact of the message. He had been anointed king. They fully believed this and made an impromptu coronation ceremony.
v 14-20. Jehu had the common consent of the other officers to slay King Jehoram and not to allow anyone to escape to Jezreel to warn him. As Jehu and his company approached Jezreel, a watchman informed the king, who sent a rider to see if it was in peace. The first and second riders were not permitted to return, but the watchman noticed that the driver was driving furiously, a characteristic of Jehu.
v 21-26. Not suspecting violence, Jehoram and Ahaziah rode out and met him in the area of Naboth’s former vineyard. Jehu answered the king’s question of peace, that their could be no peace because of the wickedness of Jezebel. Before Jehoram was struck through the heart with an arrow, he warned Ahaziah of the treachery. Jehu and his captain, Bidkar, were apparently present when Elisha pronounced judgment on Ahab in 1 Ki. 21:17-24. Now Jehu orders Jehoram’s body to be dumped on the spot of that vineyard to avenge Naboth and his sons as the Lord had pronounced.
v 27-29. In connection with 2 Chr. 22:7-9, heeding Jehoram’s warning, Ahaziah  fled by way of the garden house. Jehu ordered his men to kill him, but he escaped and was wounded about 20 miles south beyond Ibleam, but made it to Samaria where he hid. They apparently found and wounded Ahaziah again, but again he escaped and got as far west as Meggido, where he died. His servants took him in a chariot back to Jerusalem to bury him, because of respect for his grandfather Jehoshaphat.
v 30-33. While some of his men were pursuing Ahaziah, Jehu entered the city in search of Jezebel. She had heard already about the death of Jehoram, so she put on face paint and fancy headgear and taunted him from an upstairs window. She made fun of him, referring to Zimri who rebelled against his king and only lasted seven days. At Jehu’s bidding, some eunuchs threw her down from an upstairs window, and he ran his horses and chariot over her.
v 34-37.         by this ruthless blood shed, Jehu proceeded into the city farther and sat down to eat. Although Jehu knew she was a cursed woman, he also knew she was a kings daughter, 1 Ki. 16:31, so he ordered that she be buried. Dogs had already nearly destroyed her, again recalling Elisha’s words, 1 Ki. 21:17-24.
2 Kings 10

v 1-7. Jehu needed uncontested rule, so he sent letters to all places and people who had any thing to do with the care of Ahab’s descendants, to select one of the most suitable of them to fight for the kingdom. They did have military provisions for doing so, but they knew of his military supremacy and submitted themselves to him. Jehu sent second letters telling those people to prove their submission by bringing the heads of Ahab’s descendants to him by the next day. They quickly beheaded the seventy of Ahab’s descendants and brought them to Jezreel in baskets.
v 8-11. Jehu had them laid in two heaps by the city gate, a custom sometimes followed to show the establishment of a kingdom over the enemies. Jehu  readily admitted killing the king, but implied it was the idea of others to kill the seventy. This slaughter was in fulfillment of Elisha’s words, but now Jehu proceeded to kill innocent people of Ahab’s leaders and friends, who could have been a help to him later on.
v 12-14. These things had happened so fast that the 42 princes of Judah had not heard what was going on, and were proceeding to visit the relatives of Ahaziah in Jezreel. Since they were of the families of Ahab, Jehu executed them all, without any question as to whether they were blood relatives.
v 15--17. Jehonadab, Jonadab of Jer. 35:6.7, was faithful to the Lord and was coming to announce his support of Jehu. Jehu required him to ride in the chariot with him and watch the annihilation of all Ahab’s remaining descendants in Samaria.
v 18-28. Jehu faked allegiance to Baal and called all the prophets of Baal from all over Israel to a great Baal sacrifice. He ordered special vestments be given to them so they could be readily identified. Then he and Jehonadab, who was still with him, told the Baal worshipers to make certain there was no one present who did not  worship Baal. Jehu set 80 officers outside to wait while he made pretense of offering to Baal. When he came out he sent them in with orders to kill every Baal worshiper. They would pay for any who escaped with their own lives. After exterminating them all, the officers went to the house of Baal, broke down the house and the images in it and made it a latrine. Baal was effectively destroyed out of Israel, completing what Elijah had begun and was discouraged at presumed failure, 1 Ki. 19:14.
v 29-31. Jehu had fulfilled God’s plan in the destruction of the Ahab family, and for that, God permitted him a four generation dynasty. Jehoahaz, Jehoash (Joash), Jeroboam 2, and Zechariah. However he did not follow the Lord, but continued the worship of idols begun by Jeroboam in Dan and Bethel.
v 32,33. Jehu’s disobedience withdrew God’s blessing and he began to have territorial losses. Shalmanezer III of Assyria made Jehu bow and pay tribute. A relief of him bowing before him exists on Shalmanezer’s “Black Obelisk”, the only picture of an Israelite king to be found so far. Hazael reclaimed all territory east and some west of the Jordan, and he no longer had treaties with Judah and Phoenicia.
v 34-36. This is a quick summary of the reign and death of Jehu.
2 Kings 11

v 1-3. Comments also from 2 Chr. 22:10-12. Athaliah usurped the throne after Jehu killed Ahaziah. The Arabians had killed his brothers, 2 Chr, 22:1, so to make her kingdom sure, she had all her own grandsons killed. The exception was Joash, who was rescued by his Aunt Jehoshabeath, 2 Chr. 22:11. She was  the sister of Ahaziah and wife of Jehoiada the priest, and they hid Jehoash and his nurse in a bed chamber in the priest’s area of the house of God till he was seven years old. He would have been presumed killed.
v 4-12. See 2 Chr. 23. Jehoiada planned the coronation wisely. He gathered an assembly of Levites, heads of the people and other loyalists from all over Judah who did not support the Queen, under an oath of secrecy, and showed them the kings son. They included commanders over 100 soldiers, the Cherethites and Pelethites of 2 Sam. 8:18, and guards of the city and palace. He arranged them in three strategic locations,  a third porters at the temple door, a third at the king’s house, and a third at at the gate of the foundation. He armed them with the weapons in the temple which had been dedicated to the Lord by David. The two thirds of the guard not on duty on the Sabbath would be there.  It would be on the Sabbath, so people would not be out working, and they were to be in the court, but not enter into the house of the Lord. Anyone who broke through their ranks to get to the king must be killed. Everything was done as Jehoiada commanded, and the boy was brought out surrounded by his guards. They put a crown on him, gave him at least a portion of the law to hold, Deut. 17:18,19. At some point the priest anointed him with oil and he was proclaimed king. At this there was a loud clapping of hands and shouts of “God save the king”.
v 13-16. Athaliah came to find out what the celebration was all about. The little king with his crown was standing by a pillar toward the eastern part of the temple where kings usually stood to address the people in the temple area.  When she saw, she tore her clothes to show distress and called out “Treason”. Joash was the rightful heir of David’s throne and she was the one who had committed treason, so Jehoiada ordered that she be taken from the temple area and slain. This was where horses entered the palace grounds, not the horse gate of the city.
v 17-21. Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. They destroyed the house of Baal and killed it’s priest. He appointed officers over the house of the Lord and seated Joash on the throne. Joash was only seven years old, but he was followed the instruction of Jehoiada and the land rejoiced.
2 Kings 12 

v 1-3. Joash (Jehoash) began to reign when he was seven and reigned 40 years, from 835 -796 B.C. His mother, wife of Ahaziah, was Zibia of Beer-sheba. As long as Joash listened to instructions from Jehoiada, he was a good king. However, old habits are hard to break, and he was not able to remove all the high places of their worship.
v 4. Three kinds of offerings are mentioned here as in Lev. 23:38. Duet. 12:6
[1]  As Moses commanded one half shekel, Ex. 30:12 & 2 Chr. 24:6,9. 
[2]  Dedicated and vowed and value estimated, Lev. 27. (Min 3,  Max 50 shekels)
[3]  Free will offerings, Ex. 35:29 and many others places.
v 5-8. Compare with 2 Chr. 24:4-7. Joash’s idea was good, hurrying the priests and Levites all over Judah to collect money to repair the things destroyed or taken to the house of Baal by Athaliah’s wicked sons. But there was no responsibility attached to it, and they just went on using all the money for regular expenses, and the needed repairs were not done. No record is given as to how many years before his patience wore thin and he chided Jehoiada for not requiring it be done as Moses commanded.  He ordered that no more money be taken for this purpose but to get the job done.
v 9-16. Compare 2 Chr. 24:8-14. Now Joash assigned responsibility and had Jehoiada bore a hole in the lid of a chest and the doorkeeper assigned to put in all the money that came for that purpose . (Trespass and sin money continued to be used to support the priests, v 16.) Now individuals were responsible, and understanding how the money was to be used, princes and people gave abundantly. Using proper financial procedure, the accumulated money was counted, set aside, and paid directly to the repair people. Apparently they paid as money came in, and none of it was used for vessels, until the temple repairs were completed. The workman were more honest than the priests had been, and whatever it was worth, they were paid without question. Worship was done properly all the days of Jehoiada.
v 19-21.  2 Chr. 24: 15-19 tells of the death of Jehoiada at 110 years and his burial with the kings, for his good deeds. With his mentor gone, Joash, no depth of his own, was quickly led astray by the princes of Judah. He did not join them in their worship of idols, and even sent prophets among them to turn them to the Lord. However, he was not forceful, they paid no attention, and God began to judge Judah.
2 Chr. 24:20-22. Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, denounced their action and told them the judgments of God were for their evil deeds. Joash was convicted, but instead of repenting, he became angry, and ordered that the messenger be killed, the son (or sons, v 25) of the  man who had saved his life and guided him through the years. At Zechariah’s death he committed them into the hand of the Lord, and we soon see Joash’s tragic end and later judgment on Judah for killing prophets.
2 Chr. 24:23,24. In judgment upon Joash, God allowed a small army of Syria to come in and kill all the princes of Judah and take back spoils.
2 Chr. 24:25-27. The Syrians left Joash badly wounded, and two of his servants, an Ammonite and a Moabite, killed him in vengeance (theirs or God’s) for him killing Zechariah. They may have also thought this would allay God’s judgment.
2 Kings 13

v 1,2. The first of Jehu’s sons, Jehoahaz, followed his example in repeating the sins of Jeroboam.
v 3-7. Jehoahaz (of Israel) was at least able to recognize God’s judgment in allowing Hazael to come in and oppress them, and he called out to God. Hazael was apparently doing the destruction Elisha predicted, 2 Ki. 8:12, and left Israel practically defenseless, v 7. God was merciful to Israel and restored them to peace, but they continued idol worship as Jeroboam had done. Their deliverer, v 5, was probably King Adad-nirari 3rd of Assyria who conquered nations from Damascus to Edom and Egypt. Israel had to pay him tribute, but were freed from the oppressions of Syria.
v 8-13. When Jehoahaz died, his son Jehoash reigned, but he continued following the sinful path laid down by Jeroboam. Jehoash of Israel began his reign when Joash of Judah was reigning, and in the second year of Jehoash of Israel, Amaziah began to reign over Judah.  Wars between them are described in 2 Ki. 14.
v 14-19. Even though Jehoash lived sinfully, he still had great respect for Elisha and wept over him on his death bed. The way he addressed Elisha showed that he considered him superior to himself, and that Elisha’s power came from God. Elisha gave him an illustration of victory over Syria by having him shoot an arrow out an east window, the direction which the Syrians controlled. By putting his hands on the kings hands, v 16, Elisha was showing that the power would come from the Lord. Elisha commanded him to smite the ground with the arrows, which probably meant as a bundle, not to shoot them out into the ground as he did the first one. Elisha had already explained that this was the arrow of deliverance, so he was angry that he only struck the ground three times. This had been a test of belief of beating the Syrians into the ground. His lack of belief meant he would only have three victories over Syria instead of beating them entirely.
v 20,21. After Elisha’s death, God still chose to work a miracle through him, no doubt for Jehoash’s benefit . Pall bearers were hurrying to escape Moabite raiders and the man whose body they tossed onto Elisha’s body was restored to life.
v 22-25. Even though Hazael had his hands full with Assyria, he still managed to be an irritation to Israel. In God’s mercy he allowed Jehoash to defeat Syria three times, as Elisha had promised, and was able to regain the captured cities.
2 Kings 14

v 1-4. This picks up the reign of Amaziah who began to reign after his father, Joash of Judah was killed by his servants, 12:21. Jehoiada the priest had given Joash two wives, 2 Chr, 24:3, and Amaziah was born to the one named Jehoadin. He was not as good a king as David, but more like his father Joash. Like him, did not succeed in removing the high places where the people worshipped, 12:3. 2 Chr. 25:1,2 says that he did not serve with a perfect heart.
v 5,6. As in 2 Chr. 25:3,4, After he was established he slew the servants who had killed his father, but spared the children as commanded by Moses, Deut. 24:16, repeated in Ez. 18:4,20. Children should not be put to death for the sins of their fathers.
v 7. 2 Chr. 25:5-13 give the full impact of this section. Amaziah assembled an army of 300,000 choice soldiers and hired an additional 100,000 mighty men out of Israel for about three and a fourth tons of silver. An unnamed man of God rebuked this ungodly alliance, compare 2 Cor. 6:14, and told him to send the soldiers of Israel home or he would fall in battle. Amaziah was willing to obey, but was concerned about all the silver he had already paid. He was told that God could give him much more than that. Amaziah was successful, killing 10,000 and  brutally throwing 10,000 more over a cliff to their death. However the soldiers from Israel were angry at being sent back without having a chance to join in the plunder, so they killed 3000 in Judah and took their own spoil. 
Amaziah did a wicked thing, 2 Chr. 25:14-16 , which set him up for defeat. He brought back gods from Seir and worshipped them as his own. This angered the Lord and he sent a prophet to rebuke him for following gods that could not even save their own nation. Amaziah as much as told him to shut up or be killed, so the prophet told him God would destroy him for not heeding his counsel.
v 8-10. 2 Chr. 25:17-19 From the action of Israel’s soldiers, Amaziah had good reason for attacking Israel, but now he does not have God with him. Joash the king of Israel tried to persuade him not to join battle, giving him a parable of a thistle that wanted to marry a Cedar in Lebanon, but a wild beast trampled the thistle. Then he made it plain. Amaziah was proud about his victory over Edom and should be content with that, not bring himself and Judah to harm by fighting Israel.
v 11-14. 2 Chr. 25:20-24  Amaziah insisted on battle, because it was of the Lord he be defeated for turning to the gods of Edom. Otherwise the Lord would surely have given him victory, but he was soundly defeated and all his army fled. Joash captured Amaziah at Bethshemesh and took him to Jerusalem to watch him tear down about 600 feet of the city wall. Then he took all the gold and silver and the vessels and the treasures of the house of God, plus unnumbered hostages back to Samaria.
v 15,16. Jehoash’s death is mentioned again as in 13:12-15, because he was holding Amaziah prisoner. When Jehoash died he was replaced by Jeroboam 2nd,
v 17-20. 2 Chr. 25:25-28. After Jehoash died, Amaziah was released and returned to Judah, and outlived Jehoash 15 years. After he returned to Judah he made his son, Azariah, his vice regent until he died. Unrest because of him turning from the Lord continued, and some, possibly his own officers conspired against him. He fled to Lachish with intent to cross the border out of Judah, but they caught up with him there, slew him, and brought him back to Jerusalem on horses for burial.
v 21,22. Azariah began to reign at sixteen when his father was taken captive, and after his death, he had sole reign. Building Elath on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba was his most significant action. He is the same as Uzziah and is discussed further in chapter 15 and 2 Chr. 26.
v 23-29. Jeroboam 2nd, son of Joash, did as his fathers in following the sins of Jeroboam, but God had pity on Israel because they were in bitter affliction from the Syrians, begun by Hazael, and had no deliverers. The northern nations were weak at his time, and God enabled him to use his military skill to restore all of his northern boundaries and east and south to the Dead Sea. This accomplishment had been prophesied previously by Jonah, but recorded no where else for us. We usually only think of Jonah in connection with his rebellion and reluctant ministry to Ninevah. His town was a liite north of Nazareth. Other prophets active during the reign of Jeroboam 2 were Amos and Hosea. He reigned a total of 41 years, longer than any of Israel’s kings before him. After his death, his son Zechariah reigned, the last of the four generations promised to Jehu. 
2 Kings 15

v 1-4. As in 14:21,22, Azariah, who was Uzziah, began to reign at sixteen when his father was taken captive, and after his death, he had sole reign. With 2 Chr. 26:1-5 we see that Jechiliah was his mother’s name, and he was a good king like his father, but neither was he able to remove the high places. As long as he followed the counsel of Zechariah, the Lord caused him to prosper. He reigned 52 years, which was longer than any of the kings of Israel and Judah to this date (Manasseh 55). Later in this chapter we will see that Israel had seven kings during the time of his reign. Building Elath on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba was significant because Edom had taken it in rebellion against his great, great grandfather, Jehoram, 2 Chr. 21:8-10 .
2 Chr. 26:6-15 Tells of his other achievements. Verses 6-8 tell of capturing some Philistine cities and rebuilding others. He had victories over Arabians, Ammonites gave him tribute, and his fame went as far as Egypt. Within the country he built fortified towers including some in Jerusalem, probably in connection with rebuilding the wall torn down by Jehoash of Israel, 25:23. He had agricultural exploits, having wells dug for his many cattle, and vineyards which were his special hobby. Militarily, he had a large army with 2600 officers and 307,500 men. In addition to the usual and latest fighting equipment, he had slings to cast stones. In Jerusalem he had skillful men invent new devices to have on the walls and bulwarks to shoot arrows and great stones. This was modern warfare for that day and he increased in fame and power.
Engines were devices or inventions. Stones thrown were 50-300 pounds. Arrows were from small beams to large, and had a range of over a quarter of a mile. Battering rams had a metal head on a beam long enough to require 100-200 men to impel it. Heavier ones were on a movable tower and would really break down a wall.
v 5-7. The Lord smote Uzziah with leprosy for intruding into the priest’s office, and he had to dwell in a separate house from others, as required of a leper, till he died. Probably this was just outside the city wall. His son, Jotham, acted as his father’s executor over all the affairs of the land, then became king at Uzziah’s death.
2 Chr. 26:16-21 adds. With power, described in v 6-15, came pride, and he entered the temple to burn incense. Azariah the priest and 80 other priests rushed after him into the temple, told him only the sons of Aaron were to do that, and ordered him to leave. They warned that this would displease the Lord. He might have been spared if he had repented and quickly left, but he remained with the censer in his hand and became angry at them. While he stood in anger before them, leprosy broke out on his forehead. This made him ceremonially unclean, and though they would have thrust him out, he hastened out on his own. God no doubt forgave him, but his was a grave offense and he was cut off from the house of the Lord, which in many cases meant death. Ostracism as a leper continued after his death, and he was buried in the field near the kings, but not with them. Reference is made to Uzziah in Isaiah 1:1 and 6:1.
v 8-12. Zechariah only reigned over Israel 6 months before being murdered in public by Shallum, thus ending Jehu’s four descendant dynasty.
v 13-15. Shallum reigned one month and was murdered by Menahem.
v 16-22. Menahem was evil, knifed open pregnant women and reigned 10 years.
He extracted money from wealthy men to pay off Assyria with 37 tons of silver.
v 23,24. After he died, Pekahiah his son reigned for two years, doing evil.
v 25-28. Pekah apparently opposed Menahem’s conciliatory action with the king of Assyria, and while serving as a captain east of the Jordan, actually set up his own government there, overlapping the reign of Pekahiah. When the time was right he conspired with 50 men from Gilead and killed Pekahiah and two others, possibly princes, in the most secure part of the palace, and continued his reign another 18 years, for a total of 20. He was another wicked king,
v 29-31. It seems that in Pekah’s get tough policy he made a treaty with Rezin, king of Damascus against Assyria. So Tiglath-Pileazar 3rd led a campaign against Israel. He took all of Gilead east of the Jordan and all of Galilee in northern Israel. He also deported many of the people to Assyria. This first deportation for the wickedness of Israel was about 733 B C, and the second was eleven years later, 722 B C. As a result of Pekah’s defeat, Hoshea conspired and murdered him and became king. On an Assyrian inscription, Tiglath-Pileazar 3rd claims to have helped Hoshea get the throne, so we assume he cooperated with Assyria like Menahem and Pekahiah had.
v 32-35. Jotham was sole ruler of Judah for 16 years after his father, Uzziah, died. (The 16 years Jotham ruled did not include 11 years he reigned with his father or 4 years he reigned with his son.) He was good like Uzziah was before he entered the temple, but did not remove the high places. The only one of his accomplishments mentioned here is building the north gate of the temple. This was probably to make it convenient and encourage people to worship the Lord.
2 Chronicles 27 adds:  He did not make the mistake of entering the temple as his father had, but the people were corrupt. In addition to the north gate, he fortified the Ophel, or hilly, part of the old wall of Jerusalem. He also continued his father’s projects of rural fortifications. He overcame the Ammonites and they made him large payments of silver, wheat and barley for each of three years. His greatness was because he followed the Lord.
v 36-38. In the latter years of his reign, Jotham and his co regent, Ahaz, were harassed by Pekah of Israel and Rezin, king of Syria. This was at the time of Pekah’s alliance with Rezin mentioned in comments on v 29-31, and they were trying to get him to make an alliance with them against Assyria. To their credit, their faith in the Lord held firm and they did not make an alliance with the wicked. Ahaz replaced Jotham, and for his failures due to sin, see 2 Ki. 16. 
2 Kings 16

v 1-4. Apparently Ahaz was vice-regent under Jotham four years. Jotham was unable to remove the high places, but Ahaz sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places and promoted a proliferation of them. He was wicked and even sacrificed one of his sons (Obviously not Hezekiah) as a burnt offering as the heathen did, particularly in worship of Molech.
 2 Chr. 28:1-4 add that more than one child was offered, and the most prominent place was the Valley of Hinnom, later called Gehenna. (Because of these sacrificial offerings as well as garbage constantly burning, it became another name for Hell.)
v 5,6. Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel tried to force Ahaz into joining them in an alliance to resist Assyria. They did not succeed in this, but they did take Elath on the Gulf of Aqaba from him, which had been built up by Azariah a few years before. Thus it passed into Syrian hands, and later to the Edomites.
2 Chr. 28:5-15 add considerable detail. It was because of Ahaz’s wickedness that the Lord allowed Rezin and Pekah to come against him. They slew 120,000 valiant men in one day, because Judah had forsaken God. Zichri from Ephraim killed prince Maaseiah, also the governor of the house and the kings assistant. Israel also took to Samaria 200,000 women and children for slaves, and much spoil. The prophet, Oded, met the returning group and rebuked them for taking captives from Judah. They had been delivered because of Judah’s sin, but Israel had also sinned and the wrath of God was upon Israel. The named princes of Ephraim stood up against them and forbade them to bring the captives or they would incur great wrath from God. The army left the people in the hands of the princes and congregation, who fed, clothed and anointed the captives. Then they were put on donkeys and returned as far as Jericho from where they would be repatriated to their homes.
v 7-9 Instead of calling on God for help, Ahaz called on Tiglath-pileasar king of Assyria, but it was at a high price of the silver and gold from the house of the Lord and treasures that were in the King’s house. In response, Assyria took Damascus, carrying away captives to Kir to relocate them, and killing king Rezin.
v 10-16. Then Ahaz went to Damascus to see King Tiglath-pileasar, and was so impressed by a large heathen altar that he sent instructions to Urijah the priest to construct another just like it. The priesthood had so declined that he readily complied and had it built before Ahaz returned. When he returned he moved the old altar aside to give the new one a more prominent place, and offered on it. He instructed that all other offerings be made on that great altar, and the old one would only be used when he wanted guidance from the Lord. (When all else fails, turn to the Lord, as some say.)
v 17,18. He took the basins from the ten movable stands of 1 Ki. 7:23-26, and took the bronze oxen from under the bronze sea and placed it on a pavement of stones. He also removed a special covering for use on the Sabbath, the royal entry way into the temple, probably because he didn’t intend to use it much, and it somehow seemed to offend the king of Assyria. All these actions desecrated the temple and seemed to limit the purification  of the priests.
2 Chr. 28:16-25 add to verses 7-18: Ahaz was not satisfied that Israel would not come after him again, and because of his wickedness, Edom and Philistines began to cause trouble. Instead of calling on God, he called upon the king of Assyria. Isaiah tried to talk him out of it, Isa. 7:4-9, but he wouldn’t listen. The king of Assyria came and pressured Ahaz into some of the destruction at the temple, probably taking the above mentioned bronze items as well as other treasures for bribe, but didn’t help him. As times got tougher, Ahaz just turned farther from the Lord. Since the Syrians had overpowered him, he decided the Syrian gods were the powerful ones, so he started worshiping them. After making merchandise of the vessels of the temple, he barred the doors and made heathen altars all over Jerusalem and Judah, incurring more wrath from God.
v 19,20. Ahaz was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal sepulchers, which would indicate there were still some people in Judah who did not approve of Ahaz. His  son Hezekiah will be a sharp contrast by his obedience to God.
2 Kings 17

v 1,2. This chapter leaves Judah and goes back to Israel. Hoshea assassinated Pekah, 15:30, and continued to do evil, but not as bad as the kings before him. Some Jewish tradition is, he may have even permitted people to go to Jerusalem to worship.
v 3,4. He came under the power of the king of Assyria, Shalmanezer, successor to his father Tiglath-Pileazar 3rd, and gave him tribute. Then he decided to rebel, not pay tribute and call on Egypt for help. Egypt could not or would not help, and the king of Assyria bound him in prison.
v 5,6. The king of Assyria over ran all of Israel, but it took three years of siege to capture the city of Samaria. Then he took captives of Israel and repopulated them throughout Assyria. In a little over two centuries, from 931-722 B C, Israel ceased to exist as a nation. All her kings were wicked, and seven of the 20 were assassinated.
v 7--13. Israel had gone full circle, from deliverance from Egypt to Hoshea calling on Egypt for help. Starting with Jeroboam 1, Israel had followed all the practices of the gods of the heathen of the land. They built innumerable places to worship these false gods and serve idols. Some of the things they had done in secret, but the Lord knew. God even sent many prophets to warn the people to turn from sin and back to God.
v 14-17. Israel did not listen to the prophets but continued to harden their necks, (hearts) rejected all of God’s commandments, worshiped the two gold calves, made by Jeroboam, Baal, and astrologers. They practiced all kinds of divination and sorcery, and even offered their children as sacrifices to placate  these false gods.
v 18--23. The Lord was very angry with all of Israel and removed them from the land except Judah, and Judah also had been disobedient. God forcibly removed Israel out of the land by the spoilers He permitted to come in, because they had continued in the sins which Jeroboam had introduced into the land. So Israel was deported to Assyria, as God had been warning through His prophets.
v 24-28. The  king by this time was probably Sargon 2, because Shalmanezer died about the time of the end of the siege of Samaria. Assyria repopulated the land with influential people captured from other lands, but they did not fear the Lord, so the Lord sent lions among them. The people recognized or believed by superstition of gods, that the lion trouble was because they did not know the God of the land. The king of Assyria ordered that one of the captured priests be returned to teach the people the manner of the God of the land. So one of the priests came to Bethel, where he taught them how they should fear the Lord.
v 29-33. The people simply added the Lord to their other gods and continued to worship them in the many high places and burned children for sacrifice. They said they feared God, but they made common people to be priests in the high places and went on serving their own gods as before.
v 34-41. These verses loosely reiterate commands to serve the Lord only, and emphasizes that these people just added the Lord to the list of gods they served.
Of the 20 kings of Israel, I believe only one died a natural death.
2 Kings 18

v 1,2. Time of Hezekiah’s reign allows Ahaz to have been only 11 or 12 years old when Hezekiah was born, so we must assume Ahaz was past that age and  Hezekiah was co-regent with him a few years. Of kings of Judah, Asa, Jehoshaphat and Josiah it is said they did what was right in the sight of the Lord but not like David. But Hezekiah came on strong doing “according to all” David had done. It is strange that after the influence of his wicked father, Ahaz, that he would be so zealous for the Lord, but it only shows what the grace of God can do in anyone. Even Urijah the priest cooperated with Ahaz in setting up the wicked altar, 2 Ki. 16:11-16, so Isaiah may have had much more contact and influence on Hezekiah than Scripture records. He had a Godly mother, but each is responsible for himself. It may be he saw how his father’s actions were bringing the judgment of God. He was mature when he began full regency, different than Joash 7, and Josiah, 8.   See also a parallel text for the whole chapter in Isa. 36. 
v 3. Compare 2 Chron. 30:5-10.  In doing right he invited the rest of Israel to come worship with Judah. Some came, most mocked and ridiculed. (Ilus. The family that ridiculed my invitations to them until they  were in spiritual trouble, then walked across the fields to see me.) See 2 Chr. 29, 30, 31 for Hezekiah’s reforms.
v 4-6. The brazen serpent had become an object of worship instead a symbol of faith. As such it was Nehushtan - filthy. Hezekiah not only removed the high places and idolatry, but trusted, faithfully followed and obeyed the Lord like no other king of Judah before or after him. See 2 Chr. 29:3-31:21.
v 7,8. Because he followed the Lord, God prospered him, enabling him to rebel out from under Assyria, and to defeat the Philistines every where he went. Rebellion against Assyrian precipitated their invasion of 18:13-19:36.
v 9-12. This shows the time element of Israel in relationship to Judah, and repeats the overthrow of Israel because of their disobedience to God, as in 17:3-6.
v 13. When Hezekiah rebelled against Assyria, it was tied up controlling Babylon, so anticipating retaliation he (1) made alliance with the surrounding nations. However the Assyrians conquered the surrounding nations one by one, then turned and took all the fortified cities of Judah. (Sennacherib’s inscription refers to capturing 46 strong cities and many villages.)
Insert from 2 Chr. 32:2-8 When Hezekiah saw that an attack on Jerusalem was imminent, he decided with his princes to have all the nearby springs stopped, which would also stop most of the water running down the brook at that time of year. This would force the enemy to have to haul in water for their army and horses. He also built up his fortifications, including an outer wall. He assembled weapons,  appointed captains, and spoke encouraging words to the people. He assured them that though the enemy had superior numbers, God would help Jerusalem to fight their battles.
v 14-16. The Assyrians set up camp in Lachish in preparation for the siege of Jerusalem.  Hezekiah confessed his error against Assyria but should have (2) confessed it before God. He (3) compromised with the enemy by giving him about 11 tons of silver, and about a ton of gold, some of which he obtained by stripping the temple doors of gold. 
(Insert from Isaiah 36:1 First invasion of Judah was when Hezekiah paid tribute. Israel had already fallen. Isa. 36:2 and on begins with I Ki. 1:13, and in verse 17, Isaiah had been sent to Ahaz at the same location, conduit of the upper field, and he was told Aram-Israel would not succeed, but he lacked faith to ask for a sign. Hezekiah now faces a test as his men talk there with Sennacherib.)
v 17,18. Sennacherib sent a great host in spite of the gold ransom, with intent to terrorize Jerusalem and cause it to surrender without a fight. The results of Hezekiah’s compromise continued. Compromising with sin has long lasting effects.
v 19-22. Assyrian Rabshakeh rightly mocked Israel for trusting in Egypt, but he thought Hezekiah had offended God by tearing down the high places and having worship at one Jerusalem altar. (Unsaved don’t understand our stand for the Lord.)
v 24,25. He intimidated by inferring Israel wouldn’t know how to use the horses it they had them. Then he lied, “God told me to attack Jerusalem.” Compare Gal. 1:8 and 1 Kings 13:24. Don’t even believe an angel if it is contrary to God’s word.
It was in God’s plan that Assyria eventually overrun Judah because of their sins, so some think it is possible this was a command from God. Compare 2 Chr. 36:20,21, where apparently God did instruct Neco of Egypt, or Isa. 45:1-6, where God definitely instructed Cyrus. However, in this case he had broken the agreement to withdraw after payment was made, he did not honor the customary request not to speak in the Jews language, he misrepresented what captivity would be like, and blasphemed God. So I insist on the view that he was definitely lying about his instruction from God.  
v 26-30. The Jewish representatives wanted Rabshakeh not to speak in the Jews language, because it would make them fearful. That was just the thing he wanted to do, so he only talked louder, telling how foolish it was to trust God for deliverance.
v 31,32. He implied captivity would be a nice land of plenty. Like Satan tempting Eve. The Rabshakeh didn’t mention how their sons would be made eunuchs etc.
v 33-35. He continued to seek to undermine Hezekiah’s leadership and pointed out that if the gods of all the other countries hadn’t been able to deliver them from him, then it was useless to expect the Lord could deliver them.
2 Chr. 32:11-17 adds intimidation that Hezekiah would have them die of famine and thirst if they trusted in God for help. Also that none of the other gods could help their nations, so it was ridiculous to let Hezekiah deceive them into thinking God could deliver them. (He must have heard of Hezekiah’s deep trust in the Lord.)
v 36,37. All the people on guard or watching from the wall were faithful to the words of Hezekiah that they should not answer. The Jewish representatives then tore their clothes and reported the message to Hezekiah. 

2 Kings 19

v 1-5. Hezekiah tore his clothes and put on sackcloth as a part of his deep grief. This time, instead of appealing to other nations, he appealed to God and to His prophet, Isaiah. Hezekiah is concerned for the remnant of Jews left in the city, and he possibly shows even more concern for the way Rabshakeh reproached the Lord.
v 6,7. Isaiah assures him from the Lord, that he need not fear Rabshakeh and Sennacherib. The latter will hear a rumor, v 8,9; return to his own land and there be assassinated by two of his sons, v 36,37.
v 8-13. These battles are what he heard rumors of in v 7. He warns Hezekiah not to trust God, even while he is being moved out by God. He threatens him that none of the gods of the other nations could save them.
v 14. When Hezekiah read the letter from the messengers he immediately went to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord, even though the Lord already knew it’s contents. It is all right for us to lay out a message or our problem before the Lord in the very same manner.
v 15. Notice how he honors God at the very start of his prayer. Compare Matt. 6:9.
v 17-19.  Hezekiah calls on God to notice how Sennacherib had reproached God, but they have destroyed other nations because they had false gods. He is not praying for deliverance for any personal reason, but to show all nations that He is the one true God. Hezekiah’s prayer is to vindicate the Lord. Contrast his selfish prayer, 20:3.
v 20. Isaiah assured Hezekiah that the Lord had heard his prayer.
v 21-26. Now God elaborates that Jerusalem will mock Sennacherib. He had not only reproached Jerusalem, but he had reproached the Lord, 2 Chr. 32:17, a big mistake. That bad king had boasted that his conquests were all because of his own strength, but the Lord points out that He had permitted them to be weak and  overrun.
v 27,28. God is aware of the Assyrian’s rage against Him, and because of that rage, God will permit enemies to lead them captive by a ring in the nose, just as they have done to their victims, thus humbling them. (A game warden once had a rage against God and Christians, wouldn’t listen to witness and tried desperately to catch me in some wrong doing. He even denounced without the slightest evidence, it was Christians of our own church who broke into our house while we were gone to church.) 
v 29-34. In  the near future Assyria would stop the siege and return to their own land without entering the city. The Jews would be able to eat harvest of volunteer crops, and the third year they would plant and harvest normally. This illustrated how the number of the people who had been decimated by Assyria would quickly multiply. Judah had sinned, so this deliverance was coming for the sake of the Lord Himself, and for his promise to David.
v 35. This supernatural slaughter by the death angel of 185,000, including mighty men, leaders and captains in one night must have made Sennacherib realize that this was truly the hand of God, so he left in shame, 2 Chr. 32:21.
2 Chr. 32:23. The prosperity here would be after the revival, 2 Chr. 31:1-21.
v 36,37. Some years later, as Sennacherib was worshiping his false god, who was powerless to help him in his own temple, he was assassinated by his own sons in fulfillment of v 7. They escaped to the land of Armenia (Ararat) and Esarhadden, his son, reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 20

v 1. We see in verse 6 that God added 15 years to Hezekiah’s life at this point, and since he reigned 29 years, this was the 14th year of his reign, the same year that Sennacherib invaded Judah, 18:13. God put him to a test, saying he would die.
v 2,3. Ahab turned his face to the wall and pouted, 1 Ki. 21:4, but Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed. Hezekiah’s grief, was especially for the culture of those days is understandable. He was not married yet and, according to Josephus, had no son to succeed him on the throne. He was also concerned that he might be able to help the people against the impending invasion of Sennacherib. However instead of humbly beseeching the Lord, he asked God for healing on the basis of all the good things he had done. Certainly he learned from the experience, which accounted for the very noble prayer later, which is  recorded in 19:14-19.
v 4-6. Before Isaiah had left the court, God told him to return with the message that God had heard the prayer and on the third day (day after tomorrow), he would go worship in the temple. He would also have 15 added years, and God would deliver the city from Assyria. This would be on the basis of God’s own and David’s sake, not because of the good things Hezekiah had done. This accounts for Hezekiah humbly, and in total respect, claiming God’s promise in 19:14-19.
v 7. This boil had nearly caused Hezekiah’s death, but God instructed Isaiah the proper treatment, a fig poultice. This was a common treatment and was of therapeutic value here, not like when Elisha tossed salt in the water to purify it, 2 Ki. 2:21. However, the speed of recovery proved that the healing power was still a miracle from God.
v 8-11. Hezekiah was so ill that it seemed incredible that he could be up and about on the third day. He asked for a sign, also 2 Chr. 32:24, Not that he doubted God, but such a great thing was worthy of confirmation. Various Israelites of those days asked for a sign, and if it  strengthened their faith, God readily provided it. Hezekiah chose the thing most unlikely, that the shadow would go back 10 degrees on the dial of Ahaz. Probably this dial (or set of 10 steps as some think) could be seen from his bedroom window. Some think the rotation of all the planets would not be changed and this was a local occurrence, as they think happened when the sun and moon stood still, Josh. 10:13. Certainly the God who created the entire universe and maintains it, Col. 1:16.17, has the power to altar any of it’s rotations at any time He chooses. The Babylonians apparently experienced the same thing, as that was their purpose in coming to inquire, 2 Chr. 32:31.
Isaiah 38:21,22 merely mention the lump of figs and Hezekiah asking for a sign. However verses 9-20 give extended writing of Hezekiah about his grief that he was going to die, and his bitterness. He acknowledges God forgave his sin and his healing was from the Lord. The dead could not praise God but the living could, so he would sing praises unto him for the rest of his life. (Look this portion up and read it.)
v 12,13. This portion merely mentions their coming to bring Hezekiah a present. They worshipped the sun and Hezekiah’s God proved to be greater than the sun, so they wanted to be on friendly terms with him as they were attempting to throw off the Assyrian yoke on themselves. The Babylonian king had been deposed by Assyria and was ruling from exile, so he was trying to make alliance with other kings. Hezekiah failed to give God credit for the healing, his wealth or for the miracle of the universe. He showed these things in pride, possibly also to let him know how Judah could give to their joint efforts against Assyria. He should have been showing him the temple, the book of the law and their manner of worship, that they would come to know God. The order of events during 701 BC seem to be. [1] Hezekiah’s illness; [2] Merodach-Baladan’s visit; [3] Sennacherib’s attack in which Hezekiah gave him the gold etc.
v 14,15. Hezekiah freely gave complete answer to Isaiah, apparently not realizing he had done anything but what was a good political idea.
v 16-18.  Because of Hezekiah’s pride, 2 Chr. 32:25,  God told him through Isaiah that all the things of value he had shown the Babylonians, they would carry to their country. (This would be the golden vessels and all except those things which were given to Sennacherib, 18:15,16. Also things accumulated after this date.) By Isaiah’s words, Hezekiah learned that he would marry and have sons, but some of them would be taken away and made eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. This did not mean upon his own sons, but his descendants, some 120  years later.
v 19. Hezekiah repented of his pride, 2 Chr. 32:26, and accepted that God’s judgment was right, in fact good, better than he deserved. He was grateful that God would allow peace and security in his lifetime. He seems inconsiderate of the trouble his descendants would experience, but even so he recognizes God’s actions as good.
Perhaps in our eagerness to be caught up at the Rapture away from the struggles of this world, we may seem inconsiderate of those who will remain. However, God’s judgment is good. Those who have rejected the Word have had their chance to turn to God. Those who have not heard, or or perhaps born in an interval between the Rapture and the Tribulation, will experience many terrible things, but they too will have a choice.
v 20,21. More details in 2 Chr. 32:27-33. Hezekiah had great riches, honor and might. He had treasures of costly items and storage for much produce and livestock, and built agricultural settlements and villages. His feats included rerouting the water supply from Gihon spring in the east, to the west side of Jerusalem into the pool of Siloam. This was a 1,777 foot tunnel through solid rock, with workmen starting at each end and meeting in the middle. Hezekiah was buried with honor among his royal ancestors in Jerusalem, and Manasseh reigned.
Schofield gives the sequence of events in Hezekiah’s life as follows:
[1] Hezekiah threw off the Assyrian yoke, 2 Ki. 18:7
[2] His successful Philistine campaign, 2 Ki. 18:8
[3] Sennacherib’s first invasion of Judah, 2 Ki. 18:13-16
[4] Hezekiah’s illness and recovery, 2 Ki. 20:1-11
[5] Hezekiah’s imprudent exposure of his defenses and wealth to the Babylonian embassy, 2 Ki. 20:12-19; 2 Chr. 32:25-26:31; Isa. 39
[6] Hezekiah’s wealth and building, 2 Chr. 32:27-29
[7] Sennacherib’s 2nd invasion of Judah and God’s miraculous deliverance in answer to prayer, 2 Ki. 18:17-19:37; 2 Chr. 32:1-23,30; Isa. 36:2-37:38
[8] Hezekiah’s death, 2 Ki. 20:20-21; 2 Chr. 32:32-33.
This seems pretty good, but there may be room for more study.
2 Kings 21

v 1. Manasseh was born three years after Hezekiah’s great sickness, and at twelve years of age, began as vice-regent  with his father. For some reason, God allowed him to reign 55 years, longer than any other king of Israel or Judah.
v 2,3. Apparently proud of being a ruler at such a young age, he fell easy prey to flatterers who secretly objected to Hezekiah’s reforms. It is also strongly possible that Hezekiah’s later life were not exemplary. He reverted to every bad thing Grandfather Ahaz had done and worse, 2 Ki. 16:3,4. He made an idol as wicked Ahab of Israel had done. We must look to 2 Chronicles 33 for his captivity in Babylon and repentance.
v 4-9. Manasseh desecrated the temple by building altars to idols and astrology (2 Ki. 17:16) figures in heaven, right in the temple and the two courts. In addition to offering his son (children, 2 Chr. 33:6) on an altar, he consulted mediums, wizards etc. contrary to Moses.  He even set up an Ashera fertility pole right in the temple, which God had set as the place where His name was to be exalted. God had promised David and Solomon that the temple and His people would be permanent if they obeyed His commands. Manasseh not only sinned, but seduced the rest of the nation to sin worse than heathen nations that the Lord had destroyed before Israel.
v 10. The Lord had been sending prophets to both Israel and Judah to warn them.
v 11-16. The Amorites were one of the most wicked nations driven from the land, yet Manasseh was more wicked, and caused the rest of Judah to worship idols. The Lord would bring shocking destruction on Judah. They would be measured out for destruction as Samaria had been. This would be to cleanse out the filth and lay them aside for a time, just as a dish is laid aside after cleansing. Israel had provoked God from the days of Moses, but now so severely that He is giving them over to the enemy.  Manasseh disregarded justice and shed innocent blood throughout the land.
[Jewish tradition says that he had Isaiah killed for rebuking his sin. That Isaiah hid in a hollow cedar tree, they fastened him in and sawed both in two.]
2 Chronicles 33:11-19 tells of Manasseh’s capture by Assyrians and taken in chains and fetters to Babylon. Though he had been so wicked, when he was afflicted he sought the Lord, humbled himself and prayed. God heard his prayer and returned him to Jerusalem, so he was convinced that God is the Lord. After his return, he built a high outer wall for the original portion of the city, and put officers over fortresses all over Judah. He was a good illustration of what God can do to wicked men who turn to him. He removed all traces of idol worship which he had built, then repaired and started giving offerings on the altar of the Lord. The people still worshiped in high places, but not to idols, only to the Lord.
v 17,18. He was not buried with the kings, but in a garden on his own property.
v 19-22. His son Amon was just as inclined to evil as he had been. 2 Chr. 33:23 add that he did not humble himself as his father did, but went deeper in sin. Manasseh’s repentance came to late to turn Amon to the Lord, but his years of repentance may have had a dynamic influence on his little grandson, Josiah.
v 23-26. Amon’s servants assassinated him, and the people executed them and made little Josiah king. Amon was buried with his father.
2 Kings 22

v 1,2. Ordinarily if a man is wicked, his son may be more so, but Josiah is in great contrast to his wicked father Amon. Amon had followed the steps of Manasseh in his early days, but after his repentance and turn to the Lord, Manasseh may have been an influence for good on his grandson, Josiah. It is reasonable to assume that he may have held Josiah on his knee as he extolled the virtues of following the Lord, because Josiah was 6 years old when he died at the age of 61-67. A king at age 7, Joash had mechanically followed the leadership of Jehoiada in 2 Ki. 11 and 12, but lacked a personal commitment to God. Josiah, a king at age 8,  may have merely just followed in Manasseh’s later spiritual steps the first eight years of his reign, older men in government running the country much as it had been before.
2 Chr. 34:1-7 When he was 16 years old, he began to seek the Lord from his own conviction. Then when he was 20, he took full personal command of government  and began to purge Jerusalem and Judah of the high places and all kinds of idolatry, scattering the dust of the images over the graves of those who had worshiped them. He also burned the bones of the pagan priests on their own altars. His authority as king was limited to Judah, but as an envoy of God, he continued the destruction of the idols and altars of Canaanite worship through all the cities of Israel to the very northern limit. Apparently the Assyrian appointed rulers did not interfere in this religious matter.
This is not the later reform where he destroyed Jeroboam’s altars etc. which is discussed in 2 Ki. 23:15-19 and 2 Chr. 34:33.
v 3-7. Includes comments from 2 Chr. 34:8-13 . In Josiah’s 18th year, when he was 26 years old and he had completed purging all of Israel of idolatry, he turned his attention to the repair of the temple. He apparently had Levites collecting money for this purpose from Judah and the remnant  all over Israel while the purge was going on. Josiah commissioned officials, Shaphan a scribe, Maaseiah, governor of Jerusalem, and Joah the recorder, to be responsible for repair of the temple. They delivered the money to Hilkiah the priest to be counted and distributed to overseers to hire workmen and buy materials. The craftsmen were skilled in wood, stone and probably metal. The named overseers were  skilled musicians, sensitive to good artistry. Other Levites, who were scribes, officers and porters, oversaw all labor, from burden bearers to the most skilled. No general accounting was made of the money, because it was given to the workmen regularly and faithfully. Our Pentagon could not be run that way today?
v 8--10. Includes comments from 2 Chr. 34:14-17. While the temple was being repaired, Hilkiah the high priest was getting out money to pay workmen and came accidentally upon the book of the Law, the five books of Moses. He gave it to Shaphan the scribe, and he read it before making his report to the king. When he reported that the work and the payment of workmen was going on fine, he reported, almost as an after thought, that Hilkiah had found that book, and he read it before the king.
v 11-14. Includes comments from 2 Chr. 34:18-21. Josiah tore his clothes and wept at the words, possibly because he realized his reforms had not nearly fulfilled the great responsibility that Moses had given kings. All other copies had probably been destroyed by Manasseh, and Hilkiah only knew the rules pertaining to his own office. Josiah feared that the wrath of God would be upon the nation for disobedience so he sent him and four other important men, v 12, to Huldah the prophetess for instruction. Jeremiah, (Jer. 1:2),  Zephaniah, (Zeph 1:1) and possibly Nahum and Habakkuk were in the area, but perhaps they felt more comfortable going to her, an acquaintance, the wife of Shallum, who had charge of the royal or priestly wardrobe. Shallum may also have been Jeremiah’s uncle, Jer. 32:7. Her advice as a woman was just as valued as that of Miriam, Ex. 15:20, and Deborah, Jud. 4:4.
v 15-20. Includes comments from 2 Chr. 34:22-28. Huldah sent the men back to Josiah with the message that since the people had disobeyed the Lord and worshiped other gods, He would indeed bring evil upon them in wrath which could not be quenched. This  included all the curses which were read in the book from Deut. 28:15-68 and Lev. 26:14-39. Concerning the king, his heart was tender and he had humbled himself before God, weeping and tearing his clothes. Therefore, he would die in peace before this judgment fell. He died 609 B C, four years before Nebuchadnezzar’s first attack on Jerusalem in 605. Death in the battle which he started may not seem like peace, but it was in peace from the terrible things which followed.
2 Kings 23

v 1,2. Includes comments from 2 Chr. 34:29,30. Josiah immediately took action and called in the elders, priests, Levites and inhabitants great and small from all over Judah. Then he read to them all the words of the book of the covenant which had been found in the house of the Lord.
v 3. Includes comments from 2 Chr. 34:31,32. Josiah stood by a pillar where it was customary for kings to stand when they addressed the people. He made a covenant to walk after the Lord and obey all his commands with his whole heart, and persuaded or required everyone present to do likewise.
v 4-14. 2 Chr. 34:33 coincides with 4-19. It is strange that Josiah had not thoroughly purged the temple when he began his earlier reforms. Perhaps this was why he was so convicted when he heard the words from the book. Apparently his first reform was somewhat superficial, with no thought that priests were offering to Baal right in the holy temple. Now he goes about the destruction of idolatry with a passion. Vessels of Baal in Manasseh’s reform had been hidden in the temple instead of being destroyed, but now they are. Idolatrous priests are deposed, probably by death. The Ashera fertility pole which Manasseh put in the temple, 21:7, was burned at the brook Kidron. The houses of the male temple prostitutes were torn down as well as the tent of the women prostitutes. Josiah reassembled all the Levitical priests of the land and broke down the high places where they worshiped. They were not permitted to enter the cleansed temple, but were allowed to eat with their brethren. Even the governor of the city had a high place which Josiah broke down.  Topheth, v 10, means drums, for the drums which had been sounded to muffle the screams of children being offered in the fire. Sun worship, v 11, came from Babylon. Horses and chariots had been kept to ride out early to honor the sun, so the horses which were stabled in the temple courtyards were put to normal use and the chariots burned. (Not like the horses and chariots of fire seen around Elisha, 2 Ki 6:17.) Manasseh had made altars in the courts of the Lord, 2 Ki. 21:5, as well as on his flat roof, and these were destroyed. Solomon had built high places for the gods of his heathen wives, and those too were destroyed. In many places when pagan sacred stones and Ashera poles were removed and destroyed, human bones, probably of the pagan priests were put in the holes, making it unclean to offer sacrifices there again.
v 15-19. As northern Israel was under loose control, Josiah was again able to go up there and destroy the altars Jeroboam had built, which he was not convicted to do before. Before destroying them, he took the bones of people, some probably pagan priests, buried nearby and burned them on the altar, polluting it so the place could           not be used as a place of worship again. This fulfilled the words of a man of God to Jeroboam, 1 Ki. 13:1,2, that a descendant of David named Josiah would burn priests and bones of men there. Josiah spared the tomb of that man of God who was killed by a lion and the prophet who persuaded him to stay and eat against God’s command, 1 Ki. 13:24,31. Josiah continued to destroy high places throughout Samaria, killing the pagan priests and burning their bones on the altars.
v 21-23. This portion is best covered in  2 Chronicles 35:1-19.
v 1-5. Josiah would have been about 26 years old during the 18th year of his reign when he reestablished this passover feast. Compare with 22:3 and we see that this was the same year he purged the temple and they found the book of the Law. He gave orders that the ark was to remain in the temple and not be carried about as they did in the wilderness, and commanded the priests and Levites to take their proper assigned courses as David had instructed Solomon, 1 Chr. 24.
v 6-9. They were all to be sanctified and ready to kill the passover animals and prepare them for the people to eat. His organization avoided the problems Hezekiah had, 2 Chr. 29:34. Out of his royal supply he gave the people 30,000 sheep and goats and 3,000 bulls. The princes gave 2,600 sheep and goats and 300 bulls to the priests. The chief men of the Levites gave 5,000 sheep and goats and 500 bulls to the Levites.
v 10-14. When everyone was in his place, the festival began with the Levites doing the killing and the priests sprinkling the blood on the altar. The Levites distributed the burnt offerings not intended for sacrifice among the people and they roasted or boiled the passover as the law required. Then the Levites prepared the burnt offerings for their own and the priest’s use, because the priests were busy with the Passover service. Only sheep and goats were sacrificed for the Passover and morning and evening sacrifices, Ex. 29:38-45, so the cattle were used for thank, or fellowship offerings, Lev. 3:1-5. 
v 15-19. The singers and gate keepers remained at their posts, because the other Levites prepared their meals for them. Every thing was taken care of that day, but the feast of unleavened bread continued for seven days. There was no Passover to compare with it from the time of Samuel. Josiah’s was more organized and  offered more animals. But Hezekiah’s was spontaneous and lasted longer.
2 Kings 23:24-25. Josiah not only removed the idols, but also the informal practices of the mediums, wizards etc. in keeping with what he learned from the book of the Law. No king before or after him turned to the Lord as whole hearted as he did.
2 Kings 23:26-28. In spite of Josiah’s great reforms, the Lord would still bring his wrath upon Judah for the way they turned from Him along with Manasseh. Judah, like Israel, would one day be removed from their land and go into captivity.
2 Kings 23:29,30. This portion is best covered in:
2 Chronicles 35:20-27.
Israel was a buffer state which nations to the north and south had to pass through in order to fight each other. Some 13 years after the great Passover, Neco of Egypt intended to pass through the land to aid the Assyrians against Babylon. Unlike Rabshakeh of 2 Ki. 18:25, he was not lying, but had actually received commission by dream, prophet or otherwise “from the mouth of God” that he was doing the command of God. Josiah was uneasy about this army going through to aid Assyrians and hoped to at least delay them, but if he had  done like David, he would have asked counsel of God before going out. He disguised himself as Ahab did, 1 Ki. 22:30, but was wounded by an arrow and moved from his war chariot to one of more comfort and taken back to Jerusalem, where he died. His people had not always heeded him as they ought, but just as many unsaved have for us today, they had great respect for him. Not only did the people mourn the loss of this good man, but Jeremiah gave a lamentation for him which the singers sang for a considerable time. It also became an ordinance for others to learn and sing. Josiah may be referred to in Lam. 4:20.
2 Ki. 23: 31-37 Includes 2 Chr, 36:1-5. Three of Josiah’s named sons were kings. The people, v 30, anointed the middle son, Jehoahaz king. His grandfather was not the prophet Jeremiah. He did evil and must have antagonized Pharaoh-neco, because after three months he took him captive to Riblah, 65 miles north of Damascus, while he went on to fight Babylonians at Haran. Then he sent Jehoahaz to Egypt where he eventually died, made Josiah’s son Eliakim king, and to show his authority, changed his name to Jehoiakim. He had not been the people’s choice, and Neco probably thought he was weak and easier to control than Jehoahaz. He fined Judah  three and three fourths tons of silver and seventy five pounds of gold, which Jehoiakim provided by taxing the people according to his assessment. He did evil instead of following in the steps of his good father, Josiah. I am unable to account for His eleven year reign  as vassal under Egypt, and Babylon. Jeremiah and Daniel both state positively that Nebuchadnezzar came up in his third year, Jewish figuring, and took him  (the fourth year Babylonian figuring). Neither do commentaries give consistent explanation. 
2 Kings 24

v 1-4. Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar after three years and tried to get help from Egypt but could not. In his weak condition, the four named nations were sent against Judah as vassals of Nebuchadnezzar, but really from God in answer to prophecy, because Manasseh had killed so many innocent people in Judah, which the Lord could not overlook. This bloodshed also mentioned in 2 Ki. 21:16. 2 Chronicles 36:6,7 adds that Nebuchadnezzar bound Jehoiakim in fetters and took him to Babylon, along with some of the vessels of the temple, which he put in his own temple in Babylon. Daniel and some others were taken to Babylon in this first deportation from Judah, Dan. 1:1-6.  Apparently Jehoiakim was permitted to return and rule a while, but Jer. 22:17-19 says he shed innocent blood and was so wicked that he was drug outside Jerusalem like an ass to be buried.
v 5--9. 2 Chronicles 36:8,9 is more precise in that Jehoiachin actually reigned 3 months and ten days, but errs in him being 8 instead of 18 when he began his short evil reign. By this time Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nabopalasser had conquered Egypt and all nations between in the battle of Carchemish on the Euphrates.
v 10-16. Includes 2 Chronicles 34:10a. About eight years after the first attack, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem, and Jehoiachin surrendered with his wives, mother, and all his important officers. 10,000 others were taken captive including 7,000 able soldiers,1000 smiths and craftsmen. Continued attacks had driven all leading people into Jerusalem. More like Daniel were wanted, and Ezekiel was taken. Only the poorest of the people were left. The temple and king’s house and large pieces were stripped of gold or cut up. Most of the remaining treasures and golden vessels such as those Belshazzar used, Dan. 5:2,3, were taken. This was the second of three times Nebuchadnezzar spoiled the temple.
v 17-20. Includes 2 Chronicles 34:10b-13. In another show of power, Mattaniah, his successor, had his name changed to Zedekiah. Even though Jeremiah warned him, Jer. 22:1-22:9, he continued to do evil and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar in his ninth year. He was probably under pressure from nationalists to rebel This was the final deportation of Judah.                    
2 Chronicles 36:14-16. The reason for Judah’s captivity was because they did after the wicked nations around them, they polluted the temple, and mocked God’s prophets and misused them repeatedly.
1st deportation 604 BC in Jehoiakim’s reign
2nd deportation 597 BC in Jehoiachin’s reign
3rd deportation 586 BC in Zedekiah’s reign
Return was 538 BC. The full 70 year captivity can only be figured on the dates used, keeping in mind a difference in the Jewish and Babylonian methods of dating.
2 Kings 25

v 1-3. Comparing with Jer. 37, 38, we see that Zedekiah made alliance with Egypt and the siege was lifted briefly while Nebuchadnezzar dealt with them, then resumed siege. The entire time was about a year and a half,  from the tenth day of the tenth month in the ninth year of Zedekiah to the ninth day of the fourth month of his eleventh year, with severe famine at the last. Possibly had water due to Hezekiah’s tunnel.
v  4-7. The Babylonians broke through the wall one night and Zedekiah fled with the remaining soldiers through a gate between two walls in an attempt to get to the Jordan. He was caught near Jericho, soldiers were scattered and he was taken to Nebuchadnezzar’s headquarters at Riblah, by the Orontes River 65 miles north of Damascus, from where he was also fighting Tyre and other cities. There sentence was given and they killed Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes for mental torture. They put out his eyes so he could never hope to rebel again, killed all others who might seek to gain power, and took him in bronze fetters to Babylon. 
v 8-12. About a month later, Aug. 14, 586 BC, so Nebuchadnezzar would never have to deal with rebellion and a long siege again, he sent commander Nebuzaradan with men to burn the temple and all other important houses in Jerusalem. Then they destroyed the wall so Jerusalem could not be defended. All the people in the city and all who had come out willingly were taken to Babylon, leaving only poor farmers to keep the land from becoming barren.
v 13-17. The magnificent bronze pillars, the bronze sea (basin), the bases and all utensils of bronze were broken up and taken to Babylon. Solomon had made all these in such size and quantity that the weight was not known. All of value or harm taken.
v 18-21. Seraiah, chief priest and ancestor of Ezra, Ezra 7:1, along with all other priests and important men who remained in the city were taken to field headquarters in Riblah. These were the last who could stir up rebellion, so they were killed there. It was from Ramah that more were slain and Jeremiah was permitted to return, Jer. 40.
v 22-24. Gedaliah’s father had protected Jeremiah, Jer. 26:24, his grandfather was Shaphan, Josiah’s scribe, 2 Ki. 22:8. Gedaliah followed Jeremiah’s advice to cooperate with the Babylonians and Jeremiah may have recommended him, so he was trusted and made governor and set up at Mizpah, about eight miles north of Jerusalem. All the captains and soldiers who had escaped rallied around Gedaliah. He tried to persuade them to dwell in the land and cooperate with Babylon and all would be well. For many details on Gedaliah and Jeremiah, see Jer. 39-41.
v 25,26. Ishmael was of royal descent and wanted to rule, so he came with ten  men and assassinated Gedaliah and his men. Gedaliah had been warned, but didn’t believe the report. Now all the people feared retaliation by Babylon, so they fled to Egypt. Jeremiah warned them not to, but they even took him along. See interesting details in Jer. 40-43.
v 27-30. We hear no more of Zedekiah, but Jer. 34:5 indicates he did receive an honorable burial. After Jehoiachin had been in prison 37 years, the new Babylonian king, Evil-merodach, looked favorably upon him and released him from prison. He was treated better than all other kings there, given princely clothing, and in addition to being housed in the palace, he was given a daily allowance for the rest of his life. It seems likely, that like Manasseh, he may have repented and received God’s favor. The king may also have had respect to the long dynasty of David and even influenced by the prophet Daniel. This was the 36th year of the 70 year captivity, and the Lord may have used this to give the Jews hope of return. 
2 Chronicles 36:22,23. This is the first year of Cyrus over Babylon, but he had been a king for 20 years. It seemed profitable to him to repatriate captives to their lands and make his outlying areas friendly. Of course this was the work of the Spirit of the Lord on his heart. Then he was somehow introduced to Isa. 44:28, where he was named 150 years earlier as the one who would have Jerusalem and the temple rebuilt. The Spirit caused him to take this amazing prediction to heart, and he arranged for Jews to return if they chose. He had his own false gods, but he had to recognize the God of heaven. This is followed up in the book of Ezra.

Chart of the last eight kings of Judah (and the names they were given).

1- Hezekiah
I
2- Manasseh
Prison in Babylon, but repented and returned
I
3- Amon
I
4-Josiah
I
_____________________________________________________                                                                                   I                                           I                                      I                                       I
Johanan                   6- Jehoiakim                  5- Jehoahaz                  8- Zedekiah
(Eliakim)                         (Shallum)                    (Mattaniah)
Not king                Died in Jerusalem          Prison in Egypt           Prison in Babylon                                        
I
7- Jehoiachin
(Jeconiah - Coniah Jer. 22:28)
Prison in Babylon    

copyright © 2012 Christ Is Alive Ministry
www.christisalive.net
All Rights Reserved.

In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking college courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. My wife and I have both joined the Catholic Church. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.

1. Apocrypha
2. Confessions of St Augustine
3. Divine Comedy of Dante (Henery Carytr)
4. King James Bible
5. LDS (Mormons)
6. Martin Luther
7. St John of the Cross
8. Budhist
9. Christian-King James
10. Hindu
11. Islam
12. Judaism
13. Sikh
14. Tao
15. Zoroastrian

OUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE  DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen