2 Kings
Manassah And Amon’s Reign
The Southern Kingdom was to be ruled by six kings (five bad and one good) before the end would come. Manasseh’s reign began when, as a youngster of twelve, he was placed on the throne as a co-ruler with his father Hezekiah. His reign lasted for 55 years which was the longest rei …
The Floating Ax Head
In these chapters we have several miracles and ministries of Elisha, some done privately for God’s people, some done publicly for the nation. At one of the colleges for the prophets (probably in Jericho) their accommodations had become overcrowded and Elisha’s followers …
The Reign And Captivity of Jehoahaz
Josiah’s body was transported back to Jerusalem, where he was buried. With his death, all hope of spiritual revival was gone. The events that followed his reign would soon bring down the proud Judean capitals. Judah made Jehoahaz, Josiah’s fourth son, the new king. His reign o …
God Judges Ahaziah
After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. The writer in this chapter tells about Moab’s independence from Israel and the results of idolatrous practices by Ahab’s successor, Ahaziah (v. 1). He also describes how the last recorded prophetic act of Elijah is p …
Joash Repairs Solomon’s Temple
Joash was the youngest king ever to mount the throne of Judah. He did the Lord’s will as long as his mentor, Jehoiada the priest, lived. However, after Jehoiada died Joash turned away from following the Lord. He had a lengthy reign of forty years but never did remove …
Jehoahaz And Jehoash’s Evil Reign
In this chapter we shift our thoughts back to Israel (v. 1). Jehoahaz, in the family of Jehu, comes to the throne and reigns for 17 years. It says that he followed the sins of his father by continuing the religious system established by Jeroboam (v. 2). Because of this sin, the …
Elisha Succeeds Elijah
Following his return across the Jordan, Elisha was faced with three situations that confirmed his call. The first situation established his authority. The 50 prophets from Jordan did not realize that Elijah had permanently been ushered into the presence of God. Therefore …
Jehu Kills Joram And Ahaziah
Elisha faded into obscurity following the anointing of Jehu as Israel’s new monarch. During the eighty-eight year reign of Jehu’s family, the affairs of Israel were directed by five kings. Joram was wounded in battle at Ramoth-Gilead and left Jehu and the captains in …
The Fall And Captivity of Judah
Babylon conquered Assyria and became the new world power. In the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar marched against Jerusalem and surrounded it (vv. 1-3). After 18 months of siege the Babylonians broke through the wall and completely destroyed the city. Zedekiah and …
Hezekiah Reigns in Judah
Hezekiah’s rule was characterized not only by devotion to God but by devotion with such intensity that even the high places were destroyed. Even the brazen serpent which Moses had erected seven hundred years earlier had become an object of worship and was reduced to scrap metal. …