2 Kings Bible Study Notes- Chapter 24

2 Kings 24

 

-In the days of Jehoiakim, the world scene had a power shifting taking place, which took the Egyptians, who practically ruled Judah, out and Babylon, under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, became the dominant force in the region. In 605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar had defeated the Egyptians and assumed power at Carchemish. Thus, Babylon took control of all Egypt’s vassals (including Judah), which lead to Nebuchadnezzar invading the land of Jerusalem in order to establish his rule by force. Jehoiakim became his servant for three years, and then he rebelled against the foreign oppressor (2 Kings 24:1). But, because he was evil (2 Kings 23:37), the LORD sent against him and Judah all sorts of local bands of raiders according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken through His servants the prophets (2 Kings 24:2). “Surely at the command of the LORD it came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all he had done, and also for  the innocent blood which he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; and the LORD would not forgive (2 Kings 24:3-4).” Jehoiakim passed into eternity and was replaced briefly by his son Jehoiachin, who also did evil in the sight of the LORD, before Babylon laid siege on the city. Jehoiachin eventually came out to Nebuchadnezzar with his mother and servants and captains and officials. At this point he, along with his family, was taken captive by the king of Babylon only three months into his reign of Judah. Babylon ransacked Jerusalem at this time taking from there all the treasures of the house of the LORD (The Temple) and the treasures of the king’s house (2 Kings 24:5-13). So, all the captains, the mighty men of valor, craftsmen, smiths, and everyone of any value were deported to Babylon for exile. None remained except for the very poorest of the land (2 Kings 24:14-16). This was the time of Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Mehach), and Azariah’s (Abed-nego) deportation (Daniel 1:1-7).

-Then, the king of Babylon made Jehoiachin’s uncle, Mattaniah (whose name was changed to Zedekiah, he was another son of Josiah), the new puppet ruler of the Judean region. He was allowed to reign for eleven years as the last king of the somewhat autonomous Judah as a son of David’s line. But, he also did evil in the sight of the LORD, and he incurred more of the anger of the LORD. Zedekiah eventually rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon with the remnant that was left in the land (2 Kings 24:17-20).

-*Application* God hates the shedding of innocent blood. He has control of all world powers by His sovereign, over-arching will. God will bless those who bless Him and keep His commands. He is against those individuals, and nations, that continually transgress His ways, disregard Him, and do things their own selfish, false way. We personally, and as a nation, must conform to the almighty standards of God if we want His blessings. There are conditions for favor. At the heart of all this is love and faith. If we love and trust our Creator with all our heart, He will rescue. If we shun Him, He will eventually give up on us just as He did with Judah. However, remember this: He always keeps His promises and did bring His people back to the land according to all that He had decreed in the end. He is faithful even when we are not. What an awesome God of grace, mercy, and compassion!

 

Verses to Memorize: 2 Kings 24:3-4

2 Kings Bible Study Notes- Chapter 23

2 Kings 23

 

-The radical and complete reforms of Josiah to straighten the land of Israel out are chronicled in this unique and informative chapter of Scripture. Josiah makes a covenant before God and the people of Judah and Jerusalem “to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant (2 Kings 23:3).” What happens next is a tirade of breaking down all the idols and false gods that could be found in the land (2 Kings 23:4-20). In this remarkable turn of events, Israel is revived from all the paganism that had infiltrated and dominated in so many ways during the era of the kings. Josiah fulfills prophecy in burning the bones of these false prophets in Bethel on the foreign alters that Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made (1 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 23:16). He reinstates the Passover to celebrate to the LORD their God. Josiah removed the mediums, the spiritists, the teraphim, the idols, and all the abominations that were in the land of Judah and Jerusalem. He followed through with what he committed to the LORD (2 Kings 23:21-24). The Bible states, “Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him (2 Kings 23:25).” So Hezekiah was known for his unsurpassing faith (2 Kings 18:5), and Josiah was said to be the greatest in following the law of Moses in obedience.

-*Application* These were the two greatest kings in Judah because of their reverence to the LORD their God. They were leaders who feared God rather than being worried about pleasing men. Their strong stand incurred the favor of God during otherwise lean times in the national history of Israel. Be that king of servant of your King!

-The key contrasting term “however” starts off the 26^th verse of the chapter. The LORD did not end up turning “from the fierceness of His wrath with which His anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh (Josiah’s grandfather) had provoked Him (2 Kings 23:26).” He began events in the nation which would cast Judah from His sight for a time and Jerusalem was cast off as His city for Temple worship. The time of the Gentiles, as prophesied, was now coming and soon Egypt was allying with Assyria to combat the rising power of Babylon, who would end up taking Judah captive. Egypt is the first captor of Judah in part as Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo (the place of the battle of Armageddon in Revelation). His son, Jehoahaz, is anointed king in Jerusalem, but is carried off to Egypt as a prisoner only three months later. He did evil in the sight of the LORD as many of his fathers had done. Egypt began to take gold and silver from the government and the people in Judah during this time. After Jehoahaz was taken away, a puppet king, Eliakim (or Jehoiakim by Egyptian naming), who was another son of Josiah, was set in the place of rule in Judah. He continued the process of supplying Egypt with funds of gold and silver by taxing his people. Jehoiakim also was known for doing evil in the sight of God. The spiral downward to exile had begun (2 Kings 23:26-37).

-*Application* When God’s patience runs out, it becomes painfully evident. Remember, there are always consequences for disobedience. The prophecies had been made in a time of rebellion against God in the days of Manasseh, and when His prophets speak, not a word will fail. Be careful to live in obedience to the LORD and serve only Him. He is wonderfully patient, but He does have His limits as we see in the text of Scripture.

 

Verse to Memorize: 2 Kings 23:3, 25

2 Kings Bible Study Notes- Chapter 22

2 Kings 22

 

-We read about a great reformer in the land of Judah when we read about King Josiah, who came to the throne as a youngster at the age of 8 years old. He had a heart that was completely yielded to the LORD as his ancestral father David, doing right in His sight, not turning to the right or to the left. He kept a straight course for love, mercy, justice, peace, and obedience in his kingdom during his reign, and he was blessed. His heart was tender and he humbled himself before the LORD. He tore his clothes in anguish when he learned of his people’s rebellion and sin and interceded for them before God. Truly the LORD heard this man and turned His attention to him for favor in his time (2 Kings 22:1-2, 11, 18-20).

-In the eighteenth year of his reign when he was 26 years old (a young and strong man by this point) he instituted a program for repairs on the LORD’s Temple. It was in this process that Hilkiah, the high priest, found the book of the law in the house of the LORD (2 Kings 22:8). As the book was read in the presence of the king, he repented for his country and was sorrowful upon all sorrow. He sent his officials for a prophetic word to inquire about this wrathful word given by God towards a people of disobedience, which was found in the book of the law (2 Kings 22:12-14a). They found Huldah, a prophetess who was the keeper of the wardrobe living in the Second Quarter of Jerusalem. She gave discouraging news concerning the plight of Judah because of their forsaking the commands of their God and the burning of incense to idols, which provoked the Living God to wrath and anger. In fact she related that His anger would not be quenched (2 Kings 22:14b-17). However, a promise was given to Josiah because of his righteousness. God heard his confessions and supplications and would allow him to go to his grave in peace, thus not having to see all the evil which the LORD would bring on the earthly kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 22:18-20).

-*Application* When our heart is right, like Josiah’s was, we will seek out the things of God and dig deep into what He commands of us and expects from us. What we will find, as Josiah and Judah did, is that adjustments through confession, repentance, and faith must be made to bring us back into right standing with God’s Kingdom culture. It is at this point that we can expect our merciful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to have mercy on us and forgive us from all iniquity and sin (1 John 1:9). He takes us from where we are at and transforms us into something better in righteousness as we turn to Him with a tender heart, a humble spirit, and genuine remorse. He gives the promise of peace to us when we are pliable enough to act upon His offered grace. Obey God completely and rest in His forgiveness. Stay wayward and expect His jealous wrath.

 

Verses to Memorize: 2 Kings 22:2, 19

2 Kings Bible Study Notes- Chapter 21

2 Kings 21

 

-An indictment comes on Judah in this chapter as Hezekiah’s son takes the throne and does abominable evil in the sight of the LORD God. Manasseh assumes authority and control of the kingdom of Judah as a twelve year old and promptly takes Israel back into abhorrent sin and idol worship as he rebuilt the high places that his father had destroyed and erected alters to Baal and Asherah in the most holy places imaginable even as Ahab, king of Israel, had done with Jezebel. Manasseh served the hosts of heaven and worshipped them instead of the God of his father, the True and Living God. He made his sons pass through the fire (sacrificed them in pagan worship), practiced witchcraft, and used divination dealing with mediums and spiritists. “He did much evil in the sight of the LORD provoking Him to anger (2 Kings 21:1-6).” God was infuriated because He had chosen Jerusalem from all the tribes of Israel to put His Name forever, and this insubordinate king was defiling His holy Name and disgracing His Temple. He had promised longevity and stability in the land as long as they observed His statutes and laws that Moses had commanded them, “but they did not listen, and Manasseh seduced them to do evil more than the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the sons of Israel (2 Kings 21:7-9).”

-Now the LORD spoke through His servants the prophets to warn and rebuke. The prophets reported from the Heavenly Father that He was bringing incredible calamity to the point of making whoever hears of it have tingling ears on both sides (a tangible emotional reaction). Jerusalem will be wiped as a dish by her enemies becoming a plunder and spoil to them because they had done evil and shed innocent blood in the sight of their God provoking Him to anger (2 Kings 21:10-16). Manasseh passes away, but his son Amon is just as bad. He was killed by his servants in a conspiracy and Josiah became king after this assassination (2 Kings 21:17-26).

-*Application* We see the things the LORD detests from reading this passage. The thing for us is to abide by His decrees and commands, which center around a supreme love for Him above all else. We must submit to His authority and obey for our benefit and well being. God only has our best interests in mind as He did for Israel. Don’t be stubborn and stiff-necked in rebellion against the good things God has planned for you. Give Him glory and whole hearted devotion instead of idolatry. The other thing to consider here for those of us who are parents is to raise our children up in the nurture, admonition, and fear of the LORD. Somehow Hezekiah failed his LORD, his nation, and his family by raising a son who departed from his own devout faith. This can often happen if we are not diligent to train and instruct our children properly in the ways of the LORD, praying for them and laying them before God to discipline and correct. Train up your children in the way they should go and when they are older they will not depart (Proverbs 22:6).

 

Verse to Memorize: 2 Kings 21:9

2 Kings Bible Study Notes- Chapter 20

2 Kings 20

 

-Hezekiah’s miraculous healing and his showing of the king’s treasuries to the king of Babylon are detailed in this historical chapter featuring the ministry of the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah finds himself mortally ill and receives word from the prophet Isaiah that he needs to set his house in order in preparation for departing this physical world. Hezekiah again cries out to the LORD, as he had done before in times of distress (2 Kings 19:14-19), relating to God how he had walked before Him in truth and with a whole heart doing good in His sight (2 Kings 20:1-3). The LORD relents and alerts Isaiah as he is going out of the court area, and he returns with this word from the LORD, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake (2 Kings 20:5-6).” A cake of figs was taken and laid on the boil of the king and he recovered (2 Kings 20:7). Hezekiah asked for a sign that the LORD would completely heal and a miracle of moving back the shadows was given through the prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 20:8-11).

-At that time Berodach-baladan, a son of Baladan, king of Babylon sent letters and a present to Hezekiah when he heard the king of Judah was sick. There seemed to be a genuine camaraderie and trust between the two leaders of nations, which lead Hezekiah to listen to him and show him all the treasures in his house. Isaiah, knowing and sensing through the Holy Spirit, approaches the king to inquire what all he showed the foreigners. Isaiah at this point gives the prediction from the LORD, “Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day will be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left…Some of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you will beget, will be taken away; and they will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-18).” This was eventually fulfilled. Hezekiah makes a statement at this point that the word of the LORD was good and he was thankful that there would be peace and truth in his days (2 Kings 20:19). The king of Judah went on to make the pool and the conduit to bring water inside the walls of the city of Jerusalem to protect a water source during invasions and he eventually passed on into eternity leaving his son, Manasseh, as the next king of the nation (2 Kings 20:20-21).

-*Application* We see here very plainly that the LORD hears our prayers and will respond to the righteous in order to extend life and give a multitude of blessings. Hezekiah’s pleas were sincere and he had done his part as a faithful servant of the King of kings. The LORD rewarded his honesty, his whole heartedness, and his goodness. He will reward ours as well in times of trouble and desperation. Also, we need to be careful what we divulge to others in our alliances and friendships. Use discernment and consider what could happen in the future when people know too much about your treasures.

 

Verses to Memorize: 2 Kings 20:5-6

2 Kings Bible Study Notes- Chapter 19

2 Kings 19

 

-The story of God’s saving of the remnant of Judah and King Hezekiah is related in vivid detail in this powerful text of Scripture with the theme of deliverance. Hezekiah first humbled himself before the LORD and sought out a word from the LORD from Isaiah the prophet (2 Kings 19:1-5). He was never arrogant or forceful with his speech in coming under the authority of the God of the Universe, and because of this he was told to have no fear (2 Kings 19:6). The blaspheming of the Assyrians had come before the God who knows all, and He was about to act on behalf of His people. He put a spirit in the enemy so that he would hear a rumor and return to his own land where he would fall by the sword (2 Kings 19:7, 36-37). After more boasting and bragging, the Assyrians were poised to go into Jerusalem to conquer, but Hezekiah went before the LORD with sincere and honest prayer of petition and supplication for deliverance so that the earth would know that God alone saves (2 Kings 19:8-19)!

-God answered through the prophet Isaiah in a stirring poetic stanza for comfort, peace, and victory (2 Kings 19:20-28, 32-34). God gave a sign and promised that the surviving remnant in Judah would again take root downward and bear fruit upward (2 Kings 19:29-31). “Then it happened that night that the angel of the LORD went out (much like the death angel in Egypt during the time of Moses, Exodus 12:1-30) and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead (2 Kings 19:35).”

-*Application* God puts to shame those who arrogantly come against Him and His people, power, and purposes. He lifts up those who call upon His Name for deliverance and blessings in a humble and contrite manner (Psalm 138:6, Proverbs 3:34, Matthew 23:12, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5). Resist the temptation to fear man over God. He is the only One who can ultimately save you in the end. This is what belief, faith, and trust is all about!

 

Verses to Memorize: 2 Kings 19:4, 19

2 Kings Bible Study Notes- Chapter 18

2 Kings 18

 

-The looming threats of Assyrian domination are the primary theme here as the northern kingdom has now fallen and all that remains of the sons of Israel is in Judah. The LORD raises up a king that rivals, and even surpasses, David for his goodness, faith, and devotion towards his God. This king is Hezekiah, who is the son of the evil Ahaz, but this Judean king turns completely to the LORD and all of His ways. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pagan pillars and cut down the Asherah (a wooden symbol of female deity). He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made (called Nehushtan- a piece of bronze) because the Israelites were burning idolatrous incense to it. Hezekiah trusted the LORD, the true God of Israel; He clung to the LORD and did not depart from following Him. He kept His commandments, which the LORD had given to His prophet Moses. Therefore, the LORD was with him, and wherever he went he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him (2 Kings 18:1-7). Hezekiah defeated ancient foes like the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city (2 Kings 18:8). He was the king in Judah that paralleled Hoshea, king of Israel, at the time of the siege of Samaria and the deportation into permanent Assyrian exile (2 Kings 18:9-12).

-Now in the 14^th year of the reign of Hezekiah, when Sennacherib became king of Assyria, Sennacherib began to seize and take control of all the fortified cities in Judah. Hezekiah sent word to Sennacherib at Lachish that he had done wrong in rebelling and to please withdraw. Payments were made in an effort to reconcile differences (2 Kings 18:13-16). It was at this time that the king of Assyria sent some of his officials to Jerusalem with strong words of warning meant to discourage the people of Judah and its leadership. They denounced trying to get any help from their southern neighbor Egypt and implored them to capitulate to Assyrian authority with arrogant threats. They gave worldly promises of security and well-being in an attempt to weaken Judah’s resolve. They defamed the LORD with scoffing and defiant self-confidence making bold predictions about what would happen if Judah did not obey and serve them based on previous conquests (2 Kings 18:17-35). However, the people of Judah obeyed their king’s command to remain silent in the presence of their accusers. The chapter ends with the leadership officials (Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah) coming to Hezekiah with their clothes torn in lamentation and distress over the words of the Assyrian, Rabshakeh (2 Kings 18:36-37).

-*Application* First, we need to see the abundance of the LORD’s favor on His faithful servant Hezekiah. Here was a truly “good” king that was completely under the authority of the LORD and followed what was right in his conscience. He had unyielding faith and took action to obey the commands of God. How many of us can say that about ourselves? This is the mark of true spiritual maturity. God wants us to be holy even as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). The LORD wants us to have His fullness and enjoy His presence forever (Psalm 16:11, Ephesians 3:19). Second, we will also face opposition to make us wonder if we are doing the right thing and tempt us to cower back in fear of man. In this chapter we see the assault of the enemy that is powerful and strong, yet a resistance is maintained because of their confidence in God. This is steadfastness and it will be tested on the crucible of fiery trial in a person’s life. The LORD will test you to see what is really in your heart (Deuteronomy 8:2, Zechariah 13:9, 1 Corinthians 3:11-16). On whom will you rely?

 

Verses to Memorize: 2 Kings 18:1-7