Search The Scriptures —Study 33 — 2 Kings 20 and 21

Study 33 From the Book of 2 Kings is: 2 Kings 20 and 21

The events described in chapter 20 happened in the earlier part of Hezekiah's reign before the invasion of Sennacherib (see verses 6 and 13), and also 18:15, 16) and are introduced here as a kind of appendix to the story of Hezekiah.

1. Put yourself in Hezekiahs place, and try to picture the effect on him of Isaiah's announcement. What did he do (cf. Ps. 102:24), and what did God then do? How would these experiences help to prepare Hezekiah for the greater tests of faith that he was to meet when Sennacherib attacked him? In spite of his faithfulness to God, in what way did Hezekiah fail in the incident recorded in 20:12-19? Cf. Pr. 29:5. How did Isaiah view the incident, and what word of Judgment was given him to speak? For its fulfillment over a century later see chapter 25.
2. Summarize in your own words Manasseh's flagrant idolatry. What judgments did God declare through His Prophets? Do you think it can have been easy for the prophets to speak thus? Cf. mi. 3:8.

Notes

1. 20:12. Merodach-baladan (see Is. 39:1) was a northern chieftain, who had seize Babylon and was looking round for every possible means of strengthening his position. His reign did not last long, and it would have been folly for Hezekiah to enter into alliance with him.
2. 21:13. The first half of the verse means that Jerusalem will receive the same measure of judgment as Samaria and the house of Ahab. The metaphor in the second half of the verse is a very strong and vivid one.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 32 — 2 Kings 19:8-37

Study 32 From the Book of 2 Kings: 2 Kings 19:8-37

1. Comparing Hezekiah's action and word in verses 14-19 with those of the earlier crisis in verses 3, 4, what evidence do you find that Hezedkah's faith had grown stronger?
2. How did Sennacherib appear to merely human judgment? How did he appear as seen by Isaiah with the eyes of faith? Are we learning to look at the world situation today in relation to God? Cf. Jn. 14:1. What does the whole story teach as to the difference which faith in God makes in individual and national life?

Note: verse 29. The meaning is that only in the third year from the time at which the words were spoken would there be normal sowing and reaping. The fulfillment of the prophet's pronouncement would attest his divinely given authority.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 31 — 2 Kings 18:1-19:7

Study 31 From the Book of 2 Kings is: 2 Kings 18:1-19:7

1. What four points about Hezekiah's attitude and conduct with reference to God are mentioned in 18:3, 5 and 6? Are these things true of us? How did Hezekiah's faith manifest itself in action, and what evidence had he of God's favour and blessing? See verses 4, 7 and 8.
2. In what ways did the Assyrian speaker, Rabshakeh, threaten the people of Israel? What were the reactions to this attack of (a) the people, and (b) Isaiah? Cf. Ex. 14:13; I Sa. 17:44, 45; Dn. 3:15-18. Are you able to encourage others by your faith, or are you among those that fear and need encouragement?

Notes

1. 18:22. Hezekiah's reforming zeal was no doubt unpopular with many. Rabshakeh knew this, and sought to turn it to advantage for his own end.
2. 19:3b. A figure of speech denoting a crisis of extreme gravity.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 30 — 2 Kings 17

Study 30 From the Book of 2 Kings: 2 Kings 17

This chapter tells of the end of the northern kingdom of Israel, with the causes of its downfall, and what followed after it.

1. Can you trace a progressive deterioration in Israel's moral and spiritual condition in verses 9:18? Compare the phrase 'did secretly...” in verse 9 with 'sold themselves...' in verse 17. What are the modern counterparts of the sins which Israel committed? Cf. Col. 3:5; Heb. 12:25.
2. Consider what great events had taken place in Israel's history in the territory of the norther kingdom which had brought glory to God, and deliverance to the people. To what condition was it now reduced? Cf. A Tim. 3:5; Is. 29:13

Notes

1. Verse 2. In what way Hoshea sinned less grievously than preceding kings is not explained.
2. Verses 33 – 34. The word 'fear' is used here in two senses; in verse 33 of outward worship, and in verse 34 of heart reverence.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 29 — 2 Kings 15 and 16

Study 29 From the Book of 2 Kings is: 2 Kings 15 and 16

These two chapters cover a period of about eighty years. It is helpful to make a list in parallel columns of the kings of Judah and Israel respectively, mentioned in today's portion, which the length of their reigns.

1. Taking first the kings of Judah, how does Ahaz stand out in sharp contrast to his father Jotham, and his grandfather Azariah (Uzziah)? What two particular acts of folly, one political, the other religious, are recorded of him? Cf. Ps. 146:3-5; Is. 7:1-9.
2. How long did the dynasty of Jehu in Israel? See 10:30 and Ho. 1:4. What happened after the dynasty came to an end? What great loss did the northern kingdom suffer in the reign of Pekah? Do you find any good thing recorded of any of the kings of the northern kingdom in these two chapters? Cf. Ho. 7:7; 8:4; 13:11.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 28 — 2 Kings 13 and 14

Study 28 From the Book of 2 Kings: 2 Kings 13 and 14

This is another composite portion, containing first a brief account of two kings of Israel, Jehoahaz and Jehoash or Joash (to be distinguished from the king of Judah of the same name); then two incidents connected with Elisha; and finally an account of the reigns of Amaziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam II of Israel.

1. What evidence is there that in the reign of Jehoahaz Israel was greatly impoverished? Also what reason is assigned for this state of things?
2. In what ways did all four kings, whose reigns are descried in chapter 14, fall short of what God required of them?

Notes

1. 13:5. A reference to Jeroboam II; see 14:27
2. 14:13. 'Four hundreds cubits' : about 200 yards
3. 14:23. Jeroboam II had a long and successful reign, during which the northern kingdom of Israel was greatly extended. See verse 25.
4. 14:25. “The entrance of Hamath” may refer to the pass between Hermon and Lebanon in the north; 'the sea of Arabah' is the Dead Sea. There is no other reference in Scripture to this particular prophecy of Jonah.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 27 — 2 Kings 11 and 12

Study 27 From the Book of 2 Kings is: 2 Kings 11 and 12

1. What was Athaliah's purpose, and by what two persons, under God, was it brought to nought? What new light does 2 Ch. 22: 11 throw upon the story? Compare with the faith and courage of Jehosheba and Jehoiada that of Mose's parents (cf. Heb. 11:23).
2. What signs of healthy moral and spiritual life do you find in these chapters, and in what respect shortcoming? What part did Joash play in this? See further 2 Ch. 24: 17-24

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Search The Scriptures —Study 26 — 2 Kings 10

Study 26 From the Book of 2 Kings: 2 Kings 10

1. Trace the course of Jehu's rise to power. Looking back to chapter 9, where was he first anointed, and acclaimed as king? Whither did he then go, striking down in swift succession Jehoram, Ahaziah and Jezebel? Whom did he further slay, as recorded in 10: 1-14, and by what means?
2. From this account of his reign, what do you learn about Jehu's aim, his character, and his attitude to God?

Note. Verses 9, 10. Jehu quietens the people of Samaria, by reminding them that all that was happening was but the fulfillment of God's word through Elijah. See 1 Ki. 21:21, 23,24.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 25 — 2 Kings 8 and 9

Study 25 From the Book of 2 Kings is: 2 Kings 8 and 9

Today's portion contains (a) tow incidents connected with Elisha's ministry; (b) a brief summary of the reigns of two kings of Judah; (c) the story of the revolution under Jehu, through which the house of Ahab was destroyed.

1. 8:1-15. How does the first of these two incidents illustrate God's watchful care over His own? Cf. Ps. 33:18-22; Rom. 8:28. In the second incident why did Elisha weep? Cf. Je. 8:16-9:1; Lk. 19:41-44.
2. Ponder the vivid story of the revolution, as given in chapter 9, noticing especially how it began, and the references to the world of God and its fulfillment. Cf. Heb. 10:31; 12:29; 2 Ki. 10:30.
3. Consider throughout the history of the kings of Israel and Judah the results of marriage alliances with those who are the enemies of God.

Notes

1. 8:10. The sickness itself was not fatal, but Elisha was given a vision of other things that would happen, which filled him with horror. Moffat translates verse 11 thus. 'The man of God's face became rigid with horror, absolute horror.'
2. Verse 13. Hazel was elated at the prospect of doing such deeds.
3. Verse 16. It is important to distinguish between Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and Jehoram (or Joran), son of Ahab, king of Israel. Their reigns were in great measure contemporaneous.
4. Verse 26. Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and therefore granddaughter of Omri. See 1 Ki. 16:29-31. She married Jehoram, king of Judah (verse 18).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 24 — 2 Kings 6:8 – 7:20

Study 24 From the Book of 2 Kings: 2 Kings 6:8 – 7:20

1. 6:8-23. Why was the young man afraid, and why was the prophet not afraid? Have we learned the secret of the conquest of fear? Cf. Heb. 11:27.
2. Observe the severity of the siege, and the greatness of the faith that enabled Elisha to speak as he did in 7:1. How does the judgment that fell upon the unbelieving officer illustrate the punishment that will follow all wilful unbelief? Cf. Mk. 16B; Jn. 3:36
3. What lessons do you learn from the part played by the four lepers in this story?
   Notes.
   1. 6:25. 'Ten pounds in silver was paid for the head of an ass and twelve shillings for a pint of doves' dung' (Moffat).
   2. 6:30, 31. Elisha appears to have been sustaining the hopes of the king and people by the promise of divine deliverance. The king's faith now gave way, and he burned with anger against the prophet.
   3. 7:1. “A shekel': 'half a crown' (Moffat)

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