This chapter describes King Josiah’s last major recorded act, the keeping of the Passover, and his unfortunate death. “So all the service of the Lord was prepared that day, to keep the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord… And the people of Israel who were present kept the Passover…
Month: March 2021
2 Kings 23
This dense chapter describes many things, including Josiah’s thorough removal of false god worship throughout all of Judah and Israel (he even cleaned up the high places of Jeroboam and Solomon). “Moreover, Josiah put away the mediums and the necromancers and the household gods and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in…
2 Chronicles 34
This chapter parallels 2 Ki 22, following Josiah as he rids Judah of false gods, seeks the Lord, and leads Judah to follow the Lord. “And the king went up to the house of the Lord, with… all the people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the…
A Prayer for Help
Today I offer a prayer for help. I often find myself (out of pride) thinking “I can do it all on my own”. The truth is, God designed us to be dependent on Him, and His people. Let’s humble our hearts and acknowledge the way God made us. Father God, our Glorious and Gracious Lord,…
2 Kings 22
This chapter introduces King Josiah, son of Amon (great grandson of Hezekiah) who does what is right in the eyes of the Lord. The book of the law is found and he repents, leading Judah according to God’s commands. ” ‘ “Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they…
2 Chronicles 33
This chapter describes the later part of Manasseh’s rule in Judah as God allows him to suffer some consequences of his sin. “The Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. Therefore the Lord brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh……
2 Kings 21
This chapter details the reign of Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son. “And [Manasseh] did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the despicable practices of the [Canaanites]. For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of…
2 Kings 20
This is the final chapter on King Hezekiah, covering two main topics: his life-threatening illness and miraculous recovery, and a prophesy of Babylonian exile. “And Hezekiah welcomed [the Babylonian envoys], and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his…
2 Chronicles 32
This chapter parallels 2 Ki 19 detailing Assyria’s siege upon Jerusalem, their mocking of God, and God’s deliverance of Judah. “Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed… and cried to heaven. And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of…
2 Kings 19
This dense and varied chapter contains several important events, too many to cover in detail. As Judah is threatened by Assyria, Hezekiah and his higher-ups humble themselves, seeking Isaiah and God for help. Isaiah prophesies and speaks God’s responses to Hezekiah’s prayers / inquiries. “…Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord… and [prayed]:…