OVERVIEW:
Israel is delivered into the hand of Syria; the death of Elisha; three good kings in Judah; the final kings of Israel.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
During the period of time covered in today’s reading, it gets a little tricky to keep the kings of Judah and Israel straight! For example, both kingdoms have a king named Ahaziah, and both kingdoms have a king named Joash, whose names are sometimes spelled Jehoash. They can be identified, however, by carefully noting over which kingdom they are reigning, or by noting the name of their father. For example, King Joash of Judah, the son of Ahaziah, begins his reign in chapter 12 and does that which is right in the sight of the Lord. King Joash of Israel, the son of Jehoahaz, begins his reign in 2nd Kings 13:9-11 and does that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
Something else that becomes somewhat difficult to get our minds wrapped around in today’s reading, is that the accounts of the two kingdoms are being told in parallel. But the reality is, it would be impossible to record the reigns of the kings and the events of their lives in chronological order, because of how the history of one king sometimes overlaps with one or more of the kings in the other kingdom. Note that the death of Joash, the king of Israel is told in both 2nd Kings 13:13 and 2nd Kings 14:16, because chapter 13 is telling the story in Israel and chapter 14 is telling the story in Judah. As was mentioned above, careful reading of the context is definitely required in this section!
The end of chapter 13 records an incredible and beautiful example of the enduring faithfulness of our Lord. Though Israel has repeatedly worshipped Baal and the golden calves, the Lord graciously expresses His compassion on them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The beginning of chapter 14 gives an interesting insight into the effect of a father on his son, and/or the effect of a disciple maker upon a disciple. Joash started his reign as a good king, through the influence of Jehoiada, the priest. Evidently, the teaching of Jehoiada not only affected Joash, but even reached to his son Amaziah. (2nd Timothy 2:2) Verse 3 says he did as his father Joash had done, and verse 6 lets us know that he not only knew the commandment of the Lord from the book of Deuteronomy, but he also obeyed it.
Chapter 15 continues with two more good kings of Judah: Azariah (also called Uzziah), and Jotham. Both did that which was right in the sight of the Lord as their father had done. It is revealed, in 2nd Chronicles 26, that as long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him to prosper, but also lets us know that after much success, Uzziah’s heart was lifted up to his destruction. May we learn from his example!
Though Judah has a series of good kings, Israel is spiraling downward. Though Jeroboam has outward success, he did that which was evil and never could disconnect himself from idol worship. Zachariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah and Pekah continue in the evil and bring Israel near captivity. Most of these kings are murdered, one even being murdered after only one month on the throne! Menahem is a ruthless and cruel leader. Pekah and his army kill 120,000 men in one day of battle. Yet, in such a dark time, Isaiah prophesies that a virgin will conceive and bear a son, Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) Isaiah 9 is written during this time to a people in darkness that have seen a great light.
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As SAVIOUR – 2nd Kings 13:5 (Luke 2:11; Acts 5:31; 13:23)
As THE RESURRECTION – 2nd Kings 13:21 (John 11:25) As THE BRASEN ALTAR – 2nd Kings 16:14 (Hebrews 9:14)