As we jump feet-first back in to Judah and Israel’s history, we find Ahaziah king of Judah dead. His mother, Athaliah, reigns for 6 long years; her first act on achieving the throne is to kill all of Jehoram’s children (except one that was hidden) so none of them can take the throne from her. Sweet lady, huh? Finally, she is run off the throne and killed. Joash, the last surviving child of Jehoram, becomes king at the ripe old age of 7. He does what is right in the sight of the Lord, but those pesky high places are still around. The temple is repaired in the 23rd year of Joash’s reign. Why did it take so long? Well, in the 23rd year of his reign he was 30 years old. Give him a break. However, once his advisor the priest Jehoiada dies, Joash turns from following God and kills his advisor’s son Zechariah. (Not quite sure why...)
Meanwhile, in Israel, Jehoahaz son of Jehu becomes king of Israel. He did what was evil. Then his son Jehoash becomes king and also does evil. Huh. Imagine that! Jehoash speaks with the prophet Elisha who promises three victories over the Arameans. Elisha dies, but Jehoash defeats the Arameans three times. All is well. For now.
Back in Judah, Joash is killed because he killed the sons of Jehoiada the priest; his son Amaziah becomes king. Amaziah, king of Judah, kills the servants who had murdered his father. Israel goes to war with Judah, and Amaziah brings back false gods. He is also captured in battle. Amaziah, is put to death, and his son Azariah is made king. (Azariah is the one referred to as Uzziah by the prophet Isaiah). Azariah reigns 52 years. He is a good king and does what was right! He goes to war against the Philistines (for old time’s sake). Azariah/Uzziah also builds up and fortifies Jerusalem’s city gates.
Jeroboam II king of Israel--no surprise here--does evil in the sight of the Lord. When he dies, his son Zechariah is made king. He is killed, and the throne is taken by Shallum. The Bible reminds us of the promise that 4 generations of Jehu’s descendants would sit on the throne--the promise ends with Zechariah. Shallum is only king for one month! Then Menahem takes the throne.
Menahem, king of Israel, does what is evil in the sight of the Lord! What a shock! He manages to keep the throne for 10 years. His son Pekahiah becomes king, and is king for 2 years. Then Pekah takes the throne, and is king for 20 years. Finally, as God has been promising for hundreds of years, the Assyrians come and take the land of Naphtali captive. This is the beginning of the fall of the 10 tribes of Israel.
King Azariah/Uzziah dies, and Jotham becomes king of Judah (this is when Isaiah is called to prophecy); Jotham does right for 16 years. His son Ahaz takes the throne but does not do right. At this time Israel’s king Pekah is at war with Jerusalem. More war. Captives. Plunder. These are dark times in Judah and Israel’s history. Light is promised by the prophets, though, and will be coming soon.
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