The Reign of King Ahaz The chapter begins by introducing King Ahaz of Judah. It is recorded that he was twenty years old when he began to reign, and his reign lasted for sixteen years in Jerusalem. This period is placed chronologically within the seventeenth year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah, the […]

Azariah’s Long Reign in Judah Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah became king in the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel. He was sixteen years old when he began to reign and ruled for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem, indicating his connection to the capital city’s established

Amaziah Becomes King of Judah Amaziah son of Joash became king of Judah in the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and ruled for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem, indicating his connection to the capital

Jehoahaz’s Reign and Israel’s Oppression Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria in the twenty-third year of Joash king of Judah. He reigned seventeen years over the northern kingdom, continuing the dynasty that his father had established through divine appointment. His reign was marked by both spiritual failure and military weakness. Jehoahaz

Joash’s Early Righteous Rule Joash began to reign in the seventh year of Jehu’s rule over Israel and reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba, indicating his connection to the southern region of Judah. The length of his reign demonstrated God’s blessing on the restored Davidic dynasty. Joash did what

Athaliah’s Seizure of Power and Massacre When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal seed. This unprecedented action by a queen mother represented an attempt to seize absolute power by eliminating all legitimate heirs to the throne of Judah. Her murderous rampage targeted her

Jehu’s Letters to Samaria’s Leaders Jehu wrote letters to the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to those who brought up Ahab’s children in Samaria. These letters were sent to test the loyalty of the city’s leadership and to complete the destruction of Ahab’s dynasty. The recipients included seventy sons of Ahab who were

Elisha Commissions a Young Prophet Elisha called one of the sons of the prophets and gave him a crucial mission. The prophet instructed the young man to take a flask of oil and go to Ramoth Gilead where the army was stationed. This mission would initiate God’s judgment on the house of Ahab. The young

The Shunammite Woman’s Land Restored Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, warning her of a coming famine. The prophet instructed her to take her household and live temporarily in another land. This seven-year famine would be severe, and she needed to relocate to survive. The woman obeyed Elisha’s warning

Elisha’s Prophecy of Abundant Provision Elisha delivered a startling prophecy in response to the king’s despair and threats. The prophet declared that by the same time the next day, food would be so plentiful in Samaria that fine flour would sell for only one shekel. Barley would cost even less at two measures for one