These five chapters are the END of The Fourth Book of Kings which continued the history of the two hostile kingdoms, Israel and Juda, up to their captivity. The Assyrians in 722 B.C. led Israel away; the Babylonians in 586 B.C. led Juda into captivity.
It seems Israel is finished. Jerusalem is destroyed completely. The Lord God of Israel is still angry and cannot be appeased. How did this happen? What will happen next?
In today’s world there is a “generation effect” as it seems everything changes from generation-to-generation. Although somethings like addiction can skip a generation and reappear.
What I don’t understand fully is how one king, such as Josias, can do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walk in the way of David his father keeping focused on God not turning aside to the right hand, or to the left. Basically follow and keep the straight and narrow path in life. Yet his son Joachaz when anointed king goes ahead and does evil before the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. Wasn’t his father Josias?
Maybe I answered my own question in that good and evil can skip generations no matter the environment, times (biblical or present day), or how great a childhood the future king had.
Let’s recap these final chapters with excerpted words directly from the Bible:
Manasses was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem… And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the idols of the nations… he set up altars to Baal… to do evil more than the nations which the Lord destroyed before the children of God.
The Lord the God of Israel: Behold I will bring on evils upon Jerusalem and Juda: that whosoever shall hear of them, both his ears shall tingle… Because they have done evil before me, and have continued to provoke me, from the day that their fathers came out of Egypt, even unto this day.
And Manasses slept with his father… and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
Two and twenty years old was Amon when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem… And he did evil in the sight of the Lord… And his servants plotted against him, and slew the king in his own house… and his son Josais reigned in his stead.
Josais was eight years old when he began to reign: he reigned one and thirty years in Jerusalem… And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of David his father: he turned not aside to the right hand, or to the left.
Helcias the high priest: I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord…
And when Saphan (the scribe of the temple of the Lord) had read it before the king (Josais), and the king had heard the words of the law of the Lord he rent his garments.
King Josias… commanded Helcias the priest: Go and consult the Lord for me, and for all the people of Juda… went to Holda the prophetess… who dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second…
The use of ‘Jerusalem in the Second’ must mean Jerusalem Number One gets destroyed.
The Lord the God of Israel to Helcias the priest (through Holda): Behold, I will bring evils upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, all the words of the law which the king of Juda hath read, because they have forsaken me, and sacrificed to strange gods, provoking me by all the works of their hands: therefore my indignation shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched…
The Lord the God of Israel to king Josais (through Holda): Forasmuch as thou hast heard the words of the book, and thy heart hath been moved to fear, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, hearing the words against this place, and the inhabitants thereof, to wit, that they should become a wonder and a curse, and thou hast rent thy garments, and wept before me, I also have heard thee… Therefore I will gather thee to thy fathers… that thy eyes may not see all the evils which I bring upon this place.
There was no king before him like unto him, that returned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses: neither after him did there arise any like him.
Wow, Josais found the Book of the Covenant, read it to his people, yet still failed in the eyes of the Lord? I guess even with good leadership the flock can underperform. Josais reward? Gets to pass on before it gets ugly for Juda.
That dance between Juda and Israel in terms of their kings being chronicled… well Assyria is no longer the threat. Now it becomes Egypt from the south and Babylon from the north:
In his days Pharao Nechao king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josias went to meet him: and was slain at Mageddo, when he had seen him… And the people of the land took Joachaz the son of Josais: and they anointed him, and made him king in his father’s stead.
Joachaz was three and twenty years old when he began his reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem… And he did evil before the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. And Pharao Nechao bound him… that he should not reign in Jerusalem: and he set a fine upon the land…
And Pharao Nechao made Eliacim the son of Josias king in the room of Josias his father: and turned his name to Joakim. And he took Joachaz away and carried him into Egypt, and he died there. And Joakim gave the silver and gold to Pharao, after he had taxed the land for every man.
Joakim was five and twenty years old when he began to reign: and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem… And he did evil before the Lord according to all that his fathers had done.
In his days Nabuchadonosor king of Babylon came up, and Joakim became his servant three years: then again he rebelled against him.
And Joakim slept with his fathers, and Joachin his son reigned in his stead. And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his country: for the king of Babylon had taken all that had belonged to the king of Egypt, from the river of Egypt, unto the river Euphrates. Joachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem… And he did evil before the Lord, according to all that his father had done.
And he (Nabuchadonosor king of Babylon) carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the valiant men of the army, to the number of ten thousand into captivity: and every articer and smith: and none were left, but the poor sort of people of the land… he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
And he (king Joachin of Jerusalem now exiled in Babylon) appointed Matthanias his uncle in his stead: and he called his name Sedecias. Sedecias was one and twenty years old when he began his reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem… And he did evil before the Lord, according to all that Joakim (his brother?) had done.’
For the Lord was angry against Jerusalem and against Juda, till he cast them out from his face: and Sedecias revolted from the king of Babylon.
Nabuchadonosor king of Babylon came… And the city (Jerusalem) was shut up and besieged… and a famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land… (king of Jerusalem) Sedecias fled by way that leadeth to the plains of the wilderness… all the warriors that were with him were scattered, and left him…and brought him to the king of Babylon… and he gave judgment upon him… And he slew the sons of Sedecias before his face, and he put out his eyes, and bound him with chains, and brought him to Babylon.
Nabuchadonosor king of Babylon was ruthless…
…came Nabuzardan commander of the (Babylon) army into Jerusalem. And he burnt the house of the Lord, and the king’s house, and the houses of Jerusalem, and every house he burnt with fire. And all the army of Chaldees… broke down the walls of Jerusalem round about… and carried away the rest of the people that remained in the city… But the poor of the land he left some dressers of vines and husbandmen.
And the pillars of brass that were in the temple of the Lord… the Chaldees broke in pieces, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon…gold in gold and such as were of silver in silver… was without weight…
Seraias the chief priest (and seventy-two leaders)…these Nabuzardan took away and carried them to the king of Babylon (Nabuchadonosor)… And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them… so Juda was carried away out of their land.
Nabuchadonosor king of Babylon was even more ruthless…
But over the people that remained in the land of Juda… he gave government to Godolias… and Godolias swore to them and to their men, saying: Be not afraid to serve the Chaldees: stay in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
But it came to pass… Ismael… of royal seed, came… and smote Godolias so that he died… And all the people both little and great, and the captains of the soldiers, rising up went to Egypt, fearing the Chaldees.
Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, lifted up the head of Joachin king of Juda out of prison… And he appointed him a continual allowance, which was also given him by the king day by day, all the days of his life.
The END of The Fourth Book of Kings which continues the history of the two hostile kingdoms, Israel and Juda, up to their captivity. The Assyrians in 722 B.C. led Israel away; the Babylonians in 586 B.C. led Juda into captivity.
Evilmerodach? Sounds like a Disney name? At least Fourth Kings ends on an up note. Even though both Juda and Israel are captive in Babylon, Joachin king of Juda, including Jerusalem is alive.
Day 133: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Both Juda & Israel are Captive in Babylon.
Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Fourth Book of Kings Chapters 21-25 (END)
Bible Notes:
This Book continues the history of the two hostile kingdoms, Israel and Juda, up to their captivity. The Assyrians in 722 B.C. led Israel away; the Babylonians in 586 B.C. led Juda into captivity.
4 Kings Chapter 21: Idolatrous reign of Manasses; Prophecy of Juda’s destruction; Amon succeeds Manasses; Amon assassinated; Josias succeeds Amon.
Manasses was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned five and fifty years in Jerusalem… And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the idols of the nations… he set up altars to Baal… to do evil more than the nations which the Lord destroyed before the children of God.
The Lord the God of Israel: Behold I will bring on evils upon Jerusalem and Juda: that whosoever shall hear of them, both his ears shall tingle… Because they have done evil before me, and have continued to provoke me, from the day that their fathers came out of Egypt, even unto this day.
And Manasses slept with his father… and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
Two and twenty years old was Amon when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem… And he did evil in the sight of the Lord… And hos servants plotted against him, and slew the king in his own house… and his so Josais reigned in his stead.
4 Kings Chapter 22: Josias’ righteous reign; Josias orders the repair of the Temple; The book of the Law is found; Holda consulted; Holda’s prophecy of doom.
Josais was eight years old when he began to reign: he reigned one and thirty years in Jerusalem… And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of David his father: he turned not aside to the right hand, or to the left.
Helcias the high priest: I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord…
And when Saphan (the scribe of the temple of the Lord) had read it before the king (Josais), and the king had heard the words of the law of the Lord he rent his garments.
King Josias… commanded Helcias the priest: Go and consult the Lord for me, and for all the people of Juda… went to Holda the prophetess… who dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second…
The Lord the God of Israel to Helcias the priest (through Holda): Behold, I will bring evils upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, all the words of the law which the king of Juda hath read, because they have forsaken me, and sacrificed to strange gods, provoking me by all the works of their hands: therefore my indignation shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched…
The Lord the God of Israel to king Josais (through Holda): Forasmuch as thou hast heard the words of the book, and thy heart hath been moved to fear, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, hearing the words against this place, and the inhabitants thereof, to wit, that they should become a wonder and a curse, and thou hast rent thy garments, and wept before me, I also have heard thee… Therefore I will gather thee to thy fathers… that thy eyes may not see all the evils which I bring upon this place.
4 Kings Chapter 23: Josias reads the Law to the people; Josias destroys idolatry; Josias burns dead man’s bones: Celebration of the Pasch; Destruction of diviners and abominations; The wrath of the Lord; Joachaz succeeds Josias; Pharao Nechao seizes Joachaz; Joakim succeeds Joachaz.
All the men of Juda, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, the priests and the prophets, and all the people both little and great: and in the hearing of them all he read the words of the book of the covenant, which was found in the house of the Lord.
King Josais… cast out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that had been made for Baal… he destroyed the soothsayers… them also that burnt incense to Baal, and to the sun, and to the moon, and to the twelve signs, and to all the host of heaven… he destroyed also the pavilions of the effeminate, which were in the house of the Lord…
And as Josias turned himself… (he) took the bones out of the sepulchers, and burnt them upon the altar, and defiled it according to the word of the Lord… and he slew all the priests of the high places…
Keep the phase of the Lord your God (celebration of the Pasch; the Jewish festival of Passover; Easter), according as it is written in the book of this covenant.
There was no king before him like unto him, that returned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses: neither after him did there arise any like him.
The Lord said: I will remove Juda also from before my face, as I have removed Israel: and I will cast off this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the house, of which I said: My name shall be there.
In his days Pharao Nechao king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josias went to meet him: and was slain at Mageddo, when he had seen him… And the people of the land took Joachaz the son of Josais: and they anointed him, and made him king in his father’s stead.
Joachaz was three and twenty years old when he began his reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem… And he did evil before the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. And Pharao Nechao bound him… that he should not reign in Jerusalem: and he set a fine upon the land…
And Pharao Nechao made Eliacim the son of Josias king in the room of Josias his father: and turned his name to Joakim. And he took Joachaz away and carried him into Egypt, and he died there. And Joakim gave the silver and gold to Pharao, after he had taxed the land for every man.
Joakim was five and twenty years old when he began to reign: and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem… And he did evil before the Lord according to all that his fathers had done.
4 Kings Chapter 24: Nabuchodonosor subdues Joakim; Joachin succeeds Joakim; Joachin’s evil reign; Jerusalem us carried captive to Babylon; Sedecias reigns wickedly at Jerusalem.
In his days Nabuchadonosor king of Babylon came up, and Joakim became his servant three years: then again he rebelled against him.
And Joakim slept with his fathers, and Joachin his son reigned in his stead. And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his country: for the king of Babylon had taken all that had belonged to the king of Egypt, from the river of Egypt, unto the river Euphrates. Joachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem… And he did evil before the Lord, according to all that his father had done.
And he (Nabuchadonosor king of Babylon) carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the valiant men of the army, to the number of ten thousand into captivity: and every articer and smith: and none were left, but the poor sort of people of the land… he carried into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
And he (king Joachin of Jerusalem now exiled in Babylon) appointed Matthanias his uncle in his stead: and he called his name Sedecias. Sedecias was one and twenty years old when he began his reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem… And he did evil before the Lord, according to all that Joakim (his brother?) had done.’
For the Lord was angry against Jerusalem and against Juda, till he cast them out from his face: and Sedecias revolted from the king of Babylon.
4 Kings Chapter 25: Nabuchodonosor again besieges Jerusalem; Sedecias captured and blinded; Jerusalem is destroyed; Treasures are carried to Babylon; Seventy-two leaders slain at Reblatha; Godolias made governor of Juda; Godolias slain; Joachin released from prison
Nabuchadonosor king of Babylon came… And the city (Jerusalem) was shut up and besieged… and a famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land… (king of Jerusalem) Sedecias fled by way that leadeth to the plains of the wilderness… all the warriors that were with him were scattered, and left him…and brought him to the king of Babylon… and he gave judgment upon him… And he slew the sons of Sedecias before his face, and he put out his eyes, and bound him with chains, and brought him to Babylon.
…came Nabuzardan commander of the (Babylon) army into Jerusalem. And he burnt the house of the Lord, and the king’s house, and the houses of Jerusalem, and every house he burnt with fire. And all the army of Chaldees… broke down the walls of Jerusalem round about… and carried away the rest of the people that remained in the city… But the poor of the land he left some dressers of vines and husbandmen.
And the pillars of brass that were in the temple of the Lord… the Chaldees broke in pieces, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon…gold in gold and such as were of silver in silver… was without weight…
Seraias the chief priest (and seventy-two leaders)…these Nabuzardan took away and carried them to the king of Babylon (Nabuchadonosor)… And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them… so Juda was carried away out of their land.
But over the people that remained in the land of Juda… he gave government to Godolias… and Godolias swore to them and to their men, saying: Be not afraid to serve the Chaldees: stay in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
But it came to pass… Ismael… of royal seed, came… and smote Godolias so that he died… And all the people both little and great, and the captains of the soldiers, rising up went to Egypt, fearing the Chaldees.
Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, lifted up the head of Joachin king of Juda out of prison… And he appointed him a continual allowance, which was also given him by the king day by day, all the days of his life.
The END of The Fourth Book of Kings which continues the history of the two hostile kingdoms, Israel and Juda, up to their captivity. The Assyrians in 722 B.C. led Israel away; the Babylonians in 586 B.C. led Juda into captivity.
At least it ends on an up note. Even though both Juda and Israel are captive in Babylon, Joachin king of Juda, including Jerusalem is alive.
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