College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Kings 12 - Introduction
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE KINGDOMS AT LOW EBB
The revolution of 841 B.C. ushered in a period of decline in Israel. The murder of Jezebel severed the profitable economic arrangements which Omri had worked out with the Phoenicians. The murder of the king of Judah disrupted relations with the sister kingdom to the south. The execution of the house of Ahab and its supporters created a dearth of leadership in the land. Judah too plunged into a sad state of decline in this period. For some forty years the Arameans under the leadership of the vigorous Hazael dominated the politics of the region.
In treating these four decades of humiliation in the two kingdoms, the author speaks of (1) the reign of Jehu in the North (2 Kings 10:28-36); (2) the reign of Athaliah (2 Kings 11:1-20) and (3) Joash (2 Kings 11:21 to 2 Kings 12:21) in the South; and (4) the reign of Jehoahaz in the North (2 Kings 13:1-9).
REVIEW OF CHAPTER TWENTY
I. FACTS TO MASTER
A. How do each of the following figure in the events of this chapter?
1. Jehu
5. Benhadad
9. Matt an
2. Hazael
6. Jehosheba
10. Zibiah
3. Jehoahaz
7. Joash
11. Jozachar
4. Athaliah
8. Jehoiada
12. Jehozabad
B. Each of the following terms should bring to mind some significant statement or event in this chapter:
1. golden calves
4. crown
8. trumpeters
2. sabbath
5. testimony
9. a chest
3. David's spears and shields
6. covenant
10. house of Millo
7. a pillar
11. Asherah
C. What of importance transpired in each of the following places mentioned in this chapter?
1. Bethel
4. Aroer
7. Jordan
2. Dan
5. Bashan
8. Gath
3. Gilead
6. Samaria
9. Jerusalem
D. Important numbers
1.
The age of Joash when he began to reign
2.
Number of horsemen, footmen and chariots which the Arameans left to Israel
II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1.
Evaluate the religious reformation launched by Jehu. How far did Jehu go in bringing the nation back to God?
2.
What promise did God make concerning Jehu? Why make this promise? How was the promise fulfilled?
3.
When did the Aramean domination of Israel begin? How serious did this domination become?
4.
In what way did Athaliah reflect the character of her mother Jezebel?
5.
Why does the author go to such length in narrating the rescue of Joash?
6.
How extensive was the religious reformation which swept the land of Judah under the leadership of Jehoiada the priest? Under what previous kings had reformation efforts been made?
7.
Why did King Joash's initial effort to raise money for Temple repair fail?
8.
What principles of giving are illustrated in the successful use of the Joash box?
9.
How was Joash able to avoid a siege of Jerusalem by Hazael? What previous kings had resorted to the same means?
10.
Why did the Lord have regard to the repentance of Jehoahaz when that repentance was so imperfect?
11.
Who was the deliverer God raised up for Israel during the time of the Aramean oppression?
Lessons in Living
RESTORING GOD'S TEMPLE
I. We Must Recognize the Need for this Work
Repair the breaches of the bouse, wherever any breach shall be found (2 Kings 12:5).
II. We Must Realize that the King has Commanded this Work
And Jehoasb said to the priests ... (2 Kings 12:4).
III. We Must Not Allow Negligent Leaders to Thwart this Work
Why do you not repair the breaches of the house? (2 Kings 12:7).
IV. We Must Rally to the Support of this Work
... they saw there was much money in the chest (2 Kings 12:10).
V. We Must Raise up Faithful Men to Lead in this Work
Moreover they reckoned not with the men into whose hands they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen, for they dealt faithfully (2 Kings 12:15).
Damascus, the capital of Syria
Drawings by Horace Knowles from the British and Foreign Bible Society