Tag Archives: Baʿal

Jun 28 2012

2 Kings 21 – Manasseh Reigns in Judah

Iron Age Judahite pillar-figurine of a popular...

Iron Age Judahite pillar-figurine of a popular fertility deity, possibly Asherah, associated in the Old Testament with Baal (e.g. 2 Kgs. 23:4-7) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, begins his 55 year reign at the age of twelve (verse 1).  He has the dubious distinction of being known as the worst king Judah ever had.   He rebuilt the high places that his father, Hezekiah, had torn down.  He built altars for Baal, set a carved image of Asherah in the house of the Lord, and even sacrificed one of his own sons (verse 6).  Verses 9 and 11 say that Manasseh did more evil than the Amorites and all of the people God had brought Israel to the promised land to remove.  Manasseh’s despicable reign ends at his death in verse 18; and his son Amon walks right in his footsteps (verse 21) until his death in verse 26.

The disaster and captivity that had befallen Israel has been hinted at for the last few chapters, and is now declared a certainty by God in verses 10-14 (note especially verse 13).

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

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Jun 21 2012

2 Kings 10 – Jehu Strikes Down the Prophets of Baal

Jehu-on-black-obelisk

Jehu-on-black-obelisk (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria.  So Jehu sent letters to the rulers of the city to prepare to fight him.  But after he had killed the two kings, they were afraid and so he told them to send him the heads of Ahab’s sons.  After this was done, he struck down all that remained in the house of Ahab at Jezreel (verse 11).  On the way to Samaria, he did the same with all the relatives of Ahaziah; and after reaching Samaria, he dealt with the remainder of the house of Ahab.  So now it was fulfilled as Lord had spoken to Elijah (verse 17).

Verses 18-26 detail brilliant planning and execution (literally) on Jehu’s part to exterminate the prophets of Baal in the land.  But although verse 28 says that he wiped out Baal from Israel, but verse 29 says that he left the golden calves in Bethel and Dan and “did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam.” And as Assyria grows stronger, the Lord had already begun (verse 32) to “cut of parts of Israel.”  After the demonstration in the last few chapters of the Lord’s power and His will always coming to pass, it is no surprise to see Hazael of Syria beginning to defeat them throughout Israel territory, as prophesied in 1 Kings 19:15-18. verse 38 tells us that Jehu reigned 28 years before his death, and then Jehoahaz, his son, reigned in his place.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.