Jerusalem Destroyed

II Kings 25:1-21, II Chronicles 36:15-21, Jeremiah 38:1-6

“And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.” (II Chronicles 36:15-16)

About half the book of Ezekiel and a third of Jeremiah are devoted to warning Judah of their sin and their impending destruction by Babylon if they would not repent.  Their warnings were considered unpatriotic and they were mocked and imprisoned.  Ezekiel was warned, “But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them,” in Ezekiel 3:25.  He was forced to make his base among some of the captives Nebuchadnezzar had relocated to the  Chebar or Khabar river, a tributary of the Euphrates in present day Syria.  Jeremiah was stuck in Judah.

“Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.  Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.

Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.  Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.  Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.” (Jeremiah 38:1-6)

Because they considered Jeremiah’s message unpatriotic, the Jewish leaders demanded Jeremiah be executed.  Fearing their power, Zedekiah turned him over to them, and Jeremiah was cast into a dungeon or pit that had flooded and the water had soaked in, leaving a deep layer of very soft mud that Jeremiah sank in.  Fearing he would drown, he was rescued by an Ethiopian slave.

“And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it: and they built forts against it round about.  And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 
 And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.” (II Kings 25:1-3) 

Almost nine years after making Zedekiah king, Nebuchadnezzar was forced to quell another rebellion, besieging the city of Jerusalem for the fourth time.   Clearly they were not to be trusted, and he intended to make sure they couldn’t rebel again.  No quarter was given.

“Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.” (II Chronicles 36:17)

The seige lasted a year and a half, with the Babylonians blockading all supply sources, and preventing any humanitarian efforts.  Everyone suffered, and Ezekiel’s prophecy in Ezekiel 5:12, “A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.”

“And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain. 

And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.  So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.  And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.” (II Kings 25:4-7)

When the walls were breached, the army fled in various directions.  Zedekiah was captured but most of the army escaped with many of them eventually joining the refugees at Telebib on the Chebar and others fleeing to the Ammonites, the Moabites, or other neighboring areas.  Zedekiah’s children were killed in front of him and then his eyes put out so he would never forget what his rebellion had caused.   Finally he was taken to Babylon as a prisoner.

“And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire.  And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about. 

Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.  But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.” (II Kings 25:8-10) 

All the people were taken into captivity except the poorest, who were left behind to care for the farms and orchards for the Babylonians.

“And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.” (II Chronicles 36:20-21) 

God had commanded Israel to let the land lie fallow every seventh year.  They had not kept that command since the time of the judges.  God had overlooked it as long as they kept most of the law, but now they would have to give the land it’s rest for seventy years to make up for all the ones they owed God.

“And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brazen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.  And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.  And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away. 

The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.  The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work. 

And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: And out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the king's presence, which were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the host, which mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the city: And Nebuzaradan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah: And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.” (II Kings 25:13-21)

In the process of destroying the city, several prominent men were discovered who had refused to surrender and gone into hiding.  They were taken to Babylon by the forces responsible for cleaning up after the battle, where they were executed.

Hananiah Encourages Rebellion

II Kings 24:20, II Chronicles 36:14-15, Jeremiah 28:1-17

“And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.” (II Chronicles 36:13)

Zedekiah had taken an oath before God that he would serve Nebuchadnezzar.  In breaking that oath, he was demonstrating his lack of respect for God, just as he had by refusing to listen to the prophets.

“For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.” (II Kings 24:20) 

“Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.” (II Chronicles 36:14)

For three hundred fifty years, the only time the people of Judah had served the Lord completely was under Hezekiah’s reign.  Under the good kings, they had resisted, continuing to serve their idols and worship nature in spite of the king’s orders, and eagerly embracing those things when a king led them away from God.  The people were as much at fault as the bad kings.  They couldn’t just lay the blame on them.

 God was fed up with their ongoing rebellion.  He would use Zedekiah’s rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar to make Babylon destroy Judah and Jerusalem, because of their sin.  Some of the religious leaders encouraged the rebellion.

“And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.  Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.” (Jeremiah 28:1-4)

Hananiah, who proclaimed himself a prophet, claimed that God had told him that the rebellion was God’s plan and that it would succeed.  Making a set of iron horns, he proclaimed that God would drive out the Babylonians like they’d been chased out by bull.  Within two years, Babylon would return everything they had taken, according to him.  It was what the people wanted to believe and was widely accepted.

“And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: “ (II Chronicles 36:15)

Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel tried to warn them that their actions were bringing God’s judgment on them.  Even at this point, simply submitting to God and asking forgiveness could have prevented the heartbreak to come, because he loved them.  Jeremiah made a wooden yoke trying to warn them that following Hananiah’s advice was just going to lead to greater slavery.

“Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD, Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.

“Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people; The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.  The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.” (Jeremiah 28:5-9)

Jeremiah said he hoped Hananiah was right and the Babylonians would return everythin as he claimed, but according to the scriptures the test of whether a prophet was speaking God’s word or not was whether the prophecy happened.  Within two years, they would know whether Hananiah was speaking for God or not.

“Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it.  And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.” (Jeremiah 28:10-11)

Angry at Jeremiah’s inference that he was wrong and not speaking for God, Hananiah broke the Jeremiah’s yoke and said that God had said he would break Babylon’s yoke.  Jeremiah simply walked away.  There was no use arguing.

 “Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.  For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also. 

Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.  Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.

So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.” (Jeremiah 28:12-17)

God wasn’t finished, however.  A short time later, God directed Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that by breaking Jeremiah’s wooden yoke and promising that Judah would be delivered instead of encouraging them to repent and turn to God, Hananiah was forging a yoke they couldn’t break for the people.  In effect, he was teaching them to disobey God, and god was going to kill him for it.  Two months later, Hananiah was dead.

Jehoiachin’s Three Month Reign

II Kings 24:8-19, II Chronicles 36:9-13

“Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.” (II Kings 24:8-9) 

“Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.” (II Chronicles 36:9)

Once again we confronted with the problems of maintaining accuracy in copies of scripture over long periods.  Was Jehoiachin eight or eighteen?  

Since his father was only about thirty four when he died, it is unlikely that he was eighteen.  The fact that they also took his mother as captive, and that his uncle would assume the throne when he went into captivity support that conclusion.  Since he was so young, his mother probably directed his decisions, but the decisions were just continuations of Jehoiakim’s policies.  Since marriages were often arranged at birth,  later mention of his wives does not preclude this conclusion.

“At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.  And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it. 

And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.” (II Kings 24:10-12)

Jehoiakim had rebelled against Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem to regain control.  Just a hundred days after Jehoiachin was made king, Jerusalem capitulated, in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, in 593 BC.   Jehoiachin, his mother, and the cabinet and military leaders surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar.

“And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. 

And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.  And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.  And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.” (II Kings 24:13-16)

It took Nebuchadnezzar the rest of the year to set up a new government and gather all the things the spies had seen in Josiah’s day that he wanted to take back to Babylon.   Besides the temple treasures, he took the most skilled of the craftsmen, as well as the most skilled fighting men.  By tapping their knowledge, he could improve Babylon’s military and technological skills.
 
“And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah. 

“Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.” (II Kings 24:17-19) 

“And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.” (II Chronicles 36:12)

Jehoiakim’s brother  was only twenty two when Nebuchadnezzar appointed him as the next king in Jehoiachin’s place, renaming him Zedekiah.  He had the same attitude and followed the same policies as his brother, refusing to pay attention to the message God had delivered through Jeremiah.

“And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.” (II Chronicles 36:13)

Zedekiah had taken an oath of loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar in the Lord’s name.  Ignoring God’s command to fulfill their oaths, he promptly broke it along with executing those who disagreed with his decisions and refusing to worship God.  

Jehoahaz And Jehoiakim

II Kings 23:31-24:7, II Chronicles 36:1-8

“Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.” (II Kings 23:31-32)

Pharaoh Necho and Egyptian army had been trying to break away from Assyria when Josiah attacked them.  Josiah was killed and th people made his son Jehoahaz king.  Jehoahaz did just like his grand father and great grandfather, turning back to the idolatry and nature worship Josiah ahd worked to eradicate.

“And the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem, and condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.” (II Chronicles 36:3)

“And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.” (II Kings 23:33) 

Having effectively broken Assyria’s power, Pharaoh Necho turned his attention to Judah,.  Just three months after Jehoahaz assumed the throne, the Egyptian army took Jerusalem.  Jehoahaz was dethroned and carried into present day Syria as a prisoner.  He demanded a major tribute to allow Judah to function as a free country.

“And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there. 

 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh. 

Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.” (II Kings 23:34-37)

Pharaoh put Jehoahaz’ brother, Eliakim in as king, and changed his name to Jehoiakim, carrying Jehoahaz to Egypt where he died in exile..  Jehoiakim raised the tribute by taxing the people and paid Pharaoh the protection money to keep them from taking over the country.   Like his brother, Jehoiakim chose to follow the example of his grandfather and great grandfather rather than that of his father.

“In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.” (II Kings 24:1) 

“Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.” (II Chronicles 36:6-7)

In 626 BC, Babylon broke away from Assyria under Nabopolasser.   Pharaoh Necho’s revolt further weakened The Assyrians, and in 612 BC, Babylon seized Nineveh.  Nebuchadnezzar come to power about 605 BC and took most of the lands the Assyrians had claimed.  In the process, he captured Jerusalem, carrying Jehoiakim away to Babylon along with the gold sacrificial implements from the temple. Daniel and other promising young men were take at this time.  After agreeing to be a Babylonian state Jehoiakim was allowed to return to power and kept the treaty for three years before rebelling.

“And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets. 

Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.” (II Kings 24:2-4)

With Judah no longer protected by Babylon, The surrounding nations were not hesitant about making raids, and God allowed it because of their sin.  He had prophesied judgment because of Manasseh’s and Amon’s sin, but Jehoiakim made it worse by having dissidents and political opponents executed.  God would not excuse murdering innocent people, nor will he today.

“Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?  Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. 

And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.” (II Kings 24:5-7)

Jehoiakim was only about thirty four when he died, and his son, Jehoiachin became king.  By that time, Nebuchadnezzar had conquered all the land to the border of Egypt, at present day El Arish.

Josiah Killed Fighting The Egyptians

II Kings 23:24-30, II Chronicles 35:20-26

“Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.” (II Kings 23:24)

Having read the law, Josiah  did everything he could to keep it, destroying any idols that were seen and getting rid of all the mediums and psychics he learned about in an effort to follow God’s commands completely.  Even Hezekiah had not been as thorough in eliminating the idolatry as Josiah.

“And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” (II Kings 23:25)

Although Josiah was more careful about seeking God than Hezekiah, he was not as successful in turning the nation to God.  Hezekiah had shared his ideas and goals with the people and sought their input.  The people owned the decision and took the responsibility to eliminate the idolatry.  Josiah ordered the idolatry eliminated and the people left it to his officers to do because, although they had agreed with his covenant, they didn‘t feel it was really their decision.    

“Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.   And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.” ” (II Kings 23:26-27)

When Hezekiah died, the people were firmly committed to serving god and Manasseh had to actively lead them into sin.  Under Josiah’s leadership, the people followed the law because it was what they had agreed to rather than because of a commitment to God.  God knew what was in their hearts, and whether they were doing these things because they wanted to or because it was a way of avoiding a hassle.  Jeremiah 17:10 declares, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Without Josiah’s hand on the reins to keep them in line, Judah would go back to the things Manasseh had practiced, and God knew it.  The people were only trying to please Josiah and had not really turned to God.

“Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?   In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.” (II Kings 23:28-29)

Assyria was starting to decline, and Egypt rebelled against Assyrian rule, invading the land and going northeast to the Euphrates to engage them.  Suspecting that if they won, the Egyptians would turn on Judah, Josiah attacked them.  II Chronicles 35:20-25 describes the events.

“After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.  But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.

Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.” (II Chronicles 25:20-22)

Pharaoh Necho tried to convince Josiah that he was only trying to break the Assyrians power over Egypt and had no desire to invade Judah.  He believed it was God who was directing him to attack Assyria and that Josiah would be going against god to try to stop him.  Josiah refused to listen, attacking the Egyptians at Megiddo.

“And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.  His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.” ( II Chronicles 35:23-24)

“And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre…” (II Kings 23:30a)

 In the ensuing battle, Josiah was mortally wounded and asked his servants to take him back to be treated.  Transferring him from his war chariot to a more comfortable traveling vehicle, they returned to Jerusalem where he died.  Highly respected, he was buried alongside his ancestors and his death was deeply mourned.

“And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.” (II Chronicles 35:25)

Josiah was mourned, not only for his political power, but for his stance for God as well, with the temple singers writing and singing several songs about his death.  One of the mourners was Jeremiah the prophet, who had begun his ministry about the middle of Josiah’s reign, according to Jeremiah 1:1-2.  Zephaniah also prophesied during Josiah’s reign, according to Zephaniah 1:1.

“Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the LORD, And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.” (II Chronicles 35:26-27)

“…And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead.” (II Kings 23:30b)

Josiah Celebrates The Passover

II Kings 23:15-23, II Chronicles 34:33-35:19

“Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove.  And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.” (II Kings 23:15-16)

Two hundred years before, Jeroboam started a religion based on the Jewish religion and history to further his political aspirations.  He deliberately made it enough like the Jewish religion god had given that people would not have trouble accepting it but enough different so they didn’t have to go to Jerusalem or follow all the same rules and commandments so it would be more appealing to the people.   It had been accepted as the official religion of Israel and practiced the entire time, but God was not pleased with it.

II Kings 13:1-2 states, “And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.  And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.”

Two hundred years later, Josiah fulfilled that prophecy, going into Assyrian held territory and removing the bodies of the priests from the sepulchres around the altars and burning them on the altar in a mockery of Jeroboam’s religion.

“Then he said, What title is that that I see? 

And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel. 

And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.” (II Kings 23:17-18)

Because he disobeyed God in stopping to visit and eat in the city, the prophet who delivered the prophecy was killed and buried nearby.  Learning whose tomb it was, Josiah gave orders that his tomb was not to be disturbed.

“And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.  And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.” (II Kings 23:19-20) 

“And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God.  And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.” (II Chronicles 24:33)

Josiah then went through the rest of Samaria and all the area that had once belonged to Israel destroying the altars and killing the priests who served at them to prevent people from going back to that religion and giving orders that they were to serve God instead.  As a result of his commands, the Samaritan people practiced the Jewish religion as long as Josiah lived to enforce them.

“And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.  Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.” (II Kings 23:21-23) 

“Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.” II Chronicles 35:1) 

The Passover had not been celebrated at all since Hezekiah’s day, and Josiah was unaware that Israel was to keep it every year until they found and read the copy of the law.  One of his first actions after learning about the command was to order the Passover kept.  Even David, Solomon or Hezekiah had not celebrated the Passover like they did under Josiah.

“And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD, And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel, And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son. 

And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites.  So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” (II Chronicles 35:2-6)

He directed the priests to concentrate on their priestly duties, and set the Levites who had kept the command to be sanctified to teach the people and assist the priests in offering the sacrifices since they were not needed to move the tabernacle or the ark so the people could offer the Passover the way God had commanded.

“And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance. 

And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.  Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.” (II Chronicles 35:7-9) 

Josiah personally gave thirty thousand sheep and three thousand young bulls for the offerings and his princes voluntarily gave another eight thousand four hundred head of cattle and oxen because they believed in the decision.  What a difference from leaders who refuse to participate in the programs they force others into.

“So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment.  And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.  And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen. 

And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.  And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron. 

And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them. Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for Passover. 

So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah.” (II Chronicles 35:10-16)

Not only  were they celebrating their independence from Egypt, but that they had been a nation for over eight hundred years because of God’s power.  During the seven days of unleavened bread following Passover, they offered thousands of burnt offerings of thanks giving and held giant barbecue for everyone with concerts and all the fanfare.

“And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.  And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.” (II Chronicles 35:17-19)

Committed To Following God Completely

II Kings 23:1-14, II Chronicles 34:32

“And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.  And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.” (II Kings 23:1-2) 

After consulting with the prophetess, Josiah called for a town hall meeting for all the people of Jerusalem, and the leaders from all the rest of Judah.  At that meeting, they read all the contract between Israel and God.  For most of the people, it was the first time they had ever heard their law completely.

It was pretty much like reading the constitution would be to most Americans, who are only aware of a few of the provisions of Bill of Rights, such as the first and second amendments.  Because they didn’t know the whole story, they had no way of knowing when they or their leaders violated the law.

“And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.” (II Kings 23:3)

“And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.” (II Chronicles 34:32) 

Standing next to one of the temple pillars, Josiah publicly promised to obey all the commands and statutes of the law as they were written to the best of his ability.  He called on the people to make the same commitment, and the people agreed to do so, beginning to address the problems immediately.

“And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel. 

And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. 

And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. ” (II Kings 23:4-6) 

Josiah had already removed the idols and their altars from the temple and across the land, but many of the pagan symbols and religious items remained.   Josiah ordered that every trace of those false religions be removed from the temple.  Many of the priests had been involved in the idolatry and he removed them from office as well.  Finally, a grove of trees had been planted on the temple grounds where they worshipped nature, and these were uprooted and destroyed.

“And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove. 

And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.” (II Kings 23:7-8) 

Homosexuality was expressly forbidden by the law, and Josiah destroyed the red light district that had sprung up around the temple to cater to the crowds of idolaters who came to purchase religious tapestries.

In addition, he removed all the idolatrous priests in the other cities, defacing or destroying the places where incense had been burned, destroying the shrines and altars that had been placed in the gate of the city for public use.

“Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.” (II Kings 23:9) 

Because of their sin, the priests who had been involved in idolatry were not permitted to continue in ministry, although as Levites they were still entitled to eat the unleavened bread like the other Levites.  In much the same way, a Christian who goes into gross sin should be removed from leadership, but allowed to continue in the church if he repents of the sin.  He should only be put out of the church if he refuses to repent.

“And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech. 

And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.” (II Kings 23:10-11)

Here we get another sampling just how far Judah had gone into idolatry, that they had established a particular place designated for human sacrifice.  Josiah destroyed the altars, and so messed up the place that no one would want to go there to offer sacrifices.

The kings had actively supported these other religions, establishing a formal guard of cavalry and chariots devoted to the worship of the sun under one of the palace officials, the chamberlain.  Josiah eliminated this group as well, burning the chariots and getting rid of the horses.

“And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.” (II Kings 23:12) 

Josiah’s great great grandfather had built private altars to the various gods in the upper part of the palace, and his grandfather had built altars in the temple courtyard.  Josiah had grown up with them there, and had not realized they were wrong until he studied the law.  He had them torn down and shredded so they could be dumped into the river and carried away.

“And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.  And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.” (II Kings 23:13-14) 

Some of the idols and altars had been around since Solomon’s time, two hundred years before.  Because they had not studied the law, even sincere godly kings like Hezekiah had viewed them as acceptable traditions.  Sadly, in modern churches, there are a lot of things that are clearly contrary to scripture that are accepted because they have been practiced for so long.  Josiah tore them down, and left human bones scattered around to deter further use.

Rediscovering God’s Law

II Kings 22:8- 20, II Chronicles 34:14-31

“And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.” (II Chronicles 34:14) 

“And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.” (II Kings 22:8)

Judah had depended solely on people’s memories of what they were to do since at least the start of Amon’s reign, twenty years before and maybe clear back to Hezekiah’s reign.  The High Priest himself was surprised to find a copy of the law and thought the king should have it.  He gave it to Shaphan, a man who could read to give to the king.  Shaphan read it before delivering it to Josiah.

“And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD. 

And Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.” (II Kings 22:9-10) 

After reporting on the progress of the temple restoration, Shaphan described Hilkiah’s discovery and read it to Josiah.

“And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. 

And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying, Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.” (II Kings 22:11-13)

When they read what the law said, Josiah was really upset.  He realized that for generations they had been sincerely keeping part of the law, while totally unaware of other things it required.  They were like a lot of churches today, who sincerely practice their traditional religion and doctrine, who no longer study all the scripture.

When they read the whole scripture, he realized how superficial their practices were and how deserving of judgment they were.  He sent the priests and scribes to someone who knew God intimately to find out what God would want them to do about the past disobedience.

“So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.” (II Kings 22:14)

The High Priest and religious leaders went to find Huldah, an unofficial person who had personal contact with God to find out what God wanted.  Frequently, religious leaders, like everyone else, get away from God.  She was living right there in Jerusalem, but few people were paying attention to her.  It is unclear whether the college referred to the group known as the sons of the prophets of not.

“And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.” (II Kings 22:15-17)

She told them that the sin of Judah would still have to be paid for, and that all the warnings God had given would still come to pass.  There was nothing to stop God’s judgment.  Justice still required that the penalty for sin be paid.   God cannot just allow people to get by with their sin, and no amount of animal sacrifices could take it away.

“But to the king of Judah which sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. 

Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.” (II Kings 22:18-20)

Even though Josiah had been willing to listen and change, the judgment was still going to come upon Judah for their ongoing sin, but it would not happen in Josiah’s day.  He would die at peace and not see the judgment to come.  Other people’s actions would not deprive him of God’s blessings.

Josiah Begins To Follow God

II Kings 22:1-7, II Chronicles 34:1-14

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” (II Kings 22:1-2)

Josiah was Hezekiah’s great grandson.  His grandfather had initially rebelled against God, but later turned to him.  His father rebelled and was killed at about twenty four years of age.  The murderers were executed and the people made Amon’s eight year old son king.

Josiah would become another of the great kings of  Judah, seeking the Lord like his great Grandfather, starting from an early age.  Unlike Joash, he did not seem to have a priest like Jehoiada to guide him.  Apparently his mother had a major impact on his desire to serve God, guiding him until he was mature enough to make his own decisions.

“For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. 

And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.  And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.” (II Chronicles 34:3-5)

When he was sixteen, Josiah really became interested in God, studying his commands.  About the age of twenty, he began to actively promote the worship of God and eliminate the other religions.

He actively destroyed the idols that his father had made,  and cut down the groves of trees for nature worship, grinding them up and sprinkling the powder over the graves of their worshipers.   He killed the priests of those religions and burned their bodies on their altars, Eliminating false religion in Jerusalem and Judah.

“And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.  And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.” (II Chronicles 34:6-7)

The nation of Israel had been replaced with a mixed group from Assyria,  Judah had been a tributary of Assyria since Manasseh’s day, and when he cleaned out idolatry from Judah, Josiah went on into the main part of Israel doing the same thing.  Apparently the Assyrians were not upset by his actions, perhaps remembering what had happened when they ignored God themselves.  Later he would return for more thorough cleansing.

“And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying, Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house, Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.” (II Kings 22:3-6)

Buildings deteriorate with use, and the temple was more than two hundred years old.  It had been stripped of much of the gold and silver to pay off the Assyrians under Manasseh and Amon, both of whom had also modified it for worship of other gods.  Six years after he had begun to lead Judah back to worshiping only God, Josiah began a restoration of the temple to it’s original state.

Since the time of Joash, they had kept a chest at the door of the temple to collect people’s offerings for the maintenance of the Temple.  Nearly everyone who came tot eh temple donated whether from Judah or not.  Several times the money had been used to pay the tribute, but it had been accumulating since Josiah became king.  Josiah asked for a report as to how much was available for that purpose, so that it could be given the various tradesmen as needed.

“And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem. 

And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and amend the house: Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.” (II Chronicles 34:9-11)

“Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.” (II Kings 22:7)

Because truth and honesty were such important moral values in Jewish society, it was not important to require an accounting of the tradesmen, because they had an established reputation for honesty.  It becomes an issue where people value truth less than profit.  

“And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of music. 

Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.” (II Chronicles 34:13)

Levites from the various branches of the family organized and oversaw the restoration, seeing that materials were delivered and coordinating the different workmen.

Amon’s Reign

II Kings 21:19- 26, II Chronicles 33:21-25

“Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did. 

And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them: And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD.” (II Kings 21:19-22) 

Manasseh had ignored how God blessed Hezekiah and had gone against God, reinstituting the idols and nature worship Hezekiah had eliminated, and converting the nation to false religion.  As a result he had been taken to Babylon as a prisoner.  While there, he changed his mind and turned to the Lord.   He spent the last several years of his life serving God, destroying the idols he had made and trying to turn Judah back to God.  His reign was blessed even though they were subject to Assyrian rule.

Amon ignored his fathers experience, encouraging the idolatry and nature worship Manasseh had spent the last few years of his life trying to destroy.   In just two years time he had gone as far as Manasseh had ever gone.

“And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.” (II Chronicles 33:23)

Amon had heard the stories of his father’s captivity and seen how God blessed him when he turned to God.  He could not claim ignorance, either of his sin, or of the benefits of serving God.  His actions were deliberate and God only put up with his behavior for two years.

“And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house.” (II Kings 21:23)

Leadership's attitude establishes the attitude of the followers, and after just two years, his personal servants rebelled against him and murdered him at home.

“And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.” (II Kings 21:24)

The rebellion was just by Amon’s own servants and was not popularly supported.  The people executed the conspirators and made Josiah king in his place.

“Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?  And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.” (II Kings 21:25-26)

Amon was buried in the same garden as Manasseh, rather than in the royal cemetery with the great kings, but he was not as hated as some had been.

Manasseh’s Latter Reign

II Kings 21:17-18, II Chronicles 33:14-18

“And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.” (II Chronicles 33:12-13) 

In prison in Babylon, Manasseh finally turned back to God, asking forgiveness, and praying.  God answered those prayers, and enabled him to return to Jerusalem.  Instead of being the God of his ancesters, he made God his own.  Though he had grown up in a godly home, like many children raised in religious homes, he had never had a personal relationship with God.

“Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. ” (II Chronicles 33:14)

Returning from Babylon, Manasseh reinforced the fortifications around Jerusalem, and raising the walls of the garrison at Ophel high enough to give the defenders an advantage in case of attack.  He also put experienced officers in charge of all the fortifications across Judah, rather than leaving them in control of political leaders.

“And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.  And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.” (II Chronicles 33:15-16) 

In the early part of his reign, Manasseh had tried to stamp out all worship of God, turning the temple into a house of idolatry and abandoning all the original implements devoted to God.  After his return from Babylon, he reversed the process, removing all the idols, repairing the temple and restoring the old worship of God that his father had practiced.  He commanded the people to serve God.

“Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.” (II Chronicles 33:17)

Like many of the kings in Judah before him, Manasseh ordered the people to serve God, and as happened in every case, they just went underground with the idolatry and false religion.  Making rules to force people to do what is right usually results in an attitude of rebellion instead.  The only king who hadn’t had this problem was Hezekiah, who, rather than issuing and order, met with the people and sought a commitment from them.  It is the difference between a leader and a dictator.

 “Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?” (II Kings 21:17) 

“His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.” (II Chronicles 33:19)

Far more detailed official records were kept, as were numerous writings of various prophets during the period, but most are not included in scripture as they have little relevance to other peoples or to God's plan.

“And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.” (II Kings 21:18) 

Rather than being buried in the official royal cemetery or one of the private cemeteries, Manasseh was buried in his own yard.

Manasseh’s Early Reign

II Kings 21:1-16 , II Chronicles 33:1-13

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah. 

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.  For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.” (II Kings 21:1-3) 

Ahaz had been one of the worst kings Judah had ever had.  His son Hezekiah had been the best, destroying idolatry and leading the entire nation to turn back to God.  Manasseh decided to copy his grandfather rather than his father, and restored the old high places for nature worship and began to practice astrology again, doing the very things that had caused God to destroy the original inhabitants of Israel.

“And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.  And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.  And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 

And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.” (II Kings 21:4-8)

The temple had been built and chosen by God as a place that was wholly dedicated to him.  Like Ahaz, Manasseh converted the temple from a place to worship God to a heathen temple for the worship of astrology and nature.  In addition, he sacrificed his own children to Baal and consulted mediums and practitioners of various forms of witchcraft.  It was totally disrespectful toward God.

“And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.” (II Chronicles 33:10) 

“But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel. 

And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying, Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols: Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. 

And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.  And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies; Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.” (II Kings 21:9-15)

When God sent prophets to warn them, the people didn’t listen, and Manasseh led them even farther into sin until they worse than the Amorites had ever been.  As a result God said he was going to destroy Jerusalem like he had Samaria,  It would be so bad it would make the hearer’s ears hurt, and Jerusalem would be wiped out like a person would wipe a spot off a dish.

Jeremiah 15:4-6 gives additional details.  “And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.  For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?  Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.”

“Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.” (II Kings 21:16) 

Idolatry and witchcraft were not enough to satisfy Manasseh.  He also had people who didn’t agree with him or go along with what he wanted murdered to get his way.  There was no freedom of speech or protection from the government.

“Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.” (II Chronicles 33:11)

For a while it looked as if God might fulfil his promise of total destruction of Jerusalem immediately.  The Assyrians came up and arrested Manasseh, carrying him away in handcuffs to Babylon.

“And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.” (II Chronicles 33:12-13)

In prison in Babylon, Manasseh finally recognized what the prophets had tried to tell him and turned to God, asking forgiveness and to be allowed to go back to Judah.  God heard the prayers, and just as he had done when Ahab asked forgiveness, delayed the fulfillment of his prophecy.  Manasseh was allowed to return to Jerusalem.  As a result Manasseh recognized God as God.  It would change the rest of his reign.

Hezekiah’s Pride

II Kings 20:12-21, II Chronicles 32:25-30

“At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.” (II Kings 20:12)

Assyria had started massive expansion which peaked under Tiglathpileser III about 730 BC.  Although they continued to expand under Shalmenezer, they were over extended and when Sennacherib was forced to withdraw to Nineveh to rebuild his army, the Assyrian Empire went into serious decline, finally collapsing when Ashurbanipal was died in 627 BC.  About the time Sennacherib returned to Nineveh, the Babylonians began to try to break away from Assyria.

Since Judah was the only country not controlled by Assyria, Berodachbaladan wished to ally himself with them in his efforts to break Assyria’s hold.  Hezekiah’s sickness offered and excuse for initiating contact, and Berodachbaladan sent messengers with a letter to Hezekiah.

“And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.” (II Kings 20:13)

Flattered by the attention, and eager to show off his power and wealth, Hezekiah revealed everything to the messengers, from the storehouses of the temple and treasury to their newest technologies and manufacturing.  He even showed off their newest weapons and strategies.  Unfortunately, as II Chronicles 32:25 tells us, “But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.” 

“Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? 

And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. 

And he said, What have they seen in thine house? 

And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them. 

And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.  Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.  And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” (II Kings 20:14-18) 

While Babylon was just trying to break away from Assuria at the time, God had revealed that in the future, they would conquer the Assyrian Empire, and the things Hezekiah had shown them would be remembered, providing an incentive for coming back to conquer Judah.   When that happened, Judah would be conquered and the rulers carried away as slaves, although the entire population would not be replaces as the Assyrians had done in Israel.    

“Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.” (II Chronicles 32:26)

Realizing what his pride had led to, Hezekiah repented, as well as the people, and God’s anger was turned away.  Please notice that compared to the other kings of Judah, Hezekiah’s sin of pride was pretty minimal, but still important.  Even the most minor sin has serious consequences.

II Chronicles 32:31 stresses that God basically stepped away to let Hezekiah make his own decision and demonstrate how serious he was about serving God.   “Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.”   Sometimes God has to do something like this for us to understand just how weak and ungodly we are.  God already knew.

“Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?” (II Kings 20:19)

Rather than beating himself up for being so foolish or worrying about the future, Hezekiah wisely chose to rejoice that God was blessing him during his life.  Far too many people miss present blessings borrowing tomorrow’s troubles today.

“And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. 

Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.  This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.” (II Chronicles 32:27-30)

God continued to bless Hezekiah for his faithfulness.  He had to build warehouses to store his gold, silver, and precious stones.  He collected entire warehouses of different spices, many of which were worth more than their weight in gold.  He had warehouses full of weapons, and for collectible items, besides ones for storing excess crops.  He also built various farming and ranching centers, and rerouted the Gihon river to provide a more dependable source of water for Jerusalem.  He built a storage pond or pool and an aqueduct to fill it so water would be readily available.

“And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?  And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.” (II Kings 20:20-21)

“And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.” (II Chronicles 32:33)

Judah had refused to even let several of their rulers be buried in the Royal cemetery.  Hezekian was so highly respected that he was buried right close to David in a place of honor, and the entire nation turned out to honor him at the funeral.  What a difference from the kings of Israel that they didn’t even bother to bury.

The Sundial Goes Backward

II Kings 19:37b-20:11  II Chronicles 32:24-25

“…In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.” (II Kings 19:37b) 

About the time Sennacherib was threatening Judah, Hezekiah became sick of some type of an infection resembling a boil and was almost to die.  Isaiah the prophet sent him a message that he needed to designate the next king and take care of unfinished business because he was going to die at only thirty nine or forty years of age.

“Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.” (II Kings 20:2-3) 

Upset at the thought of dying so young after trying to serve God, Hezekiah prayed, asking god to remember how completely he’d served him and how he had gotten Judah to turn back to him.

“And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.  And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.” (II Kings 20:4-6)

Isaiah had not even made it to the front gate before God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer.  Because of his prayer, he would take a dramatic turn for the better,  and three days later would be recovered to such degree that he would be able to attend services at the temple.  He was also promised an additional fifteen years of life, and in addition, the promise that God would prevent the Assyrians from conquering the city.

“And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.” (II Kings 20:7)

God had instructed Isaiah to place a lump of figs on the infection site, and he had the servants do so,  The infection began to shrink almost immediately.  While we know that natural sugars such as those found in dried figs are frequently powerful antibacterial agents, and the dried figs  would tend to absorb the pus from the wounds, the healing was far more rapid than such factors would normally produce.

“And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?” (II Kings 20:8)

God had specified that if prophet was truly from God, he was to give a short term prophecy of some minor future event.  If that event did not occur, then clearly the prophet was not from God and they were to ignore the main prophecy.  Wanting to be sure the promise of fifteen more years was really from God, and could be depended on, Hezekiah asked what sign Isaiah had for him.

“And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 

And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.” (II Kings 20:9-10) 

Isaiah said that God had given Hezekiah a choice, whether the shadow on the sundial would suddenly advance about forty minutes, or would jump backward by about forty minutes.  Since the sun always moves in the same direction. Hezekiah thought it would be more noticeable if it went the opposite diection.

“And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.” (II Kings 20:11)

When Isaiah prayed, God caused the shadow on the sundial Hezekiah’s father had constructed to go backward forty minutes, a significant chande which cannot be explained by natural causes.  Some historians have claimed that the event is also recorded in Egyptian records, but I have not verified their claim.

“But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.” (II Chronicles 32:25)




Like many other people have done, after seeing the Assyrian army withdrawn and being healed of potentially fatal disease, Hezekiah became proud and forgot to give God the praise and glory he deserved, bringing himself and the nation into judgment by God.  Basically he treated what had happened as something God owed him because of his pride.  II Corinthians 10:17 commands, “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

God Protects Jerusalem

II Kings 19:20-37a, II Chronicles 32:21-23

“Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.” (II Kings 19:20) 

Forced to turn his attention to stopping the invading Ethiopian army, Sennacherib had to break off his attempt to conquer Judah.  In an effort to maintain psychological pressure, he sent a message to Hezekiah warning him that he’d be back as soon as he’d whipped the Ethiopians.  Troubled by his comments, Hezekiah had prayed about it.  God told Isaiah to tell Hezekiah he had heard his prayer against Sennacherib.

“This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. 

Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.  By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.  I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.” (II Kings 19:21-24) 

Sennacherib had approached Judah like some gang leader who has decided to take a girl for himself.   He thinks she ought to want him just for his power, but if she doesn’t, she will submit because she is afraid not to.   After all, he’s made a point that her boyfriend can’t do anything to save her and will hurt if she resists, and he’s always got his way before.  The only real difference between most gang wars and wars between countries is the size of the gangs involved.

“Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.  Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the house tops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.” (II Kings 19:25-26) 

In his pride, Sennacherib has ignored who God is and that he created the world.  He had enabled Assyria to conquer Israel and the other countries because they would not do what was right and God had taken away their strength.  Assyria’s success wasn’t the result of their superiority, in spite of what they thought.

“But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.  Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.” (II Kings 19:27-28)

God knows who they are and where they live, and exactly what it will take to get them where he wants them.  Because of their blasphemy and hatred, he’s going to do things tha will make them go bacto where they came from.

“And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof. 

And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.  For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.” (II Kings 19:29-31)

Assyria had prevented their planting and caring for their crops, and they had eaten their stored grain.  As a sign, God would cause enough to grow wild, to feed them throughout the remainder of that year.  The following year enough would come up voluntarily to feed them and give seed for the third year.  They would not have to stay in the cities for protection while Assyria fought the Ethiopians, but could resume their normal lives.

“Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.  By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.  For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.” (II Kings 19:32-34) 

God himself would defend Jerusalem, and the Assyrian army would never attack.  They wouldn’t build any fortifications, or shoot an arrow over the wall.  God was going to do things to force Sennacherib to return to Nineveh to his capitol.

"And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.” (II Kings 19:35)

“And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria.” (II Chronicles 32:21a) 

That same night, a hundred eighty five thousand of the officers and elite Assyrian troops died of unknown causes.  With his best troops and officers gone and no explanation of their death, Sennacherib was forced to break off his engagement with the Ethiopians.

“So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.” (II Kings 19:36) 

“…So he returned with shame of face to his own land…” (II Chronicles 32:21b)

Think what an embarrassment it must have been for greatest army in the world to have to break off their fight with the Ethiopians in their own territory and withdraw to Nineveh, near present day Mosul in Iraq to rebuild their army.

“And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.” (II Kings 19:37a)

Sennacherib had boasted that God could not save Judah from him and his gods.  His own god, Nisroch was unable to save his life from God.  As Isaiah had prophesied, he was murdered by his own children in the city where he should have been the safest.  The sons that murdered him escaped northward into Armenia and his son Esarhaddon took the throne.

“Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.  And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.” (II Chronicles 32:22-23)

This left Judah as the only country in the region which had not been conquered by Assyria.  Hezekiah was highly respected and his friendship sought as an alternative to Assyrian domination.

Hezekiah’s Reaction To The Propaganda

II Kings 18:37-19:19, II Chronicles 32:20

“Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.  And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 

And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.  It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.  So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.” (II Kings 18:37-19:5)

Rabshakeh’s threats were very disheartening, especially since he had the most powerful army in the world to enforce them.  His contempt for God was troubling, even to Hezekiah and his representatives. If they felt there was no hope the people might not try very hard and if they became discouraged enough, they might well turn on Hezekiah in an effort to save themselves, which was exactly what Sennacherib was hoping for.

Knowing he couldn’t solve the problem himself, Hezekiah sent to Isaiah to find out what God would want him to do.  He was hoping God would resent the implication that even he wasn’t strong enough to stop the Assyrians, and asked Isaiah to pray about it.

“And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.” (II Chronicles 32:20) 

“And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.  Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” (II Kings 19:6-7) 

When they prayed about it, God told Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that God had heard the blasphemy and that the had nothing to worry about.  God would cause something to happen that would force him to return to Assyria where he would be killed.

“So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.” (II Kings 19:8)

When Rabshakeh rejoined Sennacherib after spreading his propaganda, he found that the Assyrian army had given up on conquering Lachish and was attacking the Philistine city of Libnah instead.   At the time, Assyria had conquered most of the Mideast, including northern Arabia.  And was encroaching on Egyptian territory.  At the same time, Ethiopia was trying to extend their empire, and prevent Assyria from invading them.

“And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 

Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?  Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar?  Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?” (II Kings 19:9-13)

Hearing that a huge Ethiopian army was coming to fight him, Sennacherib was forced to postpone his conquest of Judah.  He sent a message to Hezekiah advising him no to listen to god, because it would be just a temporary respite.  None of the other countries’ gods had been able to protect them and those countries governments no longer existed because the Assyrians totally destroyed them, even repopulating the cities.

“And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 

And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.  LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. 

Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. 

Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.” (II Kings 19:14-19) 

When Hezekiah read the message, he laid it all out before the Lord, and acknowledged that the Assyrians had been able to destroy those other gods and their land because they were not really gods at all, but things people had made.  God, on the otherhand is the creator of the world, and made the men who made those other gods.  He prayed that Judah could be delivered out of Sennacherib’s hand, not for their own sake, but that the world could know that God was the only real god.