DBG - May 3 - II Kings 20-22

In this chapter Hezekiah is healed of a deadly illness and makes a tragic mistake.

vs. 1-11 – There is evidence that the events of this chapter take place before the troubles with Sennacherib in chapters 18 and 19. The promise of 20:6 points to a future deliverance that must be that just covered. Also, Hezekiah is able to show off the wealth of his kingdom that he would have given as tribute to the Assyrians. This illness seems to have been a check on Hezekiah’s growing pride (compare to II Chronicles 32:25). The use of a sundial is interesting to note. This is the only Biblical appearance of one, and some instead wish to explain it not as a sundial but as a series of steps However, the sundials of various designs were known to exist in during this time. Since it is attributed to Ahaz, we might assume he copied something he saw in Damascus (see 16:10). Regardless of its actual design, it is obvious that it was a means of calculating time through the movement of shadows.

vs. 12-19 - Berodachbaladin, king of Babylon and known to history as Marduk-apla-iddina I, heard of the miraculous recovery of Hezekiah and sent envoys to meet him. Isaiah confronts him for revealing the wealth of the kingdom and says that the Babylonians will one day come and conquer Judah.

vs. 20-21 - Hezekiah passes and his son Manasseh (“forgetting”) takes the throne.

In this chapter we have the terrible reigns of Manasseh and Amon.

vs. 1-9 – Manasseh had the longest reign of any Jewish monarch – 55 years – and is generally considered the worst of the kings over Judah or Israel. Some think that he was coregent with Hezekiah for around ten years, but it is disputed. The drastic difference between the son and his father seems to me to indicate that there was no overlap in their rules. All progress that Hezekiah had made in restoring true worship was lost. Idolatry multiplied and prevailed. The Temple was desecrated. Judah sunk to its lowest levels in these decades.

vs. 10-16 – Manasseh’s plunge into depravity was not without warnings against his actions. God sent the prophets to bear witness against the wickedness of the day. Sadly, Manasseh did not heed them. Josephus writes that “he barbarously slew all the righteous men that were among the Hebrews; nor would he spare the prophets, for he every day slew some of them, till Jerusalem was overflown with blood.” Tradition says that Isaiah was sawn in half during this bloody purge.

vs. 17-18 - Manasseh passes and his son Amon (“builder”) takes the throne.

vs. 19-26 - Amon followed in the evil ways of his father before him, perhaps even acceding them (II Chronicles 33:23). Rabbinical writings suggest the sins of his grandfather Ahaz grew worse in his father Manasseh and even worse in Ahaz.  His brief reign of two years comes to an end when he is assassinated in his palace. These conspirators were put to death and Amon’s son Josiah (“whom Jehovah heals”) was placed on the throne.

In this chapter Josiah repairs the Temple and rediscovers the Law of Moses.

vs. 1-2 – Josiah was the prophesied ruler of I Kings 13:2 and the last good king of Judah.

vs. 3-7 - In the eighteenth year of his reign (623 B.C.), Josiah begins to rebuild the neglected and desecrated Temple. This is the first recorded repairs since the days of Jehoash in 825 B.C. (II Kings 12:5).

vs. 8-11 - In the process of rebuilding the Temple, a copy of the Law is discovered.  It had been gone for so long that Shaphan the scribe merely mentions its discovery after a financial report.  When it is read before the king, Josiah immediately rends his clothes as a sign of repentance and mourning.

vs. 12-20 - Fearing the wrath of the Lord upon their sins, the prophetess Huldah (“weasel”) is sought to discern the Lord’s will for them. God’s justice would surely be administered in the future, but for now Josiah’s humility would stay the judgment until after his death.

It is hard to imagine that the Jewish priests and Levites had somehow misplaced the Law of Moses, but it happened!  Of course, considering the reigns of some of the evil kings before it may not be surprising that it was hidden away.  We so easily take for granted having the Word of God in our possession.  We may also forget it, if only in our hearts and minds.  Stay in the Word, hide it in your heart, and keep it always before you. 

Today’s hymn is “Oh, For That Tenderness of Heart” by Charles Wesley.  It displays the heart of repentance seen in Josiah when he encountered God’s word.

O for that tenderness of heart
Which bows before the Lord,
Acknowledges how just thou art,
And trembles at thy word!

O for those humble contrite tears
Which from repentance flow,
That consciousness of guilt, which fears
The long suspended blow!

Saviour, to me in pity give
The sensible distress,
The pledge thou wilt at last receive,
And bid me die in peace!

Wilt from the dreadful day remove
Before the evil come,
My spirit hide with saints above,
My body in the tomb.