In his book on the Deuteronomistic history, Terence Fretheim notes the marked differences between God’s dealings with Israel and the expectations suggested by suzereignty treaties: “the historian makes it abundantly clear that God is not bound to react to the people in some schematic or . . . . Continue Reading »
Jesus comes telling parables, so that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand. Yahweh does the same in Kings; He tells and enacts parables that are understood only by those who have received the wisdom that comes from God. It is, as with Jesus and Paul, a wisdom that runs . . . . Continue Reading »
In the second year to Yo’ash son of Yo’achaz king of Yisrael Reigned-as-king ‘Amatzyahu son of Yo’ash king of Yehudah. A son of twenty-five years he was in his reigning-as-king And twenty-nine years he reigned-as-king in Yrushalaim. Now the name of his mother . . . . Continue Reading »
There are some confusing twists in 2 Kings 14:1-16. The chapter begins by announcing the beginning of the reign of Amaziah son of Joash of Judah. He is described as an upright king, walking in the ways of his father Joash, though he is not a king of Davidic caliber. He proves to be much like his . . . . Continue Reading »
In the twenty-third year to Yo’ash son of ‘Achazyahu king of Yehudah Reigned-as-king Yeho’achaz son of Yehu’ over Yisrael in Shomron seventeen years. And he did the evil in the eyes of Yahweh And the walked after the sins of Yarav’am son of Nevat who . . . . Continue Reading »
During the reign of Jehoahaz of Israel, the northern kingdom experienced an exodus (2 Kings 13:1-6): 1) Israel had sinned and therefore the Lord became angry and gave them into the hand of Aram, as often happened during the times of the Judges. 2) Jehoahaz “became ill.” The word is . . . . Continue Reading »
Son of seven years [was] Yeho’ash in his reigning-as-king. In the seventh year to Yehu’ reigned-as-king Yeho’ash And forty years he reigned-as-king in Yrushalaim. And the name of his mother was Tzivyah from Be’er-sheva’. And did Yeho’ash the upright-thing in the . . . . Continue Reading »
Now ‘Atalyah mother of ‘Achazyahu And she saw that her son died And she arose and she destroyed all the see of the kingdom. And took Yehosheva’ daughter of the king Yoram sisterof ‘Achazyahu Yo’ash son of ‘Achazyah and stole him from the midst of the sons of the . . . . Continue Reading »
Now to ‘Achav [were] seventy sons in Shomron And wrote Jehu’ scrolls And he sent [to] Shomron to the princes of Yizre’e’l, the elders And to the trustees of ‘Achav, saying, “Now you yourselves according to the entering of this scroll to you And with you [are] the . . . . Continue Reading »
Naaman is the epitome of the natural man: Powerful, successful, and convinced that he can use his clout and wealth to purchase just about anything. He believes that Syria has the best rivers. He is also a leper, estranged from God and from God’s prophet. 2 Kings 5 is the story of his . . . . Continue Reading »
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