Eunuchs had many roles in the ancient world. They served in the royal court as cooks, scribes, guards of the harem, and ambassadors. The Hebrew word for “eunuch” usually refers to a castrated man, though it does not always do… Read More »Eunuchs
Kings, priests, and prophets were sometimes anointed with oil as a sign that God had set them apart for a special purpose (see 1 Sam. 15:1; Lev. 8:30). More commonly, oil was used in cooking and to clean and moisturize… Read More »Anointed with oil
Was it Joram or Jehoram? At about the same time, Israel had a king named Joram who was sometimes called Jehoram, while Judah had a king named Jehoram who was sometimes called Joram. King Joram of Israel was a son… Read More »Was it Joram or Jehoram?
A seah is a dry measurement equal to about 7 quarts or 7.7 liters.
What is a siege? In ancient times, a “siege” occurred when an enemy army surrounded a city and demanded that it surrender. If the city refused, the invaders cut off food and water supplies and attempted to tear down the… Read More »What is a siege?
Who was Rimmon? Rimmon was another name for the Syrian god Baal-hadad. Known as the storm god, he was depicted as a bearded deity holding a club and thunderbolt. He was considered the most powerful god in the Syrian religion.
The wild gourds gathered by the prophet (4:38–41) were poisonous. The prophet, of course, did not realize this. He added the gourds to the stew, “not knowing what they were” (4:39).
The Moabite Stone is a small monument inscribed with details about the conflict between the Israelites and the Moabites (3:4–27). Written by the Moabites, it emphasizes their victories over Israel. More importantly, it features the earliest known reference to the… Read More »The Moabite Stone
Though bears no longer live in the region of Palestine, the bear God used to punish the disrespectful boys (2:24) was probably of a type that could grow up to 7 feet (2 m) tall and reach 500 pounds (227… Read More »Bears
Israel and Judah’s sins continue. Picking up where 1 Kings left off, Israel and Judah continued to decline through false worship and disobedience. They were led into sin by their kings, most of whom failed to follow the Lord.
What happened to the ark of the covenant? After the fall of Jerusalem, the ark completely disappeared from historical records. It is unlikely that the Babylonians took it because there is no mention of it in Babylonian records.
Josiah’s reforms reveal the true extent of Judah’s idolatry (23:1–27). Despite God’s commands to worship him alone, his people adopted Canaanite gods, including Baal, Asherah, and Molech. They also worshiped the stars and small household idols.
The host of heaven refers in 23:4 to false gods, represented by celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and planets. King Josiah ordered the destruction of all these symbols of pagan worship.
Why did Josiah tear his clothes when the Law was read? As the Book of the Law was read in public for the first time in nearly 60 years, King Josiah tore his clothes as a sign of his grief.… Read More »Why did Josiah tear his clothes when the Law was read?
Hezekiah’s tunnel. As Assyria prepared to attack Jerusalem, the city faced a crisis, since its water supply was outside the city walls. King Hezekiah responded by ordering the construction of a tunnel from the water source to the Pool of… Read More »Hezekiah’s tunnel
Siege mounds were mounds or ramps built out of dirt, rubble, and timbers. They were designed so that soldiers could batter down a city’s walls and fortifications. The Assyrians were the first to use wheeled towers with these mounds. Protected… Read More »Siege mounds
“Please speak in Aramaic.” As Assyria tried to conquer Judah, they sent a delegation to Jerusalem to engage in “psychological warfare” (18:17–37). They made public proclamations intended to turn the Judeans against their king. The Judean officials begged the Assyrians… Read More »“Please speak in Aramaic.”
Why were the Israelites deported? The Babylonians had learned that destroying an enemy’s land but allowing them to remain in it was a bad idea. It ruined potential crop resources and gave an opportunity for the conquered people to regroup… Read More »Why were the Israelites deported?
Menahem’s tax receipts? Archaeologists working at the site of Samaria have discovered 63 shards of pottery, dating to about the time of King Menahem, on which tax payments are noted. These may be a record of the additional tax payments… Read More »Menahem’s tax receipts?
Elath (14:22) was a strategic seaport on the northernmost tip of the Red Sea. It was located at the southern end of the King’s Highway, which ran north all the way to Damascus.
Hazael (12:17) was king of Syria from 843–796 b.c. He threatened Israel during the reigns of Jehu (1 Kings 19:17), Joram (8:28), and Jehoahaz (13:22).
Joash (or Jehoash) became King of Judah at the age of seven. Joash listened to the godly instruction of Jehoiada the priest and obeyed the Lord. But after Jehoiada died, Joash took advice from idolaters and forgot the Lord.
Jehu pays tribute. Archaeologists have found a stone carving that shows King Jehu of Israel paying tribute to Shalmaneser III, king of Assyria. Known as the Black Obelisk, it depicts Jehu bowing to the ground in front of Shalmaneser.