Week Three - Summer Reading Challenge 2024

In week 3, we move into the period of divided kingdom - the stories of Northern kingdom (Israel) and Southern kingdom (Judah). The stories overlap and so it is not easy to read them as two distinctive stories. My notes will help to see which passages relate to each of those stories and how we can develop a story chronologically.

For this part of the story, you will read with me 1 Kings 12 – 22, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles 10-36. But there is a lot happening beyond what is said in these books. A lot of prophets were active and their messages are put together in various prophetical books in the Old Testament. I have placed those books in the appropriate places/contexts in these notes. These are Amos and Hosea in the Northern Kingdom, and Isiah, Micah, Obediah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Jeremiah and Habakkuk in the Southern Kingdom. You may want to browse through them or just register their context and themes as you continue in the story.

F. THE PERIOD OF DIVIDED KINGDOM c.922/1 - 587/6 B.C.

1 KINGS 12 - 2 KINGS 25; 2 Chr. 10-36

The undivided kingdom in the promised land did not last for long. The kingdom was split (1 Kings 11-12) into two nations – Southern and Northern – in 922/1 B.C.

Reasons for division:

i) Politically - there was North-South tension.

ii) Economically - pressure of monarchy was heavy, for e.g., taxes.

iii) Socially - kinship/tribal league played a role

iv) Theologically - it was GOD's judgement (1Kgs.1:31).

Result of the division were,

i) loss of strength, territory, etc.,

ii) tension between Israel and Judah and,

iii) social unrest.

Politically, Judah (Southern Kingdom - tribes of Judah and Benjamin) was more stable than Israel (Northern Kingdom - all other tribes) for it had a continuous dynastic succession in its monarchy which Israel did not have. Religiously also, Judah was more faithful in following God in the beginnings though after the fall of Samaria Judah became worse than Israel had been.

1. ISRAEL (THE NORTHERN KINGDOM) from 921 to 722 B.C.

a) JEROBOAM -I (922-901). 1 Kings 12, 25 - 14:20. Established his capital at Schechem, and then moved to Tirzah. Established shrines at Bethel (South) and Dan (North).

b) Four weak Kings (901-876)

NADAB (901-900). 1 Kgs. 15-25-31. He was assassinated by BAASHA (900-877) 1 Kgs.15:13 - Ch.16. Fought against Asa King of Judah but had to retreat when attacked by Syria (15:15ff). Died under prophetic judgement. ELAH (877-876) was Son of Baasha. He was assassinated by ZIMRI (876) who reigned just one week. Committed suicide.

c) The House of Omri (876-842)

OMRI (876-869). 1 Kgs. 16:21-28. An important King. Established foreign policy through marriage alliances with Phoenicia and Judah. Built a new capital city at Samaria.

AHAB (869-850). 1 Kgs.16:29-22:40. Another powerful king. Built on his father's alliances with Phoenicia and Judah. Defeated Ben Hadad. Religious policy: Dominated by Phoenicia, and the cult of Baal - introduced and spread by his wife Jezebel. Died in battle.

The prophet ELIJAH starts his ministry during the reign of Ahab, confronting Ahab. He

was

i) Champion of faith of YAHWEH, over against Baal, and

ii) Champion of the social order of YAHWEH as against the king of injustice represented by Jezebel's religion (remember Naboth incident). He continued his ministry in the time of Ahaziah also.

AHAZIAH, (850-849). 2 Kgs. 1. Son of Ahab.

JEHORAM or JORAM (849-842). 2 Kgs. 3, 6-7. Another son of Ahab. Totally dominated by the "Queen mother", Jezebel.

ELISHA started his ministry at this time. A long ministry, probably about 50 years, through the reigns of several kings, right down to Jehoash (2 Kgs.13). 2 Kgs.2-9 is a cycle of stories about Elisha.

d) The dynasty of Jehu (842-745)

JEHU (842-815) 2 Kgs.9-10. Killed Jehoram and Jezebel, his mother. Ruthlessly destroyed the Baal cult but did not stop the 'syncretistic' worship at Bethel and Dan and did not restore covenant loyalty to YAHWEH.

JEHOAHAD OR JOAHAD (815-801). 2 Kgs. 13:1-9. A weak king.

JEHOASH or JOASH (801-786). 2 Kgs. 13:10-14:16; 2 Chr. 25:5-24. Defeating Syria, led Israel back to power. Elisha died during the reign of Joash.

JEROBOAM-II (786-746) 2 Kgs. 14:23-29. A very powerful king. Restored the wealth and power of Israel, by pushing back Syria, and recovered the old boundaries of Israel.

But the increase of wealth divided the people: A luxury loving upper class in Samaria and an oppressed peasant majority in the country. This social injustice led to an outburst of prophetic protest and two powerful prophets performed their prophetic role in this period:

AMOS: His message was primarily concerned with social injustice and the breaking of the law. Warning of judgement to come on Israel and its surrounding nations.

HOSEA: Primarily concerned with the religious apostasy and idolatry of Israel. He ministered down to the fall of Samaria.

ZECHARIAH (746-745) 2 Kgs.15:8-12. 6 months reign. End of Jehu Dynasty.

e) Chaos and Social Anarchy (746-722) 2 Kgs. 15:13 - Ch.17. Israel declined into a state of chaos in this age. No powerful king. Rapid succession of kings.

SHALLUM (745) reigned for one month.MENACHEM (745-738),PEKAHIAH (738-737) PEKAH (737-732)HOSEA (732-722).Hosea was the last king of Israel. He rebelled against Assyria. Assyria besieged and destroyed Samaria. Deported and scattered the population and settled foreigners in the land instead.

722 B.C. THE END OF ISRAEL. THE FALL OF SAMARIA (Kgs.17; 18:9-12). Never returned as a nation. Theological evaluation of these is given in 2 Kgs. Ch.17.

2. JUDAH (THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM) 922 - 587 B.C.

Chronicler's history: We have already seen that 'Joshua-Kings' are together called 'Deuternomistic history'. 1 & 2 Chronicles are parallel to deuteronomistic history, though with different emphases. They (1 & 2 Chros.) are called 'Chronicler's history'. The interest of 'the Chronicler' centres on history of Judah from the time of David onwards. [In deuteronomistic history, the emphasis is on the history of Northern kingdom]. Rather than recording mere facts, comments on their meaning and significance are found in the chroniclers history. And another characteristic of Chronicler's history is the emphasis on religious life rather than political. The chronicler's history was written during the post-exilic period.

REHOBOAM (922-915). Tried to strengthen his tiny kingdom, fortified several towns.

ABIJAH (915-913) 1 Kgs. 15:1-8. Son of Rehoboam and a pagan wife, Maacah, Pagan rites flourished.

ASA (913-873) 1 Kgs.15:924; 2Ch.14:2-16:14. A good and strong king. Purged the pagan rites and reformed the cult.

JEHOSHAPHAT (873-849) 1 Kgs.22:41-50; 2 Chr. 17-20. Another Good King. Kept out the Baal cults. Provided systematic teaching of the Law. Established a reformed system of administration. Married his son Jehoram to Athaliah, the grand-daughter of Omri, king of Israel. Later the pagan influence of the North asserted itself through Athaliah.

JEHORAM or JORAM (849-842) 2 Kgs.8:16-24; 2 Chr. 21:4-20.

Started by killing all his brothers. Introduced the cult of Baal, probably at the wish of Athaliah.

AHAZIAH (842). 2 Kgs. 8:25-9:29; 2 Chr. 22:1-9. He also was dominated by his mother, Athaliah. Followed Tyrean Baal cults. He was caught up accidently in Jehu's rebellion when he was just visiting Joram and was killed.

ATHALIAH (842-837) 2 Kgs.11:1-3; 2 Chr. 22:10-12. Now Athaliah herself took over power. Destroyed the whole house of David- may be intending to unite Judah to Israel. But one little baby escaped - Joash, Ahaziah's son, hidden by Jehoiada, the high priest and Jehosheba, Jehoram's daughter. Athaliah's reign was the only interruption to the dynasty of David in Jerusalem.

JOASH (837-800) 2 Kgs.11-12, 2 Chr.23-24. Jehoiada led a rebellion against Athaliah and installed Joash, a 7 year old boy, on the throne. Joash introduced many reforms and repaired the temple. But after the death of Jehoiada, he became corrupt and was killed in a rebellion against him.

AMAZIAH (800-783) 2 Kgs.14:1-20; 2 Chr.25. Defeated the Edomites. Turned apostate and the people of Judah murdered him.

UZZIAH, also called Azariah (783-742). 2 Kgs.24:21-15:17. Had a long reign; a powerful king; contemporary with Jeroboam II. Strengthened the army. Successful campaigns against the Arabs and Philistines. Recaptures Ezion-Geber. Developed agriculture. Preserved the worship of YAHWEH. But in the old age, became proud and tried to usurp priestly prerogatives and was punished with leprosy.

ISAIAH began ministry at this time and continued till the reign of Hezekiah. Isaiah's prophecy was about judgement and restoration of the people. The book of Isaiah can be outlined as follows:1-12, prophecies against Judah. 13-23, prophecies against other nations, 24-27, GOD's final victory. 28-31, Assyrian crisis. 32-35, judgement and restoration (exile and return), 36-39 Hezekiel's tests. Isaiah 40-55 is addressed to the people in exile. 56-66 seem to be post exile. So these two parts, called Deutero-Isaiah and Trito-Isaiah respectively, were the products of exilic and post-exilic Judaism. Though they are not from historical Isaiah, they belong to Isaianic school of thought. 

JOTHAM (742-735) 2 Kgs.15:32-38, 2 Ch.27. Good king but people continued corrupt practices (2 Chr.27:2). Maintained Uzziah's achievements; conquered Ammon.

MICAH began his ministry at this time and continued down to Hezekiah. Prophesied both to Israel and Judah. Book of Micah can be divided as:1-3, prophecies on judgement; 4-5, prophecies on restoration; 6-7, plea for repentance.

AHAZ (735-715) 2 Kgs.16; 2 Chr.28. Lacked commitment to YAHWEH. Found himself in trouble on every side: North: syro-Ephrimite coalition (Is.7), south: Edomites invading southern Judah, West: Philistines, kept raiding towns in South and West Judah. Adopted Assyrian cults; Assyrian altar in the temple.

HEZEKIAH (715-687) 2 Kgs.18-20; 2 Chr.29-32. Completely reversed the policy of Ahas. Purged away the Asyrian cults, removed some idolatrous worship. Joined the rebellion against Assyria (702-701) which called in Sennacherib's invasion of Judah in 701.

MANASSEH (687-642) 2 Kgs. 21; 2 Chr.33. Very wicked king. Practiced child sacrifices, spiritism and Baal worship. Religious apostasy and social injustice went together.

Many scholars will place prophet OBADIAH here. It is placed in the Old Testament after Amos because of the thematic similarities. The book itself does not give much away aboutits specific context.

AMON (642-640) 2 Kgs.21; 2 Chr.33. An evil king. Assassinated.

JOSIAH (640-609) 2 Kgs.22:1-23:30; 2 Chr.34-35. King at 8 years old Began sweeping reforms in 629. Purged away all non-Yahewistic cult practices. Closed down the country shrines to YAHWEH. 622 B.C.: The discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple. Great ceremony of covenant renewal. 609, Josiah was defeated and died in battle of Megiddo (2Kgs.23:24f)

ZEPHANIAH, identifies as a descendant of Hezekiah (1:1) delivered his messages in the early reign of Josiah. Condemns the worship of Canaanite gods like Baal. He warned people against a false confidence in the security of Jerusalem just because of GOD's promise to David. 612 B.C., The fall of Nineveh to the Babylonians.

NAHUM belongs to a period nearer the end of Josiah's reign. He saw the collapse of Assyrian capital Ninaveh in 612 B.C. The message is that GOD himself, not the Assyrians, the LORD of history. GOD had used Assyria to punish Israel, but now in turn Assyria also is punished for their misdeeds. After the death of Josiah, Egypt exercised a brief period of control over Judah.

JEHOAHAZ (609) Taken prisoner to Egypt. Pharoah installed Jehoiakim as king.

JEHOIAKIM (609-597). Weak king. Jer.22:13ff refers to him.

HABAKKUK lived during this reign. Reflects on the rising of Babylon. Things in Judah were bad enough but are Babylonians any better? 600 B.C.

JEREMIAH started prophesying this time. Jehoiakim despised Jeremiah’s prophecy and rebelled against the Babylonian rule. 599/8 Nebuchadnezzer came against Jerusalem. Jehoiakim dies; Jehoiachin becomes king. Jeremiah speaks of God’s judgement on his people and exile as part of it. Encourages people to settle down and flourish in exile but also assures that there will be restoration.

JEHOIACHIN (598-597) 2 Kgs.24:8-17. 2 Chr. 36:9-10. He wisely surrendered to Nebuchadnezzer. Nebuchadnezzer exiled leading citizens to Babylon - including Ezekiel and Jehoiachin himself.

ZEDEKIAH (597-587). 2 Kgs.24:18-25. 2 Chr.36:11ff. Installed by Nebuchadnezzer, ignored prophet Jeremiah's advice to surrender to Babylon. Invited the wrath of Nebuchadnezzer who besieged Jerusalem and took people into exile. The temple was destroyed. This happened in c.587 B.C.