CHAPTER 10 THE FALL OF THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM (JUDAH)

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 10 THE FALL OF THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM (JUDAH) DATES AND BIBLICAL MATERIAL Dates BC Biblical material The books of Kings 1 Kings 12-2 Kings 25:30 The books of Chronicles 2 Chron 10:1-36: 23 Prophets Isaiah see page Error! Bookmark not defined. Micah see page Error! Bookmark not defined. Jeremiah see page Error! Bookmark not defined. Nahum see page Error! Bookmark not defined. Zephaniah see page Error! Bookmark not defined. Obadiah see page Error! Bookmark not defined. Joel see page Error! Bookmark not defined. Related biblical material Lamentations see page 11 JUDAH - AFTER THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM CONDITIONS IN JUDAH AFTER THE DIVISION Smaller Poorer Isolated in the Western Highlands No dynastic changes REHOBOAM Solomon s son by an Ammonite princess, Naamah Was married to Maacah, daughter of Absalom

2 Said to be a worshiper of Asherah (1 Kings 15:13) Practiced pagan rites, ritual prostitution and homosexuality in Judah Lack of wisdom and diplomacy split the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1-20) He seems to have made no effort to force Israel back into the realm Invaded by Shishak of Egypt (2 Chronicles 12) Rehoboam paid tribute to Shishak Robbed the Temple of Solomon s gold to pay the tribute Sectional warfare between Israel and Judah mostly because Israel did not regard the border as fixed Succeeded by his sons Abijam (1 Kings 15:1 - Abijam was also a son of Maacah) Asa Maacah, his mother, acted as regent since Asa was a small boy Asa deposed his mother when he was old enough Reformed religious practices in Judah Reigned 41 years Ruled well except for imprisoning Hanani, the prophet Asa became diseased in his feet but would not turn to God, only to physicians (2 Chron. 16:12) Many from Israel moved to Judah because Asa (at first) followed God and God s power was manifest in Judah (2 Chron. 15:9) JEHOSHAPHAT Son of Asa A loyal Yahwist (2 Chron. 17:3 - he walked in the earlier ways of his father) Established an alliance with Omri of Israel Marriage alliance with his son, Jehoram, to Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri Fought with Ahab at Ramoth-Gilead (where Ahab was killed) Was rebuked by the prophet, Jehu, for his alliance with Israel (note: this is not the same Jehu who led the bloody purge of Israel) Led Judah faithfully (see his prayer at 2 Chronicles 20:5-12)

3 ATHALIAH AND JEHORAM Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat Jehoram reigned with Jehoshaphat for eight years as co-regent After Jehoshaphat s death, he murdered his six brothers He reestablished the high places and Baal worship Adopted the non-accession year dating of Israel (trying to be like Israel, and influenced by his wife) Received a letter of reprimand from Elijah 1 Athaliah A letter came to him from the prophet Elijah, saying: "Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David: Because you have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or in the ways of King Asa of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem into unfaithfulness, as the house of Ahab led Israel into unfaithfulness, and because you also have killed your brothers, members of your father's house, who were better than yourself, see, the LORD will bring a great plague on your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions, and you yourself will have a severe sickness with a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out, day after day, because of the disease." (2 Chronicles 21:12-15) Granddaughter of Omri (see the genealogy in the chart Purges of Jehu and Athaliah on page Error! Bookmark not defined.) Devotee of Ba al Melqart, the cult of Jezebel Succeeded her son, Ahaziah, after his short reign Ahaziah was Jehoram and Athaliah s only surviving son following an attack by the Philistines and the Arameans Only Athaliah and Ahaziah survived this assault Jehoram died a horrible death later Ahaziah died in Megiddo during Jehu s bloody purge of the Omride dynasty Athaliah seized the throne of Jerusalem after Ahaziah s death Caused Judah to become the center of Baal worship since Jehu had led a purge of paganism in Israel She began a six-year reign of terror against the house of David ( BC) Ordered the execution of every heir to David s throne 1 This is the only known writing of Elijah

4 Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, escaped by being hidden in the Temple by Jehosheba, his aunt (sister of Ahaziah, and wife of the priest, Jehoiada) End of Athaliah s reign Joash reached the age of seven Jehoiada, the chief priest, brought Joash into the Temple area Under intense security, Joash was crowned king Athaliah heard the commotion and rushed out crying, treason She was caught, taken outside, and killed UZZIAH Ruled with his father, Amaziah, for several years Amaziah was defeated by the Israelites at Beth-shemesh in BC He was taken captive by the Israelites to Samaria Uzziah began his rule at the age of 16, while his father was held captive in Samaria Close alliance between Amaziah and Israel can be seen in both country s acceptance of accession year dating Uzziah was contemporary with Jeroboam II of Israel Each expanded his kingdom to nearly that of David and Solomon Uzziah reestablished sea trade at Ezion-geber (Elath) at the Gulf of Aqaba (a seal, probably of Uzziah s son and co-regent has been found there) Expansion of Judah into the Negev Presumed upon his success - 2 Chronicles 26 Entered the Temple to burn incense Was opposed by 80 priests who were men of valor God struck the defiant Uzziah suddenly with leprosy he was leprous until his death AHAZ Pro-Assyrian administration (2 Kings 16) Jotham (Uzziah s son) followed Isaiah s advice in refusing to join the Aramean-Israelite alliance (Israel was in alliance with Syria to defend against Assyria) Ahaz (Jotham s son) made an alliance with Assyria against the Aramean-Israelite alliance Ahaz refused to follow Isaiah s advice and asked for Assyrian help

5 The Aramean-Israelite (a.k.a. Syro-Ephraimite) alliance had advanced on Jerusalem Isaiah describes this time of war in Isaiah 7-9 The Edomites were attacking from Ezion-geber through the Negev Tiglath-Pileser III acted promptly upon Ahaz s request and destroyed Israel (beginning in 734 BC) Allowed Judah to become a vassal of Assyria Met with Tiglath-Pileser in Damascus to pay him homage and worship the gods of Assyria Ahaz ordered the priest, Urijah, to set up an altar to the Assyrian gods To pay tribute to Tiglath-Pileser he ordered that the Temple be stripped of its wealth to raise funds HEZEKIAH /6 BC Reigned for 29 years (2 Kings 18:2; 2 Chronicles 29:1) Parents Son of Ahaz Son of Abi, daughter of Zechariah (not the prophet) probably the positive influence in his life Some think Hezekiah is the Immanuel prophesied to come in Isaiah 7:14 Other possibilities include a son of Isaiah This passages is a messianic prophecy, but also had an immediate object (see footnote in NIV Study Bible Reacted to his father s policies Reversed Ahaz s religious practices Unsuccessful in reversing Assyria s grip upon Judah Religious reforms Rejection of Assyrian gods (tantamount to rebellion against Assyria) Removed the bronze image of a snake that Moses had set up (2 Kings 18:4) apparently some images used in Yahweh worship had become cultic symbols Appealed for the remaining Israelites (those left in the northern kingdom) to join him in restoration of covenant Israel/Judah This was rejected by the remaining Israelites Although Hezekiah s son, Manasseh, did have a wife from a Galilean family

6 Hezekiah even changed the date for the observance of the Passover to coincide with the dates set by Jeroboam I (one month later than in Jerusalem) an effort to include the Israelites Political policy Judah remained a vassal of Assyria until the death of Sargon II Upon Sargon s death Hezekiah led in a regional revolt against Assyria Isaiah advised against the revolt Hezekiah fortified Jerusalem Constructing Hezekiah s tunnel (a.k.a. the Siloam tunnel) 2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chronicles 32:30 Through 1,777 feet of solid rock Connecting the Gihon Spring with the Siloam Pool Figure 1 Hezekiah's Tunnel Extended the walls of Jerusalem to enclose the Siloam Pool Sennacherib s response Systematic defeat of all parties in the alliance with Hezekiah Siege of Jerusalem 701 BC Sennacherib boasted in his writings that he had Hezekiah in Jerusalem like a bird in a cage. Excavation at Lachish (which Sennacherib also destroyed) reveals a mass grave of 1,500 bodies covered by pig bones and the garbage of an army Isaiah describes it as a terrible experience in Jerusalem (Isaiah 1:4-9) Increased tribute to Assyria for insurrection Hezekiah had to strip the Temple of its wealth along with the royal treasury Hezekiah courted friendship with the emerging Babylonians Perhaps to secure an alliance against Assyria Showed his wealth and treasures to Merodach-baladan of Babylon (2 Kings 20:12-19) Rebuked by Isaiah Isaiah prophesied that all of these treasures would someday be sent to Babylon in captivity Extension of Hezekiah s life by 15 years Biblical material for this event

7 2 Kings 20:1-11 "I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David's sake." (2 Kings 20:6) Isaiah 38: 9-20 ( a psalm of praise written by Hezekiah) The illness was serious and occurred about the time that Sennacherib began his siege of Jerusalem The sign of the promise MANASSEH Hezekiah asked Isaiah for a sign from God that the promise of 15 additional years was going to come (2 Kings 20:8) The shadow on the stairs (or sundial) receded 2 Son of Hezekiah Isaiah said, "This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten steps or go back ten steps?" So Hezekiah answered, "It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps." Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD, and He brought the shadow on the stairway back ten steps by which it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz. (2 Kings 20:9-11) Born to Hezekiah after his life was extended by 15 years The worst king ever to sit on the throne of David The longest reign of any king in Judah 55 years (2 Kings 21:1; 2 Chron. 33:1) Remained a loyal vassal of Assyria Reversed Hezekiah s religious reforms Pagan worship in the Temple Human sacrifice Religious prostitution Astrology, divination, and magic Ruled during the height of Assyrian power Ashurbanipal extended Assyrian control 500 miles south into Egypt 2 Keil and Delitzsch argue that the shadow receded upon a sundial instead of a staircase (see K & D on 2 Kings 20:11 available free in e-sword). They argue that Ahaz would probably have received the sundial from the Babylonians. There are many types of sundials or gnomons (the angled indicator ) that cast a shadow. It is possible that a gnomon on a wall was indicating time along a staircase.

8 Ashurbanipal was responsible for collecting the copies of the ancient Babylonian myths and epics, including the Babylonian creation and flood stories Ashurbanipal died in 627 BC Nineveh fell to the Babylonians in 612 BC 2 Chronicles 33 records Manasseh s repentance and spiritual revival 2 Chronicles says that Manasseh repented and was restored to God (2 Chron ) The writer of Chronicles also says that Manasseh s works and the record of his prayer were recorded in two annals Annals of the kings of Israel (meaning Judah, the Southern Kingdom) 2 Chron. 33:18 Annals of the seers 2 Chron. 33:19 However, the material found in 2 Kings 21 does not contain anything about his religious conversion suggesting that the annals of the kings of Israel is not the same as the books of Kings JOSIAH BC Son of Amon (who reigned briefly but was assassinated) Grandson of Manasseh Began his reign at the age of 8 By age 16 he began taking God seriously and moved away from paganism Began religious reformation by age 20 Was age 26 when the book of the law was discovered in the Temple (so, religious reform preceded the discovery of the book of the law) Declining influence of Assyria gave Josiah time to reform, rebuild, and restore Judah Religious reform The most thorough religious reforms in Judah s history In fact, the Bible tells so much about Josiah s religious reforms that we know very little else about him Abolished all pagan altars Cleared the temple of Asherah and cultic worship Child sacrifice was abolished Destroyed the altar of Jeroboam I at Bethel

9 Closed regional shrines to Yahweh, centralizing Yahweh worship in Jerusalem at the Temple Inspired nationalism Josiah annexed portions of Israel - giving hope of a reunified Israel/Judah Showed survivability of the David line Showed God s faithfulness to the Davidic covenant The discovery of the book of the law once again juxtaposed Mosaic law, Sinaitic tradition, and the Davidic covenant National focus upon Temple Dynasty State Prophets Jeremiah and Zephaniah The book of the law Probably some portion or all of the book of Deuteronomy Had remained hidden in the Temple (it escaped Manasseh s evil just as Joash had escaped Athaliah s purge) Loyal Yahwists probably protected it What we know of Josiah s death He was ruling when Assyria fell to the Babylonians (fall of Nineveh in 612 BC) Egypt (under Pharaoh Neco II) was growing stronger and challenged Babylon at the Battle of Carchemish in 609 BC Josiah (for some unknown reason) decided to march against the Egyptians on their way to Carchemish Josiah was killed in battle at Megiddo Egypt controlled the throne of Jerusalem and set up Jehoiakim (son of Josiah) as an Egyptian vassal Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians 23 years later

10 THE FALL OF JUDAH Description of the last days The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. (2 Chron. 36: 15-16) Jehoiakim refused to listen to Jeremiah In 605 BC (four years after Egypt s first battle at Carchemish), Nebuchadnezzar crushed the Egyptians in a second battle at Carchemish Later in 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar was in Judah and took captives including Daniel By 604 BC, the Babylonians were in control of Palestine In 603 BC, Jehoiakim switched his allegiance to Babylon Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon when it looked like Egypt had won a victory against Nebuchadnezzar This was Jehoiakim s fatal error (2 Kings 24:1) In 598 BC, Jehoiakim was assassinated Jehoiachin, his 18 year old son, was placed on the throne by the Babylonians On March 16, 597 BC, Jerusalem surrendered to the Babylonians The first wave of deportees were taken to Babylon Jehoiachin (Babylonian records show that he became a pensioner in Nebuchadnezzar s court) Ezekiel Zedekiah was set up as king ( BC) the last ten years of Judah Mistakenly saw an opportunity to rebel against Babylon when he heard rumor of revolt in Babylon Was able to rally intense nationalism that still existed in Jerusalem Refused to listen to Jeremiah Nebuchadnezzar s final siege Lachish Letters (588 BC) Letters of an officer at an observation post whose job it was to watch for signal fires from Azekah, wrote that he could no longer see the fires (Nebuchadnezzar was totally destroying the cities) Shows demoralization of Judah s troops

11 Other letters tell of optimism when it was rumored that the Egyptians might be coming to help July 587 BC Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar (compare 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 52) Zedekiah fled but was captured and forced to watch the execution of his children - was then blinded and taken prisoner to Babylon LAMENTATIONS Date After 586 BC Author The book is anonymous Traditionally, Jeremiah is recognized as the author (based on 2 Chron. 35:25) Note, the Jewish canon places Lamentation in the Writings, not with Jeremiah or the prophets Organization Theme The despair of the people of God AFTER they realize it is too late to repent Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure. (Lam 5:21-22)

12 WAVES OF WAR AND DEPORTATION Table 1 Dates Events 609 BC First Battle of Carchemish (fought to a draw) Between Egypt and Babylon Coincided with the death of Josiah Judah became a vassal of Egypt with Jehoiakim ruling under Egypt s control 605 BC Second Battle of Carchemish (Babylon won) Established Babylon as the dominant power Jehoiakim opposed Babylon at Egypt s insistence (in spite of Jeremiah s warnings) 604 BC Nebuchadnezzar takes the first wave of deportees (Dan. 1:1-7) Daniel Hananiah Mishael Azariah 598/597 BC 6 years later Jerusalem is surrounded by Babylon Jerusalem surrendered to Babylon on March 16, 597 BC Jehoiakim died in the siege and was replaced by Jehoiachin (who surrendered the city to Babylon) Ezekiel is taken in the second wave of deportation Nebuchadnezzar appointed Mattaniah (uncle to Jehoiachin) as king in Judah (Mattaniah s name was changed to Zedekiah) Zedekiah ruled for 11 years and constantly opposed Babylon (in spite of Jeremiah s warnings) (Jer ) 586 BC 11 years later Final destruction of Jerusalem and Judah Nebuchadnezzar attacked because of o Zedekiah s opposition o Egypt s continued aggressiveness Jerusalem fell in July 586 BC (2 Kings 25:8-21) Final wave of deportation