(In those days the LORD began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah against Judah.) In those daysThis phrase situates the events within a specific historical context, indicating a period of turmoil and transition. The phrase "in those days" often marks a significant moment in biblical history, suggesting a divine orchestration of events. Historically, this was a time of political instability and moral decline in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, reflecting the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. the LORD began to send
The Hebrew root for "send" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate action by God. This phrase underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations and His active role in the affairs of humanity. It serves as a reminder that God uses even foreign kings to accomplish His purposes, often as instruments of judgment or correction for His people. Rezin king of Aram
Rezin was the king of Aram (modern-day Syria), a nation often in conflict with Israel and Judah. His mention here highlights the geopolitical tensions of the time. Archaeological findings, such as Assyrian records, corroborate the existence of Rezin and his interactions with the Israelite kingdoms, providing a historical backdrop to the biblical narrative. and Pekah son of Remaliah
Pekah was a king of Israel who came to power through conspiracy and violence. His alliance with Rezin against Judah reflects the fractured state of the Israelite kingdoms. The mention of his lineage, "son of Remaliah," emphasizes the personal and dynastic nature of these conflicts, as well as the fulfillment of prophetic warnings against Israel's leadership. against Judah
Judah, the southern kingdom, was often at odds with its northern counterpart, Israel. This phrase indicates a direct threat to Judah, highlighting the internal and external pressures faced by the kingdom. Theologically, it serves as a warning of the consequences of Judah's own unfaithfulness, as God allows adversaries to rise against them to bring about repentance and restoration. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who orchestrates events according to His divine will and purpose. 2. RezinThe king of Aram (Syria), who becomes an adversary to Judah during this period. 3. Pekah son of RemaliahThe king of Israel, who joins forces with Rezin against Judah. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which is under threat from external enemies due to its disobedience to God. 5. Aram (Syria)A neighboring nation to Israel, often in conflict with the Israelites. Teaching Points Divine Sovereignty and JudgmentGod is in control of nations and their leaders. The sending of Rezin and Pekah against Judah is a demonstration of God's sovereignty and a form of judgment for Judah's disobedience. Consequences of DisobedienceJudah's troubles are a direct result of turning away from God. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of forsaking God's commandments. The Role of ProphetsProphets like Isaiah play a crucial role in guiding and warning God's people. Listening to God's messengers is vital for spiritual discernment and protection. Trust in God Over AlliancesAhaz's decision to seek help from Assyria rather than trusting in God highlights the danger of relying on human alliances instead of divine intervention. Hope Amidst JudgmentEven in judgment, God provides hope and a way forward, as seen in Isaiah's prophecy to Ahaz about the coming Immanuel. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the involvement of Rezin and Pekah against Judah illustrate God's sovereignty over nations? 2. In what ways does the disobedience of Judah serve as a warning for us today? 3. How can we apply the lessons from Ahaz's response to threats in our own lives when facing challenges? 4. What role do prophets and spiritual leaders play in guiding us through difficult times, and how can we better heed their counsel? 5. How does the promise of Immanuel in Isaiah 7 provide hope and assurance in the midst of trials and judgment? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 7This chapter provides a prophetic context to the events, where Isaiah speaks to King Ahaz of Judah about the threat posed by Rezin and Pekah, offering a sign from God. 2 Kings 16Details the reign of Ahaz, king of Judah, and his response to the threat from Rezin and Pekah, including his appeal to Assyria for help. 2 Chronicles 28Offers a parallel account of the events, highlighting the spiritual and moral decline of Judah under Ahaz's leadership. People Abel, Ahaz, Amaziah, Amram, Aram, Argob, Arieh, Azaliah, Azariah, David, Elah, Gadi, Gileadites, Hoshea, Jabesh, Jecholiah, Jecoliah, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jerusha, Jotham, Maacah, Menahem, Naphtali, Nebat, Pekah, Pekahiah, Pul, Remaliah, Rezin, Shallum, Tappuah, Tiglathpileser, Tirzah, Uzziah, Zachariah, Zadok, ZechariahPlaces Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, TirzahTopics Amram, Aram, Begun, Judah, Pekah, Remaliah, Remali'ah, Rezin, SyriaDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 15:1-38 5366 king Library The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleMeditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 15:37 NIV2 Kings 15:37 NLT2 Kings 15:37 ESV2 Kings 15:37 NASB2 Kings 15:37 KJV
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