◄ 2 Kings 15:19 ►
Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 15:19? 2. How does 2 Kings 15:19 illustrate consequences of turning from God's commands? 3. What role did Pul king of Assyria play in Israel's history here? 4. How can we avoid compromising our faith like Menahem did in 2 Kings 15:19? 5. Compare Israel's reliance on Assyria to Proverbs 3:5-6's call for trust in God. 6. How can we apply lessons from Menahem's actions to our modern Christian walk? 7. Why did Pul, king of Assyria, invade Israel according to 2 Kings 15:19? 8. How does Menahem's tribute to Pul reflect Israel's political situation in 2 Kings 15:19? 9. What does 2 Kings 15:19 reveal about the relationship between Israel and Assyria? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 15? 11. 2 Kings 15:19 speaks of Menahem paying tribute to Pul, king of Assyria—do extrabiblical sources confirm this tribute or Pul’s identity? 12. 2 Kings 15:16 records Menahem’s brutal attack on Tiphsah—does any historical or archaeological evidence corroborate such violence? 13. What is Assyria's role in the Bible? 14. Hosea 7:5–7 depicts rulers being consumed and kings falling—do extrabiblical historical records corroborate or contradict these claims? Discussion Questions 1. What does Menahem's decision to pay tribute to Pul reveal about his faith and leadership? How can we apply this lesson to our own leadership roles today? 2. How does the account of Menahem and Pul illustrate the dangers of relying on human alliances instead of trusting in God? Can you think of a situation in your life where you faced a similar choice? 3. In what ways does the political situation in Israel during Menahem's reign reflect the spiritual state of the nation? How can we ensure that our spiritual health influences our decisions and actions? 4. How do the actions of Menahem compare to other biblical leaders who faced foreign threats? What can we learn from their examples about trusting God in difficult circumstances? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision that involved compromise. What were the short-term and long-term consequences, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in light of this study? 2 Kings 15 Bible Study Questions 1. Compare and contrast the reigns of the kings in Judah and Israel. What were the key differences in their leadership styles and outcomes? 2. How does the constant change in leadership impact Israel and Judah, both politically and spiritually? 3. What can we learn from the failure of many kings to remove high places in their lands? 4. Discuss the role of divine judgment in the political turmoil experienced by Israel and Judah. 5. How does 2 Kings 15 relate to today's political and spiritual landscape? 6. How does the cycle of violence, demonstrated by the assassination of kings, reflect the state of Israel's society during this period? 7. How could different outcomes have been achieved by the various kings mentioned if they remained faithful to God’s commandments? 8. Discuss the significance of Menahem's tribute to the Assyrian king. What does this indicate about Israel's relationship with Assyria and its political standing at the time? 9. How would you handle a leadership transition in your life or community, informed by the examples in 2 Kings 15? 10. How does this chapter inform our understanding of God's sovereignty amidst political instability? 11. What can we learn about God’s character from His responses to idolatry in Israel and Judah? 12. How can the principles from 2 Kings 15 guide your response to today's societal sins? 13. How does the prophecy fulfilled through Jehu’s dynasty (2 Kings 10:30) relate to God's faithfulness and sovereignty? 14. What lessons can modern leaders learn from the kings' frequently failing to uphold righteousness? 15. How might the reign of these kings have been different if they had sought counsel from God? 16. What are some ways you can promote faithfulness and obedience to God within your sphere of influence? 17. How does the political turmoil and violence in 2 Kings 15 inform your perspective on current global conflicts? 18. What can the church today learn from the ongoing idolatry and disobedience in ancient Israel and Judah? 19. In what ways does the punishment of God in these kingdoms encourage you to evaluate your personal faithfulness to God? 20. Given the repetitious cycle of sin seen in the kings, how can we break similar cycles in our lives and societies today? Links 2 Kings 15:19 NIV 2 Kings 15:19 NLT 2 Kings 15:19 ESV 2 Kings 15:19 NASB 2 Kings 15:19 KJV 2 Kings 15:19 Commentaries Bible Hub