◄ 2 Kings 15:21 ►
As for the rest of the acts of Menahem, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
Study Bible
As for the rest of the acts of Menahem
The phrase "the rest of the acts" suggests that the biblical account provides only a summary of Menahem's reign. The Hebrew word for "acts" is "ma'aseh," which can also mean deeds or works. This implies that Menahem's reign was marked by significant actions, both politically and militarily. Historically, Menahem was known for his brutal tactics, including the siege of Tiphsah, which reflects the turbulent period of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His reign was characterized by violence and oppression, which is consistent with the chaotic and morally declining state of Israel during this time.

and all that he did
This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Menahem's actions. The Hebrew word "kol" for "all" indicates the totality of his deeds, suggesting that his reign was filled with noteworthy events. Menahem's actions included securing his throne through force and paying tribute to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III, which had long-term implications for Israel's sovereignty. This highlights the political instability and the external pressures faced by Israel, as well as the moral compromises made by its leaders.

are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
This rhetorical question points to a common practice in the ancient Near East of recording royal annals. The "Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel" is a lost historical record that would have contained detailed accounts of the reigns of Israel's kings. The mention of this book underscores the historical reliability of the biblical narrative, as it references a contemporary source. It also reflects the biblical authors' intent to provide a theological interpretation of history, focusing on the spiritual lessons rather than exhaustive historical details. This encourages readers to seek deeper understanding and reflection on the spiritual and moral lessons from Israel's history.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Menahem
He was the king of Israel who reigned for ten years. His reign was marked by violence and oppression, including the brutal suppression of a rebellion.

2. Israel
The northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, often characterized by political instability and idolatry during this period.

3. The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel
A historical record that documented the reigns of the kings of Israel, now lost to history but referenced in the Bible.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Historical Records
The reference to the Book of the Chronicles underscores the value of historical documentation in understanding God's dealings with His people. It reminds us to value and learn from history.

Consequences of Leadership Choices
Menahem's reign, marked by violence and oppression, serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of leadership choices on a nation. Leaders are accountable to God for their actions.

Spiritual Decline and Political Instability
The period of Menahem's reign illustrates how spiritual decline often leads to political instability. This serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual renewal and faithfulness to God.

God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Affairs
Despite the chaos and moral decline, God's sovereign plan continues. Believers can trust that God is in control, even when human leaders fail.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the way historical records were used in the Bible, and how can this inform our understanding of biblical history today?

2. How does Menahem's reign reflect the broader spiritual and political climate of Israel during this period, and what lessons can we draw for our own time?

3. In what ways do the actions of leaders impact the spiritual and moral direction of a nation, and how can Christians influence leadership in a positive way?

4. How does the reference to the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel encourage us to value and preserve our own spiritual and historical records?

5. Considering the political instability during Menahem's reign, how can believers find peace and assurance in God's sovereignty amidst current global uncertainties?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 15:17-20
These verses provide context for Menahem's reign, including his violent rise to power and the tribute he paid to the Assyrian king, Pul. This highlights the political and spiritual decline of Israel.

2 Chronicles 27:7
Similar to 2 Kings 15:21, this verse references the acts of Jotham, king of Judah, recorded in the Chronicles, emphasizing the importance of historical records in understanding the kings' reigns.

Hosea 10:3-4
Hosea, a prophet during this time, speaks to the corruption and faithlessness of Israel, which aligns with the moral and spiritual climate during Menahem's reign.
Sermons
Some Lessons from the History of KingsD. Thomas 2 Kings 15:1-38
Anarchy in IsraelJ. Orr 2 Kings 15:8-22
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, Zechariah
Places
Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, Tirzah
Topics
Acts, Annals, Aren't, Book, Chronicles, Deeds, History, Kings, Matters, Menahem, Men'ahem, Menahem's, Recorded, Reign, Rest, Written
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 15:1-38

     5366   king

2 Kings 15:19-21

     5305   empires

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 Bible

Meditations 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

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