This happened because they did not listen to the voice of the LORD their God, but violated His covenant--all that Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded--and would neither listen nor obey. because they did not listenThe Hebrew root for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but also understanding and obeying. In the biblical context, listening to God is an act of faith and submission. The Israelites' failure to listen signifies a deeper spiritual rebellion, highlighting the importance of heeding God's word as a foundation for a faithful life. to the voice of the LORD their God
The "voice of the LORD" represents divine revelation and authority. In the Hebrew tradition, God's voice is powerful and creative, as seen in Genesis where God speaks the world into existence. The Israelites' disregard for God's voice underscores their rejection of His sovereignty and guidance, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament as a call to recognize and submit to divine authority. but transgressed His covenant
The term "transgressed" comes from the Hebrew "עָבַר" (avar), meaning to pass over or go beyond. This indicates a deliberate violation of the covenant, a sacred agreement between God and His people. The covenant, central to Israel's identity, required obedience and loyalty. Their transgression reflects a breach of trust and relationship with God, emphasizing the gravity of covenantal faithfulness. all that Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded
Moses, as "the servant of the LORD," is a pivotal figure in delivering God's law. His role as mediator of the covenant at Sinai is foundational for Israel's religious and social life. The reference to Moses underscores the continuity of God's revelation and the enduring authority of the Mosaic Law. Disobedience to Moses' commands is equated with disobedience to God Himself, highlighting the importance of adhering to divinely instituted leadership and instruction. and would neither listen nor obey
The repetition of "listen" and the addition of "obey" (Hebrew "שָׁמַע" and "עָשָׂה" - asah, meaning to do or act) emphasize the complete rejection of God's will. Obedience in the biblical sense involves action based on faith. The Israelites' refusal to listen and obey illustrates a hardened heart and a willful departure from God's path, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of spiritual defiance. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who were taken into exile by the Assyrians due to their disobedience to God. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel who had given them laws and commandments through Moses. 3. MosesThe servant of the LORD who delivered God's laws and covenant to the Israelites. 4. The CovenantThe agreement between God and Israel, which included the laws and commandments given through Moses. 5. Assyrian ExileThe event where the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered and its people were taken into captivity by the Assyrians as a consequence of their disobedience. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's commands is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with Him. The Israelites' failure to obey led to severe consequences, reminding us of the importance of aligning our lives with God's will. The Consequences of DisobedienceDisobedience to God’s covenant brings about negative consequences. Just as the Israelites faced exile, we too can face spiritual and practical repercussions when we stray from God's path. Listening to God's VoiceActively listening to God involves more than just hearing; it requires a response of obedience. We should cultivate a heart that is attentive and responsive to God's guidance. The Role of Scripture in Our LivesScripture serves as a guide for living in accordance with God's covenant. Regular engagement with the Bible helps us understand and apply God's commands in our daily lives. The Faithfulness of GodDespite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His covenant. This encourages us to trust in God's steadfast love and mercy, even when we fall short. Bible Study Questions 1. What specific actions did the Israelites take that demonstrated their disobedience to God's covenant, and how can we avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives? 2. How does the concept of covenant in the Old Testament relate to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are not only hearing but also obeying the voice of the LORD in our daily lives? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced consequences due to disobedience. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's commands? 5. How can we, as a community of believers, support one another in maintaining obedience to God's Word? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to God's covenant, which directly relates to the consequences faced by Israel in 2 Kings 18:12. Exodus 19:5-6These verses describe the initial establishment of the covenant between God and Israel, emphasizing the importance of obedience. Jeremiah 7:23-24These verses echo the theme of Israel's failure to listen and obey God's commands, leading to their downfall. Hosea 4:6This verse highlights the destruction that comes from a lack of knowledge and rejection of God's law, similar to the situation in 2 Kings 18:12. People Abi, Abijah, Ahaz, Asaph, David, Elah, Eliakim, Hezekiah, Hilkiah, Hoshea, Israelites, Joah, Pharaoh, Rabsaris, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Shalmaneser, Shebna, Tartan, Zachariah, ZechariahPlaces Arpad, Assyria, Egypt, Gaza, Gozan, Habor River, Halah, Hamath, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Samaria, Sepharvaim, Washer's FieldTopics Agreement, Carried, Commanded, Commands, Covenant, Didn't, Ear, Hearkened, Listen, Listened, Obey, Obeyed, Ordered, Servant, Transgress, Transgressed, Violated, Voice, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 18:12 1349 covenant, at Sinai
5103 Moses, significance
5165 listening
8344 servanthood, in believers 2 Kings 18:9-12 5214 attack
5529 sieges 2 Kings 18:11-12 7135 Israel, people of God Library Hezekiah, a Pattern of Devout Life
'Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel.... 6. He clave to the Lord, and departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments.'--2 KINGS xviii. 5,6. Devout people in all ages and stations are very much like each other. The elements of godliness are always the same. This king of Israel, something like two thousand six hundred years ago, and the humblest Christian to-day have the family likeness on their faces. These words, which are an outline sketch of the king's character, are really …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Woman of Samaria
(Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, 1856.) 2 Kings xviii. 9-12. And it came to pass in the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, came up against Samaria, and besieged it. And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons 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 The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses Men in Human Language...
CHAPTER XXXIV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION. 1. Since the Bible addresses men in human language, and according to human modes of thinking and speaking, the interpreter's first work is to ascertain the meaning of the terms employed. Here he must proceed as in the case of other writings, seeking by the aid of grammars, lexicons, cognate languages, ancient versions, ancient interpreters, and whatever other outward helps are available, to gain a thorough knowledge of the language employed by …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times, …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making 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 18:12 NIV2 Kings 18:12 NLT2 Kings 18:12 ESV2 Kings 18:12 NASB2 Kings 18:12 KJV
2 Kings 18:12 Commentaries
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