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IV. CAPTIVITY of ISRAEL by Assyria

Chapter 17

Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, captures the northern kingdomand exacts tribute from them. When he discovers that KingHoshea had formed a conspiracy against him, he besiegesSamaria and, after 3 years, takes the northern tribes into captivity.These are the reasons God permitted Israel to go into captivity:

(1) Disobeyed God (v. 13)Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and againstJudah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying,Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandmentsand my statutes, according to all the lawwhich I commanded your fathers, and which I sentto you by my servants the prophets.

(2) Doubted God (v. 14, see also 2 Chronicles 36:15, 16)Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but hardenedtheir necks, like the neck of their fathers, who didnot believe in the LORD their God.

(3) Defied God (v. 15) in that they refused to observe the sabbaticyear for 490 years

To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth ofJeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths;for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, tofulfill threescore and ten years. (2 Chronicles 36:21)The story of this nation is the story of every individual (Romans1:5; 16:20, 26; Acts 7:51; Hebrews 12:16).

Assyria brings in foreigners to colonize the land — first mentionof Samaritans (v. 29).

V. DECLINE and CAPTIVITY of JUDAH by Babylon

Chapters 18 — 25

Chapter 18

Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, succeeds him to thethrone and is an exceptionally good king (v. 3). There is arevival during his reign (vs. 4, 5).

Hezekiah is able to overcome the Philistines, but Sennacherib,king of Assyria, invades Judah and threatens Jerusalem.Rab-shakeh, captain of Assyria, insults Hezekiah andattempts to frighten him.

Chapter 19

He is successful in this, for Hezekiah putson sackcloth and goes to the house of God to pray. In themeantime, he sends a messenger to Isaiah. Isaiah returns amessage of encouragement (vs. 6, 7). Rab-shakeh becomesbold and challenges the God of Israel by sending an insultingletter to Hezekiah. Hezekiah goes into the house of the Lordand spreads the letter before God. God answers throughIsaiah that He will turn the hosts of Assyria back (vs. 28, 32-34). God destroys 185,000 of the Assyrian army, and Sennacheribreturns home where he is slain.

Chapter 20

Hezekiah takes sick and his time is cometo die (v. 1). He prays for a recovery, and God hears hisprayer. This is a time when a man should have died at theappointed time. After his recovery, he commits 3 foolish acts:

(1) He permits the ambassadors from Babylon to see histreasures (vs. 12-19).

(2) He fathers Manasseh, the worst king of all (21:2, 9, 16,17).

(3) Hezekiah’s heart becomes full of pride (2 Chronicles32:25).

That this is an important section is evident from its beingrecorded 3 times in the Word of God (in 2 Chronicles andIsaiah).

Chapter 21

Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, is the mostwicked king of all, even surpassing Ahab and Jezebel. (SinceManasseh was 12 years old when he began to reign andHezekiah reigned 14 years after his illness, Manasseh wasborn after the recovery of Hezekiah.) Amon succeedsManasseh and is evil as was his father (v. 20). His servantsconspire against him and slay him in his own house. Josiahhis son succeeds him.

Chapters 22, 23

Josiah begins to reign when he is 8years old, and he reigns 31 years (22:1). He is one of the bestwho reigned after Solomon (22:2). Agreat and needed revivalcomes to the nation. Hilkiah, the high priest, is his counselor,assistant, and adviser. The steps of revival are given:

(1) Temple repaired (22:3-6);

(2) Return to the Word of God (22:8-10);

(3) Convicted of sin (22:11-13);

(4) Put away idolatry (23:4);

(5) Put away immorality (23:7);

(6) Reinstituted the Passover (23:21-23 and 2 Chronicles35:18);

(7) Further reformation (23:8-20).

Josiah is slain by Pharaoh-neco, king of Egypt. Josiah’s sonJohoahaz reigns 3 months, then the king of Egypt makesEliakim king, another son of Josiah, and changes his name toJehoiakim. Jehoiakim does that which is evil (v. 37).

Chapter 24

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, comesagainst Jehoiakim, and Judah is destroyed (v. 2). This is God’sjudgment upon the nation because of the sins of Manasseh(vs. 3, 4).

After the death of Jehoiakim, who reigns 11 years, his sonJehoiachin comes to the throne for 3 months. He is an evilruler (v. 9). The king of Bablyon captures him, sacksJerusalem and takes captive all the leaders of Jerusalem —among whom is Daniel and the 3 Hebrew children (vs. 14,15). Nebuchadnezzar also takes Jehoiachin into Babyloniancaptivity and makes his uncle, Mattaniah, king over Judahand changes his name to Zedekiah. Zedekiah is also an evilking, and he rebels against Nebuchadnezzar (vs. 19, 20).

Chapter 25

Nebuchadnezzar comes up against Jerusalem,destroys it, and deports the people into captivity. Theeyes of Zedekiah are put out after he witnesses the slaying ofhis own sons (v. 7). Nebuchadnezzar burns the Temple (v. 9)and transports all things of value to Babylon, including thevessels of the Temple. Jerusalem is totally destroyed.

Gedaliah is made governor and becomes the abject subjectof King Nebuchadnezzar (v. 24). Before long he is murdered,and the people who remain flee to Egypt.Jehoiachin is released from prison in Babylon and given aplace of prominence there.

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