College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Kings 16 - Introduction
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
THE GREAT ASSYRIAN CONQUEROR
The history of Israel and Judah was radically affected by the rise of the imperialistic Tiglath-pileser III of Assyria. Heretofore the Assyrian military thrusts into Syria-Palestine were merely tribute-gathering raids. But a new policy was inaugurated by Tiglath-pileser. This monarch was determined to build an empire. It was he who introduced the policy of massive population deportation. By removing the upper classes of a conquered nation and resettling them in some remote portion of his empire, Tiglath-pileser was able to reduce the threat of local rebellions throughout his domain.
In 2 Kings 15:8 to 2 Kings 17:41 the author describes (1) how Israel (2 Kings 15:16-31) and then Judah (2 Kings 15:32 to 2 Kings 16:20) submitted to Tiglath-pileser. The author then discusses the Assyrian conquest of Samaria and deportation often tribes (2 Kings 17:1-41).
REVIEW OF CHAPTER TWENTY- TWO
I. FACTS TO MASTER
A. Know one fact about each of the following:
Kings
Foreign Kings
Non-Kings
Gods
Zechariah
Pul
Argob
Succoth-benoth
Shallum
Tiglath-pileser
Arieh
Nergal
Menahem
Rezin
Urijah
Ashima
Pekahiah
Shalmaneser
Nibhaz
Pekah
So
Tartak
Hoshea
Adrammelech
Jotham
Anammelech
Ahaz
B. Places mentioned in this chapter:
1. Samaria
8. Ijon, Abel-bethmaachah, Janoah,
2. Tirzah
Kadesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee,
3. Tiphsah
Naphtali
4. Elath
9. Halah, Habor, Gozan
5. Damascus
10. Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath,
6. Kir
Sepharvaini
7. Bethel
II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1.
What promise had God made to Jehu back in 841 B.C.? How was that promise fulfilled?
2.
How many different dynasties ruled in Israel after the fall of the Jehu dynasty? How can you account for such turmoil?
3.
What surprising shifts in political alliance took place in Israel during the last days of that kingdom?
4.
What was the Syro-Ephraimitic war? What great prophecy has its background in this war? What additional details about this war are found in Chronicles?
5.
Explain the chronological problem relating to the Reign of Pekah.
6.
To whom did Ahaz turn for aid when pressed by the armies of Israel and Aram? Why?
7.
What terrible acts of apostasy are said to have taken place during the reign of Ahaz?
8.
Explain what is meant by the phrase made his son to pass through the fire.
9.
What textual alteration may have taken place in 2 Kings 16:6? In what other passages did a similar alteration likely take place? (See 2 Kings 3:26; 2 Samuel 8:13).
10.
In what way did Assyrian foreign policy change under Tiglath-pileser? Why is this king called Pul in the Bible?
11.
What motivated Ahaz to order a foreign altar to replace the Solomonic bronze altar as the center of Temple worship?
12.
How many different heathen customs are alluded to in 2 Kings 17:7-23? How many different words for false gods or symbols of worship can you find in these verses?
13.
How can you explain the lion plague which came against the Samaritans? How was this problem solved?
14.
In what way is much modern day religion like that of the Samaritans?
SYNOPSIS OF PART THREE - THE SURVIVING KINGDOM
2 Kings 18-25
722-587 B.C.
136 YEARS
JUDAH INDEPENDENT
ASSYRIAN DOMINATION
JUDAH INDEPENDENT
EGYPTIAN DOMINATION
BABYLONIAN DOMINATION
722-686 B.C.
686-640 B.C.
640-609 B.C.
609-605 B.C.
605-587 B.C.
Hezekiah
Manasseh Amon
Josiah
Jehoahaz Jehoiakim
Jehoiakim Jehoiachin Zedekiah
2 Kings 18-20
Chapter
Twenty-three
The Struggle
for Independence
Chapter
Twenty-four
The Last Great Reformation
Chapter
Twenty-five
The Dying Days of Judah