2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:2 THE KING WENT UP TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. Since Josiah is a faithful king, Huldah’s message of doom does not keep him from pursuing religious reform in light of the BOOK OF THE COVENANT. His first move is to organize a covenant-renewal ceremony. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = docu... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:4 The eastern slopes of the KIDRON Valley had been associated with idolatry since the time of Solomon (1 Kings 11:7). It was a convenient place to destroy cult objects, thereby desecrating the valley itself as a religious site. On MALE CULT PROSTITUTES (2 Kings 23:7), see... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:8 DEFILED THE HIGH PLACES WHERE THE PRIESTS HAD MADE OFFERINGS. These were local places of worship in various cities (see note on 1 Kings 3:2). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:10 The VALLEY OF THE SON OF HINNOM ran along the western and southern sides of ancient Jerusalem until it met the Kidron Valley running from north to south. It is associated with the worship of MOLECH (see note on 1 Kings 11:7–8) at the site named TOPHETH. “Hinnom Valley”... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:11 HORSES THAT THE KINGS OF JUDAH HAD DEDICATED TO THE SUN. The practice of dedicating horses to the sun appears to have been an Assyrian custom. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:12 ALTARS ON THE ROOF. The roof is a natural location for worship of the stars (see 2 Kings 16:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:13 Because idolatrous altars were there, the Mount of Olives is here called the MOUNT OF CORRUPTION. ASHTORETH is the biblical name for Astarte or Venus. On CHEMOSH and MILCOM, see notes on 1 Kings 11:5; 11:7–8. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:14 HE BROKE IN PIECES THE PILLARS. Josiah destroys all the buildings associated with idol worship. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:15 ALTAR AT BETHEL. Josiah not only destroys but also defiles (vv. 2 Kings 23:8, 2 Kings 23:10, 2 Kings 23:13) the altar by placing pagan religious objects close to graves and human bones (vv. 2 Kings 23:6, 2 Kings 23:14). This fulfills the prophecy of... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:22 A PASSOVER like this had not been observed SINCE THE DAYS OF THE JUDGES (see Joshua 5:10 for the last mention of Passover and Deuteronomy 16:1, especially v. 2 Kings 23:6, for instructions for Passover). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:24 MEDIUMS and NECROMANCERS try to get information by inquiring of the dead. The HOUSEHOLD GODS were images of deities that were either life-size (1 Samuel 19:13) or figurine-size (Genesis 31:19). They were usually made of wood and covered with metal and precious stones.... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:25 Despite several generations of idolatry and rebellion against the Lord, somehow Josiah was a righteous king who TURNED TO THE LORD WITH ALL HIS HEART. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:26 Though Josiah was righteous, this did not turn away God’s WRATH from the nation. God will use exile to purify his people of deeply rooted unfaithfulness. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:28 PHARAOH NECO KILLED HIM AT MEGIDDO. This battle took place in 609 B.C. Pharaoh Neco II marched north for what was apparently the last joint Assyrian-Egyptian military effort against the Babylonians and their allies, the Medes. Megiddo controlled the main international h... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:31 The End of Judah. The story of 1–2 Kings now ends as Babylon becomes the great world power. The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and carry its treasures and its people to Babylon. The survival of Josiah’s grandson Jehoiachin offers what little hope exists for the future of... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:36 The Egyptians replace Jehoahaz with his brother JEHOIAKIM. He faces the armies of BABYLON that have just defeated Assyria and are now invading Palestine on their way to Egypt. Babylon’s king NEBUCHADNEZZAR was never able to defeat Egypt completely but he made certain th... [ Continue Reading ]