I did mostly skim 1st and 2nd Chronicles because these books re-tell much of the contents of the books of Samuel and Kings. Nonetheless, it was a good review of the establishment of David's monarchy, the kingdom of Israel, its breakdown into north and south and finally its fall at the hands of first the Assyrians and then the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
Baker's commentary repeatedly reminds that the Chronicler (as the author of these two books is identified, thought to be a Levite priest) is presenting a "special theological point of view" regarding the events in the books of Samuel and Kings. He is giving a "theological history." I admit that this point eluded me though I did note that David's kingship was an obvious theme, that David's faults are ignored by the Chronicler and that, for the Chronicler, the history of Israel begins with David.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
2nd Kings
Elijah and Elisha figure prominently in the beginning of 2nd Kings. Elijah can part waters like Moses, multiply food like Jesus, heal the sick and raise up (or simply revive?) the dead like Jesus, he can bring fire down from the sky and he is at last taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha has remarkable powers as well.
The first 17 chapters give an account of the reigns of the various kings of Israel and Judah. Elisha figures actively in the proceedings which center around the theme of punishment for worshiping pagan gods and not the Lord. Baal is Canaan's storm god and Canaan is frequently described as an evil place.
The notes on Baal-zebub are interesting. Baal means lord or prince and Baal-zebub means Lord of the Flies (calling to mind the title of William Golding's novel). Baal-zebub is described as a version of the god Baal and his name is most likely a corruption by the Israelites of Baal-zebul which means Baal the prince. In the New Testament Baal-zebub is identified as Beezlebul or the prince of demons.
Also of note is that prophets of the day had guilds or associations (and see my note in 1st Kings regarding prophets). I didn't think that a prophet would lead such a mundane existence as belonging to a fraternity of sorts.
Jezebel does indeed meet a horrible death in 2nd Kings, apparently as much for her infidelity to the Lord as for her previous plotting to rob Naboth of his vineyard.
Aram and the Arameans are essentially Syrians. The Aramean incursions into Israel and the dealings between Aram and the Israelites forecast the growth of the Assyrian empire which eventually puts an end to the reign of Israel's line of kings. Pekahiah, Pekah and Hoshea are the last three Israelite kings to rule before the Assyrians prevail over Samaria. There follows in Ch. 17 a lengthy explanation of why Israel fell. Its failure to worship only the Lord also included yielding to other prohibitions: worshiping cast images of calves, making a sacred pole, worshiping the sun, moon and stars, making their children pass through fire (!), relying on "divination and augury" and of course worhshiping Baal.
With Israel done for, we switch to the reign of Hezekiah in Judah. He was a faithful follower of the Lord and mirrored the greatness of David in his service to Judah. I got the impression that he tried to appease King Sennacherib and the Assyrians (and later the Babylonians). The prophet Isaiah appears here for the first time (if he's spoken before this, I missed it). After Hezekiah consults him, it's Isaiah who delivers the message that the Lord will not permit the destruction of Judah by the Assyrians. "I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth; I will turn you back on the way by which you came." (Ch 19, 28) And, indeed, "the angel of the Lord set out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand" (Ch 19, 35). Read Lord Byron's poem describing the defeat of Sennacherib's soldiers.
The first 17 chapters give an account of the reigns of the various kings of Israel and Judah. Elisha figures actively in the proceedings which center around the theme of punishment for worshiping pagan gods and not the Lord. Baal is Canaan's storm god and Canaan is frequently described as an evil place.
The notes on Baal-zebub are interesting. Baal means lord or prince and Baal-zebub means Lord of the Flies (calling to mind the title of William Golding's novel). Baal-zebub is described as a version of the god Baal and his name is most likely a corruption by the Israelites of Baal-zebul which means Baal the prince. In the New Testament Baal-zebub is identified as Beezlebul or the prince of demons.
Also of note is that prophets of the day had guilds or associations (and see my note in 1st Kings regarding prophets). I didn't think that a prophet would lead such a mundane existence as belonging to a fraternity of sorts.
Jezebel does indeed meet a horrible death in 2nd Kings, apparently as much for her infidelity to the Lord as for her previous plotting to rob Naboth of his vineyard.
Aram and the Arameans are essentially Syrians. The Aramean incursions into Israel and the dealings between Aram and the Israelites forecast the growth of the Assyrian empire which eventually puts an end to the reign of Israel's line of kings. Pekahiah, Pekah and Hoshea are the last three Israelite kings to rule before the Assyrians prevail over Samaria. There follows in Ch. 17 a lengthy explanation of why Israel fell. Its failure to worship only the Lord also included yielding to other prohibitions: worshiping cast images of calves, making a sacred pole, worshiping the sun, moon and stars, making their children pass through fire (!), relying on "divination and augury" and of course worhshiping Baal.
With Israel done for, we switch to the reign of Hezekiah in Judah. He was a faithful follower of the Lord and mirrored the greatness of David in his service to Judah. I got the impression that he tried to appease King Sennacherib and the Assyrians (and later the Babylonians). The prophet Isaiah appears here for the first time (if he's spoken before this, I missed it). After Hezekiah consults him, it's Isaiah who delivers the message that the Lord will not permit the destruction of Judah by the Assyrians. "I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth; I will turn you back on the way by which you came." (Ch 19, 28) And, indeed, "the angel of the Lord set out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand" (Ch 19, 35). Read Lord Byron's poem describing the defeat of Sennacherib's soldiers.
And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!Hezekiah is then left to confront the Babylonians and their king, Nebucheddnezar.
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