Author Archives: Joseph Malekani

2 Kings 16b Commentary The second section of Chapter 16 discusses Ahaz’s modifications to the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. The narration is flat. Even the High Priest Uriah implements the king’s designs quietly. The LORD is terrifyingly quiet! Ahaz is a zero situation! A godly man turns to the LORD when in trouble.ContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 16b Commentary”

2 Kings 16 Commentary Child sacrifice, worship of demonic idols, and taboo sexual acts: because of these sins, the LORD had commanded Israel to drive out the Canaanite tribes. Ahaz, king of Judah, is, however, practicing these outrageous and abominable pagan worship acts. “Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for youContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 16 Commentary”

2 Kings 15 Commentary We have six kings in a period of fewer than thirty-two years. Four assassinations. Two of the assassins are themselves assassinated. A newly born baby will have seen all of this, and he will still be a youth! Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea; that is the order of theirContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 15 Commentary”

2 Kings 14 Commentary Amaziah is comparatively a good king. We are, however, shocked by his childish war games with Jehoash, king of the sister kingdom of Judah. He is oblivious to the usual casualties of war and the subsequent suffering of individuals and communities. No doubt, this mindless war made many women widows andContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 14 Commentary”

2 Kings 13 Commentary Jehu, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, and Jeroboam the second; that is the order of their reigns from father to son. This period is marked by increased difficulties for God’s people. According to the scriptures, Israel’s idolatry, particularly the sin of Jeroboam, is the reason Israel finds herself in this position. It has beenContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 13 Commentary”

2 Kings 12 Commentary Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. What is not said here is more important than what is said! The godly council of the chief priest kept the king on the rails. The same account in the Book ofContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 12 Commentary”

2 Kings 11 Commentary The consequence of the friendship between Ahab and Jehoshaphat is that their children married each other. The good king Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram married Athaliah, the daughter of the wicked couple, Ahab and Jezebel. It is during this time that the two houses shared names. So their children and grandchildren are variouslyContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 11 Commentary”

2 Kings 10b Commentary Jehu’s assessment of himself was quite impressive.  “Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord,” he once boasted. Verse 16. But look at God’s assessment of Jehu. “Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away fromContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 10b Commentary”

2 Kings 10 Commentary You may want to check the estimated portion of land that the LORD promised Abraham. It is big and includes much of what is Saudi Arabia today. Under Joshua, Israel could only occupy a smaller subset of the bigger promise. The occupation was largely on paper, as much of the land stillContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 10 Commentary”

2 Kings 9 Commentary The prophet who is sent to anoint Jehu is commanded not to wait around. No selfies! No autographs. No gifts from the newly anointed king. He had to get out of the place as fast as he possibly could. So admirable!So Jehu becomes king in Israel. He is anointed by theContinueContinue reading “2 Kings 9 Commentary”