Kings

Kings Homework

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

The book of Kings, originally one book, was written for the people of Israel as they were in exile in Egypt. We see at the end of 2 Kings where “all the people of Judah, from least to greatest, fled in panic to Egypt...” (2 Kings 25:26) This implies that the records of the kings were compiled up until this point. 

However, to understand the significance of this book, we must look into not only the people of Israel, but those that they lived among and eventually took on their way of life and worship. The canaanite’s gods were of great significance to the story, and the original reader would have understood these specific circumstances and characteristics. 

The Canaanite religion worshipped three main gods that focused on rain and fertility of land as well as it’s people. Baal- the god of rain, Ashera- Baal’s wife and the goddess of sex and fertility, and Molech- the fire god to which babies were burned to death as a sacrifice. Their gods were impersonal and needed to be appeased in order for good things to rain down upon them. Worship normally came in the form of either sacrifices or sexual practices. Each temple typically had prostitutes on hand in order to worship the gods. 

The original reader would not only be familiar with this, but they most likely personally practiced this idol worship. In reading Kings, they see this referred to over and over as a downfall for their people. God’s people began to adopt the pagan mindset believing that God needs to be appeased. They thought that they could manipulate him to get what they needed and we could walk out of his territory and into another in order to get away.

2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

The author is technically unknown but is thought to be Jeremiah. This could actually be pretty likely. With the people taken into exile at the end of the book, we must note the detail that is given. We are told that the people are taken into Egypt (2 Kings 25:26), which might not have been known aside from someone who was there. This supports Jeremiah as the authors since he was there at the time. 

Likewise, by looking at the themes throughout the book, it points to a prophet being the writer. There are many prophets named throughout the book, and in a way they take the focus of the storyline. The story of Kings is not merely the political decline, but the spiritual decline of the people. This would likely have been a prophet and not a historian who would see this as important over politics. 

3. What are the main themes and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

In reference to every king, we learn that they either do was is evil or do what is righteous within their reign. But it is important to note that the phrase “in the eyes of the Lord” follows every statement (2 Kings 15: 18, 24, 28, and 34). The author is making direct reference to the fact that it does not matter if they do right in the eyes of the people or the other kings around them. It doesn’t matter if they act logically or politically or even militarily in their reign. What matters is if what was done was in the fear of the Lord and according to his command, or if it was done on their own. This is what matters to the Lord.

Take Solomon for instance. He chose to walk much of his life with a fear of the Lord. He writes about it all through the Proverbs. But Solomon reigned with a political mindset. His foreign policy was simply to take many of the foreign princesses as his wives, creating peace treaties among the surrounding nations (1 Kings 3:1). From a political stand point, this is brilliant, but the Lord warns against it ( 1 Kings 11:1-3). It is through this act that Solomon allows the worship of foreign gods, even building temples for his wives to worship. In turn, he begins to worship the other gods as well. (1 King 3:3-4) He brought idol worship into his land by ruling in the eyes of a king, no through the eyes of the Lord. 

As time continues, the majority of the kings do what is evil in the eyes of the Lord. There are some that seem to be headed on the right path, but we find them half-heartedly committed to God in the kingdom. Although in their heart they seek to please God, there are multiple times that we read “but they did not take down the Ashera poles or other idols.” (2 Kings 15:34-35) It’s in this half hearted mindset that we see the steady decline of the Israelites. 

The book of Kings is showing the people their steady decline due to half hearted fear of the Lord through the leadership and the people, as well as a willingness to abandon the commands of the Lord and mix with other religions, leading to destruction and exile. 

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?

The book of Kings is showing the covenant curses being fulfilled. God told his people in Deuteronomy 28 that if they followed his commands, they would be blessed. However, by turning away and walking in wickedness, by following the ways of the pagan gods around them, they would be cursed (Deuteronomy 28). Every curse promised is being fulfilled. With the people in exile, it would be easy for them to look back and feel abandoned by God, for them to wonder how they got to where they are. They’ve lost the land that was promised, the Ark of the Covenant, and the ability to worship. (2 Kings 24:8-9) But in reading Kings, they are able to step back and look at the curses that they brought upon themselves through their wicked ways. 

5. What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

The Lord is true to his promises. He made a covenant with his people and it was kept. In reading Deuteronomy 28, we actually see a steady incline of severity as depravity deepens in the people. In the same way, the wickedness of the people get worse and worse throughout Israel and Judah. God was true to his word. In a similar way, God was still true to his promises to David. Although many of the kings deserved judgment, the Lord often says “ but for the sake of my servant David, I will not do this while you are still alive.” (1 Kings 11:12) Even after David’s death and through the sin of the kings to come, the Lord is true to his promises. 

We also see the Lord’s faithfulness and mercy. Kings is filled with prophets sent by the Lord in an attempt to turn his people back to him. He never gives up on them until He knows that they have reached the end and He must send his judgement (2 Kings 24:20). He is just, but desired mercy and gave his people opportunity to turn back to him. 

6. What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Once again, we see the chance of redemption in the sending of the prophets. The Lord desired to redeem his people back to himself, but they did not respond. So the Lord sends them into exile, but not forever. God made a promise with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David and we know that he will honor it (2 Sam 7:11-16). Being in exile causes the people to cry out for redemption and the Lord is pleased to bring it. Ultimately, the Lord is disciplining his children to run them back to himself as a loving father, just like he promised David (2 Samuel 7:14). 

7. Personal Application

Reading Kings made the reality of sin and very real thing. It’s not ok to simply have a heart for the Lord and to not act on it. I can’t believe all those kings that, while on the right path and with a heart for the Lord, let the Ashera poles and idols stand. It is in this apathy that sin creeps in and takes over. I remember a sermon that my pastor gave when he was talking about the dangers and reality of sin. He said that we often treat it like a rubber snake. We play with it and we’re not afraid of us, cause we know that it can’t hurt us. While in reality, sin is like a angry cobra. One bite and you’re in ruin. We wouldn’t get anywhere near a live cobra if we new it was there, yet we treat it like a rubber snake. This is exactly how I felt in reading Kings and I pray that I won’t be like one of the kings that had a heart for the Lord and then let things slide. Father, create in me a pure heart in which I desire to truly follow you and you alone. Don’t let sin creep into my life. And help me to not lead others away from righteousness as well. And father, help me to not rebuke those that act as a prophet in my life. Let me listen to those that are willing to speak into who I am and to not turn them away. 

8. Point of Passion 

Actually, this ties in very much with my application point. Just as in kings, parents are the leaders in their family. They must learn the these examples and remember that it doesn’t matter what society views as right or wrong. In fact, most people today would argue against even spanking your kids. But as leaders in a family, we must stand firm in what is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord and no where else. Yes, learn from those who are wise, like the prophets. Be open for correction. But above all, live above reproach, point out sin within the household and encourage those to repent. Live a life that is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord. This is our call.